I Will Try to Save My Dad - Chapter 62

—————

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

—————

Chapter 62

She even said I cried profusely.
Father’s jaw stiffened as he listened to the story from Uncle Callet.
It was the expression he wore when suppressing anger.
“Are you upset with Berry?”
“No. With myself.”
“Really? Let it go. I even received pocket money from Grandfather!”
To shift the heavy atmosphere, I proudly displayed my spoils from my pocket, spreading them across both palms.
“Behold.”
It was a thousand-cona note.
“…You received that as pocket money?”
“Yes!”
….
The light drained from both Father’s and Uncle Callet’s eyes.
It was the same look they’d had when I first received pocket money from Grandfather.

“A thousand cona… The pocket money Count Trabel gives is a thousand cona…?”
“Good grief. Now you don’t even hide your disappointment. Your ambitions are far too lofty. Do you understand how terrifying money can be? You should feel grateful for even small amounts. And I notice you haven’t even said thank you.”
“Thank you, Grandfather, for the thousand cona….”

Just as I sat there dejected over this unexpectedly meager sum, Grandfather made a surprising proposal.

“A thousand cona every time Grandfather places his hand on my head? With no limit on frequency? Why?!”
“Your head is quite peculiar. When I rest my hand upon it, my mind works remarkably well.”

My head had become Grandfather’s cognitive enhancement device!

“So that’s me paying for it. When someone provides what another needs, compensation must be given. In any circumstance whatsoever.”
“Oh!”

Whenever Grandfather places his hand on my head, a thousand Cona falls into my lap.
It wasn’t a one-time payment like pocket money—it meant I could generate continuous income.
Now I don’t have to worry about snacks anymore!
“I’ll save up money and buy snacks for Father and Uncle Callet!”
I grinned widely, clutching the thousand Cona in my hand.
Father and Uncle Callet, watching me with quiet expressions, simultaneously pressed their foreheads with their palms.
“Callet, take Berry back to Stone House.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Aren’t you coming with us, Father?”
“…I have some business to attend to.”

***

Word had already spread throughout Count Trabel’s Residence that I’d gone to be scolded by Grandfather for failing the exam.
When Uncle Callet and I returned to Stone House, Sherry and Anne were waiting for me outside the entrance.
Theon and Jeffrey were with them as well.
“Young lady, have you been crying…?”
“No!”
“Sister Berry, your eyes are as red as a rabbit’s!”
“I-I’ll bring a cold compress!”
Sherry, Jeffrey, and Anne were flustered by the obvious traces of tears still visible on my face.
Theon remained composed throughout. Truly, the makings of someone destined to reach Grand Master were different.
Click.
Theon picked up the sword he’d leaned against the doorframe and strode forward with long steps. I called out to him as he passed by my side.
“Theon? Where are you going?”
“To find whoever made you cry.”
“There’s no one like that.”
I’d cried alone out of fear at being caught by Grandfather—so technically, it was the truth.
But Theon didn’t stop walking.
“I’ll find someone at the Main Estate.”
“Why are you taking a sword?! U-Uncle Callet!”
He was already approaching the gate of the Separate House. Uncle Callet grabbed Theon at my plea for help.
“….”
Theon looked up at Uncle Callet. Uncle Callet whispered something to Theon, and the two locked eyes for several seconds. Theon nodded and obediently returned to Stone House.
“You’re not going?”
“We decided to go next time.”
“Next time?”
What could Uncle Callet have said to him?
“Why?”
“….”
Theon fell silent.
Still, staying like this was far better than going to the Main Estate with a sword. I gave up questioning Theon and relayed Father’s words to Sherry.
“Father says he wants to eat something delicious today!”
“Of course. Is there anything you’d like to eat?”
“The cream stew and meatballs from last time!”
Sherry answered my request with confidence.
“I’ll prepare them with a fantastic flavor for you.”
But since I had to eat dinner with Father, I took a bath first.
As I soaked my body in the warm water, the tension I’d held all day melted away like snow.
“Ahh, this is wonderful.”
Anne, who was gathering my hair and wetting it with water, laughed at my words and asked.
“Where did you learn to speak like that? That’s what adults say.”
“Is that so? I guess I’ve grown up!”
I lifted my right hand from the water with a flourish. I spread all five fingers wide and held them up in front of my eyes.
‘Have I grown since a month ago?’
A hand twice as large as mine touched the one suspended in the air.
“An adult’s hand.”
“You still need to grow more. Your hand is smaller than Jeffrey’s.”
Anne kneaded my hand for a moment, then returned it to the water.
“Now I’ll shampoo. If soap gets in your eyes, it will sting, so you must keep your eyes tightly closed!”
“Mm-hmm.”
I squeezed my eyes shut. Anne’s gentle massage felt refreshing.
Grandfather said that when he touches my head, my mind works better. Is this what he meant…?
My mind worked so well that all the events from today flooded through my thoughts.
‘Who was it? The person who killed the other me.’
I had never heard a voice like that before.
It was too eerie to have simply slipped my mind as unremarkable—it made me want to scream.
A voice like tiny claws scraping directly against my eardrums.
‘Is it someone the other me never met?’
If so, there was no point in worrying about it now. From now on, I’d have to pay close attention whenever I met someone with a distinctive voice.
But first, a warm bath!
“This feels so good…”
“Oh no! You can’t open your eyes yet!”
“Oh, okay!”
I tensed my eyelids firmly shut again.

