Dad is Back From a Deserted Island - Chapter 24

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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 24

‘Oh no.’
I tried to hide my dismayed expression, though I failed miserably.
In truth, I couldn’t hide it at all.
How was I supposed to explain this?
What if Vivian was accused of being a witch?
No matter how I thought about it, I couldn’t find a way to explain myself.
If I hadn’t witnessed Kiki awakening from the Egg myself, or if I hadn’t turned back time, I wouldn’t have believed any of this either.
“I knew it!”
Anne exclaimed.
‘Knew what?’
I was just about to step forward, tense with anxiety.
“You really are a fairy, aren’t you? Or perhaps an angel? Your beauty—both of you—didn’t seem like ordinary people at all. I suspected you might be fairies or angels pretending to be human, and I was right, wasn’t I? Of course. There’s no way humans could be this beautiful and handsome. I couldn’t believe you were the same species as me. The difference between you two and me is like the difference between Kiki and me. Yes, I was right all along.”
[How rude! What’s wrong with me!]
Kiki protested indignantly, but her response left me utterly deflated.
It seemed I didn’t need to worry about being accused of witchcraft, but was this really all right?
“Well, about this situation—”
As I tried to smooth things over, Anne waved her hand dismissively.
“Oh! It’s fine. I’ll keep your secret safe. Wait—you don’t have to return to the fairy realm if a human discovers your identity, do you? Please tell me that’s not the case. I’m truly so happy working with both of you right now!!”
Though I wasn’t sure if she was speaking in her right mind as she poured out her words in excitement, it seemed I didn’t need to worry about being dragged away as a witch.
“Then you can continue what you were doing! I’m sorry for interrupting. It looked like you were growing a tree? What kind of tree is it? An apple tree?”
“It’s not an apple—it’s a banana!”
“What’s a banana, Miss?”
Listening to Anne and Vivian’s conversation, I suddenly remembered something I’d forgotten.
“Wait! Vivian, I think we need to stop here.”
“What? Why? I want to see the banana!”
“That’s right! I really won’t tell anyone!”
“No, that’s not the issue.”
Then what was it?
The eyes of two humans and one divine beast all turned toward me.
“We’ll be moving in a few days.”
“Oh!”
“Flowers could be replanted, but a tree is… well, it’s a bit difficult.”
[Sigh. I was so delighted at the thought of eating bananas soon. I suppose that joy will have to be postponed.]
It was a simple and clear reason.
Even Kiki had no choice but to accept it.

* * *

“We’re moving!”
Vivian opened her eyes with the morning sunlight and cried out the moment she woke.
“But how do we move?”
[I’m not sure either. This is my first time moving, so I don’t know much about it.]
Not knowing how to move, yet speaking of doing something I’d never done before, my face was brimming with anticipation.
Of course, on moving day itself, there was nothing special for Vivian to do.
I simply changed out of my pajamas and enjoyed breakfast as usual.
“Come now, Vivian! Get in the carriage. These people will move the luggage for us.”
“Okay!”
The workers Jang had hired for today arrived at House of Lamber and skillfully began packing and loading the belongings onto the moving carriage.
The portrait containing Jang and Vivian’s likenesses too.
The newly purchased dresses as well.
The banana sapling Vivian had nurtured.
Vivian’s entire life was being carefully packed and prepared to move to the new nest.
Sitting in the carriage and watching through the window, Vivian’s eyes sparkled with unusual brightness.
“Shall we depart then?”
“Huh? What about those belongings? We haven’t packed everything yet!”
“I’ve already had the furniture moved to the new house. We’ll only take the truly important things from here.”
It seemed that only by doing so could I shake off the nightmares of the past, or perhaps the future.
Jang gently stroked Vivian’s head as she bounced her short legs with anticipation, then set the carriage in motion.
Listening to Anne’s voice as she chatted with Vivian about this and that in the carriage, Jang closed his eyes.
The image of House of Lamber engulfed in flames clung stubbornly to the inside of his eyelids and would not fade.

