Chapter 47
Once I found out he was my father, that rough hand suddenly felt gentle.
I think I really like my dad. All the hurt I’d felt before just disappeared.
“Dad came to see me!”
It feels like White Snow.
When the first snow falls, the “White Snow Festival” begins—
A day when children receive mysterious gifts from the heavens.
But this feeling was even better than that.
Actually, that’s not even a fair comparison—
I’d never once received a White Snow gift in my life.
At the orphanage, even if I hung up a stocking on the Christmas tree,
the next morning, there was never anything inside. Always the same.
But if I had gotten one… I’m sure I would’ve been overjoyed.
Even so, I think I’m several times happier now than I would’ve been then.
“I came to see my daughter. Is that really so surprising?”
“But usually I’m the one who visits you, or I have to study hard before you’ll come to see me.”
I unconsciously rubbed my cheek against his shoulder as I said that.
My father looked taken aback.
“I thought… you didn’t really care about me.”
I’ve never been good at hiding my feelings.
When I like something, or think something, I just say it honestly.
He didn’t answer.
Michael and Log took a few steps back to give us space.
Even they, trying to hide their smiles, couldn’t help the corners of their mouths from lifting.
“You, who used to follow people around like a puppy, suddenly said you wanted to be alone. I got worried.”
“? You were… worried about me?”
“Yeah.”
My eyes widened.
Michael must’ve told him—that I’d been fine, that there was nothing to worry about.
So…
Dad sent people to check on me because he was worried.
It wasn’t that he didn’t care.
He’d been watching over me quietly, from behind the scenes all along.
This feels like a real family.
Something inside my chest tingled.
As I looked at him in amazement, he said casually,
“If there’s somewhere you want to go, tell me.”
It wasn’t indifference—it was pretending to be indifferent.
Because my dad was actually kind.
I shook my head.
“Hmm. Then I’ll take you somewhere I want to go. There’s something I wanted to show you anyway.”
Show me something?
Suddenly, I was so excited.
Before this meeting, I’d been nervous for days—wondering what to say first when I finally saw him again.
And it wasn’t just him—I was supposed to see the Emperor and the Crown Prince too.
Even though I broke my promise with Khan…
Still, being here right now made me so happy.
“Anything’s fine. I just want to get closer to you, Dad.”
“That’s not something that happens just because you want it to. Any relationship takes time.”
“Dad always says hard things. But still… I like you.”
I like you. I really do. So I’ll say it.
He laughed softly at that.
As he walked while holding me, Michael and Log stepped aside.
Only now did I notice how many servants were nearby too.
It was already the second time I’d been in my father’s arms in front of others.
And honestly, it was embarrassing.
We walked through the corridors and up the stairs.
Isn’t she heavy?
He climbed without hesitation.
I couldn’t bring myself to say, “You can put me down,” so I just stayed quietly in his arms.
Outside, the wind was cool.
There might be assassins hiding somewhere again like before,
but since I was in Dad’s arms… it felt safe.
Dad is strong.
The sky had already darkened.
These days the sun seems to set so quickly.
Or maybe… time just moves faster for me.
He carried me to a place high above the ground.
The very top.
Below us, countless buildings and people filled the view.
I could see the castle walls surrounding the ducal estate, and even the trees beyond.
Even the distant lands of the territory stretched far and elegant in the distance.
“Where are we?”
“The observatory. It’s said to have the best view in the entire Empire.”
He set me down gently.
Drawn like a moth to light, I stepped up to the railing and looked down.
Being up so high felt strange, almost unreal.
Would I be able to see the orphanage—Panaso Orphanage—from here?
Madelaine…
Right—I’d asked him to help me find her.
“Lady Adel, please, don’t be alarmed.”
“……?”
One of the attendants said that, and I tilted my head in confusion.
Another servant waved a flag—and the next moment, a flash of light split the sky.
At first I thought it was lightning—
but then, beautiful bursts of colorful light exploded upward, scattering across the night sky.
Bang! Pop!
“Wow…!”
I couldn’t look away.
The dark sky bloomed with colors—bright, vivid, sparkling.
I pressed both hands on the railing, completely captivated.
“What is that?”
“Fireworks.”
My dad stood beside me, his voice calm.
I craned my neck back as far as I could, my eyes wide.
It was so beautiful it didn’t feel real.
“I love sparkly things!”
Pop! Pop-pop-pop!
So this was what he wanted to show me. The beautiful sky.
I jumped up and down in pure excitement.
It reminded me of the night I first arrived at the Duke’s estate—the shining fountain of lights in the courtyard.
Dad looked composed, as always,
but later I heard that the entire display had cost a fortune.
As I stared up at the glowing sky, my ears rang from the noise,
and my eyes were overwhelmed by how dazzling it all was.
A beautiful sky—and a handsome dad.
“I’m glad you seem to like it.”
“Dad, it feels like you care about me… and that you like me too.”
“…I suppose you’re finally starting to figure that out?”
But still…
It was so different from when we first met.
Maybe it’s true what they say—that first impressions last forever.
I still remembered the moment he’d held a sword to my throat.
“Dad, can I ask something?”
“What is it?”
“When we first met, you held a sword to my neck. …Did you really mean to kill me then?”
What kind of answer did I expect?
I already knew, but I wanted to hear it from him directly.
“Yes.”
The word came without hesitation.
No pause. No softening. Just honesty.
Even Log, standing beside us, flinched at that.
