The Youngest Member Filming a Parenting Show is Adorable - Chapter 188
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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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【Interlude 20】
Iona Lenton.
She was the eldest daughter of a lord who ruled over a small, remote territory—a place so far removed from civilization that it barely registered on most maps.
Though she bore the title of a baron’s daughter, in truth, she lived no differently from the common folk, mingling freely with them in everyday life.
What set Iona apart from the others was merely that she lived in the castle, could read and write, and carried the name of a lord’s daughter.
When times were lean, she starved alongside her subjects; when fortune smiled, she shared without hesitation.
As she came of age, despite her noble birth, she found herself working to earn coin—yet Iona harbored no resentment toward such a life.
Perhaps this stemmed from her father the baron’s unpretentious nature, or her mother’s boundless compassion.
Whenever she ventured beyond the castle walls, everyone recognized her and greeted her warmly.
Iona returned their greetings with genuine joy, and she had grown accustomed to hearing their troubles from a place of equality.
Though she could not solve every problem—for her lord father was far from wealthy—her subjects were content merely to be heard.
“Always approach your people with an open heart.”
Raised by her parents’ teachings, Iona cherished both her subjects and her territory with sincere affection.
She had never entertained thoughts of leaving this place, nor had she reason to.
She harbored no longing for marriage either.
If Iona had one concern, it was her younger sister’s fragile constitution.
Since childhood, she had suffered frequent bouts of pneumonia, making even simple outings difficult—a frail four-year-old girl who could only watch with envious eyes as the local boys played in the mud.
Celia Lenton.
For her sake, Iona would have done anything.
“Sister, did you hear? They’re putting on an incredible performance in Sol. A magical play, they say.”
“A magical play?”
“Yes! It’s in this magazine. ‘Kaiser Laximan Opens the Era of Magical Theater.’ Isn’t that amazing?”
To keep Celia, who spent so much time confined indoors, entertained, her parents had arranged a subscription to the latest magazines circulating in the Capital.
And so time passed, until one fateful day.
Iona found her sister’s eyes gleaming with excitement.
Even as fever kept her bedridden, Celia refused to release the magazine, reading the interview featuring Kaiser Laximan again and again.
Until the pages themselves grew worn.
“If only I could see it just once in person…”
“Rest well today first. You’ll need your strength to go see it.”
“But I can’t. If we had that much money, it should go to our people.”
Her beloved sister Celia was wonderfully kind.
She harbored no greed, always yielding to others.
Even when good things or delicacies came her way, she would rather give them to Iona or their parents than keep them for herself.
Knowing her sister as she did, Iona made a decision.
She would extend her working hours, however much it took, to ensure Celia saw that performance.
Even if she herself could not go, surely she could send her mother and sister, could she not?
‘Besides, her birthday is in three months, and spring will have arrived by then.’
Celia’s condition always improved when spring came.
With this in mind, Iona began calculating her savings, her mind already working.
‘The cost of admission isn’t really the problem.’
Sol is the central city within the Laximun Territory.
The time and cost required to travel from the Lanton Territory to Sol. The lodging fees and meal expenses for staying there.
And since she was already going, she wanted to have them bring back something—those additional costs.
That was the problem.
‘It’s fine. The Territory’s finances weren’t bad this year. And… Celia is an adult now anyway. We can treat this as a celebration of that, right?’
I wanted to give Celia at least one day that was truly for her.
With that sentiment, Iona Lenton drafted her résumé.
Fortunately, Iona Lenton had a talent for ancient languages.
Though she hadn’t graduated from any prestigious academy, her skills were superior for this remote Territory, and with them she could work as a private tutor in the nearby domains.
Just then, a domain that had heard of her reputation reached out.
She hesitated because the commute required four hours a day, but even if she couldn’t spend more time beside Celia, she had to do it.
“Here, Celia. A birthday gift.”
“Sister… Sister, this is…!”
“No refunds. The tickets are already issued and came by mail. Go see it with Mother, just the two of you.”
Several months later.
She had managed to purchase two tickets to a magical theatrical performance.
Of course, she’d also booked accommodations and arranged a comfortable carriage for the long journey.
“But these are the best seats! This is too expensive. Sister…!”
“It’s fine, Celia. Let me do this for you just once.”
“Oh, Sister….”
Upon receiving the tickets, Celia finally burst into tears and threw her arms around her.
Holding the sobbing Celia close, Iona Lenton rejoiced that months of hard work hadn’t been in vain.
The front row was a sofa section, and such a seat would be perfect for a delicate child like Celia.
“Oh my, I wanted to see this play too!”
“Travel safely. I’ve arranged quite a comfortable class of carriage for you.”
“Yes, thanks to my eldest daughter, we’re living in luxury. Thank you, I love you.”
“I love you too, Mother.”
At the dinner table, Iona Lenton smiled with happiness.
A home filled with warmth and affection.
A dining hall with a fireplace burning gently and bright.
The food wasn’t elaborate, but it was prepared with care by the Elderly Maid.
And family.
That was enough.
Truly, for Iona Lenton, that was all she needed.
Expensive dresses or jewels—they were worthless. They only held value if one desired them, and since she didn’t, what worth could they possibly have?
To make up for the money spent and to prepare for winter, Iona Lenton worked even harder while her mother and sister were away on their journey.
Yet it was still fulfilling and joyful.
They must have seen the play from those front-row seats.
Celia must have been delighted to see Kaiser Laximan in person.
“Sister!”
I thought my younger sister, who had returned, was slightly—very slightly—different, but it would be fine.
Falling in love at first sight was typical for her age, after all.
“I keep thinking about that person.”
“Cecilia….”
“I’ll get better. I’ll definitely get better.”
Was that… positive?
I wasn’t sure.
Cecilia, who had been talking about Kaiser Laximan all along, suddenly began exercising.
At first, even walking through the Garden was exhausting, but fortunately, since the weather was warm, there was no risk of pneumonia.
And so one day passed, then two, then three….
Time flowed steadily, and then one day.
Cecilia left for Sol again to see a play.
This time, alone.
I was terribly worried, but once I’d allowed her to do something, I couldn’t very well take it back, so I had no choice but to let her go.
Of all times, small problems arose in the Territory, keeping both Mother and Father busy.
…(omitted)…
I want to see more plays. I’m thinking of finding work here. I’m an adult now, and I’ve recovered enough, so don’t worry, Sister! I love you. You know that, right?
I miss you.
But Sister, Sol really has so many amazing things, doesn’t it?
I want to see everything.
The world I didn’t know was this vast.
…(omitted)…
Cecilia
In this way, Cecilia sent letters every month. At first, the tone was bright, but gradually it grew darker, and at some point, even those stopped entirely.
Just when I thought I should abandon everything and go find my sister.
Cecilia suddenly returned.
Even stranger than before.
She developed sleepwalking and wandered about at night, and during the day she spoke in disjointed rambles.
Since anyone could see something was wrong, Iona finally pressed Cecilia and heard the whole story.
And she had to coax and cajole her to tell it all, as she was reluctant to reveal everything.
“Living in Sol wasn’t easy. I went to a Salon… a Salon….”
“Yes.”
“He was there.”
Cecilia’s unrequited love was something that could never be fulfilled.
Even as she was mocked, Cecilia lingered around Kaiser, following every play.
She tried to catch his eye, and even went so far as to find his Mansion, only to be driven away.
“But Sister, what do I do? I can’t live without him. It has to be him. I miss him so much even now. I came back thinking maybe I’d be fine if I didn’t see him… but it’s no use. I think I’m going crazy. My heart hurts so much.”
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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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