The Villainess's Father

Yuria wandered the streets with empty eyes.

Many things had happened since that day.

A disciplinary committee had been held by the Student Council.

Despite the Student Council President's warning, Michail, Ruin, and Yuria were punished for venturing into the dungeon.

There was a loud argument between Ruin, who claimed the Student Council's punishment was unfair. Michail and Yuria humbly accepted the discipline.

Chartia had told us. She had warned us that it was dangerous enough, asking why we would act on our own, her anger fierce enough to throw the documents at us.

-You could have died. If the knights had been a little later, you would have all been killed. Are you insane, going there by three? Even the Student Council officers warned you not to go. Do I look like a fool to you? Is my word not even like a word?

-Yeah, Ruin always does as he pleases, so I understand that much. That guy lives without thinking.

-What?

-Shut up. Before I sew your lips shut.

-This is such bullshit. As if my mood wasn't crap already

-Shut up. One more peep from you and it won't be suspension but expulsion.

-...

Chartia, with dark circles heavily under her eyes, turned to Yuria and said,

-Haah And Michail and Yuria. You shouldn't have done this. You were always diligent, and Yuria, after your freshman year, you couldn't even enter the dungeon Haah really

-I'm sorry.

-Anyway. All three of you are suspended.

-Why are we suspended? We didn't do anything wrong!

-Shut up! It's only by a hair that we're keeping it at this level.

Yuria received a one-month suspension.

Had she been an ordinary student, it wouldn't have ended with just a suspension. There had been consideration of expulsion, but the professors and Chartia proposed a reduction, arguing that expelling honor students, the faces of their departments, would be a loss for the Academy.

And then.

The Student Council President said that several letters presumed to be from heretics were found in Hans' room. They had surrounded the area, trying not to approach and capture him alive, and after expressing resentment that we had ruined it, added a remark filled with irritation.

-If there are casualties because of that guy, it's your fault. You might say it's passing the blame but don't resent me.

-If you're resentful, you should've listened to me.

"Haah"

Yuria wandered the capital with complex thoughts.

It wasn't like a lost child wandering the streets because she was suspended. She had been prepared for it since the moment she stepped into the dungeon to find the missing Hans.

However.

-Garbage.

The events shown by the blue window that day kept coming to her mind, making it hard to stay indoors.

She had been losing sleep for a while, and the pink dagger her father had given her as a gift when she entered the Academy was now pushed into a drawer in the dormitory, not taken out.

Her hand trembled and her breathing grew rough at the sight of the dagger.

Yuria couldn't shake off a gloomy mood, realizing that what she thought was certainty had been a terrible mistake.

She wanted to apologize immediately, but

She didn't think she had the courage to face Ricardo right now.

She had said harsh things to him and hadn't yet thanked him for the last time in the dungeon when she was dragged away by the heretics. If she apologized for what happened in the dungeon she didn't know what kind of expression to make.

I have no shame.'

Apologizing now would not change anything.

She had already done wrong.

Forcing something in a strained relationship could only make the situation worse. Yuria was hesitating.

She hadn't forgiven Ricardo.

She wasn't sure if she had the right to, but she hadn't forgiven what he did. The deeds Ricardo had done at the Academy remained as a deep grudge.

And as for Ricardo.

-It's okay. Run away.

She couldn't easily apologize because she was sure he would say it was fine with a smile.

What Ricardo did to her couldn't be ended with a simple apology.

She even wanted to be hated. It seemed like it would be a relief to receive the hatred of you remember just now?'

The chilling sound of penetrating Ricardo still seemed to echo in her ears. Yuria made a gloomy face and sighed.

"I don't know"

What to do first.

Where to start fixing things.

For Yuria, who was experiencing such a situation for the first time, there was no right answer.

Helping people.

Having only been the victim of bullying, the feeling of being the perpetrator was not at all pleasant.

As she walked the streets with a heavy heart.

-Murmuring.

Yuria stopped walking near a crowd of people. Seeing the dense gathering, she walked over briskly, wondering.

