CH 123

“I was just curious about what Father would be like if we were to live separately.”

Father’s hand fell off my head, and as soon as my eyes met Father’s glowing eyes, I could read the will to never do it. As expected, independence was still not possible. It was a natural reaction, so I wasn’t worried.

In the future, when my daughter is 14 years old, I would also be angry if she says that I will live apart from her. First of all, I’m going to say no. No matter how good the world is for her, 14 years old was too young to be away from parents’ arms.

“Why are you saying that? Maybe that punk… kuhumm, the Young Master, trick you into it?”

What? Why was Kir mentioned here? I was rather dazed by Father’s serious question. I have no idea why my independence had anything to do with Kir. While I was thinking about it, Father’s expression became fierce, perhaps he was about to cross the wall of the Grand Duke’s residence and grab Kir by the neck.

“What is with Kir? It has nothing to do with him.”

I urgently explained and stopped Father from committing a crime.

“Nothing to do with the Young Master? But why did you suddenly bring up such a thing?”

In the end, he still thought that it was Kir’s fault. I don’t know why Father linked it to Kir and was suspicious of him. Did Kir say anything to Father about my independence?

“I was just thinking of it. What would happen if we suddenly got separated? Just like that.”

There was a bleak past when I didn’t say a word to Father properly, but now I couldn’t imagine living apart from him. Father’s hand touched my head again, and somehow, I could spot sad eyes. Since when did Father grow to be like this? The loneliness and pride of ‘I already have to make my daughter independent’ appeared alternately.

“Then, I would be very lonely.”

He said it calmly, but my heart throbs at the loneliness that was revealed. As if our separation was right around the corner, Father was sincerely saddened.

“And later? What would you do if I told you I am getting older and getting married?”

It was a story that I brought out halfway just to get some laughs. But Father seemed rather disappointed when he heard that I was getting married.

“Marriage…. yes, you should. Even then, I will be very lonely.”

“Very?”

“Yes. Very.”

I feel like I’ve made a big mistake as I listened to Father’s sad words, which I’ve never seen before. Even if it’s empty words, I will never get married! I will continue to live with Father! I was supposed to shout that, but strangely, it didn’t come out of my mouth.

It wasn’t because I was greedy for marriage, but because I didn’t want to make a promise I couldn’t keep. Usually, I was good at acting cute and saying empty words as I felt comfortable, but at times like this, I couldn’t.

Eventually, I loosened my legs and jumped into Father’s arms. The flinching Father hugged me. It was warm with his big, strong arms. It was solid and stable as if it would always protect me.

“Father is the best. I really like Father because you are my father.”

With my clumsy consolation, Father’s hand patted my back. In response, I hugged Father tightly. After this conversation, I was able to know my feelings clearly. What do I want to do? Which way was my mind leaning to? If I decided on one, I would still be bothered by the other option. I was a greedy person who couldn’t give up on either side.

* * *

The conversation with Father made me felt even more distraught. If I hadn’t known, I would have made the decision without much thought. My worries only got worse.

That’s why I couldn’t read the book that I was going to read in my hand today. It was a very confusing situation where even the text itself could not be processed with my eyes. Well, I wonder why I had so much to worry about after I have been reincarnated.

“Ha…..”

A deep sigh as I expressed my confusion. I was then surprised to hear an unexpected loud noise. When I turned my head, Kir was sitting across from me.

What a surprise. I didn’t even hear him entering.

Of course, it was not odd that Kir was here. Clearly, the owner of this place was Kir, and I was the guest. Today, too, I visited the Grand Duke’s residence to borrow a book. But I couldn’t even read the book and was just contemplating. I don’t think I’ve ever been so distracted.