Chapter 33
“…Father, are you serious?”
“I am. Climb on.”
“Can’t I just piggyback instead?”
“That would make it seem like I’m soothing a crying child.”
Well, piggybacking does give off that kind of image. But still, I don’t want to ride on your shoulders!
“You liked that father-daughter scene that much?”
“You smiled warmly, didn’t you? If it made you smile, then it must’ve been touching.”
“That’s true… but still! I’m too old to be riding on shoulders!”
“There’s nothing more childish than bringing up age. Come on up.”
“……”
“Besides, putting you on my shoulders only emphasizes my foolishness in still seeing you as a child.”
“…Have you been taking debate lessons or something?”
Why is his logic suddenly so sharp?
Anyway, I couldn’t just leave the Duke sitting there. So I obediently climbed onto his back.
He was so well-built that it felt like I was climbing over a vaulting horse. After struggling to get my legs over his shoulders, I grabbed his head and said,
“Stand up.”
“…If you were an assassin, I’d be dead by now. Offering up my neck and back like this… careless of me.”
“Don’t say scary things—think happy thoughts!”
I lightly patted his head. Taking that as a signal, the Duke abruptly stood—
Thud.
“―!”
Stars spun before my eyes. Ugh, I hit the ceiling!
Instinctively, I yanked on the Duke’s hair. Thankfully, he quickly understood the situation and immediately sat down and held me in his arms.
“Sol, are you alright?”
No, I’m not! But more than the pain, it was the embarrassment that was killing me. I don’t think anyone saw, but still—ugh!
“Ugh… I told you this was a bad idea!”
“You didn’t predict this would happen either.”
“Whose fault is it, then? Mine or yours?”
“……”
“Whose!”
“…Mine.”
Seriously. Did I really just bash my head on the ceiling from a shoulder ride at my age?
My irritation surged, and words just flew out of my mouth. My poor, swollen liver probably shot up my throat too.
Thankfully, the Duke wasn’t the type to turn away from his own mistakes.
“…I’m sorry.”
He cupped my cheek.
“Truly, I’m sorry. Is your vision okay? Do you see several picture frames on the wall?”
“…One.”
“That’s good. Hold on, let me check your head.”
The same hands that used to rap my head gently parted my hair. His touch was so careful and tender that I momentarily forgot all my anger and frustration.
“Good. No cuts. Did you lose consciousness for a moment?”
“No, I’m fine. Ow—ah! That part hurts.”
“It’s swollen. Just a second.”
“Eek, that’s cold!”
The Duke chilled his hand and placed it on my head. I was startled at first, but the temperature gradually rose until it was just cool enough to feel soothing.
…It feels nice.
“So your power lets you give cold compresses too…”
“Don’t go saying that. Makes me sound pathetic.”
“…Okay.”
Even the Duke seems to care about his image.
The anger I’d felt from the shoulder ride quickly faded. His hand was as comforting as a shade tree in summer.
Ah… I could fall asleep like this.
“Sol, don’t fall asleep.”
“How did you know?”
“Your breathing slowed.”
“With observation skills like that, you could probably imitate that good dad and how he plays with his daughter.”
“I can’t tell the difference between a good dad and a soft one.”
“…Yeah.”
Same here. I wouldn’t know the difference between a kind father and one who’s too soft.
But what I can say is—
“I feel good right now. You’re a good dad, Duke.”
“……”
“It’s a shame no one’s around to see this—ah, on second thought, maybe that’s for the best. I’m basically giving you a slap and a kiss.”
“Let’s pretend that incident never happened.”
“Not like anyone would believe it anyway.”
Who’d believe the Duke tried to give me a shoulder ride and slammed me into the ceiling? More people would believe he tried to assassinate me.
The Duke awkwardly turned his head and cleared his throat. Embarrassed, maybe?
“Sol, if you’re feeling better, let’s head out. I need to learn how subordinates play with their daughters.”
“Don’t just learn anything! That kid’s a baby. I’m not like that!”
“Like I said earlier, treating you like a toddler might leave a good impression on others.”
“There are limits to everything!”
Bickering as we went, we opened the cabin door. The yard outside was just the right size for a father and child to play in.
And what were the subordinate and his adorable daughter Flora doing?
“Heeheehee!”
“Ahahaha!”
They were playing horsey.
A stick sticking out like a tail between the dad’s legs, and the daughter clinging to his back, almost pulling out all his hair. Neither of them seemed to care—they were having a blast.
I glanced at the Duke.
“You want to try?”
“…No.”
“Good call.”
Maybe they didn’t realize we were watching, but the dad rolled across the ground with the girl in his arms, ending the horsey ride.
