Striving For The Luxury Liner – Vol 9 Chapter 26

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Chapter 26 – The Marquis’ Inspection and Shopping

The day after the Knight Commander’s inspection, a messenger from the Marquis arrived to inform him of the Marquis’ visit. He also wanted to stay overnight, accompanied by his wife.

A total of 30 people. I know it’s not much since it’s the Marquis’ stay, but it’s too much for the Lutto. I decided to accept the offer on the condition that they provide their own ship.

I feel it would be too easy, even if it were just a visit. I have a feeling it’s because of the souvenirs, but if it goes well, it’s good.

“Camille-san, the Marquis is coming the day after tomorrow, so please make arrangements for him. Since he wants to stay overnight, we want him to enjoy the Castle to the fullest.”

“I understand. In which room would you prefer him to stay?”

“Well, it would make a better impression if he stayed in my room, wouldn’t it?”

“Yes, and it will be the highlight of the Castle when it opens to the public. It would also make a bad impression if they found out later and thought they were shown to a room of lower rank.”

Nobles seem to have a lot of pride. I think they would be convinced if we told them it was the mage’s room, but there’s no need to go to the trouble of giving them the wrong impression.

“I understand. Please show the Marquis to the Royal Loft Suite. Let’s make a good impression and get him to talk to the Crown Prince.”

“I understand. Should the attendants have a good room as well? I will have to ask the Girasole to move to another room.”

“No problem. We’ve had enough of that room, and it’s luxurious enough for us, even if it’s a little lower in rank.”

“Thank you, Alessia-san. Camille-san, since this is the case, I would like to ask you to extend the best hospitality to all our guests.”

“I understand.”

This is the closest big city to Cagliari. If we advertise here, we won’t have any trouble getting customers. Now I’ll get the date with the God of Gastronomy-sama and an ear wax without any complaints.

After the detailed meeting, the merchant group took Ilma-san and Carla-san to Lucca to look for the orphanage’s staff. They work so hard. I wonder if they are overworked or something?

“Master, what about us?”

“Hmm, Alessia-san, you ordered most of the decorations for the orphanage, didn’t you?”

“Yes, I ordered something bright and cheerful, something that won’t scare the children.”

Yes, I know you didn’t mean to offend me, but I feel like I’m being accused.

“How about some accessories? I’d like to decorate with flowers, maybe a vase. Or maybe a flower bed in the garden?”

If we made a flower bed and flowers bloomed, it would make this rough space better, wouldn’t it? Is there anything else?

“Wataru-san. I’ll donate my many stuffed animals to the orphanage, okay?”

“Are you sure, Claretta-san? You took good care of them, didn’t you?”

“I don’t mind. If there are lots of stuffed animals, it will be easier for the orphans to spend their time. Besides, it will be more fun for me because I can take them back.

Well, did the same stuffed animals come out in the crane game? Well, if there are lots of stuffed animals, the fancy atmosphere might break the gloomy mood. I’ll take her word for it.

“Thank you, Claretta-san. That’s why I was wondering if you could go into town and find me some small things, like stuffed animals, that children might enjoy.

If I didn’t do as much as possible, it would be embarrassing if the children came in and started crying.

“All right. I just need to buy something cute or interesting, right? I’ll take care of it.”

I gave them a gold coin and asked them to collect anything that looked good. The women happily went shopping.

“Why don’t you go with them, Felicia? I’m not leaving the ship, you know?”

“There may be a guest. It’s hard for Master to deal with them alone, isn’t it?”

There’s no problem because I’m staying here. Well, that’s fine.

While I was relaxing and playing with Rimu, Felicia called out to me.

“Master, we have a visitor. What are you going to do?”

“Who are they?”

“It’s Saverio-san and his friends.”

“Yes, let’s just sneak back into the room and pretend we didn’t notice them. It would be awkward to meet them when Alessia-san is not here.”

“I guess so.”

It’s been about half an hour, and they haven’t left at all.

