Chapter 29

It seems the lady is having trouble selling her perfume.

"Perfume is just hard to get people to pick up and try..."

Leopold sighed deeply, and Yūri responded with a casual "Oh, really?" Meanwhile, Rerei and Tiphanya wore expressions that seemed to say, "What can you do?"

Today, Leopold had come to visit and kidnapped Yūri, and they were having tea in the courtyard of the hideout. ...Actually, Yūri had been kidnapped in the middle of discussing the lunch menu, so it was definitely a kidnapping.

Leopold's reasoning at the time was, "I can't have Yūri cooking for us every day! You should let them take a break once in a while!" Upon reflection, Yūri had been in charge of cooking ever since coming to the hideout. While Yūri was happy about it, it was true that he hadn't had a break.

...There was a time when Arlie tried to give Yūri a break, but Yūri had looked up with big, teary eyes and asked, "Am I in the way?" So they let him continue helping. For a gentle man, having his beloved housework taken away was apparently as painful as a child having their game taken away.

"Perfume is already intimidating, and Leone's prices are so high..."

"Rerei, they're not unreasonably expensive. Mine are made with carefully selected materials and a meticulously chosen scent."

"I know, but it's just out of reach for beginners..."

"That's why I also sell small bottles that you can't find in regular stores."

Rerei smiled in a troubled way, and Leopold pouted slightly.

In fact, Leopold's perfumes are known for their quality. While the prices are reasonable compared to the cost, they are undeniably high-quality. Many people in the capital, Drachen, are devoted users, and some even come to buy custom blends. Despite his skill, Leopold is humble and deserves praise as a craftsman.

However, due to his "unbeatable lady" nature, only those who can handle him come to him.

In general, ordinary people don't use much perfume. They don't really know how to use it. Some fashionable people do, but most ordinary people don't. And the adventurers here certainly don't care about smells.

Leopold often complains about this. He says his perfumes can be used to mask body odor and that certain scents can repel specific monsters. Despite his arguments about the many uses, no one nods in agreement due to the price and usability.

Leopold, as usual, was complaining. Tiphanya was trying to calm him down. Rerei was drinking tea with a troubled smile. Watching the three women, Yūri muttered:

"Why not use an aromapendant?"

"…What?"

The three women looked at Yūri with wide eyes, and he repeated, "Aromapendant."

An aromapendant is an accessory that allows you to enjoy the scent of perfume. It has a metal container as a pendant top, and you place a cloth soaked in perfume inside. The container is sealed to keep the cloth from falling out and the perfume from leaking, but it has holes to let the scent out. The structure isn't that complicated, and some are even handmade these days.

Yūri had never used one, but he remembered his female family members buying them, improving them, and enjoying various perfumes. Yūri, on the other hand, liked regular aromatherapy candles. He enjoyed the candlelight in a dark room. Just a side note.

"Yūri, what is that?"

"It's a pendant with a metal container where you place a cloth soaked in perfume. A few drops will last for a while."

"I'm going to the craftsman's workshop right now!"

"Huh?"

Leopold grabbed Yūri's arm and pulled him up. Despite his delicate and beautiful appearance, Leopold is a man and can easily lift the small, slender Yūri. ...Actually, as a former adventurer, carrying such a lightweight person would be easy for him.

"Leone, calm down, calm down!"

"Leone, Yūri is surprised. At least explain before moving."

Leopold came to his senses and apologized with his usual smile, then sat Yūri down. His face was back to normal.

"Yūri, have you used an aromapendant before?"

"No, but I've seen them used."

"Do you understand the structure?"

"It's not particularly complicated. As long as you can make a pendant top that can hold a cloth soaked in perfume, that's it."

"I see."

Leopold smiled brightly. Rerei and Tiphanya thought, "Oh, he's going to kidnap Yūri again." Yūri didn't realize it. Poor Yūri, the apprentices who were working hard to make lunch for him might not get the chance to show their efforts. ...Actually, Camille was in charge of today's meal, but they were all working hard to repay Yūri's usual kindness. The possibility that their efforts would be in vain was truly pitiful.

However, if asked if they could stop the enthusiastic Leopold, the answer would be no.

"Could you explain that to the craftsman?"

"…What?"

"Come on, Yūri!"

"Wait, Leone…???"

Before Yūri could protest, he was dragged away by Leopold. He followed obediently, not resisting. Rerei and Tiphanya waved goodbye, knowing they couldn't stop the determined Leopold.

Thus, Yūri was kidnapped by Leopold. Their destination was a jeweler who Leopold often works with. Most of the jewelry Leopold wears is one-of-a-kind. For a particular lady, jewelry that doesn't match her taste is unacceptable.

"Ah, so you're saying to make a container at the end of the pendant?"

"Exactly."

The jeweler's name is Bright. He's a young, up-and-coming craftsman. Born to a family of metalworkers, he has been making small items since childhood. He is more of an artist, making unique pieces in addition to mass-produced items. He and Leopold share a mutual appreciation for their uncompromising standards.

Leopold doesn't mind that Bright is a lady. ...Actually, he sees him as a colleague who brings in work, not as a lady. This is common among craftsmen.

"Then, it's a tube, right?"

"It doesn't have to be a tube. It could be something that opens..."

"Opens?"

"Um..."

Yūri tried to explain his idea with gestures. Essentially, it's like a rocket pendant. Besides a tube with a lid, it could be heart-shaped with an opening lid to insert the cloth. This would allow for various designs.

Bright was excited about the new accessory. Leopold was hopeful that this would make his perfumes more useful. They decided to test the product in Leopold's store. The perfume inside is crucial. The aromapendant is not just a decoration but an item to enjoy the scent of perfume.

After Yūri explained, Bright and Leopold enthusiastically discussed the design. What materials to use, what designs would be practical. Yūri was left out of the conversation.

Bored, Yūri decided to clean. He asked Bright, who half-heartedly agreed. So, Yūri took out his cleaning supplies and started cleaning the workshop. For a gentle man, cleaning is a joy, a hobby.

When Bright and Leopold took a break:

"…Hey, was my workshop this clean?"

"…Yūri, I told you to take a break. Why are you cleaning?"

"Because Bright said it was okay."

"Did you say that?"

"No, I don't remember."

"I did."

Leopold, who saw Yūri as a workaholic, was at a loss. But Yūri loves housework, not just work. For him, housework is a form of play, a hobby.

Later, they continued discussing the aromapendant prototypes over tea. Leopold and Bright did most of the talking, occasionally asking Yūri for his opinion. ...Yūri was a bit confused about why they were so excited but didn't say anything.

A few days later, Leopold brought the prototype to the hideout and gave Yūri one.

Poor Yūri, the four apprentices who had worked hard to make lunch for him ended up eating it themselves. Yūri, meanwhile, had lunch with Leopold and Bright at "The Dappled Sunlight Pavilion."

Thank you for reading. Your comments and feedback are welcome.