I Don’t Need a Dad Like This! - Chapter 30

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

【Chapter 30】

 

Philip, who had barely escaped from the people, was leisurely drinking wine.

 

“Mar-quis!”

 

“Rie, you said you were going for a walk?”

 

“Yesh. I finished my walk and came back.”

 

Rie lied, pretending she knew nothing.

 

Her heart was pounding!

 

“And, I have something to give you, Marquis.”

 

“To me?”

 

Philip pointed to himself as if surprised.

 

Rie rummaged through her pocket with an expectant face and pulled out the clock.

 

“Oh no!”

 

Slip.

 

The watch chain, too big for the child’s hands, slipped down, and the child opened her mouth in surprise and caught it.

 

Fortunately, it was fine. Phew, she breathed and held it out to Philip.

 

“Rie found this while walking. I’ll give it to you, Marquis.”

 

Of course, it was a secret that she knew what kind of relationship Philip and Jair had after seeing their past.

 

If it was revealed that she had found the clock using her time ability, Rie would inevitably be dragged away by Father!

 

“…”

 

However, Philip, who had frozen since Rie took out the clock, just looked shocked.

 

Covering his mouth with his large hand, he asked in a slightly choked voice.

 

“This was in the forest?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Do you know what this is?”

 

“No. It was pretty.”

 

At that, Philip almost lost the kind expression he had been struggling to maintain at the child’s innocent answer.

 

In fact, he had been planning to ask Emilia, who was conversing with the ladies, for permission to return to his residence first.

 

It was only after seeing Jair’s still hostile attitude that he realized.

 

That he had done wrong.

 

‘You, who grew up as the youngest prince and only knew freedom, would never understand. But this is right.’

 

Jair was a Time Manager, but he wasn’t the Emperor.

 

The young boy still had his own life, and Philip had overlooked that.

 

‘Good heavens.’

 

A shadow fell across his face.

 

“Oh. Marquis. Are you okay?”

 

The child, who keenly noticed Philip’s change in expression, fidgeted anxiously.

 

But Philip couldn’t bear to see innocent children become sad.

 

So, he had to treat Rie, who was in front of him, differently from Jair.

 

“Rie. Can you listen to uncle’s story?”

 

“A story? Rie loves stories!”

 

A moment later.

 

Philip and Rie, who had moved to the tea table, sat side by side.

 

He told the child everything that had happened with Jair.

 

And he pushed the clock across the table.

 

“…I’m very grateful for the gift Rie gave me, but uncle doesn’t deserve to have this clock. It’s too late to apologize to Crown Prince Jair.”

 

There.

 

This should be enough for Rie to understand.

 

But.

 

“But, Marquis. The clock is still moving.”

 

“What?”

 

A small hand pushed the clock back toward Philip.

 

“Maybe Crown Prince Jair is waiting for you to come to him, Marquis. Rie too. Even though Rie really, really hates Father, deep down… Rie thinks it would be nice if Father apologized to Rie.”

 

“…”

 

“Rie just thinks about it. Because Father would never do that. But, Marquis, you can apologize to the Crown Prince.”

 

When Philip didn’t take the clock, the child placed it on his palm.

 

And she tightly grasped Philip’s trembling fingers with her small hands.

 

“Because Marquis Philip is a kind person.”

 

A pure heart that he could hardly dare to repay overwhelmed him.

 

The small but significant warmth of the child spread between his fingers.

 

Rie was right.

 

His claim that it was too late to approach was nothing but an excuse to avoid getting hurt by Jair.

 

“…Then, about the clock Rie gave me. Would it be okay if uncle returned it to Crown Prince Jair?”

 

“Of course!”

 

Along with her spirited answer, a tiny fist clenched tightly.

 

The child cheered while waving both arms vigorously.

 

“Uncle, fighting! Rie will be watching!”

 

“Haha. Getting cheered on by Rie gives me strength. Thank you.”

 

Now that he had made up his mind, there was no more hesitation.

 

Philip went to find Jair with Rie’s encouragement.

 

* * *

 

Jair, who had coincidentally followed Rie, ended up facing an unexpected person instead of her.

