Dad is Back From a Deserted Island - Chapter 88

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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 88

“Do you know why I summoned you here? To announce that you are my granddaughter and to bring you into the family. I can see you’ve received some instruction in etiquette, but there are many gaps in your refinement. If you carry the blood of the Duke’s house, you must conduct yourself with far greater elegance.”
As Vivian stood speechless, the Duke of Alençon laughed heartily and continued as though the matter were settled.
“Ah, I’m not blaming you. What could that insignificant household have taught you? They seem to have some money, I suppose—but money alone is insufficient.”
“Wait, wait just a moment, Grandfather.”
“I shall find you a suitable husband myself. At fifteen, it’s not yet too late. Still, if you’re to master all the accomplishments a noblewoman must possess before your debut, we must act with haste.”
“Grandfather? Are you listening to me?”
“Yes, I hear you. Speak your mind.”
“I never agreed to come to this house. Everything you’re saying is far too sudden.”
“Sudden it may be, but you must accept it. Or would you have me leave my bloodline in that household?”
[This man has surely lost his mind. No wonder my mother left.]
Kiki’s words made me nod involuntarily. When I first heard that Mother had left home, I’d felt a pang of sympathy for the Duke of Alençon before me. But within minutes, that sympathy had evaporated entirely.
He paid no attention to what I was saying, simply assuming I would naturally obey him. It was infuriating.
“Yes! I am my father’s daughter before I am your granddaughter. My name is Vivian de Lamber, not Vivian of Alençon. I’m glad to have met you, but I wish to continue living in my own home.”
“Such foolish words from one so young. You don’t yet understand how the world works.”
The Duke of Alençon shook his head as though I were beyond reason.
“I shall write to Lamber. Your father will understand my intentions.”
“It’s not about Father—I’m telling you that I don’t want this!”
But the Duke of Alençon remained unmoved. It felt like speaking to a wall.
There was nothing more to say. I rose from my seat.
“If you’re only going to repeat yourself, I’ll take my leave now.”
“Wait just a moment. I’ll have a letter written to your father at once.”
“There’s no need for such a letter! Father would never send me away!”
I left the room without waiting for his response, my shoulders trembling with barely contained fury.
The Butler, who had been waiting outside, attempted to guide the visibly angry Vivian to a prepared bedroom.
“No. I won’t be needing that room. Please have a carriage prepared to take me home.”
“…I shall have a carriage readied at once.”
Fortunately, I didn’t need to argue with the Butler. I climbed into the carriage as soon as it was ready and returned to the Mansion.

At word of Vivian’s arrival, Jean de Lamber and Dietrich emerged from their respective rooms to gather together.
“Vivian? What on earth happened to you?”
Jean, startled by Vivian’s inability to contain her fury even upon returning to the mansion, asked with concern.
The moment Vivian’s eyes fell upon Jean’s face, her anger only intensified. She spoke through gritted teeth.
“Seriously, that grandfather is completely insane!”
This was entirely at odds with how she had departed, brimming with ambition to win over the Duke of Alençon to her side.
“What exactly happened?”
Dietrich, observing Vivian’s state, turned to Kiki with the question. Kiki deflected with a casual tone.
[He was a senile old fool. Ah, so Vivian’s mother is the Duke’s daughter.]
“What?”
Dietrich’s eyes reflexively shifted to Jean. Only Jean, unable to comprehend Kiki’s words, wore a bewildered expression.
Once Jean heard the full account moments later, his eyes widened considerably.
“Rosalind is the Duke of Alençon’s daughter?”
“Father didn’t know?”
“How could I have known, Vivian? If I had, I would never have sent you there alone.”
“Mother never mentioned it?”
“…She only said your grandfather was unreasonable, that living in that house would drive anyone to madness from the suffocation of it.”
I had suspected that my wife, Rosalind, came from a rather wealthy family. Her belongings, the stories she had casually mentioned—there was no way I could have remained ignorant of such things.
But to think she was from a ducal house…
Jean was naturally aware of the Duke of Alençon.
A leading figure among the old aristocratic faction, he was known for his eccentric temperament and his blatant disdain for the nouveau riche—a man Jean had disliked even before his regression.
Though Jean had never formally acquainted himself with the Duke of Alençon, the haughty nobleman had never even deigned to exchange words with someone like Jean, who wasn’t even recognized as a proper aristocrat.
Of all people… Jean swallowed hard.
But his bewilderment quickly gave way to fury.
“What? He tried to take you away?”
“He wouldn’t listen to me at all! He kept going on about finding me a suitable husband without even asking—I thought since he was my grandfather, I might hear stories about Mother, but—”
“A suitable husband?”
Even Dietrich interjected, and the living room descended into complete chaos.
“Yeah. When I refused everything he said, he told me he’d send a letter to Father. He said Father is an adult and would understand his words. Father, will you send me?”
“Why would I send you? Where would I send you? To that house?”
Vivian finally calmed down seeing Jean react even more explosively than when he first heard the news. But now Jean himself was becoming dangerously agitated.
“Not in a thousand years! After everything—after I’ve finally found you again, after everything I’ve done to raise you!”

‘If I hadn’t met my wife, I wouldn’t have lasted a few more years. I would have gone mad.’

Jean understood precisely why his wife had said such a thing.
Jean’s words, spoken with the singular determination of crossing the ocean to reunite with his daughter, carried undeniable conviction. Kiki nodded in agreement, affirming his resolve.
[I must acknowledge it myself. There exists no parent as devoted as Jean. What a shame, Vivian.]
“What do you mean, a shame?”
[Your grand objective of drawing the Duke of Alençon into Dietrich’s faction. It’s hardly a trivial matter.]
“….”
She was right. The ambitious goal of making the Duke of Alençon a supporter of Dietrich’s faction had crumbled before it could even begin.
The problem wasn’t making him a supporter—it was preventing him from forcibly taking her away.
“But we cannot send Bibi to that family regardless.”
Dietrich, who had been observing in silence, interjected. His tone suggested the matter wasn’t even worth deliberating.
[That’s certainly true.]
With Dietrich’s support, Vivian was able to dispel even the lingering unease that she had ruined everything.

* * *

The Valmont Family’s carriage arrived before the Lamber Mansion.
Originally, she should have met Eduard before attending the art gallery exhibition, but Eduard had been so occupied that he could only spare time now.
Eduard descended from the carriage, leaning on his cane as he entered the mansion with hurried steps.
Luca and Elise, who had accompanied him, struggled to keep pace with his remarkable speed.
“Bibi!”
“Grandfather!”
Upon hearing news of the carriage’s arrival, Vivian rushed out to greet Eduard and embraced him.
Though they had not seen each other for merely a few months, the two greeted one another as if years had passed.
“Your face appears to have grown thinner. The journey to and from the Northern Region must have been quite taxing. Is Kiki in good health?”
“It wasn’t terribly difficult. If my face looks thinner, it’s probably just baby fat disappearing, don’t you think? And Kiki is, yes, in excellent health!”
Vivian boasted despite being far too young for such changes.
Eduard gently pinched Vivian’s cheek affectionately at her preening, then paused as he noticed a boy approaching from behind.

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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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