How to Replace Your Dad - Chapter 38

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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How to Replace Your Dad

Chapter 38

* * *

After getting off the boat, I looked back at Yuise.

“Did the Marquis’s wife leave?”

“She left as if she was running away.”

How strange.

I thought she would force herself to stay so it wouldn’t look like she was running away.

“More importantly, is she no longer grandmother but the Marquis’s wife now?”

“Once you’ve decided on a course, you have to be clear about it.”

I chose Marquis Esgaroth in front of grandmother.

I need to sort out even the way I address her to show ‘I’ve become the perfect lackey.’

When I said that, Yuise let out a hollow laugh.

“Trying to curry some favor, are we?”

“Even on tuna fishing boats there are navigator factions and first mate factions, right? Don’t the Irregulars have any?”

“There are cat factions and dog factions. The two factions fight fiercely.”

What a peaceful organization.

I smiled benevolently.

Yuise snorted.

“Anyway, good thinking. That damn old hag… Why were you making such a fuss holding that hot water bottle until you got burned, saying you liked that old hag?!”

Her voice rose as if she got annoyed while speaking.

“Still, the Marquis’s wife has good points. She’s a leader in high society, and she didn’t just hate my mother – she hated Stella’s mother even more. She doesn’t really like Stella either. Isn’t that strange?”

“Is that strange?”

“She’s like sunshine. She’s honest with her emotions, laughs easily, cries easily. Her outside and inside are the same, so she easily wins anyone’s favor.”

No matter how hard I tried, I could never be like that.

I once asked my older brother, the son Father had before marrying Mother.

We’re both half-siblings, so why do you dislike me but cherish Stella?

“Because Stella isn’t servile like you.”

“…”

“That kid doesn’t desperately crave to be loved.”

That’s what he told me.

I shook my head vigorously.

‘It’s okay. I don’t seek others’ affection now.’

Since I’ve painfully learned that some things are useless no matter how hard you try, I have no expectations whatsoever.

I just need to do my best with work.

In that context, I worked hard on this matter too.

‘I think I played the role of the Duke’s grandchild well.’

The Duke seemed displeased with Marquis Nevarro, who was bragging about his grandchild.

Since I played the Duke’s grandchild role well, now it was time for the next step.

I asked Yuise.

“What about the task I gave you?”

“You mean following Guinevere Navarro?”

“Yes.”

“She holed up in a secluded place. The lounge on the north side of the ground floor.”

“Guide me there.”

Yuise nodded and led me to the place she mentioned.

As she said, it was definitely a secluded spot.

I stopped at a place a little away from the lounge and told Yuise.

“Stay here.”

“There’s only Guinevere Navarro in the lounge.”

“Yes.”

“What if you get slapped while alone with her? …Well, it’s not that I’m worried, but if you come back beaten up, the Clan Leader and Antonio will grab me by the collar.”

“It’s fine.”

I said firmly.

Yuise called out to me as I walked quickly toward the lounge.

“I’ll be here, so if she raises her hand, shout immediately. Immediately. Got it?”

I just waved my hand and entered the lounge.

‘There’s really no need to worry.’

Creak.

When I opened the door, Guinevere was there as Yuise had said.

Sitting on the floor below the sofa without even turning on the lights.

“Why did that one come again… *sob*!”

Hmm. I knew this would happen.

Guinevere actually had a tender heart, so whenever report cards came out, she would hide in places like warehouses and cry.

She only looked haughty on the outside but wasn’t the type who could hit anyone.

“D-did you come to mock me?!”

“No.”

“Then why did you come… *sob*…”

“To change your shoes.”

“…What?”

Guinevere sniffled.

I closed the lounge door and turned on the lights.

Then I crouched down next to the sofa where Guinevere was.

“Your posture was strange when you walked. Your shoes didn’t fit and hurt, right?”

“…How do you know that.”

“You’re not the type to have bad posture in front of your respected grandfather.”

“Damn it…”

I took off Guinevere’s shoes.

They were so small they barely came off.

Her feet, hidden under her skirt, were a mess.

I carefully bandaged her feet with a handkerchief and put my shoes on her.

“No heels, and the size is roomy. I even stuff cotton in the toe area when I wear them.”

“Why do such a stupid thing?”

“Shoes are expensive, so I can’t buy them often.”

“…”

“Go apply medicine right away. You can’t let scars remain on your precious feet. Your parents would be upset.”

“…How do you know that too.”

Guinevere asked while sniffling.

“We were always the only ones left studying in the academy library, right? There were times when you fell asleep from exhaustion.”

“Yes…”

“They told me to contact them when that happened.”

“…Huh?”

“When I contacted them, your father would secretly enter the academy and carry you to your room.”

“…”

“So you never lost to me. You already had what I could never obtain no matter how hard I tried.”

“…”

‘If such a child says she was humiliated by me, how much would that father hate me.’

Winning the Duke’s favor is important, but not falling out of favor with more powerful people is equally important.

There are already plenty of powerful people who dislike me, so I can’t add Guinevere’s father to that list.

