How to Replace Your Dad - Chapter 170

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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How to Replace Father
Chapter 170
Terriars rose to his feet.
“Of course.”
His composure was striking.
Luciano, too, lifted an eyebrow and smiled.
He, too, radiated considerable ease.
Roji of House Olvera, watching them, let out a silent laugh.
Her brother Romeban whispered urgently.
“Can’t you manage your expression?”
“Sorry, watching their pride match made me think of someone.”
As she glanced at Romeban while speaking, his face crumpled.
“Don’t be sarcastic.”
“You shouldn’t be so embarrassed. The imperial family and royalty aren’t so different, are they?”
Though she herself was hardly composed.
The actual center of this commotion—Yustea—kept glancing between the prince and king’s son, her mind apparently working overtime like a counting machine.
Luciano, Terriars, and Yustea headed toward the Garden together.
The remaining diplomatic delegation began to whisper.
“What on earth is happening?”
When an oblivious boy asked, the girls responded with excited faces.
“How could you not see it? Unbelievable.”
“That’s right. This is that.”
“Exactly.”
A love triangle!
They were successors of noble families assigned to the ambassadors’ diplomatic duties.
But at the same time, they were adolescents.
That is, even if they pretended otherwise, romance was their primary concern.
As a scene straight out of a romance novel unfolded before their eyes, the adolescents couldn’t hide their excitement.
Guinevere, quiet until now, glanced around quickly.
And asked with a determined expression.
“That is… what exactly?”
There was, after all, someone who hadn’t yet matured in matters of love.
Guinevere wore a worried expression, wondering if she alone lacked perception, while the delegation smiled kindly.
“That’s something you don’t need to know yet, Nevarro.”
“But we need to focus on other things. Ah, how are we supposed to broach the mana stone trade? There’s no opening.”
“Still, we can’t deny it’s a ray of light in this headache-inducing routine.”
What could be so important about that, anyway….
Guinevere’s expression was discontented.
Meanwhile, a young boy standing apart from the delegation thought to himself.
‘Wasn’t it Stella that Prince Terriars was interested in?’
That woman’s mother had said.
“You must have noticed that the relationship between the prince and my daughter is unusual. The two of them share a very special bond.”
It was impossible not to notice.
Forcing Stella, who wasn’t even part of Andres, into the diplomatic delegation.
Bringing even her mother into the Imperial Palace under the pretext of pre-competition rest.
Keeping Stella closer than anyone else.
These were things one couldn’t do without affection.
“Think carefully about whose hand your family should take.”
This morning alone, he’d thought it advantageous to take Stella’s hand.
‘But what is this situation?’
Who should he be betting on?
He frowned.
He was Count Claren, who prided himself as the empire’s premier magical craftsman.
And in his hands was the Spiral Crown.
* * *
The Garden.
The biting cold had lifted, and the weather had grown pleasantly warm.
It was good weather for a walk.
The flowers, tended by expert hands, were beautiful—there was pleasure in simply looking at them.
‘If only the circumstances were different.’
Yustea glanced sideways with clouded eyes.
“Thanks to the prince’s thoughtful consideration, my visit to the Empire will remain a pleasant memory.”
=East here, west there, always busy. Do you two do nothing but watch us?
“I have admired Ilfarm’s passion for growth. Please grant me the chance to learn at your side.”
=Who knows what crafty tricks you’ll pull—don’t we need to keep watch?
“You’re too kind. It’s a long way yet before I can match the bearing of the Empire, the great harmonizer of continents.”
=Compared to what you’ve done, we’re small potatoes.
“I’ll take it as modesty. I am aware of how you have rooted for the Empire’s future under the guise of entertainment. Ilfarm’s generosity is humbling.”
=And who started playing these petty games first?
Outwardly smiling, they exchanged gazes so sharp they prickled the skin.
Yustea swallowed a sigh.
Walking between them was absolutely exhausting.
She had no desire whatsoever to enjoy the scenery.
In this situation, there was no way to bring up mana stones or investment.
Forcing her way into a space with no profit margin was nothing but a waste of time.
‘Let’s finish this quickly.’
The moment Yustea quickened her pace—
“Be careful.”
Luciano caught her, drawing her close.
“That’s Arjol. If you’re cut by it, it could be dangerous.”
