I Don’t Need a Dad Like This! - Chapter 50

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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 50】

 

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The day of the banquet.

 

Serena’s heart raced at the thought of receiving people’s attention.

 

As Count Greenlenton had said, she needed to win over nobles who would participate in the auction together, but aside from that, it had been a long time since she’d attended a banquet.

 

“Lady Serena of the Theodore Ducal House is entering!”

 

When the gatekeeper announced her name, people’s gazes naturally focused on Serena.

 

A peach-colored mermaid line dress.

 

A light green gem necklace and earrings that resembled the color of her eyes.

 

When she appeared in the hall, it seemed as if the verdant green of midsummer was pouring forth.

 

“Oh my, how beautiful you are. It seems like it’s been a while since I’ve seen you, but you’re still as elegant as ever.”

 

“Hello.”

 

When she smiled with her eyes at the woman who had complimented her, the lady fluttered her fan and bowed her head.

 

People who had been hovering around began to gather one by one, drawn by Serena’s kind demeanor.

 

“I came because I saw a flower blooming in the middle of the banquet, and it turned out to be Duchess Serena. I am Baron Ritri.”

 

“Oh ho ho, what a joke. Baron Ritri, I’ll remember your name.”

 

Everyone was eager to talk to Serena.

 

In the midst of this, a man who appeared pushing through people’s shoulders asked.

 

“Duchess! I understand this banquet is attended by people related to agriculture, so what brings you here?”

 

The surroundings grew quiet at his question.

 

Despite pretending otherwise, they had been curious about why Serena was attending this banquet.

 

“It sounds like you’re saying I have no connection to agriculture, so I suppose I need to work harder.”

 

Serena said while tucking her abundant pink hair behind her ear.

 

“The reason I’m here is because of an auction that the Theodore Ducal House will soon host. No one knows the results of the auction, but I thought it would be good to make an impression on all of you.”

 

At those words, people’s eyes instantly sparkled.

 

“Duchess. Please take care of us. Our Greita Viscount Family has everything – mandarins, olives, oranges…”

 

“Duchess. I am called Baron Mentis. I operate a village-sized vineyard and produce Southern Region wine as a specialty…”

 

“Wait a moment, Duchess!”

 

‘Everyone’s so enthusiastic.’

 

Serena, standing calmly like the eye of a storm, took a sip of fruit wine and smiled sweetly.

 

People shouting, trying somehow to catch her attention.

 

It was truly a satisfying scene.

 

But then.

 

Through the bustling crowd, a massive silhouette caught her eye.

 

He must be about 190cm tall.

 

Not only was he tall, but whatever training he had done, his solid muscles could be felt even through the jacket he was wearing.

 

She wanted to see his face, but the man was tantalizingly showing only his back.

 

‘He must be a noble primarily involved in agriculture. Why isn’t he showing any interest in me?’

 

Suddenly curious, Serena asked the people around her.

 

“Who is that person?”

 

The people who had been glancing at the man burst into mocking laughter.

 

“There’s no need to even know his name. He’s just a man who runs a small orchard.”

 

“What kind of orchard?”

 

“Figs, but it’s really quite small in scale… Oh my, where are you going, Duchess!”

 

As if entranced, Serena moved her feet, pushing through the crowd to approach the man and deliberately bumped shoulders with him.

 

“Ah…!”

 

“I’m sorry. Are you hurt?”

 

“I should be the one apologizing. I wasn’t looking ahead for a moment and bumped into you…”

 

Serena, who had been grasping her delicate shoulder, closed her mouth.

 

When she met his blue eyes, it felt as if her breath stopped for a moment.

 

The man was much more handsome than she had expected.

 

His distinctive bronze skin added a wild charm, making it seem like she would naturally appear as gentle as a lamb when with him.

 

Barely managing to breathe, she smiled more prettily than ever and tilted her head.

 

“…It’s my fault. Are you hurt anywhere?”

