Star Child's Parenting Diary - Chapter 25

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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 25
Chapter 6. The Missing Mage’s Whereabouts (5)
There, drawn in bright colors, was a castle and the princess who lived within it.
“A castle?”
“Mm-hmm.”
“Look here.”
Ethan began stacking blocks with deliberate focus, moving briskly and methodically.
In moments, blocks rose in a perfect circle around Lily.
This castle wall was taller than Lily sitting down.
“Wow!”
“Happy?”
“Mm-hmm!”
“You’re a princess now.”
“Hehe.”
When Ethan placed a toy crown that had been lying scattered across the floor on her head, Lily turned shy and twisted her body about bashfully.
In her wriggling, one side of the castle came tumbling down…….
“Waaah.”
“We can build it again.”
Ethan tried to comfort her, but Lily already looked upset.
The pouty child reached out her arms toward Ethan and clung to him.
Ethan naturally bent forward and offered his neck to her.
Day after day they bickered, yet she clung to him without hesitation—her small, warm body had grown quite familiar to Ethan by now.
With practiced ease, he cradled her in one arm and began kneading her soft cheek.
Whatever he pressed, whatever he touched—
The dough-like texture was oddly addictive.
The way Lily’s face twisted and contorted with each squeeze was rather amusing to watch.
‘I suppose she is cute, seen like this.’
A faint smile crossed Ethan’s lips as he absently leaned down and pressed them to Lily’s soft cheek.
Smack.
“…….”
The thoughtless gesture left Ethan stiff with shock.
Meanwhile, Lily simply blinked her wide eyes blankly.
“Hehe.”
“……!”
Regarding Ethan with a peculiar expression, Lily suddenly broke into a bright smile.
Ethan’s eyes widened slightly at the child’s unexpected response.
“Boop.”
“……You’re not crying?”
“Huh?”
“I asked if you’re crying.”
“Gee-gee.”
He’d expected her to dislike it, to cry or whine and push him away.
As Ethan had grown comfortable with Lily, had Lily become comfortable with Ethan as well?
It had been roughly two weeks since he’d adopted her, and perhaps it was finally time for that.
‘She must have done this often at the orphanage.’
The child had already given the impression of being well-loved.
She smiled readily, ate well, made bold demands, and was quite shameless when seeking praise.
‘Now that I think about it……’
He stroked Lily’s round head absently, lost in thought.
Warm and perfectly fitting in his palm—it was oddly addictive.
‘How did the orphanage control the Ether?’
The moment that thought crossed his mind, Ethan’s movements froze.
“……Lily, you…….”
“Mm?”
Lily looked up at Ethan with innocent eyes, tilting her head in confusion.
Ethan’s brow gradually furrowed as he studied her.
* * *
At the same moment.
Sethia, having arrived at the Temple, found herself face to face with Marius, the Pope and half-dragon.
“Where has that soft one gone?”
“Pardon?”
Marius, who had been studying Sethia with a stern gaze, began circling around her.
“That adorable two-year-old you adopted! Why didn’t she come with you?”
“Ah. You mean Lily?”
“Aww! Even her name is precious. It gets cuter every time I hear it.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
Argares, slightly embarrassed by Marius’s antics, tried to restrain him.
But Sethia was a skilled hand at such moments.
“I’ll bring her next time. Perhaps I could even invite you to our residence. Lily would love it.”
……
Marius, who had never actually laid eyes on Lily yet had covered his mouth and begun sobbing about how cute she must be, stared at Sethia with glistening eyes.
“You’re the sort of person who truly deserves to live.”
“Thank you for thinking so kindly of me.”
“Such a sweet, adorable little one needs a proper guardian. For her sake alone, I should provide whatever support I can possibly—”
“Ah, I’m sorry to interrupt, but—”
Sethia cut off Marius mid-sentence and made a light gesture through the air.
At that signal, coachmen emerged from the carriage bearing a large wooden chest.
“I felt it would be improper to visit empty-handed. Your Temple does provide shelter for children with nowhere else to go, doesn’t it? I’ve prepared this modest contribution, hoping it might prove useful.”
Sethia explained with a radiant smile.
The lid of the chest—so large that two strong men had to carry it together—opened to reveal a golden glimmer within.
“You truly……”
Marius, bathed in the brilliant light, swallowed hard.
“are a remarkable person of virtue and character alike.”
“You’re too kind. I’m embarrassed.”
“Approved. Come, let’s head to my research laboratory at once.”
“When did he become so worldly, I wonder.”