***

Father returned to the Stone House around the time I finished drying my hair.
“I’ll do it. You can go.”
“You, Reytan?”
“It’s fine. You can go.”
“Yes…! The fresh towels are right here!”
Once Anne left, Father picked up the fluffy towel and sat in the chair behind me. When Father’s reflection in the vanity mirror caught my eyes, he broke into a grin.
“Your hair’s already completely dry, miss.”
“Oh, so the renowned stylist Reytan has arrived.”
“Indeed. How would you like your hair styled? Do you have a particular style in mind?”
“I’ll leave it to your expertise today.”
Delighted to have Father do my hair after so long, I sat in the vanity chair and swung my dangling feet through the air.
“That’s quite expensive. Five declarations of love, if you please.”
“Ah, then may I borrow your ear?”
Father leaned his ear toward my face.
I cupped my hands around my mouth to keep the words from escaping, then whispered rapidly into Father’s ear.
I love you, five times. Father’s eyes crinkled as he laughed.
“Prepayment, how generous of you. Well then, Berry—are you breathing?”
“No.”
Father skillfully gathered my hair and tied it into a perfect ponytail, with the wispy strands falling exactly where they should.
And then came the wonderful news.
“From now on, you won’t be receiving any assignments outside of class from Madam Frea.”
“Really? You stayed at the Main Estate because of that? They agreed to it?”
My eyes went wide.
The mounting pile of assignments had been overwhelming, and now I wouldn’t have to do them anymore.
Father nodded.
“I told them I’d take responsibility for teaching you what you’re lacking. She understood.”
“Wow…!”
My lips curved upward of their own accord. Father patted my head as he spoke.
“You really didn’t want to do them, did you?”
“It wasn’t that I didn’t want to—it’s just that I already knew everything, so it wasn’t fun.”
“The volume of assignments was considerable though. You’ve been doing all that every day? I didn’t realize. I’m sorry.”
“Huh? Why are you apologizing?”
It was Madam Frea who gave the assignments.
Taken aback by the sudden apology, I climbed down from the chair and stood face to face with Father. He crouched down to meet me at eye level.
“Berry Berry, the reason I asked you to hide your abilities is to protect you.”
“Yeah, I know.”
“So if something like this happens again—if someone gives a child an unreasonable amount of studying, or if any of the adults try to punish you—”
“Then what?”
“Tell Father about it.”
“Huh.”
Are you trying to make me into such a childish little brat!
I wondered if he was joking, but Father’s blue eyes gazing at me held nothing but sincerity.
Oh, wait a moment. This is….
“Father, you feel terribly sorry toward me, don’t you? Is it because Berry was scolded by Grandfather? Do you think it’s because you asked me to hide that I’m capable?”
“…Yes.”
An opportunity.
Noticing my gleaming eyes, Father’s gaze shifted slightly.
“Then as an apology, will you listen to whatever I ask of you?”
“Let me hear it first.”
“⋯It’s supposed to be an apology, though? I’ll be sad if you don’t.”
Father exhaled softly.

***

Investment is knowing when to strike.

A passage from Marshall Grandmother’s treasured book, 【101 Investment Methods to Dominate the Market】.
‘So now is the perfect moment!’
Inside the moving carriage.
I gazed at the landscape beyond the window and smirked.

—————

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

—————