Book 4: Volume 2 Chapter 1, Father Advising Son

Translator: Kazumi

Editor: Silavin

 

Kousuke encountered Towa in the Management Floor and immediately noticed something was amiss. The Crowd Prince, who typically carried himself with confidence befitting his strong Floria bloodline, appeared troubled and uncharacteristically hesitant.

 

“Towa? What’s wrong?” Kousuke asked, genuinely surprised by the unusual expression on his face.

 

Towa had been developing steadily to become the next King, and just recently, Floria had boasted that “Now he can take over at any time.” Seeing Towa looking desperate and somewhat embarrassed was entirely unexpected.

 

“Dad, I’d like to ask you a favor. Is that okay?” Towa’s voice carried a difficult tone that made Kousuke’s eyes widen further. It was almost unprecedented for Towa to approach him with such hesitation.

 

“What is it?” Kousuke suppressed his inner confusion and adopted a serious expression.

 

Towa seemed to struggle with his words before finally speaking. “May I bring Daniella here?”

 

The request left Kousuke momentarily speechless, unable to reconcile Towa’s anxious demeanor with what seemed like a simple question.

 

“I’m sorry?” Kousuke responded, taken aback by the contrast.

 

Towa’s expression grew even more troubled. “Well, I would like to bring Daniella here to the Management Floor.”

 

Recognizing there was more to this situation, Kousuke decided to hear the full explanation.

 

As Towa provided the embarrassing details, Kousuke found himself looking at his Son with sympathy. The situation was clearly one that would be difficult to discuss with a Parent, and Towa was obviously desperate.

 

The problem, as Towa explained it, centered on his inability to find time for proper dates with Daniella. During their school years, this had not been an issue. He had friends willing to assist, and most importantly, he possessed considerable free time. However, after graduation, scheduling became nearly impossible, and even when they managed to arrange meetings, interference invariably occurred.

 

The interference was never overt, of course. Floria, as Queen, officially approved of Daniella. Any blatant disruption risking a rift between the couple would upset the Queen.

 

Instead, the interference took subtle forms, with various parties somehow managing to schedule conflicting obligations during planned dates. Even Floria was impressed by these roundabout methods, though their ingenuity left her feeling helpless to counter them.

 

This had driven Towa to seek advice from his Father, Kousuke.

 

“I understand. Towa is facing genuine difficulties,” Shrein observed, having listened to Kousuke’s retelling of the conversation. She nodded with a sympathetic expression.

 

“It seems ridiculous, but I guess that reflects the reality of their situation,” Kousuke replied.

 

“Actually, Towa’s circumstances are easy to solve because the hindrances are limited.” Shrein pointed out.

 

“You mean?” Kousuke tilted his head questioningly.

 

“It is the social status difference between Towa and Lady Daniella. But, if they are on another continent, they would lack formal Royal Titles, which would essentially solve their problem.”

 

Shrein turned her attention to Towa, who nodded slightly and sighed. “We both understand the issue, but if possible, we just want to spend time together.”

 

Kousuke grasped Towa’s meaning and felt a desire to help fulfill his wishes somehow. However, he crossed his arms and frowned thoughtfully.

 

“Is it difficult?” Towa asked, his expression showing slight resignation.

 

“No, that’s not the issue,” Kousuke quickly clarified, shaking his head. “Bringing Daniella to the Management Floor is not an issue.”

 

Towa tilted his head at Kousuke’s careful phrasing. “But, with the current Management Floor setup, being alone together is impossible, and you should know that.”

 

“Dad, given my status, being alone with someone before marriage is impossible under any circumstances.”

 

As a Crown Prince, Towa would almost certainly be accompanied by bodyguards, with someone always present to monitor the situation should anything go wrong. Nevertheless, this arrangement would be far superior to their current circumstances, where they barely managed proper meetings. Moreover, those who frequented the Management Floor would surely understand the situation as Towa described it.

 

Kousuke sighed, recognizing Towa’s reasoning. Though the constraints were inevitable, he, their Father, found them quite suffocating.

 

“If that’s how you feel about it, then fine. Bringing Daniella to the Management Floor is not a problem.”

 

“Thank you!” Towa’s expression brightened considerably, perhaps because he had been feeling particularly frustrated with the current arrangements.

 

Kousuke watched as Towa departed the Management Floor with obvious happiness, then sighed.

 

“I wish there was more I could do,” he murmured.

 

“Why not take action then?” Shrein inquired, tilting her head.

 

“I would like to, but I believe it’s best not to interfere further as his Father.”

 

“Why?”

 

“When Parents involve themselves in these types of matters, the results are usually bad.” Kousuke stated firmly.

 

“Oh, what remarkably wise advice.” Shrein agreed, nodding in complete understanding.

 

***

 

Later, observing Daniella’s continued nervousness in his presence, Kousuke quickly retreated to give the couple space. There was no benefit in causing additional anxiety through unnecessary proximity.

 

Collete and Peach, who had arrived to check on the situation, also noticed the dynamic and encouraged Kousuke to withdraw. He felt somewhat poorly treated by his Family on what should have been his day of rest. However, this sacrifice served to fulfill Towa’s wishes, making the minor inconvenience acceptable.

 

Kousuke moved from the relaxation area to his private quarters, settling with his arms crossed and a contemplative expression.

 

“What’s wrong?” Mitsuki, who had accompanied him, inquired upon seeing his state.

 

“It’s somewhat frustrating, or perhaps pitiful.” Kousuke replied, sharing his impression of the young couple’s situation.

 

The issue was not any rift or tension between Towa and Daniella. If anything, their relationship seemed unchanged, which made their current circumstances all the more unfortunate.

 

“I understand your perspective, but as you mentioned previously, interference from a Parent rarely leads to positive outcomes.” Mitsuki observed.

 

“Yeah. That’s likely why Floria also hesitates to intervene.”

 

Earlier that day, before Daniella’s arrival at the Management Floor, Kousuke had spoken with Floria, who expressed similar sentiments. Both recognized that their respective positions as living god and Queen prevented direct involvement in the matter.

 

Kousuke had seriously considered issuing a divine revelation but concluded this should remain a last resort. Such interventions carried inherent bias and unpredictable consequences that could prove counterproductive.

 

Ultimately, all he could do was observe and support from a distance, though he suspected this limitation applied to parents in every Family facing similar circumstances.