“Hey, Felicia. Do they know we’re here?”

“No, they’re looking at the gate, so I think they’re waiting for Alessia-san and the others to come back.”

Annoying. If they stay here, they will know I am inside when Alessia-san returns. I hope they’ll give up now.

About an hour later, they finally left. Since Alessia-san and the others are staying at her parents’ house, can’t they wait to see each other at night? How much longer will it take?

“Phew, they finally left, didn’t they? I thought they were staying until Alessia-san got home.”

“Yes, that’s right. It would have been easier if we had said we hadn’t seen them.”

Hmm, that’s a delicate point because I might get in trouble for saying something inconvenient. It’s best not to get involved.

“If I met him, it would be tiring, so I’ll consider this a good thing.”

“I suppose that’s true.”

The merchant group returned, and the rest of the women returned before dark.

Since the slaves are dealing with children, they are being carefully screened, but they will be able to gather some of them if they last a few more days.

However, they are having trouble choosing the guards for the orphanage. Many of them are big and scary adventurers, and they are afraid to let them work with children. I tell them that since they are the guards, as long as they have good personalities and skills, it would be better if they were tough and scary.

Alessia-san and the others came back with a lot of luggage. They came with all the tools for a flower bed and vegetable garden, which would be good for education.

I also asked Camille-san for two more slaves who knew how to farm. If we have livestock, we can keep them at the orphanage. It looks more and more like a fortress, but I’m sure it’s just my imagination.

We all had dinner together, and Girasole went back to her parent’s house. I didn’t say anything about Saverio-san, but I hope it is all right.

The Marquis will be here tomorrow, so I should send the merchant group to the Castle before the end of the day. If they stayed at the Castle, Girasole wouldn’t have to go home, right? If they don’t go home, Saverio-san will probably visit us again tomorrow. Would it be more convenient for them to go home?

………………

After breakfast, Girasole arrived, so I changed my clothes and waited outside for the Marquis to arrive.

“Oh, by the way, Wataru-san. I heard that Saverio visited the Lutto yesterday, but he said no one was there. Were you out?”

“Is that so? Oh, I guess I fell asleep after you all went out and didn’t notice.”

It should have been a perfect excuse, but Girasole looked at me doubtfully.

“Wataru-san, why are you lying?”

Alessia-san asked me when she saw that it was a complete lie. I wanted her to let it go, even if she was aware of it.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I pretended to be out because I didn’t want to get in trouble with Saverio-san when Alessia-san wasn’t around.”

“I see; well, Saverio’s attitude was not good, so it can’t be helped. I am sorry for causing you trouble.”

Was it good that I was honest? The problem is that it’s so easy for people to find out about my lies. I’m sure my intelligence should have increased as I leveled up, but doesn’t that have anything to do with lying?

“No, I just thought it would be a bit of a hassle to meet him, and I’m sorry.”

“Master, the Marquis is here.”

If he had come a little earlier, I wouldn’t have been questioned.

“Marquis-sama, madam, welcome.”

“Mm, I’m indebted to you today. My wife saw the change in the Knight Commander and insisted on coming. Please take good care of us.”

I see. Commander-sama has changed a lot. I guess from a woman’s point of view, she wanted to give it a try. Commander-sama also brought his wife. She must have asked him.

“I can only lead you there, but I’m sure the person in charge is preparing to entertain you as much as possible.”

“I see. I look forward to it.”

After greeting the guests, we returned to the Lutto and headed for the Castle, leading the ship as we had been instructed. I direct them to bring the ship in front of the ramp and wait for the Marquis to board the Castle.

He doesn’t seem to be boarding. He must be surprised. Let’s wait a little. After a few minutes, the Marquis and his party finally enter the ship from the ramp.

After guiding the Marquis party’s ship, I also went inside. When I entered, Camille-san, Mauro-san, and Donatella-san were sitting on the sofa in the lobby with the Marquis and the others, chatting with each other.

“Sorry to keep you waiting.”

