TIDSF 35

Chapter 35

‘She is pretty.’

This coastal village was one of the only ones in the North, so it was known as a tourist destination.

Following Dad’s recommendation, we rented the best family suite at the nicest inn in the village.

A large room with three beds lined up, a living room with a plush sofa, and two bathrooms.

The interior was a bit rustic, but the view of the ocean from the balcony was amazing.

“It’s like a cloud.”

Aiden, who had entered the room, quietly murmured that with a blush as he lightly sat on the bed.

I sat next to him.

“……”

“……”

It was soft… but that was it.

My uncle must have thought the same. After glancing at Aiden, he quietly got up from the bed.

‘When did he even sit down there?’

Ah, well—it was better than our current beds at home.

“Brother, I’ll make sure you can sit on a real cloud-like bed soon.”

Suppressing my pity, I patted Aiden’s shoulder.

He looked puzzled, but I ignored it.

As soon as Dad entered the room, he looked around thoroughly and then nodded.

“This room’s not bad.”

With Dad’s approval, we started unpacking.

Though we were nobles, we didn’t even have a single servant with us. Still, Dad and my brother, who were used to traveling, handled things efficiently.

They unpacked our bags and finished organizing in no time.

My uncle and I, who had never traveled without an aide or attendant, just sat blankly side by side on the bed.

“Let’s rest a bit and head out later.”

Dad took my uncle’s coat and hung it on a hook, casually handing him the medicine he hadn’t taken yet.

“Thanks.”

“Should we take a nap, Grandpa?”

As soon as my uncle swallowed the pills, Aiden asked.

My uncle, stoic and firm as always, didn’t show it, but he looked tired.

Instead of being stubborn, he nodded calmly and lay down on the bed.

I was about to lie next to him when—

“Grandpa, can I sleep with you too?”

Aiden asked shyly.

My uncle’s eyes widened in surprise, then he smiled and gestured for him to come closer.

In the end, I was sandwiched between my uncle and Aiden, eyes closed.

The curtains were drawn, and early darkness settled in.

* * *

The next day, I had a thought.

Dads are amazing!

The day after we arrived, the village of Blanc kicked off its festival.

Somehow, Dad managed to sneak in through the back door of a famous dessert shop with long lines, cheerfully thanked them, and came back with heaps of sweets. He even got tickets for the “Ocean Ranch Experience!”—a popular activity people usually wait all day for.

And that wasn’t all—tonight, we were heading to a famously exclusive restaurant that only opens during the festival.

Normally, you have to book it a year in advance. I had no idea how we got in.

‘As expected of the protagonist.’

But wait, Dad was the protagonist in his past life too… then how come he’s so different now?

‘Why is this version of him so much more capable?’

I shook my head furiously at the sudden thought.

No comparisons. That’s not fair.

Anyway, thanks to Dad, we just had to enjoy ourselves!

“Grandpaaa! Try this!”

“And this too!”

Aiden and I happily poked freshly bought hot street food onto wooden skewers and held them out to Uncle.

“Ahem.”

Uncle glanced around a bit awkwardly, then leaned forward and took a big bite.

“Thanks. It tastes better because it’s from you two.”

He never held back compliments.

His warm hands ruffled mine and Aiden’s heads equally.

From across the table, Dad, resting his chin on one hand, pouted.

“Hey kids, what about me? Don’t I get some~?”

“Don’t you know about respecting your elders?”

“Respecting who now?”

“It’s a thing. Anyway, say ah—!”

I poked the same food and held it out to Dad.

His eyes widened slightly.

“Having a daughter is great.”

He chuckled mischievously and quickly took a bite.

It felt… strange.

We were technically in a contract relationship, and really, Dad was just playing along because he owed me and had made promises—but sometimes, it felt a little too real.

“What about your son? Doesn’t he get any?”

“Ah—!”

When Dad shamelessly opened his mouth, Aiden, blushing red, shyly offered him some food too.

He must’ve been embarrassed.

“Such a nice sight,” Uncle said with a warm smile.

What I appreciated most was how both of them were making an effort to treat Uncle warmly.

Honestly, I didn’t expect Aiden to warm up to him this easily.

‘Did Dad say something to him?’

After all, I had cried and asked them to act like a close family…

A fatherly protagonist willing to risk death for his child is really something else.

I…

“……”

No, let’s not dwell on unnecessary thoughts on a good day!

We followed Dad’s recommendations and visited all kinds of tourist spots.

They weren’t well-known, so there weren’t many people, but they were all incredibly beautiful.

“Pictures for sale! Capture your memories with a special photo!”

A man with a crystal orb around his neck waved a sign, trying to attract customers.

People immediately turned to look.

“Black-and-white photos for just 300,000 rad! Color photos for 500,000 rad!”

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone turned away again.

‘That’s insanely expensive.’

Did he pick the wrong place to advertise? Or was he just hoping for one gullible customer?

Even so, a family of four’s living expenses are only about 1.5 to 2 million rad a month…

“We also sell albums! Copies only 100,000 rad!”

This is ridiculous.

“Do you want to take one?”

Dad came over and hugged me, whispering.

“No, it’s too expensive.”

“My dear daughter, your dad’s got savings too.”

He smiled and called the photographer over.

“Come now, take your once-in-a-lifetime photo right here!”

We took photos on a beach with soft sand beneath and the wide ocean behind.

In one photo, Aiden rode on Dad’s shoulders while I was held by Grandpa.

In another, I was in Grandpa’s arms and Aiden was held by Dad.

The last photo was of all of us holding hands.

We decided to each keep a copy.

“That’ll be 2.4 million rad!”

“Ah, let’s handle payment over there.”

Dad slung his arm around the photographer and led him behind a rock. They were gone for a long time.

“……?”

Even from a distance, the now pale-faced photographer looked like he’d been paid far less than 2.4 million rad. He bowed at a 90-degree angle and quickly ran off holding his sign.

“Our reservation time is up. Let’s go to the restaurant.”

Dad returned with a suspiciously satisfied look.

We were heading to that famously booked-out restaurant—one that supposedly finished all its reservations a year in advance and was known for being a bit cold to outsiders.

“Don’t let go of my hand, Eve.”

Aiden gripped my hand tightly.

Whatever Dad had told him, Aiden insisted on holding my hand whenever we walked through crowds.

As if I was some helpless child who’d get lost the moment he let go.

‘Geez.’

How old am I again…?

Seven.

Oh. I am a kid.

I admitted it quietly and held Aiden’s hand back.

“Oh! My Vida! Calyx! My goodness, it’s been so long!”

Just as we entered the restaurant, a burly man in a chef’s outfit threw his arms wide open.

Vida?

Wasn’t that ancient language for “my destiny”…?

What a strange way to address someone.