Guinevere, who had been staring at me blankly, suddenly had her face crumple with emotion.

Then she started crying like a child.

“How annoying.”

“Huh? Why?!”

I looked at Guinevere in surprise.

I was trying to be nice, but did I hurt her feelings even more?

What if she tells Father?

As I fidgeted restlessly, the girl cried even louder.

“Why are you being kind? I was mean to you, but you’re comforting me… Damn, now I can’t even resent you properly. Waaah…”

Guinevere suddenly pulled me into a hug.

Caught off guard by being embraced by my Academy classmate who had treated me like an enemy, I could only blink.

‘It wasn’t comfort, it was sincere though.’

Guinevere was now crying so hard she could barely speak.

I awkwardly tried to pat Guinevere’s back.

That’s when it happened.

“Miss, are you in here?”

The door opened and Guinevere’s maid peeked her head in.

She must not have stopped Yuise from coming in to check on the situation.

Then she froze upon seeing the crying Guinevere and me with my hand raised.

“What is the meaning of this!”

The maid pushed me away and embraced the crying Guinevere.

Guinevere, who had guarded her image like a fortress, was flustered.

She was a girl who hated being caught showing her crybaby and tender-hearted nature more than death.

But being caught crying seemed to have sent her into a panic.

The maid shouted angrily.

“Is no one there? Miss Guinevere has been…!”

Then Yuise, who was nearby, rushed in.

Yuise shielded me and asked.

“What’s the matter, Miss?”

The maid shouted furiously.

“What’s the matter? She raised her hand against our Miss! Isn’t that right, Miss? There’s no other reason why someone like you would cry like this!”

Guinevere stammered in confusion.

“That’s… I mean…”

Time was wasted as she hesitated.

Another sound came from outside the lounge.

It was the voices of the elders returning from enjoying the fireworks.

And among them was…

“What is this commotion?”

Marquis Nevarro, Guinevere’s grandfather, was also there.

Marquis Nevarro’s gaze moved in turn to me sitting on the ground, the crying Guinevere, and the maid glaring at me.

Having grasped the situation, his face twisted fiercely.

“What did you do to Guinevere!”

He shouted angrily.

Yuise wrapped her arms around my shoulders even tighter.

She began to be on guard in case his escorts attacked me.

“How dare you make my granddaughter shed tears. I’ll tear you limb from limb. What are you all doing!”

Sparks flew from Marquis Nevarro’s eyes.

Yuise muttered lowly.

“Give the order and I’ll cut them down.”

It was the moment when Yuise and the House of Nevarro’s escorts gripped their swords.

“No!”

Guinevere screamed.

“What?”

“Pardon?”

“Hmm?”

Marquis Nevarro, Guinevere’s maid, and the elders who had been playing spectator all looked at Guinevere.

“I, I was crying first. Yustea… Yustea came because she was worried about me…! Waaaah!”

Having shouted that, Guinevere buried her face in both hands.

Marquis Nevarro’s eyes widened.

He looked like he couldn’t even imagine his capable granddaughter crying alone.

“I was frustrated because things kept not going my way… I always lost to Yustea in grades, and I couldn’t make Grandfather proud… my shoes hurt… waaaah!”

“What did you say?”

“Because I was walking strangely… Yustea came to help me… sob… she changed my shoes and comforted me…”

“….”

“Since I have so many things… she said I didn’t lose… like that… I was really mean at the Academy… to Yustea… even though she can’t even get her father’s attention… I mocked her asking if there was any point in trying hard… sob…”

Guinevere, who was crying messily with hiccups, pointed at me.

“She knew all of that… but when I fell asleep in the library… she would contact my father. Watching Father carry me away… it must have hurt her heart… sob…”

“….”

Marquis Nevarro’s gaze turned toward me.

I flinched and clasped both hands together.

“I’m sorry for creating a misunderstanding. Um… I really wasn’t trying to hit her…”

“I apologize.”

“…Pardon?”

“I misunderstood Guinevere’s friend.”

“Ah…”

“I didn’t know my granddaughter had such a good friend.”

Marquis Nevarro approached me.

“My granddaughter’s benefactor is also my benefactor. House Nevarro will treasure your heart.”

Then Guinevere also approached while sniffling and stretched out her arms.

“Thank you, Yustea… As Grandfather said, you’re my best friend.”

I glanced at Yuise.

‘What is happening here.’

‘It’s a royal straight flush.’

Yuise said with her eyes.

I turned around and hugged Guinevere.

“Of course. Guinevere.”

“Yes. Yustea!”

The elders watching from around nodded their heads with moved expressions, saying “Yes. Yes.”

I had inadvertently become a benefactor to the previous head of the Seven Families and the best friend of Guinevere, who would be the future successor.

A royal straight flush.

In other words, it was a huge gain.

* * *

Guinevere held onto Yustea for quite a while.

The elderly men, whose tear ducts had weakened, rubbed their noses while appreciating the touching scene.

