Dad Came Back from a Deserted Island – Chapter 11

Author: isuzuuy

“Welcome to Mirabelle’s Atelier— Aaaah!”

The shopkeeper greeted the arriving customers cheerfully, only to scream when she met Kiki’s blood-red eyes.

Howinsolent!Howdareyouscreamatthesightofme?!How insolent! How dare you scream at the sight of me?!

Kiki’s angry cackling only made her scream louder.

“Please, calm down! It’s not a monster. It’s a monkey, an animal commonly found in the New Continent, far across the sea. It won’t hurt you.”

“How can you say that when it’s cackling so ferociously—! Oh my, what a handsome man.”

Despite Jean’s desperate attempts to reassure her, the shopkeeper remained terrified—until she finally got a good look at the man speaking. Then, as if by magic, she calmed down.

As someone who worked in a field that demanded an eye for beauty, the shopkeeper had always appreciated a handsome face.

Before her stood a man so breathtakingly beautiful that even on her deathbed, she would probably boast, “There was this man I saw when I was young…” And holding his hand was an adorable little girl who could make anyone gasp.

The shopkeeper’s dull afternoon had suddenly become delightful.

“What kind of clothes are you looking for? Something for an outing?”

With a friendly smile, she ushered them inside as though she had never screamed.

The atelier was divided into two areas: one displaying ready-made clothes and a more private section in the back for custom tailoring.

A dress form stood in the fitting area. Vivian mistook it for a real person and flinched in surprise.

Across from it was a large cutting table piled with various fabrics and sewing tools.

Still a little embarrassed by the shopkeeper’s praise, Jean picked Vivian up and explained.

“I’ve been away for a long time on business and have only just returned. I’d like to have several outfits made for both my daughter and me.”

The words sounded like a heavenly chorus to the shopkeeper.

Not only had a beautiful customer walked in, but he was bringing her a mountain of work, too.

She practically snorted with excitement.

“Oh my, really? You’ve come to exactly the right place! We have the finest tailor in all of Beloual—no, in the entire County of Lavillant! …Ah, did you have a budget in mind? Custom-made clothes can vary enormously in price, after all! Ho ho ho.”

Only after her initial excitement did the shopkeeper take another look at their clothes and ask more cautiously.

She had already been secretly plotting to indulge her creative instincts by making at least one outfit that exceeded their budget. It had been so long since she’d found such inspiring customers.

Jean took a small pouch from inside his coat and held it out.

The shopkeeper swallowed nervously and opened it with care.

A dazzling golden glow filled her vision.

***

By the time they left the atelier, the father and daughter looked quite different.

Custom-made clothes couldn’t be completed in such a short time, so they were wearing ready-made outfits. But these belonged to the shop’s most expensive line, and a few alterations had been made to fit their figures. The saying “Clothes make the person” had never been more fitting.

“Our little princess looks just like a fairy!”

“And Daddy looks like a prince!”

Vivian wore a lovely outing dress accented with fresh, pale green, along with a large lace-trimmed ribbon in her hair. The shopkeeper had given it to her as a gift after they’d brought in three months’ worth of sales.

Although Vivian’s cheeks hadn’t yet filled out, she was naturally so adorable that she had always stood out, even in her old, worn clothes. Now that she was dressed so beautifully, passersby couldn’t help glancing at her.

Kiki, perched on her shoulder, had also been dressed in a neat little checked cape.

Puffing out its chest, Kiki declared proudly:

Hmph!Itfallsfarshortofmystandards,butIshalltolerateit!Hmph! It falls far short of my standards, but I shall tolerate it!

“Daddy, Kiki says it doesn’t like its clothes.”

WhendidIeversaythat?!When did I ever say that?!

Jean stifled a laugh as Vivian and Kiki bickered, then headed toward the only café in Belouang.

They had traveled a long way by carriage and walked around quite a bit, which must have been tiring for Vivian. He also wanted to let his daughter experience a café for the first time.

She had never been able to visit a place like this before because they couldn’t afford it. Besides, she had been too young to take on such outings.

When Jean opened the café door, a clear chime welcomed them.

“Welcome. Please, follow me.”

A kind employee led them to their seats. Vivian sat down with flushed cheeks, puffing them out in excitement.

