Striving to Become a Good Father
Sitting at his desk to become a good father, Rowen pored over the thick book with intense focus. "Hmm..."
A tome as thick as a dictionary. Even for Rowen, who usually kept close company with books, flipping through such a hefty volume only brought sighs. He wondered if this was the right approach.
"...It's difficult."
1. Always smile for them.
2. Offer positive encouragement and support.
3. Listen to your child's stories all the way through.
The book's contents were strangely difficult, drawing a wry smile from Rowen. None of it seemed to apply to him. It was all wrong. From one to ten. The answers dodged him entirely, not matching up even once.
"Every single one from one to ten is wrong."
Even so, Rowen focused and refocused. He saw this as his first baby steps. It wasn't anything grand, and others might mock him, but Rowen wanted to walk forward. Even if it was just small steps.
To become a better father for his daughter, and to apologize to his son who had endured so much, Rowen was chipping away at his stubborn pride. There was so much to learn. He realized he was like a baby just taking its first steps now. He had to wipe the slate clean of everything he thought he knew and start over from the beginning. Enduring the throbbing headache, Rowen dove back into his reading.
About five hours passed like that. With a thud, Rowen closed the book, nodded slightly to himself, and murmured softly.
"I don't think I can do this alone."
It was embarrassing, but he had no choice. No matter how much he read, only the words went in. His head understood, but his heart wouldn't follow. His mind and emotions felt completely out of sync. Letting out a deep sigh, Rowen bowed his head.
"I need a teacher."
Not that anyone would dare teach a Sword Master, but still. Rowen, desperate to take even one step forward, didn't bother fixing his tousled hair and furrowed his brow.
"...A good father, huh."
A hollow laugh escaped him. The rumors swirling in society were full of lies. That was nobility for you—packed with fabrications and embellished tales. No wonder even he had a reputation as a good father. At social gatherings, young nobles would say things like, "The family head's children must have it good. Having such a caring father and all." It was laughable.
Placing his hand on the book, Rowen muttered to himself, wondering if any of his acquaintances could serve as a teacher.
"Someone reliable..."
Someone who wouldn't cower before a Sword Master's gaze. Someone with a harmonious family. No matter how hard he thought, no answer came.
"..."
Nobles feared him. And there was the risk of needless scandals. Unable to pinpoint anyone, Rowen sat in his chair, pondering and pondering some more.
By the time darkness began to creep into the room...
"Ah."
One noble who lived without regard for others' opinions flashed through Rowen's mind.
—I'm going to be a good father. I am.
—...
—Come to the wedding. You'll probably give a hefty gift anyway.
—What nonsense.
Of course, that guy seemed to have messed up raising his kids too, but even so, Rowen figured he was still a better father than himself. So...
"Hoo..."
Rowen dragged his heavy body from the chair and headed to his friend's mansion.
*
Today's Desmont Duke's mansion was peaceful as ever. Darbarb, dressed in his uniform, sat across from his guest and let out a deep sigh.
"...So why exactly did you come to me?"
"To seek knowledge."
"You're talking nonsense."
Darbarb wasn't pleased with this unannounced visitor. He wouldn't have welcomed him even with prior notice.
Darbarb downed his drink and eyed the man before him, his words laced with suspicion of some ulterior motive.
"I thought you came to express gratitude."
"Do you have something to be guilty about?"
"No, the empire's dogs love us too much for that."
The guest, with nothing to say to Darbarb's sharp words, wet his dry lips.
"I'll try pouring less affection next time."
"You're hilarious."
To Darbarb, friends were practically nonexistent. That's why when Rosanna introduced this man as Darbarb's friend, suspicion was her first reaction.
—Who sent you?
—A friend of Desmont Darbarb.
—Don't lie. As if my husband has any friends.
—...
—Honey!!
After the misunderstanding cleared and he'd received a grand welcome, today's protagonist Rowen sat before the drinks table Rosanna had prepared and let out a deep sigh.
"You don't have friends either, huh."
"Don't lump us together, Rowen."
"My apologies."
Darbarb sighed and fixed Rowen with a heavy expression, signaling it was time for the main topic.
"Listen, Rowen."
