Akatsuki Translations

Month ○, Day×, Clear Skies 

It had been a vague suspicion that had been brewing within me for quite some time now. Could it be that my parents are too affectionate with each other? I should clarify that I am referring not just to my own parents, but to the Emperor and Empress of the Heinzel Empire… 

Even as a child, it was evident to me that my father doted on my mother, and she seemed entirely content with his excessive displays of affection. Well, she did mention growing up in a convent, so perhaps her sheltered upbringing plays a part in it. However, I do wish they would refrain from indulging in their displays of affection in front of their children. As a fifteen-year-old, I can tolerate it to some extent, but I believe it sets a poor example for my seven-year-old sister, Cornelia. 

The reason I have chosen to write such matters in my daily diary, a ritual of mine, is to ensure that the foolishness of my parents’ behavior is preserved for future generations. After all, my father is a revered Emperor, and I anticipate that his reputation will remain intact throughout history. Yet, it would bring me great satisfaction to know that the world is also aware of his penchant for spoiling his wife. This is but a small act of rebellion on the part of Wolfgang, Crown Prince of the Heinzel Empire and the eldest child of Emperor Wolfgang and Empress Nicolette. 

Month △, Day ○, Clear Skies 

Let me write this down before I forget. Earlier, the family gathered in our usual meeting place, my mother’s room, to have tea together. Well, it’s not uncommon for us to sit around the table as a group, but the seating arrangement has become somewhat fixed. Or rather, ever since my younger sister Cornelia became capable of sitting alone, it has settled into a pattern. 

First, my father and mother take their seat side by side. Across from them, with Cornelia in between, my brother Richard and I sit. This arrangement is fine. It doesn’t feel unnatural in terms of the seating order. 

What troubles me is how naturally my father feeds sweets and fruits to my mother. No, it’s not that I don’t understand the desire to do so, especially when my mother eats them with such a blissful expression. However, I wish he wouldn’t do it in front of the children. It’s just awkward for us, not knowing where to direct our gaze.” 

× Month ▽ Day, Rain 

It was raining all day today, so my mother was teaching Cornelia how to knit indoors. Apparently, she’s working on a lap blanket, even though it’s spring… I can never quite understand what Mother is up to. 

Unable to go outside due to the rain, Richard and I were receiving lessons from Father. And then I noticed something peculiar. Father occasionally seeks confirmation from Mother, and she casually responds. What’s going on? 

In particular, when it comes to history, isn’t Mother more knowledgeable than Father? Or rather, I remember seeing history books at the library that were written under Mother’s name. Could she be the Empress? 

Lately, I find myself increasingly puzzled by Mother. 

× Month □ Day, Clear 

On that day, under the clear sky, my mother, who I can’t quite understand, was engaged in rose hybridization. It was what they called breeding for improved varieties. Her goal was to create blue roses, but for now, the color of the roses remained bluish-purple. Certainly not blue. If she succeeded in creating blue roses, she would probably name them “Nicolette Rose” or something similar, and the blue color of the roses would be called “Nicola Blue.” That’s something my father would do. In fact, I remember him musing about it before. Well, it’s not uncommon for flowers to be named after their creators or women’s names… 

Although I’ve rambled on with this introduction, I went to see the roses. It was about time for them to bloom, so there were several bluish-purple roses in various stages of blossoming, perhaps around one-third open. Personally, I thought they were beautiful even as they were. It seemed that my father shared the same opinion, but he had a slightly different perspective. 

“Your eyes have the same color. However, your eyes are more beautiful.” 

Oh my goooooood! Won’t someone acknowledge the scream in my heart?! What’s with this couple?! I unintentionally cringed along with Richard! 

No, indeed, my mother’s eyes were the color of violets, similar to the color of these roses. I can’t deny that my eye color is inherited from my mother, and I did think they looked alike. But would you normally say that to someone’s face? Say it!? 

Moreover, “Your eyes are more beautiful.” You just can’t say something like that sober! 

My mother seemed a little embarrassed by this, and it appeared to be cute to her, as my father pulled her close. Ah, this is the part where they kiss. 

For now, Richard and I decided to retrieve Cornelia and strategically retreat. 

No, today’s events had a significant impact. Truly. 

× Month, △ Day, Cloudy 

My mother has a wide range of hobbies. From crossbreeding roses to studying history, astronomy, statistics, and psychology… Among them all, I believe her knowledge of explosives surpasses that of the entire empire. 

Starting with improvements to firearms and concocting explosives, my mother is skilled. Yet, she is also clumsy in peculiar ways, which makes me quite nervous to watch. 

The firearms my mother has worked on are easy to shoot. They are designed so that even a woman like her can handle them. Originally, it was developed by my grandmother, so both mother and daughter are quite something. 

And so, my mother finally had a mishap during her gunpowder experiment. Perhaps she was attempting a chemical reaction experiment, but it seems she made an error in the mixture. I had always expected it to happen someday. 

Fortunately, my mother only suffered minor burns on her hands, but a corner of the annex she was using for the experiment was blown away. Even my father, who rarely shows anger, was upset. Though his words were mostly expressing concern for my mother… 

In the end, as my father embraced my mother, saying, “I’m glad you’re safe,” I think he must be deeply enamored with her. 

Date: × Month ※ Day, Clear Skies 

It would become a sequel to the incident that blew away the palace, but it seems that my mother has finally started to take an interest in architecture. Astonishingly, she began sketching the blueprints for the palace she herself had blown away. 

