I Will Try to Save My Dad - Chapter 74

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

Chapter 74

When communicating with insular groups, connections were worth more than gold.
Marshall Grandmother was a half-blood of Dwarves and humans.
And she was also a physician the Dwarves sought out when they needed one.
The Dwarves couldn’t have dismissed the Trabel Count Family as they had before, not when Marshall Grandmother had delivered a letter on their behalf—which was precisely why they’d sent their reply.
‘One gold coin is a fair trade~’

———-
We do not refuse to trade with you solely because trust has been broken.
It is because we have noticed the quality of minerals provided by the Trabel Count Family has declined.
We shall grant you one final opportunity.
Bring us the most perfect jewel, and we will consider resuming our trade.
———-

“Hah.”
Grandfather let out a hollow laugh, as if at a loss for words.
“Are you giving up the iron mines?”
“Not at all. Just because a reply came doesn’t mean we’ll trade.”
I’d hoped to secure a confirmation in advance, but he was no easy mark.
Yet I couldn’t hide the surge of emotion rising within him.
“Hah, my word.”
He continued to exclaim in admiration, stroking my head as if praising my wit.
“In decades, I couldn’t accomplish what this Laksek did in a week? Remarkable child.”
“I thought Count Trabel was stingy with praise.”
“One must have limits to be called stingy. This defies reason, doesn’t it?”
I never expected Grandfather to be this pleased. Having my abilities recognized was something I’d never experienced across all my memories until now. I felt oddly delighted.
“They said to bring the most perfect jewel.”
“A troublesome demand. Do you know why?”
“Because the judgment rests with the Dwarves? Since their criteria aren’t clearly defined, even if we bring a perfect jewel, if the Dwarves say it isn’t, then it isn’t. They could be petulant even if we’re right.”
“Berry.”
“Huh? Yes, yes!”
Grandfather called me by name for the first time.
Startled, I straightened my posture, and Grandfather pointed with his pinky finger, which bore a signet ring, toward the desk across from the sofa.
“Remove this ring and take a seat at that desk.”
“…”
Ah. I’d only just begun sitting alone on the sofa, and now the next stage had arrived.
I gazed at the large chair beyond the desk with eyes that had lost all interest.
“I’m giving you the position of head of the Trabel Family, yet you look thoroughly displeased?”
“You’re planning to mock me for not being able to sit in the chair. I won’t fall for it this time.”
It was painfully obvious that Grandfather wanted to watch me struggle and grunt while trying to climb into the seat, just so he could laugh at me.
“You brat. What do you take your grandfather for? Just because you’re sitting there doesn’t mean I… this will be amusing indeed.”
See? I knew it…!
Grandfather’s soft chuckle rang out with unusual clarity. Of course—the Trabel Family. There wasn’t a single person I could trust.
“Please have the temporary proxy and Jack Jack sign confidentiality agreements as well.”
“One. Suspicion. Understood.”
Grandfather pointed at the Dwarves’ letter with his index finger.
It was the section that read “the most perfect gemstone.”
“Then try solving this as well. Tell your temporary proxy what gemstones you need.”
“Even expensive gemstones? As much as I want?”
“Yes. You’ll be asked to submit an itemized list and receipts. Don’t even think about using them frivolously.”
“Come on, I’m not going to embezzle.”
At my words, Grandfather gently ruffled my hair.
“If you succeed, I’ll give you not the iron mines, but whichever mines you desire. Diamond mines, anything.”

