How to Replace Your Dad - Chapter 50

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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 50

 

What kind of nonsensical words were these?

 

Gaspard looked back and forth between me and Prince Luciano with a hardened expression.

 

He seemed too dumbfounded to speak.

 

I felt the same way.

 

I just stared at Luciano with wide eyes.

 

We did have a secret meeting. To make a deal.

 

But if he put it that way, wouldn’t people think it was that kind of secret meeting between a man and woman?

 

“You bastard, how dare you…”

 

“Is there a problem?”

 

“She was engaged to my brother!”

 

“The engagement was broken off.”

 

“Even so…!”

 

“That’s exactly why.”

 

Luciano looked at Gaspard with cold eyes.

 

“Don’t touch her.”

 

Ah.

 

So that’s why he deliberately used such provocative words.

 

Gaspard was a scoundrel. Even when I was the Andres Noble Lady, he laid hands on me.

 

Someone like him wouldn’t leave me alone while trying to curry favor with Esgaroth.

 

The proof was that he reached out to me as soon as we met.

 

But right now, I couldn’t create problems with Gaspard.

 

Because this was an important time for Father to establish his position.

 

It meant I had no choice but to endure it.

 

Luciano was blocking that using his own name.

 

“…”

 

I looked up at Luciano’s face.

 

I couldn’t read his thoughts from his neat features.

 

However, his gaze was sharp and direct. Like a beast before a hunt, or like the sea before a storm.

 

In the past, this kind of gaze frightened me.

 

I tried not to show it as I was taught, but my neck muscles would stiffen.

 

But human affairs were unpredictable.

 

Now his presence felt somewhat reassuring. My past self would find it absurd if she knew.

 

Luciano spoke in a flat voice.

 

“If you’re too afraid to challenge me, then go back now.”

 

“Who’s…!”

 

Gaspard shouted in a cracking voice, but Luciano no longer paid attention to him.

 

He grabbed my wrist and turned his back.

 

I was dragged along by him.

 

It was toward the carriage station he had told me about earlier.

 

“Uh, I can go by myself…”

 

“Do you think Gaspard will leave you alone if you’re by yourself?”

 

I looked back at Gaspard.

 

He was glaring at me as if he wanted to tear me apart.

 

I quickly moved closer to Luciano.

 

“Please take care of me.”

 

“Alright.”

 

I take back what I said about feeling somewhat reassured.

 

I felt very reassured.

 

That way, I was able to safely reach the carriage station.

 

After greeting him, I climbed into the carriage.

 

Just before getting into the carriage, I hesitated and looked back at him.

 

“Um, Your Highness.”

 

He looked at me.

 

I smiled sheepishly and said,

 

“When I first met you at the Imperial Palace that summer day, I thought you were a scary person. But now, if I met myself from that day, I’d want to tell her something.”

 

“…”

 

“That you’re not a scary person, but someone who knows responsibility.”

 

“…”

 

Luciano was silent for a moment.

 

After briefly lowering his eyes, he soon looked at me.

 

“You look pretty today.”

 

When I looked at him with a surprised expression, he smiled mischievously.

 

“The dress.”

 

I had been staring with wide eyes, but then I giggled.

 

“I’ll also tell her that you’re someone who makes heart-stopping jokes.”

 

“Alright.”

 

With that, I got into the carriage.

 

The carriage soon began racing through the night.

 

* * *

 

Luciano watched the departing carriage.

 

Only after the carriage completely disappeared from view did he quietly murmur,

 

“When I first met you at the Imperial Palace that summer day, I thought you were a scary person.”

 

“…It wasn’t summer.”

 

It wasn’t summer, Yustea.

 

“I’m Yustea. What’s your name?”

 

A man approached from behind him.

 

“The assassins employed by Prince Gaspard have moved to follow the carriage.”

 

“Bring me my sword.”

 

As expected, he was at a disadvantage.

 

Something you can’t even remember, I can’t forget.

 

* * *

 

The third day after the new year began.

 

I quietly gazed at Mother.

 

‘Healing is useless.’

 

I thought maybe Mother might wake up with healing.

 

I used my healing ability to its limit, but Mother didn’t wake up.

 

‘Are the doctors and clergy right?’

