Happy 17th birthday, Orica. Orica, you haven't received any Osirushi from your mother, have you?　Now, I'm afraid it's unworthy of me, but as Marina has prepared it for you, I'd like you to accept it.

　The next day, after I'd successfully acquired a lot of lace, we held a birthday party for our lovely scribe maid, Orica.
　The party was in full swing, and when it came time to give her a present, Marina, somewhat pompously, began to make a speech.
　Orica listens in awe, as if it's a matter of course.
　Hmmm?　What is Osirsi? No, it's a handkerchief that Marika prepared for Orika, so of course it's .......
　Marina said that her 17th birthday is special: .......
　Deanna said she didn't know, but maybe the other kids know that ...... is no longer in the mood to hear about it now.
　It's starting to take on the appearance of a solemn ceremony.

Thank you Marina. Thank you, Marina, for your kind attention to .......

　Then Marina presents a neatly wrapped lace handkerchief to her.
　Orica receives it reverently.
　Hmm?　Something doesn't feel right.
　Orica's way of receiving ....... The gesture of holding the receiving handkerchief to your chest.
　I've seen it somewhere .......

Can I open it?
Of course, sir.
"--Wow. ......!　Amazing. Cute.
Do you like it? To tell the truth, it was the Lord who provided it for me. I am ashamed to say that we could not have prepared such a thing in Marina.

　Ah. You don't have to say I prepared it or anything.
　I don't care who bought it, so that's something I don't need to say. Should I have included it earlier?

　The handkerchief that Marina gave Orica is one of the most delicately woven handkerchiefs I've ever bought at a hooker's shop. I wondered if a more practical one would be better, but she said it should be as white and fine as possible, so I obliged.
　I received a solid silver coin from Marina for the price. Of course, it could have been free (free) - well, we can give this money to you again as an allowance in due course. The fact that I paid for it myself is probably more important than that, right?

'Duh, did your husband get it for you ......?'

　Or maybe it was unexpected, or maybe I'm a guy and it's funny that I prepared a handkerchief, but Orica can't hide my surprise.
　What is your reaction? I prepared it for you, and it was not good enough for you?　But even Orica knows I'm in the cloth business, even though I'm a maid in a mansion.

You can't get it for yourself, so you asked the Lord for it!　I hear there's something else from the Lord!　So the handkerchief was provided by Marina.　I have!

　And Marina denies it in a hurry.
　What is that reaction? Should I have made her say that she prepared it herself from the beginning, after all?
　Well, okay.


　◇◆◆◆◆◇.



　The story goes back a bit.
　On the day of Orica's birthday, the shop decided to leave early and throw a party for everyone.
　The venue for the party was Shero's house. I could have done it at my own house, but since Orica was almost always there, it didn't feel like a surprise to me, so I asked Rebecca to help me out. Thanks to that, we were able to prepare a variety of things.
　I've told Orica that she doesn't need to prepare dinner today, so she doesn't have to.
　The high road is "It's my birthday, but no one has come home ....... Poor little athete who is all alone ....... I'm going to go into town and congratulate myself......", but that wasn't a problem because Marina included a statement like "I'm going to buy you a gift and I'll be there".

　I thought it would be more fun if there were more people at the party, so I invited some of my friends from the village (Orica's mother couldn't come due to work), Etoi and Elepippi.
　Orica is new to them, but it would be nice if we could all get to know each other.

　After the party preparations were complete, I took Orica out of the house and invited her on a horse to Mr. Shero's house.
　It seems that she never imagined that a birthday party would be held for her, and Orica's expression changed from surprise and excitement to tears a bit, and finally she hugged Marina. It's a cute thing about a girl who can honestly express her emotions.

　The party was a standing-room-only affair with tables set outdoors.
　We cooked with ingredients we bought at Elishe, and I bought some from Japan. Drinks were juice and sake.
　I also bought some cheap whisky (4 liters for 3,000 yen) at a mass merchant for Mr. Shero.
　I don't know why fish is more expensive than meat in Elishe, so I always buy fish (in Japan) and serve it to him at the house. This time, I splurged on a five-kilo yellowtail. Even though I haggled over the price, it cost me 5,000 yen, though. But it's very tasty. Cold yellowtail.

　We ate and drank while chatting and laughing (we ate the yellowtail as sashimi, boiled or grilled. People here don't seem to have much resistance to sashimi, so they eat it well. No, is it because Marina takes the initiative to eat it well?　(Even though I look like a westerner, it's a different world, so I can't help but say it in the image of Earth), it felt like giving a gift at the right time, and somehow, in a stern way, Marina presented Orica with a lace handkerchief.

　Now, I guess it's my turn.

It's a good idea to accept a gift from me, too. It's really not much, but it's not much. Here they are. A dress and a new maid's uniform. I also put a lace handkerchief on it, although it's weird that I gave it to you. Well, it doesn't matter how many you have.

Yeah.
What?
Yeah?

