I Don’t Need a Dad Like This! - Chapter 93

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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 93>

 

“Ahem, ahem.”

 

Philip cleared his throat before knocking.

 

Though they had exchanged letters several times, this was the first time seeing her in person since they parted at the restaurant.

 

“Is my outfit a bit… too much for visiting a manor?”

 

His hair was styled differently than usual, swept back from his forehead.

 

A bouquet of flowers that anyone could tell was meant as a gift for someone special.

 

And even the new volume of <The Guldo> novel that Rie loved.

 

He had felt good while preparing. But now that he was actually in front of the manor, he felt a bit embarrassed.

 

But his hesitation ended there.

 

Philip raised the corners of his mouth in his usual nonchalant manner.

 

“Well, what does it matter. I dressed like this to show that I like her.”

 

He had realized something after seeing Duke Casselik’s aggressive behavior at the restaurant.

 

That his rival’s presence was too strong to approach slowly by going around in circles.

 

He no longer wanted to be just a kind uncle to Rie.

 

He wanted to confess his feelings to Emilia and become Rie’s guardian.

 

Knock knock-

 

When he knocked on the front door, he could hear small footsteps running from far away.

 

Anyone could tell it was Rie.

 

“Yes-! Who is it, who is it-! This is Rie’s home-!”

 

A cute voice chattering beyond the closed door.

 

When the door opened, the child who looked especially cute today opened her mouth in a triangle shape.

 

“Ah! Marquis Philip! You came as promised-!”

 

“Rie, hello? Have you been well?”

 

“Yes. Rie had so, so many things happen. I made friends too.”

 

“Friends? Other than His Highness the Crown Prince?”

 

“Yes. A friend named Olivia, she’s so, so nice, and she sends letters to Rie all the time.”

 

“Just from hearing about her, she sounds like a good friend.”

 

“Hehe, that’s right. Marquis, please follow Rie.”

 

“Of course. I’m in your care.”

 

He patted her head and naturally took the child’s hand as they walked down the corridor.

 

But something was strange. Usually Emilia would have come out to the front door to greet him too.

 

Not only that, but the entire house was as quiet as a mouse.

 

‘Come to think of it, I don’t think this manor has a chef in residence. Is she preparing lunch herself?’

 

Thinking of her being busy because of him made him feel a bit sorry.

 

He should have suggested meeting at a restaurant again, he thought with regret as he entered the reception room.

 

“Rie is going to play with Marquis Philip, so Father should go now!”

 

Rie commanded someone.

 

Pointing her small finger toward the person.

 

At the same time, Philip’s eyes met with Emilia who was sitting on the sofa.

 

“My goodness, Marquis Philip. Please wait just a moment, Duke came to visit without notice…”

 

In front of her, who looked troubled, sat a huge man.

 

That’s right. It was Duke Casselik.

 

“…Ah. So that’s what it was.”

 

The polite smile he had been wearing toward Emilia became distorted.

 

“Marquis Philip?”

 

At the same time, Casselik also looked at Philip and frowned deeply as if disgusted.

 

“Hello, Duke.”

 

Philip was equally tired of this.

 

He held up the bouquet he brought so it was clearly visible at chest level and casually leaned his shoulder against the doorframe.

 

“To encounter each other again in a situation similar to last time, how truly curious. It’s almost like fate.”

 

“Disgusting. What fate could there be between you and me.”

 

“How disappointing. We are competitors in good faith, after all.”

 

“What?”

 

Casselik’s expression hardened at Philip’s words full of laughter.

 

Walking toward him as if to show off, Philip whispered.

 

“Two men who have feelings for Miss Emilia, who is legally divorced and single. Then we’re competitors bound by fate, aren’t we?”

 

Let me say it again, Philip had made up his mind.

 

He wouldn’t go around in circles and approach slowly, but would go straight forward.

 

If competitors appeared in that process, he would step on them mercilessly.

 

Of course, as long as it wasn’t legally problematic.

 

* * *

 

And so a silent war began in the reception room of the Birdwell Estate.

 

“Such a large bouquet… Thank you, Marquis Philip. It smells lovely.”

 

Emilia held the bouquet, which was as big as her torso, with both arms with difficulty.

 

Despite her bewildered expression, her gaze toward the bouquet contained happiness.

 

“I saw delphiniums at the flower shop and thought of you, Miss Emilia. Do you happen to know the flower language of this flower?”

 

“Hmm, no. What does it mean?”

 

Between the two people in their innocent atmosphere.

 

“What important meaning could flowers possibly have.”

 

Casselik, who had been sitting quietly or rather sitting sullenly according to Rie’s order to stay put, muttered.