“Oh.”
Yustea stopped short.
Arjol.
A substance with the property of purifying impurities within magical power.
However, it is not recommended for users of Divine Power.
The stronger the Divine Power, the greater the danger.
“While it’s not particularly dangerous for ordinary people, it could be poison for you, so it’s best you stay away from that area.”
“…Yes.”
Yustea hesitated and moved away from him.
Terriars, seeing this, raised an eyebrow.
‘They seem more intimate than I thought.’
He already knew the rumors of closeness between Luciano and Yustea.
There was even talk they’d kissed.
But observing Yustea directly, he’d judged it mere gossip.
She was remarkably composed for her age, far too rational.
She wasn’t the type to kiss in front of others.
But now, seeing this….
‘Luciano might have maneuvered her into a situation where they had no choice but to kiss.’
Physical contact, whatever its context, opens the doors of the heart.
If that were the case….
Luciano and Terriars’ gazes met.
‘What. What is it.’
Luciano looked at him coldly.
‘That cunning fox.’
Terriars smiled sweetly.
‘Should I unsettle him?’
“Now that I think of it, you said you’re the same age as Prince Luciano, didn’t you?”
“That’s correct.”
“Then there’s a seven-year age gap between you and the Saint.”
Yustea flinched.
‘Seven years….’
Once her birthday passes this year, she’ll be of age.
‘The age difference between us isn’t so large after all.’
The way they spent time together might draw attention from others.
No matter how much he insisted it wouldn’t matter in four years, gossips would certainly have plenty to say if he showed such affection to someone so young.
People might even say Luciano had a taste for children.
As Yustea edged away, Luciano’s brow furrowed.
‘What. What is it.’
Terriars’ smile deepened.
‘That clever fox.’
Luciano’s gaze turned lethal.
At this age, Yustea tended to worry excessively about the world around her.
And yet it was difficult to claim that four years from now, they’d only be three years apart and thus within acceptable bounds.
Because then the thoughtful child would think: ‘So it was the me of four years from now that Luciano truly wanted.’
‘Dead end.’
As Yustea increased the distance, Terriars approached her.
“What kind of flowers do you like?”
“I have no particular preference for flowers.”
“I like the Korean aster.”
“The Korean aster?”
“You remember I said I was hunted by an assassin and faced death?”
“Yes.”
“After I recovered, I returned to that cliff where I’d fallen. I saw Korean asters blooming there in abundance.”
Terriars glanced at Yustea, who followed along as he walked.
“The aster that didn’t bend even as winter approached—it made me think of someone.”
“A benefactor, then.”
“That’s right.”
“Yes.”
“….”
“…?”
Yustea looked at Terriars with puzzlement as he stared intently at her.
He’d looked at her the same way at dinner last night.
It was the look of someone who wanted something.
Yustea gazed back at him steadily.
“Your Highness, could it be….”
“Yes.”
When the two locked gazes firmly—
Hope flickered in Terriars’ eyes.
From the way she didn’t remember him, it was possible the riverside incident hadn’t happened to her yet.
That was the more reasonable conclusion.
But if it were merely a matter of not remembering….
If she believed the person who saved her that day wasn’t the prince of Ilfarm, but someone else….
‘I could meet my benefactor again.’
Yustea hesitated, then spoke.
“Aren’t you feeling cold?”
“…What?”
Terriars faltered at her unexpected words.
Yustea glanced around and spoke.
“It seems to have grown rather chilly. I’m concerned for your health—perhaps it would be better if you returned indoors.”
“….”
As Terriars fell silent, Luciano let out a soft chuckle.
“We mustn’t compromise the health of our honored guest. Let’s head back.”
“This way, then.”
Yustea took the lead.
Terriars watched her retreating figure with an expression of disbelief.
Luciano passed him, remarking as he did.
“Yustea at this stage had many nicknames.”
“Is that so?”
“The Iron Empress, the Iron Mask, the Ruthless Tyrant… they all had ‘iron’ in them. An iron wall, perhaps.”
Though ruthless didn’t mean the iron kind, after all.
Terriars frowned and shot a look at the smiling Luciano.
But he soon let out a sigh.
‘Well, I never thought this would be easy.’
Meeting one’s benefactor is never simple.