　Orica and Marina and everyone else looks at each other like they're giggling.
　Yup?　What's the weirdest reaction you've gotten today?
　Maybe giving clothes as a gift wasn't such a good idea: ....... Some say that a man giving clothes to a woman is a bit of a s*xy situation. ...... But that wouldn't be a problem in the other world. ...... It's simply because Orica said she didn't have much in the way of personal clothing, so she chose clothing. It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for when you're in the market.
　Hmmm?

What's wrong?　If you wanted to, you could just replace it with something else--
No, no. I'm sorry, sir. I want it. I'll take it.
Really?　Then this one. I think I can probably handle the size.
'Yes, sir. Thank you. ...... received.

　Then, with a hint of a smile, she hugs her present from me to her chest like it's important.
　...... Oh, I see. I'm sure you've seen somewhere that when you gave Rebecca a handkerchief, and when you gave Etowah a handkerchief, you held the present to your chest the same way.
　I didn't think about it at all, but maybe it's like a rule in this world that you do that when you get a present.
　It's said that in America, when you get a present, you should tear the wrapping paper off and take out the gift and scream with joy on the spot, and the culture changes if you change places. Because it would be considered indecent if we did that in Japan, you know.

　But I'm glad to see that they were properly pleased. I don't know why she was so shocked.

So, I heard that Diana has something up her sleeve: ----　Why are you looking at me like that, Marina?

　Marina takes her fingers in her mouth and looks at me with a jittery look. I don't know why, but Elepippi is also staring at me, too.
　Beside her, Rebecca and Etois are grinning at me, fluttering the handkerchief I gave them (or should I say Etois is grinning?). Deanna doesn't understand or she's very upset.
　What is this situation?

It's not fair. It's not fair. I know you are not allowed to say this, but I have to say it. It is unfair. It is completely unexpected. If I were to say it in the Lord's way, I would say, 'How did it happen?
...... Good luck, seniors!

Oh. I'm sorry Jiro. When I saw Orica getting a handkerchief, she made a horrible face, so I ended up bragging to her that Etowah and I got one too. I'm sorry for tricking you, but I just couldn't resist.
'I would have taken it seriously if Miss Squire hadn't told me!　This is the kind of thing that feels right. After all, the subtleties of human relationships are something that cannot be derived by calculation!

　All right. I have no idea.
　What's going on, guys? Tell me what's going on. ......

"...... I don't understand, but don't worry, we've all got handkerchiefs to go with them originally. Marina didn't just get left out.
Mamma, Mamma, you're giving it to Marina?
Oh, yeah.

　What is this world? Handkerchiefs are so popular.

Here you go.

　I gave Marina, Deanna, and Elepippi each a neatly wrapped handkerchief. The wrapping paper was not used by my mother, but I failed to see that it was stored in a closet for future generations.

　Elepippi hugged it to her chest and said, "Yes, I received it. I have received it. Yes, I have received your heart! I received it with exaggerated joy and held it in my ample bosom.

　I'm watching it with a blank expression of over-tolerance.
　Come on ......, someone explain to me quickly ....... What's up with the handkerchief ....... Well, I don't know if I'll be able to make it in time!

　I can hear Orica's friends talking.
'Awesome. Orica's husband is a playboy." "How many people did you just give it to and how many received it? I got everything but the Elf! You're right, you're quite pretty and you look rich! It's a good idea," she said. It's a good idea," he said. I'd like to be hired, too, but I think there's still hope!

............

　I'm hearing a few NG-like words in the air: .......
　Playboy, handed or received, or .......

'...... Rebecca, is it time to tell me what you're talking about?　Because a handkerchief was some kind of sign?

'Huh, this one. The princess didn't know it, but when a man gives a handkerchief to a woman, it means 'I give you this love' ...... or, to put it more bluntly, 'Be my woman'. I've asked for and received a handkerchief, so I guess I'm a no-brainer.

　Rebecca giggles and happily says something outrageous.
　Oh, oh, my goodness, what a ridiculous thing.

"So the woman receives it and holds it to her chest as a sign that she has received your love? In other words, it's okay.

　What a ridiculous thing to do!
　The kid over here is just a handkerchief and he's happy and cheap (heartwarming), but it wasn't a big deal!　

'So, but that's what Marina gave Orica a handkerchief, you mean (・・・・)?'

No. The reason for giving girls a handkerchief for their seventeenth birthday is because of the tradition of giving them a handkerchief to use as a 'token of love' when they meet that person. It's usually given by the parents. ...... I've heard that Marina didn't receive a handkerchief as a gift, so she really wanted to give it to her maid. When you are given a handkerchief, you hold it to your chest and transfer your own heart to it, and use it ...... when you find someone you like one day. It's a custom started by the aristocracy in the beginning. Isn't it romantic?

'Nah, I see. ......'


　Let's put it all together!

　A girl gets a handkerchief for her 17th birthday from her parents or someone close to it!
　Handkerchiefs are used as courtship items. Women do something like ...... that makes sense of courtship by deliberately dropping it so that their intended partner picks it up, and then having them pick it up.
　So apparently unmarried women over a certain age have an 'impractical handkerchief' for that!　Marina had been looking for it to give it to Orica.
　Now, that 'impractical handkerchief', apparently it's usually embroidered by herself!
　And on the other hand, if a man gives you a handkerchief, this too is an act of courtship!