***

The next day.
Father was preparing to go out from Saturday morning.
“Father, where are you going?”
“Hisport Town. To the clothing shop.”
“I want to go too!”
Theon and Jeffrey were at the Training Hall. Ever since Theon began teaching Jeffrey swordplay, they trained without fail every morning.
“Very well.”
With Father’s permission, I quickly asked Sherry to prepare me for the outing.
“…Sherry, are you feeling unwell? Your face looks hollow.”
“Oh, no.”
“She has a hangover.”
Anne spoke from beside me. Sherry, having buttoned up to the very last button, staggered outside to catch some fresh air.
After finishing my preparations, I rode in a carriage with Father and arrived at the Trang Clothing Shop.
“Wow. Incredible.”
“…There are so many people.”
The moment we opened the door, the entrance lobby was teeming with customers.
As Father and I stepped inside, all eyes turned toward us.
“Really, really…! The young lady came too…!”
“Never did I think the day would come when I’d lay eyes on Lord Reytan in person.”
“Go closer and greet him. Quickly.”
Whisper, whisper.
I heard whispers from a distance, and Father’s hand holding mine flinched. He was clearly debating whether to turn back.
“Reytan…!”
The Shop Manager hurried through the crowd, straightened his appearance, and approached Father.
“Welcome. Berry has come as well, I see. Shall we take your measurements right away?”
“Next time. I’m too busy today. Let’s go, Berry.”
“Oh, no! I’ve already reserved a private room since Reytan was coming!”
The Shop Manager grabbed Father urgently. But Father disliked crowded places.
“I’ll come next time.”
As his determination to leave became clear, the Shop Manager’s eyes glistened with tears.
“If you leave like this now, I won’t be able to sleep tonight. I’ve already purchased fabrics by type to drape your perfect upper body, and to emphasize those Pacific Ocean-like shoulders—”
“…Stop.”
Father quickly cut him off before the Shop Manager’s flattery could spiral further.
We eventually moved to the VIP Room at Trang Clothing Shop, where my measurements were taken and the fitting for previously ordered garments began.
I sat on a children’s sofa, watching Father.
‘What a cool dad~’
Scratch. Scratch.
An odd sound came from somewhere. When I turned my head, the Head Designer was watching me while moving her pencil across a sketchbook.
“Huh?”
“Oh! Miss, just a moment, just keep looking at Reytan like you were before…!”
At her passionate request, I turned back to look at Father.
Our eyes met, and Father smiled slightly. The frantic scratching stopped, and the Head Designer approached me.
“Phew, I’m sorry, miss. Looking at your cheeks, inspiration just keeps flowing. You’re so, so adorable…! Oh my, did I say that out loud?”
The Head Designer’s cheeks were flushed. Now that I thought about it, she was someone with passionate dedication to button embellishment details as well.
‘Should I ask her?’
Though she was a clothing designer, she must have seen many jewels, so perhaps her knowledge was extensive.
“Designer, are there perfect gems?”
“Perfect gems?”
At my question, the Head Designer pondered seriously for a moment, then opened her mouth carefully.
“Perhaps the highest-grade pearls?”
“Pearls?”
“From what I know, they’re the only gems that don’t require cutting. What’s perfect from birth is the most perfect.”
“I see.”
It was a decent answer.
The Head Designer left to check Father’s fitting, and the Shop Manager came to my side.
This was my chance. The real reason I came to Trang Clothing Shop today was to meet the Shop Manager!
“Shop Manager, Shop Manager.”
I lowered my voice and called him over. The Shop Manager approached me discreetly, bent down, and offered his ear.
Father was preoccupied discussing sleeve designs.
I covered my mouth with my hand and asked.
“Are you thinking of opening more clothing shops with Father? You had so many customers.”
“More locations…? Ah, you’re speaking of expansion plans…! We certainly have the desire to do so, but we’ve already been rejected by Reytan.”
“Then, try reaching out to the head of the Blue Company. They might find a way for you?”
“I’ve heard rumors of that person. They say they’re quite resourceful. But would they help us? I understand they’re not an easy person to deal with.”
“Shop Manager.”
I leaned in closer and spoke to the Shop Manager in hushed tones.
“This is a secret, but actually, Victor is close friends with my father.”
“…The two of you…?”
“So try asking Victor about this. As they say, you’ve got nothing to lose by trying.”
“W-well then…”
Gulp. Determination flickered in the Shop Manager’s eyes as he swallowed. Before Father could look our way, the Shop Manager and I finished our little conspiracy and returned to our seats.
Hehe.
‘Victor is quite capable in these matters!’
The Trang Clothing Shop was on an upward trajectory. It was clear Father would see this as an opportunity to build his track record.
Victor would surely persuade Father!
Pleased with myself, I swung my feet back and forth, then recalled our earlier conversation.
‘The most perfect jewel is a pearl?’

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