I Don’t Need a Dad Like This! - Chapter 3

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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 3】

Honestly, Rie couldn’t understand what Mother saw in Father that made her want to marry him.

She knew Father was an impressive person, but to Rie and Mother, he was a complete failure as a human being.

‘I don’t need a father like that. This time, Rie and Mother will live together, just the two of us!’

Even though they wouldn’t be able to live in a magnificent castle or eat meat every day, Rie would be much happier living with Mother even in a single room.

If this was around the time volume 2 of 【That Scoundrel】 came out, it would be when the two were just preparing for divorce.

Before Mother left the castle, Rie had to find a way to leave together with her.

Rie turned her head around while sitting in her chair.

“Maid Sister. Where did our Mother go?”

“Pardon?”

The maids’ eyes widened at the sudden question.

And for good reason, since Rie never asked questions first normally.

“Um… she went out saying she had business with His Grace, and she’ll probably be back within an hour or so.”

The times Mother had gone out together with Father could be counted on one hand.

Then today must be the day she first went to court to say “We want to get divorced~!”

Mother had told her later that she had actually done that on that day.

“They’re getting divorced?!”

“Pardon?”

The flustered maids glanced at each other.

How does this little child know about such things?

“Well, um, they said they’re doing it today…”

There wasn’t much time.

Rie’s eyes grew even bigger.

“Then this isn’t the time to be sitting around. We need to hurry and prepare a celebration party!”

“Pardon? A cel-celebration party?”

“Yeah!”

In her previous life, what Rie loved second most after Mother was parties.

Just once, her birthday party that was held at the Duke’s Castle.

Although she didn’t receive congratulations from Father and Aunt Serena.

‘If we hold Rie’s birthday party modestly, it would make the Ducal House’s prestige look diminished, wouldn’t it…? Make the party as luxurious as possible!’

At the luxurious party hosted by Serena’s orders, Rie was able to receive congratulations from her friends.

‘Happy birthday, Young Lady!’

‘Congratulations!’

Being congratulated for being born was such a joyful thing.

Because Rie thought that Mother had been abandoned because she was born.

“So, Rie. Mommy will throw you a celebration party!”

Rie bounced off the bed and ran outside excitedly.

* * *

At that moment.

“I hereby certify that the two parties are legally divorced.”

Bang, bang, bang-

The Judge’s gavel separated a man and woman.

The two appeared to be a well-matched couple on the surface, but had just become strangers.

After the trial ended, Casselik quickly exited the building with his long strides.

“Ride in the carriage with me.”

Suddenly saying something he’d never said before.

‘Why?’

They had always taken separate carriages.

“…Yes.”

But Emilia had no right to refuse. Even if it was after their divorce.

“The child’s custody will be my responsibility as written in the contract.”

And as expected, he brought up the contract as soon as they got in the carriage.

Everything was according to the contract.

In the end, Rie was determined to be powerless in the ability test and Casselik demanded a divorce.

However.

“…Your Grace. I know saying this violates the contract, but couldn’t I stay by Rie’s side just until she turns five?”

Having made a big decision, Emilia swallowed hard.

“When I signed the contract, I never thought we’d be separated when she was this young. I thought I’d at least raise her until she became an adult…”

Unable to continue, she watched his expression.

The man sat aloof like an outsider not participating in the conversation.

“…Of course, I don’t mean to act as the duchess in the castle. I’d be fine just staying quietly in a guest room until the child grows up a little more…”

“Serena is moving in tomorrow.”

Their eyes finally met.

“I doubt she’d be pleased to have an ex-wife living in the house.”

“Ex-wife, ah.”

A moment of silence passed.

Emilia wasn’t stupid enough to ask if he was referring to her.

When her mouth finally closed, Casselik seemed to think the conversation was over and looked out the window.

It was an expected divorce.

However. While noble marriages weren’t bound by love to begin with, she thought their relationship at least wouldn’t deteriorate enough to warrant divorce.

He was cold but treated his wife well, and during their marriage he never looked at another woman.

Of course, only until Rie took the ‘ability test.’

‘I never thought he’d already find a woman to bear him children before the divorce process was even finished.’

A bitter taste lingered on her tongue.

