I Don’t Need a Dad Like This! - Chapter 48

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

【Chapter 48】

 

“Hyu. Rie is having such a hard time because of stupid Father.”

 

Just as Philip had said, Rie had returned to the present without exceeding a week, and she was letting out a weary sigh.

 

Grumble.

 

A ship’s horn-like sound echoed from her round belly.

 

She had eaten bread while taking short naps for three days, but it wasn’t enough for Rie, who was in the midst of her growth spurt.

 

“…I’ll just secretly eat some bread and then look for the auction location…!”

 

But life never goes as one wishes.

 

“My goodness, Rie. You look like someone who’s been homeless for three days!”

 

While sneaking toward the dining room, she ran right into Emilia, who happened to be walking down the corridor.

 

In the end, Rie, who had been scrubbed clean with soapy water, shook off the moisture like a wet puppy.

 

‘I don’t have time for this. I need to find out where the auction house is…’

 

But despite her urgent feelings, Rie was sitting on the sofa.

 

Because Mother said she would retie her twin braids!

 

‘I don’t have time but… just tying my hair should be okay, right?’

 

Rie squeezed her eyes shut.

 

This was a ‘well done’ stamp.

 

She had walked around diligently for three days, so… Rie, this much should be okay!

 

“Mother, Father. I actually have something to tell you.”

 

“What is it?”

 

Were Grandmother and Grandfather coming? Mother’s mouth became busy.

 

“Yesterday Duke Casselik came and gave me a document.”

 

“What does it say? Don’t tell me it’s another tedious contract?”

 

Hmm. Sleepy.

 

Having just been washed, Rie’s eyes slowly closed as drowsiness set in.

 

“It seems the Theodore Ducal House wants to select a company to supply southern region specialties… They’re holding an auction. How about participating in it?”

 

Of course, she perked up in one second at the word ‘auction.’

 

‘Our family is participating in an auction?!’

 

The notebook didn’t contain such information.

 

But… we’d need something to offer for that, wouldn’t we?

 

“Mother, Mother. We don’t have anything, so how can we participate in an auction?”

 

“Rie. Keep your face still. Your twin braids are getting crooked.”

 

“Huh? How can we participate in an auction?”

 

“Hmm. Rie doesn’t need to know.”

 

“But Rie is curious. Our family doesn’t have anything. So how can we go to an auction?”

 

Once Rie bit into something, she never let go.

 

As she shook her head this way and that, interfering with the hair-tying, Emilia finally sighed.

 

“Why would we have nothing? The Birdwell Family has been running a fig orchard since long ago.”

 

“Painter…?”

 

Mornaga was shocked to see Rie looking bewildered.

 

“Don’t tell me this little one doesn’t even know what our family does?”

 

Mornaga’s eyes sharpened.

 

Emilia sneakily avoided her gaze.

 

“At the Duke’s Castle… I had to be a bit careful…”

 

“Even so, how could you not tell our young blood about our family’s identity?!”

 

Bang!

 

Mornaga struck the floor with her walking stick and commanded.

 

“This won’t do. Participate in the auction immediately! We need to show Rie what kind of family we are!”

 

“…Yes. I’ll send the application form tomorrow.”

 

‘Huh? It seems like I might be able to go to the auction house?!’

 

Rie, who had been sneakily watching, transformed back into a question machine.

 

“Then who’s going to the auction house? With Mother?”

 

“Uncle will go.”

 

“Uncle? Rie has an uncle?”

 

Then Grandmother made an “oh my” sound and sat down next to Rie.

 

“Grandma should have told you earlier, I’m sorry. Rie has two uncles. They’re both busy so they can’t come to the manor often… but the uncle going to the auction house will come tomorrow.”

 

“He’s coming tomorrow?!”

 

“Yes. He stays at the orchard for about 3 months and occasionally comes home.”

 

After hearing that, the next day.

 

Rie, who had woken up at the crack of dawn, stood in front of the front door.

 

“Auction house Uncle. You have to go to the auction house with Rie…!”

 

After muttering with determination, how many hours had passed?

