kscans

Chapter 40 - The Empire, the Storyteller, and Kobito-san

"Chihirooooo!!"

"I’m home, Papa."

Drago scooped up the little girl running towards him and burst into tears. He had heard she was back, but she had been summoned by His Highness the King’s brother, so Chihiro was nowhere to be seen, and the knights had only brought her luggage. Well, she had gone to inspect another country as the Golden King, so it couldn't be helped that her report came first. Yes.

Drago was a grown man, after all. He understood that much.

However, no matter how long he waited, Chihiro did not return. Gripped by a simmering impatience, he had thought about storming the palace how many times. Forcing himself to be patient, Drago was pacing the entrance when Adoris arrived. He had brought the ingredients entrusted to him by Kobito-san, and seeing Drago standing there like a guardian statue, he blinked his eyes.

"What are you doing, Head Chef?"

"Where’s Chihiro?"

"Oh, a small problem came up, so she went to see Merda."

"Whaaaat??"

Drago stared at Adoris as he handed the luggage to Naya, and his shoulders slumped dejectedly. Adoris gave a wry smile at the obviously crestfallen bear-like father and looked towards the palace’s outer wall.

Come back soon, Chihiro. The Head Chef is going to wither away too.

Adoris told the wilting Drago stories of their journey as they waited for Chihiro’s return together.

And now, here they were. Drago, having cried his eyes out, held Chihiro and looked content.

"I bought this in a town called Sfarana. See, the mesh is finer and it looks sturdier than the one at the palace, right?"

"Ah, this is good. With this, we could make even smoother creams and pastes."

A strainer, molds, a thread knife. Kitchen utensils different from those at the palace, full of playful charm. The molds even included animal shapes and plant motifs, things not usually seen in Frontier. A very pleased Kobito-san and a very cheerful Drago. Unpacking the many other souvenirs she had bought, Chihiro diligently sorted them.

This is for Romel. This is for the King and the others. This is for the princes... huh?

After a moment of silence, the color drained from Chihiro’s face.

"I forgot to get something for the consorts....."

The First Consort and the Second Consort. I completely forgot. I mean, those two have such little presence. This is bad, what should I do!!

Sakura patted the flustered Chihiro on the shoulder.

"The consorts are ladies, right? How about this?"

What Sakura produced was an ornament made of braided cord. On the back, a piece of fabric was attached like a belt, and it came with a special pin and clasp. It was a versatile accessory that could be used as a brooch or a hair ornament. Sakura said she had several of the same item.

"This has a foreign feel, and it’s an item sold in Yarmouth, so it wouldn’t be strange as a souvenir."

She handed over an item in an unopened box and smiled brightly.

Help from the heavens!

Chihiro gratefully accepted it and patted her chest in relief. Drago, who had been watching the two interact from right in front of them, was struck by a strange feeling. Chihiro being innocent was normal, but even taking that into account, she had no sense of caution at all. Chihiro was a clever child. She looked innocent, but she was actually very wary. She was always observing her surroundings. Now, she was no longer wary of Drago and the others, but in the beginning, she had maintained a certain distance.

Is this okay? Am I safe up to this point?

The little girl’s probing attitude had been so heart-wrenching that Drago had forgiven her everything and given her everything. As a result, it was as if Drago was the one who had been given many things, but whether that had been effective or not, Chihiro's wariness had disappeared.

Drago remembered the time Chihiro brought her over.

"Her name is Sakura. I don’t have a lady-in-waiting or personal attendant yet, right? I was thinking of having her do it."

"A pleasure to meet you. My name is Sakura. I look forward to our acquaintance."

At the sudden proposal, Drago’s eyes widened.

Lady-in-waiting and personal attendant. It had been decided that the palace would provide them, but they were for the palace exclusively, and they had none at their home. Sasha was at the house, but she managed the household with Naya. She couldn't be with Chihiro twenty-four seven, so in the end, only Pochiko-san and Dolphen were with her as close attendants. One might say Pochiko-san shouldn’t be counted, but the honeybee, connected by thought even if she couldn't speak, would prepare what Kobito-san needed before she even said it. She would buzz around, bringing tea, fetching cushions, and when Kobito-san took off her shoes to climb onto the sofa, the cute little honeybee would busily arrange the shoes underneath it. To the people of the palace who were charmed by her diligent figure, Pochiko-san was already Chihiro's personal attendant. Chihiro herself adored Pochiko-san, and there was no room for anyone to come between the two who were always together. Moreover, she was an exceptionally strong magical beast. Her main duty was protection, but she was a talented individual who could also handle chores and provide comfort.

However, a proper lady-in-waiting was also necessary. It was fine now while she was still young, but as she grew, having a magical beast as an attendant could lead to inconvenient situations.

Therefore, having a woman who got along so well with Chihiro was a blessing.

Chihiro was wary of the women in the palace. Wary, or rather, she seemed to dislike them and avoided them. Well, it wasn't just the women, she didn't frequent the palace itself much, but aside from that, it looked bad for someone of her status as a princess to be accompanied only by a man and a magical beast. In the castle and the castle town, people might not mind, accepting it because it was Kobito-san, but when she traveled far like this time, or began to attend ceremonies and official duties as royalty, she would be seen by those who did not know her.

The world is not a kind place.

If a princess had any shortcomings, they would seize the opportunity to criticize and curse her. Drago did not want his beloved daughter to walk such a thorny path.

So, Sakura’s presence was a blessing. She would be able to provide the support that he and Romel, as men, could not.

But still.

Drago cast a sharp glance at the two smiling affectionately at each other.

Something feels off. Sakura is a fine woman. Chihiro is fond of her too.

But when you’re with Papa, look at Papa, Chihirooo!

He didn't say it out loud, of course, but still Drago held Chihiro tight and paced around, this way and that. Pochiko-san, unable to watch any longer, flew onto the back of Drago’s head and patted it, teshi teshi, but he did not put Chihiro down.

The sight of a jealous father was heartwarming, and everyone around them wore wry smiles.

That deep affection was embarrassing, and Kobito-san’s face relaxed into a grin. She snuggled against Drago’s beard, hugged his neck tightly, and whispered.

"I was lonely. Let’s sleep together tonight."

Drago’s eyes widened slightly, and he patted her small back.

"Yeah, me too. Really... really, I was lone...ly..."

Drago began to sob again. He couldn't stay like this forever. But for now, it would be allowed. Drago was filled with emotion at the sight of the healthy and chubby Kobito-san who had grown so well. In his eyes, the image of Kobito-san when they first met was always superimposed.

A child with sooty, vacant eyes.

A child who was wary, observing him.

A child who slowly, slowly approached and looked up at him with a silly grin.

It was so heart-wrenching that he had picked her up, held her tight, and poured all his affection into her.

The time of a small child is short. So, let’s live happily in the now. So that when Chihiro grows up and is tired, and suffering, and looks back on the past. So that she can smile and face forward, let’s create lots of happy, warm memories for her.

A small, maple-leaf hand patted Drago’s head as he sniffled. Feeling blissful, he wiped his tears and grinned broadly.

Ah, really. I want to give her so much, but I'm the one who's always receiving. Happiness is not addition, it is multiplication.

Their feelings for each other multiply, and that is sprinkled onto those around them, a chain that never stops.

Crying, getting jealous, laughing.

Stacking up small happinesses. Kobito-san is full of energy today too.♪