“There’s no helping it. Mouths must be fed, and research costs a fortune, you know.”
As they walked down the corridor, Marius’s mouth never ceased moving.
“Take Biles Code’s Magical Device alone. Do you know how many high-grade Magic Stones of pure quality are needed? And the precision of it all!”
Thump!
Marius came to an abrupt halt before a door and stomped his foot roughly.
His tightly clenched fist trembled.
“It’s so intricate that you’d wonder if humans could actually craft such a thing.”
Despair colored his voice.
Marius’s Research Laboratory.
Across his desk lay dozens of blueprints, their ink still wet.
The blueprints depicted mechanical components both large and small, along with delicately carved Magic Stones.
“For now, I’ve reconstructed it as best I could from my recollection. Whether the actual assembly works and functions properly—that remains to be seen.”
“It’s a remarkably delicate device. Once all these components are assembled, it seems like it would be quite large. Will Lily be able to use it comfortably in her daily life?”
Sethia, reviewing the blueprints carefully, voiced her concern.
Then Marius produced the final sheet of the blueprints.
“No, that’s not the case.”
Fortunately, the last sheet of the blueprints remained undamaged.
In other words, the original form of Biles Code’s Magical Device was preserved intact.
“It’s only the size of a palm—or rather, a child’s fist.”
“Is that so?”
“It means the device is small enough to carry on one’s person at all times.”
Sethia’s pupils gradually dilated at Marius’s words.
“This is……”
“Though even if the blueprints had been perfectly preserved, there’s a chance I simply lack the skill to construct it.”
Marius’s expression grew complicated as he regarded the scattered blueprints.
“First, we must adapt the reconstructed blueprints into a form we can actually manufacture.”
Sethia swallowed dryly.
The final sheet of the blueprints.
It depicted the completed form of the Magical Device.
* * *
“Hey, you……!”
Ethan turned Lily this way and that.
“Huh? Whine?”
Lily, utterly bewildered, let herself be turned and manipulated by Ethan before wobbling and plopping down where she stood.
Everything had been spinning so long that the dizziness was making my head ache.
“What’s gotten into you all of a sudden?”
Ethan knelt down in front of Bel, his face clouded with confusion.
Bel, unable to fathom why he’d suddenly done this, merely tilted her head in puzzlement.
“Uh?”
“Why did the Ether stabilize all of a sudden? It was leaking away just yesterday.”
“Uh-huh?”
“What on earth happened? Did the Spirit come back?”
“No-no.”
Bel shook her head.
Ethan then ran his hands roughly through his hair in frustration.
‘I haven’t the faintest idea.’
Why had the Ether suddenly stabilized?
Of course it was good news.
Yet something nagged at him—the feeling that he was missing something crucial.
There was an unease he couldn’t shake.
‘Has something changed?’
He was tracing back through his memories, searching for even the smallest clue, when—
“Your Excellency.”
“Get out.”
“I haven’t even said anything yet, sir.”
Aspe protested, wronged, at being summarily dismissed without warning.
“What is it?”
“You have a visitor.”
“A visitor? I’m not expecting anyone.”
“Not for you, sir—for the young lady.”
Aspe delivered the news with unflappable composure, turning to Bel to announce the caller.
“Miss Lily has come to see you.”
“Lily?”
“Yes.”
“Lily!”
Bel’s face lit up like the sun.
She promptly threw her arms around Ethan’s leg and began tugging at him urgently.
“Sir! Lily! Please!”
“Alright, stop pestering me.”
His train of thought violently derailed, Ethan scooped up the slipping child into his arms and steadied her against his chest.
As Aspe had said, Lily was waiting in the Reception Room.
“Lily!”
“Bel!”
Bel’s face blossomed into a smile.
Her small legs pattered rapidly across the room, and Lily swept her up into an embrace just as swiftly.
“Bel, how have you been? My, you’ve gotten heavier still.”
“Uh-huh! Missed you. Lots.”
“I missed you too, Bel.”
The two held each other like family reunited after years apart, savoring the joy of their meeting.
As Ethan watched the two of them, positively glowing with delight, Aspe quietly came to stand behind him.
“Your Excellency.”
“You startled me,” Ethan said with irritation, turning back to face Aspe.
None the worse for wear, Aspe was gazing at Lily with a rather vacant expression.
Without preamble, he spoke.
His gaze remained fixed on Lily, calm but somehow distant.
“How would you feel about hiring Miss Lily as a nursemaid for the young lady?”

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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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