“No problem. My wife saw Dumun’s transformation and wanted to get to the spa as soon as possible, so can I ask you to show her the way? Although I wouldn’t wait for it.”

“Oh, I’m glad to hear that, then?”

Ah, she came on this visit because she saw the change in Commander-sama. Well, I guess it’s good for publicity, no problem.

Donatella-san and Ilma-san go to the spa first with four ladies and five accompanying knights. Camille-san, Mauro-san, Alessia-san, and I are the ones leading the Marquis and the others, and the rest of the members go separately to be greeted by the mage.

We followed the same course that we had guided Commander-sama. As I thought when I guided Commander-sama, guiding a beautiful woman while showing off the ship and guiding a high-ranking person in a manner that is not disrespectful are, of course, very different in terms of enjoyment.

We walked around the ship, briefly experiencing some of the facilities. So far, the Marquis has shown interest in a bar, a liquor store, and a casino. Liquor and gambling… that’s an awkward combination.

Especially in the liquor store, the Marquis found the liquor he drank as a souvenir from Commander-sama and started trying to buy up all the liquor in the store. Mauro-san informed him that the ship’s rule is that each person can only take home five bottles of alcoholic beverages.

Good thing he remembered the purchase limit. I can’t believe he suddenly tried to buy them all. Nobles are scary. If there had been no purchase limit, the liquor aspect would have been less appealing, even though there is a bar. Good job, Mauro-san.

When asked which drinks were tasty, I explained on behalf of Camille-san.

“I only know about the types of alcohol, but it seems that the more expensive whiskey and brandy are here, the more valuable they are after being aged for a long time. That’s why they’re more expensive.”

I’ve never had them, so I can’t vouch for their taste. Since he is staying here tonight, I think it would be a good idea for him to enjoy a variety of alcohol before he buys it.

That was a bit pushy, wasn’t it? I forgot that Mauro-san was pretty sure about the alcohol. I should have left it up to him.

“I see. If I can only take home five bottles, I’d like to pick out the ones I like. Wataru-dono, will you join me for the evening?”

Depending on how it sounds, I think he said something obscene.

“I would like you to enjoy the drinks in your room as well, so after dinner, Mauro-san and I will show you around, if only for a little while. After that, I hope you can enjoy your drinks in your room so you can see how good this ship is.”

“It would be nice to have a relaxing drink in the room. I’m looking forward to it.”

He smiled and nodded, so it would be no problem.

We met up with the ladies who were at the spa. The Marquis and the Commander immediately praise their wives. I’ve never seen upper-class people praise women so naturally and without embarrassment. I want to learn from them.

With the women in a better mood, they look around the ship again. The women, who had been making a lot of noise as they looked at the cityscape inside the ship, suddenly became quiet. I look at them and see that they are looking at a jewelry store.

“Camille-san, I wonder if they sell jewelry there?”

The Marquis’ wife’s interest is astonishing. Girasole was also making a fuss but with a different level of enthusiasm.

“Yes, as you say, madam. Would you like to see it?”

“Yes, by all means.”

“Understood.”

We men followed without saying a word. As we enter the jewelry shop, many of the decorations seem to be ones I have never seen before, and I hear positive comments about this or that design or how delicate it is.

I look at the Marquis and the Commander. I feel a little sorry. Instead of apologizing, I thank them from the bottom of my heart. Thank you for your purchase.

“Fufu, the merchants usually bring us ornaments, but it’s fun to choose like this, isn’t it?”

“Yes, it is. I’m thrilled to see so many sophisticated items.”

The wives chat happily as they choose their favorites. The Marquis and the Commander pay for their purchases without saying a word. It shows the man’s degree.

The Marquis seemed to enjoy paying for his own purchases. He stopped a squire-like person from paying and paid himself, seemingly enjoying the unusual situation.

The Marquis’ wife also said that merchants usually come to the mansion, and maybe she enjoys going to the shops. Somehow, I felt that the opening of the Castle would be a success.

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