"..."
I kept wondering if this Duke might actually be one of those doting parents I had heard of in my past life. However, The Duke interrupted those thoughts.
"... Right... Dear, did you have something you wanted to tell me? Is there something you need?"
Oh! Nice!
I nodded while slowly freeing my hand, making a gesture to ask for something to write on.
He smirked bitterly after getting the message behind the gesture and went to his desk to bring me paper, ink and a quill.
"Here, sweetie."
He placed the paper on the table, a little anxious.
I leaned over to write my reason for coming here. Although... I hesitated a bit when I was about to lay the tip of the quill on the paper...
'How... do I call him?... Duke? Your Grace? Father?........ Oh! Whatever! I don't know!'
I wrote what I felt was better. I have a goal to achieve here!
Finishing the message, I lightly slid the sheet of paper in his direction so he could read it.
[Father,
Thank you for your warm welcome. I came to make a request, if it is not much to ask.]
He read it and stayed silent for a moment, staring blankly at the paper.
"Do tell me, Dear. I will grant your every wish." After a while, he finally came out with such words.
'... it's not that big of a deal though... My every wish...'
I leaned over again to write what I wanted, a bit doubtful about his eagerness.
[I would like to order a customized object]
"A customized object?" — He asked, raising his brow in surprise.
"Is it jewellery?" — He whispered, rubbing his chin. To what I shook my head in negative.
Once again, I began to write with more detail.
[What I want is a kind of book. But it should have a special design to fulfil its purpose.]
"...I see..."
I had barely finished writing, but the Duke was already answering. He had already read it while peeking over my shoulder.
"Then, write down how you want it to be. I will ask for it to be done as soon as possible."
I nodded and wrote down the details.
When I completed the list and made sure I didn't forget anything, I handed the paper to him. The Duke went over the list with a serious face and tapped his chin with his index finger. As he was about to finish, he lifted the end of his brow, showing great interest. Then, he turned his head to me with an amazed expression.
"... How did you come up with such a functional artefact?"
'Hehe~... it's simple but it IS functional.'
It's not something that existed in this period of time in my previous life, but since I've seen the future technological advances, my "imagination" for useful objects might seem innovative to these people.
"Impressive..."
"..."
'Yes! Praise me more! You must know how awesome I am now, huh? Pa~pa~' — I chuckled joking about our supposed parent-child relationship.
"Marianne."
With a more strict kind of tone, he called me out, suddenly.
'Huh? Why so serious now...?'
"This could be something we can make business with."
'Oh! Don't scare me like that! I know that much already~... but I should tell him not to...'
Luckily there was another sheet of paper, so I wrote down my thoughts there. He didn't see me doing so, since he was absorbed in the description I handed to him.
Once I finished, I tapped his arm to show him what I wrote.
[I know what you mean. But do not venture into making a business out of it. As you said, it is functional, but not many people will want it because it's used while standing up or seated in the absence of a desk or table. Taking that into account, only people like secretaries or people who look over inventory would be the ones to buy it. So, the customers would be few and limited. Which is not worth the investment.]
He read silently, taking in my suggestion.
"Hmm... you are right, I guess since I was too impressed, I failed to think further."
He turned to look at me, so I just stared back at him.
"You're quite smart... I'm blessed to have such a clever daughter." — He puffed while grinning and straightening up as if he was bragging.
"I will ask a good manufacturer to make it as soon as possible."
I took back the paper and wrote once again.
[Thank you. Father.]
"Ah... yes, Dear."
Somehow, he looks dejected. I sensed I shouldn't leave yet, so I didn't move and let my eyes go through the room again. This time, I noticed he had what looked like framed pictures in a corner of his desk. Hmm... wonder of who they were...
"Marianne..."
My gaze came back to him. As I met his eyes, he lowered them and slowly held my hands in his.
"I... I am very happy you came today."
"..."
"I would like it very much... if you visited again in the very near future... and often, if possible..."
'Ah...'
"..."
'...he's acting cute... hohoh~'
Since he was averting his face, I squeezed his hands, and once he turned back, I nodded in acceptance of his wish.
'We should get along, Duke.'
I could see his pupils shaking with emotion. He shut his eyelids and while holding back a trembling voice, he added.
"I will look forward to your visit, sweetie."
"..."
'...Uh... No... you know... You should visit me too, you know?...'