Let the Whales Fight, This Shrimp is Leaving! - Chapter 21

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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 21
Once upon a time, I had a wish.
I dreamed of sitting in this chair, surrounded by the blessings of many, drawing a vintage fountain pen to ink my name onto my very first official document.
It was a story from a time when I still harbored hopeful visions of myself occupying the seat my father would pass down to me.
But that desperately cherished dream had evaporated into nothing more than an illusion.
Without anyone’s permission, let alone their blessings, I had been thrust into this seat as if pushed from behind.
The ceremonial act of signing with the ancient fountain pen, said to have been used since the founding era, had lost its luster long ago.
“Ah, right. There was a document that required final approval.”
I intentionally muttered the words aloud to shift the mood of the room.
I waited long enough to ensure the Foreign Minister was well out of earshot before gathering the papers and stepping out of the office.
The long corridor, where shafts of sunlight pierced through the windows to drape the carpet, was expectedly peaceful and warm.
It was also utterly silent.
Breaking through that stillness, I marched forward until a pair of massive, tightly closed doors loomed before me.
“Whew.”
I took a short, stabilizing breath and knocked.
I waited a moment, but as expected, no answer came from within.
“Your Highness. It’s me. Idir.”
I called out again, but the silence remained unbroken.
I was used to this.
“I’m coming in.”
Announcing my entry instead of waiting for permission, I pushed the door open.
The uncurtained room was brilliantly lit.
The stark white light piercing the space felt strangely eerie today, causing me to catch my breath for a beat.
Inside the vast chamber, my father sat before an antique black desk positioned toward the left.
Grand Duke Hubert. The current master of the Plene Grand Duchy, and my beloved father.
He slowly lifted his head.
Soft green eyes, saturated with the lushness of summer, crinkled slightly at the corners.
He looked precisely like a smiling wax doll.
“Father.”
I offered him a practiced smile in return.
“I have some documents that require your approval. Would you care to review them?”
“……Very well.”
At last, he forced out a dry, rasping voice.
It was a thick, husky sound, reminiscent of an old music box choked with dust after years of silence.
Even this was intimately familiar to me.
“Here they are. I adjusted the trade items slightly this time. I reduced the import of unnecessary spices and opted for something a bit more practical…….”
“Idir.”
“……Yes, Father.”
The moment I cut my explanation short and answered, he extended a withered hand to clasp the back of mine.
“On the day this land marks a century of history, I shall pass this seat down to you.”
“……Yes.”
“Though it may not be a mighty nation, I promise to hand it over to you as a peaceful and beautiful land.”
Normally, I would have simply expressed my gratitude and left it at that.
But today, a different response urged me forward, and I slowly sank to my knees without letting go of his hand.
“Father.”
Resting on the floor, I leaned my head against his thigh.
A faint, lukewarm warmth bled from his withered hand into me.
“I will prove it.”
“Idir.”
“I’ll prove that your choice wasn’t wrong.”
“On the day this land marks a century of history, I shall pass this seat down to you.”
I rubbed my forehead against that dry warmth, making a solemn vow.
“Once I have exacted our revenge perfectly.”
“Though it may not be a mighty nation…….”
“When that time comes, you’ll come back to me, right?”
Nothing in this world can be undone.
One can only desperately manage the misfortunes that crash over them, struggling toward whatever direction seems best.
“You promised me.”
I pulled myself up and lightly pressed my lips to his cheek.
Then, picking up the Grand Ducal Seal resting on the desk, I pressed it firmly onto the document.
Gathering the completed paperwork once more, I paused right before stepping out of my father’s room.
I looked back at him one last time.
As always, he offered me nothing but a smile.
A warm, gentle smile.
The one I had loved so deeply.
“We’re almost there.”
My beloved father.
I will prove to the entire continent that your vulnerability and kindness were never wrong.
‘I swear it.’
Chapter 3. My Hell
“Oh, look how gorgeous you are.”
“Wow!”
It was Foundation Day.
Having spent the early morning fussing over my appearance, Mother was the very first to come see me.
I could only stare in awe at her dazzling beauty, wondering if she was the reincarnation of an angel.
“Mother, you look like an angel.”
“Do I? Then is this little lady here an angel’s daughter?”
“Oh, stop it.”
Though I had just turned thirteen and was barely beginning to mimic a proper lady, Mother still treated me like a five-year-old child.
She poked my cheek playfully, scrutinized my makeup with sheer delight, and laughed.
