Published: August 3, 2025
I ordered tools from Johan to make waxed base paper, but it would still take a long time before the tools were ready.
And before the tools were even completed, Wilma’s illustrations for the next picture book were finished. The theme was spring, telling the story of the goddess of water Flutlene and her twelve retainer goddesses.
“Hey, Lutz. Since it’ll take some time for the tools, why don’t we start making the next picture book first?”
The printing plates Wilma made were created before the colored ink was ready, so she had worked on the illustrations using the same paper-cutting art style as before, designed with black and white in mind. So this time, we wanted to print in black and white.
If we print black and white using the plates, we won’t have to wait for the tools. Since it’s just spring and the paper production has just started, we have only a small amount of paper, but we could buy more from the Plant Paper Workshop that Benno runs.
“I really want to use the printing machine though...”
“You’ve been told no by the high priest, haven’t you? Forget it and just make the plates by cutting cardboard.”
Lutz immediately rejected the idea, so I gave up and decided to cut out cardboard plates. It was a shame since we already had metal movable types and a simple printing machine ready.
“Trying to secretly use the printing machine you were told not to use isn’t the way. There are things we need to do first. You should tell Wilma as soon as possible that the colored ink is ready and ask her to draw illustrations that utilize the ink for the next picture book. You have to think about the printing method and what kind of pictures you want to have.”
“That’s true. Since Dirck needs care, I haven’t had much time to talk with Wilma properly. I’ll go to the orphanage this afternoon and talk with her.”
Lutz and I chatted like this as we walked along. While walking down the street, I suddenly noticed a mother carrying a child on her back.
“Oh, Lutz. Could you do this for me? Put the stones in like this, close the lid, and glue it with animal glue?”
“…Sure, but what is it?”
Lutz tilted his head as he looked at the wood I handed him. There were two hollowed-out wooden pieces carved and polished by my father, and a bag of small stones washed and ready to be put inside. Putting the stones in and sealing with glue would make a simple rattle. There were two of the same kind.
“It’s a toy for babies. For Kamil and Dirck. When you shake it after gluing, it makes a sound.”
“Ah, there’s something similar, though the shape is different.”
“Actually, I want to paint it, but since babies put things in their mouths, I’m hesitant to put ink on it…”
I want to paint the rattle with red ink because babies of this age can’t see bright colors otherwise, but I hesitate to put ink on something they’ll put in their mouths.
If the ink is made from edible ingredients, it should be safe, but then I worry about bacteria growing in the ink.
“It’s not something they’ll use for long, right? Why not use ink made from safe materials for putting in the mouth? We don’t have another use for the colored ink we made at the Ink Workshop anyway.”
“Then, Lutz, can you do that?”
“Yeah, I’ll bring it this afternoon.”
I handed Lutz the materials and parted at the workshop. Then I headed to my room.
“Good morning, Myne-sama.”
Rosina was waiting, holding Fischpiel. I smiled wryly at Rosina’s eagerness and asked Delia to help me change clothes.
“Delia, may I change?”
“Yes.”
Reluctantly letting go of Dirck, Delia hurried to help me change. She quickly dressed me in the blue shrine maiden outfit and tied the sash, then immediately returned to Dirck.
“Dirck, sorry to keep you waiting.”
Delia spoke to Dirck with a radiant smile I’d never seen before. She was completely smitten with him.
…That cute smile? I’ve never seen it before.
Delia’s naturally beautiful smile made me catch my breath. It was a soft, affectionate smile that even made me a bit jealous of Dirck.