 

They said

 

there was nothing wrong with Mother’s body.

 

So they said she collapsed because of shock.

 

In other words, it was a mental problem.

 

‘They said Mother no longer wants to open her eyes.’

 

My past self didn’t believe it.

 

How could such a strong person like Mother give up on life?

 

But seeing that she doesn’t wake up even with the Saint’s healing, maybe they’re right.

 

Yuise hesitated with an expression that showed she didn’t know what to say, then spoke.

 

“How about trying a bit more? I can give you as much mana as you need…”

 

“Why waste it?”

 

“What a waste… what?”

 

“You don’t have unlimited mana either. It takes time to recover too. You can’t just pour it all out on something that won’t work.”

 

Yuise had a dumbfounded expression.

 

“Weren’t you sad?”

 

“I am sad. But being sad and wasting resources are different issues.”

 

“What the hell is your mental state made of?”

 

Of course, when Mother first collapsed, I thought the world was ending.

 

I couldn’t do anything and just clung to Mother.

 

‘But being a tragic protagonist is something only people with someone to lean on can afford.’

 

At some point, I realized.

 

That I had exactly 3 copper left in my possession.

 

It wasn’t even enough money to buy a single potato.

 

If I died, Mother would die too.

 

I was the only one who could care for Mother.

 

If I collapsed, I couldn’t protect Mother.

 

With that thought, I lived each day desperately. There was no time to be consumed by sadness.

 

That habit still remained with me now.

 

“It’s okay. I have no intention of giving up on Mother.”

 

The only fortunate thing about this world being a game.

 

Is that there are amazing items I couldn’t even dream of in my previous life.

 

Items that can wake Mother also exist.

 

‘The problem is they’re hard to obtain.’

 

So…

 

“I need to give Father tons of power so he can find them.”

 

“Well… that would be good for everyone, I suppose.”

 

“Yeah!”

 

When I clenched both fists and widened my eyes, Yuise chuckled.

 

“Prince Luciano said he found a caregiver and lodging for Mother. He said if I reply, he’ll come pick her up today, so I should contact him.”

 

“Shall I deliver the letter?”

 

“Yes. Secretly. Only you and I will know Mother’s whereabouts.”

 

“Alright.”

 

Yuise moved immediately.

 

I quietly prepared to send Mother away.

 

I cleaned her body with a wet cloth and massaged her.

 

I was doing just that when.

 

“Young Lady!”

 

Antonio’s voice came from outside the room.

 

I tucked the blanket around Mother properly and left the room.

 

“What’s the matter?”

 

“Some people came outside… sir!”

 

“People?”

 

Seeing Antonio’s surprise, they weren’t people related to the Irregulars.

 

Who could have come without notice?

 

I went outside the manor. Antonio followed behind me.

 

When I exited the gate, what I saw was a procession of carriages.

 

As I came out of the gate, the carriage doors opened all at once.

 

And the people who got out of the carriages were all women in their twenties or older.

 

They smiled brightly and approached me.

 

“Please forgive our rudeness in visiting so suddenly…”

 

“There’s a New Year’s service today, but the Noble Lady is still…”

 

“We heard you were at the manor, so we came thinking we could go together. If it’s alright…”

 

“How about going to the temple together?”

 

I thought it was a round song.

 

They glared fiercely at each other.

 

Judging by their unfamiliar faces, they weren’t high nobles.

 

Antonio whispered from behind.

 

“Young Lady, you’re popular.”

 

“It’s not me, it’s Father.”

 

“Huh?”

 

“They’re aiming to marry Father, so they’re being nice to me.”

 

“…Wow.”

 

Well, he is a desirable marriage partner.

 

Even though he’s illegitimate, he’s Esgaroth’s eldest son.

 

With only one adopted child, there would be no succession issues when having biological children.

 

Most importantly…

 

‘He’s handsome.’

 

Isn’t he the type that ten out of ten people would turn to look at?

 

With Father’s level of beauty, even if he begged, he’d become a popular charity spot.

 

They’re attracted but aren’t high nobles so they have no chance to meet him, so they’re targeting me instead.

 

One of the women smiled warmly and spoke up.

 

“Lady Esgaroth.”

 

“Oh my, Lady Cuaron would be the correct address.”

