I Will Try to Save My Dad - Chapter 135

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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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Chapter 135

Of all the terrible timing, I had to discover these feelings right when we were on the verge of our goal. Or perhaps it was a blessing in disguise to realize it now. It was merely a symptom of adolescence, after all. If I remained vigilant against letting it deepen, time would surely fade these emotions away.
Until then, I had to be careful not to accidentally confess to Theon.
Fifteen years old. A three-year gap meant everything to teenagers.
“Never invest in ventures with no chance of success.”
I recalled the contents of investment books I had once pulled from Marshall Grandmother’s bookshelf as a child.
Frankly, my affection for Theon was no different from Jeffrey’s affection for me—merely the fondness one feels for a younger sibling, something that would only appear endearing if I were to confess.
Crash. Bang.
“…G-ghost…!”
“E-everyone, get a grip….”
As if echoing my inner turmoil, the sounds of combat erupted loudly from within the building before fading away. The battle was brief—a testament to Theon’s overwhelming superiority. Reassured, I returned to my contemplation.
An investment I couldn’t decide on immediately required examination from multiple angles, lest I abandon it now only to regret it later.
‘What if this feeling I attributed to adolescence doesn’t fade with time?’
Could I bear to watch Theon marry someone else once we both matured? I was confident I could treat him better than anyone. Of course, if Theon refused, there was nothing to be done—but the future remained uncertain.
‘Contingency planning is always necessary. To maximize the success of my romantic investment, I need to cultivate my own abilities.’
In other words, supposing—
Theon suddenly appeared outside the building, still wearing his camouflage cloak. The special potion’s effect had just worn off. Since the listed duration in the product description was merely an average, the actual dissipation time varied even when consumed simultaneously.
Theon stood directly before me, his invisibility not yet fully dispelled.
“Berry.”
So then—whether it was when I had grown enough for Theon to see me as a woman, or if this feeling persisted even after adolescence faded—I was confident I could devise a strategy to make my romantic investment succeed.
It was the moment I made a solemn resolve while gazing at Theon’s face.
“The masterminds don’t seem to be here. I’ve knocked everyone out. Should we go inside and check?”
“Yeah, sounds good.”
Theon explained what had happened inside, then retrieved something from his inner pocket.
“And Berry, I found this in the building.”
I looked at the hand Theon extended. Perfectly toasted fur the color of bread crust, and a plump, fluffy form nestled in his palm.
Most notably, a hamster wearing a sword at his side was hardly a common sight.
“Could it be… Tory?”
At my words, Tory lifted his head.
“…It has been a long time, Miss Berry.”

***

Tory explained that he had come from the Edencia Kingdom to the Heishal Empire under orders from Lucian, my uncle.
His presence in this city on the day Theon and I arrived was coincidence, but his presence in the building was because of me, he said.

“I was investigating the case the Captain ordered me to look into, when I happened to overhear some reckless young fools talking. The more I listened, the more it seemed like they were the ones Miss Berry should be catching. So I followed them!”

When people suddenly began collapsing around him, he thought an invisible intruder had breached their defenses and swung his sword at empty air. Only when his blade connected with another did he realize it was Theon.

“What case did Uncle Lucian ask you to investigate?”
“That’s classified, so I can’t tell you. Instead, I’ll investigate where the ringleaders are! I was planning to search this entire city tomorrow anyway. One day is all I need.”
“One day? But Tory is small and the city is vast?”
“Don’t underestimate smallness.”

Squeak, squeak. Squeak, squeak.
As if agreeing with Tory’s words, the sound of rats echoed from all directions.

“Let me show you the information-gathering prowess of a Hamster Humanoid.”

Thanks to that, I was able to spend the rest of the day in relative peace… or so I thought.
“Good morning, Miss. You’re up early. Is there anything you need?”
“The morning paper and some warm tea.”
“Of course. Shall I bring it to your room?”
“No. I’ll sit over there.”
I pointed to the spot in the First Floor Dining Hall where I’d sat yesterday. There had been an incident just a moment ago. I’d run straight into Theon in the Living Room when he returned from his early morning workout. His shirt was damp with sweat, and one more button was undone than usual, but that was all it took.
‘It’s just adolescent hormones. Calm down.’
I couldn’t go back to my room until my flushed face cooled down. That’s when I turned toward the Dining Hall.
“You’re Berry Quartz, right?”
“…”
The voice was pleasant to hear, but unfamiliar. A young man’s voice.
Calling me by name on first meeting and using informal speech? There were usually only two possibilities in such cases: either he was from a family of higher standing than Count Trabel and thus being rude, or he was simply rude.
Given how often I appeared in the papers, such encounters weren’t uncommon. After all, it was well-known that I was the troublemaker of the Trabel Family, and I had no intention of tolerating rudeness—
“Yes, that’s right.”
The words “the Crown Prince’s fiancée” flashed through my mind. It meant I couldn’t respond to him the way I would to Calips at the Trabel Estate.
I should at least remember his face. I turned my body toward the man who had stopped me. The first thing I noticed was his thick silver hair framing a pale neck.
‘He’s taller than I expected.’
I couldn’t see the man’s face yet, but among my acquaintances, no one possessed such a delicate neck. With that certainty, I looked up at him and asked.
“Who are you?”
The question carried the implicit meaning: who are you to address me informally on first meeting?
“Don’t you… remember me?”
His response was strange. His tone mixed disappointment with confusion.
Only then did the man’s face come into my view. He looked like a sacred artifact of the Aubaut Order that had transformed into human form—a beautiful man with pale skin, eyelashes like freshly fallen snow, and silver eyes like dewdrops glistening atop those snowflakes.
My first thought was admiration: ‘How sacred.’ My second was guilt: ‘Oh no. What have I done!’
“…”
It was when I was seven years old. I’d followed Father to the Grand Temple and met a novice priest. We’d only encountered each other twice, but I could never forget the sacred, overwhelming presence those features commanded.
“It’s me, Yuraha.”
I nodded slowly.

***

Yuraha was indeed one of the priests I had seen yesterday. He said they had agreed to provide him with several of the second-largest guest rooms.
“Is it alright to show my face? It seemed like you deliberately concealed it when you were wearing your priestly robes.”
“It’s fine when I’m not wearing them. I asked someone to buy me clothes like the people in this city wear, and what do you think? Do they suit me?”
“Yes, they suit you very well.”
I sat across from him and nodded as Yuraha boasted about his outfit. The beige clothing didn’t complement his skin tone, but I wondered if there existed any garment capable of diminishing the presence of his face and aura. Much like Theon.
‘…Much like Theon—what is that about?’
Even as I found it troubling, the corners of my mouth threatened to rise. “Increased emotional sensitivity.” It was one of the symptoms of adolescence. Merely thinking of Theon made me happy, and happiness naturally brought a smile to my lips.
‘This knowledge is sufficient.’
So my understanding of my own behavior was perfect, but self-control was another matter entirely.
“….”
I bit the inside of my lip firmly to suppress the smile. That alone wasn’t enough, so I tried to think of something else. For instance, about Yuraha standing before me.
This was only the third time we had spoken. The feeling I held toward Yuraha was merely the kind of affection one might have for a holy priest.
So I didn’t understand.
“Berry Quartz, you didn’t want to see me?”
Why was this person so delighted to see me?

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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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