I Will Try to Save My Dad - Chapter 143

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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 143

The eyes of the Valenheart Royal Family shimmer with an orange hue. It was one of the facts that lent credibility to the legend that their ancestors were of dragon descent. Clear and mystical orange light, like the sun painting the horizon or blazing flames.
The First Princess’s eyes, which I had actually seen, were the same. Completely different from my own, which inherited Julia Quartz’s green.
And those eyes had never once turned toward me.
Refusing to look at me—wasn’t that a sign she was aware of me?
‘Childish.’
If my suspicion were true, it would be a childish thing to do.

———-
Succession is an important matter in the Edencia Kingdom.
Please, do not let that child hold back my cousin sister’s ankles.
———-

It was clearly written in the letter Uncle Lucian had sent to Father, which I had secretly read as a child. The sentence asking him not to let the First Princess’s ankles be held back.
I was in the investigation waiting room. Along the long table were chairs where those waiting could sit. From the center of the table where I sat, a window overlooked the interior of the Investigation Bureau clearly.
As I gazed quietly at Belesa Valenhardt through that window, Uncle Lucian spoke to me.
“Berry, why…?”
A vague question without an object or verb. From the cautious way he asked, it seemed my looking at the First Princess bothered him. I leaned back against the chair and looked at Uncle Lucian. His eyes were also orange, resembling the sunset over a beach.
“The First Princess—”
Twitch. As I began to speak, Uncle Lucian’s lips moved as if tensing.
Uncle Lucian, raised in a wealthy and harmonious family, was weak on such topics. That is, the topic of whether Belesa Valenhardt might be my biological mother, who had treated me as if I didn’t exist for fifteen years.
“She’s incredibly beautiful, isn’t she?”
“Huh?”
“Even with so many people around, I only see the Princess.”
“Oh, really? I thought you were saying something else.”
“What else could there be?”
“Nothing, nothing at all.”
“Really?”
I sent Uncle Lucian a playfully inquisitive look, then smiled and shifted my gaze beyond the window. She truly was beautiful. Among all those people, only Belesa with her pink hair—the same color as mine—gleamed brilliantly.
‘I should have tied my hair up.’
Or I should have put it in an updo. Since I didn’t want to touch the hair Theon had stopped me from cutting, I came as I was, and my hair style—reaching down to my waist with a slight wave—was identical to the First Princess’s.
“Berry.”
As I fidgeted with my hair for no reason, Theon emerged from the inner room after finishing his witness examination and, supporting himself with one hand on the table, spoke to me from beside me. I lifted my head.
“Wow.”
Adolescent symptoms lost to Belesa. Theon shines brighter.
“…Wow?”
Theon tilted his head with a bewildered expression.
“It’s nothing. You came out faster than me, Theon?”
“Yeah. Your earlier statement didn’t differ much from mine, it seems. But isn’t it hot?”
This time, I looked at Theon in bewilderment. The Investigation Bureau’s indoor temperature was perfectly comfortable. Theon smiled faintly and withdrew his hand from the table. Then he pulled out a pale green ribbon from his pocket and showed it to me.
“I brought a ribbon. If you’re hot, should I tie your hair up?”
“…Yes.”
“I’ll do it for you.”
Jena Chaser, who had been listening to our conversation from beside us, skillfully tied my hair back in a flash. It was a braided style pulled forward over my shoulder. As I smiled and touched the braid and ribbon, pleased with how it looked, an investigator emerged from the inner room and spoke.
“The next person may come in. Jena Chaser.”
“Yes.”
After Theon came Jena Chaser. Since we were now at the level of candy shop owner and regular customer, I nodded to her as she entered for her witness statement, then stood up from my seat.
“So shall we go? Theon said we could leave once he comes out~”
“Yes.”
“Uncle Lucian, would you like to join us? Jeffrey and I planned to have lunch nearby.”
“Well, thank you, but not today. While I’m in Belodia, personal schedules are impossible due to work. I’ll be heading to Hisport Town soon, and I’ll treat you to something delicious then.”