As soon as the employee left with their order, she began swinging her legs, unable to contain her enthusiasm.

“Wow! Daddy! Where are we? What do people do here?”

Itsmellswonderfulinhere!It smells wonderful here!

“This is a café. They sell drinks and delicious desserts. You must be tired after coming all this way, so I thought we could rest for a bit.”

“Woooow!”

Vivian pressed her flushed cheeks between her palms, amazed by his explanation.

“I feel like I’ve become an adult!”

“What? Hahaha!”

Jean burst out laughing at her adorable reaction, and Vivian giggled along with him.

“Here are your orders.”

Their food arrived at the table, still filled with laughter.

Jean had ordered a cup of coffee, while a large pudding was placed in front of Vivian. Kiki received an identical serving.

“Waaaah!”

Every time Vivian tapped the smooth, translucent pudding with her spoon, it wobbled delightfully. She found it so fascinating that she kept poking it until Jean had finished half his coffee.

At last, he gently stopped her from playing with her food, and Vivian scooped up a generous bite—looking almost heartbroken as her spoon broke through its flawless surface.

The pudding was soft and sweet, with the rich, distinctive taste of caramel melting across her tongue.

“Mmm! It’s sweet! Daddy, it feels so strange! You have to try it!”

“Should I?”

“Yes! Here, say ahhh!”

“Ahhh.”

Jean accepted the bite Vivian offered him, wearing the happiest expression in the world. He made such a fuss about how delicious it was that she kept offering him more, and he eventually had to stop her.

For the record, Kiki had already finished its first serving and was now devouring a second pudding Jean had ordered for it.

“Eat it all, Princess! It’s so delicious, but Daddy bought it for you. I want my Vivi to eat lots of tasty things.”

As Jean finished his coffee and watched his happy daughter, his mouth suddenly went dry.

There was something he needed to say.

He had been thinking about it for a while, but now that he was about to voice it, he was afraid of how Vivian might react.

Fidgeting with the handle of his empty cup, Jean finally worked up the courage to speak.

“Um, Vivi.”

“Hmm?”

“How would you feel about leaving this house and moving somewhere else?”

“Somewhere else?”

“Yes. Our current house is a little old, and now we can afford to move somewhere bigger and better. I think it would be a good idea, but… what our princess thinks matters, too.”

Truthfully, he desperately wanted to move. Every time he remembered what he had seen a few days ago…

Jean bit the inside of his cheek, careful not to let his feelings show.

***

It was a rainy night, with the rain falling steadily throughout the day.

Vivian had spent the evening gazing out the window, disappointed that she couldn’t go outside and play with Kiki. Eventually, she fell fast asleep.

After making sure she was asleep, Jean went to his study to look over the documents he hadn’t finished.

“Sigh. This is difficult.”

Although he was a regressor, during this period of his life he had been stranded on a deserted island, struggling simply to keep the monkeys from stealing his food. There was very little he knew about the world at this point in time.

Even after escaping the island, he hadn’t been particularly interested in what had happened in the past until his memories returned. And once he remembered everything and learned what had happened to Vivian, revenge had consumed his every thought.

Now, understanding the market was his top priority.

Whenever he wasn’t playing with Vivian or taking care of the household, Jean buried himself in newspapers and other publications to keep up with the latest news.

“I think I’ll stop here for today.”

Rubbing his tired eyes, Jean headed upstairs to the bedroom. Surely, seeing Vivian’s angelic sleeping face would make his exhaustion disappear.

Creak.

Carefully opening the bedroom door while minimizing the sound of its old hinges, Jean tiptoed toward the bed.

“……!”

But Vivian was nowhere to be seen. The only one on the bed was Kiki, sleeping on its back with its belly exposed.

Wondering if she had gone to the bathroom, Jean checked there, too, but found no sign of her.

“Vivi!”

Panic-stricken, Jean ran through the house, calling Vivian’s name, but no answer came.

His face twisted into a terrible expression.

Was my regression just an illusion? Am I still in that cold prison? Have I gone mad…?

Breathing heavily, Jean rushed up to the top floor, where the attic was. When he spotted a door left slightly ajar, he hurried inside.