This details the temporary couple life of Ritz and Sieg.

  We were continuing to play being husband and wife.

  With the excuse of not making people around us find out, I now have more opportunity to be close to her.

  Maybe since I overdid it sometimes, she is acting a little cold recently.

  I might be able to do this only now. After the contract period is over, the two of us become strangers. So I kept apologising to her inside my head.

  I silently stared at her and hugged her by the waist. Getting hugged, Sieg was frozen up.

  I caressed her hair and whispered, “I won’t do anything you don’t want,” and waited for her to leave herself to me.

  A while later, Sieg entrusted some of her weight to me.

  The way how she awkwardly lets me do whatever is unbearable.

  I wonder if I was famished for the warmth of people. When I hugged Sieg tightly, I felt relaxed.

  I felt uneasy that I was only one in bliss.

  Since I had no plans to ignore Sieg’s feelings, I asked.

  “Sieg, if you don’t like it, push me away.”


  “……”


  Sieg said “No,” in a frail voice and then stayed still.

  If she meant to reject me, I would already have been slammed into wall.

  She is doing her best to play ‘the role of the wife’. It was disheartening to think that, but the fact that we were connected now was more important.

  I fulfilled my desires using Sieg’s effort.

  Will this remain as a good memory?

  Or will this remain as a sad recollection of the happy past?

  “Sieglinde……”


  “I love you,” such heavy words would be too much for her so I kept them in my heart.

  I knew that these actions will be in vain, but I couldn’t stop myself.

  My temporary couple life with Sieg continued like this.

  ◇◇◇


  It was time to eat the bear meat we received from Teoporon.

  Since butchering and maturing bear meat was new to me, it took some time.

  The way it’s matured is also different from other game.

  First, the meat is carved up into different parts and then those parts are wrapped in clean cloth. Then, those are put in a box filled with ice from winter and stored in the underground cold storage for about a week. After that, the meat is taken out from the ice box then matured for about a month in the cold storage.

  The important thing to look out for is the humidity. If there’s moisture, the meat rots. There are pipes connected to the underground storage for ventilation. The ice are brought from the mountains so they do not easily melt, but dew forms in summer so they have to be wiped frequently. In addition, charcoal from the house is placed in to remove odour and humidity.

  The bear Teoporon hunted was in a period where it was viciously eating food after waking up from hibernation so the meat is delicious.

  Furthermore, it was a female bear. There’s fat on it which is guaranteed to be tasty.

  The meat brought over from the underground cold storage was finished well.

  “Sieg, look, it’s bear meat.”


  “……Aa.”


  Sieg frowned after seeing the meat colour.

  It’s no surprise. The fat is turning yellow, and the meat is darkish.

  However, this is the best state of matured bear meat.

  I received bear thigh meat sometimes from Teoporon. I don’t know how many times I failed so far. This time, I took care to not let it rot, so it succeeded splendidly.

  Bear meat has strong game odour so one has to be careful when cooking it.

  It has to be grilled with finely chopped herbs, or boiled in red wine while removing the scum, or simply roasted then eaten with sweet and sour citrus sauce to remove the smell.

  Today, Ruruporon has the day off, so the two of us started working at the kitchen behind the house.

  The meat is placed in red wine and herbs to remove the odour.

  It was taken out of the cold storage after wiping the water off, and then it was chopped into bite-sized pieces before putting them in the pot.

  Other vegetables are also chopped into suitable sizes. We used onions, carrots, mushrooms, tomatoes, along with many kinds of herbs.

  First, the bear meat was boiled with herbs and vegetable peels and scraps.

  Since the scum started rising, I removed them using a spoon. After it boiled well, only the meat was taken out and the rest were thrown out.

  Red wine and clear soup was poured into a pot in a one-to-one ratio, and then the rest of the ingredients were put in. After that, it was boiled well over a light fire.

  Once the ingredients were cooked, I added in a jar marinated tomatoes that I made as preserved food, and then I added condiments to add the finishing touches to the flavour.

  After that, it was boiled for another hour.

  “It takes a lot of work.”


  “Since it has strong gamy smell and also because it easily becomes tough, the cooking process is hard as well.”


  Still, I love bear meat.

  Sieg helped out with the long cooking process without complaint. For the boiling, we took shifts. We cooked while we did gardening.

  When dinner was done, I was smiling on my own peering into the pot of stew.

  Sieg looked a little exasperated.

  “Thank you for helping me.”


  “No, anything Ritz makes is delicious. I’ll be looking forward to it.”


  “I’m glad!”


  Sieg really is kind, saying the right things.

  She really is a great wife.

  When I tasted it a little, the bear stew was prepared very well.

  I formulated plans to have bread and wine, as well as cheese.

  When I headed for the front door with the pot, I came to face guests.

  “Ah, Lord Revontulet.”


  “I-It’s been a while.”


  The people in front of the door were the village head of the neighbouring village and his second son.

  Come to think of it, I had totally forgotten that we had an appointment today.

  Once a year, we have a dinner with the head of the neighbouring village and exchange information.

  I was too excited about the newlywed life with Sieg that I forgot about this important occasion.

  “Is she the rumoured wife?”


  “Ah, yes, she is my wife Sieglinde.”


  Sieg greeted the village head and his son.

  The second son was around twenty-five years old. If I recall correctly, he was still single.

  Maybe because he was bothered about my wife, he stole cursory glances.

  Since it was time to dine with our guests, I offered them seats in the living room.

  As for the bear stew, Sieg took it to the kitchen.

  While I kept our guests company, Sieg served herb tea. After that, she also prepared the meal.

  On the table, there were bread Ruruporon baked yesterday along with thick cheese, pickled herrings and bird liver spread. It was an extravagant meal.

  The bear stew arrived at the end. It was a masterpiece I made with my wife.

  Sieg removed the sediments in the wine and poured them into glasses.

  After a toast, it was time to eat.

  The bear meat that was prepared well was very soft. The fat melted on the tongue. The sour flavour of the tomato went well with bear meat. The gamy odour was nonexistent too.

  When I glanced at Sieg who was sitting next to me, our eyes met coincidentally. From her happy expression, I could tell how she felt. I can say that I did my best for this moment.

  The village head also praised the taste of the bear stew.

  There were a lot so I offered seconds.

  “My, it was the first time I had such delicious bear stew.”


  “I’m glad you thought so.”


  His stoic son was nodding silently next to him as well.

  “Even so, it is a pity.”


  “?”


  When I asked what was a pity, the village head something grand.

  His son, next to him, looked flustered.

  “I would have liked to have a lady that cooks so well as my son’s wife.”


  “……”


  “……”


  The two of us froze in surprise.

  However, Sieg corrected him promptly.

  “Erm, it was my husband that made the stew.”


  “Truly!?”


  “……”


  The village head looked surprised, while his son clearly looked disappointed.

  I had thought that a correction was unnecessary, but it would be troubling if Sieg was requested to be married after our contract was over, so I concluded that it was the right choice to correct them.

  Since the village head asked me, I wrote down the recipe and then we parted ways.

  We got over it well, and they did not suspect my relation with Sieg either, so I felt very relieved.

  Thus went the day I had bear meat with Sieg.

  Additional 97 — Luca Salonen Eskola’s Activity Report — Last Part

  Ninth year. Now that we can communicate through words, I could understand many things about Miruporon.

  I learned that she was unexpectedly talkative. Well, it might be since we are ‘friends’.

  It seems that Miruporon hunts on holidays.

  Today, we talked about the cat the Bergholms raise.

  Cat fur is different from dog fur or reindeer fur apparently.

  She was talking about it so happily, so I asked if she wanted to raise a cat.

  Miruporon shook her head. She said that there are only lynxes (ilves) in the area.

  It seems that there are stray cats in the city, but here cats cannot live without human assistance so they can’t be found here.

  She looked a little disappointed.

  Then, Miruporon made a request. She asked if she can touch my hair since they’re soft like cat fur.

  I got angry and told her to not treat my hair like cat fur, but she looked dejected so I specially let her touch them.

  She looked happy as she said that they feel better than cat fur.

  I couldn’t help it so I told her that she can sometimes touch them.

  Tenth year. Maybe because a child was born to my older brother and his wife, father is pestering me to marry.

  He demanded me to go to the port to sell the fish from the lakes and find a wife.

  People around my age had all married too.

  Even though I was over twenty, I did not feel like marrying.

  Today, I ended up fighting with my old father again.

  I hunt animals every day, and deposit the money made from selling the fur to the house.

  What’s his problem! I felt rage welling up inside me.

  My older brother has triplets. The house is at peace.

  However, father said that it’s not the case. No idea what he’s talking about.

  In the end, mother had to intervene and mediate.

  Since it was almost time to meet up with Miruporon, I left father to mother.

  Miruporon was quietly waiting at the entrance of the fort.

  She had a basket, so I asked what it was. She replied that she made lunch. To be eaten in the forest, I think.

  The autumn forest had been dyed vivdly.

  A few days later, a thin layer of snow will form on the ground.

  There aren’t many days left for us to go out in a picnicking mood.

  In the forest, we hunted a rabbit, a duck, and boars, two of each kind.

  The small prey were placed in bags, and the boars were hauled on to sleighs before we took a break by the river.

  The meal was fish pie and fruit juice. Miruporon made them herself.

  When I told her that they were delicious, she looked pleased.

  After that, we talked until the sun started setting.

  Miruporn said that I looked enervated today.

  It’s probably because I had a fight with father.

  Since it would be useless to avoid the question as she would persistently ask, I only told her that I fought with my father.

  She then suddenly asked for my hand, so I held out my hand.

  Miruporon started writing something on my palms with my fingers.

  When I asked what it was, she murmured, “Arafuni nid.”[1] Spider’s nest, it meant.

  —— Like how a spider steadily builds its nest, your efforts will eventually fruition and receive recognition.

  She told me that it was a spell holding such a wish.

  Those words reached my heart.

  After hearing Miruporon talk, I realised it. I realised that I wanted to be gain recognition from father.

  I felt like crying for some reason.

  Eleventh year. Miruporon’s father is famous for being the master hunter of bears.

  He even shares the meat when asked. He’s a kind man unlike what his appearance suggests.

  That family assimilated into the surroundings after they moved into the village.

  It might also be thanks to Miruporon’s kind mother.

  Meanwhile, I started doing something in secret. That was to hunt a bear living in the forest.

  Well, of course no results yet.

  I saw scratches on trees and droppings with bear fur, but I never met the real thing.

  How can I meet a bear in the forest, I agonised in frustration.

  As to why I am aiming for a bear, I am planning to propose to Miruporon.

  If I don’t get recognised by that father, I won’t be able to marry her.

  If I get a splendid bear, her father will accept the marriage.

  I had such a plan, so I was looking for an opportunity to hunt a bear.

  Recently, maybe because they want to become friendly with Miruporon, other men in the village started asking many things about them.

  Of course, I did not provide any information.

  If I keep loitering around like this, I’ll lose her to someone.

  Thus, I have to hunt a bear quickly.

  The sky grew dark.

  I have to go back home now. My family will start worrying about me.

  However, there was a rare tailwind.

  I felt as though the forest was cheering for me.

  The echoing of the leaves felt different from usual.

  There was something.

  A little more, I said to myself and proceeded forward.

  Then, I could see something flashing from far away.

  The two sources of light were like fire.

  The figure of the beast got clearer.

  It was a white bear.

  I had heard the rumours, but I was surprised that it actually exists.

  A white bear unlike the ones living on ice, a mystical existence, the master of the forest, or so it was told in the family traditions.

  White bear meat makes a house prosper, they said.

  If I hunt that white bear, my marriage will be accepted.

  The bear seemed to have noticed me as well. It suddenly showed hostility and ran over to me.

  I quickly aimed my rifle.

  The weak points of a bear are its head, neck, and chest. My opponent was heading here on all fours.

  First shot. I aimed for the base of its neck.

  The bear dodged the bullet at the last moment.

  I quickly ejected the empty cartridge and aimed again.

  Four remaining bullets. I have to finish it by then.

  The white bear roared as it charged at me.

  My fingers trembled from fear.

  Second shot.

  It hit the leg, but it merely slowed it a little. It was far from a lethal wound.

  The bear was approaching fast.

  It was a very large one. I could feel sweat pouring out from my body.

  If I run away, I will definitely be killed. The only way to survive now is to kill the bear here.

  The third bullet hit its head.

  However, the bear did not stop moving.

  Bears have thick layers of fat. Even if the bullet hits a vital point, it may not stop moving, I recall grandfather Bergholm saying that.

  That’s why bear hunting is dangerous.

  I’m an idiot.

  Doing this to marry a woman.

  I clenched my eyes and consoled myself.

  But then, I suddenly thought of the spider’s nest.

  —— Like how a spider steadily builds its nest, your efforts will eventually fruition and receive recognition.

  When I thought that, I became surprisingly calm.

  Nothing frightened me.

  When I opened my eyes, the bear was on its hind legs, with one foreleg raised high in the air, revealing its sharp claws.

  Its vital point, the chest, was exposed, so my mouth curled up.

  I fired off the final two bullets into its chest.

  The bear flinched and shook greatly.

  The moment I checked the impact of the bullets, I was struck by a great shock.

  My vision darkened.

  ◇ ◆ ◇


  I woke from the sound of someone’s voice.

  My hand was gripped tightly, that I felt that my fingers hurt a little.

  When I opened my eyes, I saw the ceiling of my house.

  The person next to me was Miruporon. Her face was in a tragic state, bloated and reddened from sobbing.

  Why are you crying? When I said that, she looked very surprised.

  Then, she started crying loudly.

  I don’t get it.

  Hearing her loud voice, people came in.

  They were my parents and Miruporon’s parents.

  Mother ran over to me. “Don’t go,” she said.

  No, I’m alive!!

  It seems that she thought that I died.

  When I asked for the story, it seems like that I was found under a large white bear. I was moved to my home, and I was unconscious for three days.

  Miruporon’s father found me, apparently.

  He properly collected the bear after bringing me here. Indeed, was all I could say.

  On the other hand, when I honestly told father that I was at the forest to hunt for a bear, I was hit by father.

  He scolded that I was a thankless son.

  Both father and mother were crying.

  I prostrated on the floor and apologised that I did a foolish thing.

  Father told me to do whatever I want, and left the room without saying anything more. Mother said that she was glad that I am alive. Also, she told me to leave father to her.

  Father’s reaction was the worst, but inside I had a sense of accomplishment.

  Though I wouldn’t dare to do it again.

  Miruporon was sticking close to me, not letting go.

  Even though when I squirmed and said that we were in front of our parents, she did not budge.

  Miruporon’s parents stared at us in silence.

  I mustered up my courage and asked for Miruporon’s hand in marriage.

  The words didn’t get through, but father nodded in agreement.

  Next to him, her mother was smiling happily.

  When I asked Miruporon if they understood, she blushed and said, “Probably.”


  Like so, our marriage was accepted.

  Twelfth year. After many events, I was able to marry Miruporon.

  Father coolly allowed the marriage. Mother looked happy too.

  Today was a day of celebration.

  Father-in-law gave me something in a leather bag.

  It was the white bear fur that father-in-law always wore.

  He gestured for me to put it on.

  I wonder if he wants me to wear it to the banquet.

  It was something that was used for a long time, but it had a beautiful shine.

  I wondered if it was really alright, but he continued to gesture to put it on, so I received it thankfully.

  I attended the banquet while wearing the white bear fur.

  When I was guided to the reserved seat, all the attendees had animal masks so I was surprised.

  Miruporon was wearing the fur from the white bear I had hunted. It was somewhat embarrasing.

  Somewhere, I heard someone jeer, “Yo, white bear couple!”


  The one who made fun of us was the lord.

  The lord and his wife had grey wolf fur on as a set. Even children had wolf fur.

  Just where did everyone get those furs?

  I burst into laughter from the strange sight.

  Miruporon pointed to her friend.

  Aina and her husband had lynx (ilves) fur on. They probably sewed that with other fur. Nice handiwork, I mused in awe.

  When I looked next to me, Miruporon looked happy.

  That was the happiest day of my life. Such was the memory of that day.

  ◇ ◆ ◇


  Few years later.

  —— The morning of the Rango family begins early.

  Every morning, my lovely wife wakes me up…… not.

  —— Hii!?

  The one who shook me violently to wake me up was my wife’s father, Teoporon Ponu Rango.

  He’s a mysterious man who bears the upper half of his body all year round.

  When I opened my eyes, he was holding out his spear, which meant that we should go out hunting.

  When I was a newlywed, I screamed many times from my father-in-law standing at the bedside with a weapon.

  Few years of marriage made me used to it now.

  Father-in-law draped on the bear fur hanging by the entrance. It was made from the fur of a brown bear that he had hunted recently. I put on the fur coat that was hanging next to it.

  While I was putting on my boots, father-in-law silently watched me tie the shoelaces with a soft look.

  And that father-in-law is barefoot all throughout the year. He never even had frostbites either. Just what kind of body does he have, I wondered.

  We went out together, but we headed to separated places.

  Father-in-law uses a spear while I hunt with a gun.

  It couldn’t be helped since our methods are different. The reason is not only that. Father-in-law aims for bears.

  It was not just once or twice that I got scared after following him to his hunt. Bears are dangerous, yet father-in-law did not falter a bit and killed them with only a spear.

  I went deeper into the snowy forest with a dog.

  During the morning, I caught a rabbit and two ptarmigans.

  When I returned home, father-in-law had already finished butchering a large boar that he had caught.

  I don’t have any plans to compete with my superhuman father-in-law.

  Even so, it always vexes me.

  As I was placing the prey I caught in a container and was moving to the storage for maturation, mother-in-law ran out of the house with great vigour.

  “Serious!” she shouted as she grabbed my sleeves and tried to drag me inside.

  Mother-in-law did her best to learn the language, but she couldn’t improve to the level of my wife. There are many times I don’t get what she wants to say.

  First, I asked her to calm down and explain what was so serious.

  After catching her breath, mother-in-law said, “Baby, about to come.”


  Upon hearing that, father-in-law immediately let go of his spear and headed inside. I ran towards the doctor.

  It was before the consultation hours, but I knocked regardless.

  The doctor who peeked out reeked of alcohol already in the morning. It’s the worst.

  The doctor peeked out while rubbing his eyes. “Wha~t’s wrong? Groom of the Poron family,” he said.

  Who are you calling groom of the Poron family! The family name is Rango!

  When I told him the proper family name, he called me Lucaporon this time.

  I don’t have ‘poron’ in my name!! But then I realised it was no time to be complaining about such things.

  I asked the doctor to come to the house because a child was about to be born.

  I also asked the ladies that promised to help with the childbirth.

  Thank to my struggle, no, thanks to my wife’s efforts, a healthy child was born.

  After everyone else was gone, I told her that she did well as words of encouragement.

  My wife said “Thank you” to me for some reason.

  When I asked why she was thanking me, she replied that it was because she was so happy. I got an inexplicable feeling and grasped my wife’s hands.

  My younger self could not have imagined that Miruporon and I would be celebrating childbrith as a couple while holding hands.

  —— Thank you Miruporon. I’m happy too.

  It was the moment where I was finally being honest.

  ◇ ◆ ◇


  The next day, father-in-law was asking the lord for a favour.

  He requested the lord to name the newborn child.

  The lord asked me in secret.

  “Hey, Luca. Are you fine with me deciding it?” he said. I told him that I didn’t mind if father-in-law said that.

  Why do we men have to be whispering in secret, I replied as I pushed away the monster lord who was still looking young.

  The monster lord asked, “Would you like something-poron after all?”


  Don’t ask me!! Think normally!!

  Later, the lord bestowed the name of Mishka to our newborn child.

  It means cub in a foreign language, apparently.

  My family was happy, saying that it was a good name.

  Personally, I was happy that it didn’t have -poron in it.

  [1] Arafuni (アラフニ) showed up as spider in Greek (αρ?χνη (aráchni)) while nido (ニド) showed up as nest in Spanish and Italian. It was confusing, so I left it as the rōmaji readings.

  Additional 95 — Luca Salonen Eskola’s Activity Report — First Part

  Author:

  This is the story of Miruporon and Luca’s meeting among other things.

  As to who Luca is, please refer to chapter 50, ‘Miruporon’s Activity Report’.

  This story is divided into three parts.

  First Year. Today I went out to the forest to pick branches again.

  As long as one doesn’t go into the deep parts of the forest one won’t encounter dangerous beasts.

  Just in case, a dog is brought with me.

  I wasn’t taught how to shoot yet.

  Father told me that he will teach me once I can hunt one rabbit a day for three days.

  As for the result, I could not yet hunt a single one. Father also said that he caught his first prey when he was thirteen years old. I still had two years until then.

  There’s such a circumstance. The only equipment I have are a bow and arrows and a knife.

  In this period, the sky quickly grows dark so I have to finish quickly.

  When I gathered enough branches and thought of returning, the dog was staring somewhere far away. It sometimes does these things so I decided to leave it alone.

  The surroundings were growing blurry.

  This is why I don’t like winter, or so I thought, then I noticed the dog hiding behind me.

  It’s a dog that doesn’t fear even bears, just what could it have been frightened by. When I squinted my eyes, I could see the silhouettes of people.

  Two of them.

  Could it be, ‘the village’s best hunter’ Grandfather Bergholm? He has a terrifying face that would be able to silence a wailing child through fear.

  The approaching figures became clearer.

  A large man was coming from in front of me.

  He had brown skin and for some reason he did not have any clothes on for the upper half of his body. Moreover, he was walking barefoot with only thin-looking pants. On his ears, he had colourful feathers. His face was tough and deeply chiseled. He was completely different from the rest of the village.

  I remember father saying it before. He said that foreigners were residing in the lord’s place for a few years now. I had not seen them before until then.

  I was overwhelmed by the sight.

  The appearance was already amazing, but then he even had a large deer on his shoulders.

  Deer of that size is one that adults take a lot of time to drag on sleighs. Just what kind of man is the giant lifting it easily?

  I couldn’t move from the spot.

  The foreign giant did not even glance at me when he passed by.

  As I stayed there, I came to face another person.

  It was a woman following behind the giant.

  She was taller than me. Probably the giant’s daughter. Her eyes were similar to his. In her hand, she had a long spear that did not match her size. It was probably her father’s.

  It was the first time I saw someone with brown skin and black hair. The eyes were black too. It was fascinating.

  The woman silently stared at me.

  When I said that I just happened to look, she tilted her head.

  Then I noticed that she a rabbit in her hand.

  She had a bow and arrows on her back. I wonder if she caught it herself?

  I was curious so I asked.

  However, the woman merely tilted her head, without saying anything.

  Seeing me point at the rabbit so many times, she might have mistaken it as me wanting the prey, as she held it out to me.

  As if I would receive prey that a woman hunted!? Taking me for a fool!!

  I ignored the woman holding the rabbit out and ran all the way to the village.

  From that day, I fiercely trained handling the bow and arrow.

  As a result, a year later, I was able to catch rabbits three days in a row.

  I met the woman after a long time in the village, so I showed her the rabbit, but she only tilted her head.

  I felt as though I was being belittled that I grew angry.

  Second year. I managed to make my father teach how to handle guns.

  I remember starting with the weakest, the air gun.

  The air gun is a gun that shoots bullets through air, without using gunpowder. I’m still not sure about the structure. It’s said to be weak, but it has enough power to pierce flesh so father kept emphasising that I have to be careful when handling it.

  Only small animals can be caught with air guns. Medium-sized animals like the boars can only be dealt lethal wounds with shotguns that use gunpowder.

  Finally, when I got used to handling guns, I learned how to use rifles.

  Rifles are the most lethal guns, able to take down large animals such as bears.

  Hunting bears is not recommended because of the dangers, but all the mean train to be able to defend against bears.

  I’ll quickly catch large animals and surprise that woman.

  The foreign woman was still curt, and she only tilted her head in reaction to my words.

  If she’s living in this village, it would be nice if she at least learned the language.

  I got angry every time I talked to her because it felt like I was losing.

  Third year. Feeling that I now had enough proficiency with air guns, father allowed me to use shotguns.

  Now I can hunt boars!

  But the woman’s attitude did not change.

  Even when I showed her my hunt, she merely stared down at me in silence.

  Looking down at me, I don’t like it! She slowly grew bigger and is looking down at me.

  She’s definitely going to become a huge woman like her father. What a monster!!

  It could be that she’s a descendant of the legendary giants.

  I’m much taller than my mother. She’s the weird one.

  I’ll overtake her height some time!!

  When I drank reindeer milk from that thought, I was hit by my father who scolded me to not waste valuable goods.

  Fourth year. By the time I was getting used to using the rifle, I coincidentally met the huge woman in the forest.

  She was still using bow and arrow.

  I wonder if the impoverished lord told her not use guns? I’m not sure.

  Even when I asked directly she merely tilted her head and did not say anything.

  She did not hunt anything yet. However, I had a boar on my sleigh.

  It was the biggest I had ever hunted so far. I pointed towards it to boast it.

  The woman merely stared at the hunt.

  I started feeling restless because she did not smile or applaud.

  While we were wasting time, the snow started falling.

  The wind was growing stronger, so it was clear that it will turn into a blizzard.

  Even when I told her that I’m going home, she stared vacantly. Rather, she tightened her grip on her bow and tried to proceed into the forest.

  Is she an idiot!? There’s no way an arrow will fly true in these conditions.

  Hunting also involves observing the forest.

  In other words, it’s important to learn how to read nature.

  If one overexerts oneself in hunting when the forest is rough one might die.

  Just what was she learning from her father. Or maybe she did not learn.

  Since it couldn’t be helped, I gave her a ptarmigan and a rabbit I had in a bag.

  I told her to take this bag and go home today.

  The woman eyes went back and forth between me and the bag.

  It’s alright so take it, I told her.

  Then the woman did something mysterious.

  She suddenly held up her fist and pounded it against her chest.

  I had no idea what that meant.

  More importantly, the snow was blowing harder so I grabbed the woman’s hand and headed to the village.

  When I arrived at the entrance of the village, the woman’s father was waiting there. Just behind him the lord was there as well.

  The huge father came over here with a stern expression. Surely, he can’t be trying to slap my face, I thought, but he took an unexpected course of action.

  The moment he saw his daughter he hugged her.

  I thought that it was overprotective of him to dote on such a bulky girl.

  The woman was saying something while pointing at me.

  Right afterwards, he stood right in front of me.

  Did she something bad about me?

  Could the terrifying father have found out that I’ve been saying “Giant woman!” or “You don’t even know the language!?”


  The woman’s father raised his fist with great vigour.

  Pathetically, I shut my eyes tightly from the force.

  However, the anticipated impact did not come.

  When I faintly opened my eyes, the father was pounding his chest with his fist.

  So what does that action mean!?!

  When I stared at her father again, he bowed once more.

  Then, he hugged his daughter again and then they headed into the village.

  Since I couldn’t get what was going on, I spat curses as I stomped on the ground.

  Then, the lord who had very thin presence spoke up.

  First, he thanked me for bringing the giant woman back.

  I was told that she had a strong sense of responsibility, not coming back from hunting until she has caught prey. She was told to not overexert herself too much, but since those words would not be conveyed events like today might happen, he said.

  After that, he taught me the meaning of the action of pounding one’s chest with their fist.

  Apparently it means ‘thank you’.

  Of course, depending on the situation, it can mean ‘yes’, it can be used to mean respect for the other. It has many uses.

  Now that I knew the meaning of the mysterious action, I felt a little better.

  Then, the lord said that he’ll be leaving the giant woman to me.

  He said that he’s glad that a clumsy girl like her has a friend like me.

  I’m not her friend! I said, but the lord grinned like an idiot and said, “Come on~ no need to be shy.”


  Dammit! Who are you calling her friend!?

  I’m going to make her speechless one day! It’s not like I want to do something with her!

  The lord told me to take care of ‘Miruporon’ and then he left.

  That was the story of the day I found out the name of the giant woman.

  Additional 91 — Emmerich and the Fickle Kittens — Middle Part

  It takes about six hours by carriage to reach the village where my uncle is. It’s a rather long trip.

  I sent the luggage ahead before us.

  The only things we had on hand were small bags with our meals, in addition to a basket holding our new family, Rosa the cat.

  It was time to get on the carriage. I confirmed the destination with the driver and got on.

  Outside the window, steam vehicles passed by. Recently, it seems like there are more and more of them.

  The roads for carriages were getting scarcer.

  While witnessing such change of the times, I left behind the city I grew up in.

  The carriages were full.

  Somehow, we managed to secure seats on the last carriage. Aina-chan sat in the corner while I sat next to her.

  The men inside the carriage stole glances at Aina-chan.

  The unblemished silver hair and the clear blue eyes were rare after all. Stop staring, I wanted to shout.

  However, she did not mind the cheeky gazes, focusing only on the kitten peeking out from the basket.

  In a town on the way, we stopped for about half an hour.

  There was a park nearby so we decided to have lunch there.

  I then realised that there were no blankets to sit on so laid out my coat for her to sit on.

  “Why do I have to sit on something like your clothes.”


  “But otherwise, your skirt will get dirty.”