 

Another woman quickly interjected.

 

Then yet another woman…

 

“Stop it, everyone. Lady Cuaron, you must be startled. Oh my, your cheeks are flushed.”

 

“What are you doing? Touching someone’s body without permission. If you’re looking down on her for being adopted, I won’t forgive it.”

 

“Everyone, please don’t trouble the Noble Lady so much.”

 

“Hey. Don’t block Lady Cuaron.”

 

I remained silent.

 

Antonio, who had been watching this entire situation, muttered.

 

“This is insane.”

 

Exactly.

 

For now, I decided to send them away.

 

Luciano’s person would come to pick up Mother soon.

 

Plus, seeing their aggressive attitude, if I let them into the house, they definitely wouldn’t leave until they saw Father.

 

“I appreciate your thoughtfulness. However, attending service today is difficult.”

 

Then one woman quickly said.

 

“It seems the household is still quite busy. How difficult it must be for a young Noble Lady to manage the household alone without a mistress.”

 

“I’m grateful that you understand…”

 

“How about I help a little?”

 

She showed her dimples and spoke with a charming expression.

 

“I’m Moro Company’s daughter. From managing people to business operations, there’s nothing I can’t do. I’ll definitely be helpful.”

 

Then another woman frowned with irritation.

 

“Noble Lady, I’m the eldest daughter of Marquis Sena’s house, which runs the Imperial Newspaper. Wouldn’t I know archipelago affairs better?”

 

“I’m a former Imperial Palace administrator, so when it comes to paperwork, I’m extremely experienced…!”

 

“Please move aside!”

 

“Everyone stop. How much more are you going to trouble the Noble Lady!”

 

“Stop being hypocritical and get lost!”

 

“Get lost? Where does a young thing get off speaking informally!”

 

“Elder, step aside!”

 

Wow….

 

This is the first time I’ve seen nobles abandon their refinement to this extent.

 

It was chaos reminiscent of the market district.

 

‘I guess being too handsome can be troublesome too….’

 

I was sighing and thinking about how to handle this situation.

 

In the midst of this chaos, there was someone standing far away, hesitating awkwardly.

 

‘Huh?’

 

That brown-haired person has a familiar face.

 

But I can’t quite remember who it is.

 

As I furrowed my brow trying to recall, the women rushed toward me.

 

“I should be the one to help, right?”

 

“No, I should….”

 

“No, it’s me.”

 

Just as I was about to get swept away, Antonio shouted.

 

“Our Lord is at the marketplace! He has a drinking appointment with the Trade Union!”

 

“…!”

 

“…!!”

 

The women climbed into their carriages like lightning.

 

There was no pretense that they hadn’t come to see Father.

 

That actually made it more comfortable though.

 

In an instant, the carriages disappeared like a receding tide.

 

Antonio clicked his tongue.

 

“That was scarier than enemy soldiers charging with weapons.”

 

“…Was it okay to tell them Father’s location?”

 

“They looked ready to tear you apart, so what choice did I have? I can’t lay hands on women.”

 

“That’s true, but….”

 

Father is going to be in quite a predicament.

 

I thought that, but Antonio grinned sheepishly, so I just shrugged my shoulders.

 

* * *

 

Luciano’s person arrived discreetly at the manor.

 

I entrusted Mother to him, bowing several times to ask him to take good care of her.

 

And so he departed with Mother.

 

I couldn’t leave my spot until the carriage carrying Mother disappeared from view.

 

Yuise and Antonio, who had arrived at the manor with Luciano’s person, stayed by my side.

 

And when the carriage left, Yuise said.

 

“Who told those people where the Clan Leader was?”

 

“….”

 

I quietly wore a benevolent smile.

 

Then Yuise whipped around to glare at Antonio.

 

“The Clan Leader’s location is absolutely classified. Don’t you know that?”

 

“Those women looked like they were going to devour Young Lady….”

 

“The marketplace is in chaos! Every 100 meters the Clan Leader walked, women would fall over, pretend to sprain something and cling to him, and finally they grabbed each other’s hair and fought!”

 

Yuise glared at Antonio with eyes that looked ready to devour him.

 

Antonio quickly looked away.

 

“At least they didn’t charge with swords….”

