Chapter 100
“The master said he’d pretend he didn’t hear anything.”
“……He didn’t say anything else?”
The maid gave a sly smile.
“You just went to ‘meet a friend’ today, didn’t you, young lady? What more is there to say?”
“You’re right. Thank you! I couldn’t help mentioning the trip to Father. Who could possibly ignore him when he starts asking in that scary tone?”
Thank goodness the maid had the quick wit to end things with the “trip” story.
Then… was the sherbet freezing over and Kai’s bike slipping just a coincidence today?
When the first maid left ahead of me carrying my parasol, bag, and shawl, another maid approached.
“Young Lady Sol, His Grace is asking for you.”
……Will this be okay?
Ah, whatever! It’s not like I got pregnant, got drunk, or smoked, right?
There’s still time before the summer solstice festival. I can look up trip packages later when things calm down!
I tried stuffing my head full of false bravado—but my body was already trembling as I walked toward the study.
Maybe I should just go outside and look for those travel packages right now?
But disappointing someone who’s expecting you… that’s even scarier.
And besides—how much did I torment the Duke when I didn’t get a present at age ten?!
“Father, you called?”
“……Yes, come in.”
I stepped into the study—
Whoa, I thought the air conditioner was on!
I instinctively rubbed my shoulders. The Duke must have just realized how cold it had gotten because he made a small gesture in the air. The frost clinging to the ceiling disappeared.
“Father, what’s this about?”
“……Well.”
“Yes?”
His expression was stern as always.
But why did it feel like he was holding back words this time?
…And why was he fidgeting with his pen?
That’s not like him at all.
“Father?”
After I asked several times, he finally opened his mouth.
“You said you went to see a friend?”
“Yes.”
“Did you have fun?”
“Oh, yes. I went biking with Seraphina.”
“I see……”
Ugh, what’s with him? He’s being creepier than usual!
Fine, let’s just confess! I got too excited biking and completely forgot to check travel destinations!
“Ah, Father! I’m sorry! Actually—”
“That’s enough.”
“What? But I haven’t even said—”
“You don’t need to. ……I thought I was handling your growing up well, but it seems I wasn’t ready after all.”
“…Huh?”
What does that even mean? Forgetting about the trip isn’t exactly a mature act.
While I was trying to figure him out, the Duke poured himself a drink—a glass of deep amber whiskey. But the ice bucket was empty.
Even if you’re the Grand Duke of the North, can you really just down straight whiskey like that?
……Wait a second.
“Father! How many bottles have you had today?!”
Only now did I notice the empty whiskey bottles piled in the corner of his desk.
The servants always clean the study regularly, which means… he drank all that in just a few hours?!
Grand Duke or not, alcoholism is a no-go!
I quickly grabbed his glass and shouted,
“Stop drinking!”
“Sol……”
“You barely even get drunk! So why are you chugging it down?”
“……”
“Say something before I drink this myself!”
When I pretended to take a sip, he snapped out of it and instantly froze the whiskey solid.
Good. That worked.
Then, he finally spoke.
“I heard from the maid that you wanted to go on a trip with your father. I was proud of you, but I also thought—you and Elber aren’t exactly shrewd when it comes to money, so you might get swindled.”
“So you followed me?”
“Yes. And then I saw it. You… you were…”
“What?”
“My little girl… all grown up, going on a date.”
“……”
While I was speechless, he spun the frozen glass slowly in his hands.
“I did say you shouldn’t date while you’re still in school. But according to the parenting books, children grow up by secretly breaking their parents’ rules.”
“……”
If I were a real teenager, I’d have run away from home after hearing that.
Never quote parenting books to your kid, seriously.
“As a parent, I should be happy about your growth. I should be happy…”
“Father, I’m not even getting married—”
“Stop right there. That word is far too soon.”
“……”
“Anyway, he’s someone I know. And since you were wise enough to bring Elber along as a chaperone in case anything happened, there was nothing more for me to interfere with.”
Totally wrong, but there was something I needed to ask first.
“So basically, you tailed me?”
“Yes.”
“Did you freeze Kai’s sherbet and make his bike slip?”
“……”
“Father. Answer.”
“……Maybe that boy just has poor table manners or can’t ride properly—”
“Father! That’s childish!”
His eyes went wide as saucers.
“Childish?”
“Yes! What do you call it when a dad bullies his daughter’s date?”
“……”
“Even ten-year-olds wouldn’t do that!”
“……I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.”
He hung his head like a scolded child.
Ugh. Don’t make me feel bad for you now.
