Chapter 92
Chapter 92
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 92
Chapter Title: Her Father (2)
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Mary Haidia's father.
Raymon Haidia.
The current head of the prestigious Haidia family and one of the kingdom's foremost mages in the Lillias Kingdom.
The way Mary spoke of her father didn't strike me as affectionate in the slightest—not even as empty words.
Instead, she seemed to shrink back, as if recalling something terrifying.
"I received a letter saying Father is in critical condition."
That was the conclusion she reached at the end.
After spilling everything about her father, Mary shared the news that he had fallen gravely ill.
"He doesn't have much time left."
"So, you want me to come with you?"
"...Yes."
Mary gripped my hand tightly as she gazed up at me.
"If you're with me, Ken, I think I can muster the courage to face him."
I'd heard her entire family history by now.
About her strict father.
About what he had done to her—a timid, fearful girl—under the guise of turning her into an elite.
As a result, he'd created a new personality in her, one that rarely showed emotion and could protect others.
I'd even learned that her fear of getting wet in the rain stemmed from her father.
'If it were me, I wouldn't even want to see his face.'
He was the father who had imprinted a traumatic memory from her childhood.
A common story.
A child abused by their parents from a young age grows independent and cuts ties.
After that, they each live their own lives, whether the parent lives or dies.
But Mary had decided to return home upon hearing her critically ill father needed her.
"There's so much I want to say to him."
Her face didn't show the longing of a daughter eager to see her father.
Mary wore a resolute expression, and I pulled her into a tight embrace.
Her frightened look softened, cheeks flushing as she turned shy.
"Will you come with me?"
Her round eyes gazed at me anxiously.
"Of course. I'll go anywhere with you and keep you safe."
I smiled back at her.
Mary's eyes curved gently in response, a faint smile blooming on her lips.
'That means there's one issue to resolve.'
Mary's family home was quite a distance from Dreadis Academy.
Even riding a carriage at full speed, it would take a full day to get there.
And with a day spent at the estate, the trip would take at least three days total.
So, after seeing Mary back to her dorm, I set off right away.
My destination was a familiar place.
Rapne's tower.
"Ken...! You said you couldn't come today—what brings you here?"
As I entered the top room of the tower, Rapne greeted me with a bright smile.
I pulled her into a warm hug.
"Did you miss me?"
"Mm... that's part of it, but..."
"Hehe."
Ever since altering the past, Rapne had gotten better at enduring time alone in the tower.
Probably because the year of memories from being trapped in the tower overlapped with the new year of memories from the changed past.
Of course, the improvement meant she no longer rampaged when left alone.
But her attachment to me remained as strong as ever.
"So, are you staying the night? ...I'd love it if you did."
Rapne pulled back from the embrace, cheeks reddening as she asked.
"Yeah, I'll stay the night."
"...Huh?"
She blinked in surprise at my ready agreement.
"F-For real? You're really staying? What if I pounce on you?"
"I'm staying for real... but go easy on the pouncing."
Not fully processing my words, Rapne just beamed happily and wrapped her arms around my neck.
"This is even better than a birthday present!"
I hadn't stayed overnight in the tower recently, so she seemed thrilled.
She nuzzled her hair against my neck, showering me with affection.
'If she's this happy... maybe it'll be okay.'
I hadn't planned to stay, but to get her positive response, I needed to make her happy.
Though it wasn't just for that—I liked seeing her joyful too.
Anyway.
"Rapne... there's something I want to talk about."
"Yeah? What is it? Tell me anything!"
Rapne flashed a pure, innocent smile, her eyes saying she'd grant any wish.
Reassured by her gaze, I explained the three-day trip.
"Nooo—! No, no, no—!"
Rapne immediately clung to me again, voice trembling on the verge of tears.
'Yeah, figured as much.'
No way she'd agree that easily.
"Three whole days without seeing Ken?! Sniff, no way! Don't stay tonight either!"
She started whining, eyes welling up.
"I-It really can't be helped, Rapne. It's important. Can't you endure just three days? Then, when I get back, I won't go to the academy for three days straight—I'll stay by your side the whole time!"
"...Ugh."
Her shoulders twitched at my final offer.