Has a fight broken out?'

If so many people were gathered, it was likely to watch a famous imperial circus or dancer, or maybe a fight. With that probability, Yuria started to make her way through the crowd.

Even in her depression, she couldn't just pass by an injured person.

While she pushed through the crowd with a fragile heart, her small stature made it difficult to see what had attracted everyone.

I can't see!'

Yuria spoke to a tall man nearby.

"Excuse me why is everyone gathered here?"

"Hm? Oh There's something amazing."

"Something amazing?"

"A chair with wheels is carrying a person."

"A wheeled chair?"

Yuria thought to herself.

All this fuss over just a chair with wheels?' While she understood that it wasn't a common sight, she couldn't comprehend why so many people were drawn to it.

The tall man stroked his long beard and exclaimed in admiration.

"It's not an ordinary chair It's self-propelling! To think it could carry two people and move at such speed Wow It's exhilarating."

Another man standing next to him nodded, clenching his fist with the rising heat of youth.

"A cart that carries people, but can it really go that fast? It seems dangerous."

Though he spoke with concern, his eyes were filled with burning desire.

"Maybe I should ask for a ride"

The grown man murmured with a look full of longing.

Driven by growing curiosity, Yuria pushed through, and when she finally managed to see where everyone's gaze was directed, she couldn't hide her astonishment.

[Brum brum brum brum brum brum]

[Screaming]

It was indeed a moving chair.

With a red body.

Making a loud brum' noise, the chair that rapidly strutted down the street caught Yuria's eye.

And.

The sight of the person riding the chair left Yuria with trembling eyes.

"Woohoo!!! Woohooo!!!"

"Miss! Didn't I say that speeding is prohibited!"

"Ricardo didn't tell me how many kilometers per hour."

"30 or, maybe 20 km/h?"

"20?"

The girl who heard the man standing on the footrest below the backrest suddenly hit the brakes.

When the chair, which was moving at high speed, screeched to an abrupt stop, the man's body began to fly through the air.

"Oh?"

"Yikes! Ricardo is flying!"

"You're the one who launched him."

The man who fell into the crowded area flipped through the air and landed with grace, brushing off his hands.

"Nice landing."

The crowd began to applaud.

"That was amazing!"

"Are you here to join the circus, bro?"

"Wow~~~!"

The man bowed with a sheepish smile.

"Thank you. I'm not from a circus troupe, I'm a butler."

As he glanced around and was about to return to the stationary chair.

"Oh?"

Yuria accidentally made eye contact with the man.

He looked at her and smiled brightly.

"Isn't this Miss Yuria?"

It was a rather unexpected encounter.

While Yuria was flustered and hesitating, the girl abandoned in the middle of the road began to call for Ricardo.

"Ricardo. Let's go quickly. The chocolate shop will close."

"It's only 10 o'clock, Miss."

"What if they sell out?"

"Then it's too bad."

"Eek!"

Ricardo approached with a grin, straightening out his clothes. As Yuria watched Ricardo slowly approach, her eyes flickered.

"How come you're here"

"Ah."

Ricardo turned to look at the girl sitting in the chair. Her face was obscured by the helmet she was wearing, but by her voice, it was clear it was Olivia.

He whispered quietly, seeing his master, who was embarrassed under the scrutiny of the people.

"Um There are various reasons."

"Yes?"

"The miss is not very skilled at driving. Not the mansion.. Anyway! We came on a trip to the capital. It's also to celebrate the lord's birthday."

Ricardo, as always, spoke with a calm smile.

"Have you been well, Miss Yuria?"

"I'm..."

No words came out.

Lips trembling, not knowing what to say, Yuria squeezed her pale head and said,

"I've been doing well."

"That's good to hear."

"And how have you been, Ricardo?"

"Me?"

Olivia's irritation once again drifted across the busy street.

"Ricardo!"

Ricardo moved on, saying,

"Great, Perfect even."

Ricardo looked happy.

***

After sending Yuria off and heading to the capital's chocolate shop.

