Rest for the Restless

"There really is no place like home."

"It's so relaxing…"

Yohane was spending a leisurely time with Azu.

While helping with Princess Tianis's work, one trouble after another had kept piling up, forcing them to stay at the castle.

But now that things had finally settled down, they were able to return home.

They even got three days off.

The mountain of work had been reduced thanks to Princess Yupe's help.

Her personality might be a lost cause, but as royalty, she was well-educated and capable at her job.

As long as someone kept an eye on her, she wouldn't slack off.

By the way, while they had been detained in the Royal Capital, the renovations to the shop and house had been completed.

So this was his first time returning to the renovated house.

"The castle can handle everything other than the coronation now. Even if I'm an advisor, it was never normal for us to be helping this much in the first place."

"I actually found it quite interesting, but I'm still happy to relax like this with you, Master."

"It's only for now though. They're coordinating the coronation to coincide with Duke Baroba's arrival in the capital, so things will get busy again."

That was their real job.

To serve as Princess Tianis and Lady Anatia's hands and feet, supporting them to make the coronation a success.

After that, they would return to their previous relationship of just handling assigned work.

His title was temporary anyway, and a merchant standing in the political arena was inherently unreasonable.

Occasionally offering advice from beside them was just right.

"I don't want to do anything today. Let's just stay like this."

"I'll do the same."

"What a brainless conversation you two are having…"

Alexia emerged from her room.

She must have finished organizing her belongings.

"How do you like having your own room?"

"It really is nice. The shared room was lively and that was good too, but having no privacy was a bit…"

"I feel lonely before bed though."

"You're still a child, Azu. You can come to my room or Elza's if you want. As long as it's not every night, you're welcome."

"Really?!"

Azu and the others now had their own rooms.

Orleans had also moved here from the Cat's Paw Inn.

It was a bit worrying that she came with just a single bag both ways, but she said she had everything she needed, so he'd take her shopping sometime.

"I'm back… You're all lazing about."

"Welcome home."

Finn returned.

In addition to looking after the Royal Shadows' training, she was also helping train the Kingdom's army, so even during the break, she frequently went to the castle.

Finn's salary was handled separately, so she must be earning quite a bit.

"Here, a souvenir. That girl was selling them but had some left over, so I bought them all."

"These are… cocoa cookies."

"She made them all herself, apparently. Quite skilled, isn't she?"

When Finn set the bag on the table, cookies spilled out of it in abundance.

That girl probably meant Ann.

Each cookie was small, just about bite-sized.

When he put one in his mouth, it had a pleasant sweetness and the flavor of cocoa.

The cacao beans were probably from the Empire.

The trade treaty had only been signed recently, yet all sorts of things were already coming in.

Both the quantity and quality of goods were incomparable to before.

Kingdom spices and alcohol were apparently popular too.

Also, Luido's oil seemed to be selling well.

There was a time when he thought the Kingdom had no notable specialties, but surprisingly, there were things that other countries didn't have.

His shop was also supplying a considerable amount of goods to people going to sell in the Empire, so they were making good money.

After trade with the Solar Union fell through, prices kept rising and things were tough, but maybe things were finally looking up.

"I'll go call Orleans and Elza. If I leave this alone, it'll all be gone."

"It's so delicious that my hand just keeps reaching for more."

"Prepare some drinks while you're at it."

"Mine too please."

"Yeah, yeah."

He went upstairs and first opened the door to Elza's room.

Inside, Elza was writing something.

"Oh, what is it?"

"Finn bought snacks. I came to call you before they're all gone."

"I see. Then I'll come down right away."

"How's your private room? Alexia was quite pleased with hers."

"I'm used to living with many people, so I was fine, but… ah, but…"

Elza slid closer and pressed her body against his.

"It'll be easier for me to sneak into your room at night now. If you leave your door unlocked, I'll come anytime."

"No, the sound would carry."

"I can manage that much."

"It would be awkward the next day."

"Honestly. Let me know when you're in the mood, okay?"

Elza's body pulled away.

The warmth disappeared, and he felt a slight reluctance to let it go.

Next was Orleans.

When he opened the door, she was slumped over on the desk.

It seemed she had been helping with work.

But she must have lost the battle against drowsiness.

"Fwah…?"

"Good morning. Sorry if I woke you."

"Ah, ah…"

Orleans trembled when she saw Yohane.

She seemed unable to grasp the situation.

Finally realizing she had been sleeping, she wiped the corner of her mouth and shrank in on herself, face turning bright red.

"I'm so sorry, sir… That was very unsightly of me."

"If you're sleepy, you can sleep. I don't intend to micromanage things like that."

"No, I'm just a lowly servant you've hired!"

The content and contribution of her work was nowhere near the level of a lowly servant, but…

"Are you hungry?"

"Um. A little?"

"Then come downstairs for snacks."

"I'll wash my face and be right there. Please go ahead without me, sir."

He replied that he understood and closed the door.

Orleans was a girl too. She must have been embarrassed to be seen just waking up.

He went back down, put milk in a pot, heated it, and added tea leaves.

Adding sugar to this would make a rich milk tea.

Orleans came down and they all ate cocoa cookies together.

He thought it was the first peaceful time they'd had in a while.