Stranger’s Handbook Chapter 149

TL: Dragox

"So you received a letter from Pope Garbera telling you to act as an escort in the position of my daughter... Is that right?"
"As a daughter of the Archduke, I will persevere! As for the country of elves, As long as Archduke Zest is alive everything will be alright."

"Master, is this really okay?"
"Fufu~, aiming to reach new heights aren´t you?" 1

When I asked the reaon for Kachua to barge in and request to become my adoptive daughter, she gave me a reason I could not refuse.
It seems it was a request from the refrigerator... But Kachua also got her reasons.

"It can't be helped, since it is Garbera's request... And Albert, you don´t know what you are talking about so shut up."
"Indeed I've known her since the olden days. You cannot refuse this request."

Kachua says while folding her arms, but aren't those her true thoughts?
I saw the letter from the refrigerator for sure but... That's not the only reason.
Aside from me taking care of the country of elves, the adoption also serves for her self-protection.

"Well, setting aside the official reason... Shall we hear the true reason, My daughter."
"Ah, it's been hundreds of years since someone has called me his daughter."

This granny is that is reminiscing with a light feeling will become my daughter... hundreds of years, how old are you really.
I a.s.ses the situation while using healing magic on Albert whose face has swollen to more than double of its original size.
This mongrel obviously became like this after being blown away by Kachua.

"Kachua be a good child and tell me."

Even after I finished the treatment there was no response from the loli, so I turned around and spoke.
Thinking that she was still in the middle of reminiscing her face had actually turned serious.
Was it a mistake to treat her as a child?

"Once more, i want you to say it."
"...Be a good child and tell me."

"While calling my name, do it once again while patting my head!"

I wonder whether she's getting angry or not!
Such a difficult loli... Do you like being treated like a child that much?

"Kachua, be a good child and tell me."
"Okay! I want to marry soon and have children. But in the elven country there are only old partners, so archduke Zest... no, papa, i believe that if I'm with you I'll be able to get married to a young man!"}

I feel my head hurt... to be the father this granny and being called "papa" like that.
The one that taught her such word... it could only be that refrigerator.
Moreover, her main goal seem to be that I find her a fiancee.

"Hey Kachua, is that the real reason for us to become parent and child? to become my adoptive daughter for such reason..."
"Such a reason? What a thing to say! Every single day, those old men come to me asking for me to become their second wife, men don't understand that feeling. Really, how old do they think you are, uh?"

The reason is ridiculous.
You are probably the older one...

"Besides, papa has few pieces for political marriage, isn't it fine for me to become one?"
"I won't deny it. But, is it okay?"

"Certainly, there's that part about politics. But even so... I'm a girl too!"

I wonder if there are many girls like you.
I want to be praised since I was able to digest this conversation.

"Finally there is a person who

I can entrust the affairs of the country of elves. For the first time I can focus on finding a partner and raising a child! If I miss this opportunity I... I..."
"Master, this is too pitiful to keep hearing."
"Your excellency, we must do something. When I think that your daughter has been single for several hundreds of years, tears won't stop flowing... Please, be lenient."

"... No need to cry, I understood. I will adopt her."

In front of the three tearful people, I could only agree.
The loli-granny that has been single for hundreds of years, has become my adopted daughter like this.

...

"Master, Albert is back from the imperial capital. Here's the letter from His Majesty."

About Kachua's adoption, Albert became a messenger again to inform the imperial capital.
Nowadays important news are becoming common sale.
But these news might  be bad for His majesty's stomach.

"Got it, I have trouble you with consecutive travels to the imperial capital. It's fine if you take it easy for a while."
"Yes! I appreciate your kind words, I will rest for a bit."

In this short while, Albert has flown back and forth to the imperial capital, as one would expect he's already worn out.
He exited the office with a bad complexion.
There seems to be no verbal message... Was everything written in the letter?
I open the envelope and confirm its contents

Good job!
Since elves' first court magician is now your adopted daughter, are you in need of a marriage partner for her?
My son is unmarried, are you interested?
The empire's ties with the country of elves and also our bonds will be deepened! Look forward to it.

It's different from last time, His Majesty seems mostly pleased.
It's to early to talk about Wis' marriage, it's a possibility I am afraid of.
Even if one is to be married with an adopted daughter, it is enough for deterrence and ties.

"Is there another child besides His Majesty's heir?"
"No, as far as i know the Crown Prince is His Majesty's only son."

Suu answered while preparing black tea as if saying it was something ordinary
... Is he pretending to make Kachua the Empress? that must not be it.
Or else, I wonder if he'll present an illegitimate child.

"Maintain this matter as a secret. It might become a ruckus if information gets out about an illegitimate child."
"Certainly, I will do so. Should we keep it a secret even from lady Kachua?"