Though she didn’t want to know, she thought she understood why Casselik’s business had grown to imperial scale.

Because he was that cold and calculating.

With that uncomfortable silence, the carriage arrived at the Duke’s Castle.

Just as she was about to hastily chase after the man who always showed only his back.

“Lady Emilia’s belongings have been packed in the carriage.”

The maids who suddenly blocked her path bowed politely.

It was a clear order to leave.

Emilia’s breathing quickened in panic.

Could it be that he had ordered them to pack her things while they were at court?

This quickly?

When she wasn’t prepared at all?

“…Please let me see my child’s face one last time.”

At Emilia’s desperate request, Casselik nodded without even looking at her.

After dismissing the maids, she took a deep breath in front of Rie’s door.

“…Hah.”

Her heart trembled anxiously.

How should she tell the child?

Even though she was too young to understand, the atmosphere in the castle had grown tense, so she might have guessed something.

‘How do I explain the word divorce?’

She squeezed her eyes shut and bit her lower lip.

‘Because I’m the daughter of a baronial house with nothing to offer.’

If she had been the daughter of a marquis house, or at least if her family had been a count family.

At least she could have taken Rie with her.

‘Rie. I’m sorry for being such a pathetic mother.’

She blinked her bloodshot eyes deliberately, took one last deep breath, and opened the door.

“Mama! Congratulations on your divorce!”

Pop-!

The crude sound of fireworks burst in her ears.

And.

[Escape from the Shit Carriage! New Life Begins!]

Large letters written in crayons were stuck on the wall on paper.

The child knew more than she had thought.

* * *

Ppuppuuuburuuk.

Along with excited cheers, the sound of air escaping made a deflating noise.

Thud.

The balloon that had fulfilled its role fell to the floor, and Rie came running toward her.

“Mom, congratulations!”

“What?”

Thud.

Emilia’s mouth fell open as she caught the child who threw herself into her arms.

She didn’t know how to process this situation.

The room was filled with pieces of cut-up colored paper.

Apparently trying to create a party atmosphere, the teddy bear placed under the bed was clumsily wearing a paper ribbon.

On the children’s table, cookies were arranged as if requested from the maids, along with half-spilled milk.

And the grand banner.

“…Trash carriage escape?”

Trash carriage. She had heard that the maids these days called worthless men that way in the novels they read.

Could she be referring to Casselik?

Her eyes naturally narrowed.

“Mom, Mom! Hold me! Hold Rie!”

Regardless, Rie rubbed her cheek against Emilia’s chest and clung to her persistently.

“…Mm. I’m holding you.”

“Mommy. Don’t die. Live with Rie forever. Okay?”

Even though she had been excited just moments ago, she suddenly teared up and pleaded with her.

‘Why is Rie acting like this today?’

Recently, Rie had been living in a dejected state.

Even though she was just a young child, her feelings would naturally be complicated.

Although everyone hushed about it, after Rie was determined to be powerless, people had unknowingly treated the child carelessly.

‘She might have overheard the knights or maids talking.’

But Emilia hadn’t expected to receive congratulations like this.

No. She might not have understood what was going on and just wanted to play party games.

“Rie. By the way, why did you write ‘trash carriage’ on the paper?”

After stroking the child’s head, she set Rie down on the floor.

Then the child placed her hands on her hips and proudly stuck out her little belly.

“That word, you see. I heard it from the maid sisters, and it refers to men who aren’t qualified to be boyfriends.”

Oh my goodness. She actually knew what it meant when she wrote it?

Emilia quickly closed the door. Then she knelt down and lowered her voice.

“Are you talking about Daddy?”

She couldn’t stop people from gossiping privately, but if someone saw Rie, his daughter, saying such things?

‘They’d scold her for being immature.’

She might get scolded even more severely since she’d be alone.

Hoping the child would be safe even after she disappeared, Emilia deliberately made her voice stern.

“Did the maid sisters call Daddy a trash carriage? Who said Daddy was a trash carriage?”

But the child blinked without showing any sign of fear.

“Mom.”

“Yes?”

“I never said I was your father first.”

“Huh?”

No way.

Emilia’s face hardened as she realized something.

“…Hi.”

Seeing the child’s cunning smirk, Emilia realized.

She had fallen for that trick.

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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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