Marquis Nevarro left the lounge without disturbing the two girls.

There were quite a few people outside the lounge as well.

The knights of Esgaroth standing ready and Marquis Esgaroth with his hands behind his back.

Marquis Esgaroth spoke with a smile.

“You saved your life.”

That damn bastard.

He had been prepared to start a sword fight the moment they dragged Yustea out.

Marquis Nevarro snorted and said with a scoff.

“Yustea must really be a noble person. Seeing how they spared your life.”

“That’s why she should be treasured even more.”

“I was being sarcastic.”

“What harm is there in being sarcastic with the truth?”

“If you had been even half as kind to me as Yustea was during our Academy days, we could have been friends.”

“I don’t have a hobby of keeping idiots around.”

“What? This guy really…!”

Marquis Nevarro, who was about to shout angrily, let out a deep sigh.

“I owe Yustea a debt, so I’ll hold back.”

“For once, that’s not a stupid decision.”

Marquis Nevarro gestured frantically at his guards who had been tensely gripping their swords while watching Esgaroth’s knights with their weapons drawn.

Then he approached Marquis Esgaroth and asked.

“But really, what’s the relationship between you and Yustea? You’re going to have your son Javid adopt her? Will the Marquise stand for it?”

“Who knows.”

“She’s an illegitimate child. An illegitimate child. What did she eat to have such strength…”

“Shut up.”

“Just tell me something. It doesn’t seem like an ordinary relationship.”

The two old men chatted away as they crossed through the night.

* * *

I returned with an utterly exhausted face.

The clan members were shocked when they heard I had gone all the way to Luna Hardin just to buy clothes.

“Why on earth?!”

“Yeah. A walk…”

“What kind of walk is 450 kilometers…?”

“I took a portal…”

Even with a portal, it was still an enormous distance.

It’s about the distance from Seoul to Jeju.

Thanks to that, I was incredibly exhausted.

So exhausted that I almost missed the Clan Leader saying with a cold face,

“Damn old geezer.”

I barely managed to wash up before collapsing onto my bed.

I fell asleep like a blown fuse and couldn’t wake up until past noon the next day.

And at noon, something even more surprising than yesterday was waiting for me.

The castle carriage station was packed to bursting with cargo carriages.

Dragged out by an excited Charlie, I asked in bewilderment.

“So what is all this…?”

“Those 200 pairs of shoes were sent from the Nevarro Ducal House. And all those clothes were sent from Esgaroth Mansion.”

“…Why?”

One dressing room wouldn’t even come close to holding this amount.

Moreover, every single piece was clothing with jaw-dropping prices.

Charlie shrugged his shoulders.

“Who knows. Hey, stop poking around, you guys! One outfit costs three years of our salary!”

“What?!”

Antonio, who had been trying to touch the clothes among the clan members, quickly backed away.

“One ribbon costs 2,200 potatoes… 2,200 potatoes…”

He muttered.

Yuise pushed the dazed Antonio’s face away and approached me.

“See? It’s a royal straight flush, right?”

“I understand that Marquis Nevarro bought and sent a bunch of shoes to replace the ones he gave to Guinevere, but why did Marquis Esgaroth?”

“Ah, that.”

“What is it?”

“When you first entered the room, Guinevere mistook you for a maid, remember?”

That’s right.

She had told me to receive the Marquis’s clothes.

Yuise said while lifting up a dress.

“It’s because of that.”

“Why?”

“Grandfathers originally can’t stand seeing their grandchildren being looked down upon anywhere.”

Is that so?

My late grandfather couldn’t stand being looked down upon himself more than seeing his grandchildren being looked down upon.

I was thinking such thoughts when it happened.

The clan members all stepped back at once to make a path.

The people who walked down that path were the Clan Leader and the Deputy Clan Leader.

“Hello!”

“….”

He stared intently at the cargo carriages.

Wondering why he was acting that way, I looked at the Deputy Clan Leader, who smiled awkwardly and said.

“A letter came from the citadel this morning…”

“A letter?”

“Yes. The, the contents were…”

Then Antonio said “Ah.” and spoke.

“If she says she prefers grandfather over father, send her to my castle immediately.”

Then he looked at the Deputy Clan Leader and said.

“That’s what it said, right?”

The Clan Leader’s face was cold.

He said.

“Do you like clothes?”

“…?”

“You like handsome things, don’t you.”

Suddenly, I remembered the conversation I had with the clan members in the cave when we first met.

When asked who I would follow to go to the homeland, I chose the Clan Leader.

“You’ll regret it. The Clan Leader’s group takes a different path from other groups.”

“Still, I prefer being by the Clan Leader’s side.”

“But why!”

“Well, that is… because he’s handsome?”

I went because I knew the Clan Leader would become a future duke, trying to build rapport along the way.

But I couldn’t say that, so I made the excuse that he was handsome.

Of course, even now I can’t really say it was just something I said off the cuff.

“I do like… handsome things.”

Then the Clan Leader said.

“I’ll continue being handsome.”

“…?”

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