But the harder something is, the more desperately one seeks it.
Such was Yustea for him.
* * *
Night.
Terriars, citing fatigue, dismissed the delegation and kept only Stella at his side.
As they dined together, Stella glanced at him.
Terriars cut into his meat with a knife and asked.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Today you seem… in good spirits….”
“You mean I’m usually not?”
“No, it’s not that you seem in poor spirits. It’s just that today you seem particularly joyful….”
Terriars chuckled softly.
“You’re observant, Stella. And it’s true. I am joyful.”
Stella looked at Terriars with shy eyes.
“What brings you such joy?”
“Yustea.”
The hand holding her fork tensed unconsciously.
Terriars kept his gaze fixed on his plate as he spoke.
“Does she usually not allow people near her?”
“She tends not to.”
“Will you tell me more?”
Stella set down her silverware entirely, gripping the napkin in her lap tightly.
‘It’s Yustea again.’
As she bit her lip briefly, she felt his gaze on her cheek.
Terriars was looking at her.
Stella smiled awkwardly.
“She’s suspicious and doesn’t trust people easily. When forming relationships, she counts on an abacus before looking at the person. …But that’s not bad. She said it’s a clever way to live.”
“I see.”
“Since time is limited, you have to choose what’s most valuable, she said. I thought it a bit extreme, but… I believe everyone’s way of life deserves respect.”
Terriars tilted his head briefly, then nodded.
‘What does this mean?’
Anxiety washed over him again.
Yohaël and his family had left him in this same way.
After Yustea came up, they’d turned toward her, one by one.
Stella, watching Terriars eat with agitation, clasped both hands firmly together.
“Listen!”
Her outburst redirected his attention to her.
“Actually, I don’t really like her. So I’m… anxious.”
“Anxious?”
“Because I like you, Your Highness!”
“….”
Terriars’ eyes widened.
As he stared silently, Stella, brimming with excitement, spoke.
“No, wait! That’s not what I meant. I don’t presume to have romantic feelings for you… What I mean is….”
“Ah, I understand.”
Terriars turned away and his shoulders trembled faintly.
Stella’s face flushed bright red with embarrassment.
“I know it’s childish, but people I liked often went to Yustea instead. So they ended up liking her more than me more often….”
“I see.”
“I don’t really want you to end up liking Yustea more either….”
“I won’t.”
When Terriars answered casually, Stella blinked.
“You won’t dislike me for being like this…?”
“Why would I?”
“Because I’m so childish and restless—it’s not attractive, and also….”
“I like honesty in feeling. Some would say a clever approach is better, but not me.”
“….”
Stella bit her lip firmly.
“Stella?”
“Ah, sorry. I just… felt like I might cry….”
“Do you need a handkerchief?”
“No!”
Stella wiped her eyes roughly with her sleeve and spoke.
“I don’t want to borrow one. I want to be graceful about this much.”
“All right.”
Stella lowered her head.
The warmth in her cheeks didn’t fade.
‘If I could be at the prince’s side… with him… I truly could live differently.’
Thoughts of returning to Andres no longer mattered.
She wanted only to be at his side.
* * *
Even as Stella walked the Corridor after dinner, her heart raced.
What was this feeling she’d never had with Yohaël or Gaspard?
She felt as though she stood on solid ground.
She was restraining the urge to cry out—her fingertips pressed against her lips.
From behind the corner, someone grabbed Stella roughly.
“Mom? Didn’t you go back?”
“Go meet Count Claren for me. It’ll be hard to convince him alone.”
“Why him?”
“He has the Spiral Crown! If the Spiral Crown’s seal is broken, Dia can be awakened! If Dia wakes, I’ll never become the Marquis’ wife!”
“I’m not interested in such things anymore.”
It was the moment Stella yanked her hand away coldly.
“Don’t put all your faith in Terriars. He knows everything now.”
Why is Terriars’ name coming up here?
Stella looked at Emma.
“Terriars knew it was Yustea who saved him from the assassin.”
“What does that—”
“And now he secretly helps her, even at the cost of his nation’s interests.”
“What…?”
Stella’s face went rigid.
‘That’s a lie….’
But to me he said….
Stella clenched her fists tightly.
“Again… again…!”
It’s Yustea again.
Even now, it comes down to…!

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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