The Youngest Member Filming a Parenting Show is Adorable - Chapter 65

—————

This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

—————

【065】
Father.
A call I had longed to hear.
Yet it had not come from Superti’s lips.
‘What is this child?’
Diagon’s eyes grew cold and distant.
Truly, was this not strange?
If this girl were indeed Luarel, the daughter I had searched for so desperately, I should be overjoyed.
Yet why was my heart so frozen?
When my gaze met Superti’s, who stared at me in a daze, my discomfort only deepened.
“It is beyond doubt.”
The one who broke the frozen silence was a silver-haired girl of twelve or thirteen years.
“From Belarion, across the sea to the north—West Grifful.”
“….”
“The Revolutionary Army’s territory. I discovered this child there.”
Her calm voice carried no hint of deception.
If Diolrose Bellarian were an actress, she would be a performer capable of shaking the nation itself.
At her age, to weave such a tale before so many without a single change in expression—such ability was remarkable indeed.
“Pink hair and magenta eyes. That alone aroused suspicion, and with her apparent age matching as well, I had my suspicions. Yet how could I speak based on suspicion alone?”
“And so.”
“First, I needed the child to speak, so I brought her and cared for her. Though there was insufficient time to refine her etiquette and bearing.”
As she spoke, the girl claiming to be Luarel bowed her head lower and lower.
She looked pitiful, as though undergoing interrogation.
If she were truly Luarel, I should embrace her at once, weep, and apologize for placing her in such a situation.
‘Yet my feet would not move.’
Strangely, I had no desire to take even a single step forward.
She must be a homunculus.
Only such thoughts circled in my mind.
“If that is true, I am grateful.”
“Please, think nothing of it. I merely wish for this child, Luarel, to find her rightful place.”
Diolrose grasped her skirts and bowed with grace.
As she stepped back, the self-proclaimed Luarel turned to follow her in haste.
The way she clung to Bellarian, like a duckling separated from its mother, was so grating to witness.
‘I certainly never thought to venture toward West Grifful.’
The Baratheum Empire was situated on the left wing of a continent shaped like a two-headed dragon.
Below lay the Impertoura Empire, resembling the dragon’s tail, and on the right wing stood the Holy Empire Whithirian.
The ship carrying my daughter and Aurora had capsized closer to the Impertoura Empire, and I, in my madness, had crossed into other nations searching for my family.
Yet not once.
Not a single time did I think to venture northward.
Given the ocean currents flowed downward, even if they drifted further, I assumed it would be toward Calsor Island—
How could she have been discovered in West Grifful, which lies in the North District?
‘None of this makes sense.’
Similar appearances could exist anywhere in this world.
Diagon remained unmoved by the suspicious circumstances.
“F-Father.”
The girl, who had been gazing at Diagon with such pathos, now turned her attention toward Galiazard.
She couldn’t bring herself to approach him, her head bowed low.
Toward this self-proclaimed Luarel, Galiazard spoke with gravity.
“What is your name?”
“L-Luarel. My name is Luarel.”
“How do you know your name is Luarel?”
“I… I have no memories. B-but there’s just one thing… one thing I can remember.”
Whispers began to ripple through the gathering.
This scene looked nothing more than an interrogation of a child who had just returned home.
“How pitiful… look how thin that child is.”
“She stammers so much. Could she have been abused?”
While the softhearted noblewomen wept and sighed, Mikard stepped forward to stand behind Superti.
Then came Elzen, then Naiad. Finally, Iliad, who had been leaning against the wall dozing without understanding what was happening, rubbed his eyes and approached.
“What? What’s going on?”
Following Iliad’s drowsy question, the girl stammered her words.
“Mother. M-mother said… Luarel. You… you must live. You m-must live like that. That’s… that’s all I remember her saying.”
If that were true, how tragic it would be.
But that was the key word—’if’ it were true.
“Belarion’s role ends here. I have delivered her to where she belongs, so I shall take my leave.”
The Bellarion Household Master then turned without a shred of hesitation.
The banquet’s atmosphere had already been laid to waste, after all.
Those with any sense of propriety should disappear at this point. Those who were not of Fasayen.
“There are many watching eyes. Let us take the child inside first.”
“…Yes.”
Galiazard let out a sigh.
The Head Maid, who had been watching Diagon’s curt response, hurried over and draped a shawl around the trembling girl.
What a complete disaster this birthday had become.
* * *
What did I just hear?
‘…Father.’
The unfamiliar sister called the Admiral “Father.”
Why?
‘Because she’s Sister Luarel?’
If that means family has returned, I should feel happy, so why does this feel so wrong?
“Am I… a foolish child?”
My mouth hung open.
Tears threatened to spill any moment now.
After the banquet ended, I trudged my way out to the Admiral’s private garden.
Beyond the delicate wildflowers swaying in the breeze, hidden in a spot obscured by tall reeds, I plopped down and fumbled through my skirt pocket to retrieve the gift box.
It was a small, flat box containing a handkerchief.
‘I was supposed to give this.’
I had planned to mention it later.
To ask the Admiral to come to the private garden with me.
That we had prepared a party.
That everyone worked so hard together… to prepare it.
“Sob….”
I didn’t want to cry. I really tried to hold it back.
But sitting alone in this lonely place, my lips trembled and tears came pouring out.
[The Emotion Spirit King ‘■■■’ is shrieking and rolling about frantically.]
[The Flame Spirit King ‘■■■■■’ is burning brilliantly.]
[The Water Spirit King ‘■■■■’ is collapsing with foam at the mouth.]
[The Earth Spirit King ‘■’ is hastily trying to comfort you.]
[The day isn’t over yet, dear. There will be another chance.]
But… but the Admiral left with Sister Luarel.
The Admiral and Household Master Grandfather both.
They seemed to have no mind to pay attention to this.
“Waaah….”
Poof!
Podong suddenly materialized in the air and fluttered his tiny wings with all his might before nestling into my arms.
I, who had been letting tears drip down my face, set the gift box aside at the refreshing sensation and hugged Podong tightly.
“I’m so disappointed.”
Podong’s bright blue eyes sparkled as if he understood my words, and he cried out with a chirp.
Then Podong suddenly fluttered away and returned with a triangular firecracker in his beak.
It was a birthday celebration item with glittering powder inside that would burst with a pop.
“Don’t. This won’t work either.”
My pronunciation grew even more slurred from crying.
My nose was already stuffed, so I made a sniffling sound.
“Little one, you’re supposed to blow your nose into a handkerchief.”
That was when it happened.
The reeds rustled, and a tall boy emerged from within them.
It was clearly Mikard, who had left with the Admiral wearing a serious expression.
“Mikal…?”
“Tch, I knew this would happen. Tosil, come on. Come on.”
My older brother approached with long strides and pulled out a handkerchief, pressing it to my nose.
He held it so firmly that I could barely breathe!
“How can you sit here alone crying like this? I’ve been searching everywhere for you. I thought you’d gone to your room.”
“You… you were looking for me?”
“Of course I was. Let me see. Your face is absolutely a mess.”
Mikard clicked his tongue disapprovingly and knelt down beside me. Then he reached out and gently stroked my hair.
“Don’t be so sad that we couldn’t have a birthday celebration just the two of us. There’s always tomorrow.”
“Mm…”
“I can give you your gift tomorrow too.”
Besides, the Quest deadline was “until one day after the birthday,” so it wasn’t really a problem.
It wasn’t as though celebrating a day late would cause any real issues.
But… the real reason I’m feeling this upset is—
“I wanted Father to be here, and Mother too.”

—————

This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

—————