Star Child's Parenting Diary - Chapter 9

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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 9
Chapter 3. A World of Colors (3)
In the end, the world mended itself, turned in its cycle, and found its place again—and so new life would inevitably be born.
“Their goal is to reverse Light and Darkness. That means all of us in the light have become obstacles in their way.”
Dragon’s gaze shifted to the bell trapped between Edan’s palms.
“Targeting the Star Lineage first—it smooths the path for them.”
“Then they’ll try to kill her before her power fully awakens.”
Edan muttered the words like a curse.
Dragon didn’t bother to deny it.
“I can stop them once or twice with my own strength.”
Before, he’d been blindsided, caught completely off guard. But now the situation was different.
“Yet I’ve lived far too long. My power wanes, and when I fall, I cannot guarantee the Star Guardian will have enough strength to act as needed.”
He let his words trail off, unresolved.
Frustration flashed across Edan’s face, twisting it into something savage.
“So what? Are you saying there’s a way, or there isn’t?”
“When the Calamity struck, wasn’t there someone who killed Dragon?”
Dragon ignored Edan and turned his attention to the Emperor.
The Emperor, however, shifted uncomfortably and glanced sidelong at Edan.
“I killed him. Why?”
Edan lifted his chin with brazen confidence.
Before Dragon himself, who else but Edan could declare so shamelessly: ‘I’m the one who killed your kinsman’?
If anyone else could, that itself would be the Calamity.
“…Good heavens. And here I thought the so-called hero possessed some semblance of character.”
Dragon rubbed his face and sighed heavily.
“What’s wrong with my character?”
There was one fact Edan still didn’t know.
“I’m practically virtuous.”
Edan was a man entirely unaware of his own moral failings.
“I think I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that.”
“Urgh.”
The Emperor quickly covered his ears, while Aspe made a sound of disgust.
“When those from the Realm of Darkness attack, bind the feet of the ‘greatest Calamity’ they bring with them. A moment—that’s all I need.”
Dragon waved his hand dismissively, his tone one of utter resignation.
“The rest I’ll manage somehow.”
Their strategy meeting wound down without ceremony.
It was time to head to House of Aibek.
* * *
A single gaze looked down at the White Carriage as it crossed the sprawling Garden.
[Did you see it?]
“Yes. The final star has truly awakened.”
From eyes narrowed at an unpleasant angle, a sinister aura poured forth.
He stood deliberately in a sliver of shadow, even as bright sunlight streamed through the Corridor, and his lips curved into a smile.
“Go and confirm it.”
At his low voice, the shadow seemed to ripple.
“Determine whether this child can become the master of Calamity.”
This was the child they had searched for so long.
The final link in the Star Lineage.
A double-edged sword that would determine the course of the revolution they would ignite.
A child left alone, yet blessed by all the stars.
Whether to seize it in hand, or snuff it out before it could grow.
He had to know for certain.
“Ah! Were you here?”
Just then, a cheerful voice rang out from the end of the Corridor.
The figure hidden in shadow smoothly erased all trace of his dark aura.
“All the attendees of the State Council have arrived. Shall we go?”
“Yes, let us.”
The Ruler of Darkness, who led those dwelling in the Realm of Darkness.
He smiled gently and began to walk.
* * *
Whoooosh—
Petals drifted and swirled through the air.
“Welcome!”
“Come in, Bell. I’ve been waiting for you.”
Setia, dressed in a tea party gown, crouched down in front of Bell.
Bell stared intently at Setia’s welcoming face.
‘……Mist.’
The black fog covering Setia’s face was very faint.
Because of it, her expression remained dimly visible.
Blink. Blink.
After gazing at Setia for a while, Bell rubbed her eyes.
Wondering, she glanced at Edan once, then looked at Aspe, and gazed back at Setia.
The people who had been within the Imperial Palace grounds yesterday—their faces were now visible.
Very clearly.
But the people from House of Aibek?
‘I can’t see them.’
Mist shrouded the faces of everyone from House of Aibek.
Since faint mist also clung to Setia, Bell hadn’t been mistaken.
Then was it a case similar to Edan’s?
……If one were to ask that, the answer was no.
Setia’s mist was faint because her Aether was nearly depleted.
