I Don’t Need a Dad Like This! - Chapter 84

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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 84>

 

Just thinking about it made his eyes widen with joy, but he shook his head to regain his composure and returned to reality.

 

“If you’re calling for us, we’re grateful, but to dare seek employment at the Duke’s house… These are children who haven’t learned anything yet. As Your Grace knows best, this place has the second-best working conditions after the Imperial Palace, so the competition is fierce.”

 

“…Right. There are certainly conditions.”

 

“Ah, I thought so…”

 

Tom’s voice, which had unconsciously held some hope, became as small as an ant’s.

 

But then.

 

“You just need to do what you did for Rie.”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“Like when you secretly gave her cream bread, just treat the child warmly like that.”

 

“What? Good heavens, how did you know! Ah, Your Grace is a Time Ability User! But still, I really gave it to her secretly!”

 

Surprised by the unexpected answer, Tom changed expressions constantly as he flustered about.

 

Casselik thought that reaction looked quite foolish, but he didn’t bother to restrain him or show any discomfort.

 

He had now realized that transparency was better than pretending to be competent on the surface while badmouthing the child behind her back.

 

“The child lives at the Viscount’s house, but if there are days when she comes to the Duke’s Castle like now, she’ll need a dedicated maid. Someone who won’t educate or nag her, but will play with the child and assist her. That’s all. How many daughters do you have?”

 

“Four!”

 

“Tell them to visit if they’re interested in working as maids.”

 

“Th-thank you, Your Grace!”

 

Tom, stamping his feet and bowing repeatedly in a way that didn’t match his large frame, disappeared.

 

Casselik checked on the sleeping Rie once more and moved to the terrace.

 

To think that all he could do for Rie was replace servants. It was such a modest form of repentance.

 

That’s right.

 

Casselik could still vividly see the scenes he had witnessed in the subspace.

 

The back of the child who seemed accustomed to holding back tears.

 

It felt like swallowing hundreds of thorn vines whole.

 

Even if Rie didn’t forgive him, he would have nothing to say.

 

“Mmm… Father?”

 

Just then, Rie stirred behind him.

 

Casselik was by the child’s side in the blink of an eye.

 

“Rie. You can sleep more. It’s nighttime now.”

 

“Mmm… But where did Kami go?”

 

“Kami is…”

 

He hadn’t expected this question.

 

After hesitating for a moment, his mouth clamped shut like a clam.

 

‘Think of something. Damn it.’

 

For the first time, he envied Philip.

 

If he had that kind of smooth-talking personality, he could have handled this well.

 

Casselik found himself in a panic state in front of his four-year-old daughter.

 

In the end, the only words he could choose were the miserable truth.

 

“…I’m sorry. Kami was… absorbed into Father’s body.”

 

Unable to meet Rie’s gaze, he looked down.

 

“Kami is here.”

 

Suddenly, blue eyes filled his vision.

 

When he came to his senses, Rie had lowered her head and was looking up at his face.

 

“…What?”

 

“I can see Kami in Father’s eyes. Father actually loves Rie, right?”

 

For a moment, his breath stopped.

 

“…That’s right.”

 

Though he answered late due to surprise, even that came out with a cracked voice.

 

“Ehehe.”

 

Rie, who had been laughing softly, squirmed and got up from the bed, stretching out her arms.

 

Soon, with the child’s characteristic warm breath, short arms wrapped around his neck.

 

Casselik awkwardly held the child and froze like a wooden statue.

 

“Father. Rie wants to sleep again…”

 

The child who had suddenly pierced Casselik’s heart fell asleep in that position.

 

“…Alright. Sleep well.”

 

Though awkward, when he carefully stroked her small back, he could hear purring breath sounds from his shoulder.

 

Casselik realized.

 

That to protect this child’s smile, he could even sacrifice his own life.

 

* * *

 

The next day.

 

Morning sunlight caressed Rie’s eyelids.

 

“Mmm.”

 

Rie, who had been frowning due to the sudden light, eventually had to wake up.

 

But unlike the difficult waking process, as soon as she opened her eyes, all sleepiness vanished at once.

 

“…Huh? Where is this?”

 

Looking this way and that way… it was full of unfamiliar things!

