New chapter of Control Engineer is out! (2/2 chapters)

 

 

Can This Truly Be Called a Good Ending?

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

After the iron carriage carrying Adele-san receded into the distance, I turned on my heel.

Soon enough, Adele-san too would probably marry. I could not help but envy her future partner. Then again, if she chose to pursue her life as an actress, perhaps that would not come to pass so easily.

I began walking toward the boarding house.

Eh?

A splendid-looking hired carriage passed swiftly by my side. What startled me was not the luxury of its exterior but rather the presence I felt emanating from within. Breaking into a light jog, I followed after it. Sure enough, the carriage came to a halt directly before my boarding house.

Ah.

I recognized the woman who stepped down. As she turned to assist someone in alighting, I raised my hand in greeting. Upon seeing me, she stepped aside courteously.

“Why, Leon. It has been a while, has it not?” (Henrietta)

“Yes, Kaa-sama.” (Leon)

I took her hand and assisted her descent from the carriage.

Just then, the bells of the cathedral tolled. Two o’clock.

“Is this the place?” (Henrietta)

She must have meant whether this was my boarding house.

“Yes.” (Leon)

“I see. You shall wait here for a moment.” (Mother)

“Yes, Vice President.” (??)

The woman accompanying her saw her off with a graceful bow.

Without using the bell, Kaa-sama opened the door and stepped inside.

“Leah-san.” (Leon)

The maid in uniform turned in the corridor, and upon seeing us, seemed to grasp the situation immediately.

“Please wait just a moment.” (Leah)

Her tone was far more refined than when I had first met her, and with that, she disappeared toward the back.

“Leah-san?” (Henrietta)

“Yes. She is the maid who often assists me with various matters.” (Leon)

“I see.” (Henrietta)

She returned promptly.

“Madam says she would be delighted to meet you. Please, this way.” (Leah)

“Let us go.” (Henrietta)

We passed down the corridor and were shown into the sitting room at the back.

Oh. The lady of the house rose to greet us.

“My, my. Welcome.” (Therese)

“This is my mother.” (Leon)

She nodded happily.

“Madam Therese, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. Thank you for taking such good care of my son.” (Henrietta)

“Not at all. I am delighted to have such a courteous young man under my roof, clearly raised under your refined tutelage. Please, do sit.” (Therese)

No sooner had we sat than Leah-san brought out tea.

Hmm?

“Pardon me, but did you already know that my mother would be coming at this hour?” (Leon)

That was far too efficient.

“Yes. We received a letter from your mother beforehand, and this morning, her attendant visited to inform us that she would arrive at two o’clock.” (Therese)

Why was I not informed of this? What if I had gone out? No, Madam Therese was not the sort to overlook such things. Which meant I turned a reproachful gaze toward Mother, seated beside me. She remained utterly unshaken.

“That is right. I wished to see how you conduct yourself in your everyday life, Leon. Thus, I asked them not to tell you.” (Henrietta)

Ugh.

Completely unconcerned, she turned away and opened the handbag she rarely carried, retrieving something from within.

“As a token of goodwill.” (Henrietta)

Mother extended a paper box to the Madam.

“My, thank you so much. What might it be? May I open it?” (Therese)

“Of course.” (Mother)

The Madam carefully unwrapped it.

“My, a scarf. How lovely.” (Therese)

The Madam’s eyes shone brightly. It was a scarf adorned with fine patterns in warm hues.

“I am glad it pleases you. And you must be Leah-san?” (Henrietta)

“Ah, yes.” (Leah)

Called upon, she stiffened slightly.

“I am grateful to you for taking care of my son.” (Henrietta)

Mother rose and handed Leah-san a thin paper bag.

“Ah, thank you very much.” (Leah)

Her movements were awkward as she accepted it. It seemed she would not open it immediately. The conversation drifted to matters concerning the guild and idle topics, until after about five minutes, the discussion naturally subsided.

“Well then, I shall take a look at my son’s room.” (Henrietta)

Kaa-sama stood and made her way toward the entrance hall. We ascended the stairs.

“My room is on the third floor.” (Leon)

She paused to glance at the doors on the second floor.

When we reached my room, I unlocked the door and ushered her in.

“The layout is as follows, the lavatory and shower are to the right, the bedroom to the left, and the living room straight ahead.” (Leon)

“I see.” (Henrietta)

I led her into the living room.

“This is quite spacious for one person. Were you to rent it yourself, the price would be considerable.” (Henrietta)

“Indeed.” (Leon)

The Foundation covered the rent, so I did not know the exact amount.

“Tea, perhaps?” (Leon)

“There is no need. I just had some downstairs.” (Henrietta)

She declined in a tone that carried little emotion, then stepped toward the center of the room, glancing about.

“It is well lit.” (Henrietta)

*Sniff, sniff*

Her nose twitched faintly. I had aired the room after my meal, so there should be no unpleasant odor.

Then, she walked toward the sink.

“My, you even have a magical stove. I had assumed you never used it, but you keep it quite clean.” (Henrietta)

“Ah, yes.” (Leon)

Adele-san had tidied up and cleaned thoroughly before she left. She truly was meticulous and orderly, and her cooking delicious besides. I was grateful for her companionship.

