I Don’t Need a Dad Like This! - Chapter 32

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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 32】

 

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“The wedding incident was truly unfortunate, Duchess Serena.”

 

“Indeed. I’m talking about how Miss Ella screamed so loudly at the wedding venue. I thought she was some kind of poison frog! If she’s a criminal, she should accept her punishment. How could she think to drag the duchess into it?”

 

“It was difficult at the time, but I’ve gotten better these days.”

 

Serena thought she had made the right choice in participating in the tea time.

 

Although Casselik had told her to refrain from attending social gatherings for a while, being alone in the duke’s castle all day was driving her crazy with frustration.

 

Moreover, he hadn’t shared her bed even once since the wedding.

 

They couldn’t even go on their honeymoon because of the carriage accident, and she was upset that it wasn’t mentioned in the gossip magazines.

 

For various reasons, she had finally managed to participate in the tea time after several days, and she was undoubtedly the flower and center of attention at this gathering.

 

Slurp.

 

Serena took a sip of black tea with a satisfied expression.

 

“And you wouldn’t believe how much there is to do now that I’ve become a duchess. Managing such a vast castle is my first time. I’d like to learn various things from you ladies through this tea time.”

 

“Oh my, of course. Please ask us anything you’re curious about.”

 

“Speaking of which, Duchess. Then may we also ask you something we’re curious about?”

 

“Yes. Of course.”

 

Moreover, this time she was participating as a duchess, not as the marquis’s daughter.

 

How much will everyone look up to me?

 

‘It’s fortunate that Miss Ella directly bribed the mercenaries.’

 

There had been a small disturbance in between, but now things were back to normal.

 

However, Serena’s satisfied expression came to an end with one lady’s question.

 

“From what I saw at the banquet, it seemed like the Duke still has lingering feelings for Miss Emilia?”

 

“Oh my, why would you say such a thing!”

 

The people around fluttered their fans at the audacious question.

 

But they only pretended to stop her, without actually changing the subject or sternly warning her.

 

Everyone was curious about the relationship between Casselik and Emilia.

 

“Come to think of it, ahem. Duke Casselik was being quite clingy with Emilia.”

 

“That’s right. It must have been quite something for Rie to stop her father.”

 

The black tea she was drinking suddenly tasted bitter.

 

Serena, who had almost bitten her lip momentarily, barely managed to control her expression.

 

‘What happened while I was meeting with Cedric?’

 

“…Haha. It wasn’t being clingy, but rather he seemed worried.”

 

“Worried?”

 

“Yes. Even after the wedding ended and we returned to the duke’s castle, he talked about Miss Emilia and Miss Rie. He said it was almost a disaster, that they encountered such dangerous situation right after leaving the duke’s castle.”

 

People were somewhat convinced by those words.

 

“Well, that makes sense. Someone almost died, and if that person is your former wife, how uncomfortable would that be?”

 

“Now I understand.”

 

“…Haha.”

 

Serena, who said such things, was the most curious of all.

 

Was Duke Casselik still pursuing Emilia?

 

‘When I’m right here?’

 

She barely suppressed the urge to throw the teacup she was holding.

 

However.

 

“Then you’ve thoroughly discussed this plan to find a Time Ability User among the branch families this time?”

 

Crash-!

 

At the innocent question that followed, she ended up dropping her teacup.

 

“Be careful, Duchess!”

 

As people looked at her in surprise and checked her condition, Serena’s expression, which had briefly shown murderous intent, became docile.

 

“Oh. I’m sorry. My hand lost its strength for a moment…”

 

“It’s fine. You might get hurt, so please stay still. Someone clean this up!”

 

Watching the maids clean up, Serena thought blankly.

 

‘Not only the banquet incident, but now he’s searching for a Time Ability User without even telling me? Then what about my child who will be born?’

 

Absolutely not.

 

Just thinking about it was horrifying.

 

‘I didn’t want to use this method…’

 

Her clasped fists on her knees turned white.

 

That night.