The lady sitting in the wheelchair turned her head and asked,

"Ricardo, you seem to be in a good mood."

"Yes. I think I'll finally grow a bit."

"Grow?"

"Growing taller, I mean."

"I know."

Ricardo was aware of what had happened with Hans. He knew they would not die. He also knew that this incident would spur growth.

Ricardo knew with the benevolent heart of a possessor.

"Now I will live a life of leisure."

"You've always been like that."

"..."

Ricardo pressed Olivia's helmet.

"I'm going to turn into a dwarf!"

-Three days ago.-

The lady, now an unlicensed driver, was practicing her driving in the yard.

"Vroom vroom."

Making engine noises with her mouth, the lady fiddled with the levers, moving a meter before turning her head and asking, "How's that?" eager for praise of her excellent driving skills.

I gave her a thumbs up and said,

"You might be a bit slower than my grandmother."

"You don't have a grandmother, Ricardo."

"That's a low blow."

"Sorry."

The lady's timid driving skills gradually improved over time.

"It's rolling. Rumble rumble."

Boosted by continuous praise, the lady confidently maneuvered the stick shift.

"Drift!"

She began to exhibit strange behavior.

"Lady, reckless driving is a shortcut to a coffin."

"It looked cool. That's all that matters."

"Who taught you that strange mindset?"

The lady didn't say anything and just looked at me as if that was her answer. Apparently, she was inspired by the inertial drift I demonstrated during the trial run.

As the lady's driving instructor, I couldn't lift my head in pride.

"Well, everyone should try drifting at least once in their life."

"Right. It's no fun if its too bland."

The lady nodded and refocused on driving.

-Screech.

She turned right.

-Screeeeeech!

And came to a sudden stop on the left, showing off a noisy stunt before hesitating and glancing at a red button on the armrest, checking my reaction.

Excited eyes on the button.

The lady, like a gambler consumed by pleasure, twitched her fingers and muttered,

"Ricardo, I'm ready for takeoff."

"Its too early for you to return to the earth."

"No, I won't die."

The red button.

Known as the I can't stop' button, it allowed the wheelchair, which had its speed limited to 40 km/h, to break its limit. It enabled rapid acceleration, exceeding 100 km/h, a button encompassing the fantasies of men.

The ill-fated button that had once caused her to smash through the mansion's wall, the lady now looked at it with excited eyes.

"I'm good at driving now. Best driver."

"The speed at which you're heading to your coffin will also increase."

"It's fine. I was unharmed even when I hit the wall last time."

The lady recalled the experience of exchanging pleasantries with the wall and responded, trusting the protective barrier magic installed in Ferrari' Mark 1.

An awkward silence followed. I looked at the lady with wild eyes fixed on the button and spoke firmly.

"That's not going to happen."

"..."

"Ahem!"

"...."

The lady glanced at me and then, like F1 racing drivers tapping their helmets before a race, she knocked on her own helmet and nodded.

"Alright."

[Vroom vroom vroom vroom!!]

The moment Ferrari' Mark 1's engine roared violently.

"Whoa."

Ferrari' Mark 1 began to accelerate towards the mansion's wall with the lady's final scream.

As Ferrari' Mark 1 flew like a siege weapon, I held my head and shook it.

"We're doomed."

-Screeeeeech!!

"Yikes!!"

The unlicensed driver's inept handling couldn't control the wild Ferrari' Mark 1, and the lady ended up crashing it into the mansion's front gate.

-Boom

"Cough cough.."

The lady coughed amidst the cloud of dust.

Believing in the theoretical perfection of the wheelchair and muttering that it was at fault, the lady looked at the gaping hole in the mansion's front gate with a stunned expression.

"Eh?"

The lady, whose world seemed to crumble, was unharmed thanks to the sturdy barrier magic. Still, the mansion now had a gaping hole due to the unfortunate outcome of the siege.

"Hic"

The lady, looking at the remnants of the collapsed mansion, said,

"Ricardo I've conquered the mansion!"

