Since then, I worked on the third gemstone, the emerald.
　Like diamonds and sapphires, emeralds can be made beautiful by adding a lot of work to them.
　After the impregnation process, the emeralds are cut.
　By doing so, the emerald is changed from green to a jade green. A gemstone of gentle and serene beauty, perfect for a tart.

And now, the final gemstone. I took out the alexandrite I had prepared for Mom.
　A mesmerizing gemstone with two faces: a bluish green glow in the sunlight and a calming red when illuminated by a candle or light.
　All the natural ones don't change color or are dull in color, and even if they look bright, they are usually either before or after the discoloration.
　The color of alexandrite, which changes exactly and is beautiful in both colors, is a tremendously valuable and rare commodity. They are rarely even on the market.
　But I can process it to make the green and red distinct, and make it beautiful before and after the change.

"This one is a piece of magic, though.

Science can't do anything about it. If you want to do it right, you need a ridiculously large and precise machine to do it with science.
　Therefore, this time I relied on witchcraft to play with the composition itself.
　I chose this stone because of the stone language of alexandrite: peace and passion. I thought it would be perfect for my mom, who always smiled quietly, but in time, had a strong core.
　Quickly reconfiguring the composition through magic and completing it.

'Now the gemstone processing is done.
'Yeah, I'd like to see more of that.'
I'm curious about the part where they turn it into a necklace and a ring.
'When you see it, you won't be surprised when you get your present. We'll see where it goes from here when it's finished.

I kicked them both out, for no apparent reason.
　This is where the real work begins.
　The best gems are just raw materials.
　It's up to the design to make the most of it or kill it.
　It is fortunate that I've seen so much top-notch jewelry in my past life and here, that it is appalling.
　Let's take a look at them as a model and create something worthy of them with our refined sense of touch.

◇

It's been a full day since I made the necklace and rings.
　Dia and Tart have been fidgety since this morning.
　They've been anxious about the ring I made.
　I finished the ring yesterday, but I didn't dare to give it to them.
　I've already decided on the day I'm going to give it to her.
　Just as we were finishing dinner, we talked about it.

I've got a present for you, Mom. You still haven't given her a proper pregnancy gift.

Then he takes out a necklace.
　An alexandrite necklace.
　A green gemstone with a blue tint, which only turns red when illuminated by a candelabra.
　Dad twitches his eyebrows. I'm surprised because I know the value of this.

'Well, it's a nice necklace but it's a very expensive one. I'm glad you feel that way, but it's painful to make Lug-chan feel overwhelmed.''
It's not so expensive.
That's a lie. I know how much it costs. Kian, how much is this necklace worth?

He thought I was lying to you, so he talked to my dad.
　Mom is indeed a tough nut to crack.

Hmm, beautiful silversmithing with mithril, exquisite and tasteful. It's a top-grade alexandrite. The other day I was invited to a tea party. Do you remember the Earl of Ringland's house where we were invited to a tea party the other day?
Yes, it's a very opulent, beautiful, spacious house.
It's worth it.

Mom's eyes widened as if she hadn't expected that much, as expected.

'I can't accept these things!　Return it immediately. That money should be used for yourself, little Lug!

I knew Mom would say that.
　So I thought of something to say in return.

"Don't worry. "Don't worry, I made it myself, so it doesn't cost as much as it looks. I couldn't afford to buy a top-notch product, so I worked on first-class jewels that cost only a hundredth of the price, and they're beautiful.

Even if it's not a specialty item, it's still a reasonable price, but not too much to ask for given my income.

'Really?'
Yeah, really. So take it. It's hard to get pushed back after all the work I've done for your mother.
'Ugh, that's not fair. When you say something like that, you just have to take it.

His mouth is smiling while he speaks with such hatred.

''Thank you. I'll take good care of it.''

Then he put the necklace on.
　It looked great on her. Now Mom won't have to be talked about behind her back in social circles anymore. Even if Mom doesn't mind, I don't want people to say bad things about her, which I love.
　........I won't talk about this, though, because I might be called a motherf*cker.
　I can hear Dia's voice in my ear.
　She's sending her voice flying with her magic power so that only I can hear her.

