One Day, My Dad Disappeared - Chapter 29

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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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Episode 29
“Cynthia Violetta?”
The moderator called my name once more. I’m confident in my research, so I don’t understand why my legs are trembling like this.
“Phew.”
After exhaling a shaky breath, I climbed onto the platform. Hundreds of eyes turned toward me at once. Among them were those who recognized me, whispering to their neighbors.
It’s fine. Don’t be nervous.
When I glanced back, a calm pair of green eyes was watching me. At that steadfast gaze—so reassuring, so untroubled—I straightened my hunched shoulders and stood up tall.
“Good day. I am Cynthia Violetta.”
My thundering heart grew calm the moment I spoke the first words.
“The paper I’ve prepared concerns the manufacture of Vacuum Glass Electric Lamps and research on prolonged illumination.”
I proceeded to explain the principles of the filament I’d studied, why I chose carbonized bamboo as my material, the process of creating a vacuum inside the glass bulb to prevent oxidation, and finally revealed without reservation the duration of illumination obtained through repeated trials and cases of failure.
“We removed as much air as possible from the interior of the glass bulb. In that process, I developed the Mercury Pump.”
Having finished my prepared remarks, I closed the presentation materials in my hands and looked ahead.
“If there are no questions, I will conclude my presentation here.”
I bowed slowly.
I’d practiced anticipated questions with Aidan, so I was confident, but strangely it was silent. Too silent. Not a question, not even applause or the sound of breathing—just an eerie quiet that stretched on.
‘…What is this?’
Did I make some mistake? Had I left something out of my paper? I hurriedly checked the materials in my hands, but nothing was missing.
Then was it simply that I’m a commoner, so they won’t applaud me?
That seemed far more likely. Most of the people here, aside from the journalists, were nobles.
I clenched my hands. The materials crumpled with a soft crinkle.
Fine, then. At least Doctor Heliko will recognize my research.
That was the moment I was about to leave.
Clap.
In that instant, applause came from behind me.
Clap, clap.
Then applause came from the front as well.
Clap-clap-clap—
The applause spread in an instant. A roar of cheers erupted like thunder. I’d never received such an outpouring of acclaim in my life, so I was dumbfounded, glancing around before turning to look behind me. There was Aidan. With a faint smile, he was clapping louder and longer than anyone else.
Embarrassed, even after descending from the platform, I couldn’t look Aidan in the eye. Of course, Aidan didn’t seem particularly concerned with me either.
After that, other presentations and question sessions began. Each time, Aidan was the first to applaud. Not just for me, but for everyone.
It should have been natural, but something felt strange. We’re on the same side, aren’t we? Shouldn’t he be supporting me?
“Let’s sit down for a bit.”
After all the presentations ended, there was free time during the judges’ score compilation.
“I suppose so? I’ve been tense the whole time, and my legs…”
I was looking around for a place to sit when suddenly people came rushing toward me.
“Eh, eh?”
These nobles approaching me were as strange and unfamiliar as snow falling in summer.
“Cynthia Violetta?”
“Would you consider selling the patent rights to this electric lamp?”
“I’ll pay a far higher price than the author!”
“Why not register the patent under your name and sell it through our trading company?”
Surrounded by nobles announcing their own names and houses, I was in a difficult position—until Aidan came to my rescue, naturally.
“I’m afraid the patent rights to that lamp are already under contract with us.”
“What? You little brat, how dare you interrupt adults talking!”
A portly man in front of me spat his words, voice booming.
“Wait—aren’t you the Prince of Winslow?”
Fortunately, a mustachioed man beside him seemed to recognize who Aidan was.
“What? Could it be… those bright red locks, that sharp green gaze…!”
The others, belatedly recognizing Aidan, hesitated and slowly stepped back.
“I thought it was brilliant research, but it was the Prince’s vision all along? Of course—a commoner couldn’t have come up with something like this.”
“The Winslow Family’s future is bright indeed, with such a talented successor.”
“I heard you were busy with the Special Inspection Department, yet you find time for this too. Remarkable.”
All the praise that had been directed at me suddenly shifted to Aidan, but at least I could breathe easier. Maybe I should just slip away in this gap.
“Nonsense.”
In that moment, a large hand wrapped around my shoulder and pulled me toward him.
Thrown off balance by the sudden force, I was drawn flush against Aidan’s side.
“This was her idea from start to finish. I thought if it succeeded, it would certainly be a huge hit, and I knew for certain that Cynthia Violetta would make it succeed.”
He regarded me with a softness in his eyes that was unlike him.
“During my time at the Academy, I never once bested her. So to be precise, I’m the one riding on Cynthia Violetta’s coattails.”
He even corrected what he’d said earlier.
“This electric lamp will bring a new revolution to our society, just as the telephone did when it first appeared.”
“How many units could we order?”
“I want to order some too! We’re hosting a reception soon, and I’d like to install electric lamps instead of gas lamps.”
“Please, won’t you do business with us as well?”
While Aidan discussed matters of commerce, I finally managed to take a seat.
Still, it’s taking longer than I expected. Is there really that much to discuss?
I’d been waiting anxiously for some time when the moderator finally appeared.
“Thank you all for your patience! At last, we have the final results.”
I swallowed hard, my mouth suddenly dry. My hands trembled even more now than before my presentation.
“As you all know, the special prize item for this Academic Conference is a Fountain Pen—a cherished possession of Doctor Heliko himself. So the Doctor will present the award personally!”
Doctor Heliko slowly made his way to the podium, a small wooden box resting in his weathered hands.
Though the box bore no decoration, the wood itself gleamed with a lustrous polish that spoke of highest quality.
“The winner of the 50th Comprehensive Academic Conference Paper Prize is……”
His voice came slowly, and the murmur of the hall fell silent in an instant.
“Miss Cynthia Violetta, who invented the electric lamp.”
My heart hammered wildly against my ribs.
“Yes, congratulations. As you all know, the winners of the Academic Conference receive……”
The moderator beside me was explaining the prize money and benefits that would be awarded to me, but I heard nothing of it.
I could only stare at the wooden box in Doctor Heliko’s hands.
“Congratulations. That was a truly brilliant paper.”
“Th-thank you so much!”
The Doctor smiled and held out the box to me.
“I’m eager to see what research you’ll pursue next. I hope this gift will accompany you on that scholarly path.”
Knowing it was improper, I opened the box at once. The Fountain Pen holder, made of oak, bore a crack just as the Crown Prince had described.
And at the point where that crack began, a single blue stone was embedded.
“This is, precisely……”
I set it down on the table and turned it this way and that, but to the naked eye it was utterly indistinguishable from an ordinary gemstone. Shining light on it, tapping it with my fingernail—nothing revealed anything remarkable.
Truly, there was no way to judge it by appearance alone.
If I kept fiddling with the Fountain Pen here, I would only be rude to the Doctor. I swallowed my disappointment and carefully closed the box again.
“Well? Cynthia.”
Aidan had drawn close beside me, his voice low.
I answered him quietly, ensuring only his ear could hear me above the others.
“Looking at it this way, I can’t say for certain.”
Aidan’s green eyes narrowed.
“Then all you need to do is verify it.”
“Yes.”
“Let’s go.”
We quickened our pace, leaving the congratulations of others behind.

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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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