Well, I suppose it’s not entirely surprising, considering she had been drawing designs for clocks and guns. But it makes me wonder, just how far does my mother’s talent extend? In fact, at that moment, I couldn’t help but think: Could it be that this person, who seems to be joking around, is actually a genius? 

△ Month × Day, Clear Skies 

It may come as a surprise, but my mother cannot ride a horse. It has been approximately 17 years since she came into the family through marriage. She seems to have been practicing little by little, but still, she can only manage to walk alongside the horse. Today, during my swordsmanship training, I decided to take a brief break and check on her progress. Unfortunately, she hadn’t made any noticeable improvements. Mother, perhaps it is time to consider giving up. 

When it comes to horseback riding, both my father and I share the same opinion. Watching my mother’s attempts at riding is nerve-wracking, as she appears rather unsteady. Today, once again, I found myself anxiously observing her from the sidelines, accompanied by my father. 

In moments like these, I can’t help but think that I truly am my father’s child, despite our outward differences. 

△ Month □ Day, Rain 

My mother made sweets for me. The sweets she makes are simple yet delicious… However, I really wish we would stop feeding each other in front of the children. I always intend to say, ‘Stop,’ but in the end, I can’t bring myself to. After all, both of them look so happy… 

Lately, I’ve started feeling that as long as they are happy, it’s enough. Yet, it still feels uncomfortable to witness my parents embracing each other. 

Ah, the cake that my dear mother made is delicious. 

＊Month, ○ Day, Overcast 

Father returned home from his inspection. At this moment, it seemed perfectly ordinary for Mother to embrace him, planting kisses on both his cheeks. Well, he had come back from being outside, after all. 

We received souvenirs. I got a book, Richard got a knife, and Cornelia received a large teddy bear. Cornelia, holding the teddy bear in her arms, looked adorable. It was something I wanted to frame and hang on the wall. 

And then, the gift for Mother was different. Usually, she would be delighted with sweets, but on this particular day, Father presented her with something called a traditional craft item. More precisely, it was a piece of cloth adorned with traditional embroidery. It was fine for her eyes to sparkle with interest, but I couldn’t help but think it might not be the best idea to exclaim, “I wonder what profound meaning is woven into it! How intriguing!” 

And so, by bestowing various things upon Mother, who was blissfully unaware, Father broadened the range of her hobbies. 

Ah, Mother kissed Father in gratitude. I have a slight uneasiness, so I should go retrieve the cute Cornelia. 

Yeah, a big teddy bear for Cornelia. Adorable. 

*Month, △ Day, Sunny 

Cornelia still carries around her teddy bear. It’s as tall as she is. Why did Father bring such a large teddy bear home? It’s cute, though. But I don’t really want to see Father’s smitten face when he looks at his daughter. 

Today, Mother is fixing the clock that Richard broke. I plan to ask her to teach me how to do it someday. And there’s Father and Richard, watching her do it. Richard is fine, but Father is as usual. 

△ 

“What are you writing?” 

Ferdinand, engrossed in writing his diary, turned around with a surprised expression as a voice called out from behind him. Standing there was his father, Wolfgang. In a moment’s notice, Ferdinand closed his diary. 

“I was writing in my diary!” -Ferdinand 

“…Your meticulousness is just like Nicola’s.” -Wolfgang 

“Did someone call me?” -Nicolette 

Nicolette, the mother, asked without looking up, while adjusting a clock. The father turned towards her and replied, “It’s nothing.” 

“Do you think it can be fixed?” -Wolfgang 

“No, it’s no use. It moves, but the spring is broken, so every time it stops, I have to open the lid and turn the gears.” -Nicolette 

“That sounds troublesome.” -Wolfgang 

“Well, if I replace the parts with a new one, it’ll be fixed.” -Nicolette 

Richard exclaimed with delight, “It’ll be fixed!” to the casually spoken words of his mother. It will be fixed. Really, what is she, my mother? 

“Well done, Nicola.” -Wolfgang 

“Hehe.” -Nicolette 

Praised by her husband, the mother laughed like a young girl. It is surprising to see such a shy gesture fitting a woman in her mid-thirties. 

“Also, I’m not writing a diary, I’m taking statistics.” -Ferdinand 

“You heard that, huh…” -Wolfgang 

From Ferdinand’s perspective, he thinks it’s more impressive to gather statistics than to write a diary. What kind of person is my mother, really? Although his father seems normal except for an excessive love for his wife. 

Suddenly, Ferdinand noticed that Richard and Cornelia were knitting together. When Ferdinand’s eyes met with Cornelia’s, he was invited to join them. He couldn’t bring himself to watch the lovey-dovey couple. 

“What are you making?” -Ferdinand 

“A bear’s clothes!” -Cornelia 

Cornelia cheerfully replied. As making clothes was a difficult task, her mother was guiding her in making a scarf. Richard was assisting Cornelia, who still couldn’t knit well. That guy is surprisingly good at everything. 

“I want to see a real bear.” -Cornelia 

“You seem like you’d shoot it straight in the forehead.” -Ferdinand 

“I would never do such a thing!” -Cornelia 

Watching the children happily knitting, Wolfgang and Nicolette narrowed their eyes and smiled. 

The imperial family remained peaceful once again today.”