"A splendid siege. Lady."

"Thanks. But what do we do now?"

Tears welled up in the lady's eyes.

The lady, who had wrecked her entire fortune. I looked at the tearful lady and gave her a comforting smile, saying,

"For a while, we won't have to worry about thieves. It's like an automatic door now."

"..."

"And it was already like a ruin, so this could be a fine opportunity for it to fall apart completely. Haha"

"Yikes don't tease me."

The lady's shoulders drooped at my sarcastic words.

I dusted off the lady's helmet as she sat dejectedly in the wheelchair and let out a deep sigh.

What do we do now?'

Even a rough estimate would take about two weeks.

Money wasn't much of an issue. There was plenty left from donating Pascal to an insect exhibition. The lady's bracelet was also bought at a discount from a friend.

The concern was the open front gate letting in the cold wind. We could become frozen humans in the chilling winter breeze.

After much contemplation, I nodded and turned to the lady.

"How about we go on a trip now that it's come to this?"

"A trip?"

"Yes. We're planning to remodel the mansion."

"Do you have a lot of money, Ricardo?"

"The mansion can just be fixed with a loan. No need to worry. Let's take a trip to the capital for a change. Us."

"The capital?"

The lady tilted her head at the mention of the capital.

The capital.'

Where the Royal Academy is located.

A place where many dislike the lady.

Where some dislike me, the capital.

A place we hadn't visited since the lady was expelled, but it seemed time to drop by once more.

The lord's birthday was approaching.

Even though we were ousted from the family, we weren't so spoiled as to ignore the lord's birthday. Back in the main house, he had allowed a street urchin from the slums to become the lady's butler and had treated me rather warmly.

I thought of using this opportunity as an excuse to visit and show our faces.

Well, he probably won't see us.'

There was also Malik's invitation to try out the newly opened tteokbokki restaurant in the capital.

For various reasons, I asked the lady if she would like to travel to the capital.

The lady, lost in thought, pondered deeply, then seeing the crumbling wall, hiccupped once more.

"Uh"

"Let's just have fun until the repairs are done. How about we visit your favorite chocolate shop?"

"But the capital."

The lady hesitated.

I knew what the capital meant to her.

A place of grand past.

At the same time, a place where people dislike the ruined lady. As long as we avoid people, it should be fine, but we must be cautious.

"We can buy chocolate."

"..."

"And go shopping after such a long time."

"I can't shop. I don't have the money."

"I'll borrow generously this time."

The lady smiled faintly and took my hand.

"Then I'll help you pay it back."

"Are you planning to stick eyes on teddy bears again?"

"Yes."

"You'll get scolded."

The lady grinned and nodded.

"Then Ricardo. There's something I want to do."

"Something you want to do?"

The lady spoke with a bright smile.

"Let's go see a play."

And that's how we ended up coming to the capital.

***

On the streets of the capital.

After sending off Yuria.

The lady and I were humming to ourselves, unable to contain our excitement as we headed to the chocolate shop.

Excited about the luxury of spending after so long, the lady was eager to eat the chocolate from the dessert shop she had frequented two years ago.

Our steps, though childish, couldn't help but be lively because it was an exciting journey after such a long time.

The lady spoke with a chirpy voice,

"Ricardo."

"Yes."

"What shall we buy first? Scones? Ice cream? Or should we start with chocolate?"

The lady was firing up her hopes.

Although her face was hidden by the red helmet, I could imagine her expression, more excited than ever.

With a wallet fattened by loans, I said with a smug smile,

"Buy anything that catches your eye."

"Yikes! Ricardo, did you decide to live just for today?"

"No."

I wore a confident smile despite the lady's wallet-conscious question.

"I have too much to live for just today."

"Wow! Can you also buy the shop?"

"No."

I shook my head as a response to the lady's request, which was always more than one could expect.

"First, for today"

I took a small notebook out of the inside pocket of my jacket. It was filled with the detailed schedule for our trip to the capital.

I had written it, hoping to make unforgettable memories for the lady on this rare journey.

