Chapter 69
Jaina sat on the bed, recalling what Hilbenzia had said.
Everyone thought she was going to die, but she had survived.
Diamid had paid an enormous price to save her.
—Now he wants to recognize you as his daughter.
Hilbenzia had said this with a bright smile.
But Jaina couldn’t smile back.
Why… now…?
The biggest question filled her mind.
While Jaina was lost in thought, there was a knock on the door.
It was the doctor who had come to see her.
The doctor examined her and wore a relieved expression.
“You’ve almost fully recovered. I heard your allergic reaction was extremely severe, so it’s truly fortunate. From now on, never consume Shezmel, and avoid anyone who has eaten it…”
As the doctor went over various precautions, Yurika asked from the side,
“Lord Matap asked to see you this afternoon. Would that be alright?”
“If it’s just a gentle movement, yes… just don’t overexert yourself.”
Hilbenzia, who had nursed Jaina day and night, had left the room as soon as Jaina woke up.
She wanted to stay by Jaina’s side but, due to her duties as the Lord of the Magic Tower, she had no choice but to entrust her care to Yurika and leave. Simply having watched over the sickbed until now was already remarkable.
Thus, Jaina, supported by Yurika instead of Hilbenzia, headed toward Diamid’s study.
Upon entering, she saw him with his hair cut short.
“Sit.”
As Hilbenzia had said, it seemed he had sacrificed his magic to save her.
He crossed his legs, hands resting on his knees. Arrogant as usual, though he seemed slightly thinner.
Jaina sat in front of him and greeted politely.
“I heard you saved my life. Thank you very much.”
“Yes.”
“Well, now that I’ve expressed my thanks, I should be going. I’m not feeling well. Goodbye.”
“……?”
Mikael, Diamid, Hilbenzia, and even Yurika behind them all wore startled expressions.
The only one calm in this situation was Jaina. She looked at Yurika and said,
“Could you help support me, please?”
“Milady, what are you saying? The Lord of the Magic Tower called you, and leaving so quickly would be improper.”
Yurika jumped back in surprise.
“Why would it be improper?”
“Well, naturally, your father…”
But Yurika’s words faltered when Jaina snickered softly.
“My father, huh…”
“Pardon?”
“I guess it’s time to make this clear.”
Jaina sat back down and looked Diamid straight in the eyes.
“The one thing I liked about being born a dragon was that there’s no such thing as ‘father.’”
“What…?”
While everyone flinched, Jaina continued calmly.
“Dragons live fine without fathers. And so do I. Diamid, I don’t need a father. I’m saying this first in case you feel guilty about me collapsing from my allergy.”
Even amidst their shocked expressions, she spoke calmly.
“So, you don’t have to think of me as your daughter. And I won’t call you Father of the Magic Tower either.”
Mikael and Hilbenzia were dumbfounded, and Diamid couldn’t speak a word.
“…….”
“…….”
“…….”
After a long silence, Jaina tilted her head.
“Lord of the Magic Tower?”
Even when she called him, Diamid was too stunned to respond. It was the first time in his life he had been rendered speechless.
Eventually, Diamid regained his composure. Being a mage who prioritized reason over emotion, he decided to think logically.
Probably, Jaina had a lot bottled up inside her, and she had been momentarily overwhelmed. Like striking a horse with a whip.
Now, what he needed was a carrot.
Perhaps if she realized what she could enjoy as his daughter, her attitude might change.
“I intend to grant you Alebrand. You’ll become a lord.”
“Why?”
Why?
Fertile land, rare jewels, and powerful magic.
As the Lord of the Magic Tower’s daughter, enjoying the finest luxuries should be natural.
He expected a bright smile or tears of gratitude.
But Jaina looked genuinely puzzled.
“When you thought I was trying to use you, you got angry. So why are you suddenly giving me valuable things?”
Yet, the expectation went astray again.
This couldn’t be mere politeness or embarrassment, nor did it seem like anger.
Diamid was at a loss. A little angry, even.
He had changed her room and saved her from death; she should have recognized him as her father.
Then why this reaction?
This child doesn’t understand the meaning behind my cutting my hair…
“I’ll practice the harpsichord even harder, as you saved me.”
A polite and proper response. With that, Jaina stood up.
Only then did Diamid realize she had misunderstood—thinking he had saved her because of Bezrice’s composition.
That’s not it.
Diamid parted his lips. He wanted to tell the girl before him:
I now consider you my daughter.
I realized your value, even belatedly.
That’s why I saved you, paying a great price.
But,
“If you have nothing more to say, I should be going. I have things to do.”
Would words even matter to Jaina?
“Ah, goodbye.”
Yurika was startled but followed after Jaina.
After Jaina disappeared, a heavy silence pressed upon the room. The tension was sharp as a thorn, and no one could speak.
“…….”
“…….”
Diamid’s expression was unusual. This was not the cold, emotionless man they knew.
Mikael and Hilbenzia exchanged wary glances as Diamid called their names.
“Mikael. Hilbenzia. What do you think about the current situation?”
“Well, it’s…”
“Mikael, didn’t you say she would like jewels or land?”
Though speaking calmly, Mikael sensed an unnamable emotion in his voice.
This isn’t right…
A cold sweat ran down Mikael’s back. One wrong answer now could cost him his life.
She said so boldly, that she won’t consider me her father, and won’t call me Father either—who could have predicted that?!
Mikael carefully chose his words.
“Well, Lord of the Magic Tower, you didn’t consider Jaina your daughter at first, did you?”
“…….”
“Maybe she needs time to acknowledge you as her father?”
His effort failed. Diamid frowned, displeased with the answer.
Mikael’s words, though unintentional, were sharp and made Diamid reconsider his own actions.
“……I see. Time, huh.”
Seeing Diamid’s displeasure, Hilbenzia offered another suggestion.
“Could it be that the gift didn’t appeal to Jaina?”
“You mean she dislikes Alebrand, the most fertile land and diamond mines in the empire?”
“Even if she seems mature, she’s still a child. We need to approach it from a child’s perspective, not an adult’s.”
Her words made sense. As Diamid pondered, Mikael added,
“Shall we prepare a toy or a teddy bear…?”
“I will choose the gifts myself.”
Are we really dealing with the same Lord of the Magic Tower we know?
Mikael and Hilbenzia were bewildered. Since the allergy incident, Diamid had shown an entirely unexpected side.
“And tell the maid: if my daughter seems to want anything, report it immediately.”
After her health had somewhat recovered, Jaina visited Mikael and Hilbenzia.
“……As soon as I opened my eyes, I thought of you two.”
She looked up at Mikael.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t call you ‘older brother’ until now. I was awkward…”
“Uh, uh?”
Mikael’s ears turned red. Normally loud and talkative, he now just fiddled with his mouth, speechless.
Jaina continued.
“After almost dying, I realized there are many things I regret.”
“Then Jaina, can I ask you to drop the ‘-nim’ and call me just by my name?”
Mikael shot a glance at Hilbenzia.
This woman is cunning. She seizes the opportunity so skillfully.
“I’m fine with you as you are, but sometimes the honorific feels a bit distant…”
Sure enough, Jaina nodded.
“I guess in trying to be proper, I might have set unnecessary boundaries.”
“What do you mean? I never felt that way.”
“Then I look forward to your continued friendship… Hilbenzia.”
Jaina fidgeted with her fingers awkwardly for a moment, then smiled brightly.
“When Izlen returns, I’ll ask if I can call him by his name too.”
The three shared a warm, cheerful atmosphere, completely different from when Diamid was present.
Mikael and Hilbenzia looked at the smiling Jaina and reconsidered once more whether she truly needed a father.
