I Don’t Need a Dad Like This! - Chapter 27

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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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【Chapter 27】

 

Rie opened her startled eyes and hurriedly looked around.

 

That child’s trauma is because of you.

 

There was clearly no one there, yet it seemed like someone, whether male or female, was whispering right next to her.

 

Because of you, that child will never trust people for the rest of their life. Because of you, Philip.

 

“Aaaah-!”

 

Startled, Rie ran away frantically.

 

As the end of the Black Tunnel began to come into view, her relieved expression was just starting to relax.

 

“Eek.”

 

Suddenly tripping over something, Rie fell forward face-first.

 

“Owww.”

 

Her face, planted in the ground, stung and hurt. Making crying sounds unnecessarily, she pressed her hands against the ground and felt something moist.

 

“Oh… it’s grass.”

 

That’s right.

 

Before she knew it, she had passed through the tunnel and her surroundings were bright. Looking around, she could see a well-maintained lawn.

 

“Rie, where did I end up…?”

 

Forgetting about the pain, Rie got up while touching her reddened nose.

 

The sunlight was blazing. The clear sky was refreshing.

 

Good weather with good warmth.

 

“Villain! I’ve come to defeat you!”

 

“Muhaha, you tiny thing dare to defeat me? Come at me, Little Hero!”

 

Then came the sound of thoroughly excited voices.

 

‘Hero? Fun play?’

 

Turning her head, she saw Marquis Philip standing in confrontation with someone beneath the massive Royal Palace.

 

He was smiling and poking at someone’s body with a short wooden sword.

 

‘Looks fun…’

 

Just as Rie unconsciously opened her mouth and watched with envious eyes.

 

“Ah, Uncle. Poking there is cheating!”

 

The boy who got hit by the blade complained but then burst into laughter.

 

“Breaking the rules makes me a villain. Hiyah.”

 

“Ah! Uncleee!”

 

The boy’s identity was Jair.

 

* * *

 

Philip had resolved to be a good uncle to Jair.

 

His nephew, who was low in the line of succession to the throne, would not receive attention from the busy Emperor Darius and Crown Prince Silbert. Instead, he would grow up freely like himself.

 

He had developed special affection for the youngest prince, who was in a similar situation to his own childhood.

 

So he taught Jair what freedom was, and he would come to regret this for a long time.

 

* * *

 

“Wasn’t the successor decided to be Lord Silbert? But now you’re saying it’s Lord Jair?”

 

“Since ancient times, the Imperial Family’s successor has been decided by the Emperor. But this time, an oracle has come down. The new successor is Jair.”

 

Philip’s gaze trembled upon hearing the Emperor’s words.

 

The conversation between the two did not continue for a while, creating an uncomfortable silence.

 

God had directly chosen the successor. This was an unprecedented event in history.

 

But regardless of the circumstances, the oracle had been given, and the Imperial Family had a duty to carry it out.

 

This would be like a bolt from the blue for Crown Prince Silbert, who was probably still taking successor lessons even now.

 

Jair, who was suddenly designated as the successor, would also have to enter the Clock Tower in an unprepared state.

 

The Tower of Time.

 

Also known as the domain of the Time Observer.

 

Starting with the primordial Emperor who worshipped Chronos, the god of time, and expanded the Empire, his successors had inherited the ‘Time Management Ability’ for generations.

 

Swordsmanship, trade, culture, regional prosperity.

 

The reason the Chronos Empire flourished while possessing all these elements was thanks to this ‘Time Observer’ ability.

 

But this was both a divine blessing and a curse.

 

The ability to see someone’s future when making eye contact.

 

Though it was a tremendous ability that sounded frightening just to hear about, most emperors throughout history who possessed this ability secluded themselves in the Tower of Time due to unnecessary information that appeared even when they didn’t want to see it.

 

To make matters worse, when the ‘Time Ability Users’ of the Theodore Ducal House regressed and caused changes in history, they gained the additional duty of monitoring this.

 

But Jair, who was designated by the oracle, was too young to spend his time under this curse.

 

“Your Majesty, Lord Jair hasn’t even reached adulthood yet. They say that entering the Clock Tower makes one realize the Empire’s time of destruction and even their own death, so perhaps after he becomes a bit more mature…”

 

“I’m the one with experience, Marquis Philip.”

