TLed by NolepGuy
Chapter 184
The sunny Desmond Estate.
Darbav, who had planted a variety of flowers in the yard, smiled with a Satisfied Smile.
Darbav, holding a hoe in his hand, wiped the sweat off his forehead.
Although it wasn’t something worthy of the Head of the Family of such a prestigious household, Darbav nonetheless felt happy to decorate the estate with his own hands.
Is it because I’m getting older?
These days, Darbav found beauty to be enjoyable.
“Wonderful.”
“…”
“As expected, doing it yourself is the best.”
“…”
“Even though I planted them myself, the colorful combination of colors looks quite pleasing.”
The yard, filled with various flowers such as Roses, Lilies, and Forget-Me-Nots, completely satisfied Darbav. Smiling, Darbav looked at Olivia, who had plopped down in the yard with a Thud, and asked.
“How is it? Do you like it?”
Olivia, holding a hoe with a Sullen Expression, looked at Darbav and said.
“No.”
“…!?”
The ground where Olivia was sitting was filled with traces of being ruthlessly dug up.
Despite having been told to plant flowers, Olivia had turned herself into a Plow and tilled the ground. Watching her, Darbav smiled with a Satisfied Smile.
‘At least she didn’t break the flowers… Excellent.’
Olivia threw the hoe to the ground irritably and wiped the sweat off her forehead.
“This is boring.”
Seeing Olivia whining and declaring a Strike, Darbav asked.
“Why is that?”
“Working under the blazing sun is hard and hot.”
“Didn’t you ask for an allowance?”
“Isn’t an allowance supposed to be free?”
“No, it is not.”
“Father, you’re so stingy.”
“It can’t be helped.”
Olivia expressed her discontent by stretching Darbav’s face, which had come close to hers.
“Eeeek…”
Olivia was bored.
Playing with Father was fun, but recently, the Butler hadn’t been keeping her company, leaving her bored.
Whining, Olivia shared her thoughts with Darbav, saying that it seemed like the Butler had been neglecting his duties lately.
“Father.”
“Why is that?”
“Ricardo doesn’t play with me.”
“I see.”
“He says he’s busy these days and won’t play with me.”
“That doesn’t seem related to the flowers, does it?”
“This is more important than flowers.”
At Olivia’s words, Darbav nodded with a dejected expression.
“But for me, this is more important.”
Olivia shook her head and said.
“For me, this is more important.”
Knowing well that his daughter’s Stubbornness couldn’t be broken, Darbav crouched down beside Olivia to listen to her concerns.
As the head of the House of Desmond, sitting on the dirt floor was unthinkable, but what could he do? He wanted to do it.
Waving off the concerned Servants, Darbav opened his ears to Olivia’s words.
“It’s something that can’t be helped, isn’t it? He’s always been a busy guy, so I can understand.”
“What’s the point if Father understands? I’m the one who needs to understand.”
“Don’t you understand as well?”
At Darbav’s question, Olivia nodded and buried her face in Darbav’s shoulder.
“You’re right. I was just whining for a bit.”
Seeing Olivia’s maturity, Darbav was moved.
In the past, she would’ve thrown a tantrum, saying, ‘I’m bored!’ But now, seeing his daughter understand Ricardo’s situation, Darbav felt a sense of pride as a Father.
It seemed like he had raised at least one child well.
In a sullen voice, Olivia muttered.
“Ricardo must be really busy. I told him to work just a little, but he doesn’t listen.”
“Don’t I deserve some worry too? I’m working a lot as well.”
“Father, you should work less too. Health is more important than money.”
“…”
Darbav’s eyes began to redden slightly.
Perhaps it was because of his age, but Darbav felt his emotions becoming more sensitive. The pride of having raised a Devoted Daughter made the world seem less enviable.
According to rumors, the Histania Family hadn’t raised very good children.
Recalling the face of his Academy Mate, the Stiff-Hearted Guy, Darbav shook his head.
-I exist for the household.
From the moment That Guy announced his marriage, Darbav had thought his parenting would fail. And as expected, hearing strange rumors confirmed his thoughts, leaving Darbav nodding in agreement.
Look at me.
Of course, my daughter’s personality might be a bit flawed, but isn’t she a Devoted Daughter who worries about her Father? Thinking that this alone put her in the ranks of devoted children, Darbav smiled inwardly, claiming a Victory over his Rival household, Histania.
Parenting Apostle.
Social status.
Even appearance.
He was still winning.
“Hehe.”
“Father, you sound like someone who’s mentally consoling themselves.”
“No.”
“Then why are you laughing?”
“I just feel good because you’re worried about me.”
“Am I good?”
“…”
Darbav couldn’t answer.
Because he had a conscience.
“Why aren’t you answering?”
“Our daughter is the prettiest in the world, after all.”
“I know.”
“And her personality is sharp and decisive, though I don’t know who she takes after.”
“It’s because I take after Mother.”
Darbav let out a sigh of relief.
“And it’s also because I take after Father.”
Darbav inhaled the sigh he had just exhaled.
