Chapter 124………………………………..
“No, of course there must’ve been one.”
No matter how young you are, you understand how the world works.
If there’s a person in the world, they must have biological parents, right?
Still… it’s a bit unexpected, in a way.
“Even in the main story, Kyle’s dad never mentioned his parents.”
Unlike Harzen’s dad, who wasn’t on good terms with his grandfather, or Derik’s dad, who was introduced as having lost his parents from the start, Kyle’s dad’s family was never mentioned in the main story at all.
So naturally, I assumed Kyle’s dad didn’t have a family either… just like Derik’s dad.
“What?”
At my words, Kyle’s dad glared at me.
His expression seemed to say, “Why are you suddenly talking nonsense?”
“What’s this about?”
Then he spotted the words written on the back of the handkerchief and his face immediately crumpled again.
After his eyes left me, he let out a small sigh.
For a moment, I thought he was angry at me!
“Has this guy gone senile? Talking about his granddaughter, or whatever, nonsense like that.”
Kyle’s dad muttered curses continuously, clearly displeased with the situation.
I quietly crept over to Zion’s dad and hid behind him.
I knew better than to provoke Kyle’s dad in situations like this…
“How did they leave this here? Harzen’s barrier is set up, you know.”
Meanwhile, Mom murmured with a serious expression as well.
She seemed utterly shocked that Harzen’s dad’s barrier had been breached.
Well, it is surprising…
But come to think of it, even Perh had broken through Harzen’s dad’s barrier before.
…Could it be that Harzen’s dad’s skills have deteriorated?
“Dad, hang in there.”
As soon as I finished my thought, I lightly tapped Harzen’s dad on the waist, offering words of encouragement.
“For what?”
“Nahhh, nothing.”
“…I understand your thoughts, but there’s no problem with the barrier.”
Harzen’s dad seemed to understand my meaning without difficulty, raising one eyebrow.
“I left it so that those with no ill intentions can enter.”
“In other words…”
“Means this person had no intention of harming CC, at least.”
Harzen’s dad stroked my head a couple of times as he added,
“Even so, it doesn’t change the fact that the method chosen was not ideal.”
I leaned my head against his hand and quietly nodded.
Ah, so that’s why Perh could approach without any trouble.
Same for the maids.
“You loosened the barrier like that, expecting something might happen while staying here?”
As expected, Kyle’s dad scolded Harzen’s dad without calming down at all.
Harzen’s dad shrugged.
“I thought it would help properly distinguish the enemy inside the palace.”
“So, your damn older brother was able to pass, huh?”
Wait, Kyle’s dad.
If you say that to already-sensitive Harzen’s dad…!
“…Have you said all you needed to?”
As soon as Kyle’s dad finished speaking, Harzen’s dad’s face stiffened coldly as he responded.
Watching him made my whole body tremble.
Just a moment ago, we were celebrating Zion’s dad’s return in a cheerful atmosphere.
It’s all my fault…!
If I hadn’t mentioned Kyle’s dad’s errand to Derik’s dad, it wouldn’t have come to this!
I have to fix this.
Feeling the heavy responsibility for this situation, I closed my eyes tightly, determined to do something.
“Kyle, Harzen.”
Mom stepped between the two before I could say anything.
Her voice, usually gentle, was unusually calm yet resolute as she addressed the dads:
“Both of you, stop it.”
It was absolute firmness. Like a blade of frost in midwinter.
“CC is feeling uneasy.”
Mom glanced at me as she spoke.
Zion’s dad also held my hand tightly, pulling me behind him.
Both seemed to notice my restless state.
“It may be confusing, but losing control of your emotions is not an option.”
Then Mom began scolding Kyle’s dad.
“The emotions you feel are not weapons to exploit the weaknesses of others.”
“…”
“It’s about time you understood that.”
Her deep violet eyes stared Kyle’s dad down.
The moment Kyle’s dad met Mom’s gaze, he sighed and ran his hand through his hair.
“No, I…”
After a brief pause.
“Right, I misspoke.”
Kyle’s dad exhaled deeply once again and apologized to Harzen’s dad.
“I was really trash just now. I’m sorry.”
“…It’s fine.”
Harzen’s dad also exhaled lightly and shook his head slowly.
“You used CC as a bargaining chip, so getting emotional is unavoidable. I understand.”
Seeing the situation resolved so quickly, I looked at Mom with admiration.
I thought a fight would break out, but it ended just like that.
Mom is amazing…
Anyway.
“About the person who sent this letter…”
With the situation fully resolved, it was time to satisfy my curiosity.
“Are they really, really a bad person?”
I slipped out from behind Zion’s dad and looked at Kyle’s dad.
I’m genuinely curious.
Seeing Kyle’s dad react so strongly made me wonder even more if the person was truly bad.
“That is…”
But contrary to my expectation that he’d answer immediately, Kyle’s dad scratched his head violently again.
Like someone facing a complicated problem.
“Well… they’re not exactly garbage…”
“Really?”
Then the answer was clear.
“Then I want to meet this person!”
I shouted cheerfully, pointing at the handkerchief as soon as I got Zion’s dad’s response.
At the same time, Kyle’s dad grimaced.
“That’s not allowed.”
“Why? You said they’re not a bad person! And to catch the bad people, I have to meet the one who sent this!”
Derik’s dad can’t be wandering outside the palace forever.
If it’s a negotiation, not a threat, there’s no reason not to respond.
If they agree to meet me, I have to go. For Mom’s sake too!
“No, ha…”
Kyle’s dad seemed to understand my intent from my gaze, but instead of speaking, he pressed his finger to his temple.
Seeing that Mom and the other dads weren’t stopping me actively, I figured this person probably wasn’t that dangerous.
Though I still don’t fully understand why Mom and the dads hesitated a bit.
“And a little danger is fine.”
Alright, let’s cement this.
I smiled brightly as I continued speaking.
“I’m not going alone anyway. The dads will come too.”
Am I right or wrong?
“Plus, I have Yeppi and also Perh.”
Above all, I had received the divine sword from Grandma Mago, capable of cutting anything.
I was about to take it out to boast about my achievements.
“…Perh?”
Zion’s dad, who had been quietly listening, finally spoke.
“That’s… sounds like a boy’s name.”
Then he smiled gently and grabbed my shoulder.
“Whose child is this, that the name comes out so naturally from our daughter?”
Seeing that smile, I swallowed hard.
Why are you like this, Dad?
