The Worst Father-Daughter Reunion (1)
North of the continent lay Skadi, a barren island where life could barely survive amid perpetual snowfields.
It was upon this land that the Skadi Magic Kingdom had been built.
Despite its extreme climate, the kingdom had developed at an astonishing pace.
The biting cold had been suppressed, replaced by an endless cycle of warm seasons throughout the year.
Polluted soil had been transformed into fertile land where all kinds of crops could grow.
The monsters that once swarmed the island had disappeared, ushering in an era of eternal peace.
All of this had been made possible by a miracle performed by the king who wielded the Skadi Staff.
A world-class barrier magic known as the “Skadi Barrier.”
Rumble…
The scenery of green grasslands swaying in a warm breeze was soon obscured by the massive body of a white dragon that appeared above.
“His Majesty King Grendel de Skadi has arrived.”
A mage stationed on the castle wall announced.
When the dragon finally lowered its enormous body onto the vast terrace, everyone present immediately bowed their heads.
Having received a brief lesson in court etiquette from Canna, Sanael managed to imitate their movements fairly well.
Rapiel, who had been confused moments ago, also hurriedly lowered her head following her sister.
As everyone maintained their respectful silence—
Sanael subtly lifted her head to look at the dragon.
Thud.
From atop the dragon’s back, a man stepped down lightly.
He wore a black military uniform engraved with intricate patterns, over which a deep blue mantle was draped.
‘So that’s Grendel…’
With every step the man took, Sanael felt her body instinctively shrink back.
‘His presence is overwhelming. It’s completely different from how he was described in the novel.’
As he stepped out of the dragon’s shadow, his face was finally revealed.
“…!”
A finely sculpted jawline and pale white skin.
Eyebrows drawn like they were painted by a master artist.
And beneath jet-black hair that resembled her own, a pair of mysterious golden eyes shimmering with multiple colors.
His appearance was so strikingly beautiful that it could have been perceived as androgynous at first glance—but his tall frame and solid build immediately dispelled that impression.
‘How can someone be this handsome?’
Sanael felt briefly lightheaded, even more shocked than when she first saw Rapiel.
‘Even my reflection can’t compare.’
The man before her possessed an appearance so overwhelming that even she—who shared his blood—couldn’t help but gape.
“Your Majesty, welcome.”
“What are all these?”
A low, resonant voice.
It was an alluring tone that sent a shiver down one’s spine.
His gaze swept over the hundred or so royal succession candidates gathered there.
“T-they are those awaiting the Staff’s recognition. They are here to welcome your safe return with joy…”
“Seems the number has increased again. Your doing, I presume?”
“N-no! They were properly selected through official procedures, reviewed by the council—”
“All sons of high noble houses. Such rigorous procedures, I’m sure.”
Grendel’s lips curled slightly into a smile.
Yet his eyes did not smile at all.
“I commend their effort to gain favor as candidates. However…”
He brushed back a slightly disheveled strand of hair, his tone turning cold.
“Unfortunately for you all, the one who recognizes the king is not me—but this.”
A brilliant light formed in his right hand, manifesting into a sword.
Its blade was jet-black like his hair, long and elegantly curved.
The hilt was pure white like snow, with a thin white cloth trailing from its end.
It was the Skadi Staff—also known as the Ice Staff.
‘It changes form based on its wielder’s subconscious and nature… and Grendel’s takes the shape of a longsword.’
As Grendel lightly swung the blade, a surge of mana rippled through the air like a wave.
Everyone gritted their teeth and endured the overwhelming pressure.
“…Ugh.”
At that moment, Rapiel let out a small groan.
Her hair, like when she used magic, shimmered with mana.
“Unnie… I don’t like that person…”
For someone with strong magical talent, sensitivity to mana was heightened.
“The mana… it’s scary.”
Even Sanael, who had no mana, could feel the pressure—so it was no wonder Rapiel struggled.
Sanael took Rapiel’s hand and whispered softly.
“Don’t be scared, Rapiel. That person won’t hurt us.”
“….”
“That’s His Majesty the King. Your… father.”
“Father…?”
“Yes.”
Your father.
According to the original novel, Grendel would soon notice Rapiel and approach her.
And just as expected, his gaze shifted toward Rapiel.
He began walking toward them at a steady pace—neither fast nor slow.
The gathered nobles watched in tense silence at his sudden movement.
‘He’s coming.’
Sanael quickly whispered to Rapiel.
“Rapiel, do exactly as I told you earlier. Got it?”
“…Y-yeah!”
Sanael had given Rapiel a specific instruction beforehand.
Operation “Turn Grendel into a Daughter Fool,” phase one:
Call him “Father.”
Titles were symbols of emotional distance. In the original story, those words alone had shaken Grendel greatly, setting him firmly on the path of a doting father.
‘This will work!’
Step, step.
Grendel’s footsteps echoed loudly as he approached.
Soon, a deep shadow fell over Rapiel.
“F-a, f-a, f—”
Rapiel barely managed to begin speaking—
“Decent enough.”
Grendel spoke first.
“…Pardon?”
“And…”
His gaze slowly swept over Rapiel.
After a few more steps, he stopped in front of Sanael instead.
His eyes were cold as ice.
“How have you survived until now, Publico?”
Sanael couldn’t answer.
‘Why is he asking me that…? And why is he coming to me instead of Rapiel?’
She quickly composed herself and bowed politely.
“P-pleased to meet you, Your Majesty.”
“…First time meeting me?”
Grendel’s brow twitched slightly, as if displeased.
‘W-what did I do wrong?’
After a brief pause, he scoffed.
“Of course. You were an infant then—barely opened your eyes. You wouldn’t remember.”
Sanael had awakened in this world at about one month old.
According to her caretaker, she had done nothing but sleep silently at first, leading them to worry she might be abnormal.
‘So something happened between me and Grendel back then?’
The novel never covered that period.
“Show me your face.”
Suddenly, Grendel tilted his sword under her chin.
Even the blunt reverse edge was still a weapon.
Startled, Sanael lifted her head.
Their eyes met.
“Disgustingly so.”
A blunt insult to her appearance.
‘Isn’t that basically insulting your own face?’
Before she could react, Grendel grabbed her chin firmly and turned her head left and right.
“…Hah.”
Then he spoke.
“These filthy golden eyes… I already have enough of them with just myself.”
Suddenly, he smiled.
A dangerously beautiful smile.
Then he said, in a low voice:
“Should I tear them out?”
“…!”
But his tone was completely unlike his expression.
Then he released her slightly.
“Just a joke. You look terrified. At least you understand words.”
But he still didn’t let go of her face properly, making it hard for Sanael to breathe normally.
‘Let go of my face! You’re too handsome to be this close!’
Then—
“…Let go.”
A child’s voice rang out.
“Take your hand off my sister.”
Boom!
Flames erupted where Grendel stood.
A pillar of fire shot upward, filled with Rapiel’s pink mana.
“…Rapiel’s mana?”
“Unnie! Are you okay?!”
Rapiel rushed in and pulled Sanael away.
Grendel emerged from the flames completely unharmed.
“The magic of Ifrit, the Spirit King? Interesting.”
He smiled faintly.
“Even I haven’t fought a child before.”
His eyes burned with fighting spirit.
‘A father-daughter showdown already?!’
Sanael’s mind reeled.
‘This is completely different from the original plot! This isn’t supposed to happen!’
And then—
Something clicked.
“…Wait.”
Rapiel had said it before.
“Unnie is mine!”
“Don’t touch her!”
Sanael’s expression froze.
“…Is this because of me?”