'That alexandrite was bigger, wasn't it?

Deere is right, I was able to buy something quite large and within my budget for something that was only first class, not special.
　The original size was a size larger than it is now.

'It was too big, so we cut it down. If it was too big, it would lose its quality. That one looks best on my mom.
'You're right, but it's amazing that you'd do it. If it were me, I'd hesitate to do it because it would be a waste.

Among the nobility, the belief that the bigger the gemstone, the better it is, is still mainstream.
　However, this trend was slowly changing.
　The progressive ones are beginning to abandon the belief that size is better and are beginning to look at design and total balance.
　And my mom is the type of person who believes in her own aesthetic sense, not common sense.
　That's why I've created what I believe is the most beautiful thing I've ever made.

'What do you think, does it look good on you?'

Mom looks at me, embarrassed.

'You look great, just like I thought you would.
'I'm glad. Hmph, let me know what you think too, Kian.
It's beautiful. I'm just a little jealous.

Dad gave me an unusually bitter look.
　Seeing Mom's puzzled expression, Dad continued.

First of all, Esri, who hadn't accepted any jewelry other than her wedding ring after I had urged her to do so many times, received the necklace so easily.
Oh, my God. I'm sorry. I couldn't turn down a necklace made by Lug. It's not that I don't love Kian. And by first, does that mean there's something else?
'Hmm. Lugues give Esri gifts from time to time, but I've never received one. I'm feeling a bit lonely.

If you ask me.
　Sometimes I give Mom a gift because she rather wants this or that.
　The last time she wanted chocolate again, so I arranged it, and before that she wanted to eat deer food, so I hunted and got some.
　But Dad never mentioned any of that stuff, and I don't remember giving him anything either.

"Dad, I'm... I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I got something for you.

I hold out the knife I keep in my breast pocket.
　I carry several knives with me, the dagger type that I throw on the spur of the moment, the cryptic type that I plant in my shoes or hem for immediate surprise, and the three types of self-defense gear that I carry with me at all times.

The dagger type is disposable and can easily be created by magic, while the darker type is more concerned with how well it can be hidden than its performance.
　In that respect, the self-defense equipment that you carry around with you at all times is made from magically created items that have been further processed to provide sufficient performance.
　Because it's something you wear all the time and use as both a weapon and a tool, we did our best to use the best technology we could without making any compromises.

I'm sure this one will suit my father's glasses as well.
　Dad chuckles and takes the knife.

As a result of the pursuit of performance alone, it is too rugged to be handled by a nobleman without any decoration. But if you're my father, you'll understand its value.

Hmmm, that's a great gift. Thank you, Lug. I'm sorry to have prompted you.
'No, I was thinking that I should repay my dad someday.

It's true.
　I wouldn't be where I am today without the lessons my father taught me.
　It is the greatest fortune in my life that I was born in Tauahade, or rather in my mother and father.

Then I will accept it without reservation. I'll find you a gift to repay you.

He said that, but from the nuances of what he'd just said, it was something he'd prepared in advance.
　He was looking for the right moment to give it to me, and he thinks that this gives him an excuse to do so.

'Hmmm, I'm happy to have the best son I could ever have.
'Yes. Really, Lug has grown up to be a good kid.

My parents smile, pour me a drink and toast me.
　I'm a little embarrassed.

'But there is one thing I have to say to Lug-chan. If you're going to give a gift like this, you should put Dear and Tart-chan ahead of me. Girls get jealous, even if they are their mothers.

He says it with his mouth and sticks his finger in my mouth.
　I'm afraid that at my mom's age, that gesture is going to suit her.

'Don't worry about it. I've thought it through. Dear and Tart I've got an engagement ring for Maha, who I told you about before.
Oh, my goodness, then you should get a present for her right away.
I know, I know. But as long as I'm engaged to the three of you, I want to give you a gift at the same time. So here's what we're going to do. Next week you can have Maher here. I'll give you an anniversary party at my place. And I want it to be known that I'm a nobleman, a rogue rogue Touahade, and I want it to be known that we're engaged.

