Chapter – 31
Rachel doubted her ears.
“…What? Sir, what did you just say?”
“I said I want to become your father.”
She blinked in confusion.
In the original story, Rachel was a minor supporting character, and of course there had been no mention of any connection with Bishop Lylus. She had never imagined a situation like this.
As if he understood her reaction, Lylus spoke in a gentle voice.
“I know this proposal came suddenly and startled you, but please consider it as something from my heart. I made this decision because I want to help you.”
“Sir…”
“I am a clergyman, so I could never marry or have children. And yet, you—born to James—were no different from a daughter to me. When James first showed you to me as a tiny baby, I was deeply moved.”
Rachel thought of Graham. A small, lovable existence. She understood Lylus’s feelings.
“The existence of a new life was astonishing. For the first time, I truly felt the presence of God. It was far more vivid than any prophetic vision. I swore to myself again and again that I would love you as my own daughter.”
Lylus smiled bitterly.
“But I was an inadequate person. A ‘growing daughter’ was a very difficult existence for me. Watching you go through puberty, I began to wonder if distancing myself from you might be better for you.”
It seemed Rachel’s adolescence had been full of dark memories.
“You filled the entire house with Theodore Eloisa’s belongings and portraits, and every day you begged to go see him. You caused such a fuss, shouting for the ‘ugly old man’ to go away. Both James and I suffered terribly.”
“…Theodore’s portraits?”
Cold sweat ran down her back.
Oh no. This wasn’t just a cringe phase. It was full-blown fangirling over Theodore…
So the original Rachel really had loved Theodore deeply. No wonder his affair had hurt her so badly.
“When I saw you marry Theodore, I felt relieved. I thought you had achieved what you wanted, and that I was no longer needed. I believed that the ugly old man should quietly disappear and devote himself to prayer.”
As he reached that point, Lylus’s black eyes flashed sharply—an unsettling gaze unbefitting a clergyman.
“But after I learned what that bastard Theodore did to you, I realized how wrong I had been. I resolved that this time, more than anyone else, I would step forward to protect you.”
His determination and desperation were palpable.
Was this… a father’s heart?
The fact that someone wanted to protect her so earnestly made Rachel’s chest ache.
“Now, neither Saint Titienis nor Goddess Ennis herself could stop me. They know this, which is why they allow me to proceed. If you dislike the idea of me being your father, then at least let me be your shadow. I will remain unseen.”
“No. A shadow? Why would you ever need to become that?”
“As a clergyman, I have no lineage, so I cannot formally register you into my family. But I can become your religious father instead. You would be my daughter and also a daughter of Goddess Ennis. This will have no effect on your claim to a title.”
A religious father—essentially a guardian or godfather. And if it wouldn’t affect her title at all, there was no reason to reject Lylus’s request or affection.
Rachel’s cheeks flushed.
“I’m not sure I deserve to accept such an offer.”
“This is an offer only you can receive. Please, grant me your permission.”
“If you say it like that… I feel embarrassed, but… I’ll be in your care. Fa—sir… Father.”
As if he had been waiting for it, Lylus broke into a bright smile.
“I knew you would accept. I’ve already completed all the preparations, so now we only need to notify the Capital Administration and the Order. I look forward to it, Rachel.”
“Preparations? Are they necessary?”
“The world is full of irritating things called paperwork.”
Ah.
Rachel nodded with a smile. Having prepared for an annulment herself, she knew all too well how troublesome documents could be.
After hesitating for a moment, Lylus cautiously spoke again.
“Um… Rachel. I’m sorry, but if I’m to become your father, there’s one thing you must do.”
“Something I must do? Is it difficult?”
“No! Not difficult at all. But it’s absolutely essential.”
“If it’s something I can do, I’ll do anything. Please tell me.”
Lylus grinned like a child, clearly pleased.
“You must call me ‘Dad.’”
Lylus treated Rachel’s wrist, which had been injured by Theodore.
The prophetic power granted by Goddess Ennis to clergymen was primarily used to see the future, but as Lylus explained, it could also produce silver flames or heal minor wounds, as he had just done.
Having never seen magic before, Rachel nodded repeatedly in amazement.
Just then, Sian and Graham returned to the sitting room after finishing sword training.
Rachel stood to greet Sian.
“Greetings, Grand Duke. Is today’s training finished?”
“Yes. Graham performed excellently today. And this is…?”
“This is Bishop Lylus Vahn.”
Rachel introduced Lylus to Sian and Graham.
“Dad, this is Grand Duke Sian de Karsignac, who helps instruct Graham in swordsmanship. And this child is my son, Graham.”
Lylus bowed politely to Sian.
