kscans

Chapter 174 - The People Thereafter, Part 1

"Are you sure you want me?"

With his large frame and shaggy beard, Drago cut an imposing figure, but he looked down at the beloved daughter clinging to his arm.

"I wanted to attend a ball with you like this, Father. It was a dream of mine, so you have to humor me♪"

Deeply moved by how much his Little One had grown into a young lady, Drago felt tears welling up at her sweet words.

Tonight was the New Year's ball.

It was also the day for the social debut of fifteen-year-olds who had come of age, where they would have their first audience with the king. The escort for such an occasion would normally be one's fiancé. Only if one did not have a set partner would a family member step in, but for some reason, Chihiro had asked Drago to be her escort. Chihaya, who doted on his sister, had grumbled, but he had a fiancée of his own. It wouldn’t be right for him to escort Chihiro over her. Chihiro also had a fiancé, but due to various circumstances, he had yielded the role of escort to Drago.

"I see. You look beautiful, Chihiro."

"Thank you♪"

Tonight, the Little One wore a pale cream-colored dress with a light blue shawl. Adorning her jet-black hair was a milky white pearl hair ornament shaped like a butterfly. Both the dress and the hair ornament were finely studded with aquamarine, providing a lovely accent. These were a gift from her fiancé. Regretting that he could not be her escort, he had provided her with the most splendid attire imaginable.

"Shall we go, then?"

His eyes softening at the sight of his grown-up daughter, Drago stepped into the grand hall.

Walking straight down the red carpet, the two greeted His Majesty the King. The king gave a magnanimous nod and looked at the Little One with a gentle expression. It was a gaze full of affection. Romel, too, looked on with a troubled face at that meaningful look.

"You’ve become so beautiful. Time truly flies."

"You are too kind. Thank you, Your Majesty."

The Little One smiled demurely.

Her beauty, inherited from Sakura, combined with her unique aura, drew the gazes of everyone around. Sighs of admiration could be heard from all corners.

"Truly beautiful."

"To think he was hiding her away. The Count is a sly one."

It was a rumor in high society that Chihiro was an outstanding student and a lady of the highest caliber. Even setting aside her various eccentricities, she was a charming young woman. A count’s daughter, albeit in title only. She was well-regarded by the royal family, and above all, she was the daughter of Sakura, the last royal of the fallen Kilfan Empire. Her added value was immeasurable, yet word was that her fiancé was already decided. The neighboring Kilfan Kingdom had sworn allegiance to Sakura. In other words, Sakura's family was as good as Kilfan’s royalty. The nobles who gnashed their teeth, wishing they had become close to her sooner. Those who had scorned Drago for being a chef, looked down on him, and hurled insults, had spectacularly missed their chance. It was too late now that they realized the twins' excellence. Chihiro had long since been engaged to a formidable partner. For the same reason, the nobles' attention had also turned to Chihaya, but Count George declared that the children’s marriages were up to them and continued to refuse all offers that poured in. As a result, the twins had each chosen a partner they loved.

While His Majesty the King and the Crown Prince danced the first dance, Chihiro linked her arm with Drago’s and looked up with an excited face.

"You’ll dance with me?"

"Yes, of course."

His daughter's first dance.

Ignoring the envious nobles and the glares from people with a different kind of intensity, Drago danced with Chihiro, a broad smile on his face.

Though he came from common stock, Drago had been a noble for several decades. He had acquired all the necessary etiquette. As a chef, he generally didn't attend balls. This time, he had forcibly taken leave for his beloved daughter's social debut. The royal palace hadn't been pleased, but Drago had already trained several chefs. Adonis's skills, in particular, were second to none. He had the ability to confidently entrust his position to him, and using that as leverage, he had pushed his request through.

It was worth it.

His beloved daughter was as beautiful as a flower.

Ah, she has really grown up.

Drago felt a sting in the back of his nose. The image of a tattered toddler that had been stubbornly lodged in his mind finally began to fade. The many memories of his lovely daughter overlaid it, and the memory of a grimy, gaunt child blurred and dissipated.

When the music ended, tears streamed from Drago’s eyes, and the people around them froze with shocked expressions.

"Sorry, I can’t..."

Drago choked on his words, and Sakura rushed to his side.

"Honestly, you."

Accepting a handkerchief from Sakura, who smiled with resigned exasperation, Drago fled to an empty terrace. Hearing the faint sobs, Chihiro blushed bashfully.

"A child’s growth is a deeply moving thing for a parent. Now, you go and greet the others and dance."

With an elegant smile, Sakura swished the hem of her kimono and followed Drago. Watching them go, the Little One searched for familiar faces.

As if waiting for this very moment, people began to approach her. But not allowing such scoundrels to get close, Romel promptly spoke to the Little One.

"May I have the next dance with you?"

"With pleasure♪"

A graceful gentleman with a sharp posture. Though he was nearly forty, he still looked to be in his early thirties, a characteristic of the people of Frontier. The generation that had received the blessings of golden magic still aged slowly. As a result, they had a long period of robust health.

The two, who began to dance to the music, made a perfect couple.

"You’ve really grown up. You’re a fine lady now... Please graduate from causing trouble, will you?"

