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Before the dwarf could leave, however, Redleaf calmly hopped off my body, chest upright and eyes scornfully looking at the blacksmith who barely reached up to her chest. “I was wondering who it was that was speaking -so it’s you, shortie.”

Acidic as always, I see…

“Hah, an old hag like you shouldn’t be acting so young either. You’re like what? A few centuries old?”

“Who are you calling a hag, Stubby!”

“And what’s wrong with short legs? Did they cause you to age?”

“There’s nothing wrong with being short, it just hurts my neck to have to look down so much.”

An arrow right to the heart, I could already see the dwarf turning visibly redder as she kept digging at his sore spot.

Maybe I should stop them soon… Yes, I should!

“Meister Belud, to what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?”

“Oh, Doris came to the lab not too long ago…” Belud started explaining without much thought, but the moment he spoke of the lab, he quickly stopped. He sneaked a glance towards the impatient elf at my side, then continued, “Doris said you won’t be coming in today, so I was a little worried, that’s all…”

“I wasn’t planning to interrupt…”

No, you weren’t! That was just a movie screening, how did this apocalyptic scene even happen?! It’s all Redleaf’s fault! Not the movie!

“I didn’t expect you two to be so passionate…” He paused awkwardly. “Forget I said anything. Since Lady Mo Na is fine, I will take my leave, there is still a mountain of work to be ironed out. And that old hag just rubs my beard the wrong way.”

Having said that, he just left without even looking at Redleaf.

“Stubby, who did you say was old?”

“A good dwarven man doesn’t fight with a woman!”

This time, he left for real.

“Hmph! Damned Stubby! How infuriating!” She griped under her breath. Yet while she might not be in the best of moods, I had to admit she still looked quite adorable while throwing a tantrum.

Finally, after cooling down somewhat, she ran over to give me a hug. “Nana, let’s continue watching that movie.”

“…”

My precious apartment can’t take much more, lady.

Thankfully, someone else came to the rescue -it was Doris and her anxious-looking master, Prince Sersan. Clearly, he was the first choice she had in mind when seeking help, though it was still too late…

Like the police who always arrived after the matter was resolved, Sersan entered to find a mess, but one that was mostly settled. Except for the matter of that movie. Because of that ongoing rivalry with his father, Prince Sersan rarely came to visit me. Thus, he rarely saw a movie as well. Now that he was here, this was as good a reason as any to watch it.

With these two so eagerly awaiting a screening, and after weighing the pros and cons myself, I decided to just screen the movie.

The choice was still the same as before: Seven Winters. But Redleaf had given me assurances that she wouldn’t go on a rampage this time, else I dared not screen this movie again.

As promised, the movie screening proceeded without a hitch. Even as the ending approached, she did not try to rend the holographic screen apart. Though she was noticeably glummer as a result.

With that out of the way, I quickly sent her packing before dinner time, after which I took some time to visit the lab. To my delight, progress was still on track, even without my supervision. Finally, it was back to my apartment for dinner.

By the time I was back, I found the room back to normal, despite Redleaf’s earlier rampage. Doris had taken this opportunity to call a few other maids to tidy up the place in my absence. Thanks to that, I was able to get a restful sleep.

The next morning… I was visited by Redleaf once more…

“Nana~~ I’ve come to watch another movie again…”

“…”

Give me liberty, or give me death… Actually, just give me death…

For three whole days afterwards, Redleaf came over to watch a movie. Each time, she would stay till dinner before leaving. Thanks to that, I could only visit the lab right before dinnertime. After a quick showing of face, I would head back to my apartment to rest.

This isn’t going to work, at all. Watching a movie with Redleaf is fun and all, but I have important work to do as well!

As a side note, during these three days of effective absence, Meister Belud would always pop by to visit me, and quarrel with Redleaf. Naturally, it was impossible for him not to notice the movie screening, so our little party grew larger. But that also meant he wasn’t actually working hard during these few days either.

Thanks to Redleaf’s disruption, my daily routine of visiting the lab for my magitek armor turned into a tiny gathering of quarrelsome movie-goers. Sigh… my apartment really can’t take more of this, and neither can I.

Finally, on the fifth day, ever-talkative Redleaf came to visit me. However, she did not ask to watch a movie. Instead, she posed a rather difficult question.

“Nana, what are you researching with Stubby?”

“…”

“Don’t take me for a fool. Even if I might not know what it is you are developing, I know you two are up to something.”

Still in the middle of munching on a delicious, freshly-baked slice of bread, I had no choice but to put it down. After a moment of silence, I said, “How much do you know?”

“Not much, but I would prefer to hear about this from you, Nana.”

“I’m sorry, but this is the kingdom’s secret.” I flatly refused her. “Unless His Majesty says so, I can’t divulge this information.”

After all, his treasury was sponsoring my little exosuit – I shouldn’t just leak his secret all wily nilly.

“Oh? So I just need to get Lil’ Seven’s approval? All right, I’ll go fetch him right away.” Having said that, she just got up and left.

Lil’ Seven? You mean Andassis the Seventh? I guess she can technically call him thanks to their age difference… she is a few centuries old…

Roughly half an hour later, Andasiss the Seventh came knocking with his bodyguard, Misseger and a smiling Redleaf. He, on the other hand, had a very stiff smile all the way.

Redleaf clearly held a special position in this kingdom, seeing how its king was basically at her beck and call.

Your Majesty, it seems like I brought you trouble anyway… oopsie…

Shameless Self-promotion

I hate this novel.

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