  When I persistently offered it, Aina-chan narrowed her eyes as if to glare at me and sat down.

  Rossa, in the basket, was on her lap. The kitten was getting fed the fish that was brought for lunch.

  “……Lunch, you can have them.”


  “Ah, yes.”


  Because Aina-chan had not touched her food, I was waiting like an obedient dog.

  Since I got permission from the owner, I opened the lunchbox.

  Sandwich with meat and vegetables, skewered meatballs, grilled sausages and soft egg rolls. Meat fried with spices in wrapped in cheese and vegetables. Braised root vegetables with thinly sliced ham decorating the lunchbox like flowers.

  The lunchbox was all filled with things I like.

  Even though I said thanks, she rejected it saying that she merely made it from leftover ingredients.

  Still, I felt happy.

  I placed enough food for Aina-chan on a dish and then started eating.

  They were all great. It tasted even better since we ate together.

  An hour later. The carriage left as was scheduled.

  We arrived at the village we are moving to eight hours later.

  There were places with deep snow on our way so the ride was slightly delayed.

  I visited the village my uncle lives in when I was young. It felt somewhat similar to Ritz-kun’s village. It would be nice if she liked it, I thought.

  It was a small countryside village.

  It had even fewer people than the village Aina-chan was living in.

  Since it was such a place, one had to be careful about one’s reputation.

  It would be impossible for an unrelated man and woman to live under one roof like we could in the city.

  Therefore, I carefully discussed it with her and filled out the marriage registration forms to the country.

  Of course, under the condition that the relation would be broken if Aina-chan came to dislike it.

  I am planning on returning her to her country eventually.

  I am only taking custody of her until the wrath of her family dies down.

  I don’t know what will happen afterwards.

  It might be nice to move to Ritz-kun’s village, but if Aina-chan does not want it I have no choice but to live here.

  Well, the military did not fit with my nature, so it might not be so bad spending time leisurely here.

  Uncle and aunt welcomed me, whom they were seeing after a decade and a few years, as well as Aina-chan.

  They asked if we wanted a sheep or a goat for a marriage gift, but to be honest I didn’t know the difference so I chose randomly.

  The new house was kept neat by my aunt.

  It was much more spacious than the apartment we lived in. Bedroom, private room, living room, kitchen, toilet, bathroom.

  While I was checking the rooms, I realised something important.

  — What should I do? There’s only one bedroom!!

  It was a natural thing since we were moving in as a married couple.

  “A-Aina-chan, you can use this place.”


  “How come.”


  “I’ll sleeping on the chair in my room.”


  “As if that could relieve your fatigue!?”


  “It’s alright!”


  I think we had a similar conversation before.

  But really, there won’t be any problems.

  When I served in the military, I slept on the floor with only newspapers for blankets.

  When I told her that, she told me to do whatever I wanted.

  Aunt prepared many things dinner, so the two of us received those.

  The next day, we organised the luggage.

  We also went out shopping to the village shopping district.

  Aina-chan was not used to this place. Maybe because of that, she was hiding behind me and clinging to my coat sleeve. Very adorable.

  After returning home, we resumed unpacking our luggage.

  There were two cups.

  “Drink this after two hours! Because I won’t brewing anymore! After two hours, even if there’s dust, just drink it anyway! Endure it!” was what I was expecting, but the second cup was Aina-chan’s. I felt relieved inside.

  When I brought a cushion over from the couch and offered a seat for her, Aina-chan sat down without saying anything.

  We sat in between the luggage and ate the fruit cakes we bought from the store before.

  In the pocket near the belly on her apron, there was Rossa the cat. I felt envious that the cat was in a good position.

  Noticing my gaze, Aina-chan explained why while caressing Rossa with a benign expression.

  “This child, it gets sad if we leave it alone.”


  “Eh, hehh~”


  I wanted to say that I also become if I’m neglected, but I was afraid of hearing, “Oh, really,” so I kept silent.

  The cake we bought from the store was dry and crumbling, causing one to become thirsty.

  The cake Aina-chan makes are moist and delicious.

  When I said that, she scolded me, saying that she can’t make them because she did not have the ingredients.

  It seems that I was rushing her.

  “Still, eating cake with Aina-chan is still very pleasurable.”


  “……”


  The words I blurted out were cleanly ignored.

  Maybe she couldn’t hear them because I said it quickly in a soft voice.

  What should I say, it might be the first time spending time leisurely with the two of us.

  When we were in the city, every day was hectic.

  Even on holidays, I slept in from exhaustion. I feel really sorry for that.

  It would have been nice to take her out more for sightseeing, but it was too late for regrets.

  Even in such a life, Aina-chan never said a word of complaint.

  Rather, she supported me through the meals and packed lunches.

  I realised that I never properly thanked her. It might have been too late, but I lowered my head regardless.

  “Aina-chan.”


  “What?”


  “Thank you.”


  “!?”


  Aina-chan was stupefied for a moment. After that, she asked, what happened?

  Even when she asked that, I couldn’t answer for some reason. I could only murmur words of gratitude.

  Aina-chan calmly stared at me.

  She had a quizzical glance.

  Really, how should I convince her that I’m not a suspicious person.

  The only way may be to come out honestly with my feelings.

  In the end, I decided to tell her the feelings I had for a long time.

  “Aina-chan.”


  “So, what?”


  “I, love you, Aina-chan.”


  “!”


  Aina-chan’s big eyes opened even wider.

  I felt both regret and relief from saying it, that I got a very ambivalent feeling.

  There weren’t any reactions for a while, so I cautiously took a peek at Aina-chan’s face.

  “Ah.”


  “——!!”


  She quickly turned away.

  Aina-chan was blushing deep red.

  “Aina, you don’t like me?”


  When I recklessly asked, she lowered her head.

  However, a little while later, she shook her head.

  “—Then, do you like me?”


  There weren’t many opportunities like this, so I asked.

  Aina-chan blushed even redder.

  “Ah, sorry, erm,”


  She was getting teary eyed.

  I wasn’t planning on making her cry.

  I might be forgiven if I touch the floor with my forehead in repentance.

  I kneeled and then bowed down.

  “Erm, I’m really sorr”


  “—Rossa!”


  My words of apology overlapped with Aina-chan calling Rossa.

  Rossa leaped out of the apron’s front pocket.

  Because she stood up suddenly, reaching out for the kitten, she lost her balance.

  Of course, I was able to catch her.

  “Th-Thanks”


  “No worries.”


  Rather, shouldn’t I be the one saying thanks? I almost blurted that out carelessly.

  I was reluctant to part but I helped her up.

  Aina-chan had a nice scent, and her body was very soft.

  It was so splendid that I felt that I could imagine things for a few months after this.

  Because I felt that I wasn’t suppressing my vicious thoughts well enough, I hid my mouth with my hand to not get caught.

  Though I might have given it away through the gaze.

  Additional 88 — Aina and Emmerich’s Elopement of Love!?

  Author:

  This takes places some time after chapter 47.

  This is the story of the two who ran away from the village.

  I was out of the village and was heading for Emmerich’s country.

  After running away from the village, I finally came to my senses after we boarded the ship.

  The cabin room has a bunk bed and there was also a curtain to separate the room.

  I could have my private space, but it did not change the fact that the two of us were sharing one room.

  With a carefree attitude, Emmerich asked me if I preferred the top bed or the bottom bed.

  “Such a thing, anything is fine.”


  “Ah, okay, then, Aina-chan gets the top bed.”


  “……”


  What is this. This, the way how he’s suggesting that the top bed is better.

  When I asked about it, he told me that he was always the one on the top bed when he sharing bunk beds with his brothers.

  “Shall we go eat?”


  “Eh!?”


  “There’s a dining hall above.”


  “……”


  I did not have much appetite from the morning so I did not have anything.

  I felt hunger now.

  While appreciating Emmerich’s offer, I followed him.

  The dining hall where we could have foreign food was crowded with people.

  “……”


  Even if I saw the menu, I couldn’t read it well. I can’t read Emmerich’s language very well. My grandparents were against me learning other languages.

  Ritz-oniichan sometimes taught me in secret, but I’m still not used to the language.

  As for our conversations, half of the words are in my language and half of the words are in his language.

  He studied hard for me.

  However, I wanted to learn Emmerich’s country’s language so I asked him to speak more in his language.

  Just being able to read the words didn’t help with identifying the dishes.

  I felt as though there were glances directed here, so I wanted to return to the room quickly. Therefore, I left it to Emmerich.

  “Aina-chan, what would you like?”


  “……Anything’s fine.”


  I regretted saying that afterwards. Why did I say such an uncute thing.

  It would be nice to be able to smile and ask which is good like Ritz-oniichan would have done.

  “Let’s see, what would be good.”


  “……”


  After hearing Emmerich’s response, I could raise my head.

  Good. He didn’t look displeased at my attitude.

  I repetitively apologised in my head.

  “There are dishes that have a strong flavour, so~”


  Emmerich started explaining the dishes on the menu.

  “The bread probably won’t be too different from the ones we had in the village. As for the soup……”


  I told him that anything was fine, but he explained everything for me.

  I ordered potato soup called ‘Kartoffelsuppe’ and a fried veal sirloin dish called ‘Schnitzel’.

  Emmerich ordered onion soup called ‘Zwiebelsuppe’ and a dish of chicken cooked with red wine, called ‘coq au vin’.[1]

  The ordered dishes were served quickly. In the centre of the table, a basket with bread was placed.

  ‘Kartoffelsuppe’ was a thoroughly stewed soup made from mashed potatoes, milk from livestock, and spices, I suppose? It had deep flavour, and the sensation on the tongue was soft. Dipping bread in it was delicious as well.

  ‘Schnitzel’ was a dish that was cooked by deep frying beef sirloin covered in dried bread crusts.

  He told me that I should sprinkle lemon juice over and that I should have it with steamed potatoes.

  When I brought the knife to the meat, it cut through very well. It was a very soft meat.

  The surface was crispy while the meat juice overflowed inside. Because of the lemon juice, the taste was clean as well.

  Foreign food was surprisingly good.

  On our way back, Emmerich told me that he’s going to the store.

  “If there’s anything you need, please tell me.”


  “……”


  Emmerich paid for the meal. I thought of paying for myself, but I had left my wallet in the room.

  “Aina-chan, would you like some chocolate?”


  “No need.”


  “Sweets?”


  “I told you there’s no need.”


  “……Alright.”


  I did it again.

  Why do I keep saying such uncute things.

  As I watched Emmerich’s back going further away, I felt like running away.

  I want to be more sociable like Ritz-oniichan.

  The things I suddenly say are all harsh things.

  “Shall we go.”


  “……”


  I followed Emmerich back to the room as he held a paper bag.

  ◇◇◇


  When I entered the room, Emmerich served juice and snacks.

  “Eh, this, why!?”


  “Let’s eat together after a while.”


  “……O-Okay.”


  Emmerich just smiled and said that he wanted to have some.

  After that, the rest of the time was used to study the language.

  If there were things I did not know, Emmerich taught me.

  The two days boat trip flew by quickly.

  At the port, we bought breakfast at the market.

  While eating, we discussed what we should do afterwards.

  Emmerich’s place is located in the capital of this country.

  Since it would be conspicuous to wear traditional clothes, he bought a one-piece dress and a coat for me.

  Thanks to the goodwill of the clerk, I was able to change in the inside of the store.

  The dress had frills with flower patterns on the hem and the cuffs. The skirt was light, unlike the traditional clothes of the village. There were many ribbons near the chest and the hips so it was cute. The coat was fluffy, made of wool. Compared to my homeland, it was not very cold here but Emmerich told me that I might catch a cold so I bought it.

  I was planning on paying for the clothes, but Emmerich paid for me. I felt bad.

  “I’ll also do your hair in a cute style.”


  “Eh?”


  “Twintail braids are drab, you see?”


  “……”


  The braids are signify my belief in the spirit that protects the village.

  She’s a kindly clerk. I could refuse.

  However, this place is not my homeland.

  “……Yes, please.”


  “Leave it to me!”


  I never tried other hairstyles than braiding. My heart fluttered a bit.

  My hair was split into two halves then weaved. Braiding hair was the same, but having hair that was not let down was fresh.

  I thought it was over, but it wasn’t so.

  The bottom of the braids were lifted to give them volume and something was stuck through my hair to hold them in place.

  “Okay, done.”


  “!”


  ——Amazing! Feels sort of adult-like!

  I checked myself out in a long mirror that reflected all of myself.

  I couldn’t believe it. I looked like someone completely different.

  “Now now, stop fidgeting, we have to show your husband as well.”


  “!?”


  I tried to say that he was not my husband, but she kept pushing my back.

  I wanted to complain, but unfortunately I did not know the words in the foreign language.

  In the end, I was pushed out to the store floor with a thud.

  “Ah!”


  I had shoes with heels, which I was not used to, so I lost balance.

  I’m falling! The moment I thought that, Emmerich ran over and caught me.

  “A-Are you alright?”


  “……Fine.”


  Not ‘fine’!

  Why couldn’t say the short sentence, “Vielendank (Thank you very much)”


  “……?”


  Even after a long time passed, Emmerich did not remove his hands from my shoulders, so I cautiously raised my head.

  “!”


  When our eyes met, Emmerich blinked unnaturally.

  “Erm, are you alright?”


  ……Rather, are you angry?

  When I was about to ask that, he spoke up first.

  “Aina-chan, you look so pretty.”


  “Eh?”


  “It suits you well.”


  “!”


  Apparently, Emmerich was acting strangely because he was fascinated by me.

  When I found that out, I got embarrassed so I distanced myself.

  “Quickly, let’s go.”


  “……Yes.”


  I bowed to the kind clerk and then we exited the store.

  There was a carriage headed for the capital, so we rode that. After many hours, we finally arrived at the town Emmerich lived in.

  “It might be a little cramped here.”


  “……Okay.”


  He lived in a rented room in a house three stories high.

  It consisted of a living room, a bedroom, a kitchen, a bathroom, a toilet, perfect for living alone.

  “Aina-chan, you can use the bedroom.”


  “What about you?”


  “I’m fine with the living room sofa.”


  “……”


  Even if I said that I would be fine with the sofa, I thought that he wouldn’t listen so I accepted his goodwill.

  I found out as we travelled together that Emmerich is quite stubborn.

  Also, he never gives up his attitude of placing ladies first.

  “From here on, work will get busy so I can’t come back too much.”


  “……Okay.”


  “Should we hire a maid?”


  “No need.”


  “B-But.”


  “I can do it alone.”


  I have confidence in cleaning and cooking and sewing.

  If we hire people, it would burden Emmerich’s budget, and the thought of having someone else in the house made me feel uneasy so I declined.

  “Then, if there is anything troubling you ask for help from the owner on the first floor. I will request for assistance to Aina-chan.”


  “……Alright.”


  Like so, my life together with Emmerich began.

  ◇◇◇


  As he said on the first day of living together, Emmerich did not come home for most of the time.

  Meanwhile, I went outside to shop around or take strolls in the park, trying to go out of the house as much as possible.

  However, there was one scary incident.

  On the way back from the market, a young man talked to me.

  He spoke quickly in the foreign language so I could not understand.

  “It’s alright so hang out with me!” was all I could get.

  Scary.

  He was not taller than Emmerich, but he had an intimidating aura.

  I shook my head to convey that I didn’t want to. However, he grabbed my arm so I swung the basket I had on one hand to his shoulder.

  He was taken aback and let me go.

  I concentrated solely on running.

  However, he was also chasing after me persistently. I could hear a terrifying roar behind me.

  I thought that I was on the quick side, but I could not run well because of the shoes.

  Tears came flowing out from the fear.

  I was almost home, but then I remembered that I had put the key in the basket, which made even more tears flow out.

  I did not have time to fetch the basket that hit the man.

  I soon arrived at my home.

  I wonder if the house owner is home.

  Please, help, I prayed as I ran.

  “——!”


  From the sight I was greeted by, I suspected my eyes.

  Emmerich was coincidentally in front of the door.

  “Eh? Aina-chan.”


  I flew into his arms and tightly hugged him.

  “Eh, what’s wrong——!”


  The man who was chasing me faced Emmerich.

  “What, she already had someone.”


  “Who are you?”


  They were talking about something, but Emmerich spoke quickly as well so I couldn’t get what they were saying.

  “That woman, she swung her basket at me. I have something to say to her so lend her to me.”


  “I can’t do that.”


  “Hoh?”


  ——Scary.

  Have I done something irreparable without realising it?

  Emmerich softly patted my shoulders that were shaking.

  “Well, what’s going on here?”


  The house owner who happened to hear the commotion came outside.

  Emmerich asked the house owner to take me inside.

  When I explained the situation, I was told that I did nothing bad.

  “It’s alright. David-san will take care of it.”


  Even so, I was worried about Emmerich.

  What if he gets injured, I thought. The shaking in my shoulders did not go away.

  Maybe because my thoughts showed on my face, the house owner elaborated.

  “He’s a soldier. He’s used to fights.”


  “!”


  As the house owner said, Emmerich came back with a nonchalant look.

  “Sorry for causing a commotion outside the house.”


  “No, it’s alright. However, the public order around the area has worsened due to increased immigration. I wouldn’t recommend letting a young woman walking around alone.”


  “Yes. Indeed.”


  I was the one who did a bad thing, yet Emmerich was scolded by the house owner.

  I heard about the public order worsening from the day I arrived here. I was also told to shop from the door-to-door merchants.

  I returned home with my back drooping.

  Today, I heard that Emmerich would be coming back so I was planning to cook some delicious food for him, but I ended up dropping the ingredients.

  I really should apologise this time.

  I breathed in while thinking that, but Emmerich spoke up first.

  “Aina-chan, I’m glad you’re safe.”


  “!”


  Emmerich held my hand and crouched down.

  And then he started murmuring that he was sorry.

  “W-Why? The one at fault here is me who went out arbitrarily.”


  Emmerich softly said that it was not so, and fell into silence.

  “——Ah.”


  While I was looking at the top of Emmerich’s head, I remembered something.

  “Eh, what is it?”


  “The house key, I left it on the street with the basket! I have to go fetch them!”


  When I said that, Emmerich said that he’ll go.

  “B-But.”


  “It’s alright, so wait at home.”


  “……”


  He doesn’t listen to others when he’s like this, so I decided to leave it to him.

  While Emmerich is outside, I started preparing the meal.

  Even though I said that, there were only root vegetables such as potatoes, some bread, smoked meat and canned food.

  In the kitchen, I categorised the potatoes.

  In this country, there are three major categories of potatoes.

  First, there’s ‘Festkochende Kartoffeln’, potatoes which do not collapse easily.

  These are used for boiling or frying.

  Second, there’s ‘Vorwiegend Festkochende Kartoffeln’, potatoes which are hard to cook while still maintaining their structure. These are used when one wants moderate texture.

  Finally, there’s ‘Mehligkochende Kartoffeln’, potatoes that collapse easily. These are used for soup.[2]

  When I first visited the market, I was surprised by the great variety of potatoes.

  I used the easily collapsing potatoes to make soup. I added smoked meat, potatoes and some spices then I started boiling it slowly.

  I baked the potatoes that do not easily collapse in the stove.

  Meanwhile, I made white sauce.

  Milk and flour are mixed, then seasoned with spices. I made a little too much. Finally, I mixed it with minced smoke meat and mushrooms marinated in oil.

  On the cross-shaped slits on the potatoes, I poured white sauce and powdered cheese, and then heated them again. It’s done once cheese has completely melted.

  The soup that was left on the fire after putting in the ingredients seemed to be done as well.

  At that moment, Emmerich returned.

  “Aina-chan, the key and basket with the shopped goods were there.”


  “!”


  The kind clerk at the tailor shop had picked it up.

  I was relieved since we found the key.

  “Th-Thank you.”


  “Nn. It was nice that it was there.”


  Emmerich went back to the usual silly smile.

  When I told him that the meal was ready, he looked happy.

  It was only a simple meal made from what I had home, but Emmerich still ate them deliciously.

  ◇◇◇


  The life in the foreign country was just beginning, but every day was fulfilling.

  I also thought that it would be nice if I could have a honest attitude to Emmerich as well.

  Aina and Emmerich’s Elopement of Love!? — The End.

  [1] The German names are the literal meanings (potato soup and onion soup respectively). Schnitzel I think most people know. Coq au vin is a french dish made by braising chicken with wine.

  [2] Anyone proficient in German? Please check these terms if possible. Edit: A big thanks to ‘Anonymous Coward’ for taking the time and effort to check!

  Additional 93 — Rose Liqueur and a Pleasant Party

  One day, a lot of luggage arrived from father-in-law. When I opened it with Sieg to see what it was, it was the fruit liqueur I had made before.

  “I completely forgot about it.”


  “I thought about it.”


  Well, they are drinks for Sieg.

  The liqueurs were made from many things, such as apricots, plums, and citruses. Since I gave some to father-in-law and grandfather as well, about five arrived for us. In the letter enclosed inside, Father-in-law commented that they were delicious. I glad he enjoyed it.

  “Come to think of it, what happened to the rose liqueur?”


  Even when I peered into the box I couldn’t find it.

  Could father-in-law have accidentally drunk it!? I felt a little uneasy.

  The bright red rose liqueur is for Sieg. It’s a special drink for her.

  “No, I brought the rose liqueur with me. It’s in my room.”


  “Was that so!?”


  I’ve been frequenting Sieg’s room so much that the door sill might get worn out, but I never realised.

  Apparently, she’s been storing it in a dark place.

  “It’s dyed in a vivid shade.”


  “I see~”


  It seems that Sieg was observing it once a day.

  Though she said that it’s dyed in a pretty colour, I don’t want to see it.

  The red rose in the language of flowers means, ‘I love you.’ It makes me feel as though I whispered that into her ear.

  Thinking of that, it’s very embarrassing to see the drink.

  Or so I thought, but then Sieg offered an unexpected invitation.

  “Shall we taste it together tonight?”


  “!”


  Eh~ No way~ It’s embarrassing…… As if. I replied, “Gladly!” with a glint in my eyes.

  ◇◇◇


  The season is summer.

  It’s a season where the village ladies are busy picking berries.

  This year, mother was brimming with enthusiasm, and filled the baskets full of berries.

  Also, she made great amounts of jam, alcohol, sauce and cake.

  Living with mother made a life a lot easier. Both physically and mentally.

  She is also friendly with Sieg, for which I am glad.

  However, even though I tell her to take it easy, to not overwork, she does not listen, saying that this is the norm.

  She can even do gardening with Arno on her back, singing lullabies to put him to sleep. I couldn’t help but revere her as a superhuman housewife.

  Fortunately, she was enjoying going out to the forest, cooking, and singing lullabies, so I am spoiling myself on her while thinking that it’s a relief.

  When I thanked mother again, she gave me a blank look.

  “Hey, Ritchan.”


  “What is it?”


  “Ritchan, you were overworking yourself.”


  “I-Is that right?”


  “Yes.”


  When we turn 18 in this village, we have to fend for ourselves.

  By then, we learn how to make traditional handicrafts, how to hunt and how to butcher animals.

  It’s natural to work every day to support one’s family. I have been living a busy life for a decade.

  However, mother told me that that is not a normal life.

  “Ritchan, you have work as a lord as well, don’t you?”


  “Well……, I don’t do anything important though.”


  “That’s not true.”


  “Thank you.”


  Then, mother silently stared at her son’s face. It felt as though she was misty-eyed so I felt a chill.

  The reason was revealed soon.

  “I’m sorry.”


  “Eh!?”


  From the sudden development of mother apologising to me and hugging me, I froze up.

  I’m turning thirty now, why am I getting hugged by mother?

  It’s a mystery.

  It seemed that mother was worried more about father than she was for me.

  Of course, I can understand that.

  He’s a man of amazing character, there’s no telling what might happen if he’s left alone.

  “But you were lonely, weren’t you?”


  “……”


  I would be lying if I said that I didn’t feel lonely.

  However, if I had my family with me, I might have been a different person than how I am now.

  I might not have married Sieg.

  Thinking of that, well, isn’t fine, I thought.

  “Mother, from here on, let’s all work hard together.”


  “Yes. With Linde-chan and Arno-chan, let’s all work hard together!”


  “……”


  I seriously wondered if it was alright to go ahead like this while excluding my father who was in a faraway land.

  ◇◇◇


  For the fun banquet with Sieg at night, I made side dishes.

  Still, the sky was growing dark so I decided to make something simple.

  It’s hard to cook outside without sunlight.

  If it’s summer, then it should be fish!!

  From the nearby port, a merchant visits everyday hauling fresh fish.

  First, I processed the salmon I bought today. I halved one half that we were having for ourselves.

  I left the other half for Ruruporon to cook.

  The thick piece of salmon is seasoned with salt and pepper and then I made slits to put cheese in. After that, it is wrapped in thinly sliced bacon, skewered on, and then grilled with butter. It’s best when it’s warm, but it still tastes good when it is cold.

  The second dish is made by cutting up seasoned salmon into bite-sized pieces and frying them with bread crumbs.

  This also goes well with alcohol.

  Finally, there’s a dish of salmon, dried mushrooms, cheese and chopped potatoes in the oven. It looks like gratin.

  The finished dishes are placed on a tray then served to the second floor bedroom. To not get dust on it, I placed cloth over it.

  For dinner, Ruruporon served a splendid meal.

  Arno can now eat bland semi-solid food. Since he couldn’t use the spoon yet, we are feeding him.

  During that time, all the family does not eat and only watches Arno. It’s an enjoyable time.

  “Arno-chan weaned early~ Good boy~”


  “……”


  “……”


  It was almost as though she was comparing to someone else, but I pretended to not have heard. Sieg also cleared her throat to change the mood.

  After the meal, we reflected on our work today, put Arno to sleep and relaxed.

  “Mother, you’re good at this now.”


  Mother, leading a well-regulated life, rests early.

  “Arno-cha~n~ sleepy time~”


  “No, mother, it’s alright.”


  “But~ still~”


  “You’ve been sleeping with him for five days now, haven’t you?”


  “But’s it’s alright~”


  Sometimes I want to take care of my son.

  However, mother argued that she wanted to sleep with Arno because she’s lonely.

  Maybe it could be that she was being considerate for our nighttime fun (drinking). Still, there wouldn’t have been a problem since Arno does not wake easily once he goes off to sleep.

  But I decided to gladly receive mother’s kindness.

  Sieg and I sat down on the bed and opened bottles of alcohol on a round table.

  First was the plum (pflaume) liqueur.

  Sieg drank it straight, while I had it with sparkling water and lemon juice.

  The colour was light brown like black tea. Apparently it’s good for recovering fatigue and for shoulder pains. It might be fitting for summer.

  “Ah, it’s delicious.”


  “It’s sweet.”


  Maybe because I had it with sparkling water, it had a refreshing sweetness to it. When I got a sip from Sieg’s cup, which had the unadulterated drink, it had a different taste. It had a deep flavour along with a sweet taste.

  We also tried other fruit liqueur. The neat tasting citrus liqueur seemed to be to Sieg’s liking. I thought that it was a failure because of the bitter flavour, but Sieg was okay with it.

  She also liked the side dishes. I felt happy. I worked hard to see this moment.

  We drank the rose liqueur at the end.

  “It’s dyed nicely.”


  “It has a rosy tinge.”


  Maybe because we used only a bit of alcohol, it was dyed nicely in red.

  When I opened the bottle, a rich rosy scent flowed out. I recalled that rose liqueur was also called drinkable perfume.

  When I poured some into a glass and squeezed some lemon into it, the colour turned into an even deeper shade of red.

  Sieg took a look at the glass by the light from the lantern, and then tilted the glass.

  “H-How is it?”


  Sieg smiled without saying a word.

  From seeing such a rare expression, I ended up clutching my chest.

  What is it, what was with that mysteriously alluring smile!?

  It makes me want to flounder around in the bed.

  “Ritz, you too.”


  “……Waa, thank you~”


  I somehow managed to calm my raging heart and took a sip of the rose liqueur.

  The moment I took a sip, the sensation of a deep rosy scent flowed into my body. It was slightly sweet and bitter, and had an adult’s flavour to it.

  Sieg murmured about the time she received the bouquet. She said that she was so happy.

  Meanwhile, I wrapped my head in my arms, wondering why I was being so pretentious.

  “Can I have this?”


  “Please, please”


  If possible, please enjoy it alone, or so I conveyed.

  But that wish could not come true.

  After that, Sieg enjoyed the rose liqueur while watching my embarrassed expression.

  To become a side dish for alcohol, how regretful.

  Additional 86 — Beloved Wife’s Lunchbox and Autumn’s Great Harvest

  Stories of the Four Seasons

  Autumn is the time for harvesting vegetables that were planted in early spring.

  This year, the temperature was unstable so the crops did not grow very well.

  Well, things happen every year, so we usually harvest the crops with half expectations.

  The root vegetables which are relatively easily to pick are harvested by the children.

  It’s endearing seeing the children pulling on carrots and digging for potatoes.

  When it’s time for lunch, everyone has the packed lunches they brought from home.

  Today, Sieg made lunch for me.

  I always prepared my own lunch, so I was moved.

