Chapter 156 - Episode 151: Collecting Books and the Siblings' Reunion
In late April, Noein visited Retovik, the territory of Viscount Koenitz.
He brought Matilda as his attendant and guard, Henrik as the carriage driver, and several soldiers along with his retainer Pence as guards surrounding the carriage; furthermore, his wife Clara accompanied him this time.
"Baronet Arqvist-sama, and your lady wife, welcome. It is a great honor for our trading company that you have visited us as a couple."
"Thank you for the polite welcome. I apologize for the long absence, Benedict-san."
"Nice to meet you, I am Clara Arqvist. Thank you for always taking care of my husband."
The first place they visited upon arriving in Retovik was the main office of the Miles Trading Company, a large firm with whom they had deep ties. Since Noein had fewer opportunities to visit in person recently, the company president, Benedict, welcomed the distinguished guests with particular courtesy.
They were guided to a reception room and served tea with a costly fragrance poured into expensive-looking ceramic cups.
"So... what brings you here today, Excellency?"
Benedict had been informed by the advance notice that Noein would be visiting with his wife, but he had not heard the specific purpose of the visit.
The fact that he maintained an air of tension and vigilance while asking with a humble posture was likely because Noein had made several troublesome requests in the past.
"Yes, actually... I am thinking of starting a collection of books."
"Books, you say?"
"Yes. And so, I was hoping to borrow the strength of the Miles Trading Company."
Benedict's expression became slightly deflated.
If it were simply a matter of taking an order for books and searching for them, it would not be difficult unless they were exceptionally rare.
Books, which were once treasures owned only by royalty and nobility, had dropped significantly in value after the method of making paper from plants was established about 200 years ago, and the technology of movable type printing was established about 100 years ago.
Even so, they remained luxury items, and since only about ten percent of the kingdom's citizens could read, they could hardly be called common; however, a certain number were now produced to meet the demands of nobles, the wealthy, government offices, and High Schools.
Compared to Noein's past requests, such as transporting crops from a distant foreign land alive with the soil intact, ordering books was a job no more than a light errand.
"If that is the case, our company would be delighted to be of service to Your Excellency. Our connections extend to the royal capital, so I believe we can collect most things."
"That's good to hear, thank you. I am building a small school in my territory, and both my wife and I love scholarship and stories, so this is truly a great help."
Seeing Benedict agree so readily, Noein expressed his thanks with a smile, and Clara, sitting beside him, also smiled happily.
"Well then, as for the specific list of books I want..."
Saying so, Noein handed Benedict a piece of paper listing the books.
Written there were the names of about twenty books, including basic texts on the kingdom's history and geography, and storybooks of famous myths. Most were titles that even Benedict knew.
"I see... these are all things that are produced in reasonable quantities, so I believe they can be procured without taking much time."
"Thank you. Once I have purchased the books listed here, I would like to order the next set."
"Ah, there are others?"
"Yes, I would like to request about twenty books each time, for a total of around two hundred books. For now."
Noein, an omnivorous reader, and Clara, a lover of history, had decided to seriously engage in collecting books as a shared hobby. Their goal was to eventually create a large library—one intended for actual use, unlike the study of the Kivileft family which existed only for show.
Initially, the two had consulted Philip, the purveyor, but he had advised them that for specialized items like books, it would be better to request them directly from the Miles Trading Company, which possessed a wide distribution network, so the couple had visited Benedict together.
"For the time being, I will ask in order from the famous ones to the rare ones, so the later orders might take more effort to procure. After I have bought all of those, I want to collect various things regardless of the field if they are uncollected books... Benedict-san? Are you alright?"
Seeing Benedict with sweat on his forehead, Noein called out in a worried tone.
"Ha, m-my apologies... it's just, I realized you are seeking somewhat more books than I had imagined... as expected of Arqvist-sama."
Perhaps thinking it was a more daunting job than initially expected, Benedict answered while his complexion remained poor.
"Ah, I apologize if I surprised you. I by no means want you to rush the procurement; rather, I hope you can collect them little by little during periods when the Miles Trading Company is not busy. Regarding the collection of books, both my wife and I intend to make it a lifelong hobby, working on it over the course of years."
Once Noein explained to that extent, Benedict's complexion improved slightly.
"I see, so that is how it is... In that case, I shall approach this with the mindset of continuing it until I hand it over to the next president of the company."
"Yes, I look forward to your help."
For Noein and Clara, they gained a pleasure to pursue throughout their lives, and the collected books would become a great asset for their children and grandchildren.
