Dad Came Back from a Deserted Island Chapter 30

At a mansion in the capital.

As the party was winding down, several people had gathered in a private room for a more discreet conversation.

They were all dressed in perfectly tailored suits or dresses made from lavish, high-quality fabrics, making it easy to guess the level of wealth they possessed.

“Have you heard about the newly discovered diamond mine?”

“You mean the one discovered in Serenville? Yes, I’ve heard about it.”

“I heard someone purchased what had been considered an abandoned mine and successfully developed it.”

“The name was unfamiliar to me. Does anyone know anything about him?”

“No. Lambert? I’ve never heard of that name in my life. Apparently, they’re nobles, though…”

“For a family with no reputation, he certainly seems quite capable. I hear he’s a young man.”

An elderly man who had remained at the center of the group without saying a word finally spoke.

“I would like to see his face.”

Although it was said that a merchant company capable of rivaling the established powers had recently emerged, Eduard was still a merchant among merchants.

His single remark set everything in motion.

People eagerly stepped forward, offering to arrange a meeting with Jean.

But only one person presented an offer that suited Eduard’s tastes.

“He may be capable, but he is still a young man. From what I hear, he has barely participated in high society. If he suddenly receives an invitation to our gathering, do you think he’ll even be able to open his mouth? He might find it so burdensome that he simply refuses.”

The man smiled.

“I heard he dotes on his young daughter. I’ll arrange a gathering where children can accompany their parents. Surely he’ll attend if it means giving his daughter the opportunity to make good connections.”

An invitation that would be difficult to refuse.

The man had also swiftly figured out exactly what would appeal to Jean.

Everything about the proposal pleased Eduard.

“Haha. Would you really do that? It seems I’ll finally have an excuse to take an outing with my grandson after such a long time.”

A satisfied smile curved beneath his neatly trimmed white beard.

And so, a connection from Jean’s future—or perhaps his past—reached out a hand toward him.

 

***

 

“Then we’ll be waiting for your return.”

“Yes. Please take good care of everyone while we’re gone.”

“Goodbye, everyone!”

As Vivian waved her chubby little hand, smiles blossomed across the faces of the servants standing in a row to see the father and daughter off.

Anne, along with Julie and Lea, who had grown quite close to Vivian, even pretended to wipe away tears.

“Mhm! I’ll bring you presents!”

After climbing into the carriage, Vivian leaned out the window and waved her arms enthusiastically.

Vivian had barely slept the night before.

Even a trip to Belouang had been an incredibly special event for her, so the thought of traveling all the way to the capital was beyond exciting.

She was even going to sleep somewhere other than home!

She felt as though she might take flight from sheer excitement.

“Princess, you’re going to fall.”

Jean, who was holding Vivian securely so she wouldn’t tumble forward, looked just as excited.

I never expected them to contact me first. Diamonds really are valuable.

A few days earlier, an unexpected invitation had arrived at House Lambert.

Every time Jean thought about it, his heart raced.

He was proud that someone under his benefactor’s influence considered him worthy of forming connections in high society.

The invitation had not come directly in Eduard’s name, but Jean knew the person who had sent it well.

He had gotten along fairly well with him even before his regression.

Since this person was one of those Eduard relied upon like his own hands and feet, Jean assumed the invitation had been sent with Eduard’s tacit approval.

Jean had barely even set foot in high society, yet someone had already reached out to him. The extent of their information network was almost frightening.

If the invitation had come from anyone else, Jean would not have brought Vivian along, even if it were a gathering where children were welcome. But everyone within Eduard’s sphere was trustworthy.

More importantly, this was a good opportunity to strengthen Vivian’s connections.

Having money was certainly advantageous in high society, but money alone could not solve everything.

[The capital, huh? I never imagined I would set foot there again. It feels strangely nostalgic.]

“Strangely nostalgic?”

Kiki grimaced.

[You should be reading a dictionary instead of fairy tales.]

“I’ll do my best so that His Divine Beastship can visit the Imperial Palace someday.”

Jean had become so adept at understanding what Kiki said simply from Vivian’s words that he responded with a reliable expression.

Even if House Lambert was on the verge of ruin, it was still a noble house.

Every noble young lady could make her debut at the Imperial Palace, so at the latest, Jean would be able to keep his promise within ten years.

Apparently satisfied, Kiki narrowed its eyes and began grooming its fur.

Normally, it would have groomed Vivian’s hair, but Anne had carefully styled her hair for the long journey, so even Kiki felt a little reluctant to touch it today.

“Daddy, Daddy. Are there lots and lots of people in the capital?”

“Of course. There are a lot.”

“More people than in Belouang?”

The largest crowd Vivian had ever seen in her life was in Belouang.

“Probably… three times as many as Belouang?”

“Gasp!”

Vivian’s mouth fell open in shock.

Wouldn’t the ground collapse if there were that many people?

Her innocent curiosity had led to an entirely unnecessary worry.

Kiki, grooming its fur beside her, grumbled at the thought of so many people.

[I detest places where people are packed together like that.]

“Hehe. But aren’t you happy to be going to the capital?”

[Who knows? It is where this great one was born, but I have never actually ventured outside the Imperial Palace, so I cannot say.]

“But you were inside an egg the whole time, Kiki.”

[Hmph! Just because I was inside an egg, do you think I knew nothing? Even on the deserted island, this great one could sense everything outside! Huh?]

“Yaaawn. I’m excited! There must be tons of delicious food there, right?”

[Hey!]

Kiki screeched indignantly, making Vivian burst into laughter. Jean laughed along as he watched them.

Even the weather was perfect.

Jean had a feeling that something wonderful was waiting for them.

 

***

 

It took more than three full days by carriage to travel from House Lambert to the capital.

The long journey should have been exhausting, but Vivian endured it with the boundless energy of a seven-year-old and her excitement over traveling.

She was especially thrilled by the prospect of sleeping somewhere different every night.

Because Vivian was so excited that she could barely fall asleep and kept bouncing around, Jean hardly slept either and had to fight off drowsiness every morning.

“Vivi, look over there. That’s where they inspect people entering the capital. Once we pass through there, we’ll be inside.”

“What does ‘inspect’ mean, Daddy?”

“Inspection means… Well, dangerous things aren’t allowed into the capital. Someone could secretly bring something dangerous inside and use it to do something bad. So they check people and their belongings beforehand to prevent that.”

“Ohhh.”

Vivian pressed herself against the carriage window and watched the long line of people.

There were so many different kinds of people that she could spend hours simply watching them.

The line gradually grew shorter until it was finally the father and daughter’s turn.

A young father and his little daughter.

There was nothing particularly suspicious about the pair. Their luggage also looked like that of ordinary travelers, so the guards merely asked the usual questions.

“What brings you to the capital?”

“We were invited. Here is the invitation.”

The guard pretended to examine the invitation before noticing Vivian staring at him with bright eyes. He smiled.

“Welcome to the capital, little lady.”

Vivian’s cheeks flushed with excitement.

With their hearts filled with anticipation, the Lambert carriage passed through the gates of the capital.