A mid-level (middle-aged) office worker's laid-back industrial revolution in another world - Chapter 154

Translator: Jasper Kadowaki | Editor: NovelMultiverse

“Now, I guess we’re finished talking about the rings,” said Layla, turning to Alice.

“Alice. Takeo-sama. Congratulations on your betrothal,” said Layla. 

“Sister Layla – thank you,” said Alice, tearing up a little bit.

“Thank you, Layla,” said Takeo, in a calm, natural tone.

“Alice is really getting married… Takeo-sama – Thank you. As her older sister, I was quite worried about whether she’d find someone to marry,” said Alice.

“Sister Layla, what do you mean by that?” said Alice, glaring at Layla in protest. 

“What? Alice… You’re more interested in fighting than the average girl, and you’re not getting any younger,” said Layla, with an exasperated tone in her voice.

“I heard a similar sentiment from people around town, Layla-san,” said Takeo.

“Oh? Is that so?” she asked.

“Yes. When we went to the furniture store, the shopkeeper bowed deeply to me and said, ‘The whole town was worried about her,’ and he thanked me. 

“The people of this town are very interesting, indeed,” said King Azupal, and the three guests laughed softly. 

“Uh, Takeo-sama – I don’t think you needed to mention that…” said Alice.

Alice glared at Takeo in protest. 

“Well, it’s reality, Lady Alice,” said Takeo.

“Yes… That’s true, but…” said Alice, unsure of what to do.

“Takeo-san, thank you for proposing to Alice,” said Layla, bowing slightly to Takeo. 

“No, no. Lady Alice is wasted on me, and I’m truly grateful, as well,” said Takeo, “May I speak frankly?”

“Yes, what is it?” asked Layla.

“I didn’t propose to Lady Alice.”

“Really?” asked Layla.

“I wasn’t the one who ushered her into my life,” said Takeo, “It was her who asked me.”

“Ohh,” said King Azupal, nodding in admiration.

“Takeo-sama?! You’re telling that story, again?!” asked Alice, in surprise.

“Oh? Lady Alice, do you have a problem with that? Weren’t you more interested in me than a random person you didn’t know?” asked Takeo.

“Uh… Yes, but…” said Alice.

“Yes, yes. I’ll have you tell me all about it, later. Right now, I understand that I will have to work hard to not become disliked by you, Lady Alice,” said Takeo.

“Does that mean you follow anything Alice tells you to do?” asked Layla.

“That’s not quite it. It’s just that I have a skill of seeing a different scene from everyone else, despite us all gazing at the same things,” said Takeo.

I’m sure we’ll laugh together, at times, eat good food, and even have some fights. We were brought up completely differently, after all. New ways of thinking will make us happy while clashing opinions will lead to fights and discomfort. I’m sure this is just what marriage is, regardless of whether the married couple is a commoner couple or an aristocratic couple,” said Cain, with a serious expression.

Everyone nodded in agreement. 

“All right, a perfect score,” said Layla, slightly bowing, “Takeo-san, I want you to take care of Alice for all of eternity.”

“All right, I understand,” said Takeo.[Read this novel and other amazing translated novels from the original source at the “Novel Multiverse dot com” website @ novelmultiverse.com]

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“Well, we’ve finished talking about the proposal,” said Layla, “Takeo-sama, can you tell us more about where you’re from? As Alice’s older sister, I want to know more about your character.”

Takeo looked over at Grandpa Elvis and made sure he got a nod from the head of the house. He did.

“All right. Well, I think this would be a good time for a short break,” said Takeo, “I will bring some stuff over.” With that Takeo, left the parlor.

————————

The people in the parlor were Grandpa Elvis, Alice, Smith, King Azupal, William, and Layla. There were six people.

Frederick came in to pour more tea. 

“Your Highness – Thank you very much for the ring you have bestowed upon Smith.”

“No, no. It wasn’t even a ring that was in our records, and so we didn’t know that something of ours was in someone else’s possession in the first place. In this case, it was Alice who found the ring, and it would be dangerous if a bandit got a hold of it and used it. And so, it will always be a possession of the Elvis house, from now on. And who better to hold the ring than the Smith, the heir to the household.”

“Your Highness – Thank you,” said Smith.

“Hmm, yes. Just as William said a moment ago, it’s not good to put too much weight on a ring. I’ll be satisfied if you work hard to fulfill the duties of the head of the Elvis household.”

“Yes, sir,” said Smith.

“I was quite impressed with how well Takeo-san spoke. He talked of seeing the same view, and laughing together, and fighting sometimes… He’s quite the charmer.”

“Oh? Did you think so, too, William? I was thinking the same thing. Right… Alice?”

“…Sister Layla, the way you say that… What are you trying to ask me?”

“If you’ve been betrothed, did Takeo formally propose to you?”

“Yes, he did, and so?”

“What did he say??”

“…Would you like to know?”

“Yes, I’m very interested. He was saying such romantic things just now… I want to know!” said Layla, her face glimmering. 

“Ah… I’ll tell you, since I know it would be pointless to protest. He said, ‘Alice Henry Elvis-san. I have no riches or political power. I can’t say that I would let you do whatever you want, however much you want. That’s how I am, but I want to see many sights with you, and eat with you, and laugh with you, and even fight with you sometimes. I want to grow old with you… I feel that you’re the only one with who I can build contentment with for the rest of my life. Would you please go out with me, with the intention of getting married?’”

Alice’s face reddened, slightly as she spoke.

Layla laughed softly and said, “Father, William, did you hear?”

“Hmm, yes.”

“Yup.”

“How wonderful!” said Layla, grinning, then laughing softly again. “He made a humble appeal for himself, and then said that she was the only one with who he could grow contentment with… It’s good stuff. Really good stuff.”

“Yes, it’s very good.”

The three guests all grinned.

“When the marriage ceremony comes around, we’ll have to send something,” said King Azupal.

“Your Majesty, the rings are quite enough,” said Grandpa Elvis. He was sweating nervously. 

Then, there was a knock at the parlor door, and Takeo and Frederick came into the room.[Read this novel and other amazing translated novels from the original source at the “Novel Multiverse dot com” website @ novelmultiverse.com]