“I don’t care whether humanity perishes or not.”
Dad’s gaze lifted to the sky as he said it.
Above us, the fireworks still painted it in brilliant color.
“…Even Lady Beashirta?”
His expression changed in an instant.
I realized I’d just asked something dangerous.
After a long silence, he gave a faint, bitter smile.
“I wondered what would happen if the so-called ‘child of prophecy’ died by my hand.
A child who’s supposed to save the world dying from one swing of my sword—
how ridiculous is that?
Even after dedicating my entire life, I couldn’t do what she supposedly could.”
“…I’m grateful for the prophecy.”
For some reason, his words made me want to comfort him.
“Some people say the prophecy chose me. Some say it’s just fate.
But it doesn’t matter. Because thanks to it, I met you.”
“……”
He turned his eyes from the sky to me.
His crimson gaze was terrifying—not because it was cruel,
but because I couldn’t tell what he was thinking.
And because I was scared… I threw my arms around him.
He didn’t move at first—then slowly wrapped one arm around my back.
Just like how horseback riding seemed scary until I actually tried it,
hearing his true feelings wasn’t nearly as frightening as I’d imagined.
Khan said I didn’t need to act like everything was okay—
that I had every right to be angry or sad.
But I couldn’t.
Because deep down, I was just grateful.
He was better than I thought.
Kinder than I expected.
And he cared for me more than I ever dared to hope.
“I’m so happy to see you, Dad.”
“……”
“But, um… there’s actually a friend I keep thinking about.
Would it be okay if I visited the orphanage she’s at?”
“You mean the ‘Madelaine’ I’ve heard rumors about.”
I was startled.
I thought he’d forbid it right away—say it was too dangerous.
But instead, he spoke as though he already knew.
I’d never even mentioned Madelaine to him before.
Had I really talked about her that much to others?
“I’m more interested in you than you think. Fine.
If you take all five of your knights with you, I’ll allow it.”
My face flushed at his gentle words.
But I had to say what I was thinking.
“Um… not the knights.
Madelaine might feel awkward if I show up like that.
I’ll go with the Crown Prince instead.”
Khan had told me he was stronger than Michael.
And besides—
Madelaine hasn’t been adopted yet.
We’re friends. Best friends.
I don’t want my friend to feel hurt.
Even if my status changed, I still love her the same.
If she suddenly acted formal toward me—called me ‘Lady Adel’—
I might actually cry.
I was happy to have a family,
but if only one of us got adopted…
maybe Madelaine would feel secretly sad.
But if I brought Khan instead, maybe she wouldn’t feel so uncomfortable.
Of course, Dad frowned deeply.
I tried to guess what he was thinking.
Maybe he’d feel jealous that I was close to Khan—
just like before, when I cried and Khan had comforted me.
And now, maybe both Khan and Madelaine might feel jealous of each other,
so I thought I should be careful from now on.
What do I do…?
After hesitating for a while, I went up on tiptoe.
Thankfully, since we were standing on the platform, our height matched.
Then, I leaned forward and kissed Dad’s cheek.
“…?”
The Duke broke.
“!”
The Duke is shocked!
“……”
The Duke has turned to stone!
He’s frozen because Adel is too cute!
Of course—everyone knows cute things deserve love!
The spirits suddenly appeared, chattering loudly—
but of course, only I could hear them.
In reality, Dad had completely frozen.
The cheek I’d kissed felt soft against my lips—
so warm and light it lingered on my skin like feathers.
I lowered my heels back to the floor.
Michael and Log looked utterly shocked,
and the servants nearby all gasped, staring at me wide-eyed.
“…What did you just do?”
“Was I not supposed to?”
“…I asked, what did you just do?”
The fireworks still glittered across the sky, fading into trails of light.
Even in the darkness, I could see the tips of my dad’s ears glowing red.
I could even feel his heartbeat, quick and strong, through his chest.
As he stared down at me, I smiled brightly.
“I kissed you.”
“…Why?”
“Because I was thankful. Michael said if I was really thankful,
it’s okay to kiss Dad on the cheek.”
Right, Michael?
When I turned to him for confirmation, Dad’s gaze followed mine.
“…That is technically true, my lord.”
Michael was sweating profusely, clearly panicking.
I quickly spoke to rescue my poor knight.
“Dad, you didn’t abandon me.
I thought I’d have to go back to the orphanage forever,
but you said I could always come home again.
So… thank you.”
“What kind of thing to say is that…”
The spirits giggled softly.
Dad looked straight into my eyes—
and when he realized I was completely sincere,
he fell silent.
Everyone around us did too.
The fireworks had ended,
and the quiet made everything seem even more peaceful.
Still, the whole world shimmered.
To me, Dad was like the sky.
And the flowers.
“…Was that not okay?”
Suddenly, he pulled me into a fierce hug.
It was so strong that my feet lifted off the ground, and I flailed.
I could barely breathe, gasping for air,
and I think I heard him say,
“It’s okay, it’s fine, it’s all fine. Everything’s fine. Anything’s fine.”
So many “fine”s I couldn’t even count them.
He was almost violently affectionate.
“My daughter… I won’t even give her to an Empress.”
I thought I heard him growl that under his breath—dark and possessive.
When my feet finally touched the floor again,
my hair was a total mess.
I tried to fix it, but he ruffled it again, so I gave up.
He looked at me for a long moment—then muttered something under his breath.
I’m pretty sure… he swore.
