Volume 4 Chapter 2 I Hope My Wife Doesn’t Cry
A lot happened that year, and now, the seasons have come around again. Another spring has arrived.
Mariana, who was born between Lene and me, turned 3 last autumn.
They say time feels faster as you get older, and it's true.
I'm 26 now, Lene is 23, Minori is 20, and Suzu is 18.
They're all adults now.
Actually, just recently, Minori gave me a cold look and said, "Can you stop treating me like a kid?"
To me, she'll always be my cute little sister, but it's kind of sad.
My eldest daughter Ai is 15 now, and she's been busy lately with Minori and the others working as Adventurers.
She's a newbie in a First Rank party, ranked 9th, but Ai is a skilled ninja who finished her training, so the younger ones rely on her.
"Papa, are you working?"
"Hmm? Oh, Maria. What's up?"
Today, since my apprentices were off, I was working alone in the workshop, challenging a new magic stone, when our little angel came to visit.
I always tell them not to come too close while I'm working, because it's dangerous, so Ai always makes sure to call out to me.
When I turned around, as usual, my angel was looking up at me with a gentle smile.
She had her pretty green hair cut short, just like Lene, and was wearing a soft, light blue dress that made her look like a noble young lady.
Well, to be honest, since I became a noble, she really is a young lady now.
By the way, my daughter has elf ears, which is normal since she's a half-elf, but they're not human ears.
Maybe she got Lene's deep blood, but her ears are pretty long for her race too.
It gives her a mysterious look.
"Mama said to come soon because it's almost lunchtime."
"Oh, thanks, Maria. I'll be right there."
"Okay, I'll let Mama know."
Mariana left, making a clattering sound as she went.
Ah, it's soothing.
I can't imagine that kid or Ai getting married in the future.
I'm seriously thinking about asking His Majesty to make a law that lets me marry my dad.
While I was thinking such silly things, the doorbell at the entrance rang.
A visitor, maybe?
I can't just leave it to Mariana, so I got up and went to the entrance.
I sensed a bit of Magic Power on the other side of the door, but no hostility, so I opened it normally. There was Mr. Thor, a merchant guild employee.
"Hello, Lord Huntverker, how are you?"
"Please stop calling me that, Mr. Thor."
"Ahaha, sorry."
I furrowed my brow in protest at Mr. Thor, who deliberately used my noble family name, but it seemed he was just joking as he gave a wry smile.
I do have a position as a noble, and I'm called by my family name now, but I've told my close friends I want them to keep calling me like before.
Yes, I was recognized for my achievements 4 years ago, and His Majesty allowed me to use my family name.
In other words, I got a title.
A special title of Count, no less.
But I said, "I'm a craftsman, so I want to keep working," and "Please, no managing lands," before accepting the noble title.
So, besides my family name, I'm living just like before.
By the way, the family name Huntwerker means "craftsman," just like that.
It's a silly name for a normal noble, but we are proud to be craftsmen, so it's fine by us.
"Oh, it smells good! Is it lunchtime? Should I come back later?"
Mr. Thor looked apologetic and shrank a bit, looking up at me.
Of course, it's lunchtime already.
But it felt rude to make him leave, so I shook my head to his concern and replied.
"Since you came all this way, you must have something important to ask? How about we eat lunch together? I can hear what you need then."
"Eh, that's not good."
"It's fine! Sometimes I need honest opinions from outside to improve Lene's cooking."
I chuckled softly at Mr. Thor's flustered expression.
He looked at me and said, "You really don't hold back, do you?"
He knows I can trust Mr. Thor's gourmet taste.
Recently, Lene has been learning to cook from Belle, my top disciple, who takes care of all the housework.
As a noble, and a Count at that, I could just hire a chef.
But my wife has her pride as a wife, and she can't stand the idea that her husband can cook but she can't.
So, she decided to try cooking herself.
"Well then, if that's the case, I'll be happy to judge Ms. Lene's cooking, and see just how good it really is."
"Please, just don't make her cry."
I said seriously, while inviting Mr. Thor inside.
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