A nobleman's engagement has a special meaning.
　Up until now, I've verbally told Dia, Tart, and Maha that we have such a relationship.
　Normally, that would be enough, but when you're a nobleman, you're obligated to make it known, and as long as you don't do that, it doesn't mean you're engaged.
　And once you make it known, there's no going back.
　If the engagement is cancelled, it will be a laughing matter.

'I'm good. As for the rest........

Mom looked at Dad.
　The Touahade patriarch's decision is absolute.
　If you go against it, you must leave Touahade.

An ordinary nobleman would never be engaged to Dia and the others.
　This is because there is no good political advantage to this marriage.
　Especially in the case of Touahade, he has the brand of a prestigious medical arts family, and now I have the title of holy knight and a track record of defeating the demon race. I can make as many connections with the higher nobles as I want, as long as I want.

All right. I'll arrange it that way. If the rogue has decided to do so, of his own volition, I have no objection to it.
Thank you, sir. Dad.
So, when are you going to get married?
'I'd like to graduate from the school and see how it goes from there for a year or so.

I will save the world by then.
　I said it with that resolve.
　And then we would join ourselves together.

Very well. ...Children grow up so fast, don't they? I never thought I'd see the rogue coming. When you decide on the date of Maha's arrival, you will inform him. It will take precedence over any other business.
I'm sorry, sir.

Now the house is clear.
　Come to think of it, Dia and Tart have been quiet since a while ago.
　Since it involves the two of them, I expected them to react in some way, but....

''Ugh, no, that's too sudden!''
Oh, my God, you're awful!

We both turned bright red and froze.
　I should have told them properly beforehand.

At any rate, we're having an engagement party.
　It should be a big one, while talking to the nobles that we have a relationship with, but my dad and mom, and Dia and the others don't like that kind of thing.
　So let's make it a fun party with just the family, but with a lot of heart.
　And then we'll give them the rings we've worked so hard to make.

Since then, I worked on the third gemstone, the emerald.
　Like diamonds and sapphires, emeralds can be made beautiful by adding a lot of work to them.
　After the impregnation process, the emeralds are cut.
　By doing so, the emerald is changed from green to a jade green. A gemstone of gentle and serene beauty, perfect for a tart.

And now, the final gemstone. I took out the alexandrite I had prepared for Mom.
　A mesmerizing gemstone with two faces: a bluish green glow in the sunlight and a calming red when illuminated by a candle or light.
　All the natural ones don't change color or are dull in color, and even if they look bright, they are usually either before or after the discoloration.
　The color of alexandrite, which changes exactly and is beautiful in both colors, is a tremendously valuable and rare commodity. They are rarely even on the market.
　But I can process it to make the green and red distinct, and make it beautiful before and after the change.

"This one is a piece of magic, though.

Science can't do anything about it. If you want to do it right, you need a ridiculously large and precise machine to do it with science.
　Therefore, this time I relied on witchcraft to play with the composition itself.
　I chose this stone because of the stone language of alexandrite: peace and passion. I thought it would be perfect for my mom, who always smiled quietly, but in time, had a strong core.
　Quickly reconfiguring the composition through magic and completing it.

'Now the gemstone processing is done.
'Yeah, I'd like to see more of that.'
I'm curious about the part where they turn it into a necklace and a ring.
'When you see it, you won't be surprised when you get your present. We'll see where it goes from here when it's finished.

I kicked them both out, for no apparent reason.
　This is where the real work begins.
　The best gems are just raw materials.
　It's up to the design to make the most of it or kill it.
　It is fortunate that I've seen so much top-notch jewelry in my past life and here, that it is appalling.
　Let's take a look at them as a model and create something worthy of them with our refined sense of touch.

◇

It's been a full day since I made the necklace and rings.
　Dia and Tart have been fidgety since this morning.
　They've been anxious about the ring I made.
　I finished the ring yesterday, but I didn't dare to give it to them.
　I've already decided on the day I'm going to give it to her.
　Just as we were finishing dinner, we talked about it.