“It is an honor to meet you, Grand Duke. I am Lylus Vahn, Rachel’s ‘dad.’”
For some reason, Lylus was extremely attached to the title “dad.” When Rachel suggested that “father” might be fine instead, he drooped like a dejected rabbit, shoulders sagging in sadness.
In the end, under Lylus’s guidance, Rachel practiced saying “dad.” It felt incredibly awkward—a title she had never used before. Even before her possession, she had always referred to her father as “that man” or “that bastard.”
Despite all the practice, the moment she said “dad,” her lips trembled. Thankfully, Lylus showed no sign of disappointment.
Rachel didn’t realize it, but Lylus was overjoyed.
Even though it was uncomfortable and difficult, she was still trying to call him “dad”!
Graham tensed up at the appearance of an unfamiliar person.
“Dad? But my mom doesn’t have a dad.”
Lylus approached Graham, affection practically pouring from his eyes.
“Oh my, so you’re Graham! I’ve only heard your name—this is my first time seeing you. You look exactly like your mother! I look forward to knowing you, Graham. Starting today, I’ll be your grandfather, Lylus.”
Hearing that he resembled his mother, Graham smiled shyly.
“I look like Mom?”
“Of course! You look exactly like Rachel when she was young—I almost thought she’d turned into a child again. Look here. Your neat, rounded nose is just like hers, isn’t it?”
“Wow! I thought so too! Grandpa, you have really good eyes!”
The two hit it off immediately. They spent a long time chatting, comparing Rachel’s beauty to Graham’s.
Rachel watched them fondly before suddenly realizing Sian was still there. He was gazing at Lylus and Graham with gentle eyes.
Noticing her gaze, Sian looked up, a kind smile on his lips.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Oh—no reason. I was just surprised that you weren’t startled when I called Bishop Lylus ‘dad.’”
“I already knew. Bishop Lylus mentioned that he wished to become Lady Rachel’s guardian, so I helped with a few matters.”
Once again, Rachel felt how much unseen help she had received from Sian.
After finishing his greeting with Graham, Lylus straightened and formally addressed Sian.
“Thank you for your assistance. Thanks to you, I was able to become Rachel’s official father, recognized by both the Emperor and Goddess Ennis. I cannot express how happy I am.”
“Not at all. It was an honor to assist the left hand of Goddess Ennis.”
“It’s fortunate that Goddess Ennis is right-handed. The left hand doesn’t have much to do, after all.”
Lylus accompanied Sian to see him off. Rachel had offered to do so herself, but Lylus said he had something to discuss privately, and she stepped aside.
In front of the carriage, Lylus bowed deeply once more.
“As I said earlier, I thank you again in Ennis’s name. Without Your Majesty’s help, even with Rachel’s consent, I would have been nothing more than the child’s shadow.”
Sian smiled bitterly.
He hadn’t helped Lylus—he had helped Rachel. At some point, it had become natural for him to do anything and everything for her.
But another issue concerned him more.
“Could you please refrain from calling me ‘Your Majesty’? If someone hears, it could be dangerous. In the Empire, only Emperor Sigurd and the Empress may be addressed that way.”
“I don’t care whether it’s Sigard or Sagard or whatever. In the future I’ve seen, Grand Duke Sian is the one sitting on the imperial throne.”
If Sigurd heard that, he’d have their heads on the spot. Even Dolorasa might be endangered.
Sian shook his head.
“I have relinquished the throne. The current emperor is my brother, Sigurd. The Church of Ennis has acknowledged that.”
“Saint Titienis acknowledged it—not the entire Church of Ennis. That damn old—no, Saint Titienis has a habit of pretending not to see what he clearly sees.”
Sian was at a loss for words at Lylus’s bluntness.
“I have no desire to become emperor. All I want is for my daughter to live safely until she comes of age. If His Majesty hears such talk, the child will be put at risk.”
“If that is what you wish, I will refrain.”
“And the title as well.”
“If the Grand Duke wishes, I will be careful with that too.”
Only then did Sian let out a sigh of relief.
“Then I’ll take my leave. Please take care of Lady Rachel.”
“That must be very difficult for you.”
People who knew Sian’s circumstances always said the same thing—that it must be hard.
Because he hadn’t taken the seat meant for him. Because he hadn’t enjoyed what should have been his.
But Sian wasn’t unhappy.
He liked his current life with Dolorasa.
So he answered as he always did.
“No. I’m fine. I’m very satisfied.”
“That’s not what I meant.”
“…It isn’t?”
“She may be my daughter, but Rachel is a very charming child.”
“…What are you suddenly talking about?”
“I was saying you must be having a hard time denying your own fandom.”
“Fandom… denial?”
Sian tilted his head at the unfamiliar term.