“Come sit down, Idir.”
Guided by her gentle hand, I took a seat in front of the vanity.
Mother’s tender touch ran a comb softly through my hair.
“This hair ornament will go wonderfully with that dress.”
“Is that……!”
“Yes.”
Mother smiled through the mirror at my wide, startled eyes.
Resting atop my pinned-up golden hair was a tiara.
It was a breathtaking piece, adorned with jewels the color of a deep lake—just like Mother’s eyes—that scattered brilliant light in every direction.
“Beautiful, my daughter.”
She pressed a affectionate kiss to my cheek.
The tiara was the symbol of succession.
“It’s a gift from your father and me.”
At thirteen, it was a bit early to be recognized as the heir, but joy flooded through me nonetheless.
It made me feel truly acknowledged by my parents.
Furthermore, presenting it on Foundation Day meant they intended to officially declare me as the successor to everyone.
Unable to hide my delight, I beamed and returned the kiss on her cheek.
“Thank you. I will become someone who loves this country and its people more than anyone else.”
“You will do wonderfully. I always believe in you.”
Her embrace was so warm it brought pricking tears to my eyes.
As we held each other, my impatient father suddenly burst into the room.
“Are you still not done……? Goodness. My two ladies are hugging without me? How unfair.”
“Oh, dear. Where are your manners?”
“I never had any to begin with. In front of you, I have neither decorum nor pride.”
Demanding to be included, Father strode over and wrapped his arms around both of us at once.
My younger brother, who had scrambled in late, clumsily clung to Father’s waist.
“Congratulations, Sister!”
“Thank you.”
That day felt like a pure blessing.
As if the entire world had been orchestrated solely for my sake.
Every piece of the world I could see was celebrating me.
The people were in high spirits, laughing, drinking, singing, and dancing.
Flowers fluttered through the air as we paraded through the plaza, and the weather was absolutely radiant.
“Congratulations, My Lady!”
“Our deepest congratulations!”
“May the blessings of the gods be upon the young lady!”
“Thank you, everyone.”
My country. My people. The things I had to protect and nurture.
My precious…….
No, our Plene Grand Duchy.
The cloudless, brilliant sun eventually dipped below the horizon, but the festival stretched long into the night.
The town lights viewed from the Grand Ducal Castle were more beautiful than the cluster of stars in the night sky, and I stood beside Father for a long time just taking it in.
“Idir. On the day this land marks a century of history, I shall pass this seat down to you.”
That was the day Father made that promise to me for the very first time.
I think I babbled repeatedly about how it was the most flawlessly happy day of my life.
Watching Father swirl his wine glass, I pouted and puffed out my cheeks.
“The wine! You’ve had far too much to drink.”
“Ahaha. It’s fine. I’m not just saying this because I’m drunk.”
“Are you certain?”
“You adorable little thing.”
“Yuck! You smell like alcohol.”
“Want a sip?”
“Mother will be furious.”
“Mmm. Now that is a bit terrifying.”
Giggling.
As I laughed at Father’s mock shudder, his smile gradually softened into something serious.
“Idir.”
“Yes?”
“What I just said is the absolute truth.”
The playfulness drained from my own demeanor as well.
“Yes. I know. I believe you.”
“Though it may not be a mighty nation, I promise to hand it over to you as a peaceful and beautiful land.”
Father made his vow with absolute gravity.
I nodded quietly.
“Yes. I trust you.”
With that, I wrapped my arms tightly around his waist.
Sharing his warmth with me, he murmured that he believed in me.
“You are a beautiful, clever, and kind child, so you will do wonderfully. I always believe in you.”
“I’ll work even harder.”
“And who knows?”
A playful glint returned to Father’s eyes.
“Perhaps you will lead this nation to such prosperity that we earn the title of a Kingdom! Then you would be the founder of the Plene Kingdom.”
“Hooray!”
“Hahaha!”
Father roared with laughter at my confident ambition.
Eventually, having indulged a bit too much, I had to summon a knight to escort him back.
“I’m going to tell Mother on you!”
“Idir, sweetie! Watch out, you’ll fall……!”
Ignoring Father’s nagging entirely, I let out a bright peal of laughter and bolted down the corridor.
My destination, naturally, was my parents’ bedchamber.
“Mother!”
The moment I flung their doors wide open.
“Huh……?”
Something long and slender was hanging from the ceiling, swaying gently back and forth.

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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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