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And, well, there was a lot going on, but once normal Mina returned, our meal went on peacefully without incident.
""......""
There are honestly so many troublesome etiquette during a nobleman's meal.
I don't know about other families, but in the Dickaman family, we don't have to follow all of the etiquette from our everyday meals.
The Dicaman family is a family of magic potion research, and the stress is extraordinary if you skip a meal or if your research doesn't go well.
In such a situation, if everyone eats with rigid manners, everyone will go crazy.
However, since the Dicamanians are nobles, manners are important.
Therefore, the past head divides the many rules for meals into small parts, and they are to be followed at random at each meal.
However, it is possible to follow the rules without thinking too much about the order in which to put one's hand on the largest dish, etc., so this is done every time.
""......""
In this case, the two most important things are not to make any noise with the dishes and to eat in silence until the main course is finished.
Since the three of us have been eating together, Mina has somehow gotten used to it, and although there are noticeable rough edges, it's a move that would work as well for a noblewoman of the viscount's rank.
By the way, the meal is already at its end, and of course I, Maria and Mina will finish eating.
What else have you been doing today besides watching birds?"
"Studying and napping."
I see."
""......""
......Let's get Bosco to show her how to keep the conversation going without breaking off.
ーーーーー
"Oh, pretty ......!"
"I've got a great summoning magic! Touch it!"
"It's chewy, chewy!"
"Blowfish!"
Maria and Mina playing with the blowfish I summoned.
"......"
The conversation has not continued at all since then, and although Mina, sensing the awkward atmosphere, offered various topics of conversation, the conversation ended in an instant due to my skill.
In the end, I decided to change the atmosphere by summoning a blowfish, and I'm left with nothing more than watching the two of them and drinking tea.
"Ouch!"
"Eh, Mina, are you okay? " "What's wrong?!"
Mina, who was touching the blowfish, held her head and breathed hard.
'Oh, it's all right."
"Just a little headache. ......"
"Take your time, drink this."
The sudden headache, the cause is not certain, but the magic medicine of the abnormal condition treatment system should calm down a little.
Fugu-chan did it?"
"Hug?"
"If you do anything too strange, even the fugu-chan summoned by my brother will be processed and eaten."
"Guuuuuu......"
The blowfish is shaking its caudal fin as if to say that it is different from Maria, who is looking at it with suspicion.
'Ah, I've calmed down."
'"Huh?""
Huh?"
Oh, no,......, I'm glad things have calmed down."
"I'm sorry for worrying you ......."
The way she was suffering from the pain was not an act, though she seemed to have changed a little, as if she suspected it was an act.
As the head of the family, I have seen many people endure pain, and I can recognize human behavior related to pain at a glance, even acting and exaggeration.
"......"
"Khalil-sama?"
There is no doubt that Mina's headache is real, but there is one problem.
It is very difficult to cure or diagnose internal physical ailments in this world.
The only thing that can be explained is that the cause is probably something in the internal organs hereabouts.
Well, it is not impossible to cure, but the nature of the magic medicine is that if the medicine does not hit the affected area, it is not very effective.
The internal disease is not compatible with the magic medicine of the Dicaman family.
"Just to be safe, report to me if you have any headaches from now on,"
"If it lasts too long, we'll think of something to do about it.'
"Okay, I understand."
......I would not have thought this much if the person who complained of this headache had been someone other than Mina.
After gaining knowledge, I was able to look at the people around me and truly understand that it is very important to have someone you can trust.
I was close to people's lives, and I should have been sad to see how many people I had seen off and how many lives had been lost in front of my eyes because of Mina's case.
But when I saw the way Mina complained of a headache, I realized that I was used to life being lost.
I don't want to lose a one.
It was the first time I felt that way about human life.
"Um, what is it?"
Oops, I had unconsciously patted Mina's head.
Mina is flustered, as if her eyes are spinning, and she is at a loss for words.
""......""
For some reason, my hand doesn't leave Mina's.
'Kya......."
"Ggggghh."
I can't quit patting her head even though Maria and Fugu are looking at me, is this my own greed that I am not aware of?
I originally had a future of being called the jealous count, maybe my emotions are prone to grow, maybe I have some feelings for Mina. ......
Knock-knock.
"This is Bosco, Master Khalil.
I have something urgent to tell you."
"Wait a minute."
I finally let go of her hand and open the door to go out.
At that time, Bosco was standing behind the open door so that he could not be seen from inside the room out of consideration for Maria.
"What happened?"
The carriage of the Dukes of Vallesen is here.
"They're here?"
The Prime Minister has finally arrived.
Things are going to get busy from now on.
"Where is the Prime Minister now?"
"I expect he's being escorted into the guest room by the maid whom I personally instructed."
"Understood."
Bosco's purpose for not showing me to the Prime Minister was probably to talk a little bit about his future plans with me.
"All right, then, the Prime Minister will stay at one of our houses as planned.
I will have a private conversation with the Prime Minister from now on, but just in case, please prepare a meal for me."
"I understand."
"I will inform the people in the house to stay in their rooms as long as possible.
I'm counting on you."