I've got a present for you, Mom. You still haven't given her a proper pregnancy gift.

Then he takes out a necklace.
　An alexandrite necklace.
　A green gemstone with a blue tint, which only turns red when illuminated by a candelabra.
　Dad twitches his eyebrows. I'm surprised because I know the value of this.

'Well, it's a nice necklace but it's a very expensive one. I'm glad you feel that way, but it's painful to make Lug-chan feel overwhelmed.''
It's not so expensive.
That's a lie. I know how much it costs. Kian, how much is this necklace worth?

He thought I was lying to you, so he talked to my dad.
　Mom is indeed a tough nut to crack.

Hmm, beautiful silversmithing with mithril, exquisite and tasteful. It's a top-grade alexandrite. The other day I was invited to a tea party. Do you remember the Earl of Ringland's house where we were invited to a tea party the other day?
Yes, it's a very opulent, beautiful, spacious house.
It's worth it.

Mom's eyes widened as if she hadn't expected that much, as expected.

'I can't accept these things!　Return it immediately. That money should be used for yourself, little Lug!

I knew Mom would say that.
　So I thought of something to say in return.

"Don't worry. "Don't worry, I made it myself, so it doesn't cost as much as it looks. I couldn't afford to buy a top-notch product, so I worked on first-class jewels that cost only a hundredth of the price, and they're beautiful.

Even if it's not a specialty item, it's still a reasonable price, but not too much to ask for given my income.

'Really?'
Yeah, really. So take it. It's hard to get pushed back after all the work I've done for your mother.
'Ugh, that's not fair. When you say something like that, you just have to take it.

His mouth is smiling while he speaks with such hatred.

''Thank you. I'll take good care of it.''

Then he put the necklace on.
　It looked great on her. Now Mom won't have to be talked about behind her back in social circles anymore. Even if Mom doesn't mind, I don't want people to say bad things about her, which I love.
　........I won't talk about this, though, because I might be called a motherf*cker.
　I can hear Dia's voice in my ear.
　She's sending her voice flying with her magic power so that only I can hear her.

'That alexandrite was bigger, wasn't it?

Deere is right, I was able to buy something quite large and within my budget for something that was only first class, not special.
　The original size was a size larger than it is now.

'It was too big, so we cut it down. If it was too big, it would lose its quality. That one looks best on my mom.
'You're right, but it's amazing that you'd do it. If it were me, I'd hesitate to do it because it would be a waste.

Among the nobility, the belief that the bigger the gemstone, the better it is, is still mainstream.
　However, this trend was slowly changing.
　The progressive ones are beginning to abandon the belief that size is better and are beginning to look at design and total balance.
　And my mom is the type of person who believes in her own aesthetic sense, not common sense.
　That's why I've created what I believe is the most beautiful thing I've ever made.

'What do you think, does it look good on you?'

Mom looks at me, embarrassed.

'You look great, just like I thought you would.
'I'm glad. Hmph, let me know what you think too, Kian.
It's beautiful. I'm just a little jealous.

Dad gave me an unusually bitter look.
　Seeing Mom's puzzled expression, Dad continued.

First of all, Esri, who hadn't accepted any jewelry other than her wedding ring after I had urged her to do so many times, received the necklace so easily.
Oh, my God. I'm sorry. I couldn't turn down a necklace made by Lug. It's not that I don't love Kian. And by first, does that mean there's something else?
'Hmm. Lugues give Esri gifts from time to time, but I've never received one. I'm feeling a bit lonely.

If you ask me.
　Sometimes I give Mom a gift because she rather wants this or that.
　The last time she wanted chocolate again, so I arranged it, and before that she wanted to eat deer food, so I hunted and got some.
　But Dad never mentioned any of that stuff, and I don't remember giving him anything either.

"Dad, I'm... I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I got something for you.

I hold out the knife I keep in my breast pocket.
　I carry several knives with me, the dagger type that I throw on the spur of the moment, the cryptic type that I plant in my shoes or hem for immediate surprise, and the three types of self-defense gear that I carry with me at all times.

