Dad is Back From a Deserted Island - Chapter 15

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Father has returned from the Deserted Island
Chapter 15

A weathered carriage came to a halt before the Lamber Mansion.
Vivian, who had been playing in the Garden with Kiki, startled and hid behind a pillar.
But Father wouldn’t be returning anymore, and no guests would be calling either—or so I thought.
“Oh no.”
Could it be that Ron, Mary, and Peter had come back?
At the sight of Vivian’s face draining of color as she trembled, Kiki’s fur bristled on end in vigilant warning against the stranger.
[Vivian. Do not be afraid! I am here by your side—what could you possibly fear?]
“B-but… what if they…?”
[What of those mere humans! I am a divine beast! All mortals must kneel before me—]
The young monkey spouting such grandiose words looked decidedly unconvincing.
Before Kiki could grow indignant at realizing he had earned none of Vivian’s confidence, the carriage door swung open.
“Hup.”
Vivian reflexively held her breath.
Shoes that were slightly worn but meticulously maintained.
Above them, a full skirt and a large bag.
Before her gaze could rise further, a spirited voice cut through first.
“Is this the House of Lamber?”
It was a woman with hair neatly braided back and freckles scattered across the bridge of her nose—a striking impression.
Relief had barely escaped my lips at discovering it wasn’t the people I’d feared.
Coming from a Small Village where strangers rarely ventured, Vivian regarded the unfamiliar guest with cautious eyes.
Sensing that gaze, the woman’s head turned sharply toward Vivian.
“Eek!”
Hidden though I was, my concealment was rather clumsy by an adult’s standards.
The woman’s eyes brightened upon discovering the small child watching her warily from her hiding place.
Step, step.
At the sight of the woman approaching with unhesitating strides, Vivian froze.
Just before Kiki could dash forward to protect Vivian—
“Hello there!”
The woman crouched before Vivian, meeting her gaze as she offered a greeting.
“Y-yes… who…?”
“I’m Anne, and I’ve just started working at the House of Lamber. Are you the young lady of this household, perhaps? Oh my. What is this creature? A scrawny dog… though it doesn’t quite look like one. Please tell me it doesn’t bite! It looks like it might attack me at any moment!”
Kiki’s menacing expression deflated, and he began grooming his fur with renewed composure.
“Um. Y-yes, that’s right. This is Kiki. Not a dog, but more like a monkey? Anyway, he’s never bitten anyone, though he can certainly attack if provoked.”
[Hmph. Not a monkey, but a divine beast. The tall human instructed me not to reveal it, so I shall let it pass.]
“A monkey? I’ve never heard of such a creature! It’s quite small, and… if I said it was cute, I fear it would bite me.”
“Vivian? Who’s come to visit?”
Hearing the cheerful voice, Peter leaned his body out the window.
Upon seeing Peter’s face, Anne’s eyes widened in astonishment.
“My goodness! What a handsome man!”
“Hand… haha. Are you perhaps Miss Anne? I received a letter saying you’d arrive this afternoon, but you’ve come early.”
“Yes! It’s my first time meeting you. Are you the master of Lamber House? I’d only heard you were a young man, but I never imagined you’d be this handsome! Oh, I do hope you don’t misunderstand what I’m saying. I’m devoted to bachelorhood, you see. It’s beautiful women I adore!”
[Among all the humans I’ve encountered, this one speaks the most.]
Watching Anne’s lips move ceaselessly, Peter felt a wave of dizziness. She was truly a spirited young lady.
Why must her words flow so rapidly?
Still, Peter endeavored to conceal his bewilderment and guided Anne inside.
“You continue playing here, Vivian. Miss Anne, this way, please. …As you may have heard, rather than deciding on your employment immediately, I’d like us to spend about a month observing one another.”
“Of course! This adorable, beautiful, and lovely young lady might not take a liking to me, after all. Though I fell for her at first sight. I’ve never seen such an angelic princess in all my life! Children her age are all precious, but she must be the most precious of them all. In any case, I understand what you’re saying!”
The corner of Peter’s mouth twitched.
For Peter, whose mind had long since crossed into middle age, this young lady possessed an almost overwhelming vitality, yet praise for one’s child was something one could never tire of hearing.
“Well, yes. I’m glad you understand. Please, let me take your luggage.”
“How kind of you!”
Vivian discreetly followed behind the two of them.
The stranger she’d thought was a visitor turned out to be a new servant.
To ignore this curiosity welling up inside her would be to shirk a child’s natural duty.
After guiding Anne to the Living Room, Peter prepared some light refreshments.
Better than the homes of commoners, certainly, yet far smaller and more worn than the mansions of nobility or the wealthy.
Anne spoke upon seeing the master bring the tea himself.
“Do you not employ other servants? I was only informed that my duties would be caring for the child, but if needed, I could help with household chores for a modest additional fee!”
“I’m planning to move houses soon. I intend to hire other servants after that. Since I cannot leave the child alone, I’ve brought you on first.”
“I see! Then my responsibility is quite significant. Still, until the others arrive, I’ll help with meal preparation and tidying. It puts my mind at ease to do so!”
“I would be grateful for that. I’ll move houses and hire new staff within the month, so I ask for your assistance until then.”
“Yes! I look forward to working with you. …And with you too, young lady!”
“Eek!”
Anne’s head whipped toward Vivian, who was peering secretly from outside the window.
Startled, Vivian tumbled backward onto her bottom.
Peter walked to the window, lifted the fallen Vivian into his arms, and brushed the dirt from her while scolding her.
“Vivian! I told you to go play—really now, eavesdropping on others’ conversations is improper behavior.”
“Hehe. It’s natural to be curious at my age, isn’t it?”
“That may be true, but improper conduct is still improper. Miss Anne, I ask that you instill proper manners in her as well. By the way, you detected her eavesdropping quite skillfully.”
“My hearing is rather keen! Thanks to that, I’m quite confident in stopping children from getting into trouble before it happens!”
Seeing Anne smile with such pride, Vivian’s neck shrank back.
Seven years of life.
This was a human unlike any she’d ever met.

