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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 67
Chapter Title: A Father's Arrival
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Wow, that’s so cool.
“Rose, how can you use your ability so freely without any preparation?”
“Why would I need to prepare? I just have to think about it.”
Ugh. For the first time, Rose seemed magnificent.
I pouted.
“No matter how hard I think, I can’t do it. I want to heal the Young Lord, too.”
“…Heal? You? Is that even possible?”
Rose asked Kivrin, glancing at me.
Kivrin nodded.
“I-I’m sure she can with practice. Del… she healed Rose, too.”
Kivrin placed the flower crown he’d finished making by snapping off stems onto my head.
The flowers were pure white, so I was sure they would look good on me even without a mirror.
“But that was on the level of changing his species. Can you even call that healing…?”
Rose muttered under his breath before his expression turned quizzical.
“Hm? This ring is an artifact, too? It’s a one-time use, but it looks pretty good for something made by a human.”
I quickly replied.
“That’s right. It can heal anything as long as you’re alive. I’m going to heal the Young Lord’s hand with this.”
“And you revealed your identity in exchange for it?”
Rose asked, a look of disbelief on his face.
“Haha… Cheshire likes Del, so it should be fine, right?”
“Fine?! You should have revealed it for your own sake! What has *that guy* ever done for you?!”
*That guy is standing right next to me, you know.*
*And he’s done a lot for me.*
Kivrin just smiled at me, ignoring Rose’s protests.
I fidgeted with my hands.
“This is for my sake, in a way… And I’ve received a lot from you and the Young Lord, too, Rose.”
“Don’t try to flatter me.”
*Tsk. I guess it was obvious.*
Still, Rose let it go at that.
“By the way, I feel like I’ve heard the name Cheshire somewhere. Is he that follower?”
“Do you remember who he is? Cheshire said he knows you, too.”
Rose’s eyes narrowed.
“Don’t get your hopes up. I don’t memorize people’s names. Anyway, if it’s such a high-performance artifact, why not heal something other than a burn? Like creating an arm for the Duke and demanding bundles of blank checks.”
Kivrin’s nose scrunched up.
“I-I can give you things like that, too.”
*No, I don’t need blank checks anymore…*
As we were talking, the embers on the ring faded.
I placed the ring, now clean as new, in Kivrin’s hand.
“My sister said the Duke’s arm is safe in the Grand Temple. There will be a chance to get it later.”
*And if there isn’t a chance, I’ll just have to make one.*
When I activated the ring, the burn mark faded at a rapid pace.
By the time the ring began to crack, Kivrin’s hand was completely healed.
“Can I touch it?”
“Yes.”
I took Kivrin’s flawless, jade-like hand, turning it over and rubbing it with my own.
Kivrin showed no sign of pain.
*Cheshire had every right to boast that it was the best artifact in the jewelry shop.*
While I was at it, I touched Kivrin’s fingers, too.
His fingers were as promising as ever.
*Hmm, should I put the engagement ring Cheshire gave me on him now?*
“…Lady Cheria?”
Still fiddling with Kivrin’s hand, I explained.
“Oh, it’s not that I think the ring is a waste! Cheshire gave me an engagement ring, so I was wondering if we should have a mock engagement ceremony!”
“An engagement ceremony?”
I replied playfully.
“Something like an engagement ceremony, where I could formally ask you to become a father who’ll take responsibility for Rose with me—mmph.”
Rose, who had been watching with a cynical look, suddenly clamped a hand over my mouth.
“Are you crazy? Who are you asking to take responsibility for whom?!”
Mmph, mmph!
“I asked who’s taking responsibility for whom! Answer me!”
*I can’t answer if you don’t move your hand!*
*And you’re covering my nose, too!*
Heat rapidly began to rise to my face.
In the end, Kivrin pulled Rose’s hand away.
Even so, Rose didn’t stop fuming.
“Just you try taking out that ring! I’ll run away from home!”
It was an incredibly childish threat.
But it seemed a commotion was stirring outside, just as loud as we were.
Kivrin ignored Rose’s fuming and my puckered lips, focusing on the sounds from outside.
“Ah, Father has arrived. We… should go down.”
Rose leveled a warning at Kivrin.