* * *

The New Lamber Mansion was an impressive estate with a pastel blue roof that evoked the eye color of the father and daughter.
Its body, constructed of pristine stone, exuded elegance, while the cobbled path stretching from the entrance to the Front Door added a cheerful brightness.
Most importantly, there was a sprawling Garden and rear grounds where Vivian and Kiki could run and play to their hearts’ content.
Vivian’s mouth fell open wide enough for a butterfly to enter as she beheld her new home for the first time.
“Wow! Wow, wow!”
[Still rather modest, but it does seem somewhat more befitting of my station!]
To the eyes of the divine beast hailing from the Imperial Palace, the mansion still fell short, yet to Vivian, it was nothing less than a palace fit for a princess.
“Vivi! You must be careful!”
The moment the carriage door opened, Jang cried out in alarm upon seeing Vivian leap down without even touching the footboard.
“Wow! Is this really our house? Truly? Really truly?”
Unaware of her father’s anxious heart, Vivian raced along the meticulously maintained cobbled path, which posed no risk of tripping.
The distance from the entrance to the Front Door was so great!
It seemed she could even race Kiki here.
How vast must the interior be?
How beautiful could it possibly be?
Just before the overly excited Vivian, unable to control her speed, could barrel headfirst into the Front Door—
It swung open smoothly, without a single grating sound.
“Huh?”
“Welcome, Miss.”
A dignified man’s voice greeted Vivian.
Vivian’s eyes, which had been squeezed shut in anticipation of impact, slowly opened.
“W-who are you?”
Beyond the Front Door stood three figures: an elderly gentleman in formal attire, a woman in a maid’s uniform, and a middle-aged woman in neat clothing, all waiting to receive them.
“Princess, you mustn’t run about like that!”
After obtaining Anne’s permission, Jang rushed forward and lifted Vivian into his arms, meeting the eyes of the assembled staff.
“These are the people who will be handling various tasks in this household. This is Martin, our butler.”
“I am honored to serve you.”
The elderly gentleman bowed his head in a respectful greeting.
“This is Karen, who will be preparing delicious meals for us.”
“I can make anything, so please feel free to ask!”
The middle-aged woman spoke in a hearty voice, and Vivian, overwhelmed by her spirited demeanor, found herself nodding along.
“Julie and Leah will handle the cleaning and other household duties.”
“Pleased to make your acquaintance!”
Two women, their hair tied in identical styles as if they were twins, curtsied gracefully while lifting their skirts slightly.
“H-hello!”
Nervous from being the sole focus of so many unfamiliar adults, Vivian’s pronunciation faltered.
The servants’ faces melted into warm smiles at the sight.
What an endearing and well-mannered young lady!
They had already come to know Jang’s character from the interview.
The difficulty of service varied greatly depending on the temperament of one’s employer, and it seemed they would be able to serve House of Lamber for a very long time indeed.
“I look forward to working with you all.”
I scrutinized the expressions of the servants gazing at Vivian with meticulous care.
These were people who had passed my exacting standards—those trained under the great merchant Eduard to truly read character.
I had selected only those without family, ensuring incidents like what happened with Ron and Mary would never recur, and I had thoroughly investigated their reputations.
Seeing the warmth in their eyes as they looked upon Vivian, it seemed I had made an auspicious beginning.
I could only hope that Vivian, beginning her life in this new mansion with these new people, would adapt well.
“Come now, Vivian. Shall we head upstairs and take a look at the bedroom for our little princess?”
“Yes, yes!”
With Kiki now perched upon my shoulder, I ascended the Stairs.
Climbing the pristine Stairs and entering this floor, a broad and lengthy corridor greeted us.
Warm sunlight streamed through the expansive windows.
Vivian’s voice rang out in wonder as she beheld the plush carpet and the vases adorning each window.
I opened the door with a satisfied smile.
“There now, from today onward, this is our Vivian’s bedroom.”
“Wow!”

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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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