Dad is Back From a Deserted Island - Chapter 67

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

Father has returned from the Deserted Island
Chapter 67

Dietrich paid no mind to Jean de Lamber’s anxious gaze.
His attention belonged entirely to Vivian, and when her eyes flickered toward the fireplace during their conversation, his own gaze naturally followed hers.
A dark creature sleeping soundly within a basket draped in a plush blanket.
“What is that?”
“Ah, well—”
Unable to leave Kiki alone, Vivian had moved the basket to a warm spot near the fireplace.
Was this the first time the Prince had seen a monkey? Few people in the Capital had ever seen one in person, so it could certainly be an unfamiliar creature to him.
I could have simply told him it was an ordinary monkey I kept, but…
‘Should I tell him now? No, he’s still unable to get out of bed. But if I say it’s just an ordinary monkey and later reveal its true nature as a divine beast, won’t he be displeased that I deceived him?’
The kind Prince, so different from the rumors I had imagined, didn’t seem like he would react that way—but one could never be certain.
As Vivian hesitated, Dietrich turned his gaze toward the Castle Steward, whom he had ignored throughout.
“I… I shall take my leave now.”
The moment those crimson eyes fell upon him, the poor old man flinched in alarm and rushed from the room. His knee joints ached so much these days that he could barely run anymore.
Dietrich’s cool gaze swept toward Jean de Lamber before returning to Vivian.
“Is it so difficult to speak even before your father?”
“Oh, no. It’s not that. Rather, well…”
After hesitating, Vivian finally stepped forward before Dietrich, basket in hand.
“Everything I’m about to tell you is the truth, Your Majesty. I’m not trying to deceive you, nor have I lost my mind—I want to make that clear first.”
Dietrich nodded in response. Taking a breath to steady myself, I pointed at Kiki with a trembling voice.
“This child is not an ordinary monkey, but a divine beast.”
“A divine beast?”
“Yes. I understand it’s difficult to believe, but it’s truly the case.”
Jean de Lamber spoke up as well. Though he disliked the Emperor and hated being entangled with him, Kiki was the benefactor who had saved Vivian’s life.
A divine beast born of the Dragon, and a Prince who emanated a presence similar to the Dragon itself.
It was a connection upon which one could only pin their hopes.
“Forgive my rudeness in interrupting your conversation. Everything my daughter says is true. When I was adrift on the Deserted Island, I discovered a treasure chest containing an egg, and this divine beast hatched from it. You may not know this, but monkeys are not naturally oviparous
(egg-laying)
creatures. This being possesses the ability to freely mimic not only monkeys but other animals as well.”
For the first time, Dietrich appeared to listen properly to Jean de Lamber’s words. Whether this was because of the content or because Vivian was watching him, I could not say.
The fact that he didn’t immediately issue an expulsion order—merely telling me not to speak nonsense—was a better response than I had dared hope for, and Vivian took courage from it.
“The Dragon said it created this being directly. As Your Majesty knows better than anyone, the Dragon is the progenitor of the Imperial Family. For that reason, perhaps—”
After explaining what had happened at the Petit Debutante, when I recalled that moment of meeting Kiki in a place I couldn’t determine was dream or unconsciousness, my throat tightened of its own accord.
Only after composing myself through the surging emotions several times could I continue the story without shedding tears.
“The Emperor was affected by a strange force at the Imperial Palace and was dying. I saved him, and he took that force upon himself instead, falling into a sleep from which no one knows when he might awaken. I’ve come all this way searching for a way to wake this child.”
“Who told you that you could wake him by coming here?”
“I didn’t hear that I could wake him. Rather, a very ancient tree told me there was someone here who carried a feeling similar to a Dragon.”
I couldn’t read what Dietrich’s eyes were trying to convey.
Was he thinking this was an unbelievable story?
Or was he about to tell me to leave since he had no such ability?
Though I’d mustered the courage to finish my explanation, I couldn’t bring myself to press for an answer.
“I was curious what urgent matter could bring you all the way here to find me. So that’s what it was. Wait—will you give me that basket?”
After a long silence, Dietrich reached out his hand. Vivian carefully handed over the basket containing Kiki.
Dietrich examined Kiki intently and lifted the small body. Vivian gasped and held her breath, but she couldn’t stop him.
The moment Dietrich touched Kiki, I saw his crimson eyes flicker with something.
Could he know something?
My heart raced with hope.
“I’ve never heard of a Divine Beast before. But there’s something peculiar I feel from this monkey. If you have more time to stay here, I’d like to keep it nearby and observe. Would that be alright?”
“Really? You truly feel something?”
Vivian covered her mouth to suppress the surge of emotion welling up inside her. She never thought such a vague feeling could sound so hopeful.
“Yes. Though I’m not sure how much time it will take. …If you’re busy, you’re welcome to leave first.”
That remark was clearly directed at Jean de Lamber.
Jean de Lamber had no intention of leaving Vivian alone with this fox-like prince, so he forced a smile.
“It’s no trouble. I’ll wait, no matter if it takes years.”
Of course, if it truly took years, his business would collapse, but did that matter before those eyes?
Focused on holding back tears, Vivian didn’t notice the subtle tension unfolding between the two men.
“Thank you so much, truly. Your Highness! You’re not even in good health—”
“It’s fine. You took care of me when I collapsed, after all.”
It was the Doctor who treated him, and it was Jean de Lamber who paid a fortune to bring that Doctor. Dietrich cleanly pretended not to notice Jean de Lamber’s bewildered stare.

* * *

Whether the Doctor was truly skilled, Dietrich’s condition improved rapidly.
It seemed like a lie that he had collapsed coughing blood—now he could move about perfectly well.
“Just to be safe, I’ll keep this divine beast with me.”
Dietrich said this after pressing me for every detail about Kiki.
It had been the same when she was an Egg, and when she fell asleep on top of me as I lay unconscious. Perhaps she could only exchange power through direct contact.
With Dietrich as my only lifeline, I handed over the basket where Kiki slept.
Yet I couldn’t hide my anxiety.
What if Kiki opened her eyes and saw the Imperial Prince instead of me? She might startle and attack him.
I didn’t think Kiki would inflict serious injury, but I couldn’t allow her to hurt the already sickly Imperial Prince.
Naturally, I found myself spending every moment with Dietrich except when I slept.
Jean de Lamber was deeply displeased by this, but with our stay here becoming indefinite, he had to handle affairs through carrier pigeons and simply had no time to interfere.
He could only whisper to me whenever he found a spare moment—
“No matter how kindly the Imperial Prince treats you, you mustn’t let your guard down, Vivian.”
“It’s true his situation is pitiful, but we don’t know when we’ll have to leave. Be careful not to grow attached.”
“The Castle Steward seems lonely these days. Your father is busy with work, so go talk to him. He can’t approach when His Highness is with you, after all.”
These were merely whispered words.

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