  I wonder what Sieg made for me. I opened the basket as my heart pounded.

  What came into my eyes first were the three large potatoes. They were baked properly, and there were salt and herbs to go with them. Other than those, there was a long sausage on a skewer, standing out very greatly.

  The potato and the sausage was sent from Sieg’s family.

  Around the edge of the basket, there were also small bottles. Pickled cabbages. I wonder if this is handmade by Sieg? I thought that it was new to put bottles in the lunchbox.

  The main menu was crunchy deep fried meat. On top of it, there were thin slices of lemon.

  Above were the contents of my beloved wife’s lunchbox.

  What should I say, the sensation of a soldier not used to cooking earnestly making lunch feels great! The staple food being potatoes rather than bread was also like Sieg’s home country.

  The handmade lunch was delicious.

  So much that I almost wished that I should have peeked at her making them if possible.

  After lunch, I started working again in the afternoon.

  The harvested vegetables are collected in one place and men with discerning eyes take care of the selection process.

  Vegetables with scars or ones that are small, which are those not fit for selling, were also needed to be collected instead of tax. I wanted to share them with everyone, but I had no choice but to take them back home.

  This year, there was a poor harvest of potatoes.

  They were not that big to start with, but this year they only grew to the size of the ring made by putting one’s thumb and index finger together. There were two bags of potatoes that wouldn’t be able to be sold to the merchants.

  While pondering how I should cook them, I returned home.

  ◇◇◇


  “Welcome back.”


  “I’m back~!”


  Sieg stood up from doing her gardening work and greeted me.

  “Sieg, thank you for the lunchbox.”


  “No, it wasn’t that great.”


  “No, they were all delicious!”


  If it was the usual, I would have given her a kiss of thanks, but today I couldn’t even approach her because of all the mud.

  Unable to bear seeing her husband like that, Sieg talked to me.

  “Ritz, you should take a bath first.”


  “Eh, it’s alright. Sieg, you can go in first. Meanwhile, I’ll be weeding in the meanwhile.”


  “It’s alright, so go in. You must be tired.”


  “Really?”


  I prefer going in after Sieg! But if I say that I might be treated as a pervert so I decided to receive her hospitality.

  I wiped the sweat and mud off my body and headed the living room in a clean state.

  While I was resting, sitting on a chair, Miruporon brought a honey lemon juice.

  “Thank you~”


  As usual, Miruporon pounded her chest and then disappeared.

  Before I realised it, I was seeing off a back wider than mine.

  While I was wondering what I should do about the pile of vegetables I received, Sieg came out of the bath.

  When I tapped the spot next to me, she came over.

  “How were the vegetables?”


  “N~n, not bad, I guess.”


  If the potatoes are as big as the ones from Sieg’s country, the profitability will be much different, or so I thought.

  This year, I counseled Captain Artonen of the fortress for financial matters, so I wanted to try out many things.

  As I chatted with Sieg, dinner was served.

  The pot of soup was placed on the table. It was left there, which meant that we were free to refill our bowls.

  The main ingredient of today’s soup were mushrooms. There were mushrooms that were collected and dried in summer.

  There were also chicken herb roast that was cooked until the skin was crispy, as well as a salad of leafy vegetables with fish oil.

  In the middle of the table, a potato gratin was placed.

  Next to that, there was a pile of potato fries.

  “It’s a feast again today. Thank you as always.”


  When I delivered words of thanks to Ruruporon, she returned a smile.

  Sieg served gratin onto dishes.

  Meanwhile, I took out alcohol from the shelf and poured some into my wife’s cup.

  “Now then, let’s eat.”


  “Alright.”


  After giving a prayer of gratitude to the spirit I started eating.

  The soup had the poisonous mushrooms, kantarelli. It’s said that it’s okay as long as they aren’t eaten raw.

  They have a spicy flavour like pepper and also have a chewy texture so they’re tasty. Because they’re dried, the flavour is also condensed well.

  The soup that was cooked carefully had a mild and elegant taste. I applauded Ruruporon in my head.

  When I cut the chicken herb roast, the meaty juices flowed out. The skin was crispy and the meat was tender. The fragrance of the herbs roused my appetite.

  I thought that the salad marinated in fish oil would taste good with bread, but unfortunately today there was no bread on the table. Then I thought of using potato fries instead of bread. I discovered that the crispiness of the leafy vegetables went well with the crunchy potato fries. Moreover, the fishy flavour made me want alcohol. It was very delicious.

  The potato gratin still had the peel on.

  The potato that was just harvested was warm and had a sweet taste. The cheese that was in the slit was also crunchy and tasty.

  The dinner meal filled with the blessing of autumn was great.

  After dinner, I decided to play with Sieg on the long chair.

  “Sieg, let’s play~”


  Today, I was quite tired so I just wanted to do something simple. Thus, I brought cards.

  We played a game where we flipped the cards to collect sets of the number.

  Both Sieg and I were remembering the cards, so it always turns out to become like a game of who gets it first.

  When we played games, we always did it after setting a penalty for the loser.

  Dishwashing, cleaning the floor, baking, those sorts of things.

  “What should we have today?”


  “Ritz, what do you want?”


  “Let’s see~”


  Even though she asked, I couldn’t think of anything specific.

  “How about you, Sieg?”


  “Let’s see, how about the loser wearing their hair in twintail pigtails?”


  “Uwa, that’s nasty!”


  Sieg’s hair did not grow out enough to braid her hair, but she said that she has the attachable hair she got from home.

  “This, even if you lose, it won’t hurt!”


  “No, it would be probably painful to see a woman in her thirties wear pigtails.”


  “No it’s not, it will definitely be cute!”


  “……”


  While talking, I ended up wanting to see Sieg’s hair in pigtails, so I rolled up my sleeves and put effort into the game.

  ——The result.

  “Uwa, I lost.”


  A splendid defeat.

  I might have been out of focus because of the fatigue.

  From the winner, Sieg, I received a comb and ribbons.

  “What’s with these ribbons.”


  “It’s something brother sent as a joke.”


  They were pink ribbons with nice textures from the velvet.

  I asked if she wanted me to do it now. When I asked just in case, Sieglinde replied yes.

  I couldn’t help it, so I had my hair done in pigtails and put ribbons on.

  “Hey, isn’t it disgusting?”


  “No, it’s good.”


  There’s no way it would be good, I murmured and and hid my face with both hands in embarrassment.

  ◇◇◇


  Like so, the peaceful couple life with Sieg passed peacefully.

  Stories of the Four Seasons complete.

  Additional 90 — Emmerich and the Fickle Kittens — First Part

  It has been a few months since I started living with Aina in my homeland.

  Because I was retiring from the military soon, I was burdened with work, so I could not make enough time to spend with her.

  It is the long-awaited life with her, but there is no trace of sweetness.

  Rather, Aina-chan’s behaviour is salty.

  In the morning, she glares at me warily while making breakfast.

  Before I realise it, the lunchbox is placed inside my bag. I always am at awe that it’s like magic.

  Because I come back late at night, she is always sleeping before me. However, there are many dishes on the table.

  I’m happy from just that. Aina-chan is doing her best for me.

  I asked her if there was anything bothering her or if there was anything she was holding in, but all she would say is, “Not really.”


  I have no clue on what women need so I am leaving that to the landlady.

  The usual morning.

  I hurriedly woke up just in time and start dressing up.

  Since there is a woman, I have to be careful, but maybe because I am tired every day, my body does not listen to me.

  I brushed my teeth, shaved my beard and combed my hair before putting on the military uniform Aina-chan cleaned.

  When I go to the dining room, Aina-chan is making breakfast.

  Why is such a frail and diligent snow fairy in this house? I immediately felt happy.

  “A-Aina-chan, morning!”


  When I offered a greeting, Aina-chan quickly looked back and glared at me with an expression as if she was looking at her parents’ killer. Of course, she did not reply back.

  When I sat down and waited, she left a cup of coffee with a loud bang.

  “Thank you.”


  Even though I thanked her, I was ignored. Her tightly shut lips did not open. It was the usual.

  I did not mind her attitude. Ritz-kun said in his letter that she is the shyest girl in the village. Furthermore, I already understand Aina-chan through exchanging letters.

  She always worried for my health. She said that my mundane stories were fun. She always sent polite words.

  Moreover, the food she cooks every day has deep love in it.

  Therefore, I believe that her harsh attitude comes from either embarrassment or shyness.

  ……Probably.

  As I was reading the newspaper while drinking coffee, she served breakfast on the table.

  Aina set the table with waste-free movements.

  She sliced freshly baked bread and spread jam on it. It was so delicious. When I asked where she got it from, she told me that she made it.

  She spread plenty of butter of on another slice.

  Other than that, there were white sausages, potato soup, and boiled and peeled eggs.

  They were all delicious.

  Even as I ate, Aina-chan worked diligently.

  When I invited her to eat with me before, she sternly refused with a “No!” so I did not invite her after that.

  I thanked Aina-chan for the delicious meal.

  “Aina-chan, thank you. They were all delicious.”


  “……Why don’t you go to work quickly?”


  “Ah, yes.”


  We repeated the same conversation every morning.

  When I went to work, I was held up by a colleague I was seeing after a long time.

  Apparently, the cat he has been raising at his home had babies so he was having trouble.

  “No, my house, is shared……”


  “You won’t get caught if you keep quiet!”


  “I will get caught.”


  Moreover, I don’t want to betray the kind landlady.

  To begin with, I prefer dogs.

  I’m actually feeling a little melancholy because I had not met the dog at my family’s place for some time.

  My parents’ place is nearby, but because of the busy schedule I couldn’t really contact them.

  “That’s how it is, so,”


  “Wait a bit!”


  Even though I declined, my colleague persisted tenaciously.

  “Aren’t you lonely alone?”


  “……”


  I never told anyone that I am living with Aina-chan. If I did, they would pester me to introduce her.

  I wanted to boast my cute Aina-chan, but it would be troublesome if some guys fell in love with her, so I did not introduce her.

  I also ate her lunches filled with love in secret. I was without flaw regarding that.

  I was like this from a long time ago.

  I never showed what was important to me anyone else, just keeping it to myself.

  I felt that childhood habits do carry over to adulthood.

  “Hey, it’s just fine with looking, so come over tomorrow.”


  “N-No, tomorrow is a holiday in a long time, so,”


  I was trying to say that it wasn’t possible, but my colleague had already left.

  I was planning on going out with Aina-chan on my next holiday though.

  Although I didn’t tell the person in question.

  The next day.

  To prepare for going to my colleague’s house, I dressed myself up.

  After breakfast, I informed Aina-chan that I am going out.

  “I’ll be going to colleague’s house today.”


  “!”


  From the sudden schedule, Aina-chan looked surprised.

  I wonder if she wanted to go out somewhere with me.

  When she went out alone before, she was harassed by a ruffian so I told her to not go out alone. I asked the landlady to go out with her.

  If it’s now, at this timing, it might be easy to ask her out.

  Fortunately, my colleague is married. He is also a devoted husband, so he won’t be attracted to Aina-chan.

  I mustered up my courage and asked.

  “Aina-chan, would you like to come as well?”


  “!”


  Aina-chan made a surprised expression again.

  I told her that we should try ice cream on the way back from seeing the cats. She stayed expressionless for a while, but soon she nodded in response.

  I waited until Aina-chan finished preparing.

  The clock was ticking past the appointed time, but the guy is waiting in his home so there won’t be any problems.

  A few dozen minutes later, Aina-chan came out of the room.

  “O-Ohh!”


  Seeing her in her street wear, I let out a sound of awe.

  Her somewhat wavy silver-white hair was tied up high, and she had light makeup on. The lips with the pink shade were unbearable.

  She had a white blouse adorned with laces along with a sky-blue dress. It’s something I never saw before, maybe she bought it with the landlady?

  Whatever it was, I felt that she was extremely lovely.

  “……Stop staring.”


  “Ah, sorry.”


  Usually, she would glare at me but today she turned her face elsewhere.

  Is she embarrassed? I thought, but I refrained from questioning because that would be pushing my luck.

  The exquisite white bag she has in her hand is from Ritz and Sieglinde.

  The two of them are currently staying in Thüringen. Apparently, Sieg is pregnant so they will be giving birth here. It’s a wonderful news.

  I wondered if I should buy celebratory goods on the way back, but then I realised that I never heard of gifts for pregnancy.

  Well, a gift for their hospitality might be good too, I thought as I walked to my colleague’s house with Aina-chan.

  Wehn we arrived at my colleague’s house, his wife and a four-year-old child greeted us. After that, my colleague and the cat.

  He was surprised to see Aina-chan, but when I introduced her as my wife he warmly received her.

  The sweets gift we bought on the way was also gladly received.

  Aina-chan was guided by my colleague’s daughter to see the kitten. The wife also followed them.

  When I became alone in the room with my colleague, it turned into an interrogation on how I came to find such a beautiful woman.

  A few dozen minutes later. When Aina-chan came back, she had a kitten in her arms.

  She looked at me with upturned eyes as if she was pleading something.

  What was in her arms was a red kitten with large and round eyes.

  Maybe because it just had milk from its mother, its stomach was chubby.

  I know what Aina-chan wants to say to me.

  However, we live in an apartment so we can’t raise cats.

  If we want to, we would need a detached house.

  Detached houses have high rents.

  In preparation for retirement, I want to save up as much as possible.

  However, Aina-chan looked like she wants to raise a cat.

  I immediately made up my mind.

  — Alright. Let’s live in the countryside!

  I told Aina-chan that we will raise it after we move, and I asked my colleague for the red kitten.

  ◇◇◇


  It was easy planning for the future after deciding what we wanted.

  I decided to move to the countryside village where my uncle was at. I left the arrangements for housing and a job to him. The rent is less than half the price of the apartment I am living in. Three hurrahs for the countryside!

  Coincidentally, the village is close to the place Ritz-kun and Sieglinde lives at. Aina-chan will be relieved as well.

  On the day we left, we fetched the kitten from my colleague’s place and went to bid farewell to the landlady.

  As a show of gratitude, we gave her the jams and sweets Aina-chan made.

  While accepting the gifts, the kind landlady told us that it would have been alright to raise cats.

  When I told her that it was not the only reason, she accepted it although she looked disappointed.

  Aina-chan was on much better terms with the landlady than she was with me. The landlady softly embraced Aina-chan and patted her.

  Then, with a sad expression, Aina-chan asked a favour of the landlady.

  “Ah, erm, if it’s alright with you, can you name this child?”


  “Me?”


  “So that I can always think of you.”


  “What!”


  At Aina-chan’s words, the landlady smiled happily.

  The landlady bestowed the name of ‘Rossa’ to the kitten.

  Apparently it means ‘red’ in the language of her dead husband. I thought that it was perfect for the cat with attractive red fur.

  With a new family, we headed to the countryside.

  Additional 88 — The Dog and Father

  Author:

  This takes place after the additional chapter ‘With Ritzhard!’


  The point of view is from Sieglinde’s brother.

  Sieglinde left one dog as a gift and returned to the country where she married off to.

  I thought that my daughters would feel sad, but my expectations were far off.

  Edelgard and Adeltraud looked lonesome for a bit, but surprisingly they are now preoccupied with the dog.

  The problem was elsewhere.

  There was a person disappointed not over Sieg but over her husband Ritzhard-kun.

  Father.

  He went out to the ranch with a depressed expression again.

  To make father this sad, just what could he have done…… I am only joking. The young man who manages being Sieglinde’s husband in a carefree manner is a very sociable man.

  He was staying here as a guest, but he helped with father’s work, handled Sieg’s emotions very well, and flawlessly dealt with mother and sister-in-law. I could only see him as a superman.

  Just why is he being Sieg’s husband?

  Or so I wondered, but when I heard that most women cannot survive in the harsh environment of Ritzhard-kun’s land I understood.

  Apparently, it is a land where the snow rages on, where savage beasts roam the forests. A frightening place.

  When I heard that, I felt that it was the perfect place for my rough little sister Sieglinde.

  They are on quite good terms as a couple, that I was in disbelief that such miracles did exist.

  I could only pray that they would be happy for a long time.

  Rather, the bigger problem is father.

  He was even more depressed than my two daughters.

  What is a proper adult doing, I thought, but it was Ritzhard who seized the heart of the impregnable fortress Sieg. Father too must have liked him very much, treating him like his own son.

  Well, I also think that us brothers are also responsible for this.

  We were busy at work, so we prioritised resting our bodies over helping father out with work.

  Originally, it’s something that we needed to do, but Ritzhard went there.

  I will reflect on myself and help with father’s ranch! It was easy to pledge so to myself, but seeing work piling up I couldn’t help him.

  My brothers are all soldiers as well, so our busy periods overlapped.

  However, we cannot leave our father depressed like this.

  While I was agonising over what I should do in the drawing room, I spotted my daughters carrying the dog in a basket.

  A fluffy, snow-white dog.

  The name is ‘Ritz’.

  Adeltraud named it.

  But to coolly let someone name a dog after him, I was in awe. He is probably the most magnanimous man in our family.

  The dog breed is a samoyed, that grows to a very large size.

  It is kind and likes to play, so I heard from Sigelinde that these dogs are popular as pets.

  It has a warm personality and does not have much hunting instincts, and it is friendly to people so it is not fit as a guard dog.

  Everyone in the family agrees that its smile is similar to Ritzhard-kun.

  My wife murmured, we have to get the dog trained.

  Indeed, it is a very big dog, so if it lunges at my daughters while playing around it will be very dangerous.

  I wondered if I knew anyone who knew a lot about dogs.

  “Ah!”


  “Goodness, what is it!?”


  I was sorry to have surprised my wife, but I had a great idea.

  I thought of leaving the education of the dog to father.

  I heard that father also trained the sheepdogs.

  If so, we can leave the dog to father.

  Fortunately, the dog is very similar to Ritzhard-kun. The name is the same as well. Maybe it might be able to soothe father’s heart as well.

  As soon as possible, I asked father that day.

  But then I thought that my daughters would be saddened if the dog was left to father. I had thought that they might not want to hand over their cute dog, but Edelgard an Adeltraud honestly handed over the dog.

  I felt sorry, but then I heard that my daughters energetically went out on strolls to the forest so I felt relieved.

  I held the dog and went to father’s office.

  “Father, may I have some time?”


  A reply came immediately.

  I was sitting face-to-face with father who was still looking exhausted.

  Seeing the dog in my arms, he asked what it was that I wanted.

  “I want father to train this dog.”


  “I am to train the dog?”


  “Yes. Can I ask you for that?”


  I handed the dog over to father who was listening with a vacant expression.

  Father made a confused expression at the dog he was suddenly given.

  The fluffy dog did not shy away and stayed still.

  To be similar to Ritzhard-kun even with this. What a frightening dog, I thought.

  The dog Ritz stared up at fater.

  Getting stared at, father gently patted the dog Ritz’s head.

  The dog’s fur is soft, causing one to caress it a lot.

  Gradually, father’s cheeks loosened.

  After feeling the fur to his heart’s content, father expressed his impressions.

  “Th-This is quite cute.”


  “Right.”


  The dog Ritz seized father’s heart.

  I told the dog Ritz that I am leaving father to it with my gaze, and then left the room.

  A few days later.

  When I was coming back home from training, I saw father working energetically with the dog Ritz following behind him.

  When I talked to him, I confirmed that it was the usual father I knew.

  When I asked how the dog was doing, father laughed that it was troubling because it has too much energy.

  The strategy ‘soothe father with the dog Ritz-kun’ seemed to have worked.

  After seeing my father like that, I made up my mind.

  First, I requested to be moved to a branch with less work.

  I had more leisure in life, and I had more time I could spend with my wife and my daughters.

  At that moment, us brothers reflected on our past actions and actively helped out with father.

  Until now, we have only been doing work in the military, so we were not used to working with animals. At first, we went through great ordeals, but we gradually found it pleasurable and worthwhile.

  Some months later, the dog Ritz grew into a fine dog.

  When accompanying my daughters into the forests, it strode forth with an expression like a knight’s, exercising vigilance against wild animals.

  It was a lovely dog that never lost its smile, so it healed all the family and the servants.

  When accompanying father to the ranch, it also properly carried out its job as a working dog.

  As expected of a dog Sieglinde chose, I thought in awe.

  Thanks to the dog Ritz, the house became much brighter.

  I felt sincerely thankful for the new family member.

  A few years later, we went to Ritzhard-kun’s country with father, my daughters and the dog Ritz. It was dangerous when there was a pair of lookalikes.

  One is a social white dog, and the other is a social white-haired young man.

  They were both not familiar with each other, but Ritzhard-kun said “Long time no see” as if he was greeting an old friend, and the dog Ritz wagged it tail as if it found someone that was nice, after which they ran up to each other.

  Seeing the two hug each other, I almost laughed because their actions and their appearances were too similar.

  I desperately bit my lower lip and held it in.

  There were many delightful events in Ritzhard-kun’s village, but that is a story for another time.

  Additional 92 — Emmerich and the Fickle Kittens — Final Part

  Uncle’s marriage gift arrived.

  A goat. A nanny goat.

  It seems that it can be milked only in the winter. I was told to dote on it because it is tame.

  Indeed, it is behaving very well next to Aina.

  Since it can’t be left out in the open, I used materials lying around and built a goat house, with borrowed tools from uncle. When laid hay inside, it looked pretty good.

  It seemed that the goat was satisfied as well, because it quickly went into the shed and rested inside.

  “The goat is unexpectedly docile. I was surprised.”


  “Apparentl-Uwah!!”


  While we were talking, I felt a strong shock from my back.

  I managed perform a break-fall into a roll on the floor.

  When I turned around to see who it was, the goat was standing proudly in the light.

  “H-How come……?”


  The goat lifted its forelegs and stood on its hind legs.

  That excited appearance was as though it was showing hostility.

  ……Could it be, that I’m being threatened?”


  Right away, Aina-chan tied the goat to a stake in the ground.

  I found out later that goats are creatures of wild temperament.

  On a closer look, its eyes are rather frightening.

  Come to think of it, the sheep in the village were grazing the grass in a dignified manner. I regretted that I should have chosen a sheep.

  I also told Aina-chan to be careful, but if it’s next to her it seems to be docile.

  It even easily lets itself be milked.

  Why is it aggressive only to me. I wanted to complain to the goat.

  Worst of all, it seemed like the goat was trying to headbutt me whenever possible.

  One time, when Aina-chan was waiting for me in front of the door, I ran up to her with a smile. Just before I could enter the house, it headbutted me at my side.

  Coincidentally, it stabbed the knee, a key point of the human body, so I leapt up greatly.

  Well, Aina-chan worried for me and gently nursed me so it was good.

  Uncle gave me an absurd present.

  I really want to thank him.

  ◇◇◇


  Outside the house, I am dominated by the savage goat, but inside I felt healed.

  The red cat I received from my colleague, Rossa, was such a baby, following Aina-chan everywhere.

  In addition, Rossa had no care in the world for me.

  However, the way Aina-chan makes a blissful expression while having Rossa on her lap and caressing its chin, forehead and waist is unbearable. The cat purring with the same expression is also pleasing.

  Recently, we had such leisurely moments.

  In the city, it was unimaginable for the two of us to be even sitting down together.

  With some months having passed since its birth, Rossa was growing well.

  Its fur was neat, and aunt also said that the cat is pretty.

  It also somewhat resembles Aina-chan. She also has clear almond-shaped eyes.

  It might be true that cats and dogs take after their owners.

  “Aina-chan, should I brew some coffee?”


  “You can do that?”


  “Ah, more or less.”


  Because I had been living alone for a long time.

  Come to think of it, it’s been a while since I last brewed coffee. Ever since she lived with me, I never brewed coffee.

  Aina-chan said that she’ll brew coffee because the coffee I brew is fishy, but because Rossa was sleeping she couldn’t move.

  “I’ll do my best.”


  “The coffee in the red can deep inside the shelf is for guests.”


  “Understood.”


  It seems that the coffee brewing machine was handed down from the landlady. I could also see new products.

  Come to think of it, the coffee I had back home might have been spoiled.

  I ground coffee beans. I set filters in a special container, put ground coffee and then poured water.

  While I was waiting for the coffee to drip, I got bored.

  When I told Aina-chan “I want to eat some snacks if there are any,” she told me that she had the cake she made yesterday in the shelf.

  The cake was made with dried fruits. When I sliced it, a subtle sweet scent flowed out.

  I placed cake slices on a plate and then it was time to wait for coffee again.

  Once the coffee finished brewing, I poured them into cups and placed sugar and milk next to them on a plate. I then brought them out to the living room.

  When I sat down next to Aina-chan, she glared at me.

  Since we never sat down together before, she might be wary of me.

  Could it be that I am still a suspicious foreigner to her?

  I don’t want to ask.

  Anyhow, I placed the snacks and a cup in front of Aina-chan.

  “Aina, you want three spoons of sugar and plenty of milk, right?”


  ”……That’s right.”


  I stirred in sugar and milk and served them to her.

  Rossa was sleeping soundly on Aina-chan’s lap. Since it would be dangerous if the coffee spilled, I softly lifted her and placed her in the basket that was also her bed.

  When I returned to Aina-chan’s side and asked if I could have some cake, she replied that I could.

  I soon started eating Aina-chan’s handmade cake.

  A bite using a fork.

  Delicious!!

  It was soft and had a slight alcohol flavour. It also had dried fruits so the taste was expressive.

  Aina-chan, this is very delicious! You might even be able to sell it!

  When I placed the cake down on the table and stared at her to thank her, Aina-chan was staring at me while blushing deeply.

  “Ah, sorry!”


  At that moment, I put myself in Aina-chan’s shoes.

  A disorderly foreign man suddenly demanded sweets and then shamelessly started eating next to her.

  Oh no oh no!! So disgusting!!

  When I tried to stand up in panic, Aina-chan grabbed my sleeve.

  “Eh!?”


  I flinched from surprise.

  “……”


  “Ah, erm.”


  Aina-chan merely stared up at me with teary eyes.

  For now, I apologised for being such a revolting man.

  But Aina-chan said, “It’s different,” shaking her head.

  What should I do? I have no idea what it is that she is thinking or what she wants.

  The only thing I discovered was that Aina-chan sees me as a disgusting person.

  When I fumbled around my pocket in panic, there was pen and paper inside.

  I handed that to her with trembling hands for her to write what she wants to say.

  Having received pen and paper, Aina-chan jotted down something. It seemed like writing the words themselves, but she didn’t hand the paper over.

  I was in an awkward posture, so I sat down on a chair.

  I wasn’t shaking, but I was very nervous.

  It seemed like that was also the case for Aina-chan, who was peering into the paper.

  Just what could she have written-

  Chirin- The bell on Rossa’s collar rang.

  The kitten that had awoken jumped, aiming for Aina-chan’s lap.

  “Kyaa!”


  “Ah!”


  Because Rossa jumped in, the paper in Aina-chan’s hand fluttered around.

  I grabbed the piece of paper that fell onto the floor.

  “!?”


  The moment I held it in my hand, the words came into my eyes.

  It was an unthinkable thing.

  “Ich mag dich sehr. (I love you)”


  I was so surprised that I got a nosebleed.

  ◇◇◇


  I never realised that Aina-chan liked me.

  No, on the contrary, there would be no reason for her to make such delicious meals for someone she does not care for.

  I was just dense.

  In this way, the two of us lived happily together after we opened up to each other.

  Aina-chan is still very prickly, but even that is irresistibly cute.

  We spend our pleasant honeymoon life peacefully.

  Emmerich and the Fickle Kittens — Finished.

  Additional 85 — Delicious Mushrooms and the Summer Scenery

  Stories of the Four Seasons

  Once it’s summer, even the remote village in the snow country has the sun shining down brightly.

  The forest is dyed in a bright green shade and flowers are blooming attractively.

  Today, I am going to pick mushrooms with Sieg.

  I was full of energy from the morning, making lunch to be taken to the forest.

  Today’s dish is ‘salmon cream pie’.

  First the pie crusts were made.

  Into a bowl, salt, flour, and butter were put in then mixed well with a wooden spoon. Flour was frequently sprinkled on butter to make the surface well-coat

  In this season, dairy products could be acquired at cheap prices in the stores, so I did not hold back on using butter.

  Once the butter became fine, I then rinsed my hands with cold water.

  After that, the dough was then put in a clean cloth bag and then left to sit in a icehouse for an hour.

  While letting the dough sit, I made the creamy salmon filling.

  I used an imported salmon I bought from the store. I used only the upper half and left the other half for the Rango family.

  The salmon that had been salted and stored in the icehouse was taken out and dipped in milk to remove the smell.

  Next, mushrooms, onions, carrots and potatoes were fried until they become soft.

  In another pot, butter was melted, and then flour was added. A while after that, milk was added and stirred. Once the lumps from the flour were gone and the mixture became smooth, the pot was taken away from the fire.

  The vegetables that were just cooked and the cream sauce were mixed and then soup from last night and spices were added to adjust the flavour.

  Finally, the salmon was added and then it was cooked until the moisture disappears.

  When the creamy filling was done, the crust that was resting in the icehouse was ready as well.

  A process of melding the the moist crust was shaped using a long wooden stick was repeated.