On the other hand, the Miles Trading Company could maintain a connection with the influential Arqvist family for a long time—if things went well, for the next several decades.
Having formed a deal with many advantages for both parties, Noein and Benedict exchanged a smile and a handshake.
.....
Having finished the transaction with the Miles Trading Company, Noein and Clara faced today's other major engagement. A visit to the house of Viscount Koenitz.
Since they had contacted them in advance, they were let through the gates immediately, and the carriage stopped in front of the Viscount's mansion.
When the carriage stopped and the door was opened, Clara jumped out in a slight hurry.
"Big Brother! It's been a long time!"
"Clara! Have you been well?"
The person Clara rushed to first was her older brother—Frederick, the heir of the Koenitz family. He, too, let his expression soften upon seeing his cute youngest sister running toward him innocently.
Noein, who stepped out of the carriage after Clara, let a smile slip while watching his wife rejoice at the reunion with her brother. He became a little envious of her for having siblings who could rejoice in meeting after a long time. That said, he had no desire to foster siblingly love with that Julian now.
Arnold and Eleonore, who had come out to the entrance of the mansion to welcome them along with Frederick, also watched the interaction between the eldest son and youngest daughter with a smile.
"Was the last time we met nearly five years ago? Back then you were still so childish, clinging to me with 'Big Brother, Big Brother,' but you've become quite mature and beautiful."
"That is a story of the past; I am already the wife of a noble now."
Clara replied somewhat sulkily to Frederick's tone, which treated her entirely like a child.
"Hahaha, that's true... Thank you for bringing Clara today, Noein-dono. It's been a while."
"I am happy to see you again, Frederick-san."
Noein also exchanged greetings with Frederick, his comrade-in-arms. Seeing him interact so closely with his wife made Noein feel strongly once again that Frederick was his brother-in-law.
"Even so, seeing you arrive in the same carriage like this, it really sinks in that Noein-dono is Clara's husband."
"Ahaha... I look forward to your continued kindness, Brother-in-law."
Apparently, Frederick had been thinking the exact same thing from the opposite position. Being called "Brother-in-law" by Noein, he laughed a bit bashfully.
"Right, there is someone I must introduce to you two... Renette."
"Yes, Frederick-sama."
When Frederick called out, an unfamiliar woman who had been standing with Arnold and Eleonore stepped forward to his side.
"She is Renette Mutzenrek... soon to be Renette Koenitz. She is my fiancée."
"Arqvist-sama, and Clara-sama, it is a pleasure to meet you for the first time. I am Renette."
Renette gave a light bow. Her refined movements, combined with the urban atmosphere she exuded, made her look quite the part.
According to Frederick's introduction, she was the daughter of a Baron from the central part of the kingdom. The Baron had been Frederick's superior in the military, and they had become engaged through the superior introducing his daughter; she had apparently come along to marry in accordance with Frederick's retirement.
"The actual wedding will be in a few months due to the convenience of Renette's father... but eventually, she and I will succeed the house of Viscount Koenitz. Therefore, there should be many opportunities for the four of us to meet."
"My, my... congratulations. Renette-sama, I look forward to your kindness from now on."
"P-please look after me as well."
Noein responded by showing the noble's greeting, placing his right palm against his left chest. Clara also stood beside her husband and performed the lady's greeting, lightly pinching her skirt and bowing her head. Perhaps because she was nervous in front of the woman who would become her sister-in-law, her movements were awkward compared to Renette, who had performed the same greeting just before.
"...Big Brother is getting married too."
The expression on Clara's face as she said this was a bit lonely and a bit childish. It was completely that of a "younger sister sulking because her big brother is being taken away."
"Hey now, what are you saying when you were the one who married first? Besides, if you cling to me too much, won't Noein-dono become displeased?"
"Ahaha, please don't mind me. Now that I understand Clara is a spoiled youngest child, we should let her cling to Frederick-san as much as she likes for today."
"Big Brother! And you too!"
When Clara, teased by both her brother and husband simultaneously, protested with a red face, a small laugh broke out at her endearing reaction.
"Shall we head inside soon? We shouldn't stand and talk in front of the mansion for too long."
"We have prepared tea, so let us talk leisurely there."
As Arnold and Eleonore called out, the group moved into the mansion in a procession.
In the end, Clara spent the time clinging to her brother whom she hadn't seen in a long while, was teased mercilessly for it by both her brother and her husband Noein, and within that resulting harmonious atmosphere, Renette was also able to open up to some extent with the younger couple.