And then the next game began.
“Daddy! Go fetch this!”
“Woof! Woof woof!”
The girl threw the stick far away.
The dad barked like a dog and ran on all fours across the yard. He kept tripping, and every time he did, the girl laughed until she couldn’t breathe.
“Ahahahaha!”
“Woof! Throw it again, woof!”
“Go over there! I’ll throw it!”
“Woof! Hurry, give it to me!”
“Kyaa! Ahahaha!”
Now the dad took the stick from his daughter and held it in his mouth, running around the yard. It was sweet, in a chaotic kind of way…
I gave the Duke a look that clearly said: Do you really need to learn from this? The Duke flinched and looked away.
“Just so you know—I’m not doing that.”
“I wasn’t asking. If you did, the entire household would think doom had come upon the ducal estate and hand in their resignations.”
I’m sure Benen and Elber would run away in embarrassment.
We simply watched in stunned silence as the father poured his entire soul into loving his daughter.
Young children have endless energy. Just when I thought they’d never stop, the little girl tripped on a stone and fell.
“Flora!”
“Ah… Waaahhh!”
“Oh no, scraped your knee. Let’s go inside and put some ointment on it!”
“No ointment!”
The word “ointment” made her cry even harder. I opened the door.
The subordinate thanked me and hurried inside. His daughter, in his arms, had tear-filled eyes.
“No ointment!”
“No, Flora. We have to put it on or it’ll leave a scar!”
“I don’t care!”
She tried to flee over the sofa. I reached out to stop her—but the Duke was faster. He fixed her with a stare. She froze.
“…Candy Man?”
“Sit.”
Hic!
She must’ve been startled. She started hiccuping. Yet the Duke’s piercing gaze didn’t soften. In fact, it wasn’t just his gaze—
“Flora, was it? Sit still and receive treatment. Otherwise, you’ll suffer even greater pain.”
What are you saying to a child!?
Just as I was about to slap his back, the girl’s father pulled something from his pocket and dangled it in front of her eyes—a piece of candy, wrapped in paper.
Her eyes sparkled.
“Candy!”
“That’s right. Flora, do you want the candy?”
“I do!”
“Then bring your knee here. Sit still, and I’ll give it to you, okay?”
“……Hrrngh.”
“Or better yet—how about this? While you’re unwrapping the candy, I’ll apply the ointment. Sound good?”
She hesitated for a second, then gave in to the temptation. Her chubby hands stretched out.
After getting everything ready, the father dropped the candy into her palm.
While she focused on unwrapping it, the treatment was done in a flash.
When she finally popped the candy into her mouth and looked up, the dad spread his arms with a ‘ta-da!’ pose.
“All done! Didn’t feel a thing, right?”
“That’s amazing. Daddy, are you a doctor?”
“Daddy’s a weapons medic!”
“That’s so cool! You’re awesome!”
The dad looked so proud as he lifted his chin—until he met the Duke’s eyes and quickly looked down.
“Your Grace, I apologize for showing such a disgraceful scene.”
“No need. Thank you for today.”
“Huh? Didn’t you come here with something to ask or request?”
“I saw all I needed. Just one question.”
Oh no, what’s he going to ask? Please don’t ask how to play with ten-year-olds!
“What’s the benefit of playing with your child?”
No shame, and no tact either!
While both I and the subordinate were left speechless, the Duke continued.
“Memories from ages three or four fade. Any affection gained through play will be forgotten. Knowing that, why do you still give it your all?”
“…True. My coworkers say the same. That I could start playing with her once she’s older.”
The subordinate smiled bitterly. Then, hugging his daughter, he seemed to find his answer. He patted her head and said,
“Because I enjoy it.”
“…You like pretending to be a dog?”
“Ah—y-you saw that—no, that’s not what I meant!”
“I get it. Continue.”
The subordinate blushed bright red. But as he went on, his face lit up with joy.
“Babies laugh just from a ‘peekaboo.’ When they’re a bit older, throwing a ball is all it takes. The fact that I can make someone happy with just a little effort—that’s enough for me.”
“……”
“It’s not just play. I get to care for her when she’s sick, hug her when there’s thunder. Even though I’m just a lowly weapons handler, I get to feel omnipotent to someone. That alone is enough.”
…I’ve never had a child, but I think I understood.
Back at the factory where I worked, there was a dog tied up in the yard. It didn’t even have a name. Just locking eyes with someone made it roll on the ground in joy.
Those moments when the dog was happy… they were so lovable. Every time I had a snack, I’d break off a piece to share with it.
But what about the Duke? Could this villain possibly understand that feeling?
I looked up at his face.