 

Philip had nothing to say to that sharp retort.

 

While he himself had enjoyed pleasant times as the youngest prince until receiving his marquis title, his brother had been cooped up in the Clock Tower the entire time.

 

“Once decided as the successor, it’s better to cut emotional ties with people as early as possible. If he becomes too close to others, it might actually make it difficult for him to function as a Time Observer.”

 

“So you’re telling him to cut emotional ties from now on? To tell a mere seven-year-old child to go into a room alone?”

 

“You, who grew up as the youngest prince and only knew freedom, could never understand. But this is right.”

 

It felt like a sharp dagger piercing his heart.

 

“Don’t come to the Imperial Palace for a while, and even if you happen to meet Jair, ignore him. Treat the Crown Prince with proper respect and don’t engage in personal conversation.”

 

“…”

 

“In the long run, that’s the path for Jair’s sake, Philip.”

 

“Yes, I understand.”

 

“Thank you, Sister.”

 

Emperor Darius nodded as he patted Philip’s shoulder with his thick hand, as if he truly meant it.

 

Philip, who had been gritting his teeth, slowly relaxed his facial muscles.

 

If that was the path for the Child’s sake.

 

He truly wanted to be a good uncle to Jair.

 

* * *

 

Although Philip had resolved to distance himself from Jair, Jair, unaware of this, visited his manor every day.

 

“Where is Uncle Philip?”

 

“He seems to be busy today as well.”

 

“It’s already been a month. You’re not hiding uncle somewhere, are you? No matter how busy he was, he always played with me at least once every three days.”

 

There was someone watching this scene with pity—it was Rie, who was peering into Philip’s memories.

 

‘…His Highness the Crown Prince looks lonely. Just like Rie when she lived at the Duke’s Castle.’

 

The hopeful expression wondering if perhaps they might meet today.

 

And the way his gaze dropped when he heard the butler’s words.

 

‘Crown Prince Jair is so very pitiful.’

 

Rie became dejected as she watched the boy.

 

And so it went into the second month.

 

While taking a walk in the Imperial Palace, Jair happened to run into Philip.

 

“Uncle, where on earth have you been?! I went to your house every day, but the butler kept saying you were busy… Anyway, look at this.”

 

The boy who had been grumbling with hurt feelings grinned broadly at his uncle.

 

“I hired a craftsman and made this clock myself. I made one for uncle too. Isn’t it cool?”

 

“Yes, it’s wonderful. I’ve been very busy lately. I apologize.”

 

Philip bowed his head.

 

The boy hesitated at his unusual attitude.

 

“What, what’s this? Why are you speaking formally?”

 

“Well, Crown Prince Jair is a precious person who will become Emperor before long.”

 

When Philip answered stiffly, Jair’s expression gradually hardened as well.

 

“What, I’m not Emperor yet. I haven’t even entered the Clock Tower, so don’t use formal speech.”

 

“That would be improper.”

 

“Don’t use it, I’ll make it an order. Don’t use it!”

 

“…”

 

“Speak casually right now. If you don’t, I won’t give you this clock.”

 

Despair crept into Philip’s gaze as he watched the child throw a tantrum.

 

“Really, I don’t have to give it to you? I made it myself!”

 

“…Yes. I don’t mind. And Your Highness, from now on when you see me, I would be grateful if you would address me as Marquis Philip.”

 

At those words, Jair’s expression finally crumbled.

 

“…Uncle, why are you acting like this? What did I do wrong?”

 

“You’ve done nothing wrong. Since Lord Jair has become Crown Prince, I’m showing the proper respect that should be given. Well then, I’ll take my leave.”

 

“Uncle, uncle. Don’t go! I said don’t go!”

 

After Philip left, sorrowful crying echoed through the Imperial Palace for a long while.

 

“Waaaaah!!”

 

Rie covered her ears at the cries overflowing with sadness and despair.

 

Why doesn’t anyone hug Lord Jair?

 

Why does everyone just kneel and wait for orders?

 

His Majesty only tells Lord Jair that he must become strong.

 

I need to hug him.

 

Lord Jair is crying.

 

He’s crying just like Rie used to long ago.

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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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