  **

  The finished pie dough was placed on a cloth.

  On one end of the square shaped crust, ingredients are placed then arranged into a triangular shape. As for the ends, they were tied up firmly to not let the cream leak. Next, beaten eggs were used to coat the surface to give it lustre.

  Oil was applied to an iron plate then the ready pies were cooked for some minutes. Salmon cream pies, ready to serve.

  If it was winter, warm and crunchy pies would be nice, but this was sweaty season so there was no desire to bite into fresh pies.

  After the residual heat went away, it was put into a basket. Lunch was ready.

  Afterwards, I had breakfast with Sieg then we headed to the forest.

  “You were up early today. How rare.”


  “I was making packed lunch.”


  “Was that so?”


  The packed lunch was placed in the basket.

  I wonder if Sieg will be happy. While thinking that I proceeded down the road.

  “Ah, it’s there!”


  Today’s objective are yellow mushrooms called kantarelli. {Chantarelle}

  “Sounds like there would be poison in them.”


  “There are.”


  “……”


  “It’s okay as long as we don’t eat too much.”


  Kantarelli are one the most loved mushrooms in the world aside from cultivated mushrooms.

  As for the poison, well, it should be fine. Probably.

  “Sounds suspicious.”


  “It’s alright, it’s alright! Father said so I’m sure it’s alright.”


  Kantarelli has a refreshing scent like apricots. I brought Sieg closer to make her sniff the mushroom scent.

  “It indeed does have such an aroma.”


  “Right? These are tasty, you see!”


  Sieg too seemed to have given up and started harvesting mushrooms.

  Around an hour later, we collected a fair bit so we stopped harvesting mushrooms.

  In the area, there were blueberries so we decided to pick some.

  “Sieg, why don’t we rest now?”


  Aren’t you tired? Even when asked that, Sieglinde said that she was fine with a carefree face.

  There was a leaf on her hair so I took it off.

  Since there was a river nearby, we decided to have lunch there.

  I soaked handkerchiefs that I brought in a basket in the river. I handed one to Sieg.

  The forest is cool, but when we diligently pick berries we still have sweat forming. It feels good to wipe one’s face with a cold handkerchief.

  When I glanced at Sieg, she was in the middle of wiping her neck with the handkerchief.

  The traditional clothing has a closed collar so she was sweating unnecessarily.

  I could get a slight peek her white neck, and for some reason the way she was wiping her sweat was sexy so I unconsciously blurted out, “Ohh!”


  It was something I wouldn’t have been able to see if I was sitting next to her. I thanked god for this fortune.

  “Ritz.”


  “Y-Yes!?”


  “What is it?”


  “No, nothing.”


  “?”


  Sieg called me without turning around so I was surprised.

  She just wanted to say, “It’s hot today,” nothing more.

  I was acting suspiciously, so Sieg shot me gazes of doubt.

  “Did you do something?”


  “Ah, erm, no.”


  In the end, I confessed honestly.

  “Erm, I was watching you wipe your sweat from behind.”


  “What fun is in that.”


  “It’s not fun, but unbearable~ or so.”


  “……”


  I received reproachful gazes.

  Even so, I still liked it when Sieg looked at me like that so I got a bit excited.

  However, I don’t want to anger Sieg.

  “S-Sorry, Sieglinde-san……”


  After that, I made up my mind to stop peeping at Sieg.

  ◇◇◇


  Lunch was the salmon cream pies I made in the morning!

  I wanted to be praised by Sieg, so I claimed to have woken up early and put all my effort into making it.

  “Look, Sieg! I worked hard from the morning.”


  “That’s amazing.”


  I wondered if she would pat my head, so I put my hands on my knee and lowered my posture, but Sieg only patted my shoulder. How regretful.

  I was hungry, so I decided to proceed.

  The triangular pies were slightly larger than our palms. I grabbed one with both hands and bit into one end.

  The outside of the pie crust is crunchy, while the inside is soft from the cream.

  The salmon has a faintly savoury taste so it tasted even better. The lumpy cream had a thick flavour, and the vegetables that were cooked until they were soft also entertained the tongue.

  When I chewed the mushroom we recently picked, the flavour overflowed.

  The pies made using the gifts of summer were very satisfying.

  “Ritz, it was delicious. Thank you.”


  “You’re welcome~.”


  Sieg also liked it. Nice. It was worthwhile to wake up early.

  “Come to think of it, how do you cook the poisonous mushrooms?”


  “Kantarelli, huh.”


  The poisonous mushrooms, I mean, kantarelli have a crunchy texture, taste slightly like pepper and have a rich scent.

  Frying them in butter and eating them on bread is good, and putting them in milk soup is also good. They can be used as ingredients for pies, they can be cooked alongside meatballs, and they go well in the sauce for grilled fish.

  “Well, the cooking methods are the same as normal mushrooms.”


  “I see.”


  “It also goes well with alcohol.”


  “I’ll be looking forward to that.”


  I decided to reflect on my peeping today, and put effort into pouring drinks.

  ……Well, though I already pour drinks for Sieg because I like it.

  After returning home, I delivered half of the harvested kantarelli to Ruruporon and as for the rest the dirt was removed and then the mushrooms were left to dry in baskets. Dried mushrooms are important for the winter.

  “Sieg, what should we do about the blueberries?”


  I already made about enough jam, sauce and juice for twenty. I just made tart the day before yesterday.

  There were many ripe ones so I ended up picking a lot, so I was agonising over what I should make.

  “How about Lassi?”


  “What’s that!?”


  “A yoghurt-based drink.”


  “Hehh, sounds delicious!”


  It seemed that Sieg drank them during her days in the army when she did not have much appetite.

  Apparently it’s a healthy beverage from a foreign land.

  There were ingredients at home, so Sieg said that she’ll make them.

  I offered to help.

  To not get in the way of Ruruporon while she’s cooking, we made them on the table.

  “Ritz, can you crush the blueberries please.”


  “Alright.”


  While I was crushing blueberries, Sieg did other work.

  In a bowl, she mixed yoghurt, syrup with lemon, and milk.

  The crushed blueberries are then squeezed with a cloth to get only the juice.

  “Then, it’s finished by adding blueberry juice.”


  “Hehh~”


  I drank the fresh beverage.

  “Ah, it’s cool and delicious.”


  The sweet flavour of the blueberries and the sour taste of the yoghurt went well. It had a clean taste, so as Sieg said I could imagine myself drinking this when I did not have much appeitite.

  As we did that, dinner was served.

  It was cold at night, so I closed the windows.

  The season showed signs of changing from summer to autumn.

  Additional 84 — Fishing and Sieglinde in Spring Clothes

  Stories of the Four Seasons

  By the time spring had nearly passed, the snow had mostly melted and the ground was covered with a soft green carpet.

  From the signs of summer visiting soon, the villagers also vibrated with joy.

  Unlike the dark winter, spring soothed people’s hearts.

  Today, we went out fishing.

  The lake we did ice fishing sometime ago now also only had bits of ice floating around.

  Once the snow melts, the method of transport becomes either walking or hiring horses from a merchant.

  The distance to the lake was not too far, so I pulled along a small sleigh for placing luggage with a pulley, going out also for a stroll with the dogs.

  Since we were going out fishing after a long time, my head was filled with fish.

  If we’re talking about spring fish, then there’s northern pike. It’s a freshwater fish with a cylindrical mouth with spots on its body.

  “Pikes are nice in this season~ Would be nice if we could catch some.”


  “Right. I miss fish sometimes.”


  ……How nice, fish is getting yearned for by Sieg.

  While thinking such a trivial thing, I proceeded through the lush forest.

  About an hour later, we arrived at the lake closest to the village.

  “This place is different from the place we visited last time.”


  “When it’s spring, everyone visits this lake.”


  Here the amount of sunshine is high so it’s not fit for ice fishing.

  “Ah, indeed, this place does not have any snow.”


  “Right. Only this place has full spring scenery.”


  Since we were going to fish, I undid the leashes on the dogs for them to go out and play. They would come back once the whistle is blown, so there was no need to worry.

  The lake became quiet now that the dogs were gone. I stared at the lake with Sieg.

  “Pretty.”


  “Really?”


  A clear blue sky with white clouds, along with young leaves were being reflected beautifully on the lake surface.

  However, it was a scenery I was used to from a young age so I did not become absentminded from this.

  If I stared at Sieg’s profile now, I would get glared at with her raptor-like eyes so I took care to not get found out and took a few steps back.

  As to what I was doing, I was going to enjoy Sieglinde’s appearance from behind.

  ——Nn. Good. Wonderful.

  For the traditional clothing to be worn in early spring, I commissioned one in a more feminine design.

  The one I made before was more boyish, so I passionately pushed for a skirt like those of the village women that would create a beautiful line from the waist to the hip.

  The clothing fits a little tighter than the previous one, so it also contained slits for easier movement. If Sieg crouches, it reveals her thighs.

  Still, she has trousers on underneath so I can’t see her bare skin, but it still makes me happy.

  I imagined about hugging her by the waist and enjoying the beautiful scenery together, but I saw her roundhouse kick before so I did not rashly do it.

  “What is it?”


  “Eh!? No, I just thought that the scenery is beautiful!”


  “?”


  I can’t tell her.

  For me to be ogling her waist and hip with perverted eyes.

  “Now, now! Let’s go fish——Ahh!”


  When I took a few steps back, I tripped on a rock.

  I got my just deserts.

  ◇◇◇


  “The bait we’ll be using is, this!”


  We’ll be fishing with a fake bait carved from reindeer antler, made in the shape of a small fish.

  “Hehh, so this works as well.”


  I adequately taught Sieg how to use it and then went to prepare fishing for pikes.

  “Pikes are also called ‘the aggresive fish’.”


  “What a strong sounding name.”


  Though it doesn’t compare to Sieg’s ‘Crimson Eagle’.

  Without saying what I thought of in my head, I continued to explain about the pike.

  “The teeth are like needles, so it’s very sharp. It can even chew through the fishing lines.”


  It hurts quite a bit if it bites. So one has to be careful when catching them.

  “Maybe I should make Sieg fish for smaller fish after all.”


  I handed her small baits shaped after insects.

  Since it would be bad if she gets injured from fishing pikes, I made her fish for smaller fish.

  After I explained, we started fishing.

  The fake bait is attached to the line then thrown into the lake. Afterwards, the poles is controlled so that it looks like a fish is swimming. All that is left is to wait for fish to bite.

  Sieg caught the first fish.

  “Ah, a trout.”


  When Sieg pulled her pole hard, the fish was flipped out of the water.

  After pulling the fish closer, it was caught using a net.

  “Great skills.”


  “I seem to be in good condition today.”


  After that, Sieg caught two more fish.

  Soon, it was already time for lunch, even though I could not catch a thing.

  “Now then, why don’t we have some food.”


  I picked up branches from the area and lit a fire.

  I sharpened some branches with a knife and skewered some sausages that I brought from home.

  After making about four, I asked Sieg to watch them.

  While the sausages were being roasted, I looked over the trout Sieg caught.

  “Are you going to roast that as well?”


  “No, this is eaten raw.”


  The three fish have salt applied to them to remove the smell, and then washed with water that I brought from home.

  After that, it’s seasoned with salt and pepper, as well as vinegar and herbs. It’s then left for a while.

  After washing my hands in the lake, I took out bread from a bag.

  “That, what is it?”


  “Hapankorppu~”


  Sieg opened her eyes wide at the flat and wide bread. It seemed like it was the first time she saw it.

  Hapankorppu is a dry bread that is convenient for going on trips because the volume is not large.

  I split the bread into a bite size, then I added thinly sliced cheese and the fish that was just being cooked.

  “The sausages seem to be ready as well.”


  “Then, let’s eat!”


  First, I had a bite of a sausage that Sieg cooked.

  With a crisp crunching sound the sausage exploded inside the mouth.

  The merchant did say that the spices are strong that there was no need to season it, and indeed the meat juice flowed out plenty. The perfect savoury flavour was unbearable. It felt like it would go well with alcohol.

  Maybe we should have had this in the house.

  Next, I tried the bread with the fish.

  “This is interesting.”


  Sieg ate saying that it was interesting.

  The bread that is harder than biscuit has bits of crushed berries.

  The texture is interesting and the flavour of the berries are good as well.

  The fresh fish tasted good as well.

  After lunch, we resumed fishing.

  An hour later.

  “Haa~~……”


  We could not catch a single one, so I lied down on the grass.

  I breathed in the nice smell of the grass to soothe myself.

  “Sieg, shall we return?”


  “No, just a bit more.”


  Sieg had already caught about ten fish.

  She usually says that we should return quickly when we’re on hunts, but strangely she sticks around longer for fishing.

  “Ritz!”


  “Hmm? Sieg, did you catch something else?”


  “No, Ritz, your pole!”


  “Eh?”


  When I sat up, the end of the pole was swaying faintly.

  When I grabbed the pole, it bent greatly.

  “U-Uwa!”


  When I pulled in panic, I felt a sure reaction.

  “Heavy!”


  If I pull too hard, the line will snap. I have to be careful with this.

  After playing tug-of-war with the fish for some time, I felt it getting weaker.

  When I took the opportunity and pulled hard, I could see a black shadow struggling in the water.

  Sieg brought out a stick with a net to catch it.

  “Sieg, be careful of the teeth!”


  “Alright.”


  The caught fish had about the same length as my shin.

  It was surprisingly big, that Sieg and I stared in awe.

  “To catch such a large fish with a rod I didn’t put much effort into making……”


  No one can know what will happen in life.

  ◇◇◇


  Tired from playing, the dogs came back on their own even though I didn’t call them.

  With the sunset as a backdrop, we returned home.

  We split the caught pike in two to share with Teoporon’s house.

  The herb roast made using half the fish was tasty, as expected of a seasonal fish. The fat was great as well.

  For dinner, we savoured a meal that we could only taste in spring.

  Additional 87 — The Nine Brothers’ Sieglinde Observation Diary

  Okt.[1] 03 Albert

  When we received the news that Sieg was coming back, our family was grief-stricken.

  —— In the end, our little sister was being returned.

  When the news arrived, father went to the ranch while looking like an animal that was getting sold off to the market.

  Mother enthusiastically said that she would turn her into a lady this time, and ordered dresses. She felt that Sieglinde would have grown large in the remote land so she ordered larger sizes. No one could retort that it was too late.

  A while later, I wrote a letter warning my son Claus, who was to come home on vacation from the boarding school, to not fool around with her.

  Even so, what should I say to my little sister.

  The mansion was surrounded in a sorrowful atmosphere.

  Nov. 01 Daniel

  Sieglinde is finally back.

  I wanted to work without rest while my little sister and her husband was home, but my older brother said, “It’s scary so please stay with me!” so I grudgingly attended the ritual where Sieglinde was being returned from her husband.

  We also held a meeting to discuss who should go out to greet who would be acting violently because she is getting returned.

  All of us brothers shook our heads.

  The discussion went on until dawn.

  The result — First, let’s at least feed her some meat.

  That was the conclusion we came to after we seriously discussed the matter.

  We decided to pool our money and buy a cow from father’s ranch.

  —— Sieglinde. Do not worry. You may have been abandoned by your husband, but you have meat!!

  One cow will soothe our little sister’s heart.

  Also, we practiced making a soft expression to receive Sieg who would be heartbroken.

  Nov. 12 Diederich.

  In the end, the day when Sieg comes visited us.

  I couldn’t tell my young daughters that their aunt was coming back.

  Both Edelgard and Adeltraud followed Sieg well, but I could not bear seeing them in shock from their aunt’s changed appearance.

  All that we could do now was to pray to God.

  —— O God, please calm down the unruly Sieg.

  In the morning, everyone had a strained expression.

  The sensitive Edelgard seemed to have felt the tension in the air, as she was not eating much.

  Adeltraud, who is dense in a good sense of the word, was appetisingly spreading jam and bread and was biting into it.

  Everyone tried their best to endure their day, using the innocent Adeltraud as a refresher.

  Nov. 12 Eugen

  We received news that Sieg had arrived from a servant.

  Is she alone!? I thought, but it seemed that the husband was here as well.

  I felt relieved that there would not be a fight when people were going to explain the circumstances.

  I asked older brother what kind of person Sieg’s husband is, but he replied that only father and mother met him and that he did not know.

  Father said that Sieg’s husband is a very kind and fluffy young man.

  When I asked if he has a calm personality, he replied no.

  Fluffy seems to refer to his appearance. I’m not sure what that means.

  Just who is her husband who is also a count in another country.

  Furthermore, apparently it was he who proposed to Sieg because he fell in love with her at first sight.

  Just what part of Sieg, who always has a sharp gaze, did he like. It’s full of mysteries.

  The door opened with great force, causing all of us brothers to flinch.

  I thought that it might have been Sieglinde who was acting wildly, but it was eldest brother’s son Claus.

  Claus apparently came to see Sieglinde.

  He asked that we should go to the drawing room, but none of us were ready so we shook our heads violently.

  In the end, Claus was to go to the drawing room alone. Eldest brother repeatedly warned him to not do anything unnecessary, but that kid probably would not listen.

  I saw off the reckless Claus with a wailful feeling.

  Nov. 12 Florenz

  Claus, who went out energetically, came back with a face as if he saw something terrifying.

  —— That’s why we warned you.

  Everyone in the room thought that.

  Claus told us to go to the drawing room since it was almost meal time.

  Ultimately, the time has come. Eldest brother murmured a heavy sentence.

  The meal will be had without children.

  The opponent was Sieglinde who was in her most touchy state. It’s no surprise that people below the age of 18 would be refused.

  Before we went to the drawing room, we fidgeted over who should be in the lead.

  We drew lots with numbers up to 4, and then walked in a straight line in that order.

  The lead was eldest brother Albert who drew the lot with the number 1.

  When we finally arrived at the room, he blurted out, “Sieglinde!?” in a tone of surprise.

  To see our little sister who has turned into a burly warrior in the foreign land, us brothers peeked into the room.

  ——Nnn??

  The lady sitting on the chair is Sieglinde!?

  With longer hair and a plumper body, Sieg looked like a different person.

  She looked, miraculously, good in the dress.

  In addition, we realised that we were greatly mistaken.

  Sieg was just visiting on vacation.

  Everyone in the family greeted Sieg and her husband awkwardly.

  From seeing my little sister, I could tell. She was cherished in the foreign land.

  Sieg’s husband Ritzhard whom I saw for the time had a fluffy impression like snow as father and mother said.

  He was sociable, talking to us with smiles.

  As I watched him, I came to an understanding.

  If it was someone as sociable as him, befriending Sieg would have been fast after all.

  Father gathered us for a meal.

  On the table, there were many meat dishes.

  They were all things that Sieg likes.

  However, Sieg did not eat well.

  In the middle, when the main course came out, she covered her mouth and ran out of the room.

  The whole family became puzzled over what might have happened.

  Ritzhard quickly said, “Morning sickness.”


  Believe it or not, Sieg was pregnant.

  It’s great that the couple is on good terms.

  Nov.15 Georg

  My older brother who was back home for holiday informed me that I would be able to see something interesting, so I decided to visit the family home.

  When I asked what the interesting thing was, older brother did not answer.

  Since I was told that I would be able to know if I went to the drawing room, I headed there.

  When I opened the door and entered, there was a red-haired lady that I saw for the first time.

  A relative? Or so I thought, but that person said that it has been a while in a friendly tone.

  While I was tilting my head from hearing that we met before, I discovered an unbelievable fact.

  The lady in front of me was Sieglinde.

  To be frank, I was surprised.

  She changed so much, in so many ways.

  To become so feminine, just what happened overseas.

  I did think that she was being cherished by her husband, but to become like this.

  Moreover, I never saw her wearing accessories before, but there was jewelry shining at her ear.

  Apparently it was a present from her husband.

  When I honestly told her that it suits her well, she smiled shyly.

  I wanted to greet her husband who changed her, but he was returning home then.

  When I joked, “Could he be abandoning you?” she glared at me with a terrifying expression, the like of which I never saw before.

  —— O husband, please come quickly and take Sieg away.

  I hoped so as beads of sweat formed on my brows.

  Dez. 13 Heino

  From some time ago, I received news that Sieg was back at our parents’ home.

  Letters of misfortune informing my brothers’ agonies arrived once a week.

  Believe it or not, it was discovered that Sieg was pregnant so she was to recuperate. Meanwhile, her husband was back in his country temporarily.

  It was written that they were being at the mercy of Sieg’s emotional instability, but I could tell that it was because my older brothers joked about or said something unncessary.

  To anger Sieg, I thought that my brothers were being funny.

  There were not many things I could do.

  While thinking of our parents’ place, I clasped my hands.

  —— Ritzhard-dono, please return quickly and calm down the rampaging Sieglinde.

  A few days later, I received news that Ritzhard-dono came back.

  It seemed that peace finally returned there.

  Dez. 21 Ewald

  I was so very surprised at Sieglinde’s change.

  I could not imagine my little sister being someone’s docile wife, but Sieg who was in front of me felt like a reserved wife.

  I could only be surprised at Ritzhard-san’s ability.

  Jan. 15 Johann

  When I visited my parents’ place after a long time, there was a woman crouching in the garden so I tilted my head.

  Who could this be.

  She wore a hat decorated with flowers and ribbons, and was removing the snow on the flowerbed with clothes that looked to be a little thin for winter.

  The skin was flawless and blended into the snowy landscape.

  I was somewhat bothered so I talked to her.

  “Young lady, you will catch a cold in those clothes,” said I as I offered her a coat.

  The person that was crouching down looked up and made an elegant smile.

  And then, a reply of “I’m alright!” came back.

  I was surprised by that.

  Because the voice was that of a man’s.

  The person with the appearance of a fairy was Sieglinde’s husband.

  As to why he was wearing a lady’s hat, it was something mother bought for Sieg but because she did not want to use it, mother asked him to try it.

  —— Erm, you can refuse those things.

  I told my innocent younger brother-in-law.

  ◇◇◇


  Within a year, Sieg changed surprisingly.

  We recalled father saying that all women had potential to bloom like a flower.

  This time, we could not help but nod to those words.

  [1] The author uses abbreviations of the German words for the months.

  Additional 78 — The Splendid Snow Fairy’s Exploit!?

  Author:

  This is a requested work.

  The time period is after Arno’s birth and before the couple return home.

  Recently, Sieg’s eighth brother looked depressed.

  “Welcome back.”


  “Ah, yes. I have, returned now.”


  The brother-in-law’s name is Ewald von Wattin. He’s single and is a soldier.

  Recently, his place of duty was moved to his homeland Thüringen, so he had returned to the mansion, but for the past few days he looked enervated.

  Even when father-in-law asked, he only said, “There’s nothing wrong,” and did not reveal why he was depressed.

  I was pondering what I should do, but I could not get any good ideas.

  “If you leave him alone, he will recover.”


  “U~n, really~?”


  Sieg replied as she was breastfeeding Arno.

  “Ritz”


  “What is it?”


  “Don’t needlessly bother yourself with brother.”


  “Eh, okay?”


  When I approached Sieg for the whole story, I noticed that Arno who was having milk had stopped moving his lips. So I cradled him and gently patted his back. I then heard a “kefu~” sound, a satisfied sigh.

  Now that he was full, Arno looked drowsy, so when I sang an adequate lullaby while rocking him he fell asleep in minutes. He really is a baby that is not bothersome.

  I put Arno, who was sleeping peacefully, into a cradle and put a blanket over him. His soft sleeping face was so good that I thought that I would not tire from watching it.

  “By the way, are your breasts alright?”


  I remembered father-in-law saying that when women breastfeed after birth their breasts may hurt and milk might not come out, so I asked her.

  “Doesn’t seem like a problem now.”


  “I see.”


  A while ago, I learned how to massage the breasts if the milk would not come out well from a passing midwife.

  “Well, that’s how it is, so please tell me if there are any problems.”


  “No, I can do that by myself, so won’t you tell me the method?”


  “Eh!?”


  “I don’t really think that Ritz needs to do that.”


  No no, no way!!

  To make a wife be alone when she is in pain, that’s something the worst brute would do. Spouses should share their feelings in pain or in joy.

  I had listened to the method of massaging breasts for lactation with great resolve.

  It was three hour lecture. The part on the method took only ten minutes, and for the rest I endured having to humour the ladies in their gossips, to learn the method.

  “I definitely do not have any ulterior motives in massaging your breasts!”


  “……”


  “I am doing everything out of consideration for Arno and Sieglinde.”


  “……”


  It was scary getting glared at, so I promptly explained the method.

  “Ah, come to think of it, we digressed from the topic of your brother.”


  “Yes we did.”


  It seemed like Sieg was not amused since I was worrying about brother-in-law too much.

  “Ritz is too much of a philanthropist.”


  “No, Arno and Sieg are the most important in the world.”


  “I wonder about that.”


  There is a reason I am this worried for Sieg’s eighth brother.

  “That brother-in-law has the face closest to Sieg’s, that when he makes a sad expression it bothers me.”


  “So that’s what it was.”


  When I first met him, I was very surprised. Other than him being the smallest in size among the brothers, brother-in-law was the spitting image of Sieg.

  “For some reason, it feels as though Sieg is depressed~ or so I felt.”


  However, my brother-in-law did not tell us the reason for his depression.

  “Then, we will hear the details by getting him drunk.”


  “Ohh!”


  Like so, the plan to gather information by getting brother-in-law drunk was conceived.

  ◇◇◇


  Few days later.

  Before his vacation ended, we invited brother-in-law and father-in-law for a drinking party.

  “Ah, sorry about this. Gathering together for me.”


  Brother-in-law spoke softly and politelyy, betraying his raptor-like appearance.

  Sieg continuously filled brother-in-law’s glass with drinks of high alcohol content, urging him to drink more and more.

  Even though they were siblings, their alcohol resistance did not seem to be the same. Brother-in-law’s face reddened within minutes, and he became very talkative.

  Father-in-law took that as an opportunity to ask.

  “So Ewald, will you not tell us why you are so depressed recently? All the family are worried for you.”


  At father-in-law’s words, brother-in-law hesitated, but a moment later he opened his tightly sealed lips.

  “To be frank, a woman is courting me persistently……”


  He said that he was in a pickle because she forced her favour on him every day when he is hectic trying to keep up with his new post. Also, since he thought that his family would say, “Marry away!” he did not tell us.

  “Ewald, do you not like that woman?”


  “It is not a question of like or dislike. I want to focus on work now.”


  I see.

  That really is a difficult problem, I thought.

  “Brother-in-law, so what you want is time, isn’t it?”


  “I suppose. Maybe for half a year.”


  While listening to his story, I thought that I was a lucky person for being able to marry when I proposed without reading the mood because I fell in love with her at first sight.

  Sieglinde, my goddess.

  I vowed in my head to continue my deep devotion towards her.

  I glanced at Sieg. She was staring worriedly at brother-in-law, and I could also see that she really wanted to solve his problem.

  “Hmm. It would be nice if there would be a method to stop that lady.”


  Father-in-law also shut his mouth with a troubled expression.

  It seems that problems between men and women are deep. It probably is dangerous to rashly reach out.

  “How about introducing someone as a lover?”


  “!”


  Immediately, the sharp gazes of the people of House Wattin pierced me.

  It was a little intimidating, but I leaned in and explained my idea in detail.

  “For example, have someone act as a lover, and ask that lady to say, “He is my lover.” Since it’s not a fiancée, wouldn’t it be more acceptable if he becomes available again in half a year?”


  Was it too much of an easygoing way of thinking? While trembling slightly from them narrowing their eyes, I waited for their response.

  “Ritzhard-kun, that is a brilliant idea!”


  “Eh?”


  “That method won’t worsen the relations either.”


  “Really?”


  “Thank you, Ritzhard-san!”


  “No no.”


  I was surprised at the unexpected praise.

  “Th-Then, someone should ask a lady they know.”


  But when I said that, the three of them fell silent.

  It seems that there weren’t any women fit for that role.

  “Seems like it will be impossible.”


  “Brother, I’m sorry.”


  “Ewald, I think you should give up and accept her courting.”


  The mood grew gloomy again, that brother-in-law’s glass was quickly emptied again.

  We should end the party soon, lest brother-in-law be in pain tomorrow.

  “Erm~, everyone, I think we should end soon.”


  Sieg looked over here and made a startled expression. I couldn’t read her intentions, so I tilted my head.

  “—No, wait. We have Ritz.”


  “Nn?”


  “We can do something to Ritz and introduce him to that woman.”


  Yet again, the sharp raptor-like gazes fell on me.

  The three of them were narrowing their eyes at me.

  Someone muttered, “It’s possible.”


  I didn’t get what that meant, so I asked for elaboration.

  “Erm, Sieg-san, what do you mean by that.”


  “Ritz, won’t you dress up as a woman and pretend to be his lover?”


  “Eh!?”


  “Ritzhard-kun! You are our only hope now!”


  “Eh, oh, erm……”


  “I apologise. I do think that it will be humiliating to dress up as a woman, but I beg you!”


  “That can’t be.”


  ……So, ultimately, I have to crossdress and pretend to be brother-in-law’s lover?