　Well, in short, it's like chocolate on Valentine's Day.
　It's said that it's customary for women to always accept when they receive it, and if it's OK, they should hug their handkerchiefs to their chest, and if they refuse (as an in-law), they should just accept it.

　Wow!　I gave it away without a hint of discretion!
　It sounds like Rebecca explained to Etowah that I'm giving it to her without knowing about those customs: ......
　Hmmm ....... Marina is quite impressed and happy, and I don't need to point to the water.
　It doesn't even matter if you give it to more than one person in such a public place, and that's probably just a Valentine's Day chocolate.

　But it's not so much that I'm happy that everyone is OK with it, it's that I'm a bit of a sneaky bastard.
　Even if it's just for the sake of the employer!

　By the way, Deanna's gift to Orica was a book.
　I don't know what kind of content it is, but it's a popular one in the Empire.
　By the way, the books over here are usually handwritten.





　◇◆◆◆◇





　Marina is frolicking in the air, saying "I got a handkerchief, I got a handkerchief, I got a handkerchief," and Deanna, who asks what the handkerchief means and asks for a do-over, are all cackling.
　In a world where there isn't a lot of entertainment, a flurry of handkerchiefs must be a big event. For me, though, it's embarrassing because I'm in a stupid state of mind where I've courted every girl I know.

　With those girls in the background, I sat down next to a happy-looking Shero-san, drinking whiskey by hand.

'How do you like that drink? It's not an expensive one, though.
Oh, Jiro. It's a nice, if slightly sweet, brew. You sure you don't mind if I have some left over?
Please do. I don't drink whiskey. Mr. Shero is a great guy. ......
'Wahahaha, it's a strong drink. I'm going to take my time with this one.

　Slowly, ......, I'm already down to a liter or so. ......

'So, ...... you have something to talk about, right?
''Yes, I'm actually going to be doing ...... or rather, I'm going to be doing a knight squad, and I asked Rebecca to be the captain of the squad. Well, we haven't actually decided what we're going to do with the squad yet, and it's kind of a make-believe thing.

　Since I'm asking Rebecca-san to help me, I need to inform her father, Shero-san, of what's going on.
　Well, I've already had a lot of help from them, but there are some dangerous events like fighting a demon beast in the knightly corps, and there may be an expedition as well. ...... I'm not going to be able to say that I'm not going to be able to do that.

...... That's right. Jirou knows ...... that Rebecca is my daughter, doesn't she?
'Oh, yes. I found out about it through Mr. Hetty.
'That bounce, huh? Well, that's fine, Rebecca could handle anything, even being a captain. Rebecca has always seen what Isaac does, you know.

　'Isaac is the cheetah-like leader of the mercenary group that Mr. Shero and Rebecca were in.

'Rebecca has been blocked up ever since Isaac died. We could have disbanded the group and gone with the remaining members to another mercenary group, but mercenary family business is tough. I'm a man whose only skill is fighting, so I was going to continue as a mercenary. ...... ...... As expected, I couldn't choose to take Rebecca in that condition, much less leave her behind. ...... So I came to Elishe, where I had contacts--

　Maybe it's because of the booze in the air, but it's rare for Mr. Shero to talk about these things.
　It's usually a more cheerful drink.
　What is the matter with you today that you suddenly start talking like this?

'I haven't been able to get my smile back since I came to Elishe. I even told him not to go all the way to this place to live with us, to rent a room in Elishe and find a job in town, but I didn't ask him to spend the rest of his life here slaying monsters. ......

　I see. Rebecca didn't seem to have a regular job, which made me think she was a housewife, but she had that kind of situation.

'So that's what it was. When I first met her, I had the impression that she was a very cheerful person, so I had no idea.

...... Giraud.

Yes?

　Mr. Shero drinks the rest of the whiskey in one gulp, then turns to me and confronts me.
　Mr. Shero is always cheerful and upbeat, but now he looks very serious.

　And Mr. Shero bows his head quietly.

'Thank you ....... I can't thank you enough for how much I appreciate you. Rebecca has really brightened up since you arrived. It's hard to believe that there was a time when Isaac died and she was talking about becoming a nun herself, etc.

　There was a time for that: ....... You're a heavy hearted person, aren't you, Rebecca?

Jiro. You're a man of unknown identity, but you're also a man of kindness, strength and luck. Above all, Rebecca likes you. Besides, you gave her a ...... handkerchief, didn't you?

　I gave the handkerchief to him without knowing it: .......
　It's an indescribable situation that his father knows about it: .......
　And, moreover, I gave it to a number of girls afterwards.

'So, Jiro. I'm going to ask you to do a favor for Rebecca. I'm sure that if you're going to be a knight in shining armor, Rebecca will be useful. She has some knowledge of military tactics and knows how to run a fighting group. And although I'm a parent, I'm not badly built either. You can understand the parental love that it's too intolerable to let her spend her life as a hunter and demon hunter in the countryside, right?

　Does this mean ......, or does it mean you should be a wife ......?
　You're talking about marriage out of the blue to a DT and that's one step too far!