 

“Do you know what people are calling today’s incident?!”

 

“What are they calling it?”

 

“The Beauty Tragedy.”

 

Wow.

 

That was quite a name.

 

Antonio got thoroughly scolded by Yuise, then received a communication from the Clan Leader and got scolded again.

 

After that, he put on his armor with a sad expression.

 

“Where are you going?”

 

“The Clan Leader told me to stop causing trouble and just guard him….”

 

I also agreed with assigning Antonio to Father.

 

Marquise Esgaroth and her son Javid now knew of Father’s existence.

 

There was no telling what dangerous situation might arise.

 

Antonio sighed.

 

“The Clan Leader might kill me when he sees me….”

 

If it was serious enough to be called “The Beauty Tragedy,” Father had every right to be angry.

 

“Should I come with you then?”

 

Antonio’s expression brightened.

 

Even in Quaron, Antonio would occasionally cause trouble, but when I was nearby, Father would be more forgiving.

 

Yuise frowned.

 

“Don’t spoil him too much.”

 

“I also want to buy some gifts for the clan members.”

 

“Then I’ll come too.”

 

“Is that okay?”

 

“I need to monitor whether he causes another incident.”

 

Yuise glared fiercely at Antonio while grabbing her sword.

 

So the three of us headed to the marketplace.

 

Carriages cannot enter inside the marketplace.

 

This was because accidents were frequent due to the crowds.

 

We got off the carriage and headed to the Trade Union office where Father was supposed to be.

 

Antonio excitedly looked around the marketplace.

 

“What’s that snake-like thing? What’s it carrying on its back!”

 

“That’s a cobra. A venomous snake.”

 

“What’s that tree that people are lining up to buy?”

 

“That’s not a tree, it’s baumkuchen.”

 

“Then what about that….”

 

“Just shut up for a bit.”

 

While Antonio and Yuise had that conversation, I walked lost in thought.

 

‘That brown-haired woman I saw earlier… she definitely looked familiar.’

 

It wasn’t someone I’d seen when I was Noble Lady Andres.

 

Then I must have seen her in the game.

 

But I can’t remember where she appeared at all.

 

‘Brown hair is too common.’

 

Just as I was groaning in frustration, Yuise looked at me.

 

“What’s wrong?”

 

“Among the women who came to the manor, there was a familiar face. But I can’t remember who it was.”

 

“What did she look like?”

 

“Brown hair, black eyes.”

 

“Was it Lena Campos, who used to be an Imperial Palace administrative official?”

 

“You recognized them?”

 

“They’re people trying to approach the Clan Leader. And for brown hair, there’s also Countess Santillan, the Alchemist’s sister….”

 

I flinched.

 

Something flashed in my mind at the mention of the Alchemist’s sister.

 

‘The real identity of the Alcain merchant is the Alchemist!’

 

Now I understand why I couldn’t remember her.

 

It’s because I never saw her directly.

 

She just looked familiar because she resembled her brother, the Alchemist.

 

‘But why did the Alchemist’s sister come to our manor?’

 

From how pale and nervous she looked, it seemed like she was forced to come to the manor.

 

Did her brother make her do it?

 

Why?

 

‘Wait, that brother’s specialty in alchemy is…’

 

It was the moment I thought of that.

 

Kiaaaak─!

 

A fierce cry rang out along with the sound of wings tearing through the sky.

 

Antonio and Yuise immediately rushed to my sides and drew their swords.

 

“Stay close. It’s monsters!”

 

Flying monsters covered the sky above the marketplace.

 

Crackle!

 

The monsters clashed fiercely with the marketplace’s barrier.

 

Yuise spoke with a hardened expression.

 

“They’re strange birds. Be careful, their wings are poisonous to the touch.”

 

Antonio clicked his tongue.

 

“How did rare monsters like strange birds get here?”

 

“…The strange birds didn’t come on their own. Someone summoned them.”

 

“What?”

 

The specialty of the Alchemist disguised as Alcain Merchant.

 

Monster taming.

 

Kaaang─!

 

The barrier shattered and the strange birds finally came pouring in.

 

The strange birds swarmed toward one place.

 

One place. That is, where I was standing…!

 

‘The Alchemist was targeting me!’

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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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