After hearing about Tickle and Viscount Doll, I leave the common room and head to my room to take a break.

　As expected, Tickle won't be able to rest if I'm there all the time, either. In any case, the magic power will recover in a little while, so there's nothing to do until then.

　When I went up the stairs to take a nap and get dressed up for the occasion, Nord Dad came out of the living room.

'Hmm?　Al. What's going on with Viscount Dorr?

'I'm holed up in the common room and started writing a script for a puppet show. Probably won't want to leave the room for a while, so that's okay.

　I was about to go up the stairs when Nord's dad grabbed my arm.

"What's this about a puppet show script?

Well, that's exactly what you meant.　We're going to move the puppets around and put on a play.

''I have a feeling I'm going to have to share this one with you or it's going to get you in trouble. Come to the living room for a moment.

Yeah.

　They wouldn't even allow me to argue, and I was taken into the living room by Nord Dad.

　I was going to take a nap in my own bed now. Oh well. There's a soft couch in the living room, and you can take a nap there.

'Oh?　I thought you were going to check on Viscount Dorr?

　I walked back into the living room with Dad Nord and found Mom Erna sitting on the couch knitting.

　When I looked closely at them, I realized they were slippers. I see that she was making a pair of slippers that fit Viscount Doll's size. I feel like it's the first time in a long time that I've seen Mother Erna doing something homey.

The first thing that comes to mind is that Al has been doing something that's been bothering him.

No, I didn't do anything.

　I just put my foot in my mouth, and this time I didn't create it myself.

　Nevertheless, I get a jittery look from Dad Nord and Mother Erna.

'Al has done something again, hasn't he?

　Exhaling a sigh, Mother Erna interrupts her slipper making and moves to the table.

　A family petite meeting of sorts is inevitable, apparently.

　I felt a kind of silent pressure from the two of them, so I reluctantly get to the table as well.

'So, what in the world did you blow up that Viscount Doll would suddenly write out a script for a puppet show, Al?

'I don't like the idea of blowing it in. All I said was that if I moved the puppets around with a psychic and used wind magic to blow their voices into them, we could have a puppet-only play.

"Huh...

　When I explained the proper circumstances that I needed to excuse myself, Dad Nord and Mom Erna let out a sigh.

'Again, Al came up with something so outlandish...'

I hate how innovative and interesting it sounds, too.

Yeah, that's right. It would be interesting if the play was completed with only puppets. It would be interesting to see how they move in a way that human beings can't, and how cute they are, and I can't wait until Viscount Doll completes it.

See, you're blowing it in.

　I realize that I'm going to be prodded by Father Nord, and then I realize that I'm huffing and puffing.

　Surely this makes it look as if I'm blowing into Viscount Doll. What a mess. This is the result of taking Mother Erna's words to heart. She's still a horrible mother.

It's a practical plan that could be implemented with practice. With Viscount Dorr's enthusiasm and financial resources, I'm sure we'll be able to complete something.

No, no, you're overreacting.

　This is mainly a hobby of Viscount Doll's, and it's unclear if a puppet show would be acceptable in the first place. It's not like they're suddenly going to do it in a big theater like King's Landing, and it's not going to be the kind of thing Mother Erna fears.

'Al's idea of reversies and panels is a big revenue stream. There's a good chance that will happen again this time.

　No, it's true, but there's a difference between a toy and a puppet show.

　The air is somehow heavy in the living room as Father Nord and Mother Erna think about it.

'Anyway, can you let me know if you decide on any specific moves for the puppet show?　We don't even know if the puppet show or whatever it is yet, but we can't react in time if we move after things get too big.

Yeah, okay.

　I'll keep you apprised of any potential threat to your domain. That's a promise I made to Father Nord.

　But I don't think it will be that big of a deal, though.



　◆



Mr. Alfried, it's time for dinner.

　I'm awakened in my room by Saara's voice, which is thrown in with a knock.

　I was taking a nap in my room after having a petite meeting with Nord Dad and Erna Mom, but I seem to have slept a lot. The sun was setting outside and it was dark indoors.

　I don't know if I was woken up at the wrong time, though, but I'm a little sleepy.

　I'm sure she woke me up early because she's a serious Saara. Let's just sleep twice and clear our minds before getting off.