…Actually, it is kind of amazing.
The man who’s been the Grand Duke since birth… pulling such petty tricks?
And honestly—
if he wanted to, he could’ve dropped a hailstorm on my date’s head.
Even the maid agreed with that.
“……Haah. Father, lift your head.”
“You forgive me?”
“Forgive or not, it’s lucky you didn’t summon a snowstorm at the restaurant! Oh wait, maybe you couldn’t? Because it’s early summer?”
“I could! No—I will! If another punk bothers you, I’ll shatter the capital itself!”
“Wait, you’re freezing the room again! Calm down!”
I pressed down on his shoulders and finally said the most important thing.
“Father, I don’t have a boyfriend!”
“……What?”
“I just met him out of courtesy! The Marquis of Lafrand was worried about his grandson’s marriage prospects. But I made it clear to Kai that I wasn’t interested.”
“Truly?”
“Yes. You can even ask Brother Elber—”
But there was no need. Before I could finish, the Duke grabbed my hands tightly.
“Sol… you’ve truly grown.”
“……”
“I thought I could keep you in my arms forever, but one day I woke up and saw you flying freely in the sky. The unease I feel must mean I’m still lacking as a father.”
“Father……”
“I trust you.”
He lifted my hand and pressed it to his cheek.
Still cold—but my warmth quickly spread to him.
“Thank you, Sol, for coming to a lacking father like me.”
“……Me too, Father.”
“Sol.”
“You know… I said a lot of nonsense because I didn’t want to be adopted at first.”
“Ah, yes. I remember.”
He chuckled softly, probably remembering that time I’d ranted about burping. I laughed too.
“If I’ve grown up straight and still wish to sit face-to-face with you, then… that’s proof you were a good father.”
“……”
“So please, continue to take care of me.”
I curtsied gracefully before him.
He rose and bowed in return.
Through his silver hair, his blue eyes met mine—and they looked warmer than ever.
Then he sat back down, finished the frozen whiskey, and poured himself a fresh one.
This time, with a big chunk of ice.
“Will you allow me a toast, Sol?”
“What kind of toast?”
“To the fact that you have no lover—”
“……”
I furrowed my brow deeply, and he coughed awkwardly.
“……A toast to our growth—as a family. Will that do?”
“Yes, that’ll do.”
“Thank you.”
“And really, don’t worry. I’m not thinking about romance at all.”
“Stop reminding me. You’re making me want to make you swear an oath.”
“……”
Sigh.
I scrunched up my face again—but couldn’t hold it for long.
Eventually, I burst out laughing.
Who would call this clumsy drunk man a “cold-blooded villainous duke”?
Well, I suppose it’s my turn to apologize now.
“Father, I forgot to check the vacation spots. I’m sorry.”
“It’s a cliché, but your heart’s enough. And if it’s a cool place you want, there’s nowhere better than the Flogel Territory.”
“……Ah.”
Gah! I forgot the most obvious thing!
When I thought of “cool,” I immediately imagined the seaside.
But if I want a truly cool place for the Duke, nowhere beats Flogel!
As I panicked over my own mistake, a relaxed smile returned to his lips.
“Well, anywhere outside the capital will do. Do you have somewhere in mind?”
“……I was thinking of the sea.”
“I see. I must have an audience with His Majesty during the solstice, so let’s schedule the trip afterward.”
“Ah, yes!”
“Let’s look at the map together.”
He went to a corner of the study and spread out an atlas.
I’ll just pretend I didn’t see the words written at the top:
‘Regional Reserve Army Deployment Status – Top Secret, Strictly Confidential’.
Like a family from an old TV show planning a summer vacation, my finger began tracing across the map.
* * *
As expected, there was no progress between Elber and Seraphina.
When I met Seraphina again at school, all she did was talk about me.
“You two looked so sweet together! But the choice is yours. And if anyone else bothers you, tell me anytime!”
“Thanks for always being there, Seraphina. Actually, can I ask one more favor?”
“Sure?”
“Could you help me arrange another meeting with the main god?”
“Of course.”
The last time I met the god was early in the spring semester.
We barely talked then—I only received that vague ability to see ten seconds into the future.
But this time, I had a real question.
In a secluded prayer room of the temple, accessible only to a few,
I held the strand of hair Seraphina had given me and asked the air around me—alone.
Lattiger Olt Schlaeger.
Now that I’ve come to truly feel like he’s family…
I needed to ask the most important question.
“Is this world… just a dream that will end whenever I wake up?”
