A Day in the Desmont Family, Two Years Ago
Two years ago, my family was on the brink of ruin. The family I had devoted my life to, the one praised for producing a family head who could surpass even the previous generations— it all came crashing down because of my daughter's love.
"Family head! This is bad! The young lady!"
"Did Olivia get into another fight? I hope she won."
"No, it's not that. The young lady used black magic!"
"What!?"
Ruin struck in an instant. All the bribes we'd offered the imperial family, the public service and donations we'd flaunted—none of it mattered as society began trampling us. Articles spread across the empire. Citizens boycotted us. Even the imperial family moved to crush us with the law. My hopes of surpassing the rival Histania family, dashed by a mistake I never saw coming.
BOOM!!!
The number of desks I shattered in boiling rage was beyond counting. Just when things quieted, Olivia's misdeeds at the academy resurfaced, crushing any chance of recovery. Malicious articles toppled our businesses before they could even start. Even the 'Gold Coin Merchant Guild,' contracted since my father's time, drew a line, saying no more dealings were possible. My family was shaken to its core.
I resented my daughter. Though raised with love, watching everything we'd built vanish into bubbles only sharpened my negative feelings toward her with each passing day. Would taking everything she had left make me feel better? I stripped her of jewels and money, but the frustration didn't lift. It only fueled more anger and suffocation.
So I decided not to see her anymore. No matter how lovable, how precious a child she was— the damage from her one mistake was unimaginable. I'd forgiven and understood everything before, but this time, I vowed not to. Even my son, who adored his little sister, spat venomous words against her then. We tried to sever ties with Olivia.
"The young lady will never walk again."
"...Don't mention Olivia anymore. She's no longer part of our family."
Even hearing she could never walk again, I didn't visit. When word came she was struggling without money, I didn't help. I left her the noble name out of thought for Ricardo, who stayed by her side till the end, but I felt no pity for the life worse than a commoner's she'd face. That was my discipline. A powerless father's petty revenge.
My son left for another country to build a business. Longtime servants, unable to bear public scorn, submitted resignations and slipped away quietly. In the empty mansion, I stewed in fury toward Olivia. I regretted not stripping the Desmont name too. Public eyes might have softened then.
'It's not too late even now.'
One night, drowning sorrows in drink after another business crumbled under vicious articles, I thought I needed to decide. Better to draw a clear line than leave a lifeline. For the family's sake. Though it hurt, I had to finalize my resolution—
You can now read the 53rd Side Story: "Your Daughter Who Can Never Return".
Seeing that one glimpse of the past changed my mind. Witnessing my daughter's wretched end, something even a father couldn't bear. I gritted my teeth and decided to endure. I recalled the words I sobbed that long-forgotten night.
"Thank goodness. Thank goodness you're alive..."
Beneath the lavish dining table, with a feast laid out before us, we exchanged wary glances.
"...Hic!"
The young lady, oblivious to subtlety.
"Ahem..."
Darbav, soon to be Desmont family head.
"Haha..."
And I, her butler, arms crossed at the table, gulping dryly under the sharp gaze of the woman before us.
In the heavy silence, the woman with arms folded sighed and spoke.
"Dear."
"...Olivia, your mother's calling you."
"She didn't call me. She called Dad."
"Then it must be Ricardo."
"I have no interest in adultery, family head."
Darbav's plea for mercy met our cold indifference. We had to survive too.
Desmont's lady of the house. Darbav's wife. Rosanna Desmont glared at us unannounced visitors—especially her husband.
"You look at her too lovingly."
"Yes. So lovable it's driving me mad. You said you'd never see her again, yet here you bring her..."
Rosanna ground her teeth.
"So lovable."
"Hiet!"
The young lady hiccuped at Rosanna's fury-laced voice. Patting her chest and searching for water, she looked at me with trembling eyes.
"Ricardo..."
"Yes?"
"Are we fucked?"
Rosanna perked up at our whisper.
She bellowed at Olivia with menacing aura.
"Olivia! Didn't I tell you not to use vulgar words?"
"...You use them too, Mom."
"When did I?"
"At that social hosted by the Mage Tower... you said she was ignoring you... slapped that noblewoman..."
"She pissed me off!"
"..."
The young lady clamped her mouth shut. Darbav ruled the family. Rosanna ruled the home. Desmont hierarchy was clear. No matter his prowess as an archmage, at home he obeyed his wife absolutely. He'd fallen for this very trait when proposing, so Darbav could only stay silent.