  “No no no, I don’t think I pass as a woman by crossdressing! My arm’s got thicker recently, and so have my shoulders.”


  “It’s not that different from Sieg’s, right!?”


  “……”


  Eh, no way, that’s not how it is at all, or so I wanted to say, but I did not have the courage to compare myself to Sieg that I just smiled shallowly.

  “H-However, won’t dresses for women not fit me.”


  “No, we expected Sieg to return as a heavy warrior, so we had prepared a slightly large dress. It will fit Ritzhard-kun perfectly now.”


  “Ah, i-is that, so.”


  “The body silhouette can be hid using a shawl.”


  “Haha, what are you saying~”


  “Tomorrow, I will ask mother about it!”


  “Are you serious!?”


  Like so, the solution to brother-in-law’s problem was heading in a strange direction.

  I don’t care what happens now~ I thought and gave up, deciding to go to sleep.

  The next day.

  Presenting myself like livestock, I was surrounded by women around the age of my mother.

  “W-What a pretty hair colour!”


  “The skin is clear white as well!”


  “It’s like the fairy in the picture book!”


  I was forced to put on body modifying undergarments, my buttocks were squeezed tightly that I became teary-eyed, and I had enough powder to choke on applied to me. I was a total wreck.

  The dress prepared for Sieg surprisingly fit my body perfectly. The dress with a high collar had a dark green shade, and there were many fabrics around the chest. Apparently, the setting is that I have big breasts.

  The hair I usually braid was also curled up at the back of my head and fixed with a decoration.

  “How about going with the setting of a foreign princess!”


  “A summer romance borne from half a year’s stay, how about that!”


  “By the way, don’t speak a word. Even if you look like a fairy, your voice is still that of a man’s.”


  “Ah, yes.”


  Many background settings were being added arbitrarily. I couldn’t remember them all, so I just gave up on that.

  “What about the name?”


  “Richelle will do.”


  I borrowed my mother’s name noncommittally and went out with brother-in-law.

  The woman that was scheduled to be met was astonishingly beautiful. But, she had an endlessly strong personality.

  However, when she heard that I am a foreign princess she pulled back refreshingly.

  “I’m glad it went well.”


  “Yes, it’s all thanks to Ritzhard-san.”


  Brother-in-law happily headed to his night work. As for myself, I walked over to where the carriage of House Wattin was waiting for me.

  Then a problem happened.

  “Hey, lady, where are you from? Your face is not one that’s seen around these parts.”


  “What a pretty girl. What’s your name?”


  For the first time in my life, men were courting me.

  Makeup is indeed amazing, I thought once again.

  I thought of saying, “I’m a man!” in a low voice, but then the woman who was courting brother-in-law was still close by so I couldn’t raise my voice.

  So, when I was mulling over what I should do, someone grabbed me from behind.

  When I turned around while wondering who it was, I saw the appearance of Sieglinde in men’s clothes.

  “——Eh!?”


  “Unfortunately, she has an appointment with me.”


  She said that and pulled me into the carriage.

  “Are you alright?”


  “Yes. I was just surprised, in many ways.”


  Once I was brought into the carriage, I could finally take a breather.

  “Sieg, why are you dressed like that?”


  “Well, I thought that I shouldn’t be the only one to suffer an embarrassing appearance.”


  Apparently she borrowed brother-in-law’s clothes. From seeing her dashing figure in men’s clothes after a long time, I was captivated.

  “Sorry about today.”


  “Well, brother-in-law’s mood improved,”


  And I could see Sieg in men’s clothes, so all is well, I thought.

  “As I thought, you look well in such clothes, Sieg.”


  “Ritz, that fits you well too.”


  “You’re teasing me again~”


  To be told that I look good in women’s clothes, I felt a strange sensation.

  While chatting and joking, we returned home.

  In the end, Arno laughed at seeing me crossdressing, so all is well.

  Like so, the incident surrounding brother-in-law was resolved.

  Additional 77 — With Ritzhard!

  Whimsy Additional Chapter

  Author:

  From Sieglinde’s point of view.

  After spending more than half a year in my homeland, I safely delivered my child. The recuperation was also over, so all that was left to move back to the village. However, something unexpected happened.

  “What do you mean by going home, isn’t it okay to stay a bit more.”


  “No, my body is alright now, so I want to return as soon as possible.”


  “But still,”


  The person pestering me is father. While holding his grandson in his arms, he was insisting that I stay here a bit more.

  “Hey, Ritzhard-kun!”


  “Eh!? A, u, u~n.”


  To father who was desperately pleading, Ritzhard made a troubled expression. I wonder if he thought of attacking my husband if I didn’t give in. What a wily father. I was astounded.

  “Father, can you stop harassing Ritzhard?”


  “What are you talking about. I’m not harassing him.”


  Apparently, father couldn’t see Ritz looking down and fidgeting.

  “To begin with,”


  “W-What is it? What kind of daughter are you, to look down at your parent from above!”


  I stood up and looked down upon father. That was all I did, yet he embraced Arno tightly to protect him. It was almost as if I was the villain here, that I ended up snorting.

  “Father, when I was being married off, you saw me off with a smile, yet when you part with RItz and Arno, you’re trying your best to dissuade us.”


  “U!”


  “Are you thinking that your son-in-law and your grandson are cuter than your own daughter?”


  “Uu!”


  Frankly, father dotes on Ritz too much. He likes Arno as well.

  Ritz gladly helped out with the ranch, and thanks to his kind and honest personality he got along well with father.

  Arno also followed father well, maybe because he took after Ritz.

  Babies in this phase are quite shy and dislike people other than their parents hugging them, sometimes even crying, but Arno behaves well with anyone. He even giggles when he is cradled. Even father can’t bear the cuteness of my son.

  “Sieg, calm down. Father-in-law, you too.”


  Ritz held my hand and sat down near me.

  “Father-in-law, I do feel sorry that I am leaving arbitrarily when we have been in your care for so long.”


  “N-No, that’s,”


  “You can come visit us again to pay with Arno and Sieg. Father in law, you are welcome any time.”


  “U, un, alright……”


  In the end, father conceded from Ritz’s words.

  After convincing father was over, I breathed out a sigh of relief.

  “Sieg, it’s nice that father-in-law is understanding.”


  “Aa, indeed.”


  I laughed as I patted my son.

  Being cradled by Ritz, Arno was laughing as well.

  “He’s enjoying seeing Sieg…… Haa, our child really is cute~”


  While smiling, Ritz cradled Arno even more.

  “Really, it’s as you say.”


  Both my husband and my son are cute. Just from watching the two of them, I felt healed.

  I gently stroked Arno’s soft white hair, then I caressed the fringe of Ritz’s hair as well.

  “I-It feels like even I’m getting pampered.”


  “You’re not wrong about that.”


  “As I thought?”


  “Do you dislike it?”


  “N~o, rather it’s even cuter. Right, Arno?”


  He said such a thing, so to the snow fairy in front of me I presented him a kiss filled with love.

  ◇◇◇


  I didn’t think there would be this much trouble over us returning home.

  However, we still had people we had to persuade.

  “—So, this time, we have to inform Edelgard and Adeltraud.”


  “Wa-Waaoh!”


  My nieces were following Ritz well. They definitely will cry.

  A few days, I asked my brother to tell them that we will be returning home. However, he just came up to me and said, “I couldn’t do it because it would be too sad.”


  “How should we explain this to them.”


  “Hmm. Saying farewell is hard.”


  If possible, we did not want to have a sad farewell. However, we didn’t know what we should do.

  “Ah, right.”


  “Do you have an idea?”


  “An idea, well, I’m thinking of telling them the day after tomorrow on the picnic.”


  “Right. It is better to tell them quicker.”


  We quickly decided the plan: going out to buy the necessary goods for the picnic tomorrow, and cooking in the morning the day after.

  The next day, Ritz and I went to the shopping district to buy goods. As for Arno, we asked mother to take care of him.

  “Are these okay for ingredients?”


  “Aa, that’s the stuff.”


  I checked if what I picked were the same things written on a piece of paper, then left the luggage to the servants.

  “Now, we should buy gifts for Edelgard and Adeltraud.”


  “Right.”


  Ritz and I decided that we should give them something when we parted.

  “It’s hard, I don’t know what girls like.”


  “It is difficult.”


  “What did Sieg want when you were a little girl?”


  “……Model guns.”


  “A, okay.”


  What I used to want probably won’t make the sisters happy.

  Dolls, stuffed toys, toy houses……, father-in-law are buying those, so I don’t think they will be that happy.

  “How about books?”


  “Ah, that might be a good……”


  “Sieg, is there something wrong?”


  My gaze rested on the creature at the store window.

  White fluffy fur, big round eyes, and a kind-looking face that seemed to smile when our gazes met.

  “Ritzhard!”


  “Yes?”


  I pointed to the creature at the window for my husband to see.

  “It’s similar.”


  “To what?”


  “Ritz is similar to the dog.”


  “I see~ So we’ll give them this?”


  “A-Aa.”


  I was a bit curious, or rather quite curious so I decided to enter the store and listen to the shopkeeper.

  “This one’s called Samoyed. A dog breed born in a cold country of Central Europe.”


  Samoyeds are good supporting animals in living in snowy countries. It can herd livestock, pull sleds and listens to orders well.

  “However, it does not have aggressive hunting instincts, and has a gentle personality. It’s kind so it is also loved as a pet to play with.”


  “I see.”


  The face that looks like it’s smiling is apparently called ‘the Samoyed smile’.

  The more I looked at it, the more I thought that it was similar to Ritzhard.

  “Ritz, let’s buy this dog.”


  “Are you planning on taking this back home?”


  “No, this will be a gift for Edelgard and Adeltraud.”


  Though it might not make for a guard dog, it might make for a good friend. I can leave the training to father.

  “Is that okay?”


  “Yes. It’s a good idea.”


  Thus, we had new family.

  ◇◇◇


  The day of the picnic.

  Ritz, the sisters, and I woke up early to make boxed lunches.

  Today, my parents as well as my brother and his wife are coming as well. We’re just going to a field of flowers nearby, but somehow it became a large occasion.

  We enlisted the help of servants for making lunch. Thanks to everyone’s cooperation, we were somehow able to finish everything.

  When the position of the sun was high, the group proceeded to the forest.

  “My, look, Aunt Sieglinde, there are pretty flowers.”


  “Indeed.”


  “Oneesama, what are these called?”


  “……Meadowsweet.”


  “Or so.”


  Adeltraud handed over flowers that fit Ritz who was like fluffy snow very well. Having received them, Ritz buried his nose in the flowers, saying, “What a lovely smell. They smell like almonds~,” in a carefree manner.

  When we walked a little further, we arrived at a field of flowers in full bloom. There we chased each other around, playing around, then we decided to have lunch.

  The lunch my nieces made received a positive response. My parents and my brother and his wife also enjoyed them. Seeing that, the sisters smiled brightly.

  After lunch, we made wreaths out of flowers. After seeing mother and sister-in-law making them, Ritzhard also tried making some. I ended up laughing at how he failed to read the mood and made better ones than everyone else. The face that father made when he received the ones made by my nieces also induced laughter.

  The pleasant time passed quickly.

  Ritzhard told the young sisters that he had something to tell them.

  “The two of you, can I have some of your time.”


  “My, Uncle Ritzhard.”


  “……”


  “Truth be told, we have to return to our country.”


  “Pardon?”


  “……”


  From hearing Ritzhard’s words, Edelgard hid her face while Adeltraud made a dejected expression.

  We were spending a pleasant time just up until now. I felt sorry.

  “W-WHy?”


  “……”


  “The two of you, I am really sorry. We have to return to our country.”


  “No, no!”


  Adeltraud hugged me with teary eyes. Every time she asked us to not go, I felt a pain in my chest.

  “Th-there still are many things we have to do, we have to play, no, no.”


  At these times, I don’t know what to say. I wanted to hug Edelgard as well, who is standing alone a little distance away, but I couldn’t move.

  What should I do, I was thinking, when I was startled by a calm voice.

  “……Can’t, Adeltraud.”


  Edelgard gently patted Adeltraud and spoke to her.

  “B-But I’ll miss him.”


  “……Take a look at Uncle Ritzhard.”


  “Pardon?”


  “Doesn’t he look pale?”


  “H-How come?”


  Edelgard whispered softly that other people won’t here.

  “……Summer.”


  “Summer?”


  “……He’s receiving sunlight, so.”


  “Pardon?”


  “……We know that uncle is not a normal person.”


  At Edelgard’s words, Adeltraud looks like she realised something.

  Come to think of it, the young sisters believe that Ritzhard is the snow fairy.

  “……If the sunlight is too strong, uncle will melt away. The snow fairy can’t endure the summer heat here. Are you okay with uncle disappearing?”


  “N-No!”


  “………Then we shouldn’t stop him.”


  Adeltraud wipes her tears away and split from me.

  “Uncle, are you okay!?”


  “U, un, I’m alright.”


  “You have to return to your country quickly!”


  “Right.”


  Ritzhard hugged the amiable sisters and thanked them.

  ◇◇◇


  “Father-in-law, mother-in-law, thank you for taking care of us.”


  “A, aa, stay healthy, Ritzhard-kun, Arno, Sieglinde.”


  Even the dog saw us off.

  Moreover, the name given is ‘Ritz’. I’m sure they’ll cherish him like they loved Ritzhard.

  “Sieg, support Ritzhard-san well.”


  “Aa, I got it.”


  In this stay, I could even show my child to my parents. From this scenery that I could not imagine when I was an army, I felt somewhat embarrassed.

  “Arno-chan, I’ll be going over next time.”


  “……With the doggy Ritz-chan.”


  It was nice that we could say goodbye with smiles.

  It was a relief that we could part without any regrets.

  Thus, we returned.

  Our life in the snow country will soon resume.

  Additional Chapters finished.

  Author:

  Next we have requested chapters.

  Additional 83 — The Savage Bird and the Winter Feast

  Stories of the Four Seasons

  Author:

  The time period is after chapter 24.

  After the polar nights are over, we started hunting again.

  Since we went through many things in the storage, it would be nice to get big prey.

  “I want to hunt boar or deer.”


  “Well, don’t rush it.”


  Sieg said that, but I felt restless, wanting to hunt.

  But as she said, things usually end in failure if one rushes it so I should calm down.

  Today the sky was clear.

  The sunlight shone down on the snow and made the land glisten.

  “It is beautiful, but it also makes me wish I had light-blocking goggles.”


  “Hehh, so such a thing exists.”


  “It’s military equipment. I don’t know if it’s sold elsewhere.”


  While saying that, Sieg squinted, maybe because the light reflecting from the snow was too strong.

  That expression was so handsome, that I became absentminded as I stared at her profile.

  “What is it?”


  “N-Nothing~”


  Sieg quickly noticed that I was acting strangely. I waved my hands to deceive her and continued onwards.

  “Ritz!”


  “Nn?”


  The moment my name was called out, something fell from the tree branches above and landed with a thud.

  “!”


  My eyes locked with the round eyes that suddenly appeared.

  What fell down was a large black bird whose height was about knee-high.

  “Run!”


  With Sieg’s shout, the black bird opened its wings wide with a scream.

  “Kueee——!”


  “Uwa!”


  The bird leaped gracefully with its sharp claws pointing at me. Along with a sharp cry.

  I managed to dodge the first blow, but I ended up rolling on the floor.

  With its first attack having failed, the bird flapped its wings while glaring at me.

  I managed to quickly stand back up, but my foot fell in the deep snow and my balance collapse.

  “Ritz!”


  Before the attack could reach me, Sieg ran over here blocking the bird’s path to me.

  Sieg raised the gunstock high and rammed it down on the bird.

  Having received a blow, the bird rolled on the ground.

  “Sieglinde, get down.”


  Sieg leaped back at the order.

  I checked if there was anything else in the way, and pulled the trigger.

  A dry crack sounded and snow fell from trees with loud noises.

  The bullet hit the mark.

  “Are you alright?”


  “Yes, I’m fine.”


  I opened the magazine part of the gun and removed the empty cartridge case. After confirming that it has cooled in the snow, I put it in my pocket.

  I went to the sleigh and fetched a leather bag for collecting prey.

  “What’s this bird?”


  “Wood grouse.”


  Most birds in the grouse family have white winter feathers, but wood grouses have black feathers. It’s big as well.

  “Is this a ferocious bird?”


  “Ah~ It might be the breeding season~”


  It’s just speculation, but I think the wood grouse grew restless when people passed by while it was in heat, and so it attacked carelessly.

  Though I was also being careless.

  “Sieg, thank you for saving me.”


  “It’s a relief that its claws did not reach you.”


  “Thanks to you.”


  If Sieg wasn’t here, I might have been injured.

  It really was a good thing.

  After returning home, we removed the blood and the feathers from the wood grouse.

  We split the bird from its neck to the belly button, gutting it. Then we put it in a cloth bag and aged it for about ten days.

  ——Ten days later.

  “Now then, why don’t we try the wood grouse we caught some time ago.”


  Today, Ruruporon is on holiday, so we’ll be cooking by ourselves.

  We bought ingredients from a merchant and started cooking after it got dark.

  “Sieg, can you make fried potatoes and boiled potatoes please.”


  “Alright.”


  “We’ll be chopping the potatoes into thin slices. To cook them, peel them and boil them in water.”


  “Understood.”


  I instructed Sieg then I started cooking as well.

  The first thing I was making was a salad named ‘Wood grouse nest’. It’s a unique salad that is in the shape of a bird’s nest.

  While Sieg was making the necessary pieces for the nest and the eggs, I made the insides.

  First, I applied herbs on the breast meat and boiled it in water.

  While I boiled the bird meat, I thinly sliced many different kinds of vegetables.

  I also made the sauce to go with the vegetables and the meat.

  Herbs, pepper, wine vinegar, salt, lemon juice. I mixed those and sprayed them on the vegetables.

  I ripped the cooked meat into bite sizes and mixed them with the vegetables.

  Next, I piled the vegetables and the bird meat into a mountain shape.

  “What are we doing with the mashed potatoes?”


  “We’ll be making something in the shape of bird’s eggs.”


  Pepper and herbs were sprayed into the mashed potatoes, then they were shaped into egg shapes, with cheese in the centre. After that, they were boiled in water.

  Once the sunk eggs float up to the surface, it’s done. They’re taken out of the water then set aside in a separate dish to remove the residual heat.

  Once everything is cooked, all that is left is to finish up.

  On the pile of vegetables and meat shaped into a mountain shape, thinly sliced and fried potatoes are put around it.

  Finally, it’s finished by placing the potato eggs.

  “It really looks like a bird’s nest.”


  “Is it?”


  This was something that mother made a long time ago. I remember having had this when grandfather caught a large grouse.

  Other than that, I roasted wood grouse meat on a skewer. I placed the dishes Miruporon made last night, mushroom and reindeer soup, along with bread for a delicious meal.

  “Uwa, looks amazing.”


  “Why don’t we eat.”


  Sieg poured berry liqueur into her cup while I had berry juice.

  Sieg served some of the salad in the shape of a wood grouse’s nest to me.

  “Thank you!”


  I thanked her and received the dish of wood grouse emeat and vegetables.

  The clean taste of vinegar and herbs roused my appetite.

  The meat had a good texture to it, and thanks to its clean taste it went well with vegetables.

  It also had a different taste when eaten with the crispy fried potatoes.

  I also tried the eggs made out of mashed potatoes.

  “Uwa, it’s chewy and tasty!”


  The once mother made had cheese rolled up inside.

  This time, I tried making the eggs based on a foreign dish Sieg mentioned.

  With a chewy texture, melted cheese stretches out from inside. It’s spiced with herbs so they’re tasty on their own, but they went very well with the crispy potatoes.

  “Sieg, how is it?”


  “It’s great. It reminds me of food I had back home.”


  “Is that so? That’s a relief~!”


  I felt happy that I received words of praise from Sieg.

  For the skewer roast, I dipped the meat in red wine sauce.

  The wood grouse meat was exotic, or crispy shall I say. It was a bit tough.

  “Wood grouse meat is more gamy compared to other bird meat, how is it?”


  “Is that so? I like it myself.”


  After carrying a bite-sized piece to her mouth, Sieg said.

  Then she said something more after a drink.

  “Delicious.”


  The wood grouse seemed to fit Sieg’s taste well, so I felt relieved.

  After the dishes became empty, it was time to chat.

  “Ptarmigans, which are of the grouse family, are called riekko here.”


  “Sounds cute.”


  “Is that so?”


  I was used to it from a long time ago, I wasn’t sure.

  The feeling is different from country to county, I thought.

  “Come to think of it, Ritz, what should we do about this?”


  “Ah, I forgot about it.”


  What was at the edge of the table was a fried egg.

  It was from an egg I received from the merchant as a bonus.

  “Sieg, you can have it.”


  “No, let’s split it in two.”


  After saying that, Sieg sliced the egg and placed it on a piece of bread before the yolk could spill.

  The yolk seeped into the bread before it could spill onto the table, so I felt relieved.

  “Bread and fried eggs go well~. Tasty~”


  “You didn’t know?”


  “Yup. I only had jam or liver spread with bread.”


  Sieg apparently had bread and fried eggs a lot when she lived alone.

  “I had them when I did not have much time in the morning. It’s nothing praiseworthy though.”


  “Really?”


  I remembered the high-quality dining at grandfather’s place. Indeed, one wouldn’t be able to do that in such a solemn setting.

  “Eggs tasted good. Why don’t I raise hens this year~”


  “They sell chickens?”


  “Yup. You can buy them in spring.”


  Chickens lay an egg a day, so I planned on buying two for Sieg and me.

  While planning for Spring, the dinner ended.

  Additional 76 — With Grandfather!

  Whimsy Additional Chapter

  Today I am making alcohol. I sterilised the bottles yesterday by boiling them, and all the ingredients were already prepared. Upon seeing the great amount of clear spirits I bought, I felt an indescribable sensation that I usually went through a very troublesome process to make less than third the amount.

  I rolled up my sleeves and promptly began work.

  The thing I am making today is dried apricot liqueur, as recommended by a friend of father-in-law’s.

  The apricots are wiped clean with a wet cloth then put into a bottle. Then I added peeled lemons and apricot kernels. Apricot kernels have an effect of accenting the alcohol’s flavour, giving fragrance.

  The lemons and apricot kernels that have been left for a month will be taken out of the alcohol, then the liqueur will be only made with the apricot. It can finally be drunk after a year.

  The other dried good I will use are plums (pflaume). The sweetness is rich and the resulting alcohol will have a deep flavour.

  In addition, the used fruit can be used for baked goods. This alcohol takes about half a year to make.

  Next is fresh fruit. I especially used citrus fruits that I can’t find in my homeland. I gradually peeled them and put them in bottles.

  I completed about ten bottles, but there were still empty bottles and more ingredients.

  How about making mushroom wine as an adventure next~ while I was thinking that, Sieg entered the room.

  “Oh, what is it, Seiglinde.”


  “No, I just thought that I should help, but I see that you’re almost done.”


  “Yup. But there’s still more to go.”


  “Then, will you try this as well?”


  Sieg held out the roses I gave her recently.

  “Alcohol from that?”


  “Aa, don’t you think it can work?”


  Sieg wanted to keep the flower intact, so she sought advice from the gardner. She was told to dry the flower, but she gave up upon hearing that the colour changed.

  “So, I asked the kitchen staff, and they told me that it is possible to get a vivid shade using alcohol.”


  “I see!”


  Then, to make rose liqueur, Sieg and I got down to work.

  First the rose petals are wiped clean. With a cloth wetted with alcohol, we sincerely wiped them, petal by petal. Like other alcohols, it’s made by putting in ice and alcohol with the petals into a bottle.

  “I reckon it should be done in about three months.”


  “I see. Then, the child should be born so I will be able to drink.”


  “Well, drink in moderation~”


  Though saying that’s not very convincing when just I made lots of alcohol.

  “It’s fine with just looking at the completed product.”


  “The colour is nice after all.”


  “It’s the crystallisation of love from Ritz.”


  “Uwa, you’re embarrassing me. I can’t taste it then.”


  “Then I’ll taste it alone.”


  I didn’t think Sieg would be this happy about the roses, so I felt both embarrassed and pleased at the same time.

  “Sieg, do you have some free time?”


  “Aa. I don’t have other businesses.”


  “Then, can you help me with making alcohol to give as a gift to grandfather?”


  “Alright.”


  For grandfather, I prepared medicinal alcohol using herbs. I want him to live long, so I chose ones that are good for the health.

  “We’ll be using this~”


  “Those are one of the flowers you picked in the morning.”


  “Right!”


  The ingredient is chamomile I picked on the morning stroll with Edelgard and Adeltraud. They were blooming in the garden. Half were used for tea, and the rest are used for alcohol.

  The part we use is only the tipped petals. The rest are used also for feeding the animals at the ranch, so I stored those away.

  The clipped chamomiles are rinsed. After that, they are left in a well-ventilated place to dry.

  The work is done by placing the dried petals in a bottle then pouring clear spirit into the bottle. Then it is left for about three weeks, then the contents are sifted. It’s drunk a month after that, or so I heard. It seems like it will turn into a nice amber shade.

  “Chamomile alcohol is good for calming, skin moisture, recovering fatigue, and for insomnia. Because,”


  Chamomile is a herb that has a refreshing taste like apples. When put in alcohol, the fragrance increases manifolds. That is all, all that I heard from the gardener.

  Three weeks later, I filtered the contents in the alcohol and put the drink in a sterilised bottle.

  Today, grandfather will be coming over so I made plans to dine with him and Sieg, the three of us together.

  We still had time, so I rested while enjoying herb tea the nieces made.

  “Uncle, I made snacks with oneesama.”


  “Uwa, looks delicious.”


  The two of them made muffins with chamomile in them. They apparently learned it from the cook.

  “We crushed the tea leaves and mixed them in milk and flour.”


  While still excited, the nieces went on about their experience in making snacks. Well, the chamomile tea has a calming effect, so I poured some and dropped in a flower steeped in sugar.

  “What a nice scent.”


  I took a bite out of a muffin, and had a sip of tea. I felt calmer from the taste. It was as if it healed me.

  “……Uncle, how is it?”


  “Delicious. Thank you, Edelgard, Adeltraud.”


  The two angelic nieces smiled dazzlingly and said, “We’ll bake some again!”


  Uncle is very happy.

  ◇◇◇


  After the fun teatime, it was time to dress up. I dried my hair properly after taking bath. I then braided my hair, splitting my hair into three ends to do so.

  “Ritz, are you ready?”


  “Ye~s, wait a bit more~”


  I opened the door and greeted Sieg.

  Sieg had a bright red dress on. Seeing her all dressed up, I ended up sighing.

  “Sieg, you look amazing.”


  “That’s nice.”


  She had makeup on, so I couldn’t kiss her on the cheek. Instead, I kissed the back of her hand.

  I wanted to bring her inside and just appreciate her beauty, but I heard the footsteps of a servant heading here.

  “Looks like grandfather-in-law has arrived.”


  “I see. Then I’ll get going.”


  I took the bottle of chamomile liqueur wrapped in cloth to the dining room.

  I was seeing him after a month. He was the ever energetic man.

  “Sorry for making you come over every time.”


  “It’s not like I’m coming for you so don’t mind it.”


  “Haha, of course.”


  And his biting remarks were ever the same.

  “Ah, I made this with Sieg……”


  I showed him the chamomile liqueur.

  “What’s this?”


  “Chamomile liqueur. We made this using the flowers picked from the garden. It’s good for your health.”


  I explained that it should be drunk after two months, and in small amounts as medicine.

  Then, we exchanged conversation about our recent happenings. The topics were endless, but I brought up the important request before I could forget.

  “So, I have a request for grandfather.”


  “What, do you need allowances?”


  “No, no that sort.”


  I exchanged gazes with Sieg who was sitting next to me, and said what was on my mind to grandfather.

  “I was wondering if you could name our first child.”


  “Ha?”


  “We decided together, the two of us. I hope you can consider it.”


  Sieg also pleaded to grandfather.

  “Grandfather-in-law, we’re sorry that we’re requesting this so late.”


  “Don’t mind such a trivial thing……, haa, are you really asking for that?”


  “Yes. May I ask you to do it?”


  “Well, hmm, let’s see.”


  Grandfather looked troubled from the sudden wish. Since the delivery was scheduled to be sometime soon, there isn’t much time to think, but nevertheless I pleaded him.

  “Grandfather, if it’s too much,”


  “N-No, too much, as if that’s the case at all!”


  “Is that so?”


  “Aa, just wait a bit. I’ll be back again…… mu, Sieglinde, when is the delivery?”


  “In about two weeks.”


  “I see. —Umu. There’s no problem. Leave it to me.”


  “Grandfather, really!?”


  “You’re noisy. ……We don’t know if it will be a boy or a girl, so I’ll think up names for both.”


  “Grandfather, thank you!”


  “Grandfather-in-law, thank you very much!”


  I felt relieved that he gladly accepted the request.

  Two weeks later, grandfather gave the great name of Arno to our newborn child.