Given her past, even after retiring as the Golden King, the Little One’s life had been full of trouble and unconventional days. Romel, who had watched over the twins’ growth with great anxiety, must have had his own thoughts on the matter. The Little One couldn’t help but let out a small laugh and nodded slightly. The small, tsumami-zaiku flowers in her hair swayed charmingly.

"You’re right. I hope nothing else happens."

"...Please don’t? That sounds like a massive jinx, and it scares me."

What am I supposed to do?

The Little One’s eyes sharpened threateningly, but Romel held her and twirled lightly. The Little One was a decent dancer, but as expected of royalty, his lead was impeccable. Charmed by his easy lead, Chihiro smiled, and Romel adored her with a melting expression.

After the dance, Romel stood by Chihiro’s side. He intended to guard her from any unsavory characters who might approach her in Drago’s absence. However, Chihaya pushed through the crowd and came towards them. He glared at Romel and quickly took his sister’s hand.

"Prince Romel, we have foreign dignitaries here tonight. You must be busy, wouldn’t you say? I will stay by Hiro’s side."

"...And what about your fiancée?"

"It is fine. I have left her with her younger brothers."

Romel glanced around the hall and his eyes met with those of a young lady who was smiling wryly and giving a slight bow. Her younger brothers looked bewildered. No, he could even feel a faint aura of anger rising from them.

...Of course they would be.

"You... Hah... It’s probably useless to say anything."

Chihaya, who had been caught up in and forced to deal with the Little One's complex and bizarre adventures, had grown into a tremendous sis-con. He seemed to see enemies all around him, and it was said that after graduating from the noble academy, he aimed to join the Royal Knights.

"I will cut down any fool who thinks ill of my sister."

He declared this without hesitation, a testament to his obsession. His fiancée watched over him with a resigned, lukewarm gaze.

Really, you’re lucky to have such an understanding fiancée, Chihaya.

Chihaya, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, escorted Chihiro to the dance floor.

Watching the two of them from behind, the twins from their childhood overlapped with their current forms. The small children who used to walk hand-in-hand, toddling along. The two who used to run around the castle in matching ponchos of different colors had come of age today.

Time really does fly.

As Romel indulged in the same sentiment as Drago, a familiar, unpleasant sound boomed in his ears. It wasn't just heard; it boomed.

Just as everyone in the hall looked up to see what was happening, the familiar giant honeybee flew in through the skylight. It circled the hall’s atrium and landed with a thud on the red carpet. It then handed the envelope in its hand to a nearby attendant.

《You remembered this time. Excellent.》

Inside the envelope was the invitation to the ball that Romel had sent via a knight. The Queen’s eyes crinkled with pleasure, and she buzzed her wings happily in front of Romel.

"Welcome, Queen. Chihiro is over there."

When he pointed to the Little One dancing with Chihaya, she, who had also been looking this way, broke into a wide grin and ran over.

《Lady Chihiro! Congratulations on coming of age!》

"Thank you, Merda! I look forward to working with you in the future!"

《Of course! The others are waiting outside and wish to offer their congratulations as well.》

"The others too?"

"What?"

As the Little One voiced her question, Romel also asked what was going on.

"Uwaaaah..."

The two, who had exchanged puzzled glances, rushed outside to find a group of familiar faces.

《Congratulations on coming of age, O King.》

《So you’re an adult now. Human children grow up so fast.》

《You have become so beautiful. Here, this is a congratulatory gift.》

Moruto, Joker, Zett. The lineup of giant monsters sent the royal palace into a storm of screams.

However, seeing the mountain of gifts piled up by Zett and the others, the shock was so great that they forgot to scream. Moruto had brought raw gold, silver, and precious stones. Joker had brought beautiful cloth woven from their own silk. Zett had also brought a mountain of coral, pearls, and other treasures, piled up so high you had to look up.

《Use it for your wedding dress or something.》

《I look forward to it. You will surely be a magnificent bride.》

《Isn’t that a bit premature? The King is still a blossoming young maiden, you know?》

A lively trio of voices chattered away. But to the people around them, they looked like nothing more than ferociously growling monsters.

Ahhh... Romel and the Little One exchanged weary glances. But then, an oblivious voice cut through the air.

"Oh! I thought it was awfully lively, and it was you guys."

It was Adonis, leading the chefs from the kitchen. As someone who often accompanied the Little One, he had a close relationship with the Lords of the Forest. He approached Moruto and the others without fear and instructed the chefs to bring out a large quantity of sweets.

"You came to celebrate Chihiro, right? Here, eat up!"

The monsters had a weakness for sweets.

With a burst of joy, the giant monsters began to devour the sweets they were offered. The chefs, smiling, diligently swapped out the rapidly emptying platters and brought more.

"You saved me, Adonis."

"Not at all. The apprentices let me know. They said the Queen appeared in the hall. So I figured the rest of the crew would be here too."

Ignoring the dumbfounded people of the royal palace, the monsters and the Little One’s group started their own noisy party. The king, with a wry smile, urged the frozen orchestra to resume playing.

"That girl is just that kind of creature. Pay it no mind, let us enjoy the banquet."

The nobles of Frontier knew that the Lords were intelligent monsters. After a brief commotion, things quickly returned to normal.

In the lively royal palace, both inside and out, the Little One came of age.

From here on, she would continue her turbulent life and live it to the fullest.