How to Replace Your Dad - Chapter 199

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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 199
I smiled awkwardly.
“Of course, officially this is a grand introduction of Father as a member of Esgaroth.”
“But there’s another intention behind it.”
That was true.
Rather than having people come to the castle one by one to target Father and waste time, we’d see them all at once.
Mother clicked her tongue lightly.
“Well, it doesn’t matter. At least I got the chance to see your face.”
Mother said that, but I blinked rapidly.
‘I wonder what Grandfather’s intention was in inviting Mother.’
Was it to use her as a stimulus to verify the true nature of potential daughters-in-law?
Now that I’ve entered the Citadel and can’t easily meet Mother, was this opportunity meant to let us see each other?
‘If it’s not that, could it be….’
I contemplated seriously.
But Mother seemed completely unbothered.
She just kept pinching my cheeks.
Which meant my own mind became unsettled as well.
* * *
Though the sun had set, Esgaroth Castle was busier than during the day.
The party was about to begin.
Dressed for the occasion, I checked my appearance in the mirror.
Then I heard a knock.
It was a member of Yustea’s Team.
“The guests are beginning to arrive. Shall I escort you?”
“Yes.”
I walked down the corridor with the unit member, receiving a briefing on the guests’ circumstances.
“You should be cautious of guests from House Padros and House Obando.”
“Why?”
“Count Padros and the Countess of Obando are having an affair. Though the Countess of Obando is now a widow.”
“This is Father’s welcome ceremony. There must be no disturbance, so be careful with route management. What’s next?”
“The noble lady of House Solano purchased a love potion. We suspect it’s meant for the Clan Leader.”
“Assign a sharp-eyed member to watch the Solano noble lady.”
“Yes. And I’m embarrassed to mention this since it’s not certain, but….”
“It’s fine.”
The unit member lowered his voice and whispered.
I was listening to his account when—
“Yustea.”
Grandfather’s voice reached me.
I turned to see Grandfather and Marquis Sintus approaching.
I told the unit member “I’ll look into that matter,” then went to meet Grandfather.
“You’re already here?”
Grandfather responded with a slight cough instead of words.
“…?”
Wondering what the matter was, Marquis Sintus let out a low chuckle.
“Do you like the dress?”
“Ah.”
This was a gift Grandfather had given me for today’s party.
Not only were the lace and embroidery thread made entirely of gold thread, but precious stones were scattered like a galaxy along the hem of the skirt.
“Thank you so much for such a beautiful dress. Does it suit me?”
“Of course it does.”
Grandfather’s mouth spread wide in delight.
Marquis Sintus shook his head as if to say he couldn’t help it.
“I’ll escort you to the hall.”
“The honor is mine.”
As I spread my skirt and curtseyed, Grandfather laughed heartily and offered a gentleman’s bow.
Passing servants bowed their heads with smiling faces.
Marquis Sintus also smiled warmly.
And so we entered the hall.
The moment our arrival was announced, people swarmed toward Grandfather.
“It’s been so long.”
“Haha, you look even younger.”
I quietly withdrew from the scene.
I then made my way around the hall, thanking guests for their attendance.
From the moment I saw the guest list, I knew they were all remarkable people.
Not only northern nobility, but major families from the Archipelago also attended.
“Why can’t you hold the party in the Archipelago? You know how exhausting the gate travel is.”
Roji of House Olbera.
“Hello, Yustea. I came in place of my parents.”
And Guinevere of House Navarro also graced us with her presence.
“Thank you for coming.”
“I should be thanking you. You’ve taken on such a tedious task.”
Roji smirked and gestured toward Romeban, who was conversing with northern nobles in one corner of the hall.
Then she coughed deliberately.
“And… well, the fresh water and provisions… I’m grateful for those too.”
Roji raised her chin and spoke while pretending indifference.
The Great Famine had dealt a heavy blow to Olbera Domain.
Since Olbera Domain was not agricultural land, obtaining fresh water and provisions was difficult.
I had sold ample water and provisions to House Olbera.
“You’re too kind.”