And Bell understood what this meant.
Aether was the balance of the world, the force that was the source of life.
When it vanished, that life disappeared with it.
In other words, Setia had little time left.
‘……Berudia……!’
I need help!
But the spirit wasn’t beside Bell.
‘Ping.’
Realizing the emptiness at her side, Bell’s shoulders drooped.
Seeing the small shoulders sag, Setia grew flustered.
“What’s wrong all of a sudden? Didn’t you like the welcome party?”
She fidgeted, then held out a cake in front of Bell.
“Look here, Bell. I prepared this just for you.”
But the moment Bell saw the cake, her expression grew even more forlorn.
“Don’t you like it?”
“It’s not because of you, so don’t be upset.”
Edan stepped in, unable to bear it.
“Her Aether is contaminated, that’s all.”
He’d guessed the reason for Bell’s despondence.
Then he waved a Fairy Tale Book in front of Bell’s eyes the way one might shake a toy at a puppy.
“Look, here’s a fairy tale book, a fairy tale book. What color is this?”
“…….”
Bell stared at Edan with half-lidded eyes.
The look said, ‘Really. You’re clueless, aren’t you?’
Realizing the child was regarding him disrespectfully, Edan’s eyebrows twisted.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“……Mister.”
“……What? Mis—mister?”
“Fool.”
Bell offered one word to Edan, who laughed helplessly.
‘You fool. You don’t even understand my heart!’
“This is ridiculous, really. Why am I a mister?”
Edan bristled at being called “mister,” and his eyes flashed with irritation in an instant.
“You agreed to become a daughter of House of Aibek starting yesterday, didn’t you?”
“No.”
“When I asked you to come with me, you said yes.”
And so he began arguing with a child barely two years old—about twenty months.
“I gave you bread, didn’t I? You ate it all up.”
“Mm-hmm!”
That’s why I came along!
Bel widened her eyes to express her displeasure.
Her large, round eyes shifted into triangular slits, taking on a decidedly defiant expression.
Seeing this, Edan let out another hollow laugh.
“Absurd, really. Listen here. You came following me, and I’ve signed the documents, had them notarized…. You’re a lady of House Aibek now. Do you understand?”
“No way!”
“I’m your father. Aren’t I?”
“Yes!”
Bel nodded confidently.
She even puffed out her plump little belly proudly.
Edan was left speechless, and watching the scene, Setia burst into laughter.
“Don’t quarrel with the child, Edan. It’s childish.”
At her remonstrance, Edan’s fierce expression softened.
Setia turned her attention back to Bel.
“I’m Setia. From today on, I’ve become your mother. Welcome to House Aibek.”
She spoke gently and drew Bel into a warm embrace.
Bel felt her heart stir.
It was a little ticklish, and it ached in an odd way.
Setia’s embrace was like….
‘….Berudia….’
It reminded her of the spirit.
The warmth of being held carefully by those newly formed, translucent arms, the tenderness in that voice when she spoke—it was all so familiar.
[In your mother’s stead, I shall always be at your side.]
[Little star child.]
What is a mother, anyway?
Someone who stays beside you?
Then was Berudia Bel’s mother?
‘She’s gone.’
But the spirit was not here now.
And this woman who had taken it upon herself to be called mother would also leave Bel’s side.
When everyone was gone, Bel would be left with….
The child’s gaze shifted to Edan.
“….”
Just the two of them to survive together?
Bel made a decision.
She would summon the spirit again as quickly as she could.
But first, she had to eat.
“Yum yum!”
Bel quickly pointed at the cake that wafted a sweet aroma.
“Hmm? You want some cake?”
“Yes.”
“Shall we go have it with some juice?”
Setia’s expression brightened considerably.
Watching Setia, who spoke to her as kindly as the Headmaster and Lily did, Bel said silently to herself.
‘Just wait a little longer.’
I’ll summon the spirit back soon and help you.
“Here, open wide.”
….First, let me eat a bit.
* * *
“Aah.”
“Oh, she’s got an appetite.”
Like a baby bird, Bel opened her mouth again after finishing the piece of cake fed to her.
“How is it? Good?”
Setia’s face wore a constant smile, delighted to see Bel eating so well.

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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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