 

Even the bed Rie was lying on was so huge that they could play hide-and-seek on it.

 

Was I kidnapped?!

 

“Unknown place, unknown place. Rie needs to escape.”

 

By now, Mother who had lost Rie would be crying.

 

Breaking out in cold sweat, Rie got down from the bed and opened the door handle.

 

But when she opened the door, she saw a familiar corridor, and there Chef Tom was smiling brightly.

 

“Hello, Rie. No, I mean. Good morning, Lady Rie?”

 

“Chef Uncle?!”

 

“That’s right. It’s been a while, hasn’t it? His Grace asked me to guide you when you woke up, so I was waiting.”

 

Then this is the Duke’s Castle?

 

Only then did Rie breathe a sigh of relief.

 

“Phew. Thank goodness. I wasn’t kidnapped…!”

 

“Kidnapped, such scary words!”

 

While it was nice to meet Chef Uncle after a long time, there were still many unfamiliar things for Rie.

 

“But Uncle Chef, why are you speaking formally to me?”

 

“Right? It’s awkward for you too, isn’t it?”

 

Looking around, looking around.

 

Tom, who had been looking around, whispered.

 

“The Duke said he would fire all the servants who bother you from now on…!”

 

“Huh?”

 

Firing means chasing away the working people, right?

 

While Rie was thinking that, Tom lowered his voice even more and smiled.

 

“So the Head Maid, the Butler, and all those maids who bothered you were all fired. That’s a very good thing, right?”

 

“What?!”

 

Rie’s eyes widened.

 

‘Did Father protect Rie…?’

 

“Anyway… No matter how friendly I was with Lady Rie, if the Duke knew I spoke casually, he might misunderstand, so I’ll use formal speech. Lady Rie should get used to it from now on too. Understood?”

 

Tom, who even winked, took Rie’s hand and guided her to the office.

 

“Your Grace, Lady Rie has awakened, so I’ve brought her.”

 

“Rie. Are you awake?”

 

Casselik had been sitting among piles of documents since morning.

 

Since his busy appearance was familiar to Rie, she wasn’t surprised.

 

“Good morning, Father.”

 

“Yes, Rie. I’ve already sent word to Mother about the current situation through a messenger. She said she’ll come by carriage right away, so wait here until then.”

 

“Yees.”

 

“Are you hungry by any chance?”

 

Grumble.

 

Rie touched her crying baby stomach.

 

Casselik chuckled at the sight and stood up from his seat.

 

“Tom. Is breakfast ready?”

 

“It’s prepared!”

 

“Then let’s move.”

 

Naturally, Rie thought she would be going alone.

 

After Mother’s divorce, when she lived at the Duke’s Castle, she always ate alone.

 

As she walked to the dining room like that.

 

She heard the sound of shoe heels following behind her.

 

‘Who is it?’

 

When she turned around, Casselik was following her while being cautious.

 

“Father. Why are you following me?”

 

“Father is going to eat breakfast too.”

 

“Ah!”

 

Father is hungry too. That makes sense!

 

Rie nodded and sat in the children’s chair in the dining room.

 

But-

 

Scrape.

 

She heard the sound of a chair being pulled next to her.

 

Father had sat down right next to Rie!

 

‘Hmm…?’

 

She naturally thought they would eat separately.

 

“Father. Why are you sitting next to Rie?”

 

When Rie tilted her head, Casselik answered.

 

“Because I wanted to sit in this seat.”

 

“Ah!”

 

However, the questions didn’t end there.

 

“Why are you cutting the meat?”

 

“…In case it’s inconvenient to eat.”

 

“Ah!”

 

Rie nodded at the continued strange behavior but also tilted her head in confusion.

 

Rie didn’t know that Casselik was breaking out in cold sweat despite answering with an indifferent expression.

 

The child simply couldn’t understand this situation at all.

 

‘Father is a really, really busy person… why is he eating with Rie…?’

 

From following her to the dining room to sitting next to her.

 

She couldn’t adapt at all because of this unfamiliar Father.

 

“Eat your vegetables too. You need to eat a balanced diet for nutrition…”

 

“I don’t want to.”

 

“Alright.”

 

In the midst of this, Rie, who had refused the vegetables, fell deep into thought.

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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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