Chapter 21

“Hehe.”

As expected, my mom is a genius.

I scratched the back of my head and smiled awkwardly.

Well, you know.

It’s not like I was the one bragging.

I guess my good deeds were just too obvious.

“Then again, who in the world could possibly dislike our Cece? Right?”

Mom finally picked me up and started tickling my stomach.

I burst into laughter and buried my face in her shoulder.

Aah, that tickles!

“Maybe he’s finally gone senile.”

Meanwhile, Daddy Harzen continued muttering with a serious expression.

“Even so, the atmosphere has definitely changed.”

Soon, he rested a hand on my head and continued in a much gentler voice.

“There was no place more suffocating than this one.”

“…”

“Perhaps it’s because Cece is here, but now I can finally breathe.”

I peeked up and met Daddy Harzen’s eyes.

It’s only the beginning, but…

‘Did it help a little?’

Are Daddy’s wounds starting to heal, even just a little?

“I still want to return home as soon as possible.”

Then Daddy stroked my head a couple of times and smiled faintly.

Instead of sighing, I buried my face back into Mom’s shoulder.

‘I want to go home too.’

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if everything could end and we could all return home peacefully?

But since that wasn’t possible, this was exactly why I was going through all this trouble.

“By the way…”

At that moment, Mom patted my back and spoke again.

“I wonder how Kyle and Derek are doing. I did send a letter telling them that Cece is with us…”

“The return date written in that letter has already been delayed.”

Listening to their conversation, I quietly smiled.

Don’t worry, everyone.

Daddy probably never even read that letter.

“Honestly, we’d be lucky if those two don’t come chasing after us…”

That’s right, everyone.

At this very moment, my dads are already chasing after me.

We’re getting closer and closer.

“I miss Daddy.”

I rubbed my cheek against Mom’s neck and grumbled quietly.

I wish they’d get here soon.

My reinforcements who would come all the way here just to scold me.

‘If only Daddy Shion were here too.’

Then I might’ve been able to wander around the palace more easily while pretending to follow him around.

Even aside from that, it’s been way too long since I last saw him.

“I miss Daddy Shion!”

If I’d known this would happen, I should’ve asked Grandpa, “Please bring Daddy Shion back!”

Maybe I should go back right now and…

“Daddy Shion is protecting the nation right now. But he’ll be back soon. Let’s trust him and wait, okay?”

While I was lost in thought.

Mom tapped the bridge of my nose and spoke gently.

I immediately came back to my senses and nodded.

“Okay!”

I missed Daddy Shion so much that I almost made a terrible decision.

Right now, the most important thing wasn’t anything else.

It was protecting Mom.

Which meant asking Grandpa for that “favor” had actually been the best possible choice.

That would be enough to protect Mom.

‘Daddy Shion, stay alive over there a little longer.’

You protect the country.

Cece will protect Mom.

Using every connection and promise I can get my hands on!

* * *

In conclusion, Grandpa was an incredibly trustworthy person.

He kept his promise to me perfectly in less than a single day.

“Wow…”

I stared at the sight before me and let out a dumbfounded gasp.

I’m pretty sure this place had been a reception room when I passed by yesterday.

And yet it had transformed completely overnight.

“Do you like it?”

Asked the most reliable promise-keeping person in the entire world.

I nodded vigorously and beamed.

“Yes!”

I never imagined it would be finished this quickly!

“Though I still don’t understand. Why would a child want a laboratory…?”

While I excitedly looked around the room, Grandpa muttered in confusion.

That’s right.

What I’d asked for was a laboratory.

My very own personal laboratory!

And why a laboratory?

‘Because I’m going to make something that can protect Mom.’

I might not know the future in detail, but that didn’t mean I’d forgotten everything from the main story.

My plan was to use that knowledge to make something.

“Hehe.”

I stared at the rows of materials lining the shelves, my eyes sparkling.

I’ve never seen that material before.

Oh, and that one too.

‘I have no idea what any of this is!’

Still, I could tell it all looked expensive.

Naturally.

I’ve never been interested in research.

‘But things change when there are researchers around.’

Even if I couldn’t identify the materials myself, I could just ask them to bring me what I needed.

Muahaha!

What do you think of my flawless plan?

After glancing at the researchers standing around awkwardly, I turned toward Grandpa and bowed.

“Thank you very much, Grandpa.”

“If there’s anything else you need, just say so.”

“I’m okay for now!”

I’d already requested the thing I needed most when I asked for the laboratory yesterday.

I climbed onto the custom workbench made to fit my height and immediately entered serious mode.

When Daddy Kyle tried to bring me into the underground laboratory, I’d cried and refused.

But having a personal workbench of my own felt strangely moving.

‘Of course, I’m not talented like Daddy.’

Still, I, Cece, am a remarkable child who remembers knowledge from the main story!

“Phew.”

Recalling one of Daddy Kyle’s invention recipes, I grinned.

Meanwhile, Grandpa and the researchers continued watching me with uneasy expressions.

But don’t worry.

This recipe is incredibly simple.

As easy as playing house.

Thanks to Daddy Kyle.

Anyway, today I was going to make this.

‘Sneeze Powder.’

Naturally, this wonderfully straightforward name was Daddy Kyle’s creation.

Apparently he’d invented so many things that he’d become too lazy to come up with proper names.

Anyway, as the name suggests, Sneeze Powder causes whoever carries it to sneeze under a certain condition.

And what condition is that?

‘When it detects killing intent!’

If someone nearby wants to kill you, you’ll suddenly start sneezing uncontrollably.

In the main story, Mom and Dad used this powder to detect surprise attacks from monsters and demons.

And why did this recipe appear in the main story?

‘Because Daddy Kyle invented it in real time on the way to the demon king’s castle.’

After dealing with surprise monster attacks over and over again…

[“Ah! This XX is so freaking annoying!”]

Daddy finally snapped.

And this was what he created afterward.

The fact that he could casually invent something like this just because he was annoyed…

I wish I had that kind of talent too.

Then I’d be able to protect Mom for sure…

‘No!’

I stopped myself and shook my head vigorously.

Just being able to make this is already amazing!

Besides, what good is having talented dads?

In the end, they still couldn’t protect Mom!

‘I can do this!’

Operation Protect Mom, let’s go!

Strengthening my resolve once more, I picked up the research coat laid out on the workbench and put it on.

Wow.

It even comes with safety goggles and gloves.

And they’re perfectly sized for me!

As expected of Grandpa!

After properly putting on the goggles as well, I looked toward Grandpa.

Grandpa met my gaze and nodded once.

‘That means it looks good on me.’

Daddy Harzen always nodded like that whenever I wore pretty clothes too.

Anyway, my outfit was ready.

‘Next comes preparing the ingredients.’

But I’m still a child, so I can’t process the materials myself.

Which is why I prepared this!

“Grandpa!”

Power!