  Once Sieglinde’s condition recovers after her delivery, it would then be time to say goodbye to the people of House Wattin that I have been with for half a year.

  Additional 82 — At the Village of the Fairies — Second Half

  Author:

  Requested Chapter

  When I woke up in the morning, I found a vivid blue clothing placed at my bedside.

  I wonder if it was something Ritzhard-kun prepared.

  I was surprised that the clothing was made out of fur even though it was summer, but when I got out of bed there was a nip in the air.

  I see, I thought and wore the clothes he prepared for me.

  The traditional clothes I newly tried on had a base of bright blue fabric, with red embroidery like strips on the cuffs, the collars and the hems layered upon one another. It was a colourful blue and red clothing, but once I wore it did not bother me that much. It was a neat design. I then put on a belt that looked like it was made out of animal leather. The trousers were black and easy to move in.

  After washing up in the bathroom, I headed to the dining room-cum-living room.

  “Come on, try saying, great-grandfather.”


  “Great, gra~”


  “Oh, doing great! Great, grand, father.”


  “Great, grand, father.”


  “A-A genius!?”


  From outside the room, I could hear Lüneburg-san and Arno playing together. While I was deliberating whether or not I should interrupt their honeymoon, someone spoke to me from behind.

  “Huh, father-in-law.”


  “Ah, morning. Ritzhard-kun.”


  “Good morning! The traditional clothes look good on you. Was the size alright?”


  “Ah, thank you. The dress length was perfect.”


  After chatting lightly, he offered to let me enter first. I apologised to Lüneburg-san in my head as I excused myself.

  “Good morning, Lüneburg-san.”


  “Umu.”


  “Arno too, morning.”


  Lüneburg-san was hugging Arno on his lap with a prim face as if nothing had happened.

  Ritzhard-kun approached the two of them and greeted them.

  First, there was a basketful of small and round loaves of bread called Pulla. Pulla means ‘sweet bread’ in the language of this country. It seems that the taste differs for every household.

  The soup was made with crushed beans and milk. Arno had these with bread.

  Then the main meal was a herb roast of reindeer meat. I did not expect a meat dish to be served from the morning, so I was very surprised.

  However, reindeer meat had a surprisingly taste. It was not tough, and there was a different taste to it when eaten with berry sauce.

  I already had reindeer stew last night, but I found that I liked this better.

  Even though there were guests, Ritzhard and others went out to work. To work every day, I really thought that he was an admirable young man.

  I thought that he was going to go out hunting, but he replied that hunting is prohibited during summer. It seems that the fact that animals are born in spring and grow until winter was not different from my homeland.

  How should I spend the day? When I thought that, instructions of work came from my daughter.

  “Father, won’t you help as well.”


  “Sieg, let’s let father-in-law rest.”


  “No, it does not matter.”


  It seems that a festival will be held in the village for the first time.

  “Hehh, a festival?”


  “Yes. Apparently father planned it.”


  To get tourists even out of the aurora season, all the villagers opened stalls, sometimes selling traditional goods at cheaper prices.

  It did not look as though there were many customers who reserved accommodation, but it seemed that they were assuming that there would be many guests since they were advertising in the port city as well.

  “So, what are you selling?”


  “We’re planning on selling chicken which are spiced with herbs and roasted whole, then wrapped in a thin wrap made out of flour.”


  “Hehh, sounds appetising.”


  As for the other residents, they are planning on making reindeer skewer, seasonal berry tarts, or other goods that don’t take that much effort, so Ritzhard made a plan to sell something different.

  I was asked to handle the cutting of the poultry.

  Ritzhard-kun washed the meat and applied salt and herbs with deft movements.

  The next day, it was the day of the festival. Already from the morning, the town was crowded.

  The usually quiet town square was filled with energetic children. The delicious fragrance of roasting meat rode the wind.

  And then, at our stall, Teoporon-san was roasting meat in a stirring manner.

  Teoporon-san was roasting meat by a big fire while wearing bear fur and some distance away Lüneburg-san was watching, also wearing bear fur. Whatever they did, they were the most notable in the village.

  I wondered if it would be hot to wear bear fur in front of a fire, but they had serious expressions so I could not dare ask.

  I did my best to remove the two bears out of my sight, and focused on what was going on at the front of the stall.

  Ritzhard-kun’s mother was deftly making flour wraps on a iron pan, while Teoporon-san’s wife and daughter cut the roasted chicken into smaller pieces then wrapped them in the finished wrap, wrapping the whole thing in paper to finish.

  Their well-coordinated movements were like that of a master, but I could only be surprised since that was not their main occupation.

  In addition, thanks to Ritzhard-kun’s superb reception skills, the chicken sold very well.

  On a side note, my daughter is on an errand for the women’s association of the village.

  She is selling jams made from berries.

  As for myselft, I had been tasked with the important task of hugging and soothing Arno.

  The prepared chicken got sold out already in the morning.

  Ritzhard-kun declared that we had free time from the afternoon.

  I wondered what I should do from here on, but Ritzhard-kun was going out to buy lunch, so I decided to accompany him.

  Since we were going into a crowded place, I left Arno to Lüneburg-san.

  “Ah, it’s the baker from the port.”


  When we walked a little, we came across a normal bakery.

  An exotic swirled bread, with lots of spices that gave off a sweet smell, called ‘Korvapuusti’ was on sale, so he bought a lot of those.

  Roasted reindeer, fish skewers, potato fries, dumplings with sweet sauce, imported fruits, there were many things.

  While carrying mountains of food on both arms, I returned.

  When I returned, I found Sieg freed from the women’s association.

  She had brought drinks and soup.

  All the family gathered in one place for lunch.

  “Father-in-law, are you alright?”


  “The festival here is fun, I am enjoying it very much.”


  “Then that’s a relief.”


  It was quite strange seeing no stalls sell sausages. Also, I could not see beer. Apparently, making sweet fruit liqueur was the trend in the village.

  All the food we bought were delicious.

  I could understand why Sieg said that she wanted to return quickly.

  An overwhelming lushness and a soft green shade covered the village.

  The alcohol I had in a summer scenery different from home tasted good.

  “Ritzhard. Will you be coming again in winter?”


  “That was what we thought, but,”


  “What is it?”


  Ritzhard-kun looked at Sieg.

  “I don’t think it’s certain yet though.”


  “Oh, ohh!”


  “Sieg, that means!?”


  She announced that she might be pregnant for the second time.

  She was only drinking fruit juice when she liked alcohol, so I was wondering what might have happened.

  “What a joyous day!”


  Lüneburg-san looked happier than anyone, saying that Arno was going to have a little brother or a little sister.

  On the second day of the festival, Lüneburg-san bought drinks for everyone in the village because he was so happy.

  Since the news that Sieg was pregnant was not made public, a rumour spread of a mysterious and energetic old man going around the village, or so was detailed in the letter I received from Ritzhard-kun later, that I ended up laughing.

  Finally, it was written that he had a request.

  When I wondered what it might be, it was that he wanted me to name the child.

  I did not expect to be naming a child, so I agonised over it for months.

  In the end, I decided to gift the name of ‘Veronica’ which meant ‘bringing victory’ in a foreign language.

  What if it is a boy? My wife pointed out, but for some reason I had confidence that the child this time is a girl.

  A few months later, I received news that Sieg gave birth to a healthy daughter.

  At the news of Veronica’s birth, all the family got excited.

  Some months later, I would visit the village in summer with my two granddaughters, but that is a story for another time.

  *line break*

  Requested Chapters finished.

  Additional 79 — The Dreaming Sisters and the Snow Fairy

  Author:

  This is the story of Sieg’s nieces.

  ◇◇◇


  ——A fairy visits if a jar of honey, handmade cookies and a white flower is placed on the windowsill.

  ◇◇◇


  The sisters Edelgard and Adelgard moved to their grandfather’s place half a year ago. The reason was because they were suffering from bronchitis.

  The doctor recommended that they should live in the countryside for a while, so the sisters’ father wrote a request for transfer and moved back to his hometown which was rich with nature.

  In the new town, the sisters did not have any friends, and the number of stores were less. The environment was very different from before, that they were in a state of disorder.

  To the sisters that were living in the city, living in the mansion surrounded by the deep and dark forests was a scary experience, that they holed up in their room.

  Their grandmother could not just sit by and watch idly.

  She read to them the fairytale of the forest that she read when she was young, to make them more used to the land of Thüringen.

  “So, dearest grandmother, will a fairy come in winter?”


  “Yes, he will.”


  The sisters became deeply interested in the spell to summon a fairy, leaving food that a fairy likes on moonlit nights.

  “However, you can’t see the fairies and they only appear in disguises. In addition, you can’t see the small wings when you grow up.”


  “Really!?”


  “Yes.”


  Fairies likes honey, cookies, sugar sweets, and winter flowers.

  “You will be able to find it when you walk outside.”


  From grandmother’s story, a glint sparked in Edelgard’s and Adeltraud’s eyes.

  Thus, the two of them started strolling the garden, searching for a fairy.

  “Oneesama, would fairy-san be small?”


  “……I don’t know. Grandmother also said that it might disguise itself.”


  Edelgard said that it might not look liked the winged appearance in the picture book.

  Even when the season changed and the snow started falling, the sisters did not find a fairy yet.

  “So, we have to make the cookies ourselves?”


  “……Baking, that’s too hard for us.”


  They thought that it would be hard without the cookies, but they could not give up.

  The next day.

  The sisters went out on a stroll to the forest lightly covered with snow with their grandfather.

  “Edelgard, Adeltraud, is it not cold?”


  “It’s alright, dearest grandfather.”


  Edelgard also nodded to show that she was okay.

  The two was at the forest to find a winter flower.

  “Dearest grandfather, are there really flowers?”


  “Aa, I think there are, or maybe not.”


  The sisters’ grandfather proceeded through the forest relying on his fuzzy memory.

  The further they went into the forest, the darker and thicker the forest grew. Their breaths were white, and Adeltraud even started coughing.

  “Should we return soon.”


  “I’m still fine!”


  “Even if you say that.”


  If they stay in the forest any longer they might catch a cold. Thinking that, their grandfather suggested to return to the mansion, but they did not nod.

  If it’s like this, I should lift them up and take them home, as he thought that, he found Edelgard crouching down.

  “Is there anything wrong, Edelgard!?”


  “O-Oneesama!?”


  When Edelgard turned around, she had a frail white flower in her hand.

  “……Found it.”


  “Waa!”


  Underneath the overgrown vegetation, white flowers peeked out.

  “These are snowdrops (schneegl?ckchen).”


  “How pretty!”


  The flowers Edelgard found was onethat bloomed in early spring, but for some reason they were blooming in this period.

  The sisters decided to pick only one flower.

  Night.

  They placed the flower they picked in a vase placed it on the windowsill, along with a jar of honey.

  “I wish that fairy-san will come!”


  “……I want to see, even if only once.”


  As they looked out the window, the moon was getting full. They also heard that the full moon bolstered the power of fairies.

  They looked at the white flower glistening from the moonlight. Even as their hearts fluttered, the sisters went to sleep.

  Morning.

  “Waa!”


  “……Amazing.”


  When they opened their eyes, they were greeted by a snow-filled world. It had snowed greatly in the middle of the night that the garden was coated by a carpet of pure white.

  “Oneesama, snow fairy-san definitely cast a spell.”


  “……Eh?”


  “Like I said, fairy-san cast a spell.”


  Edelgard murmured, “……really, a fairy?” with a vacant look.

  “Oneesama, did something happen?”


  Adeltraud peered in at her older sister, and knocked her older sister’s hip.

  Edelgard pointed to the garden with trembling hands. Then, Adeltraud peeped at the white world of snow.

  “——Eh!?”


  In the garden, there was a person that was white from head to toe.

  His white hair was braided, he had clear white skin, and even his clothes were white, made from fur.

  “Oneesama, is that snow fairy-san?”


  “……Y-Yes, indeed, it seems so.”


  The sisters could not believe what they were seeing that they opened their eyes wide.

  They opened the window to see if he was the real thing, and the figure of the fairy did not disappear.

  Edelgard grabbed the snowdrop flower and ran outside. Adeltraud followed closely behind.

  Even as the servants told them to stay indoors because they would catch a cold, the sisters insisted that they will go outside. One servant brought coats and put them on to the sisters. Once they were protected against the cold, Edelgard started running again.

  When they panted their way, they met with the white fairy from before in front of the door.

  Edelgard caught her breath and looked up at the fairy.

  Like the picture in the fairytale, he had shining white hair, clear and soft blue eyes. The fairy with the beautiful appearance saw the little girl and tilted his head in a lovely manner.

  Adeltraud caught up to her sister, and was jumped up from surprise from seeing the fairy.

  “W-Waa, fairy, mugu!”


  Edelgard hurriedly covered her little sister’s mouth.

  “Mugumugu!” What are you doing, the little sister protested, but the older sister said, “……If his identity is revealed to the adults he will disappear,” quietening her sister down.

  “You are?”


  From receiving a question, the two fidgeted about.

  “They are my nieces. The calm one is Edelgard, and the energertic one is Adeltraud.”


  “I see~. ——Nice to meet you, Edelgard, Adeltraud.”


  They did not even question why it was their aunt that brought the fairy to their home.

  “Nice to meet you!”


  “……Erm.”


  “What is it?”


  Edelgard held out the white flower in her hand for the snow fairy.

  “……This, if you’d like.”


  “Waa, what a pretty flower.”


  Edelgard bowed as Adelgard smiled refreshingly.

  “……Thank you for coming.”


  “I should be the one saying thank you.”


  The fairy took the flower from the sisters and showed it to their aunt.

  “Then, now, enjoy your meal~!”


  “Eh!?”


  Adeltraud offered the flower she likes to the snow fairy.

  The fairy made a surprised expression.

  Unlike him, Sieglinde who figured out the situation whispered something to the fairy that was standing with a vacant look. That it was a delicious meal prepared as a gesture of welcome.

  “Ah, s-so, that!”


  Having understood the meaning of the flower he was given, the fairy enjoyed the fragrance and swallowed his saliva. He then downed the frail white flower in one gulp. *mogu*

  “……I-It was delicious~. Thank you. It was hard finding such a flower in the snow, right?”


  “Yes, oneesama found it!”


  The fairy crouched down and said words of appreciation, to which Edelgard and Adeltraud felt dreamy at.

  Then, when the fairy was introduced as the husband of their aunt, the two became even more excited.

  A fairy that fell in love with a human, how wonderful, they thought and returned to their room in an excited state.

  The fairy that was their uncle was to stay with them for some time.

  The fairy called Ritzhard was very knowledgeable, teaching the sisters the names of flowers and vegetations on their forest strolls, and even taught them how to make tea and snacks.

  Edelgard and Adeltraud were fascinated by the blessings of nature, that they brought went out to the forest with their servants even when their uncle was not there.

  The gentle forest of spring, the refreshing air of summer, the fruitions in autumn, the beautiful snowy plants of winter, their hearts were captured by the forest.

  Before anyone realised it, they came to love the town rich with nature.

  That did not change even after five years, or ten years.

  While anticipating the visit of the snow fairy once a year, the warm life of the sisters continued.

  Additional 81 — At the Village of the Fairies — First Half

  Author:

  Requested Chapter

  Sieg’s father’s point of view.

  I received a letter inviting me to come over to Ritzhard-kun’s village a year after they left this place.

  I had thought that he was inviting me over when the auroras are frequent, but he wrote that it might be harsh in winter, since the port close to the village gets frozen and inaccessible and one has to take five hours of sleigh riding. Instead he suggested that I visit in summer.

  Indeed, when one grows old the cold becomes more biting. Here, I followed Ritzhard-kun’s recommendation and decided to visit in the relatively warm season of summer.

  I asked my wife if she was going, but she said that she will not be going on grounds that both the lord and the lady should not leave one’s fief. When I discussed that with Lüneburg-san, Ritzhard-kun’s grandfather, he said, “Then why don’t we go together.”


  I hired more people for the ranch and finished more work beforehand, then left for a trip.

  To the foreign village, it took about two days. During that period, I shared drinks with Lüneburg-san and spent a meaningful time.

  After travelling like this, I think that it might have been the right move, not having my old wife with me.

  Relaxing, drinking, sleeping. Living unlike a noble was rather enjoyable. I was working every day, so it was a good change to relax once in a while.

  When we arrived at the port, we were greeted by Ritzhard-kun.

  “It’s been a while, father-in-law, grandfather.”


  “Ah, it has been a while.”


  He greeted us with two arms wide open, so I exchanged a hug with him. I never had done this even with my daughter and my sons. I felt a strange sensation. My son-in-law is ever the kind man.

  “Grandfather, you too!”


  “I refuse!”


  Lüneburg-san rejected the offer, saying that, “I would not be happy from receiving a hug from a man turning thirty!” As always, he is not very honest.

  It seemed that we were to ride a carriage to the village.

  We got on the carriage reserved for us and set off from the port city.

  In the carriage, we discussed what each of us has been doing recently.

  It seemed that Lüneburg-san has recently been focusing his efforts on philanthropic work.

  “Father-in-law, how about you?”


  “As for myself, I have recently started raising alpacas.”


  “Ah, some time ago I bought an alpaca fur coat over at your land. The fur was warm and cozy.”


  “Indeed! Even my wife is looking forward to wearing them in winter.”


  Before I came here, I finished the first shaving. Apparently, the first shaved fur is the highest grade fur. With those, I made winter hats for my two granddaughters and my wife.

  “Ah, right. Grandfather, what happened to father?”


  “He is under custody in the mansion so that he will not run away, so you can rest easy.”


  Ritzhard-kun’s father is working to finish up his research for the presentation in the academia.

  Apparently, he has strong wanderlust so the people of the marquisate are watching him closely.

  While talking about those things, we arrived at the village about an hour later.

  The first thing that came into my sight was the lush green forest. Unlike the dark forests in my homeland, there was a fantastical sight as if the fairies would actually have lived there. The air was fresh as well.

  The next thing that surprised me was the great fortress that surrounded the village. Apparently, it was built to protect against beasts around three centuries ago.

  The stone was sturdy. Ritzhard-kun smiled listlessly that most of the village budget went to the maintenance of the walls.

  There were surprised even inside the village. Children playing outside, young women working outside, ladies gathering at the wells, everyone had white hair and blue eyes, having an otherworldly appearance.

  This really is the village of fairies. I was at a loss for words.

  “Ritzhard-kun, this is amazing. This really is the village of fairies.”


  I believe Edelgard and Adelgard, who like fairies, will also like this place. I vowed to bring them on a trip here after they grow up a bit.

  After walking a while through the village, we arrived at Ritzhard-kun’s mansion.

  There were many shed at his place.

  A storeroom for storing hunted prey, a storeroom for storing fur, there were various facilities for their self-sufficient life.

  When we arrived at the door, Ritzhard shouted inside.

  “Sieg, mother, Arno, father-in-law and grandfather has come——!”


  When he shouted that, Sieg came out from inside the mansion.

  “Aa, it has been a while, grandfather-in-law. Father as well.”


  Seeing her after few months, Sieg was still the healthy child I remember her to be.

  “My my, Linde-chan’s father and father-in-law.”


  Ritzhard-kun’s mother, who came out a little later, also looked healthy.

  The one year old Arno toddled along while holding onto her mother’s hand.

  “Ohhh!! Arno!!”


  To that adorable site, Lüneburg-san reacted first. “You grew big!” he said as he lifted his great-grandson with a big smile on his face.

  “So you can already walk?! What a dashing figure! That’s my great-grandson!”


  Lüneburg-san was lovestruck for Arno. Seeing that, I felt heartwarmed.

  “Grandfather, we should let father-in-law also see Arno.”


  “A, aa, sorry about that!”


  While still holding him up, Lüneburg-san showed Arno to me. But without letting him go.

  “Hello Arno, you grew big.”


  Meeting him after a year, my grandson has been growing up well. When I patted him, he opened his eye thinly and made an adult-like smile. Come to think of it, my children did say that he sometimes makes a nihilistic smile.

  Recently, he could talk a little, so it was cute seeing him speak with clumsy sentences. I enjoyed playing with my one-year-old grandson.

  When we were about to enter the house with permission from Ritzhard-kun’s mother, I felt a presence behind so I turned around.

  It was closer than I had expected. It was the first time I let my backside be caught, so sweat formed on my brows.

  “——U-Uwa, a bear!”


  There stood a white bear hauling a bear.

  No, on closer look, it was not a white bear, but someone wearing white bear fur.

  “Ah, Teoporon, what is it?”


  Ritzhard-kun ran over to the white bear man.

  Wearing white bear fur with his upper half exposed, the man had hunted prey for us guests as a sing of welcome with those thick arms.

  I did hear about Teoporon, the bear fur wearing hunter from another land, but when I saw him in person I could not help but be amazed at that bulky body and the great white fur.

  I heard that he does not understand our language, but nevertheless I introduced myself and held out a hand. However, he did not look at the outstretched hand and pounded his chest with a fist instead.

  “I see, so that is the warrior’s greeting of Teoporon-dono.”


  When I copied him and pounded my chest in courtesy, Teoporon-dono smiled, showing an expression that was both dignified and serene.

  Somehow, I felt that I would be able to share drinks with him even if words did not get through.

  ◇◇◇


  I was wondering when the sun would set, but apparently this period was a time called white nights when the sun did not set all day. When I looked at the clock, it could clearly be called night so it was strange seeing the outside being still bright.

  “The villagers all like summer.”


  In winter, an opposite phenomenon called polar nights when the sun does not rise all day long visits.

  During that period, people cannot hunt, and have to stay indoors all day. Ritzhard-kun recounted that living alone in the dark is a depressing thing.

  When I thought of Ritzhard-kun being alone, for some reason I was moved to tears.

  It seemed like I was not the only one, since Lüneburg-san was also turning his head to not have his teary eyes given away.

  “However, I have family now so even the polar nights are fun.”


  “I see, that’s a relief.”


  I sincerely thanked the miraculous meeting of Sieg and Ritzhard-kun.

  After dinner, it was time to give him the gifts we brought.

  For Arno, a picture book and earmuffs made from young alpaca fur. Beauty wash for the ladies, and a high-quality knife made from a well-renowned company for Ritzhard-kun.

  Lüneburg-san brought clothes in the shape of a baby bear for the baby, and delivered it with an indescribable expression.

  “W-Well, it’s summer now, but I brought winter clothes.”


  “Ah, but, it gets cold at night, so why don’t we try them on Arno?”


  “!”


  Having understood that he was yearning to see him wear the baby clothes, Ritzhard-kun was putting on the baby clothes to Arno.

  Seeing Arno’s dashing figure of wearing the bear clothes, Lüneburg-san nodded deeply and murmured something mysterious, “There’s potential,” or so.

  Then, we played games, tasted the alcohol Ritzhard-kun made, spending an enjoyable time.

  Like so, the night deepened in the cheerful foreign land.

  Additional 80 — The Table of the Revontulet Family

  Author:

  Requested Chapter

  The time period is few months after returning to the remote village from Sieg’s house.

  Note:

  Disclaimer — May induce hunger. (Though that might have been obvious from the chapter title…)

  Today, apparently a merchant that is rarely seen has come to town to sell various goods.

  Sieg told me after she returned from her stroll with Arno.

  “Well, there wasn’t anything special.”


  “How unfortunate.”


  There were alcohol, fruits, spices and goods that weren’t available here, but for Sieg who came from abroad nothing caught her attention.

  But then, an unexpected person entered the fray.

  “Waa, Ritchan, mum wants to see the goods~!”


  “Okay.”


  “Let’s go together?”


  “……Okay.”


  Mother said that she wanted to go see the peddler, so I ended up accompanying her.

  “My, amazing! Ritchan, look look~”


  “Okay, I am looking.”


  I wonder why she is being so happy over shopping, I thought a little disheartedly.

  “Excuse me~ this~ and this~”


  Crouching down, mother browsed through the goods and showed them to the merchant. The large basket I brought from home quickly filled up.

  “You’re buying a lot.”


  “Yes. Since I want to feed everyone nice food!”


  Maybe it was almost time to close up, since the merchant started organising his goods.

  “Huh, these are,”


  In buckets with salt water, there were black clams. There were four such buckets.

  “Iya, I failed. The people here don’t eat clams.”


  “Ah~ now that you say it, I think we don’t.”


  The merchant brought the clams since they might sell, but the people of the forest did not take interest in them. I’ve eaten the black clams that did not sell at grandfather’s place, so I have seen them before.

  “How about it? I’ll sell four buckets at the price of one.”


  “Eh, cheap!”


  Buying four buckets with the price of one bucket, what a great deal.

  I returned after hearing the cooking method from the merchant.

  After returning home, it was time to cook clams.

  “For starters, why don’t I steam one bucketful with alcohol.”


  “Ritchan, mussel soup is pretty nice as well.”


  “Hehh~”


  Why, mother knew the name of these clams. Apparently she tried them on her travels around the world.

  “Then, I’ll be steaming the mussels.”


  “Okay.”


  First, we started by scrubbing the mussel shells. Since they are cooked with the shells still on, the merchant said that this process is important.

  “Debeard the mussels, or so was said.”


  “The weedy things on the shells, I wonder.”


  The beard were quite strong. Apparently, they are used by the mussels to cling onto surfaces. They came off easily by tracing the line of the shells.

  The cleaned mussels were piled up into a container, then we focused on cooking.

  Olive oil was applied to a pot then herbs and crushed garlic was fried. When a fragrant smell rose up, mussels were put in. The pot lid is shut, then after a while white wine is poured. It’s finished once the mussel shells open.

  Finally, I sprinkled dried herbs. When I was about to serve them out on dishes, mother stopped me.

  “It’s okay to serve them in the pot.”


  “Eh, really?”


  Apparently they serve them in pots in stores.

  As a finishing touch, thinly sliced lemons were placed in.

  “Ah, just a bit.”


  “?”


  I was stopped for the second today.

  Mother asked me for some of the broth that came out from the clam.

  “What are you going to do with that?”


  “I’m going to make Arno-chan’s meal~”


  Since the taste is strong, the broth is watered down. Then, it’s boiled with rice in a strong fire until the rice becomes soupy to make mussel-flavoured baby food.

  In another pot, mussel cream soup was being made. That looked tasty as well.

  I placed the dishes on the table and called Sieg who was bathing Arno over.

  For Arno, I put on a warm fur coat so that he won’t catch a cold, then I cradled him.

  “Arno, grandma is making something tasty for you~”


  Now that he was weaning, Arno could eat solid matter. Though he could still only eat things that were boiled until they became soft.

  I took a spoonful and tasted it. —Nn, okay, it’s not too hot, and the flavour is not too strong.

  After confirming it, I carried the spoon to Arno’s mouth.

  “Is it good? That’s nice.”


  Arno’s stomach became full and the dish became empty, so his mealtime is over. I then fed him diluted fruit juice, but since we needed to eat as well I laid him in a basket with a blanket.

  “——Now then, bon appétit.”


  After talking to mother and Sieg who were watching Arno’s mealtime, we started our dinnertime.

  First, I tried the steamed mussels. I speared the mussel with a fork and carried it to my mouth.

  “Uwa, delicious!”


  The mussel was condensed with flavour and was elastic, and biting into it made a soup with deep flavour flow out. The flavour of the wine was there slightly, so the soup remaining in the shell was delicious as well.

  “Ritchan, Linde-chan, try removing the mussel with the shell.”


  “Hehh.”


  By using a used shell, the mussels were separated from their shells much easier than using forks. Apparently people in other countries all ate like this.

  The soup mother made was great too.

  The mussel soup had a rich flavour, and went well with rye bread.

  Sieg was also happy, saying, “It’s the first time I had mussels this delicious.”


  The mussels were delicious.

  We discussed about preserving the rest.

  The next day.

  We processed the rest of the mussels.

  Like yesterday, the shells are scrubbed clean then steamed in a pot with oil and wine.

  Once the mussels opened, the flesh was cut off while the heat from cooking still remained.

  The cooked mussels are then dipped in a pickling liquid made with spices, berries, salt, old molasses, saltpetre, water and alcohol, after which it was left in a cold storeroom for few hours.

  The mussels that were marinated for half a day were then washed to remove the salt.

  Once the moisture was removed with a cloth, they were then dried outside overnight. The next day, fragrant oil was applied then the mussels were smoked with the open shell facing downwards.

  Having been exposed to the smoke for several hours, the mussel became firm.

  I showed the finished smoked mussels to Sieg.

  “Sieg, look.”


  “You made quite an amazing thing.”


  “Really?”


  I felt that we were both thinking that it could go well with alcohol.

  It was still afternoon. Too early to be drinking.

  We decided that we will enjoy the mussels at night then worked hard for the afternoon.

  I also told mother to make soup using the smoked mussels.

  Night.

  Dinner and baths were over, and we put Arno to sleep. Therefore, we brought out the smoked mussels and white wine.

  “It’s been a long time since we had a drink.”


  “Indeed.”


  Since Arno had become the centre of our life, we did not have the time to drink like this.

  I opened the bottle of high-quality wine that grandfather left. I made sure to remove sediments like I was taught and then poured the wine into a glass.

  “Delicous.”