Darbav quenched his burning throat with water, speaking awkwardly.
"A-alright... everyone, let's eat. You came a long way. Must be hungry."
"Hungry? After all she's eaten already."
"Hieek... hic."
The sulky young lady stuffed bread in her mouth to end the talk.
"Olivia! Bread's with a fork. I told you, hands are rude—how many times?!"
"Ricardo didn't say anything."
"Ricardo!"
"My apologies."
I couldn't argue with Lady Rosanna either. No one could stop her rage. She'd always been the cuckoo guarding family peace—like extinguishing my son's anger with her own, aiding Darbav through household support during business woes. A capable homemaker. I'd benefited too, living in the capital mansion. When discriminated as a commoner, she'd thrash the knights herself. Adventurer roots made her fierce, but compassionate.
True to form, Rosanna's eyes now fixed on the young lady's gaunt legs.
"..."
Lips bitten, her eyes welled up wordlessly.
"Sniff... So. What now?"
Rosanna sniffed, turning to wipe tears.
The mansion we'd come to at Darbav's urging.
"If you won't eat, join us."
"Dad. You don't hate me?"
"Later. Eat first. Ricardo hasn't eaten either. Join us. Surely you can spare one meal."
"Of course, family head."
Darbav entered boldly, but faltered at the final boss, useless to us.
"Just one meal. It's fine, right, Rosanna?"
"Sigh..."
Her deep sigh echoed through the quiet table.
"What if Kyle comes? You'll take responsibility if he rages like last time?"
"..."
"Last time you said you'd just talk to Olivia and leave. What if he finds her here? 'How've you been?'"
"I... thought about it."
"What thoughts? You just brought her!"
As Rosanna's nagging continued, Darbav's shoulders slumped. Her age-defying beauty must charm him, but nagging was different.
Watching them, I sipped soup.
"Oh... delicious."
"Is it? I made it. What do you think?"
Rosanna beamed at me.
"Tasty, right? Used that recipe from your letter. Guests loved it, so..."
"Last time?"
Darbav perked up.
"Ah..."
Rosanna smiled awkwardly, glancing between us.
"We've been exchanging letters."
"Since when?"
"About two years? You wouldn't tell me anything, so I planted a spy."
The young lady, spearing bread, eyed me like a traitor.
"Eek...! Ricardo!"
"Sorry. Couldn't help it."
"...Traitor!"
Rosanna smiled warmly. Through letters, she'd learned our struggles, Olivia's growth—praising her as more human now. That explained her softer side: two years of correspondence. I'd hinted at visiting for the family head's birthday. Darbav, expecting her fiery temper, now eyed me like Olivia.
"Traitor."
"Dad's right."
"Our girl."
"Yeah."
Perfect match, father and daughter.
As Rosanna fetched a well-done steak from the kitchen, sharing the most memorable letter tale.
"Dear, know what? Olivia tried earning money?"
"Olivia?"
"Yeah. Glued eyes on a bear doll..."
The young lady flushed, yelling.
"Eeeek!!! Don't say it! Embarrassing!"
"Why~ Mom's proud. Housekeeping starts now..."
"Eeeek!!! Scold Ricardo!"
"Sorry."
"My butler!"
"If you're unhappy, become Desmont's lady yourself."
"Eeeek!!"
Rosanna grinned fondly at us, placing warm meat on my plate.
"Thank you."
I couldn't look up.
Sunset afternoon. Rosanna and Darbav sat in the study after ages, tilting glasses.
A gentle breeze carried wistful nostalgia as they drank.
Rosanna set down a snack tray quietly. Darbav asked softly.
"The kids?"
"Olivia's asleep. Ricardo said later."
"Hm..."
Darbav nodded, sipping bitter wine.
"Ricardo could go, but I told him to stay till your birthday. Good?"
Her smile drew his nod and grin.
"Well done."
Calm mood. Family reunited. Darbav smiled at the fulfillment.
Rosanna ventured carefully.
"Why bring her? You said never again."
"Just..."
Darbav gazed at the bright moon.
"Missed her."
Rosanna smiled back.
"Good call."
Next morning, the mansion buzzed with two noisy voices.
"Hiiiik! Air raid alert!!!!"
"Kuhahaha...! Imperial emergency...!!"
"Shut up!"
The cuckoo heralded a peaceful dawn.