"Speak, Darbarb."
"Say it one more time."
"Say what?"
"What you asked of me."
Without a hint of hesitation, Rowen told Darbarb.
"Teach me how to be a good father."
"Ha...?"
Darbarb shook his head at Rowen's words.
"Do I look like a good father to you?"
"..."
"You couldn't say that if you'd heard the rumors going around."
After a long silence, Rowen opened his mouth heavily.
"I want to be a dad my daughter doesn't hide from."
"..."
"At least your daughter boasts about you proudly."
"...Are you insulting me right now?"
"I'd love it if it was an insult. I want to hear words like that too."
Darbarb set down his teacup and shook his head.
"Still, it's impossible."
"Why? I can offer plenty of compensation."
"I have plenty of money too, Rowen. The problem is my conscience pricking me."
"You had a conscience?"
"...You want to fight?"
"Sorry."
Darbarb exhaled and said,
"Personally, I don't think I'm a good father, Rowen. I couldn't stop my daughter's rebellion, and I didn't understand her sadness."
"..."
"Who am I to teach anyone? I'm not a good father myself. Right, Rowen?"
"..."
Rowen said to Darbarb,
"It won't work, will it."
Just as refusal was about to spill from Darbarb's lips again—
—Daddy!!! I'm home!!!
A familiar voice echoed from the first floor of the mansion. A shrill, venomous tone. Rowen frowned at the boisterous voice of the girl conjuring images of a little devil.
—Thud.
"Where are you going?"
"My daughter's here."
Darbarb set down his glass without a second thought and issued his marching orders.
"Out. I have to play with my daughter now."
"What?"
"You heard me. Get your hearing checked."
Rowen glared at his friend, whose lips were curling up, and made a face of utter incomprehension.
"Our conversation isn't over."
"Sorry, but playing with my daughter is more important. If you're unhappy, go play with your own daughter."
"...You're joking."
Darbarb replied with a serious expression.
"Do I look like I'm joking? I'm always serious."
Rowen watched Darbarb grab his overcoat and thought something felt off. And when he followed to see what happened next, the result was shocking.
"Hee hee."
"Olivia!"
"Daddy, I'm out here."
"What brings you here?"
"This."
Darbarb's daughter handed over a paper bag with a smile. It didn't look like anything special, but her confident demeanor intrigued the quietly observing Rowen.
"I thought of you and bought it."
"Your dad's birthday isn't for a while yet."
"Just because. I wanted to give it to you."
"Daddy's proud of you."
"Hee hee...! I'm proud of Daddy too."
Rowen couldn't warm to his friend's 180-degree transformation. This wasn't the guy who smiled like that. He was stunned by what he was seeing. What was this "daddy" business? What was that expression?
Thinking the first step to good fatherhood was no joke, Rowen peered at the gift from the paper bag and let out an even deeper sigh.
"What is this...? A lunchbox?"
"Yeah. Got it for free."
"..."
"You won't die if you eat it, so it's fine."
Rowen felt dizzy in every way. In that moment, his wandering eyes met those of a familiar man. A man with red hair and red eyes—Ricardo. Ricardo gave Rowen a slight bow in greeting, as if asking if his earlier troubles had resolved.
'Yes.'
Rowen nodded back in response to Ricardo's greeting.
—Fuhi hit! Daddy, where's Mommy?
—Olivia!
—Eeeeek!!!! It's Mommy...!
The family looked harmonious. A warmth Rowen had never seen in his own house. Thinking he'd found the answer, Rowen watched them a little longer.
"Daddy!"
"Yes, Olivia."
"Did you eat?"
"Yes."
"I didn't eat so I could eat with Daddy."
"...I've digested it all."
Rowen carefully noted Darbarb's actions in his mind. Consideration. An attitude of understanding. Darbarb embodied the behaviors from the book. Rowen let out a small chuckle, thinking,
'What bad father?'
"I should get going."
Rowen stood with heavy steps, nodding as he left. Not long after, he learned one fact and spat out in shock.
"Ha..."
Total Amount: 100,000,000 Gold
Prepared by: Histania Malik
"I can't even speak anymore."
Indeed, he was the worst father.