  “N~n, burning.”


  After saying our impressions on the alcohol, we reached out for the mussels. Since it was smoked with the shells still, it was easy to eat.

  The smoked mussels I had made just today had a dense flavour, to describe it with one phrase.

  The flavour was even more condensed than the steamed mussels and the more I chewed, the sweeter the mussels became. It went down well since it had a salty-spicy flavour, and in addition it went well with alcohol. It was the first time that I almost thought I liked dry wine.

  “I think these would sell if you put them on sale.”


  “Really?”


  Sieg was satisfied as well.

  “It really is different when using the pickling liquid I had learned to make from father-in-law.”


  “Is that so?”


  “Yup. Clearly different.”


  The smoking method I learned from father-in-law helped even here. So much that I somewhat reflected that the method that I had been using was spoiling the flavour.

  Making goods is an ever deep field.

  I thought that it would be nice to continue living a this prosperous life, making use of various knowledge I learned from father-in-law.

  Additional 75 — With Sieglinde!

  Whimsy Additional Chapter

  Today, I am going with out with Sieg after a long time.

  I recently learned how to make alcohol from father-in-law’s friends, so I asked if she wanted to go get some ingredients.

  According to mother-in-law, adequate exercise helps improve the pregnant woman’s mood. She went out on strolls to the garden or to the nearby forest, but it was the first time we went out to the streets like this.

  In the morning, the market is crowded with people so we headed for the less crowded shopping district.

  Today the weather is good. The breeze brushes on the cheeks gently, perfect for taking a stroll.

  “Hey.”


  “What is it?”


  “We’re finally alone together.”


  For the past few days, I couldn’t be with Sieg. So it was nice that I could be with her without having to look out for her family.

  I was walking with a loose smile while staring at Sieg, that I was scolded to look in front of me while walking. I apologised and shot sideway glances at her.

  On the way, we took the carriage halfway through, getting off a small distance away from the shopping district to enjoy a relaxing stroll.

  When I arrived, the shopping district just opened, that there weren’t many people. Since it looked like we would be able to enjoy our shopping trip slowly we walked while chatting.

  “We’re buying ingredients for alcohol, yes?”


  “Right. Though, I’m planning on buying things to make preserved food.”


  Recently, I learned of a preserved food called ‘chutney’ from a friend of father-in-law’s. It’s something like a jam that is loved in the Middle East.

  It is make by boiling fruits and vegetables with spices. It can be preserved for up to three months. It can be used as condiment for soup, or it can be just eaten as a spread on bread.

  “I want to try making berry spreads and peanut spread.”


  The peanut spread that was served for breakfast was delicious, so I wanted to try making it.

  When we arrived at the street lined with many stores, mountains of various fruits and vegetables came into our sight.

  “Ah, Sieg, there’s a strange fruit!”


  I went over excitedly, but the price was not cheap. The colourful fruit was from Southern Europe, that it was relatively expensive.

  The shopkeeper recommended cherries (kirsche) for this season. The round red fruits were shining like gems.

  “Cherry alcohol looks good as well, with that neat colour.”


  “If you’re talking about about cherries, then there’s kirschwasser.”


  “Ah, the thing in the black forest cake (Schwarzw?lder Kirschtorte).”


  Kirschwasser is used in cakes. Called cherry water, it has a clear shade, but it is also referred to as ‘the fiery alcohol’ from its high alcohol content. I recall getting teary-eyed when I tried some from curiosity.

  “Right, how about making cake.”


  Sieg likes cherry cake, and the nieces also said that they preferred cakes made using fresh fruit than preserved fruit, so I thought that it would be a good idea.

  Since the cherries were a local product in season, they were cheap. I bought large amounts and asked them to be delivered to the Count’s mansion.

  Also, we received allowance from father-in-law for things such as berries, mushrooms, fruits and vegetables, so I bought up all the things I was curious about.

  Then, we got a bit hungry, so I decided to buy some currywurst from a stall in the park.

  “I’ll go buy something to drink! You can start eating first~.”


  The currywurst stall only had beer. Since the people here drank that like water, they didn’t have other things. When I walked a bit, there was a stall selling cooled fruit juice so I bought two of them.

  While I was walking back with quick steps, I was talked to.

  “Mister, how about some flowers?”


  An elderly lady selling flowers called me over. Then I saw a bright red flower. It seemed like they were grown in the shopkeeper’s garden.

  “Your love will like it if you gift them these.”


  “Then I’ll take ten.”


  Since they were surprisingly cheap, I ended up buying them on impulse. The shopkeeper neatly trimmed the stalks and made a bouquet, tying a ribbon around.

  With a bouquet in my hand, I jogged back to the bench where Sieg was waiting.

  “Thanks for waiting!”


  “Aa, sorry about that.”


  “No, this is nothing~.”


  I held out one of the juice I bought.

  “Oh, you waited without eating.”


  “I was watching children play.”


  Nearby, little children were shouting about and playing. When I thought that I would be having new family like those children, I felt a warm sensation in my heart.

  “Not too long to go.”


  I squatted down in front of Sieg and talked to our child.

  “Also,”


  “?”


  Taking this as an opportunity, I gave her the bouquet I had behind my back.

  “This is my feelings for you. Please accept them.”


  I was being serious, but Sieg laughed.

  “Sieg……”


  “But it’s like you’re asking my hand in marriage.”


  It was embarrassing for some reason, so I sat down on the bench and opened the wooden lid on the juice, handing one to Sieg and drinking one for myself.

  From the sweet smell, my stomach complained that it was hungry. The sausage with the tingling spice, the currywurst went cold, but the food from its birthplace was still delicious. It did not compare to the one we ate at the festival back in my country.

  The two of us ate silently.

  I didn’t get full, but I wasn’t hungry anymore.

  After that, we went further into the city.

  “Here, there are many butcheries.”


  I was surprised at the number of butcheries at the street. There were many butcheries here, sometimes lining on one side of a street.

  “As I expected, there aren’t any places that have reindeer meat.”


  “Indeed.”


  I missed reindeer meat a little, so I went around, but no stores had them. The butcheries had beef and pork, but no meat that was loved in Northern European countries.

  “Sieg, do you want to return quickly?”


  “Yes. How about Ritz?”


  “Hmm, I wonder. I quite like this place. However, I am worried about my parents so we have to return.”


  I was happy that Sieg liked my homeland, so I returned those words.

  The somewhat crowded park was no longer crowded since it was now lunchtime. The children playing in front of our eyes also went back home for lunch.

  Next to me, Sieg was enjoying the smell of the rose.

  “Hey, Sieglinde.”


  “Hm?”


  “Do you know the language of the flower for red roses?”


  “No.”


  I put an arm around Sieg’s shoulders and closed in, and whispered in her ears.

  “I love you.”


  “!”


  When I said that, Sieg’s cheeks also dyed into a red shade like the roses.

  While loving my wife who was being embarrassed, I enjoyed the refreshing early summer afternoon.

  ◇◇◇


  When I returned home, the vegetables and fruits bought from the stores were already delivered. The butler asked what we wanted for lunch, but I told him that there was no need to prepare since I wanted to cook with Sieg.

  As we talked together, we started missing the life in the remote land so we decided to cook after a long time.

  We borrowed a corner of the kitchen and started cooking.

  “Today we are making reindeer soup! Or so I want to say, but since we don’t have them we’re making sheep meatball soup.”


  “Alright.”


  For the meat, we are using sheep, which are the latest trend here at the County. I minced the meat with two knives. I asked Sieg to peel the vegetables.

  In the pot, rolled barley, which is dried and crushed barley, were being boiled. The butcher told me that mixing them with meatballs added a unique texture.

  I added minced meat and spices to a bowl and kneaded until they became sticky. In the end, I added rolled barley and shaped them into round balls.

  While I made meatballs, Sieg added root vegetables and herbs to the pot and boiled them. Once they boiled, she added powdered chilli peppers and small tomatoes and continued to boil.

  Finally, we added in meatballs and boiled them at a high temperature. I removed the scum and boiled the soup until it had pretty red shade. Then, ‘tomato sheep meatball with rolled barly soup’ is complete.

  I got some bread to eat with the soup.

  I glanced at Sieg as she sipped a bit with her finger. From her expression, I could tell that it was delicious.

  “Ritz, you really do cook well.”


  “Right~?”


  Because I was praised, my cheeks went loose into a grin.

  I wanted to stare at Sieg eating, but since I felt that I would be scolded again I decided to have a taste.

  The meatball with rolled barley as the butcher recommended had a texture I never tasted before. The barley had a chewiness. The soup had seeped well into the soup, accenting the flavour of the meatballs.

  The fresh tomato and chilli soup was adequately sour and spicy, with an indescribable aftertaste. The root vegetables that were in season were also great.

  We had about two bowls, filling ourselves until we were full, after a long time.

  “I feel drowsy, somewhat.”


  “How about a nap?”


  “Is that really okay, getting this lax.”


  “It’s okay. You worked plenty.”


  I accepted her hospitality, spending rest of the afternoon lazing about in the room.

  Today, Sieg went out after a long time and we even cooked together. Today was a very satisfying day.

  Additional 74 — With the Ossans!1

  Whimsy Additional Chapter

  Today, I have a drinking party with father-in-law’s friends. Father-in-law was looking forward to it very much, preparing special smoked meat and alcohol. As for me, I pickled fish I caught from the nearby river. This was the one that Sieg said went best with alcohol.

  The location of the feast is the tool shed at the ranch. To not get caught by mother-in-law or a brother-in-law’s wife, we proceeded quietly. However, since we will be cooking, we left a window open.

  There were about three ranch owners gathered here. They were all around father-in-law’s age. The men in this area are usually stoic, but these ossans had really cheerful temperaments that one might suspect that were already very drunk.

  The table was full with dishes and ingredients that people brought over.

  Sausages, ham, beer, fruit wine, roasted nuts and dried fish. Everything looked nice.

  Amongst that, one guy who had a large leather bag laid it down proudly.

  “Look at this, I just caught them a while ago.”


  From the bag, a small beast I never saw before came out. It looked a little similar to a wolverine.

  “What might this be?”


  “Ou, these are badgers (Dachs). They ruin our fields, so we hunt them already in early spring.”


  “Hehh~”


  Indeed, the two badgers, despite having just finished hibernating, had plump bodies and shining fur.

  “These are delicious.”


  Ooh, that really piques my interest.

  It seemed like they were going to butcher it, so when I said I was going to do it outside, they became surprised. They were even more surprised when father-in-law said, “my son-in-law is from a hunting people.”


  “You’re that thin, but you’re quite tough. Amazing.”


  I waved my hand that it was not not the case while smiling thinly, and left the shed.

  I felt disappointed at my thin arms.

  The people here were tall, and maybe because it was easier for them to gain muscles, they had stocky builds as well. On the other hand, I wasn’t that tall, nor did I have muscles. If I have a muscular body like those ossans, I wonder if Sieg will say, “What a dependable man! Splendid! Hug me!” While getting delusional about such a pointless thing, I walked over to the slaughterhouse.

  To butcher the badgers, I skewered their legs together and hung them. It seemed the blood was already removed properly. It would be an easy job.

  First, I placed a bowl under the badgers and started skinning them from their feet.

  Badger skin was tougher than I expected. If I didn’t put enough strength into it, the knife did not go through. Maybe because it was eating nice things, the fur was fluffy. It might be good for making into a nice hat with a tail decoration. To process them later, I laid them out and left them in a cool and dark place.

  The exposed badger meat were covered in plenty of fat. The red bit peeking out had a pink shade. It didn’t smell.

  I cut off the toes and cut their bellies open. When I took out the organs, some were still warm. Seems like they are creatures with high body temperature. I then butchered them by parts and placed them on a platter.

  After all the work was done, I washed my hands and picked some herbs in the area as I returned to the feast.

  “Ritzhard-kun, thank you.”


  “No, I’m used to it.”


  While the room was being filled with smoke, various ingredients were being cooked on a gridiron.

  “Ooh, you did it neatly.”


  The person who caught the badgers happily received the meat and the herbs I picked. He applied the herbs on the meat and plopped some on the gridiron in a very lively manner.

  Juwa~ The grilling meat made such a sound. The badger meat did not have the exotic smell of wild game.

  From the meat, the fat dripped from the meat and an aromatic fragrance rode the wind. Once the meat was cooked well, it was finished by dashing on a bit of salt.

  “Here, have a taste.”


  “Thank you.”


  I politely received the dish with the grilled meat.

  Since the meat was not matured yet and stiff, the meat was a little tough. However, it had a nice chewing texture, that it was pretty good. Biting into it filled the mouth with the flavour of the meat, and then the nose was filled with the wild flavour of the beast. The crisply grilled meat went well with beer. The fat was sweet, and it was not sticky. It was a very delicious meat.

  “It tastes the best when made into soup.”


  “!”


  If I hear that, I can’t help but make it. I got the recipe and promptly stood up to go out and make badger soup.

  At father-in-law’s ranch, there is a small kitchen so that one can snack whenever. There are also simple ingredients and vegetables stored.

  First, the badger ribs were used to get the soup. Since the fat was also a major source of the flavour, those were added in as well. Once it started boiling, I added herbs and vegetables to remove the flavour. I removed the scum druing the cooking process. Once the murky soup became clear, I used a sieve to filter all the content in the pot.

  In the clear soup, I added in diced badger meat, as well as root vegetables and mushrooms.

  Scum started rising again, so I worked hard to remove them. Finally, the badger soup is completed by adding spices. I decided to take the whole pot to share with everyone.

  “This is amazing stuff!”


  It seemed that the badger soup was new for father-in-law as well, since his eyes went wide open.

  The clear soup had a deep flavour, and the vegetables had that soaked in them, pleasing the taste buds with rich flavour. I had put in so much fat, yet it was not sticky. It was refreshing.

  It seems that badgers did not smell because they are not omnivorous, eating honey, fruits and berries. Since they are tastier than the frequently appearing boars, there are many hunters aiming for them.

  The two badgers disappeared quickly. I thought that they would be tastier if they are aged, but they are rare so I gave up.

  We continued to feast on sausages and ham, and drank. The place became lively with various topics.

  Amongst the topic, the ossans’ showed the most interest in my life in the remote land.

  Winter hunting and making preserved food for the polar nights. Gathering the blessings of the forest in spring, the white nights of summer, and the berry picking war of the ladies. When I said that we make whatever we need, they were surprised.

  “You even make alcohol.”


  “Yes. Buying might be cheaper, but we have time to make them.”


  It’s an age old habit to make what we can even if it’s a hassle. We buy the least possible from the merchants. That thought was growing out among the younger generations, but I personally think that the skills to make things are useful.

  “Haah, whatta surprise!”


  Hearing my story about alcohol, the ossans were surprised. They also seem to make alcohol as a hobby. However, they said that it’s just buying ingredients from the liquor shop.

  “The aprikose drink we made last year were great.”


  Made from dried apricots, apparently. It seems that dried fruits make the drink sweeter and deepen the flavour.

  Other than that, they also make medicinal alcohol from herbs for their health.

  “Those ain’t alcohol. They’re medicine.”


  “Course they are.”


  Herbs and nuts, they use many things. I learned a lot.

  “In my village, we usually have berry liqueur. Sometimes we make alcohol out of fruits merchants sell.”


  “Hoh, here berry liqueur has a higher grade.”


  “I see.”


  Back home, I was taught to use only fresh berries to make alcohol, so I never thought of using dried fruits or herbs for alcohol.

  “Sounds great. I want to try making them. I think that alcohol is best when handmade.”


  When I murmured that, father-in-law proposed something.

  “Ritzhard-kun, why don’t I make various kinds of alcohol and send them over later?”


  He also told me to not worry about the shipping fees while patting my shoulder.

  “Then, I’d like to shop for ingredients at the market with Sieg.”


  It’s Sieg who drinks more. If there’s something she prefers, I’d make alcohol out of those.

  ◇◇◇


  In this way, the curtains fell on the feast with the ossans as the party heated up to the climax.

  The badger meat I had for the first time were delicious and I learned many things, so the drinking party was worthwhile.

  Author:

  I think the tanuki (raccoon dog) soup in Japanese folktales are made from badgers. (Tanuki meat smell too much.)

  1 ‘ossan’ means middle-aged man in Japanese.

  Additional 71 — With Father—in—law!

  Whimsy Additional Chapter

  Author:

  This is an additional chapter.

  The setting is the period when they lived at Sieg’s place, before Arno was born.

  I want to write this without a set schedule.

  Morning. I woke up from the violent chirping of the birds. The sun had not risen yet. Today I was going to go help out father-in-law at the ranch, so it’s a perfect time to wake up? I wonder I can’t feel thankful for getting woken up though. I complained to the bird that it should tweet in a cleaner tone.

  Sieg was still sleeping. I whispered “I’m off,” brushed her hair and kissed her forehead. I also told the baby in her belly to be a good child.

  I changed into my working clothes, washed my face, brushed my teeth and headed outside.

  “Good morning!”


  “Ah, morning.”


  Yet again, father-in-law was here before me.

  “Is it alright today?”


  “Yes! I have permission from both mother-in-law and Sieglinde-san!”


  Father-in-law nodded his head, going hm, hm.

  Managing the ranch was father-in-law’s hobby, so mother-in-law did not really want me to work there. Thus, I can only help about two or three days a week, and for the rest of the week I am living like a noble as per mother-in-law’s directions.

  We rode on our horses and headed to the ranch, a little way from the count’s mansion.

  After I arrived at the ranch, I fed the animals.

  Cows, horses, sheep, pigs, chickens and more. There aren’t that many animals, but there aren’t many people either so the work is tough.

  For the horses, cows and sheep, the fodder consists of dried plants and many kinds of grains. For the pigs and chickens, the feed consists of ground grains and plants.

  Having empty stomachs in the morning, the animals got very rough for food. So I said, “please wait a bit,” showing a humble attitude and trying to get into contact as much as possible.

  When that was over, we would get away from the ranch for a while. It was time for breakfast.

  “Father-in-law, it’s almost time for breakfast.”


  “It’s already this late!”


  We mounted our horses and rushed back home. If we’re late for breakfast, we get scolded by mother-in-law.

  We rode through a small trail from the ranch to the mansion. The flora around us were swaying gently in the soft breeze.

  “The wind in this season feels nice.”


  “Is that so?”


  After the cold season passed, warm and refreshing winds brushed the cheeks. The spring in the foreign country was this warm. I was surprised. I could understand why people say “I can’t wait for spring” here. My relationship with the horse I met here also quite good. I learned how to ride the horse from father-in-law. It doesn’t rock as much as the sleigh, and it feels good to ride on. The horses, used to humans, obediently followed us. It was so cute.

  “When I was young, I used to go out on rides with my wife on the hill a little ways from here. In this season, the budding trees are very beautiful.”


  “Hehh~”


  Of course, mother-in-law was a soldier as well. When I asked if she valiantly rode her horse alone, he told me that it was so.

  “Though I don’t recall seeing her ride horses recently.”


  “Ah, she hasn’t been for about thirty years. She couldn’t after she had children.”


  So it’s like that, as I thought. I remembered that mother-in-law said a biting remark to me who was focusing too much on the ranch, “This is the only period where you can still be cared for by your wife.”


  “Father-in-law, why don’t we go out on a ride to that hill?”


  “Just you and me?”


  “No good?”


  “No, that is not the problem.”


  “?”


  “……Well, I am worried about getting scolded by Sieg.”


  Sometime ago, Sieg said that it wasn’t amusing when I was being friendly(?) with father-in-law.

  Sieg and mother-in-law will soon hold a tea party, inviting other ladies, so I suggested that day.

  “Going out together is pretty tough.”


  “Sorry, my status within the family is rather low.”


  “It’s okay.”


  When we were about finished arranging the date for the ride, we arrived at the mansion. We led the horses to the stable and went in through the back door to the bathroom to wash ourselves.

  After breakfast, we headed to the ranch again. We milked the cows and sheep, and cleaned their pens.

  “Today, we will be butchering a sheep.”


  Father-in-law decided to butcher a sheep whose milk was declining.

  “Ritzhard-kun, have you ever tried sheep meat?”


  “No, never.”


  Unfortunately, there are no sheep back home.

  I heard that the history of domesticating sheep for wool or milk goes back 11,000 years. In addition, it seems that the area in which wild sheep can live are limited.

  When I learned how they butchered, it wasn’t that different from what I’ve usually been doing so I helped them.

  First, we drain their blood through their necks, and hang them by tying their hind legs. The part near the bellybutton is slit open, and the sheep in gutted. Finally, it’s finished by carving the thigh meat.

  “It takes about ten days to mature the sheep. Well, I do not know if it will be delicious since the species is one bred for milking.”


  There are sheep bred for wool, sheep bred for meat, and short-haired sheep for tropical areas. It seems that there weren’t many breeds for milking before. So the taste is a mystery.

  “It this region, do you have sheep meat often?”


  “No, not very often.”


  For the sheep meat, there is ‘lamb’ which refers to meat from sheep in its first year, and ‘mutton’ which refers to meat from sheep after its second year. Mutton has a deep flavour and a good texture, but the smell is strong.

  Normally, it is said that mutton is not tasty, but it might be because people usually eat ones that are not refrigerated properly.

  “This one was two and a half years old, so this is mutton.”


  “Hehh~ But it might be tasty because it’s a female!”


  “Right, female ones are tasty!”


  Father-in-law and I got excited at a weird point.

  We went to a cool storehouse to age the fresh meat, as well as take meat that is prepared.

  “Ah, this looks good.”


  “So this is sheep-san……!”


  Shoulder, spare ribs, rack, short loin, legs, arms, flanks, there are many parts.

  “Shall we have a taste?”


  “Sounds good.”


  We acted fast when the matter was decided.

  A barrel cut in half was placed on some bricks, then gridiron was put on top. Then a fire was lit.

  “How about the shoulder.”


  Though he said that it was just for tasting, what was picked was a meat with quite a bit of white parts in the meat. That is then sliced thinly, then grilled with herbs because the smell is strong.

  On the heated grill, the mutton shoulder was placed. As it was heated on the fire, the white parts slowly melted and the fat started boiling. Though it is said that the meat has a bad odour, but I could only smell something delicious, maybe because of the smoky smell or because of the herbs.

  “Father-in-law, it looks great!”


  “Just a little more, wait.”


  Waiting in front of the barrel, the two of us probably don’t look anything like a noble. Mother-in-law said that nobles should always act elegantly, but let us off the hook just this time.

  “Now looks like a good time.”


  “!”


  The grilled meat was skewered with a stick carved out of a nearby fallen branch. I took a bite into the meat that was dripping with fat.

  “Uwa, delicious!”


  The sheep meat tasted surprisingly clean. The tasty is about halfway between pork and heifer beef. I couldn’t think up an adequate description. It didn’t smell. Well, this might have been because I’m used to eating game.

  Father-in-law was having a little trouble. Then mother-in-law won’t like it either. Grandfather liked reindeer meat, so it might be a good idea to take some as a gift for him.

  “I think Sieg will like it as well.”


  “Then you can have more. Sheep meat is abundant in nutrition.”


  Sheep meat does not have much animal fat, and does not fatten one much even if it’s eaten a lot. It is also abundant in iron which pregnant women lack, so it’s perfect for Sieg.

  As for the sheep meat that came out for dinner, Mother-in-law did not like it as expected. And as expected Sieg liked it.

  Mother-in-law said that she didn’t want more, but when father-in-law said that it was good for reducing weight she suddenly started asking more questions.

  Later, the tea party was changed to a party to have sheep meat.

  Author:

  ※ There are parasites in sheep meat, so it might be better for pregnant women to not have them. (Though they are killed off from heat.)

  Additional 73 — With Pig—san!

  Whimsy Additional Chapter

  Today I am making ham with father-in-law.

  “We will be making cured ham now. It’s not smoked.”


  “Hehh~”


  Unlike normal ham, non-smoked ham, called cured ham, is made without heating, that it can be stored for about three years. Unlike normal ham, it’s moist and has a deep flavour, that the melting flavour becomes unforgettable, according to father-in-law.

  We will be using thigh meat. It seems that the meat was from one brought over from the ranch, and was meat that was not matured yet.

  In addition, the pig was apparently a special one.

  “This is a pig raised by feeding it whey.”


  The whey created from cheese has many nutrients, and that carries over to the meat. In addition, it seemed like meat from pigs less than a year old were used for making cured ham.

  “Since maturing is also included in the process, fresh meat less than three days old are better.”


  To get rid of the blood, the meat is placed in salt water and left in a cool place.

  After removing the blood is done, it is rinsed again with clean water to remove the salt, then salt is added again then the meat is left for a day this time.

  Next we are making pickling liquid. With this, the ham’s flavour becomes rich, and the ham can be stored for long periods.

  The ingredients for the pickling liquid involve many kinds of spices, berries, salt, molasses, nitrates, water and beer. In a pot, water and three kinds of barley are added. The dried leaves, the spice, are tied and added in the middle of the process. The fine powders are wrapped in a cloth then added. Once the water started bubbling, then the other ingredients are added.

  Once it’s boiled for a bit, the fire is put out and it’s left to cool for a while. The solid clotted things in the pot are sifted out and only the liquid is left.

  The finished pickling liquid is then put into a large jar. There, the pork is put in after removing the salt, then left from half a month to a month in a cool place. Depending on the temperature, the pickling liquid may be spoiled, so I was told to check on it at least once a day.

  Once the meat is pickled, it is taken out and hung up in the air for it to dry for two to three days.

  However, this wasn’t the end.

  It’s possible to eat as it is after drying, but for long-term storage more work is needed.

  “On the cut surface, paste a mixture of flour, salt and water.”


  With this process, the flavour of the meat improves.

  “Well, it does take some time, but making cured ham is very simple. However, it may smell bad if one becomes careless.”


  During the process of making ham, there was a nice ham smell. Father-in-law told me to keep that state.

  Then, from the cured ham storage, father-in-law brought out a lump of ham as if he was carrying a baby.

  “Father-in-law, that is!?”


  “Three-year-old cured ham.”


  “Wow!”


  It is said that cured ham is matured from half a year to a year. However, three-year-old ones are considered rare luxuries.

  I will eating such a ham with father-in-law.

  With a knife, he carved out a thin slice.

  The well-matured ham had white fat rising, maybe because it was exposed to higher temperature.

  I put in the ham dripping with fat into my mouth.

  The meaty flavour hidden in the ham was condensed along with adequate salt and spices, spoiling my tongue. The moment I thought that, it melted away. It only took a moment.

  “This is extremely delicious!”


  “I see.”


  We started talking about the ranch so many times.

  Meanwhile, he kept giving me pieces of ham that I felt like a dog but I could not stop myself because of the taste.

  “Oh, father-in-law, the precious ham is disappearing.”


  “Don’t worry about it. It can’t be preserved for too long after it’s cut.”


  How magnanimous.

  Aa, I want to be a child of this house. How happy it would be to work at the ranch with father-in-law.

  However, Sieg wanted to go the remote village so I can’t help it. In addition, I was worried about my parents.

  “Come to think of it.”


  “Yes?”


  “Today Sieg will be socialising.”


  “Yes indeed.”


  We were invited to the tea party.

  In panic, we returned to prepare.

  ◇◇◇


  First I bathed, then changed into neat foreign style clothes and did my hair. When I did that, Sieg came in the room.

  “Ah, Sieg!”


  I ran over to Sieg who was by the door and supported her.

  The child in the belly grew quite big now. It looked like she was having trouble even walking, but mother-in-law told me to not be overprotective. Thinking that it would be okay when no one else is looking, I ended up spoiling her.

  “Are you alright?”


  “Aa, don’t worry about me.”


  In retrospect, I felt relieved that I decided to make her give birth where she’s close to a hospital. The village women will help out, but doctors are the most reliable when something happens. It’s the first birth, so I can’t help but feel agitated.

  “What should we do about the name?”


  “We don’t know if it’s a boy or a girl yet.”


  “Right.”


  Grandfather was also looking forward to seeing the child, and came over often.

  “A letter came yesterday, that grandfather is coming again.”


  “Really?”


  At his last visit, we had a sheep festival. Though I say festival, it was just grilling mutton in the garden, but nevertheless the party heated up.

  “Right, Ritz.”


  “Yes?”


  “Why don’t we let grandfather-in-law decide on the name.”


  “Aa, good idea.”


  Thus, we decided to ask grandfather for the name of our first child.

  We then went to the tea party hosted by mother-in-law.

  Here, I was told to act like a stoic foreigner. I have the embarrassing title of ‘the Yeti of the Borderlands’ so it was tactic to erase that reputation.

  “My, what a strange hair colour. And what pretty eyes.

  I was surrounded by mother-in-law and ladies in her age group. So I made an amiable smile. I thought that it might be hard to not speak out too much, but that was an undue worry.

  Because I had to continue listening at the tea party.

  “Then, it became such a hassle!”


  I spent leisurely time with Sieg, just listening to the ladies talk. When I sometimes served some handmade confectionery, they praised me that it was nice for a man to know how to cook.

  “My husband’s hobby is only horse-riding and hunting. Not very interesting.”


