Upstart Pastry Chef ~Territory Management of a Genius Pâtisserie~ - Chapter 5

Chapter 5 : A Night to Remember

“Kurt-sama, I’ve brought the candles!”

Finally, after finishing the development plans and budget projections for the next month, Tina, dressed in her nightwear, appeared with beeswax in hand.

Beeswax is made from the honeycomb. Inside the beehive, there are ten frames where the bees build their comb. But sometimes, the bees make the comb too large.

In such cases, the comb is shaved off with a knife, and the shaved-off comb becomes the material for beeswax.

Without it, poor folks like me couldn’t afford candles.

Candles are expensive.

“I appreciate it. We were about to run out of candles.”

I was transcribing a thick book onto fresh paper.

What I’m doing is transcription.

The client requesting the transcription is a bookstore in Ringrata, the foremost commercial city in the Federal Empire located to the south. The books are delivered through traveling merchants who visit each village in the Arnoldt barony once a month.

For the past two years, I’ve been transcribing and submitting books to be delivered along with the originals by the traveling merchants.

The commercial city of Ringrata receives books from various countries and cities, so the languages used are diverse. In the case of spellbooks, they may even contain their own codes.

My job is to translate and write them in the language the client desires. Transcription brings in good income. Despite living in a remote area, my transcriptions have gained a good reputation, and fortunately, work never dries up.

Getting this job was incredibly lucky. When my father and I went to visit the Fernande baron, who is the coordinator for all the nobles in the southern region and has his base in the commercial city of Ringrata, we happened to have a chance to talk with him. He introduced me to his favorite bookstore, where I hit it off with the store manager, and that’s how it all began.

…Back then, there were still expectations for me. That’s why I got the introduction from the baron.

“Kurt-sama, you’re pushing yourself too hard. Training with the spear in the morning, then working on the settlement during the day, followed by taking care of the bees, and when you get home, handling paperwork for the village. And on top of that, transcription work. You’re going to collapse someday.”

“I enjoy what I do. Besides, I’ve never collapsed before, so I’ll be fine. And I need money to spend as I please.”

As I said that, Tina pouted.

Her silver fox ears stood up straight, a sign that she was angry.

“You’re just lying! Even the lunch you prepare every day for everyone in the territory isn’t enough with just the wheat from the village, so you have to buy it, and the medicine and bandages for when people get injured or sick, they’re all bought with the money you earn from transcription!”

“Well, that’s true, but…”

Arnoldt is a poor noble.

There’s not enough budget for gifts, not enough for buying medicine. Even beekeeping equipment costs money. While I do receive a budget for developing the village, it’s really just a pittance.

So, I use the money I earn from transcription like this.

“It’s not right for you to be the only one working so hard, Kurt-sama!”

“That’s not true. I’m not working hard. My hobbies come first. I get to read expensive books that I couldn’t afford otherwise, and I even get paid for it. The expensive books that are requested for transcription are usually ones that I want to read. Books on business management, medical texts, spellbooks, history books. Each one brings me happiness just by reading it. Plus, when transcribing, I end up memorizing the contents. It’s wonderful to be able to make everyone happy with the money I earn from it.”

“Ugh, I know, but… Kurt-sama, you’re always making others happy, but you’re not happy yourself! You work so hard and have so many wonderful talents, but no one recognizes them, why, why!?”

Tina cried.

For my sake.

“Tina, come here.”

I beckoned Tina over.

Then she sat down between my legs as I sat on the chair.

Until recently, she had a childlike innocence about her. Often feeling lonely, she would seek comfort.

During those times, I would hold her like this while continuing my transcription work, listening to her talk without interrupting my tasks. This way, I could comfort Tina without stopping my work.

Tina leaned against me, putting some weight on me.

“It’s been a while since you’ve done this for me. Kurt-sama, you’ve grown bigger again.”

“I’m still in my growing phase. But of course, not as much as Tina.”

She’s still just fifteen. I want more muscle and height.

“I didn’t mean it like that. You just keep getting more wonderful.”

“Men always try to look cool in front of cute girls.”

“That’s not true. There’s no one as wonderful as you, Kurt-sama.”

I felt embarrassed and couldn’t say anything.

The only sound was the scratching of the quill.

The absence of conversation didn’t feel awkward.

Strangely, it felt warm.

As the night wore on, it was time to finish today’s work.

I realized Tina had fallen asleep in my arms, so I lifted her up and carried her to bed, making her into a makeshift pillow, then I fell asleep beside her.

Holding her makes me feel gentle.

Since coming to this village, we’ve been sleeping like this, holding each other.

After enjoying the softness of Tina’s tail, I drifted off to sleep.

　◇

I woke up.

Today, I won’t do my usual spear practice. I’ll save it for the evening. If I don’t leave early, I won’t make it back to the main village.

Today is the day I return to the main village once a month to report to my father, Baron Arnoldt, about the progress of our settlement, the amount of barley we can harvest, and to determine the taxes.

Additionally, there will likely be discussions about whether I or my brother will become the next lord.

In the Arnoldt family tradition, when there are two or more male children, after they come of age, a selection ceremony determines who is more suitable to be the lord.

This decision has nothing to do with personality, strength, popularity among the people, or achievements. It’s determined by one thing alone.

Quietly slipping out of bed so as not to wake Tina, I decided to leave her behind. Going with me would only invite unpleasant looks.

“Why are you trying to go alone?”

But it seems I was naive.

Her small hand firmly grasped the hem of my clothes, and she looked at me with resentful eyes.

“Good morning, Tina.”

“I’m coming too.”

“…I don’t think you’ll have a good time.”

“I don’t want to let you go alone, Kurt-sama.”

This child, honestly.

I gently patted Tina’s head.

“I’ll take you up on that offer. Hurry up and get ready.”

“Yes, Kurt-sama!”

Tina cheerfully replied and jumped out of bed to wash her face at the outdoor well.

But, this is troublesome.

If Tina is coming with me, I can’t afford to show any uncool moments.