 

Clatter.

 

“Huh?”

 

Rie, who had been sitting on the floor dozing off, jerked her head up.

 

Finally, the front door opened.

 

* * *

 

Cedric seemed to have finally escaped from Ella’s death.

 

“Serena, thank you. You must be busy too, but thanks to your frequent visits, I think I’m getting better.”

 

“Don’t force yourself to say you’re okay. And I came because I really missed you, Brother.”

 

When Serena took Cedric’s hand, he sniffled through his reddened nose.

 

For several days, Serena had practically lived at the Marquis Mersilla House.

 

In fact, it was because the atmosphere at the castle had become ominous after the news that Mary had been imprisoned.

 

The fact that the child was a dark mage hadn’t been officially revealed, but since she had lived like mother and daughter with Mary, the Duke’s Castle felt like a bed of thorns.

 

It would be good to comfort her brother while she was at it.

 

However.

 

Cedric’s face, which had been blowing his nose with tissue paper, suddenly clouded with worry. He hesitated for a moment before asking.

 

“Um, I heard the news that Mary was a dark mage. Wasn’t she the child you discovered through your prophetic dreams?”

 

Good heavens, now I have to deal with Cedric too!

 

Serena let out a sigh.

 

“…Just before that, I had another prophetic dream. It turned out that Mary, that child, was a dark mage. I was greatly shocked too…”

 

“Really? Your prophetic dreams are truly remarkable. But Serena.”

 

“Yes?”

 

It was a moment when she tensed up, wondering if her lies had been discovered.

 

“If you have any troubles or worries, please tell your brother honestly. I… can accept whatever mistakes you make.”

 

Suddenly lowering his voice seriously, he gently stroked Serena’s hand.

 

This clearly seemed to mean that while he suspected her a little, he would still protect her.

 

‘Just because his lover died, he can’t even take care of himself, yet he’s worrying about me.’

 

She found such a Cedric somewhat annoying, but she hid her true feelings and smiled kindly.

 

“By the way, have you been taking walks and doing well lately?”

 

“…I hired a private detective this time. I’m going to find the culprit who poisoned Ella.”

 

A few days ago, the Imperial Palace physician’s investigation revealed that Ella’s cause of death was poisoning.

 

And this was naturally Serena’s doing, in collusion with Count Greenlenton.

 

“What?!”

 

Therefore, the news that he had hired a private detective was shocking.

 

“Why?”

 

“Oh, no. I was just surprised about the detective. Of course I understand your feelings, but… if you keep clinging to this case, it will only make things harder for you, brother.”

 

When Serena, who had unconsciously raised her voice, quickly put on deer-like eyes, he smiled weakly.

 

But in his unsmiling eyes, the desire for revenge for Ella was still burning.

 

“…It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have dragged Ella into this. Even if it takes years, I’ll find the real culprit and beat them to death with my own hands.”

 

‘What if that real culprit is your sister?’

 

Serena, who couldn’t bring herself to ask, stiffened. But her heart was pounding harder than ever.

 

Eventually, she had no choice but to return to the Duke’s Castle, but the only news she heard was of the Duke’s absence.

 

“His Grace is out again today. Since he married Madam so hastily, I thought he might stay at the castle longer, but it seems nothing has changed from before.”

 

In other words, it meant he was treating Emilia and herself as equals.

 

‘…Did I join hands with Count Greenlenton for nothing?’

 

Serena, who had been sitting alone on her bed biting her nails, suddenly realized.

 

The nails she had carefully maintained were now broken.

 

“Good heavens. To think I’ve… deteriorated this much.”

 

It felt like her world was collapsing.

 

In the past, she was called the flower and deer of high society. Now she couldn’t even manage a single nail.

 

She needed to devise a strategy.

 

To be able to dine with Casselik again.

 

No, at the very least, she needed to be evaluated as better than Emilia.

 

Ring ring-

 

That was when it happened.

 

When I turned my head at the sound of a bird behind me, a small bird sitting at the window side dropped something and disappeared.

 

There was a small note there.

 

It was sent by Count Greenlenton.

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