  “I would be able to spend more time together if his hobby was baking, really.”


  “I’m envious of you, Sieglinde-san.”


  I did my best to not tarnish my reputation further, every day. Mother-in-law too did her best to improve my reputation, doing many things.

  After everything ended, the nighttime was the only time we could relax.

  “Are you tired from dealing with all those ladies?”


  “Yes, it’s an impossible task.”


  When I said that, Sieg smiled.

  Without a warning, I grabbed her hand and kissed her fingers.

  Then I brushed back her hair, and caressed her cheek. Sieg’s expression softened, and she closed her grey eyes.

  Even though I love her, I can’t burden Sieg too much.

  “Sieg, I love you.”


  So, I just whispered words of love into her ears.

  Like so, our life in this foreign land continued.

  Additional 72 — With Nieces!

  Whimsy Additional Chapter

  Today we are going out with the cute girls Edelgard and Adeltraud. The destination is the shopping district in the city.

  The nice girls wanted to hold a tea party and invite Sieg, so I volunteered to help out.

  “Dearest Uncle, you really know how to make reception goods?”


  “Of course.”


  This time it wasn’t a normal tea party. We will be serving confection and jam that we made on our own, different from the nobles in the area.

  As to why such a tea party was organised, it was because the princesses found a book called ‘the tea party in the little forest’.

  In the story, there is an animal princess who made confectioneries with berries from the forest, and tea from wild herbs, and then invited the queen of the neighbouring forest over to a tea party. After reading that, they said that they also wanted to try such a tea party.

  While browsing the plan Edelgard wrote, we went shopping.

  On the picture, there is a type of round cake with the a hole in the centre, and a small baked good with two kinds of jam and fruit.

  “This round cake is?”


  “……Lemon pie.”


  “I see.”


  The usually quiet Edelgard did her best to explain. Though she said lemon pie, it seemed that it was different from the idea of pies back home. For the crust, they used one that is made by folding many layers made from flour and butter. I tilted my head when they said that it was crunchy, but I thought that there won’t be any problems if I have advice from the kitchen staff.

  “For the lemon pie, lemon curd is necessary.”


  “Lemon curd?”


  Lemon curd is something made by clotting lemon, apparently made by heating the juice with butter, eggs and sugar.

  “We have pesticide-free lemons, so they’re perfect for making lemon curd.”


  Since even the peels are used, it is recommended to not have pesticide.

  “Then we’ll have some please.”


  Other than lemons, we bought ingredients for other jams, such as strawberries, oranges, and grapefruits for making juice. We then proceeded to other shops.

  While I was talking with the shop lady, Edelgard and Adeltraud were hiding behind me. Maybe it’s the first time they were this close when they’re shopping, that they’re embarrassed.

  Next we went to the a shop that handled goods for baking.

  Here, we bought moulds for baking cake, tools for hollowing out the pie, and jars for jams.

  “Waa, oneesama, look, it’s pretty.”


  They ran around the store as if the quietness from before was a lie. There weren’t other customers, so the shop lady kindly let us pick out what we needed.

  Other than the tools, we also bought flour for baking, walnuts and dried figs.

  After returning home, the three of us cooked. We washed our hands cleanly and then divided the work.

  “Edelgard, please weigh the sugar, and Adeltraud please hull the strawberries.”


  I also asked other servants to supervise their work. Though I’m not leaving the dangerous work to them, there are many sharp knives and tool as well as fire in the kitchen.

  As for what I did, I brought out a pan to boil fruits to make jam.

  It was a copper one I borrowed from the head chef here. The heat conduction is superb, that the fruit is boiled down very nicely.

  “This is a specialised pot, called a jam bowl.”


  If fruits are boiled for too long, the flavour dissipates slightly. Thus, the copper pot for making jam is an essential tool because one can cook quickly with it.

  After I returned to the cooking table, I focused on making orange jam.

  First, I washed the orange with lukewarm water and peeled it. The peels are also washed with lukewarm water. The peel is then thinly sliced and boiled to remove the bitter taste. In fact, only the squeezed juice is put into the pot.

  After that, it’s boiled with sugar in the pot. The scum has to be removed during the process, and it’s done once the mixture becomes thick.

  While I made orange jam, the sisters made strawberry jam.

  Strawberries, sugar and lemon juice is put in a pot and boiled as the scum is removed, and it’s done once it has a pretty red colour.

  The finished jams were then stored in sterilised jars.

  Next is making fig and walnut cake. This was very simple.

  The dried figs are shredded into small pieces, and the walnuts are cracked into small bits.

  Butter softened in water, egg yolk, sugar are mixed, and then flour and milk are added. Once they’re mixed well, fluffy whipped egg whites are added with a wooden spatula to make them easier to break. Finally, fig shreds and walnut bits are added then the dough is poured into a mould that has plenty of butter applied, then baked.

  The cake that has small grains of figs and crunchy walnuts becomes mellow if left for one day, that it becomes better than when it’s freshly baked. I asked for it to be stored somewhere where the sunlight does not reach it.

  After making jams, the sisters made biscuits.

  Softened butter, sugar and milk were mixed, then flour and corn flour were stirred in. The dough, once it became glossy, was stretched thinly into flower shapes. The surface was then punctured with forks to create small holes, then baked on a tray to create crispy biscuits. It’s not that sweet, so we’ll be having jam with it.

  It’s over for today, and the rest will be done tomorrow. We made quite a bit of confectioneries, so I praised the princesses for that.

  Th next day, we also worked before lunchtime.

  First we made lemon pie.

  I asked Edelgard and Adeltraud to make lemon curd.

  For the crunchy pie crusts that I was making for the first time, I did it with the head chef. First, I kneaded flour and butter then added water and salt to the dough. It’s mixed until the powdery texture is gone, then it’s kneaded into thin pieces then left in a cool place for a while. After that, the dough is folded and bent many times to finish the crusts.

  The crusts are baked in a tray like biscuits.

  Then it’s finished by putting lemon curd on top.

  Just that, the grapefruit juice might not have got done in time, so I enlisted help.

  “Somehow I made it in time! I think?”


  “Dearest Uncle, this is amazing! Everything looks delicious!”


  Edelgard nodded at Adeltraud’s words.

  I patted the angelic princesses’ head to recover fatigue, then went on the final preparation.

  The place for the tea party is a garden full of spring flowers.

  On the table brought from the mansion, a white tablecloth was laid on top and cute cups were laid out in a line. The confectioneries were arranged on a three tiered platter and jars of jam were placed on the table with ribbons tied around them.

  Cooled grapefruit juice was brought over from the kitchen. The preparations for the tea party was complete.

  “Both of you, you did well!”


  “……Dearest Uncle, you too.”


  “You did your best!”


  “Is that so? I’m happy to here that.”


  Mufufu, we laughed and stared at the completed table.

  It was almost time for the appointment, so I asked a servant to bring the guest over.

  Meanwhile, I quickly changed.

  “I made you wait.”


  Sieglinde appeared, being towed by a servant. On her head, there was a large decoration made of eagle feathers.

  “……Good afternoon. Erm, thank you for, coming.”


  Edelgard had a headband that had rabbit ears.

  “The Queen of Eagles, we were waiting for you!”


  Adeltraud had bear ears.

  Both were so cute that I wanted hug them.

  We decided that we will dress up like the animals in the book. The well-made animal ears were made by my skillful mother-in-law.

  “Princesses, queen, I serve you this juice of the blessings of the forest.

  Today, I am a butler, wearing a tailcoat and a trendy black necktie, serving my masters and my guest.

  Seeing me like that, Sieg laughed while hiding her mouth with a fan.

  “Queen, is there something strange?”


  “No, I just thought that the dog ears fit you well.”


  “……”


  It’s not a dog, but a wolf…… However, if Sieg says “Hand!” I think I would gladly offer a hand, so I couldn’t really deny that I was like a dog.

  The jams and the confectionery we put effort into making received good comments. Just by seeing the princesses smiling from enjoying the baked goods, I felt happy.

  In the middle, father-in-law came back from the ranch with a dog. The sisters then chased the dog around the garden.

  Father-in-law ended up getting chased as well, that I ended up laughing.

  “Ritz.”


  “Yees.”


  When I turned around to her, she beckoned for me.

  Since I was a servant today, I kneeled down on one knee.

  “What might it be, queen.”


  “No, I just wanted to thank you.”


  “What do you mean?”


  When I tilted my head in wondering, Sieg thanked me for making the sisters’ dream come true.

  It seemed that Edelgard and Adeltraud were very much looking forward to the tea party today.

  “Here, a reward.”


  Sieg put on jam on a biscuit that was broken down into bite-size, then held it out. When I opened my mouth, she put the biscuit in my mouth.

  While I munched on the biscuit, Sieg patted my head with the wolf ears.

  “It was nice.”


  “That’s nice.”


  “However,”


  “?”


  “I’d like something sweeter, queen.”


  “?”


  Sieg tilted her head and held out a jar of jam, but I shook my head.

  “Please give me a kiss.”


  “!”


  Just from me asking for a kiss, Sieglinde’s expression changed. Maybe it was cheeky for a servant to ask for treasure worth gems. I immediately apologised.

  “Erm, I overstepped my boundaries. Please forgive me.”


  “No, it’s alright, but father’s gaze is.”


  When I gazed into the garden, I found father-in-law looking over here.

  I stood up and ran towards them while waving my hands in the air, joining them in the game of tag.

  It was at night that I would receive my sweet reward.

  ◇◇◇


  Like so, the fun tea party with my nieces ended.

  Short Story 3 — Emmerich David’s Sieglinde Observation Diary』


  This is a story from more than a decade ago.

  Now, Sieglinde is very lady-like next to Ritzhard-kun, but when she used to be a soldier there was a period where she was very rough.

  I end shuddering just from recalling those days.

  Here I write down the sad recollection of her youth.

  ◇◇◇


  I’m going to my family’s place on the weekend. Having come back after saying that, Sieglinde had an amazingly sour face.

  It seems like there was a big problem at her family’s place, but it was no mood for me to listen to it with a light mood.

  I though about telling her to relax her face to begin with, but when I called her the expression that faced me was terrifying so I could only say, “W-Welcome back.”


  I regretted that I should have warned her about her expression the next day.

  When I went to the dining hall, I saw Sieglinde in trouble with a soldier four years her senior, Gottfried Hegel.

  He was enraged.

  Apparently, he was pleased with Sieglinde’s impudent expression, attitude and way of speech.

  As for her, she judged that he was treating her like a servant and pointed out that such was against regulations.

  Gottfried seemed to have had a bad opinion of Sieglinde who was higher-ranked and so he was enraged more than necessary. It felt as though he would hit her at a moment’s notice.

  I really need to do something as a friend here, I thought and cut in between them.

  With a height just under 190, a body full of muscles, a shaved head and a stern face, Gottfried stared down at me with bloodshot eyes.

  I felt like crying, but I told them that fighting would end in disciplinary confinement.

  Gottfried then shouted that he won’t have peace of mind then.

  ——Even if you say that, there’s no way!

  I shouted in my head.

  Can you forgive with me with a bar of chocolate, I made a crooked smile as I tried to improve the mood.

  To end the stalemate, Sieglinde made a suggestion.

  ——How about putting in a request for a special training session and have a sparring session.

  What is this lady suggesting, I turned around slowly while trembling from fear.

  ——Hii!!

  Seeing her face, I unconsciously let out a scream.

  That face was like a ferocious eagle looking at its prey.

  Gottfried, possibly because he was affected too, replied that he accepts in a slightly shrill voice.

  After our shift was over, Sieglinde and Gottfried’s ‘special training’ was about to begin.

  There were many spectators gathering at the training ground.

  It looked like there were many new recruits.

  If I recall correctly, they were Sieglinde’s trainees, weren’t they? Maybe they had come to cheer their former instructor on?

  Gottfried’s underling’s were overwhelmingly in the minority. His stern-faced friends looked displeased.

  It would be an away game, I though, but that wasn’t so. Time to breath out a sigh—— that’s after the training ends safely without injuries.

  Sieglinde asked me to be the judge, so I reluctant stood in front of the two.

  In the sparring trainings of the army, there are: fighting barehanded, ‘hand-to-hand combat’, fighting with guns with blades attached, ‘bayonet fighting’ and fighting with short blades, ‘knife fighting’, these three kinds.

  Sieglinde asked Gottfried to choose. He chose hand-to-hand combat.

  Hearing that, I felt relieved.

  Since, Sieglinde feels most pride in her barehanded fighting skills.

  I’ve seen her knocking down men larger than Gottfried, many times. Thus, I thought that he will be the loser.

  As expected, she did a roundhouse kick aimed for a weak point (※Not between the legs) and easily sent Gottfried flying.

  Wah! Came the cheers.

  With a composed expression, she announced that training was over and exited the grounds.

  I quickly followed after her.

  I somehow caught up and invited her out for a drink.

  Her expression softened compared when I saw her at the dining hall at lunchtime, but there was no reason to leave this dangerous eagle alone. Having thought that there should be a change of mood, I had mustered up my courage.

  I thought that it might be turned down but Sieglinde readily accepted.

  We decided to meet at the bar after changing clothes.

  I couldn’t find Sieglinde immediately.

  When I wondered why, the handsome lady was hunted by another lady who was sitting next to her.

  She had a long black coat and jammed her hat on so I couldn’t notice her at all.

  Noticing me, Sieglinde told the lady that she had company and came over to me.

  I was glared at by the lady that was doing the hunting.

  ——No, we’re not in that kind of relationship!

  It was the first time I entered that bar. It’s a classy store, I always thought and did not have courage to go in alone.

  I excitedly sat down at the counter.

  Sieg asked for a drink that had high alcohol content.

  A young bartender asked me about my order and I did not have a menu, so I asked for the same thing she ordered.

  What should I do, I’m not a good drinker……


  The drinks were prepared.

  Sieglinde quickly downed the glass so I drank it down too, but a fiery pain scorched my tongue and throat. What a drink. I felt like complaining.

  For the second drink, I requested a sweet drink.

  It was a random order, but I was given a lovely pink drink with a cherry floating. That was tasty.

  For a while, we drank in silence while munching on side dishes.

  In the middle, she spoke up. She told me that she’s sorry for making worry.

  It appeared that she had noticed my intentions.

  While I was at it, I asked what happened at her family’s place.

  I thought that she might not answer but Sieglinde told me a little.

  Her story was very simple.

  Her family presented to her portraits for marriage interviews, or so.

  Sieglinde turned twenty the next winter.

  If it were normal young noble ladies, they would have already have married and have children.

  So her family’s request is not unreasonable.

  However, it wasn’t as though I didn’t understand how she felt.

  She served in the army from when she was thirteen and achieved many military feats. It would be a hard story for Sieglinde to get educated as a lady, marry and make a family.

  I thought that her mind must be more conflicted more than I could imagine.

  Seeing her profile filled with anger, I couldn’t continue questioning her.

  Marriage may be the normal, ideal form of happiness. However, it’s not necessary for me now, said she.

  Her tone was firm.

  In that reply, there was something like a rejection for any help from anyone.

  Having been a superb soldier from a long time ago, she had earned envy and undue resentment too. Getting promoted faster than others, she must have been lonely.

  Around Sieglinde, there was a tall and thick wall.

  I thought that she was like an eagle that she did not let her guard down around anyone.

  Even in my long friendship, I had not seen her smile brightly.

  Isn’t she a lonely and poor woman?

  Unfortunately, I had no clue how to help her.

  I dearly hoped that she would find someone that would be a tree that she could rest upon.

  ◇◇◇


  More than a decade passed from that day.

  Sieglinde is now——.

  The season is early summer.

  Thanks to the continued white nights, the village was in a bright mood.

  The villagers wait for this season where the sun does not set during winter.

  My wife ordered me to take some snacks to the lord’s mansion, so I decided to share some of the fish I caught while I was at it.

  When I passed the gate and was walking through the garden, there were shadows of two people under a big tree.

  That’s Ritzhard-kun and Sieglinde!

  My eyes met with Ritz-kun’s. When I was about to wave in greeting, he put his finger up to his lips.

  Looks like he wants me to be quiet.

  When I approached gently, Sieglinde was asleep, leaning against Ritzhard-kun’s shoulder.

  Recalling the past days, I thought that she was in a defenceless state, sleeping in a relaxed state, trusting her partner.

  At that moment, I thought about her lonely days in the army.

  Sieglinde found a husband who she could wholeheartedly trust and depend on.

  Seeing the two of them, my eyes grew teary and I felt like crying.

  To the happy couple, I sent my sincerest congratulations.

  It’s rather late, but congratulations on your marriage, Sieglinde.

  The End

  Afterword

  “The Snow Country Hunting Life of the Northern Nobleman and the Raptor Wife” is now finished.

  How many final chapters have you written!? You might say, but it’s really finished now.

  It became the longest one out of all my works.

  This work received an award at the 3rd Elysium Novel Competition, and it was even published into a book. You never know what might happen in life, I recall thinking back then.

  I’m very thankful to the one in charge of design and illustrations, Akaneko (あかねこ)-sensei. No words of gratitude will be enough.

  Also, I think working with an editor affected my work a lot.

  Just a few words of advice could evolve into a story. I received a lot of help.

  The second last line of the final chapter, “Hunting, gathering and eating! That’s all there is, but these are lovely days.” That line was thanks to my editor.

  The moment I saw that, I immediately liked it, thinking that it captured the spirit of the novel.

  I asked for permission and used it for the final chapter.

  The people I want to thank the most are the readers that continued to support me.

  Thanks to your support, I could continue until the end, and I even managed to get the novel published.

  Thank you very much.

  I’ll continue to write stories that will satisfy you.

  Thank you so much!

  Short Story 2 — 『Making Beer!』


  Author:

  This time, I deliver to you a story after the final chapter of volume 3.

  This is a story of what happens to Ritz’s family after his problematic father is added to the fray. I hope you enjoy it.

  ◇◇◇◇

  I was at the table with my Parents, Sieg and Arno.

  Everyone was talking with serious expressions. The topic was about this village’s specialty.

  Father noted that there were reindeer meat, many different kinds of berries and handicrafts like kuksas among many other things, yet there wasn’t any food or good that could represent the place.

  “For tourists, specialty goods are attractive, you see.”


  “I-I see.”


  Father’s critique was sharp and accurate.

  I’ve been working to try and increase the number of tourists, but they never increased to more than the year Sieg came here.

  In hindsight, goods similar to things such as reindeer meat, berries and handicrafts are found in other nearby villages.

  We started getting somewhere with the eagle symbol on the kuksas, but that didn’t feel like much.

  Then, what would be good? We gathered to discuss that.

  I gathered up the village’s produce I had in the house.

  Reindeer meet, berry juice, jam, alcohol, handicrafts with eagle marks, linen, wooden bears, honey, documents on ‘The Crimson Eagle’, etc.

  We couldn’t really think of a bright idea.

  “——Bear!”


  Amidst the silence, Arno gave his opinion.

  “Right, bears, that might be nice.”


  There’s the mascot character Teoporon (?) so it might become the attraction of the village.

  Maybe a corner called ‘Meet White Bear-san’ for children…… Well, there aren’t many children coming here on tours though.

  “So, in the end, we need something for adults……”


  Sieg murmured something about alcohol.

  There’s berry wine in other villages and ours isn’t much of a specialty that’s different from others.

  While I was pondering with a frown on my face, mother made a suggestion.

  “Ritchan, how about honey beer?”


  I see, beer!

  If it’s honey, it would be made into mead, but those are made easily in homes so they won’t attract much attention.

  Beer is nice and loved by both men and women. Moreover, ‘honey beer’ sounds pretty nice.

  There shouldn’t any problems with the honey, I thought. A lot was gathered just this year. Next year, I want to add more hives so that we could get more honey for selling and making alcohol.

  “The problem is how to make it, but maybe the procedure is written in one of the books in grandfather’s library?”


  “Haru-kun, if it’s beer, I can tell you how~”


  I ended up getting surprised at father. He said that he only read it and hadn’t actually made it, but that he clearly remembers the ingredients and the procedure.

  What a dependable father. I was moved a bit.

  “Beer, as its name suggests[1], is alcohol made using fermented barley, and the process is accelerated through adding sugar.”


  The main ingredients are malted barley, hops, yeast, water and sugar. Other than hop, the ingredients for the drink can be gathered in this village.

  Father told me that honey beer can be made by using honey instead of sugar.

  “Why don’t we try making some samples. Dad, can you help me?”


  “Yeah, alright~”


  For now, the candidate for our special produce is decided.

  If and when the honey beer is completed, I’m planning on using the white bear and honey mother drew for the packaging.

  ◇◇◇

  My first work together with father began.

  “Malted barley is, like how it sounds[2], germinated barley~”


  First, barley is soaked in water.

  Even though it sprouts, it sounds like the appearance isn’t different form normal barley.

  “As you can see, it’s not to be sprouted fully, but budding barely above the surface.”


  “Hehh~”


  It’s ready once the malted barley is slightly plump. If there are any roots protruding, they are removed.

  After that, they are dried in sunlight.

  Once the barley is completely dried, they are then toasted in pots. It seems like they are ready once cracking sounds are heard.

  “Next, we smash the malted barley.”


  The toasted barley are placed in a clean bag, then pounded using a board and a wooden stick.

  After that, he told me that we have to boil them.

  “We will mash the barley in a pot for a while, but be careful to not let the temperature drop.”


  “Alright.”


  Three hours after putting the barley in the pot. I sometimes stirred the stew so that it would boil well.

  The finished thing is filtered using cloth then further squeezed with hotter water. This squeezed mixture is called wort.

  Into this wort, hop for bitter flavour and honey for accelerating the process is added, then it’s boiled.

  The mixture and water is put into a disinfected bottle. Since it seems like they all need to be cooled, I drew some water from the well.

  Once it cooled sufficiently, I put in some yeast.

  A few hours later, there were foams forming. Looks like the process is properly going.

  After a week, the foams stop, after which the liquid is poured into a different bottle.

  Here, more honey is put in.

  It is finished after about a month of leaving it in a dark place.

  “Haru-kun, it’s finally finished.”


  “Yeah, that was long……”


  Summer was over, and the season was completely in autumn.

  We took out the honey beer that was left in a cool place. First, father and I need to test it.

  I wanted to check the shade, so I poured some into a transparent glass cup.

  With fizzing sounds, small bubble popped.

  I was imagining a beautiful amber shade, but the beer had an ochre shade, should I say? It had a really complicated shade.

  “Ah~ it’s murky after all.”


  “H-How come!?”


  “Protein’s probably the reason why.”


  “That can’t be~~”


  It seems like an agent called carrageenan is needed. He said that it’s not sold in these areas.

  “Carrageenan comes from seaweeds from southern countries~”


  “I see.”


  Well, the appearance doesn’t matter. What’s important is the taste.

  I gulped from nervousness. Father was going to have the first taste.

  “Mm!”


  He had the usual carefree smile, so I couldn’t tell if it was good or not.

  Looks like I need to check it myself.

  I mustered up courage and took a sip.

  “——Wah!”


  After the beer passed down my throat, I let out a voice of surprise.

  What should I say — it was very bitter.

  “Looks like we used too much hop.”


  “It’s cold, so the bitter taste is sharp……”


  However, there was a soft aftertaste of honey. A flowery scent lingered too.

  This isn’t too bad. It was a taste that could be perfected after some effort.

  Father put in some honey and lemon into the glass. After saying that it shouldn’t be as bitter, he handed me the drink.

  “Ah, this is nice!”


  Because there was additional honey, the taste was mild and it went well with the refreshing flavour of the lemon.

  I gulped it down in a blink.

  “Well, it needs improvement, though.”


  “Still, this is very nice, dad.”


  “Then that’s nice.”


  After saying that, he smiled happily.

  I wonder if this is father’s real smile. I stared at him.

  ◇◇◇


  At night, Sieg tried some honey beer too.

  After Arno was born, she didn’t have much alcohol, so this will be a drinking party after a long time.

  “So it’s finally finished?”


  “Yes, am I not amazing?”


  I wanted to be complimented by her so I appealed how I did many things.

  When I leaned against her shoulder, she stroked my head, saying, “You did well.”


  Yes, I’m trying my best every day for this.

  And for my wife who is also working hard every day, I poured some honey beer for her.

  “Would like some honey and lemon?”


  “No, I want to try it on its own first.”


  It was rather bitter, but Sieg drank it all without batting an eyebrow.

  “How is it?”


  “Delicious.”


  “Really?”


  “Aa. Of course, it tastes a little bitter, but there’s also the sweet flavour of honey, so it’s good.”


  “I see.”


  I’m planning on having other people taste it and make changes to it.

  As the two of us were enjoying beer, I noticed a small change in Sieg.

  Her face was red, which was a rare thing.

  “Huh, could it be, from alcohol?”


  “……Maybe. I feel a little lightheaded.”


  Maybe it’s because I drank after a long time, Sieglinde murmured.

  Want me lend a shoulder? When I asked so, she gently leaned against me.

  “My face is hot.”


  “That’s rare.”


  When I touched her cheek, it was hot.

  “Ritz, your hand is nice and cool.”


  While saying that, she entrusted her weight to me.

  “……I feel a little sleepy now.”


  “It’s okay if you sleep. I’ll carry you to the bed.”


  Drunk Sieg is very cute and I feel happy that she’s relying on me like this.

  Crackling sounds of wood burning came from the fireplace.

  Before I realised it, Sieg really fell asleep.

  Since she always sleeps later and wakes up earlier than me, her sleeping face is valuable.

  I enjoyed the quiet night for a while like that.

  ◇The End◇


  Short Story 1 — 『Richelle’s Soliloquoy』


  Author:

  This is a short story from Ritzhard’s mother, Richelle’s point of view.

  I hope you enjoy it.

  ◇◇◇


  Ritchan married.

  The wife is Sieglinde-chan, a beautiful red-haired lady.

  After Ritchan introduced her to me, when I asked, “Can I call you Linde-chan?” the way she replied shyly was very cute.

  The way Linde-chan was looking at Ritchan was very kind, so I ended up feeling relieved.

  I wonder if I’m just imagining it if I say that the two of them look more like a friendly older sister and a younger brother than wife and husband? I wonder if I’m thinking that because Linde-chan is older?

  I recall Ritchan wanting an older sister when he was little.

  It was very hard to say, “an older sister isn’t possible,” to Ritchan who was pleading hard. At the same time, I ended up remembering Ritchan’s sad expression.

  He was a spoiled child and easily got lonely, so it would have been nice if he had a kind older sister, I remember talking about such a dreamy thing before.

  Thinking about that, I really felt sorry for leaving him alone for ten years. He must have been very lonely and insecure.

  However, I was worried about my husband Lukas-san.

  After father passed away, he said that his work is finished and that he would be going on a trip. However, he had a face like a man going off to his death.

  We were just going to have a short trip and return soon when his mood improved, but his emotional scar was deep and took long to heal.

  To be honest, I did not have the courage to face Ritchan.

  I thought that we would not be forgiven.

  However, Ritchan forgave us.

  Indeed, Linde-chan’s presence must have been great, I could tell after seeing the two of them together.

  I can’t thank Linde-chan enough.

  After returning to the village, we began a new life.

  Lukas-san is ever the same, but I think he’s been changing bit by bit.

  I could tell that they were compromising so that he would grow an attachment to the village.

  Returning after a decade, the criticisms at us were tough, but I knew that they were natural reactions.

  I felt that it would be nice if it gradually softens.

  A few months later, Ritchan, Linde-chan, and our new family member Arno-chan came back to the village.

  I was so happy that tears came out.

  Maybe because Arno-chan was born, Ritchan and Linde-chan’s mood felt different.

  From feeling like a kind older sister and a spoiled younger brother, they now felt more like a married couple pouring love to their child.

  The new life was boisterous and was never without smiles.

  Ritchan deeply loved his family and was happy. It really was a miraculous daily life.

  In that life, a great change came.

  Lukas-san returned to his homeland to present his research.

  He said that he didn’t want to go because Arno-chan was too cute. However, he was using state funds, so he had no say in the matter.

  People from his home came so he had to leave the village.

  When I told him that I’m staying in the village, he looked very shocked. However, he did not have the irresponsible and grim atmosphere like before.

  Also, I could tell that he had an attachment to this village. Even if I’m not with him, I felt confident that he would return.

  He’s alright now. I don’t have to worry about him anymore.

  I could rest assured and send him off.

  There’s not much I can do, but this time for sure I need to support Ritchan and others.

  A new life began like that.

  Linde-chan is a hard worker, working diligently.

  She’s shy and reserved, but she is indeed a warm and wonderful person.

  Ritchan is still bright and very healthy.

  He’s still the spoiled child though, maybe?

  I accidentally stumbled upon him leaning against Linde-chan, so mummy apologised so many times.

  Arno-chan was growing healthily.

  I could see him growing into a handsome boy looking like Linde-chan.

  Lukas-san started sending letters regularly. It seems like he can’t bear it, being so curious about how the family is doing.

  People can change, I thought happily.

  Like that, we’re living leisurely and peacefully every day.

  I sincerely pray that we would be able to live happily without forgetting gratitude.

  ◇The End◇