 

Casselik, who had returned after completing his external schedule, rubbed his forehead.

 

He was more tired than usual because everything he had expected recently had gone awry.

 

‘I should go straight to bed.’

 

Skipping dinner, he immediately opened his bedroom door.

 

Someone was inside.

 

Someone sitting on the bed.

 

A cleaning maid?

 

But there shouldn’t be any maids cleaning at this hour.

 

“Who is it.”

 

When he asked in a cold voice, the black silhouette stood up as if only then realizing he had arrived.

 

Whatever the person was wearing, the silhouette of their body was brazenly visible.

 

Just as his brow furrowed involuntarily.

 

“Duke… you’ve finally returned!”

 

Serena emerged from the shadows and suddenly collapsed into his arms.

 

A nightgown that revealed every line of her body.

 

The thin bolero barely hung from the edges, fully exposing her white, slender shoulders.

 

‘What is this appearance…’

 

He was about to push her away immediately, but he realized that Serena’s body was trembling.

 

“What’s wrong.”

 

It seemed he should close the bedroom door first.

 

Serena was currently in a state that would make others frown in disgust.

 

“It’s, it’s raining… and there’s thunder… I was so scared. When I was young, I was playing with friends and got locked alone in a room. It happened to be when thunder struck, and ever since then… I get so scared just hearing the sound…”

 

As she said, it was raining outside. But that wasn’t a reason to come to this room.

 

“So without even a robe, you strutted through the corridor in that outfit and came to my bedroom?”

 

A pang of guilt.

 

Even at his pointed words, Serena shamelessly nodded her head.

 

“I’m sorry… I was so scared… I could only think of you, Duke…”

 

“Hah…”

 

Casselik sighed in disbelief. However, Serena took his sigh positively.

 

‘Seeing how he’s more silent than before, he must be nervous.’

 

Of course. Look how beautiful I am right now.

 

Serena’s last card was to visit this man in the middle of the night.

 

Men only showed no interest in her when they couldn’t see her face or when they weren’t in close contact with her.

 

And Casselik fell into the latter category.

 

‘No matter how much of a duke he is, if he’s touching me like this…’

 

Her white hand touching his firm chest subtly moved upward.

 

“So… would it be alright if we stayed together, just for tonight?”

 

The moment she raised her wing-like eyelashes to their fullest and tried to grab his shoulder.

 

“Don’t touch me.”

 

In the dark bedroom.

 

His eyes, stained with shadows, momentarily filled with contempt.

 

“I’m already holding back the urge to throw you out.”

 

“…What?”

 

At the unexpected reaction, Serena turned pale as a sheet.

 

Rumble-!

 

At that moment, massive thunder struck beyond the window.

 

Nevertheless, when Serena remained frozen in silence, Casselik’s low voice dropped even lower.

 

“You’re not scared. Even though there’s thunder.”

 

“…! No, I… I was so shocked…”

 

“If thunder scares you so much, bring the maids into your bedroom or hold a doll while you sleep. I’m already tired and don’t have the energy to play along with your games.”

 

“Du, Duke…! But we’re married!”

 

“A contract marriage. And you just broke the contract. I told you before not to cling to me without reason.”

 

“No, no. I was trying to create a child with abilities according to the contract…”

 

“Shut up and disappear. Before I tear up the contract.”

 

Whether he was truly angry, he growled softly.

 

Startled, Serena fled back to her own bedroom.

 

“Sob! Sniff. Sob…”

 

Even her remaining pride was torn to shreds.

 

“If I just leave this castle, there are plenty of men who would be desperate to even hold my hand…!”

 

Could it be that Duke Casselik isn’t a man?

 

‘How is it that even when I seduce him this much, he won’t fall for it?!’

 

With her wounded heart, she thought about actually getting a divorce, but he was the most successful and handsome man in the Chronos Empire.

 

No matter how much she thought about it, having him by her side seemed like it would shine the brightest.

 

Even if her own heart was torn to shreds.

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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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