“What is that grin for?” (Henrietta)

“Oh, nothing.” (Leon)

“Is that so?” (Henrietta)

Eh, Kaa-sama?

She exited the living room and proceeded down the corridor into the bedroom.

“Hm. This room too is tidy. Not bad at all.” (Henrietta)

As she spoke, she opened the closet.

Oh no.

“Well, well. Leon, who never used to tidy that other room of his, has become rather organized.” (Henrietta)

Ugh.

“This manner of hanging clothes, who taught you?” (Henrietta)

“Eh?” (Leon)

“You would not have thought of this yourself. That maid, perhaps?” (Henrietta)

“Ah, yes.” (Leon)

Kaa-sama’s intuition was far too keen. Thankfully, she did not seem to suspect Adele-san. Quietly, she closed the closet.

“Good. Do maintain it in this condition.” (Henrietta)

“Yes. The living room and such are cleaned twice a week by Leah-san.” (Leon)

“I see.” (Henrietta)

Perhaps she had come merely to inspect the state of my room. Meaning, whether I was home or not hardly mattered to her, and that was why she had not informed me beforehand.

Just as I thought she would leave the bedroom, she abruptly approached the desk.

“What is this?” (Henrietta)

“Ah.” (Leon)

In her hand was the crystal pen.

“It is a pen.” (Leon)

“A pen?” (Henrietta)

She examined it closely, moved toward the window, and held it up to the light. Then, she dipped its tip into the inkwell and began writing upon a sheaf of paper.

“What a beautiful pen. Not only beautiful, but fully functional as a writing instrument. Who gave this to you? Duncan-san?” (Henrietta)

“Eh, no.” (Leon)

“You are not one to be particular about stationery. Moreover, since this is crafted from magic crystal, it must be rather expensive. Therefore, you could not have purchased it yourself. Then, surely someone gave it to you?” (Henrietta)

Ah, so logical. However…

“No. I made it myself.” (Leon)

Kaa-sama’s shoulders fell.

“I see. Let us speak of this over there.” (Henrietta)

“Y-yes.” (Leon)

In the living room, she seated herself upon the sofa. I took the seat opposite.

“Leon, are you studying properly?” (Henrietta)

“Eh, well, somewhat.” (Leon)

“Truly? You hunted a magic beast and used it to craft this pen, did you not?” (Henrietta)

“Yes. However, since I am indebted to Duncan-ojisan, I thought it would make a fine gift for his daughter’s enrollment ceremony. This one is merely a practice piece.” (Leon)

“No excuses.” (Henrietta)

“Y-yes.” (Leon)

“You are already independent, so I would rather not nag, but if you grow idle so soon after enrollment, you will fall behind quickly. Do you understand?” (Henrietta)

“Ugh.” (Leon)

Well, the hunting had been at her urging to establish a financial base early on, but no, if I said that aloud, she would scold me again for making excuses.

“Yes.” (Leon)

“Good. I return this to you. See that you remain diligent. Now then, how is life in the royal capital? Have you grown accustomed to it?” (Henrietta)

“More or less. Everyone has been kind.” (Leon)

“That is good to hear. You mentioned Duncan-san’s daughter. Are you close to her?” (Henrietta)

“Ah, not particularly. I see her occasionally, together with Yohan.” (Leon)

“I see. Having observed how you interacted with Eiru-san back in Emilia, I cannot help but feel a little concerned.” (Henrietta)

“Eh? She has nothing to do with this.” (Leon)

Eh, why that condescending look?

“By the way, is she well?” (Leon)

I had quite forgotten about her, but hearing her name made me feel a bit nostalgic.

“Well…” (Henrietta)

“Well?” (Leon)

“I do not know. I have not seen her recently.” (Henrietta)

Eh? Were they not rather friendly before?

“More importantly, I am to visit Duncan-san’s home this evening.” (Henrietta)

“Ah.” (Leon)

“You should come as well, yes, arrive by five o’clock.” (Henrietta)

“Eh? Ah, yes.” (Leon)

“Then, I shall go to the branch office now.” (Henrietta)

Kaa-sama stood briskly and walked toward the corridor. I followed her to the entrance to see her off.

Ah, what a surprise that was. She had appeared like a passing rain shower and vanished just as quickly. Had Adele-san returned but fifteen minutes later, she and Kaa-sama would have crossed paths. Not that there was anything improper between us, yet it would surely have been troublesome.

Oh.

When I turned, Leah-san was there.

“What a beautiful mother you have.” (Leah)

“Thank you.” (Leon)

“She resembles you greatly, strikingly so. And she seems a kind person.” (Leah)

“A kind person, you think so?” (Leon)

“She gave a maid a silk handkerchief. She must be kind.” (Leah)

She looked quite pleased, completely caught in Kaa-sama’s merchant tactics.

Well, to me, she is strict but also gentle, and I love her for that. Whether she is a good person, though, I am less certain. She is capable and admirable, at least.

“I have no mother, so I envy you.” (Leah)

“Eh?” (Leon)

“Ah, the clouds have gathered, it is getting cold. Let us go back inside.” (Leah)

“Ah, yes.” (Leon)

 

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