 

“It’s probably something like ‘I’m interested in you’ or whatever. Only cowards who are afraid to confess directly use flower language.”

 

Whether he mocked or not, Philip’s cheerful smile remained fixed on Emilia.

 

“It means ‘I will make you happy.'”

 

“What? Oh, I see.”

 

When Emilia’s face turned bright red at his direct words and she stuttered like she was broken, Philip tilted his head toward her.

 

“I know you would dislike having emotions forced upon you rudely like someone else. I just hope you’ll accept it.”

 

“…Thank you.”

 

As Emilia nodded at Philip’s gentle words, Casselik stood up indignantly.

 

“Forcing emotions? You couldn’t possibly mean me? I just had something to say about the Cradle Blessing Ceremony…”

 

No, he tried to stand up. If a small palm hadn’t landed on his thigh.

 

“?”

 

When Casselik turned around in surprise, a small guardian was glaring at him with fierce eyes.

 

“Father, don’t interrupt. Only speak when Rie allows it. Father is an uninvited guest.”

 

“…No, I…”

 

“If you want to talk to Mother, you have to write a letter asking permission and come back home. Marquis Philip got permission before coming. Did Father get permission before coming?”

 

He had nothing to say to the child’s point-by-point questioning.

 

Casselik, who had been standing awkwardly, slowly sat back down.

 

A bit unfairly, Casselik had sent Emilia a letter asking if he could visit the manor before coming here.

 

He was just rejected.

 

But he had no choice.

 

At the upcoming ‘Cradle Blessing Ceremony,’ he absolutely had to be Rie’s male guardian!

 

Because he was Rie’s father.

 

So he had come without permission and was whimpering pitifully like a puppy that had caused trouble.

 

Then Marquis Philip appeared.

 

Strength entered Casselik’s crossed arms.

 

He whispered to the small guardian with a slightly hurt expression.

 

“Rie.”

 

“Mm?”

 

“Father… loves Rie.”

 

“Rie knows too. Rie loves Father too.”

 

The corner of his mouth twitched at the child’s pure answer.

 

But Casselik whispered again with a serious expression.

 

“Then… isn’t Rie on Father’s side?”

 

“No.”

 

“…No?”

 

“Mm-hmm. No.”

 

The round child’s cheeks shook resolutely as she shook her head.

 

Thud.

 

At the unexpected answer, it felt like thunder and lightning struck behind him.

 

“Why, ahem.”

 

His voice cracked from being so surprised.

 

Casselik cleared his throat and asked again.

 

“Why, why is that?”

 

“Mother’s life belongs to Mother. Rie’s life belongs to Rie.”

 

“…”

 

“Rie will be happy if Mother meets a good man. A man Mother likes.”

 

“…I see. I understand.”

 

He knew his daughter was mature for a four-year-old, but to this extent.

 

He couldn’t decide whether to be proud or disappointed by the child’s wisdom.

 

In the end, he concluded he should respect the child and was nodding when-

 

“Still, you could at least cheer for Father, right?”

 

“No.”

 

Her cheeks, like fermented flour dough, shook again.

 

That’s right.

 

Rie had decided to become a fair judge of the enormous situation that occurred today.

 

‘Because Rie… loves Mother the most!’

 

She loved Father and liked Uncle Philip too, but Mother was the most important.

 

Therefore, with her arms crossed, the child’s gaze toward Philip was different from usual.

 

Though her dignity was lacking since her short stature meant her feet didn’t touch the floor while sitting.

 

In her still short life, Rie was seriously judging Philip’s attitude through the ‘Dung Cart data’ she had accumulated so far.

 

And so Marquis Philip’s final score was…

 

“For now, you pass!”

 

At Rie’s declaration, Philip, who had been talking with Emilia, tilted his head.

 

“Pass? Are you talking to me?”

 

“Yes! Marquis Philip, you smile at Mother, and you give Mother gifts, and you talk to Mother a lot. You’re com-pletely the opposite of Dung Cart.”

 

Five fingers clenched into a tight fist, then one of them pointed at Philip.

 

“Marquis, as Mother’s Boyfriend, you pass for now!”

 

“What?”

 

At those words, Casselik, who had been sitting quietly until then, shot up.

 

And then.

 

“…It seems you’ve finished your black tea.”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“Do you need more black tea? I’ll bring it for you.”

 

He asked while looking at Emilia’s empty teacup.

 

“The Duke will…?”

 

“Yes.”

 

Though the startled Emilia asked with a face that said ‘really?’, Casselik willingly took on the role of an attendant.

 

Then he asked Philip as well, like a gentle sheep.

 

“Marquis Philip, do you need black tea too?”

 

“Hmm. I…”

 

At his question, Philip’s smile deepened.

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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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