She hated me being gone for three days, but the promise of three full days together afterward was tempting.
"B-But..."
Still, she gripped my shoulders tightly, looking anxious.
It seemed like she needed one decisive push.
In that case.
"And Rapne..."
"...Yeah?"
I opened my mouth carefully.
"When I get back... there's something important I have to tell you."
"Something important?"
Her head tilted curiously.
She couldn't quite pinpoint what it might be.
Swallowing my embarrassment, I averted my eyes slightly as I replied.
"It's about our future relationship."
"...Wh-What?"
It wasn't a lie, of course.
I'd already settled on a serious relationship with Emily and Mary.
But with Rapne, I'd missed the right moment, so I hadn't given her a proper answer yet.
I planned to do so after this trip.
"Ken..."
Rapne's teary eyes sparkled with emotion as she looked at me.
Her cheeks flushed shyly, her face a mix of embarrassment and joy.
She seemed to grasp the meaning behind my words.
"O-Okay...! I just have to hold out for three days?"
"Yeah... Oh, it might take one or two extra days..."
"Hurry back anyway!"
Now, the answer awaiting her upon my return seemed more important than my absence.
Rapne nestled into my arms, smiling contentedly.
"And you're staying tonight!"
"Got it."
Fortunately, I'd secured her permission.
Preparations for the three-day trip to Mary's family home were complete.
Though I'd have to resist Rapne's temptations tonight.
'...It'll probably end with just a kiss, right?'
With the other two in the picture, I couldn't cross that line yet.
Not until all three gave their okay.
'And then there's the talk about our future with all three...'
After returning from Mary's home, that would be the real moment to brace for.
Oblivious to it all, Rapne buried her face in my chest, arms around my waist, her hair swaying gently.
...
The very next day after convincing Rapne, Mary and I boarded the prepared carriage in front of the academy.
Apparently, after hearing my answer, Mary had sent a letter home via familiar.
And her family had arranged this carriage near the academy.
Rumble, rumble.
During the carriage ride, Mary leaned her head on me and held my hand tightly.
I wrapped an arm around her shoulders and asked gently.
"Are you really nervous?"
"...It's been so long since I've gone back home."
Mary looked up at me with a faint smile, as if telling me not to worry.
Being in my arms seemed to ease her, as she didn't pull away.
Though her shoulders still trembled slightly.
'Just how scary is her father?'
Seeing her like this stirred a quiet anger in me, even though it was family business I had no right to interfere in.
I'd heard he'd doused her with water under the pretext of education, leaving her with that trauma.
'No matter how much he wanted her to excel...'
That was still wrong.
No father should do that.
To me, parents should embrace their child's shortcomings and create happy memories—even small ones.
Not scar their childhood with selfish ambitions.
'Wonder what kind of face he has.'
The man who inflicted such painful memories on his daughter now summoned her as death loomed.
How brazen could he be?
I wanted to give him a piece of my mind upon meeting him.
Though that would overstep my bounds, so I wouldn't act rashly.
"Don't worry, Mary. I'm right here with you."
"...Yeah."
For now, all I could do was be her shield.
Mary's cheeks flushed at my reassuring grip, and she smiled.
Leaning on each other for warmth, the carriage arrived at the Haidia estate the next afternoon.
"You've arrived, miss. We've been waiting."
"Yes, it's been a while. Albus."
Stepping out, we faced a massive mansion.
'I heard it was a prestigious family, but...'
The sheer size of the place hinted at the Haidia family's immense wealth.
An enormous mansion.
The surrounding gardens and grounds were vast enough to widen the eyes.
Servants waited before our carriage— a few maids and an elderly man who looked like the head butler.
A mansion this size surely housed many more inside.
Mary greeted them familiarly and handed off our luggage.
'...Can I handle this?'
Seeing her at ease only heightened my unease over expectations.
After all, I'd essentially proposed to her.
If things went smoothly, I'd marry into this.
Realizing the scale of her family as a man...
'Starting to feel anxious...'
I shrank back involuntarily.
"Ken, shall we go?"
Oblivious to my turmoil, Mary smiled tenderly at me.
With a trembling heart, I nodded and walked beside her into the mansion.