 

“Crown Prince Jair.”

 

“What.”

 

“…The clock you tried to give me before, some child found it and gave it to me.”

 

Saying that, Philip held out the familiar clock.

 

Jair’s eyebrows twitched at the sight of it.

 

‘Finally, Marquis Philip spoke to Lord Jair!’

 

Meanwhile, Rie, who was hiding nearby, secretly watched the conversation between the two men.

 

Thump thump.

 

Philip, who had been staring intently at the clock he held for a while, opened his mouth.

 

“…I suddenly changed my attitude toward Lord Jair because I thought you needed to maintain dignity befitting your future role as Emperor. But my judgment was wrong.”

 

“…”

 

“Whether Crown Prince or Prince, Lord Jair is my precious nephew. We may not be able to return to exactly how things were before, but would it be alright if I greeted you from time to time?”

 

‘Zing.’

 

An apology that was touching just to hear!

 

Rie was moved, but Jair’s expression remained sullen.

 

Don’t tell me he won’t accept it?

 

While she was anxious about what would happen, Jair’s gaze, which had been looking up at Philip, turned to the right.

 

Directly toward Rie.

 

‘Huh?’

 

How did he know I was here?

 

The corners of the boy’s mouth curved slightly as he stared intently at Rie for a while, wondering what he was thinking.

 

“Fine. I’ll accept your apology.”

 

“…! Thank you.”

 

In fact, Jair’s anger toward Philip had been largely offset.

 

Through Duke Casselik’s several regressions, living for 10 years in a child’s body, he had roughly come to understand adult circumstances.

 

He had simply maintained a distant relationship with him to avoid changing the predetermined future.

 

‘It’s not a future I changed, so it doesn’t matter, does it?’

 

“But give me the clock during the next tea time. Come with Rie.”

 

Jair suggested with a slight smile.

 

Rie, who had been secretly watching, immediately tilted her head in confusion.

 

‘Huh?’

 

* * *

 

[【Breaking News】 Carriage attack incident involving Marquis Philip and accompanying nobles. Is Ella from the Melmont Family the culprit?]

 

[【Breaking News】 Carriage attack, assailants’ blades seized in an instant. Who is the hidden hero?]

 

[Marquis Philip, even after the banquet ended, only with Emilia and Rie. What is the relationship between the three?]

 

[Is divorce court star Rie’s new father Marquis Philip? Old father, already forgotten…]

 

The gossip magazines wouldn’t let go of ‘Rie’ even a month after the wedding had ended.

 

“Sigh…”

 

This was why Casselik was reading gossip magazines every week, despite having no interest in them before.

 

After the wedding, he had been suffering from insomnia.

 

He had thought that seeing the child at the banquet would lessen his lingering feelings, but unfortunately, he had witnessed her acting far too friendly with Marquis Philip.

 

Seeing that sight made his displeasure spread in a different direction.

 

‘The Marquis likes to walk holding hands with Rie.’

 

‘….’

 

‘Father wouldn’t like it though.’

 

Marquis Philip was better just because of something as simple as holding hands?

 

If that was all it took, he could have done that too.

 

The reason he hadn’t was simply because there had been no need to.

 

He had provided everything else.

 

The finest living environment, the finest education, the finest clothes and food.

 

Wasn’t this enough to make him the best caregiver?

 

“Your Grace. The certificate you sent last time has been confirmed by the court.”

 

Casselik’s thoughts were interrupted by his assistant’s report.

 

“Then the suspicion that Serena was the culprit has been somewhat resolved?”

 

“Yes. Miss Ella’s trial will continue, but the Duchess can be considered completely cleared of suspicion.”

 

“That’s fortunate.”

 

He had witnessed through his time ability the past where Ella had hired the mercenaries.

 

That certificate was submitted to the court, and the court, which recognized his time ability, withdrew the summons for Serena who had been about to be called to trial.

 

It was then.

 

“…Then does the court believe in my innocence too?”

 

A cautious voice crept out from the direction of the door.

 

Serena, who had been eavesdropping on the conversation from outside the office, asked while clasping her hands together.

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