The dagger type is disposable and can easily be created by magic, while the darker type is more concerned with how well it can be hidden than its performance.
　In that respect, the self-defense equipment that you carry around with you at all times is made from magically created items that have been further processed to provide sufficient performance.
　Because it's something you wear all the time and use as both a weapon and a tool, we did our best to use the best technology we could without making any compromises.

I'm sure this one will suit my father's glasses as well.
　Dad chuckles and takes the knife.

As a result of the pursuit of performance alone, it is too rugged to be handled by a nobleman without any decoration. But if you're my father, you'll understand its value.

Hmmm, that's a great gift. Thank you, Lug. I'm sorry to have prompted you.
'No, I was thinking that I should repay my dad someday.

It's true.
　I wouldn't be where I am today without the lessons my father taught me.
　It is the greatest fortune in my life that I was born in Tauahade, or rather in my mother and father.

Then I will accept it without reservation. I'll find you a gift to repay you.

He said that, but from the nuances of what he'd just said, it was something he'd prepared in advance.
　He was looking for the right moment to give it to me, and he thinks that this gives him an excuse to do so.

'Hmmm, I'm happy to have the best son I could ever have.
'Yes. Really, Lug has grown up to be a good kid.

My parents smile, pour me a drink and toast me.
　I'm a little embarrassed.

'But there is one thing I have to say to Lug-chan. If you're going to give a gift like this, you should put Dear and Tart-chan ahead of me. Girls get jealous, even if they are their mothers.

He says it with his mouth and sticks his finger in my mouth.
　I'm afraid that at my mom's age, that gesture is going to suit her.

'Don't worry about it. I've thought it through. Dear and Tart I've got an engagement ring for Maha, who I told you about before.
Oh, my goodness, then you should get a present for her right away.
I know, I know. But as long as I'm engaged to the three of you, I want to give you a gift at the same time. So here's what we're going to do. Next week you can have Maher here. I'll give you an anniversary party at my place. And I want it to be known that I'm a nobleman, a rogue rogue Touahade, and I want it to be known that we're engaged.

A nobleman's engagement has a special meaning.
　Up until now, I've verbally told Dia, Tart, and Maha that we have such a relationship.
　Normally, that would be enough, but when you're a nobleman, you're obligated to make it known, and as long as you don't do that, it doesn't mean you're engaged.
　And once you make it known, there's no going back.
　If the engagement is cancelled, it will be a laughing matter.

'I'm good. As for the rest........

Mom looked at Dad.
　The Touahade patriarch's decision is absolute.
　If you go against it, you must leave Touahade.

An ordinary nobleman would never be engaged to Dia and the others.
　This is because there is no good political advantage to this marriage.
　Especially in the case of Touahade, he has the brand of a prestigious medical arts family, and now I have the title of holy knight and a track record of defeating the demon race. I can make as many connections with the higher nobles as I want, as long as I want.

All right. I'll arrange it that way. If the rogue has decided to do so, of his own volition, I have no objection to it.
Thank you, sir. Dad.
So, when are you going to get married?
'I'd like to graduate from the school and see how it goes from there for a year or so.

I will save the world by then.
　I said it with that resolve.
　And then we would join ourselves together.

Very well. ...Children grow up so fast, don't they? I never thought I'd see the rogue coming. When you decide on the date of Maha's arrival, you will inform him. It will take precedence over any other business.
I'm sorry, sir.

Now the house is clear.
　Come to think of it, Dia and Tart have been quiet since a while ago.
　Since it involves the two of them, I expected them to react in some way, but....

''Ugh, no, that's too sudden!''
Oh, my God, you're awful!

We both turned bright red and froze.
　I should have told them properly beforehand.

At any rate, we're having an engagement party.
　It should be a big one, while talking to the nobles that we have a relationship with, but my dad and mom, and Dia and the others don't like that kind of thing.
　So let's make it a fun party with just the family, but with a lot of heart.
　And then we'll give them the rings we've worked so hard to make.