“Hey, you’d better say you don’t want to, quick.”
Kivrin pulled on the gloves I had given him and answered nonchalantly.
“I don’t mind…? That’s why… I’m letting it slide, even now.”
“…”
While a shocked Rose was left speechless, Kivrin led me out.
In the center of the main hall stood Menelik, radiating a menacing aura.
It was less murderous than when he’d faced the priests, but Marquess Ingram looked like he was about to collapse.
*It was the kind of courage that made you doubt he’d ever even caught a single monster in the New Moon Forest.*
He spewed nonsense at Menelik, as if he wanted to deny reality.
“W-Why have you come here in person? Forgive my impertinence, but you aren’t exactly a doting father, are you?”
“…”
I heard the sound of Cesar, who was coming down the stairs behind me, misstepping.
He gave a small, dry cough.
Menelik’s gaze slid to the marquess.
The marquess’s face turned deathly pale, as if Menelik had unleashed his killing intent.
“Gak…”
“My lord Marquess!”
The head butler supported Marquess Ingram as he fell backward.
Menelik clicked his tongue.
“Get him out of my sight.”
He turned his head toward us.
“What are you doing? Come here.”
As I hurried over, I saw monster blood splattered on his shirt.
It seemed he’d come straight from the forest as soon as he heard the news.
“Duke, here!”
When I hastily pulled out a handkerchief, the engagement ring from Cheshire came out with it.
Menelik casually snatched the ring and asked with a bewildered look,
“What’s with the ring?”
*Ahem. It’ll be a problem if Rose actually runs away, so I’ll keep this a secret for now.*
I held out the handkerchief.
“L-Let’s trade it for this.”
Menelik smirked.
“It’s not a fair trade, but since you waited for me without getting hurt, I’ll give it back.”
“Are you hurt, Duke?”
“My title.”
“Father!”
“I’m fine. And from now on, I won’t answer if you don’t call me that.”
*Why…?*
Menelik neatly folded the handkerchief and tucked it into his coat.
His unexpected action made my eyes widen.
“I gave you that to wipe your clothes…”
“Why waste it on wiping?”
*Why the sudden frugality? He must know I have plenty of handkerchiefs.*
Menelik extended a hand.
“Shall we head back before that thing wakes up and becomes a nuisance? Winter will send her thanks separately anyway.”
“…”
*So Marquess Ingram doesn’t even get treated like a person.*
I looked Menelik up and down.
“Why?”
“Duke—no, Father, you seem to be in a good mood. Is Mother safe, too?”
For a moment, Menelik’s expression became subtle.
“…She is. But I would have come to get you even if Winter hadn’t been safe.”
“…”
*No way.*
“You have a look on your face that says you don’t believe me at all.”
I feigned ignorance and took Menelik’s hand.
He then checked on Kivrin.
His expression made it clear he knew exactly what Kivrin had done in the forest.
“Your hand?”
“It’s fine.”
Menelik’s eyes narrowed.
“I’m grateful you drove away the monsters, but if you go into the forest again without telling me, you’re grounded.”
Of course, Kivrin didn’t even blink.
Menelik added a condition, as if he’d expected as much.
“Cheria, too.”
“Gasp!”
My head shot up reflexively.
Kivrin sighed and promised.
“…I w-won’t go.”
“Good.”
Menelik looked pleased.
Following him, I boarded the ducal carriage and felt a sense of relief.
I confirmed that Rose and Cesar were getting into another carriage before settling into a more comfortable position.
Menelik spoke.
“How was the marquess’s house?”
“It was awful.”
I answered immediately. Menelik raised an eyebrow.
“Then why are you smiling?”
“Because we’re going home now?”
*Mera must be worried. I need to get back quickly and put her at ease.*
I’d spoken without much thought, but Menelik stroked his chin.
Then, he smiled.
“That’s right. It is your home.”
It wasn’t long after the carriage left the marquess’s castle.
I heard the sound of the wheels hitting stones several times, followed by a rattling vibration.
Having been relaxing without a care, I was nearly thrown from my seat.
*Agh, I almost bit my tongue!*
Kivrin and Menelik both reached out at the same time to catch me.
“The marquess’s domain is a real mess.”
Menelik said in annoyance.