“It seems the Great Famine didn’t hit you hard. While everyone else was dying, you all were doing well.”
Her tone was mischievous.
But knowing it was her way of congratulating me, I smiled.
That was when—
“That is precisely the problem.”
Several adult women approached us.
The woman leading the group, standing at the center, had striking golden hair and a curvaceous figure.
“I’m Julietta Obando.”
The eldest daughter of House Obando, a venerable family of the North.
“I’m well aware of House Obando’s reputation. Thank you for attending.”
The moment I finished my greeting, Roji spoke to Julietta in a barbed tone.
“What do you mean by ‘the problem’?”
“An unseemly incident occurred in Esgaroth. Yet you’re hosting such a lavish party in the midst of it.”
The unseemly incident referred to the matter of the Marquise and Javid.
The Marquise’s affair had been settled thus:
The Marquise and Javid embezzled military funds along with Border Count Menod.
The Imperial Palace noticed the embezzlement, conferred with Esgaroth, and conducted a secret investigation.
Evidence was found of the Marquise, Javid, and Border Count Menod’s family embezzling funds.
Since embezzling military funds—specifically funds for border defense—was a grave crime, they were detained pending trial.
‘We agreed that after the nation stabilizes, the Marquise and Javid would be recorded as having taken their own lives in shame.’
We were also able to cover up the incident where we infiltrated Border Count Menod’s castle and obtained the water key.
Roji replied with scorn.
“Attending such an unpleasant party. Quite an interesting choice.”
“To meet Yustea directly and offer guidance as an adult.”
Julietta smiled faintly and looked at me.
“I don’t misunderstand your feelings, Young Lady Yustea. Your father is a distinguished man that everyone would be proud to boast about.”
“….”
“But as I’ve said, this is not the right judgment. Had there been a lady of the house, she would have carefully explained the dangers of this party.”
“….”
“If you face any difficulties going forward, come consult with me. As a noble of the North, I’d like to help you.”
Roji let out a breathless laugh of exasperation.
Guinevere also shook her head.
Julietta’s intentions were transparent.
‘She wants to play mother to me and gain favor with Father and Grandfather.’
As evidence, Julietta was openly glancing at Grandfather.
That was when—
“I must disagree. The behavior of the Obando noble lady seems rather excessive.”
A woman holding a colorful, ornate fan approached.
She had a beauty mark near her eye and was as striking a beauty as Julietta.
I recognized this person well.
“It’s been a while. Now I should call you the noble lady of Esgaroth.”
She was from House Becker, one of the Seven Families.
More precisely, Sophia, the niece of Count Becker.
As I made a gesture of respect, she put her arm around me and looked at Julietta.
“It seems the noble lady is unfamiliar with the ways of the center.”
When misfortune strikes, one practices discretion—yet one deliberately hosts lavish parties.
To demonstrate that the family remains unshaken.
“I understand the provincial way of wanting to preserve tradition.”
In salon etiquette, this meant ‘What would you know, raised in the backwater as you were.’
Julietta’s face flushed red as she understood Sophia’s words.
“What…!”
“However, it’s not becoming to press a girl before so many people.”
Sophia took my hand and closed her eyes softly.
This time too, Roji’s expression was one of distaste.
Guinevere also sighed.
Sophia wasn’t genuinely concerned for me.
‘This one also wants to feign fondness for me and gain favor with Grandfather and Father.’
Sophia was equally mindful of Grandfather.
All eyes turned toward us.
I swallowed a sigh.
‘I knew it would be fierce, but this is worse than I expected.’
Well, Father was like a huge diamond that had fallen from the sky without warning.
Most men of Father’s age were already married.
But Father had no partner, and his status as Esgaroth’s heir was confirmed.
Even before his identity was revealed, he had the ability to create Irregulars.
There was no more appetizing prospect for unwed women of Father’s age.
“I-I think it’s too much as well.”
“No, at least let go of that hand first…!”
“Noble Lady, I’m from House Bazan…!”
The women’s voices grew increasingly louder.
It was like a marketplace commotion.
Roji and Guinevere whispered to me, who had lost all expression.