'All right. I'll be down in a minute.

But don't pull the covers back on while you're at it.

　I was about to go back to sleep for a second time when Saara came indoors and brutally stripped the covers off.

　'Hey when.

'I'm still sleepy, I just need to get some more...'

'No. We have a guest, Viscount Dorr, in attendance today, so we must be seated early.

　I say it in a sweet sounding voice, but it doesn't work at all for Sarra.

　So that's that. I'm not a pretty girl or a beautiful boy.

　Or rather, I don't think Viscount Doll would care about such things.

　It can't be helped if it's for the sake of your guests. I push down my strangely unrefreshing mood and crawl out of the futon because Nord Dad and Erna Mom get angry if I trumpet too much.

'Your face is terrible. Why don't you go wash your face?

You'll get the point, but you're just saying it badly.

　When you say it that way, it seems like you're being told you're naturally ugly.

　Nevertheless, I can imagine how awful I look right now because of my sleepiness.

'Take a towel,'

I'm sorry, sir.

　I ask him to do so, and Saara takes a towel out of the chest of drawers, as she's used to doing.

　Then I use water magic to make a small water ball float and stick my face in it, only to plunge my face into it.

　As the cold water covers my face, the drowsiness that seemed to be a haze just a moment ago is quickly dispelled.

　I wash my face lightly as I enjoy the coldness. Then, Saara, who caught my intentions as I held out only my right hand while putting on my face, handed me a towel.

　If I did the same thing to Meena the other day, I wouldn't have any cookies! And I don't know what that means. A maid who can do it is different.

　Thinking about that, I wiped my face with a towel and handed it to Saara. My bangs got a little wet, so I used wind magic to create a breeze and it dried up a little.

　Yeah, this is about as uncomfortable as it gets, and natural drying will be enough for the rest.

　I was about to walk out now that I was ready, when my foot stepped on something soft.

'Hmm?'

What's going on?

　When I lifted it out of curiosity, it was a frog doll made by Viscount Doll, Gekota.

'Ah, a doll made by Viscount Doll.

You can't leave too much stuff on the floor.

　That's true too. I'd be pissed if Viscount Doll saw the scene where I stepped on the doll or something.

　I try to put it back on the table so I don't have to step on it anymore, and then I remember.

　I remember what Father Nord said earlier in the living room.

　I'm not trying to sell this, but since my idea was adopted, I'll take it as a report.

　With that in mind, I put Gekota in my pocket.

Well, let's go.

　I leave the room with Sarla.

　As I walked down the stairs to the dining room, I heard Tickle's panicked voice coming from the common room.

'Da, sir!　It's about time we got ready to get ready, or we'll be keeping the Rowlettes waiting!

　Apparently, it's before dinner, but Viscount Doll doesn't seem to be coming out of the woodwork.

　Has he been preoccupied with writing a script?

Can I go check on him?

Yeah, you're in trouble.

　It wouldn't be good if something happened to Viscount Doll, our guest.

　Since I'm concerned about Viscount Dorr, I approach Tickle in front of the common room.

''What's wrong?''

Oh, I'm sorry to have disturbed you. Um, I know it's just before dinner, but Viscount Dorr hasn't come out of his room...

You're not gonna fall down, are you?

'That's all right. I've had a response.

　Just to be sure, I peeked through the doorway and saw Viscount Doll frantically working on a script.

''Oh, this feels like a concentrated effort,''

'Yes, I've been having trouble getting him to respond ever since I first approached him and he hasn't responded.

　Hmm, so what can I say now that I'm concentrating on that?

''Viscount Doll, it's rice!

　I try and knock and scream, but there is no response.

　This is no good. I'm lost in my imagination.

I can't open the door, but it's locked and I can't get in.

How about some of your favorite unlocking magic, Mr. Alfried?

'I'm just a psychic. But I don't know if you'll be able to convince me to go in.

You see, sir, he gets way too enthusiastic when it comes to dolls.

　Viscount Doll's enthusiasm and focus backfired on me. I wonder if this is also because I called it a puppet show. It's a good idea to have a good time with them.

We have to do something to attract the Viscount Doll's attention.

　The only thing that would attract Viscount Doll's attention would be a doll.

　I touched the Gekota in my own pocket and came up with a plan.