"That will probably be for the best. If she learns about the matter she will probably grab a dragon and charge to meet her partner."
"Master's daughters tend to be tomboyish. We must make sure Lady Wis to be a graceful lady."

"It will be okay, Katalina is her nanny, she will give Wis appropriate education."
"Lord Katalina is also a master of martial arts..."

""...""

Maybe I made the wrong decision... Thinking like that, the day in the country of elves ended.

...

"Master, tomorrow is finally the day of lady Tsubaki's wedding ceremony. She will be coming today."
"Here? To this residence? What for?"

Suu told me this after I finished the interviews with foreign n.o.bles and came back to the office.
The mansion prepared by Prince Mars is big and the number of rooms is reasonable.
Tsubaki lives in her room accompanied by an exclusive maid.

"Master, it is the custom for when a woman gets married. Did you forget?"
"... I thought that matter didn't concern me anymore."

I answer while drinking tea, she lets out a sigh.
It's a shame to see her that disappointed.

"In the night before the wedding ceremony parent and child sleep together. Even adopted children are not exception, are they?"
"Indeed, Bea said master was crying at that time."

For master to act like that, it isn't hard tom imagine.
Being such a doting father to Bea... should I invite him to drink together?

"Therefore, make preparations, please."
"What is there to prepare? It's fine if we just arrange another bed."

'Haa~' just like that Suu lets out a big sigh without even trying to conceal it.
Oi, it's bad to do that in front of your master... Maybe I am too weak willed?

"Aren't you going to sleep in the same bed? Sleeping separately is meaningless. Master, master Sonia should have taught you this."
"Wait, I haven't heard about that! Master Sonia never told me that much."

*Kyoton* Suu was really surprised,2but her face tightens quickly as if she noticed something.

"Usually this is the duty of the mother so maybe that's why you were not told. Please be relieved, I will teach you for now."
"That's not what I'm worried about..."

"When the mother is not present, it is common for the father to partic.i.p.ate as a subst.i.tute. Of course, since the rest of the family will partic.i.p.ate... This time there will be three people."
"Well, is that so? Is that normal? When you say three people, Tsubaki, Kachua, and me... What kind of combination is that."

While holding such a thought in my head, the door is knocked and Media comes in.
She is supposed to be escorting Tsubaki, so probably this has to do with tonight's event.

"Your Excellency, congratulations for today! Please enjoy this last night."
"Hey, Media, is it okay for a male parent to stay with her daughter? Is that normal?"

I'm probably feeling shaken.
Why you ask, normally things such as common sense are unrelated to Media, still I decided to cross-examine with her.

"Huh? Oh, It's alright. The night before the wedding ceremony is considered a family party. There's nothing to complain or be suspicious about."
"Is it really alright? I wouldn't want to be scolded bay Bea later on..."

"There's nothing to worry about. Even servants and maids partic.i.p.ate in the eve of the wedding. Of course only women. With the exception of His Excellency who is the only male that can partic.i.p.ate."

Is that so, doesn't this sounds like a nightmare-like thing where the female servants and members from the family gather together!3
If that's the case Bea won't get angry... probably.

"I even prepared new night clothes for tonight. Ah, I'm looking forward to it."

Saying so while laughing, Media starts discussing tonight's schedule with Suu.
It seems she have planned to some extent beforehand, and she exited the room after a few minutes.
While listening to the conversation, it seems that it is an event where you spend the last night as single at home at home while eating sweets.
There must be people who do the same thing in j.a.pan, but it is not at customs level.

"Master, is there something on your mind?"
"I was just thinking that the customs of this world are interesting. There are still things I don't know about."

Drinking the new tea that Suu just prepared, I breathe out.
But i felt that I was forgetting something.
Suu seems to be the same, she's making a difficult face.

""...Ah!""

We raised their voices at exactly the same time, ran to the door and opened it wildly.

"Someone get that fool, Media! Tell that fool that he cannot partic.i.p.ate in tonight's event!"
"Someone, retrieve Lord Media's night clothes! Hurry up!"4

A few minutes later, Media who was bitten by a dragon, was brought back to the office.

"Y-Your Excellency. I... understood... Therefore... to be... handled in a dragon's... mouth... it's unreasonable... unless it's lord Albert"

Media managed to say that much while being covered in her own blood and twitching.

For now I apply her healing magic... Unless discretion is taught from this time, some deceased will comes out... I'm sorry Media5
 

1. Albert says this with an injured face (for obvious reasons) so it becomes distorted, but I don't know how to write distorted speaking so you can use your imagination :p
2. "Kyoton" seems to bee an sfx indicating surprise it's amusing that the first images that appear after googling "キョトン" are surprised cats
3. For my social abilities this certainly sounds like a nightmare event as a male.
4. I swear this joke doesn't get old. Even if it isn't that good it doesn't get worse either. Though I fell just a bit bad for Media.
5. now I definitely pity Media.