Dad is Back From a Deserted Island - Chapter 83

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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 83

Regardless of how matters unfolded, I could not allow Dietrich to remain in this place any longer.
Fortunately, no confinement order had been issued specifically against Dietrich. The Emperor harbored no such vigilance toward his son, whom he was certain would perish within a short time regardless of inaction.
“Forgive me, but you say His Majesty will depart with you as well?”
“Yes. Upon discussion, it appears the environment of this castle is only worsening His Majesty’s health. I believe it would be better to relocate him to a warmer region. Fortunately, His Majesty has consented, so we intend to escort him during our departure.”
Confusion bloomed visibly across the Castle Steward’s weathered countenance.
“Even so, such sudden notice. If His Majesty departs from this place, then I—”
“Nothing will change. Continue managing the castle as you do now, and should anyone from the Imperial Palace inquire, simply tell them His Majesty remains here. After all, no one truly inspects matters closely, do they?”
This castle had been abandoned to neglect. No faction harbored suspicion toward an imperial prince devoid of ambition or vigor, so there was no need to fear that Dietrich’s departure would be swiftly discovered.
Still, confronted with such bewildering circumstances, the Castle Steward could not readily offer a response.
I afforded this unfortunate old man sufficient time to accept reality.
“If I may be so bold to say, His Majesty’s departure from this place might prove beneficial. The reason people have been avoiding and fleeing Norvalang would vanish. Have you not grieved to see the village where you have lived your entire life fall into such decline?”
Once Dietrich departed, the animals would cease their startled flight.
The terror people experienced upon glimpsing him at the window would also fade, and the rumors of a demon’s presence would gradually diminish.
Since Dietrich had come here for recuperation—exile in name only—and had never ventured beyond the castle walls, there were few who would concern themselves with his whereabouts.
While Vivian spent time with Dietrich, I devoted considerable hours to this Castle Steward. Once the lonely old man had lowered his guard toward his unexpected visitor, he had begun conversing with me quite frequently.
Whether my words had struck home, the Castle Steward’s eyes brightened.
“Do you truly believe so…? Will people really return to this village?”
In truth, from my perspective, it would have been advantageous for this village to remain as sparsely populated as it currently was. Yet I nodded and offered the old man solace.
“They will.”
Once I had secured even the Castle Steward’s consent, our preparations for departure proceeded with remarkable swiftness.
Dawn mist draped the castle in a gossamer veil. The eastern sky began to brighten faintly.
I was preparing the carriage and horses I had left outside. The warm breath of the restless steeds dispersed in white plumes through the frigid air.
Whether Kiki’s words had been true, the horse that had once refused even to approach this castle for fear of Dietrich followed me quite willingly today.
Vivian stood upon the Stairs, gazing downward. She wished to commit the castle’s serene visage to memory.
“What are you doing?”
Dietrich asked from behind.
“Remembering. This is where I properly met you for the first time. It’s also where I came to understand so much.”
Though my time spent within this castle had been brief, everything before and after had transformed completely. Now I possessed a goal I must achieve.
As I descended the Stairs and emerged through the City Gate, someone was waiting.
It was the Castle Steward. The neatly dressed old man hastily bowed in greeting as Dietrich appeared.
“Thank you for everything, Grandfather. Please take care of yourself.”
Vivian offered her farewell warmly. The Castle Steward clasped her hand with his weathered fingers, stroking it gently before bowing once more to Dietrich.
“I… I wish you to recover your health, Your Majesty.”
Though we had lived together for years without ever having a proper conversation, Dietrich was not a cruel master.
Apart from the oppressive feeling that came from simply being in the same space, he displayed none of the petty tyrannies that characterized truly wicked masters.
As the frightening aura that had emanated from Dietrich began to fade, I found myself feeling compassion for the prince’s plight.
Dietrich, entirely unprepared for such a greeting, paused briefly before offering only a single nod. Yet for the Castle Steward, even that was sufficient acknowledgment.
This was the first time I had truly communicated with Dietrich.
It would likely be the last.
I removed my hat and watched the departing carriage fade into the distance.
The path beyond the mist remained unclear, yet somehow it felt as though the fog itself was gradually lifting.

* * *

The journey to the Capital proved arduous.
Though Dietrich had grown healthier after receiving Vivian’s strength, this did not mean his body had achieved average vitality.
Seemingly unaware of his own condition, he would stand expressionless one moment, then suddenly suffer nosebleeds or burn with fever the next.
As we descended into warmer lands and spent more time together, such episodes became less frequent. Still, the journey took twice as long as our initial ascent.
Yet those hours were not without gain. By the time we arrived, Vivian had relentlessly impressed upon Dietrich the understanding that he was necessary to her happiness.
He did not fully comprehend it, but what could he do when told he was needed? He had no choice but to accept it.
By the time we reached the Capital, it was already midsummer.
Considering we had departed in spring, an entire quarter of the year had slipped away.
The one who greeted our return most warmly was Jean’s Aide. Having shouldered most of the responsibilities in his master’s absence, he wept with joy upon seeing Jean.
Without even time to recover from travel fatigue, Jean departed to handle the accumulated work, leaving Vivian to return to the mansion in the Capital.
Anne rushed out in a flood of tears to greet Vivian, but stopped short upon seeing the guest descending from the carriage.
“Young Lady! You’ve finally returned! When I heard that Kiki had awakened safely, I was so relieved, and I regretted so much that I couldn’t accompany you… Gasp. W-who is this person?”
It was as though the very embodiment of beauty had descended upon us.
Dietrich’s complexion, far healthier than when Vivian had first seen him, now possessed an almost devastating beauty.
For Anne, who had always been susceptible to beauty, it was nothing short of a shock.
“Well, this is someone who will be staying at our mansion for a while. I’ll explain the details once we’re inside.”
I took hold of the stammering Anne’s arm and led her indoors. It had been a long time since I had seen the mansion.
The Servants had not neglected their duties during our absence—not a speck of dust could be found. Compared to the Castle where Dietrich had stayed, it felt all the more welcoming.
Though it was not uncommon for guests to visit and stay, the Servants would normally have paid little attention. But given the guest’s appearance, all eyes inevitably turned toward him.
I had not anticipated this and hastily ushered Dietrich into the finest guest room.
“Being too handsome is a curse. Wherever he goes, he can’t escape attention.”
“Should I wear something to cover it?”
“What? Why would you hide such a beautiful face! …Ahem, anyway, what do you think? Does the room suit you?”
The room embodied the very essence of House of Lamber’s atmosphere.
It was neither authoritarian like its masters nor plain, yet possessed their refined elegance. Everything necessary was furnished at the highest quality—nothing lacking, nothing excessive.
Dietrich, who had felt no discomfort even while staying in a crumbling Castle, nodded in acknowledgment.
Where he resided mattered little to him, but there was no harm in staying somewhere pleasant.
“Now, Diti. You remember what kind of person you’re supposed to be, don’t you?”
It was best to conceal Dietrich’s true identity until the appropriate moment arrived. For that reason, I had fabricated a false identity for him during our journey to the Capital.

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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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