"Go shopping at the chocolate shop at 10:30 AM."

"Oh"

"Then we'll visit Malik's newly opened Spicy Rice Cakes restaurant for a taste test."

"You seem busy, Ricardo."

"I am busy."

"Liar. There's nothing else on the schedule after that."

"..."

[Day 1 Travel Schedule

1. Unpack at the accommodation.

2. Go to the chocolate shop at 10:30 AM.

3. Visit Malik's newly opened shop in the capital after that.

-End-]

How the lady had discerned the blank space, I don't know, but I was startled by her insight and chose to remain silent.

The lady with the helmet nodded and said to me,

"Right?"

"Yes."

The lady let out a small hehe' of laughter.

Had we walked for about ten minutes?

When we arrived at the chocolate shop, we looked up with dazed eyes.

"Uh are we doomed?"

[Closed.]

The sign, written in large red letters, seemed to have faded over a long time.

The shop, once full of sweet scents, was now eerily empty, and I could indirectly feel the aura of sadness from the lady.

Complete despair.

I looked at the lady with trembling eyes, but she was frozen and speechless.

"Ricardo, I think I've developed presbyopia."

Rubbing her eyes as if in denial of reality, the lady removed her helmet and looked closer, but the emptiness overwhelmed her.

"Oh no this can't be happening."

"My condolences, Lady."

"Yikes!!! This damn thing!"

The lady exclaimed loudly, venting her complaints and dissatisfaction with the world.

As she silently cursed the world with empty eyes,

A deep, mature voice came from behind.

"Closed down two years ago."

It was a strong voice.

Steadfast and unyielding, a voice that wouldn't fall.

The middle-aged man was telling us.

"Sixty percent of the sales were thanks to a customer who suddenly disappeared one day, which caused a big shakeup. At the same time, many competitor shops opened, and it's been a long time since it's been closed."

"Our daughter liked it a lot, you know."

The middle-aged man spoke in a distant voice.

Mumbling with a voice tinged with sorrow, I could feel a wry smile forming.

It was a familiar voice.

I turned with a stiff body.

I saw a middle-aged man dressed in dark navy formal wear and felt as if time had stopped.

Black hair.

A man with upright eyes.

At the same time, a man who chooses death for his family towards the end of the novel.

"It's been a long time."

The head of the Desmond family.

Desmond Darbav was looking at us.

One of the five Archmagis in the empire and the head of the Darbav family, which rivals even the Mage Tower.

Scrolls, magical tools, artifacts. He was the head of the Darbav family, supplying one-third of all magic goods in the empire, and furthermore, he was Olivia's father, a businessman who expanded his ventures into politics, diplomacy, and industry.

In the novel, Darbav appeared as a villain.

He prioritized benefit over justice.

He was a cunning human who preferred ugly survival over righteous sacrifice.

At a time when the empire was in peril due to heretics, he had been human enough to hold a grudge, saying, When did you ostracize us for using black magic, and now you're asking for help? How ridiculous,' earning the wrath of the crown prince.

Above all, he was a person who cherished his daughter Olivia'.

-Olivia slapped the crown prince? Was Olivia hurt?

-Olivia is dieting? Bring in the empire's best doctor. It seems like she's caught a serious illness.

He was a father who cherished his family so much that he was called a fool for his daughter by the nobles.

He adored his daughter, who resembled him.

In Darbav's eyes, his daughter, who was more affectionate (?) than his cold son, seemed lovely.

That's why, in the novel, Darbav extremely disliked Michail and Yuria.

I remember he was widely hated by many readers for being a villain who hated Michail and Yuria, who drove Olivia to her death in the novel.

He was a character who resorted to black magic in a desperate attempt to save his crumbling family, meeting a miserable death, but personally, he was also one of my favorite characters.

I liked his human touch.

Although Darbav's fate changed significantly in the timeline where the lady didn't die, he was still one of the most genuine characters I had encountered in the novel.

Anyway, the Darbav I remember was a good person.

