Published: August 3, 2025
It was around the third day after Kamil was born that I finally started sleeping soundly, no longer noticing his nighttime nursing. After finishing all the birthday celebrations at home and in the neighborhood, the family gradually returned to their daily routines. From today, I was to return to the temple.
I went to the Gilberta Trading Company with Darmel and Fran, who had come to pick me up. As a thank-you for the celebration, I had to tell Benno how adorable Kamil was. I also had to discuss printing matters with him.
“Honestly, he’s just been born, so tiny, and when he cries, his face turns red and all scrunched up—it’s so cute. I never imagined my little brother could be this adorable.”
I told Benno the same things I had been talking about nonstop with Lutz, Fran, and Darmel on the way. Benno pressed his temple with a very annoyed look.
“Enough. I’m tired of hearing Otto boast about his kids. Get on with the printing talk.”
“Huh? Has Corinna’s baby been born? I hadn’t heard anything!”
When I widened my eyes in surprise, Benno frowned.
“You didn’t mention it? It was while you were holed up in the temple. Otto was so noisy about it, I thought your father might have let it slip, or that you’d heard it from Lutz or Leon…”
As he said this, Benno glanced at Lutz, who shrugged apologetically.
“Leon told me it’s proper for the master to announce these things, so I deliberately didn’t say anything myself.”
“Well, it’s true I should’ve told you myself. I have met Myne since the birth… but there was no time to talk about such things.”
Benno’s gaze grew distant as he recalled the times of the metal movable type completion and the blue robe priests' inspection summons. Looking back, it was indeed a chaotic period with no chance for such heartwarming topics.
“The child was born at the end of winter. Her name is Renate, the heir to the Gilberta Trading Company. I’m counting on you from now on.”
Compared to how my father was loudly announcing the news everywhere, Benno’s introduction was so matter-of-fact that I tilted my head.
“Benno-san doesn’t seem very excited, despite finally having the long-awaited heir…”
“Yeah, Otto’s making up for both of us. That fool’s probably going to spoil her rotten. If I don’t give her a strict upbringing, the Gilberta Trading Company will go under.”
A bitter smile escaped Benno’s lips. Though he said he needed to be strict, I could easily imagine him saying sweet things.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“No, it’s just that, despite everything, Benno-san is pretty soft.”
“Huh?”
He gave me a sharp glare with his reddish-brown eyes, but I shrugged.
“If you leave her education to Corinna, she’ll be fine. Smiling warmly, gently and sweetly, and still managing to secure profits—the perfect heir.”
Corinna’s calm, gentle atmosphere is deceptive. Looking back, I often realized later that I’d spilled precious information without noticing. Benno would point it out or hint to me when I was oversharing, but Corinna never did. As a merchant, Benno is actually the softer one. Probably because when he tried to raise me as a merchant apprentice, his guardian instincts stuck around, making his treatment of me gentler.
“I’m the one who raised that Corinna.”
“…Then the Gilberta Trading Company is safe for now.”
Benno nodded firmly at my words.
“So, what’s this printing matter you mentioned?”
“The high priest stopped us from doing letterpress printing for a while. If we push forward, the conflicting vested interests will become nobles. We don’t stand a chance.”
“…Nobles as vested interests? Better to run away then.”
Even someone like Benno who likes to pick fights with vested interests didn’t intend to pick a fight with nobles. I felt a little relieved as I relayed what the high priest had said.
“Specifically, we were told we cannot make densely packed books for adults. They said it wouldn’t cause conflict if we made children’s books, so for the next few years, I want to devote myself to making picture books for children.”