“Doesn’t your personality take after Mother more?”
“No, I take after Father too.”
“Think about it again.”
“Why?”
“…”
Darbav had a conscience.
Time passed, and as the afternoon sun began to be tinged with Darkness.
“Huh?”
In the distance, a familiar face approached with a Pleasant Smile.
Both Hands with Shopping Bags, The Man was walking toward them.
Olivia reacted faster than Darbav. Like a dog catching the scent of something delicious, Olivia, who had been dozing on Darbav’s back, quickly lifted her head and shouted as she saw the Red-Haired Youth walking from afar.
“Father, Ricardo is coming.”
“I see.”
“Father, move out.”
“…”
Darbav felt a little hurt.
“Move out!”
Even so, he was happy.
“Eeeek! Move out!”
Because his daughter was alive and well.
And because a reliable ally was by his daughter’s side, Darbav felt reassured.
*
Today, the Desmund Family’s estate was peaceful as always.
Sitting on the bed and chatting with the Young Lady after a long time, I listened to her recounting what happened today with a Satisfied Smile.
“So, I asked Father for an allowance for free, but he said he could only give me a little.”
“I see.”
“Yeah. He said he had to pay Ricardo’s salary. I told him, since he already put on an Iron Plate, he might as well add a little more…”
“Oh… Truly worthy of the Young Lady’s Father.”
“Right? I think so too.”
“That’s not a compliment.”
“It’s not?”
“No.”
The Young Lady smiled a Shy Smile as she spoke to me.
Today, flowers were planted in the Estate Yard. She said it was tiring, but after planting them, they looked pretty, which made her feel good. Hearing her talk about what happened today with a puff of breath, I couldn’t help but smile.
The Young Lady spoke honestly to me.
-I felt upset because Ricardo hasn’t been playing with me lately.
-But I understand Ricardo. Ricardo is busy, just like I am. Since Ricardo is busy too, I can understand. Later, when I make a lot of money, I’ll take care of Ricardo. So, hang in there a little longer.
-I didn’t go to make money, though.
-Then?
-I went because of a Friend.
-Ricardo has a Friend?
-That comment hurts, you know?
Although I felt a little scratched by the Young Lady’s innocent yet teasing remark, I was still touched by her maturity and broad-mindedness.
She had learned to understand… She had grown so much compared to her Villainess days. As the Butler who had served her for a very long time, I felt proud of the Young Lady’s growth.
I liked the fact that the Young Lady expressed her feelings without hiding them.
Instead of brooding over her hurt feelings, she openly said what upset her. I liked her straightforwardness.
I liked the Young Lady’s Jealousy over having less time to play, and I liked being able to talk to her while looking at her face.
I smiled as I looked at the Young Lady.
As she lay on the bed, her Bright and Sparkling Eyes wide open, I focused on her story.
“Ricardo.”
“Yes.”
“Are you not busy anymore?”
“Hmm… That seems to be the case. I’ve collected the overdue money from the Academy and resolved my Friend’s concerns.”
“Then…”
The Young Lady hesitated, carefully gauging my reaction before speaking.
“What are you doing tomorrow?”
At her Shy Question, as she pulled the Blanket up to her lips, I smiled and replied.
“I’m planning to go Downtown tomorrow.”
“Downtown?”
“Yes.”
“With whom?”
The Young Lady avoided my gaze, clutching the Blanket tightly. Her honesty, clearly showing that she’d feel upset if it wasn’t her, made me suppress a rising laugh. I decided to tease her.
“Well, it seems I’ll be going with someone very beautiful.”
“…Beautiful?”
“Yes.”
“Prettier than me?”
“Oh, where in the world could there be someone prettier than the Young Lady?”
“Hehe… That’s true.”
The Young Lady beamed a happy smile as she stared at me.
“So, who is it?”
I looked at the Young Lady and said.
“I haven’t received permission yet, so I can’t say.”
“Hmm…”
“Then, what will the Young Lady do tomorrow?”
“I was planning to eat Chocolate with Ricardo.”
“I see.”
I looked at the Young Lady and said.
“Do you have time tomorrow?”
“Huh?”
“I was thinking of going shopping with the Young Lady tomorrow, to buy Pajamas and Chocolate…”
“The very beautiful person is me?”
“Yes.”
The Young Lady pulled the Blanket over her head and pounded it with her Fist.
-Thump.
After hitting the Blanket for quite a while, the Young Lady peeked out with a bashful smile.
“I know.”
I looked at the Young Lady and asked.
“So, what’s your answer?”
“Hmm…”
The Young Lady pursed her lips and fell into deep thought. Saying she was an important person who needed to consider her schedule, she made a prolonged “Hmm…” sound and pondered for a long time before finally nodding and answering with difficulty.
“Alright.”
“It’s an Honor.”
“Then I’ll go as a special favor.”
I gave a small smile and expressed my gratitude to the Young Lady.
“Thank you, Young Lady.”
*
And so, the next day arrived.
The Young Lady caught a Cold.
“Hiiiik… Hiiiik! Achoo!”
A Severe Flu, to be precise.