 

“I’m not hurt. But I’m worried that you might be in pain, my lady. Is your shoulder alright?”

 

“It’s a little numb, but…”

 

“I’ll escort you to the medical room.”

 

“Oh, no! I, I saw you from afar and you looked very sturdy… Ah, I said that without thinking!”

 

Her heart was pounding.

 

It felt like she had become the female protagonist in a romance novel.

 

Of course, if only the man’s clothes and that strange brooch were changed.

 

‘That unfashionable brown jacket that doesn’t follow trends at all, and that rainbow flower-shaped brooch is a bit…’

 

So it felt even more like discovering a pearl buried in mud?

 

Serena introduced herself with a face that had turned rosy.

 

“I’m Serena of the Theodore Ducal House. May I know your name?”

 

Upon hearing her name, he stood there dumbfounded.

 

Surely this man was also surprised by her beauty.

 

In the Chronos Empire, the only man who hadn’t fallen for her was Duke Casselik.

 

“Serena… Duchess?”

 

However, the man’s face crumpled mercilessly.

 

“A person who is a duchess no less, making remarks to a man about having a sturdy body. Both husband and wife are equally filthy.”

 

“What? Wait a moment!”

 

Though Serena put on a pitiful voice, the man disappeared without looking back.

 

The people who had been watching them from around murmured.

 

“What kind of conversation did they have for that tall man to run away like that?”

 

“Don’t tell me… the Duchess approached him with strange feelings for another man?”

 

“Oh my, why would Duchess Serena do such a thing? She has a husband right there!”

 

“That’s right. Don’t say strange things. Why would a duchess who has Duke Casselik as her husband make advances on the eldest son of House Birdwell?”

 

The words that followed made it feel like thunder and lightning were striking inside Serena’s head.

 

‘My goodness. That man was from the Birdwell Barony?’

 

Of all the families to strike up a conversation with, why that one…

 

No, why did I have to feel my heart flutter for a man from that family!

 

Even her conscience was pricked by the mention of harboring feelings for another while having a ‘husband.’

 

If she continued standing here, it would only give them more to talk about.

 

Her face flushed red with shame, she hurriedly crossed the hall and fled to the terrace under the pretense of getting some air because she was drunk.

 

* * *

 

Nelson, who had hastily left the banquet hall, took a carriage and returned home.

 

Given his upright personality, he had intended to stay until the banquet ended, but he could no longer endure it.

 

A flashy woman had not only deliberately bumped into his shoulder but had also used her body to harass him.

 

And that woman turned out to be Theodore’s wife.

 

‘…I did well to leave.’

 

In fact, he was accustomed to such vulgar advances.

 

‘You run an orchard yourself? Perhaps it’s from doing farm work, but you have quite a solid build for a noble. Hoho.’

 

‘Would you like to visit our castle? If you come when my husband isn’t around, I’ll treat you to something delicious.’

 

Was it because he was from a baronial family? Or was it because despite being from a baronial family, he lacked economic power?

 

Some people openly tried to make him their lover.

 

Of course, Nelson had no complaints about his status or economic situation.

 

He loved his family and was grateful that he could maintain an orchard capable of supporting them.

 

But he was angry that even the woman who had divorced Emilia treated him in such a manner.

 

A short while later, at the Birdwell Barony.

 

Rie, who had been playing inside the house, perked up her ears.

 

She could hear Uncle Nelson’s voice from outside.

 

“Nelson, why did you come back so early?”

 

“It just turned out that way.”

 

‘It’s Uncle Nelson!’

 

Curious about whether he had worn the brooch she made yesterday, she ran pattering down the corridor.

 

There on her uncle’s chest, the rainbow-colored brooch was proudly displayed.

 

‘Heooooh-!’

 

Rie was so happy that she turned into baby talk.

 

“Clip-clop, clip-clop- Neigh!”

 

The child’s little nostrils flared high toward the sky.

 

If she could, she really wanted to become a horse and run around in the fields.

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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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