Cold to others but warm to those within his own fence. A lord who cherished his family and tried to protect those within his own circle, even if it meant sacrificing others.

That was Desmond Darbav, the head of the Darbav family and Olivia's father as I remembered him.

Of course.

After the lady used black magic, our ties with him were severed.

***

I felt as if time had stopped.

I intended to visit, but I wasn't expecting to meet him so soon.

Perhaps I thought I might not meet him at all, I stood there like a fool as the head of the family made his appearance.

"It's been a long time, Ricardo."

"Lord Darbav?"

I quickly bowed, showing respect.

"It is an honor to meet the great leader of the Darbav family."

"That's enough. There's no need for formalities."

Darbav waved his hand dismissively, showing a resentful expression. Disliking such formalities, Darbav spoke with a calm voice.

"Nearly two years, isn't it? You've grown so handsomely I almost didn't recognize you."

"Your praise is too generous."

"Still as modest as ever, I see So, have you been well?"

Have you been well?'

Despite it being a simple question, I found myself unable to answer easily. What could I say, having been ousted from the family?

It was hard to claim I had been well with a forced smile, considering the trouble I had caused the family.

"That's..."

As if reading my troubled heart, Lord Darbav showed a gentle smile, as though saying there was no need to feel burdened.

"Speak freely. I too am curious about how you both have been getting along."

"Thanks to Lord Darbav's grace, we have been doing well."

"Grace? The family abandoned you."

Darbav muttered with a bitter expression.

"We couldn't possibly have been well"

Just as Darbav said, we had been cast aside by the family. The lady's use of black magic was a problem grave enough to potentially lead to the family's downfall.

The Desmond family, envied by others.

The imperial family that began to check the expanding influence of the Desmond Family. And the Mage Tower, aspiring to expand its magical tool business.

All had been watching the Darbav's closely, and when the lady's incident happened, Darbav made the choice to cut us off.

The best decision.

The only decision he could make as a head of the family.

I did not feel resentful.

I would have done the same in his position.

However, the abandoned lady wept bitterly over this fact.

While Olivia was unconscious, Darbav spoke in a cold voice during our meeting.

-You are aware that you're partly to blame for Olivia's situation.

-I am. I will humbly accept any punishment you see fit.

-I allowed you the position of Olivia's butler so you would protect her. To keep her from straying down the wrong path.

-...

-I entrusted you with that role despite there being more qualified butlers with better education because of that one reason.

-....

-And now, look at this mess.

-I am sorry.

-Once Olivia regains her health, I plan to send her to a convent. So don't think about setting foot in the Desmond family any longer. Go back to the Academy. I will support your tuition costs.

-Lord Darbav!

-I want to tear you to pieces. Just be quiet.

-I am a butler who serves my lady.

-What good does that do? Look at what's come of it

-Nevertheless, I believe it is my duty to uphold the responsibilities of a butler. If you do not permit it, I will even sleep rough near the convent.

-Are you mad?

-No, I am perfectly sane.

An insistence that began with my knowledge of the future.

To avoid public criticism, the head of the family's decision to cut ties was met with my defiance, a responsibility that became a burden of indifference from the family and a fine for using black magic.

I too was aware of it.

And since it was the lord's decision, we looked at each other with a silent, bitter smile.

At that time, Darbav had been very angry, and even Olivia's brother had been furious enough to grab my collar.

And the lady had been abandoned by her family.

Darbav's bitter smile made me uneasy. The fault was mine.

A brief silence followed, and then Darbav asked a question.

"I've heard the rumors. You've paid off your debt?"

"Yes."

"I didn't mean for that to happen."

"Pardon?"

"Never mind."

Darbav murmured softly, then looked at the lady sitting beside me. Unable to accept the closure of the long-cherished chocolate shop, the lady was revealing her depressed emotions with a vacant look.

"Lady!"

"Our purpose for the trip is gone"

"Pull yourself together, Lady Lord Darbav is here!"

"My favorite shop The baker said he'd give me extra the next time. He should keep his promise!"

