CHAPTER 47…………………………….
I probably can’t plant it all over the imperial palace, but at least if I secretly stick it in places that need attention, it should be useful!
‘Even if it’s not Bertolt, someone might try to harm our family.’
First, the grandfather’s study, the empress’s bedroom, my room, Mom and Dad’s room… hmm.
Maybe I should secretly put one in Bertolt’s bedroom just in case?
“Ah… ♪♩, no matter how I think about it, this isn’t enough. I feel like I need to make a completely new one.”
Meanwhile, Kyle’s dad shook his head roughly, ruffling his hair.
“I know exactly how to improve it, but the problem is where to make it.”
“The palace lab.”
“And what are we supposed to do there, ♬♪.”
At Derek’s dad’s comment, Kyle’s dad groaned and muttered.
“Whenever I try to do something, they swarm around to watch, ♬♩ always trying to analyze. What is this? What is that? What do you do with this? What happens if you combine this and that? Like ♪♬!”
I nodded in full agreement.
Yeah, even when I made the sparkle—no, sneezing powder, it was the same.
That was tough for me too.
“Just thinking about it makes me feel like ♩♬, ♪♬.”
Dad flopped down on the lawn, expressing his frustration with his whole body.
Yep, that’s our dad.
Now I know one more reason why he dislikes the palace.
But this time, it should be fine, right?
“So, Dad.”
I poked my head over his face and grinned.
“I have a place to take you.”
“Where?”
“Somewhere good, hehe.”
Finally, it’s time to show him.
The (former) CC-only lab, now Dad’s private lab…!
So, Kyle’s dad had three main impressions when he saw our new lab.
First:
“What? ♩♬ The research table is way too low.”
Well, it was my personal table, so that makes sense.
“Okay, got it.”
I nodded and looked at the aide standing next to me.
The aide hesitated a few times, then quietly said:
“…Yes, I’ll instruct them to bring a new research table.”
He must have had a million thoughts in that short moment.
But in the end, he agreed to follow my request.
‘Preemptive action before reporting.’
Grandpa always falls for my words anyway.
Besides, Grandpa himself said, ‘Treat them generously.’
Anyway.
‘I’m glad I ran into the aide before coming.’
Thanks to intercepting, the necessary procedures were greatly reduced.
“And also, there’s just… too little. Only the research table, nothing else?”
Ah, that’s because I’m a child, so no fire-related equipment is allowed.
Sure, there’s a lot that needs fixing.
“…If you make a list of the necessary items, I’ll have them prepared quickly.”
The aide replied again, looking very tired.
I started feeling a little sorry for him.
We’re taking up the palace budget just to make things to monitor the palace.
Sorry, sir, and Grandpa.
And the people of the empire.
But we have no choice if we want to prevent the world from ending…
“No, and…”
And finally, the last one.
Kyle’s dad turned his head sharply while looking around the lab.
“There’s too much.”
Completely the opposite of his earlier “there’s nothing” comment.
I understood what he meant and gave an awkward smile.
Here, ‘too much’ didn’t mean objects.
It meant people.
Specifically, the researchers gathered near the lab door…
‘Where did they even hear about this?’
They started gathering as soon as Dad, I, and the aide entered the lab.
“Damn it, CC, can’t you all leave?!”
Finally, Kyle’s dad roared in frustration.
I watched the researchers scatter and sighed deeply.
If this continues, Dad might get so mad he makes a device to destroy the palace lab.
“Uh, sorry, sir.”
“…Yes. I’ll warn them not to come near here. If needed, we’ll assign security personnel.”
“Thank you so much.”
Dad is really sensitive, you know.
I bowed sincerely with my hands at my waist.
“Hmm, if we were to source everything we need here… it could still take a few days.”
Kyle’s dad tilted his head and said.
The aide, still very tired, automatically replied:
“His Majesty instructed that if you need anything while staying here, you may ask at any time.”
“Ah, that’s good.”
Kyle’s dad looked at us and said:
“What I need now is some time alone.”
“Huh?”
“Me too?”
“Yes, you too. You too, and you too.”
Dad pointed to each of us with a small smile.
“You all just leave. Okay? Good.”
With that, we were promptly kicked out.
I politely bowed to the aide, who was standing there blankly.
“Thank you for coming…”
“No… it’s nothing.”
I watched the aide trudge away.
Once he was completely out of sight:
“Let’s go too, Dad.”
I grabbed Derek’s dad’s arm.
He lifted me lightly with one hand.
Having the dads around definitely makes it easier to move around.
If we can continue like this, we might be able to gather evidence surprisingly fast…?
“…Sir.”
By the time we almost reached the palace where we were staying:
“-Here… why….”
We heard voices at the end of the hallway.
I leaned forward to see who it was.
“Harzen.”
It’s Dad and Bertolt, right?
“Shhh.”
I immediately put my finger to my lips and looked at Derek’s dad.
He mirrored me and then started moving closer to the sound.
I was amazed at how silently and quickly he moved, even holding me.
‘This is amazing.’
Could I learn to do this too?
“What brings you here?”
We hid behind a huge marble pillar to eavesdrop.
“CC hasn’t returned yet, so I was just about to go look for them.”
“And the new guests?”
“Yes, they went out together. They said they were going to scold CC…”
Ah, Mom was there too.
I smiled at Mom’s voice, hearing it late.
How can Mom’s voice be so pretty?
“They just say that, but they probably didn’t actually scold them. They’re probably just playing somewhere.”
“That’s true. But since it’s been a week, we tried not to interfere too much.”
Mom added in a worried voice, just like this morning:
“I suddenly thought they might be getting together somewhere, planning some mischief…”
Mom’s instincts really can’t be ignored.
I widened my eyes and exchanged a glance with Dad.
‘That was close.’
Otherwise, our mischief plan might have been discovered.
“What should I do? I’m worried again.”
Her slightly louder voice echoed down the hallway.
I thought of Mom stomping her feet and smiled faintly.
Sorry, Mom.
Your worry turned out to be real.