* * *

Several days had passed since Anne arrived.
Though my first impression was somewhat bewildering, Anne proved to be a capable talent, and regardless of what I thought, she had certainly won over my father’s favor.
“Then I’ll leave you in good hands, Vivian! Dad will be back before nightfall. That’s alright, isn’t it?”
He was confident enough to leave Anne and me alone while he attended to business in another village.
“Don’t worry—have a safe trip!”
“Mm. I need to hurry back.”
I had to urge him to return quickly several times before I could finally wave goodbye to my father.
I remained standing there until the horse he rode became a distant speck and vanished, watching Anne with palpable tension.
After observing her for several days, Anne didn’t seem like a bad person.
She was the first adult I’d met who spoke to a small child like me with consistent politeness and kindness.
Yet being left alone with another adult in the house inevitably stirred up unpleasant memories.
[Why are you shrinking like that? Straighten your back, Vivian!]
If not for Kiki, I would have thrown a tantrum to follow my father.
Because this arrogant little spirit creature stood by my side, I could find courage.
‘Well, even if Anne somehow becomes like Ron and Mary, it’s fine. Kiki will scold her for me!’
And I would definitely tell my father about it.
Once I resolved to tattle, my heart grew considerably lighter.
“At last, it’s just the two of us!”
“Huh?”
“Do you know how long I’ve been waiting for this moment!”
“W-why were you waiting for it?”
“Ufufu. Hehehehe!”
At Anne’s laughter, I sensed something ominous and instinctively retreated backward.
“K-Kiki…!”
I called out to Kiki as though grasping at a lifeline.
But what was this?
“Kiki?”
Kiki, who had been perched on my shoulder, suddenly leaped down and bounded onto Anne’s shoulder instead.
My world crumbled.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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