The lady's spirit was elsewhere.

Darbav frowned as he looked at the back of the lady sitting in the wheelchair.

"That woman-"

Darbav's expression showed his displeasure.

Thinking it was because of the lady, I expected he was in a bad mood, but Darbav uttered something completely unexpected.

"Is she your girlfriend?"

"Pardon?"

"I thought there was a good atmosphere between you and Olivia. Was I mistaken?"

"?"

Darbav, imagining a virtual marriage in his head, expressed his disappointment with a wry smile.

"Well, it's about time you had a girlfriend. I can understand, though a part of me is a little disappointed. Unless I bribe you to break up, that is."

"I don't quite understand what you're saying."

"That woman."

Darbav was looking at the wheelchair as he spoke.

"Isn't she your girlfriend?"

"No."

I answered with certainty.

"I see."

Color seemed to return to Darbav's pale complexion.

Planning to introduce the lady to him later, I focused on the conversation with Darbav.

If I were to introduce the lady to him now, I wouldn't know what to say. If Darbav lashed out, I was obligated to defend the lady, so I wanted to avoid any unnecessary friction.

Thinking of a proper comment.

I needed time to soften Lord Darbav's heart so that the lady and he could have a gentle conversation.

With a heavy heart, I broached the subject with Darbav.

"Why are you here, Lord Darbav?"

"Ah."

Darbav gestured with the paper bag he was holding.

"I was thinking about Olivia and decided to visit. Wondering if perhaps it had reopened."

"I see."

"Here. Olivia used to love it So rather than returning empty-handed, I bought some snacks from a nearby store on the way back."

Darbav pulled out a chocolate scone from the paper bag and offered it to me.

"Would you like to try some?"

"No thank you. I had breakfast before coming."

"That's too bad. It's quite a delicious bread."

Darbav was amiable.

Honestly, I expected him to curse at me. To ask what business I had showing up here. I thought I would be met with harsh words the moment he saw my face.

Back then, he was furious and had declared he never wanted to see us again, so Darbav's unexpected demeanor felt like hope to me.

Because of that, I braced myself for rudeness and asked Darbav.

I couldn't contain my curiosity.

"Lord Darbav."

While enjoying the bread, Darbav looked up at my question, his eating manner reminding me of someone else who would have crumbs around their mouth.

"What is it? Do you want to eat now?"

"No, I have something I'm curious about"

"What's that?"

Darbav put the bread back into the paper bag, permitting me to ask my question.

"Go ahead."

"Don't you resent us?"

"Hm?"

"Did we not cause great trouble for the family? Including the expulsion"

Darbav nodded without denying my words.

"That did happen."

That did happen?'

Darbav gave an answer I hadn't anticipated.

"I had been planning to visit you both soon. To discuss what lies ahead."

"That means"

"Do you dislike it? Yes, I've thought about disowning Olivia who presented us with a crisis that could have led to our downfall and caused much trouble for the family"

"Its just that I saw something strange"

Darbav looked up at the sky with a wistful expression.

"They say there's no parent who can win over their child."

Darbav spoke with a troubled look.

"Is Olivia doing well?"

As Darbav finished asking with concern,

the lady, who had been contemplative, began to turn the wheels of her wheelchair and looked ahead.

"Ricardo. Since its come to this, lets open a shop! Ricardo... Huh?"

Only now did the lady notice her father.

The lady's eyes widened in shock.

"Fa-"

She stumbled over her words, a choked emotion evident in her voice.

"Father?"

"Olivia?"

"Father?"

In an instant, before I could react, the man in front of me disappeared. Darbav leapt out at a moment's notice.

By the time I came to my senses,

"Kyaaack!!"

"Huuaack!"

A touching reunion between father and daughter was taking place.

When I think about it,

I had forgotten that Darbav was

a notorious fool for his daughter.

"Why have you lost so much weight?!"

"Ricardo starved me!"

"Yikes! You brute!"

"..."

The reunion of the two family members, whom I had not seen in a long time, was hard to get used to.