Dad is Back From a Deserted Island - Chapter 30

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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 30

A mansion in the Capital.
As the party’s fervor began to wane, a group had gathered in a bedroom for intimate conversation.
Each wore tailored formal attire and dresses crafted from the finest fabrics, making their considerable wealth immediately apparent.
“Have you heard about the newly discovered diamond mine?”
“You mean the one found in Serenville, yes? I have heard of it.”
“They purchased what was considered an abandoned mine and succeeded in developing it.”
“It’s a name I’ve never heard before. Do any of you know of them?”
“No. Lamber, you say? I’ve never heard of such a name. Though I’m told they are nobility of some sort…”
“For a house of such obscurity, they certainly possess considerable acumen. And they say he’s a young man at that.”
An elderly man who had remained at the center of the group without uttering a word finally spoke.
“I should like to see his face for myself.”
Though a merchant house had recently emerged to rival him, Eduard remained the greatest of all merchants.
His single word lit the fuse.
The others eagerly stepped forward, each offering to arrange a meeting with Eduard.
Yet only one had presented a proposal to Eduard’s satisfaction.
“Heh heh. Skilled though he may be, he is still but a young man. I hear he has engaged in little social activity of note. Should he suddenly receive an invitation to our gathering, wouldn’t he be nervous, barely able to speak? He might even decline out of discomfort.”
The man smiled.
“There are rumors he dotes greatly upon his young daughter. I shall arrange a gathering where young children may attend. He will surely participate if it means providing his daughter with valuable connections.”
An invitation impossible to refuse.
Swift discernment of the opponent’s nature.
Everything about the proposal satisfied Eduard.
“Haha. Would you do so? Then I too might finally take my grandchild on an outing after all this time.”
A satisfied smile graced his lips, framed by his immaculately groomed white beard.
Thus did fate—or perhaps the echoes of destiny—extend its hand toward Jean de Lamber.

* * *

“Then I shall await your return.”
“Yes. Thank you for everything while we’re away.”
“Everyone, goodbye!”
As Vivian waved her plump little hand, smiles bloomed across the faces of the Servants standing in a line to see us off.
Anne, along with Julie and Leah, who had grown quite close to Vivian, were even wiping away tears.
“Mm-hmm, I’ll bring back presents!”
Vivian leaned out the carriage window, waving her arm enthusiastically.
Vivian hadn’t slept properly last night.
A trip to Beluang alone would have been an extraordinary event for her, but a journey to the Capital?
Sleeping somewhere other than home!
I felt as though I might take flight at any moment.
“Princess, you’ll fall if you’re not careful.”
My face was flushed with excitement as I steadied Vivian to keep her from tumbling forward.
‘I didn’t expect to hear from them so soon. The value of diamonds truly is remarkable.’
A few days ago, an invitation had suddenly arrived at the Lamber Family Estate.
Each time I recalled that invitation, my heart raced.
It felt gratifying to be recognized by my benefactor as someone worthy of such an introduction.
The invitation hadn’t come under Eduard’s name, but it was from someone I knew well.
Someone I had gotten along with reasonably well even before my regression.
Since this person was one of Eduard’s most trusted subordinates, the invitation must have been sent with his implicit approval.
I hadn’t even properly entered society yet, and to see them reaching out like this was almost frightening in its efficiency.
Had the invitation come from anyone else, I wouldn’t have brought Vivian even if it was a family gathering, but Eduard’s circle was entirely trustworthy.
In fact, it was an excellent opportunity to solidify Vivian’s connections in society.
While wealth held advantages in high society, money alone didn’t solve everything.
[The Capital, of all places. I never thought I’d set foot there again. How strange this feels.]
“Strange how?”
Kiki made a face of disapproval.
[You should be reading a dictionary instead of just fairy tales.]
“I shall endeavor to visit the Imperial Palace someday. Master Kiki.”
Having become practiced at understanding what Kiki said just from Vivian’s words, I spoke with a reassuring expression.
Even on the brink of ruin, House of Lamber remained nobility.
Every noble daughter could make her debut at the Imperial Palace, so I could fulfill that promise within a decade at the latest.
Satisfied with my words, Kiki narrowed his eyes and began grooming his fur.
Normally he would have groomed Vivian’s hair, but Anne had styled it with such care for this journey that even Kiki hesitated to touch it.
“Dad, dad. Are there a lot of people in the Capital?”
“Of course, quite a lot.”
“More people than in Beluang?”
Beluang was the most crowded place Vivian had ever seen in her life.
“About three times as many as Beluang, I’d say?”
“Wow!”
Vivian’s mouth fell open in astonishment.
With that many people, wouldn’t the ground collapse from their weight?
The child’s innocent curiosity had sparked an unnecessary worry.
At the mention of such a vast crowd, Kiki, who had been grooming her fur beside me, let out an irritated huff.
[I absolutely despise such crowded, swarming places.]
“Hehe. But you’re happy we’re going to the Capital, right?”
[I suppose. It is the place where I was born, though I’ve never actually ventured beyond the Imperial Palace, so I wouldn’t know.]
“Well, you were inside Egg the whole time anyway.”
[Hmph! Just because I was inside Egg doesn’t mean I knew nothing! Even on the Deserted Island, I felt everything outside! Hmm?]
“Yawn. I can’t wait! There must be so much delicious food there, right?”
[Hey!]
As Kiki squawked indignantly, Vivian burst into laughter. Watching her, I couldn’t help but laugh as well.
Even the weather was perfect in that moment.
I had a premonition that something wonderful awaited us.

* * *

The journey from the Lamber Family Estate to the Capital took well over three days by carriage.
Though the long journey should have exhausted us, Vivian’s boundless seven-year-old energy and excitement for travel carried her through.
She was so delighted at the prospect of sleeping in a different place each night.
Because Vivian was too thrilled to sleep and kept bouncing around, I couldn’t rest properly either, and I found myself dozing off repeatedly the next morning.
“Bibi, look there. That’s where they inspect people entering the Capital. Once we pass through there, we’ll be in the Capital.”
“What’s an inspection, Papa?”
“An inspection is… well, we can’t let people carrying dangerous things enter the Capital, can we? Someone could sneak something in and do something bad. So they check beforehand to catch such things.”
“I see.”
Vivian pressed her face against the window, watching the long line of people ahead.
The variety of people was so fascinating that time seemed to slip away as I observed them.
The line grew shorter, and finally it was our turn to be inspected.
A young father and a little daughter.
There was nothing particularly suspicious about the pair. Their luggage was also typical of ordinary travelers, so the guard merely asked the customary questions.
“What brings you to the Capital?”
“I’ve been invited. Here is my invitation.”
The guard, who had been going through the motions of checking the invitation, suddenly brightened when he saw Vivian looking at him with curious eyes, and he smiled warmly.
“Welcome to the Capital, young lady.”
Vivian’s cheeks flushed with delight.
The carriage of the House of Lamber crossed through the Capital’s gates, brimming with anticipation.

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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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