Dad is Back From a Deserted Island - Chapter 46

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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 46

The day I decided to depart from the Valmont Estate had arrived.
The sky was cruelly clear.
Though I harbored some reluctance and lingering attachment, I had already postponed my return home multiple times and could no longer leave the Mansion unattended.
More than anything else.
Since the kidnapping incident, Vivian had displayed extreme tension and visible stress whenever in the presence of unfamiliar people.
The Doctor, observing Vivian’s condition, diagnosed that she would benefit from recuperation in a tranquil setting.
That very day, I resolved to return home.
It was a time when I needed to expand my business with Eduard’s formal support, yet nothing could take precedence over Vivian.
Upon learning of Vivian’s condition, Eduard understood my decision.
Conducting affairs through distant correspondence would naturally be slower than meeting face-to-face in the Capital.
But Eduard, who cherished Vivian as dearly as a granddaughter, could not possibly disregard the child’s wellbeing.
“I shall write to you frequently, sir.”
“And I shall do the same.”
The relationship between Eduard and myself had transformed considerably.
Eduard’s former wariness toward me had dissolved, replaced by a camaraderie born of raising a child together, and the affection of a mentor toward his protégé.
For me, this was profoundly gratifying. While we had not yet reached the intimate bond we shared before my return, growing close to Eduard in such a brief span felt nothing short of miraculous.
Eduard leaned forward on his cane, bowing toward Vivian.
“Farewell, Vivian.”
“Yes! Grandfather, please come visit! You must bring Luca too! Brother, you will visit, won’t you?”
“Of course. I’ll definitely come.”
Luca reached out and tousled the hair of Vivian, who clung tightly to my hand. Her pale pink locks fluffed up like cotton.
“No! My hair!”
Vivian’s adorable protest drew laughter from those who had been swallowing their farewells.
“Then, we shall truly take our leave now.”
“Vivian! Safe travels!”
Eduard watched with fresh eyes as Luca waved enthusiastically to bid Vivian farewell.
In such a short time, he had grown so fond of her. When seeing off Lise and the other children, he had merely offered a curt goodbye.
The carriage began to move slowly. Vivian leaned out the window, waving her hand.
Eduard waved back in return, committing the sight of Vivian to memory.
‘She will have grown so much by the time we meet again.’
Eduard, whose children had all grown and who now had grandchildren, understood well how quickly children of that age matured. Perhaps that was why these farewells felt all the more poignant.
‘That age is when they are most precious. This won’t do. I must inquire about my schedule and see when I can visit the House of Lamber.’
Eduard, in the twilight of his years, understood that time was a treasure that no amount of wealth could purchase.
Whether Eduard could witness Vivian and Luca grow before his eyes was one desire, but another uncertainty gnawed at him: could Jean learn something to Eduard’s satisfaction? Did Eduard himself have enough time remaining to nurture a single disciple to completion?

* * *

Time flowed like water, yet Vivian’s growth outpaced even its relentless current.
Once so small and frail she appeared two years younger than her age, Vivian now boasted rosy cheeks from every angle. Standing among her peers, she no longer fell short in height.
“Vivi! We’re here!”
It took two years for Vivian to become comfortable among strangers.
During that time, Eduard and Luca would visit Lamber House on holiday, spending their days there.
“Princess, are you truly alright?”
“Yes! I’m fine now, Father.”
After several outings to nearby shops convinced Eduard of her improvement, Jean and Vivian departed for the Capital. The Capital proved far more convenient than Lamber House for handling Jean’s affairs.
“We would like to invite Lord Lamber to our Social Club.”
Over two years, Jean had invested the vast sums flowing from the Diamond Mine into various ventures, multiplying his wealth considerably.
Learning from Eduard lessons quite different from those before his regression—servants and masters necessarily learned different things, after all—Jean had grown quite accustomed to attending Social Clubs and parties, mastering the refined conduct and social graces befitting nobility.
Now, few among the Empire’s aristocrats or merchants remained ignorant of the name Lamber.
“Kyaa! How adorable, Kiki!”
[This seems manageable.]
As Vivian grew, the total reserve of power she could wield expanded as well—though its source remained a mystery—and Kiki no longer collapsed into days of exhausted slumber when transforming into other creatures as before.
Of course, shifting into fierce beasts like wolves still left Kiki fatigued, but transforming into smaller animals like dogs, cats, or rabbits posed no difficulty.
Yet Kiki’s preferred form remained, without question, that of a monkey.
[This banana lacks sweetness.]
“Then don’t eat it, Kiki.”
[Who said I wouldn’t eat it!]
Vivian’s abilities were undeniably growing stronger with each passing day. Now she could cultivate bananas without the slightest difficulty. She could even heal sickly plants.
Kiki claimed that by the time Vivian reached adulthood, her power would stabilize enough to revive even completely dead plants.
Of course, only Jean knew of this. Jean had not revealed Vivian’s other abilities even to Eduard.
“Young Lady, why does your expression seem… Are you unwell somewhere?”
“No… I’m fine.”
Yet not all changes were for the better.
At some point, Diti had ceased appearing in Vivian’s dreams.
Was it because she had resolved never to love Diti again?
Had the time come to bid farewell to an imaginary friend as one matured?
Had that brilliantly beautiful boy been nothing but a phantom of Vivian’s own creation?
‘Tch. Diti. Why won’t you appear? I miss you.’
For days, then weeks, then months, then years, she fell asleep hoping Diti would visit her dreams, only to awaken to nothing.
Vivian could no longer deny it.
That boy in her dreams had been her first love.
And that first love had ended as emptily as a bubble bursting.

* * *

In the Piano Room, decorated as beautifully as a masterpiece painting, a girl as exquisite as if she had stepped directly from a classical canvas played the piano.
Ivory silk wallpaper adorned with delicate rose patterns. Sunlight filtering through intricately laced curtains struck the chandelier hanging from the ceiling, casting brilliant light upon the piano positioned at the center and illuminating the young lady as if she were a precious jewel.
The hands of the pale-haired young lady moved gracefully across the keys, weaving a melody of breathtaking beauty.
Surely, anyone who cherished beauty and loved art would wish to preserve this moment for eternity.
Yet the Servants, long accustomed to such scenes, burst through the door without so much as a knock.
“Young Lady, Miss Vivian! You’re here again? I told you the seamstress was coming today to fit your dress!”
It was an urgent matter indeed. They had specially brought a seamstress from the Capital—one who typically served only the nobility of highest rank—all the way to the Mansion, only for the young lady to be absent!
“Oh, that’s right! I forgot while playing.”
The young lady rose from her seat with a playfully protruding tongue, and her identity was, of course, Vivian.
Eight years had been sufficient for a small child who possessed only tattered clothes on the verge of falling apart to transform into a young lady who wore fine silk dresses layered with lace and ruffles with perfect grace.
Vivian de Lamber.
Fifteen years old.
The year she took her first steps into society.

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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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