“When do you think they’ll start pulling hair? I’m betting three hundred gold that the Julietta woman does it first.”
“This is going to be a headache, Yustea….”
Should I pretend to faint?
As I entertained that thought, I swallowed a sigh.
This was Father’s formal introduction ceremony.
I couldn’t let a scene break out.
“Everyone, let me just—.”
Just as I was about to speak—
“W-what fine wine this is. The aging is excellent!”
As things began to grow loud, a woman who had been growing anxious cried out.
Her face was bright red, unaccustomed to raising her voice.
People looked toward her.
“I-I’d like to know about the wine….”
She spoke in a shrinking voice, both hands gripping the wine glass.
My expression brightened.
In noble families, when a child is born, wine is made.
And that wine is served at the child’s first public presentation.
Grandfather did not forget to make wine the year Father was born.
He kept it precious while waiting for the day his son would return.
So that lady had reminded people that ‘this is where Esgaroth’s heir is being presented.’
“This wine was made in the year my father was born. The grapes had an excellent harvest that year, so they ripened large and sweet.”
“I see….”
The previously noisy women fell silent and coughed awkwardly.
I gazed at my unlikely savior with gentle eyes.
“I am Yustea Cuaron Esgaroth.”
“Now it’s just Yustea Esgaroth.”
Grandfather approached with a warm smile.
The women straightened in respect.
I nodded.
“Yes, I’m Yustea Esgaroth.”
“I’m Ann Gneco. Count Gneco is my father….”
The women smiled silently.
Because Gneco was the smallest domain in the North.
“House Gneco is famous for distilling, Yustea.”
“Yes. The Baul Trading Company has done business with House Gneco. You’re especially renowned for your wine, aren’t you?”
The women’s expressions changed.
Now that Grandfather was actively participating in the conversation, they seemed to grow cautious.
Ann seemed anxious and began backing away.
“I-I was fortunate. When Madam Dia came to arrange trade, my parents were delighted. I… then….”
“Have you ever met the head of the Baul Trading Company?”
Grandfather asked with an exclamation of interest.
“From a distance. I don’t think they noticed me. That’s why I wanted to thank them if I could meet them today….”
“You came to see Mother?”
“It’s embarrassing, but we weren’t a wealthy family. Even less so before our dealings with the Baul Trading Company. But after our wine began being carried by the Baul Trading Company, orders piled up….”
Ann glanced at me nervously.
She really didn’t want to stand out.
“I, then….”
Ann quickly bowed her head.
That was the moment—
“Yusi.”
The moment a low voice reached me, the atmosphere of the hall changed in an instant.
Everyone’s gaze suddenly fixed on the man walking toward me.
Father had arrived.
Dressed in a jacket embroidered with Esgaroth’s eagle emblem, clad in formal Sacred Dress.
Color rose to the women’s cheeks.
Some gazed at Father with dreamy expressions.
Father was handsome by nature, but today he was truly breathtaking.
I was about to approach Father—
“Welcome—.”
“It’s an honor to meet you. I am…!”
“P-please allow me to greet you!”
The women rushed toward Father in a cluster.
In the surge, I was pushed aside.
My body collided with nearby people, and my wine glass fell.
“Eeek—!”
“Oh my!”
“Ah…!”
Wine spilled everywhere, staining the clothes of others besides me.
Ann, who had been closest, as well as Julietta and Sophia, who had been quarreling fiercely.
“Be careful. Do you know how much this dress costs….”
Julietta frowned and pulled out a handkerchief.
Sophia also wore an unpleasant expression, and Ann hurriedly brushed at her skirt.
I quickly apologized.
“I’m terribly sorry. I’ll prepare clean clothes. This way—.”
That was when—
“Treatment first.”
A cold voice cut through.
I looked up in surprise to see Mother striding toward me.
Mother scooped me up into her arms and spoke.
“You’re hurt.”
Blood was streaming from my foot, cut by shards of the wine glass.
Father’s expression hardened.
I hastily grabbed Mother’s shoulders.
“I’m fine.”
“Fine? You’re bleeding—!”

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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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