It was when the three of us left the investigation room with Uncle Lucian, who could at least see us off.
“Ah, Miss Berry!”
The Branch Director of the Central Investigation Bureau in Belodia was walking toward us with a broad smile. He had been directly attending to the First Princess, a distinguished guest, and now that we—involved in this case—were coming out, he greeted us. Behind him, I could see Belesa Valenhardt. Less than ten meters away.
“Please come this way. There’s someone I’d like to introduce you to.”
A small, short sigh escaped. Not from me, but from Uncle Lucian’s lips.
The oblivious Branch Director kept fussing over Theon and me. I took the first step forward, then Theon, and finally Uncle Lucian moved with heavy footsteps.
“….”
With each step forward, I felt Belesa’s gaze turning toward me. And as we drew closer, I could finally see the orange eyes reflecting me.
“Your Highness, this is the young lady of the Trabel Family and the young master of the Voltman Family. They are the ones who found the Jewel of the Sun.”
“….”
A gaze that looked at worthless pebbles rather than at people. If Uncle Lucian’s reaction had given me 97 percent certainty, those eyes drove the final nail into that conviction.
Princess Belesa was the most likely candidate to be discussed as the next king. The princess herself was also eager to secure her position, and therefore had no reason to show such a gaze toward a foreign benefactor who had found the national treasure. Unless there was a personal matter involved.
“Hello, Your Highness.”
I greeted Belesa with a posture so perfect that Madam Frea would have applauded in admiration. However, if she heard what I was about to say next, Madam Frea might have clutched the back of her neck and collapsed.
“I heard that the Edencia Kingdom is awarding medals to Theon and me. Is that true?”
“B-Berry.”
Uncle Lucian whispered softly, flustered by my sudden words. Theon watched Belesa alongside me and quietly listened to what I said, while Belesa looked down at me calmly.
The fact that I had found the national treasure of the Edencia Kingdom was already reported prominently in this morning’s newspaper. Since the purpose of creating a reason to make a wish to Grandfather had already been achieved, I didn’t need a medal.
I smiled brightly and spoke in a cheerful voice.
“My articles appear in the newspapers frequently. So you might already know, but I’m not the ambitious type. I’d prefer a different reward instead of a medal.”
Even if the First Princess regarded my worth as a worthless pebble, I didn’t care. The 97 percent certainty didn’t mean much either. She was someone who had never existed in my life from the beginning.
‘What that person thinks of me doesn’t matter.’
Belesa Valenhardt was an important card to me. Suspect number 21 on my list. If she might be connected to Father’s impending death, I had no intention of missing this opportunity.
Smirk.
“…What reward do you want?”
Finally, the First Princess opened her mouth. Her tone was so cold and bland it felt chilling, but I didn’t avert my gaze from Belesa’s eyes.
“I returned something ‘precious’ to Her Highness, did I not? So please repay me accordingly—only as much as the debt you owe me. Ah, but I must respectfully decline any monetary compensation. My grandfather has more than enough.”
The audacity of mentioning ‘debt’ to a princess sent ripples through the crowd. Belesa fell silent for a moment at my words, then let out a short laugh and murmured.
“Bold.”

***

“….”
Sixty-seven.
Laksek had believed that by this age, his body would no longer tremble from emotional upheaval. Yet his hand, bearing the seal ring, shook. If only his fingers trembled, it would be fortunate. His voice wavered. His eyes wavered too.
It was not because of the illness he suffered. He had realized he was harboring a thief in his own home. Of course, the cost of keeping that thief fell upon his second son Reytan’s purse, but what did it matter? What mattered was that there was a thief on the Trabel Estate.
“So, Berry. What is it you wish to have…?”
Laksek asked again, suppressing the emotions boiling within him, and Berry answered brightly.
“Theon.”

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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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