I Summoned the Demon King and Got a Dad - Chapter 16

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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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16. Helios Does Not Save the Grand Duchess (1)

He couldn’t live like this anymore.

That was the decision Theodor had reached.

Even handling just the affairs of the Demon Realm and Mortal Realm left him short on time each day, and now he had to care for a child on top of that, leaving his body exhausted.

As the Demon King and Grand Duke, he had responsibilities that inevitably took priority over everything else.

Since this was also part of the process of taking care of Shuria, the Magical Diagram didn’t particularly interfere when he was working.

However, the problem was.

Theodor looked at the pink magical diagram that appeared before him.

[Emptiness]

[Shuria’s loneliness can only be filled by parents.]

[Reward: Return to Demon Realm]

It was a reward that Theodor could never refuse.

Showing himself to the nobles of the Demon Realm and formally requesting permission for his activities in the Mortal Realm was vastly different from simply giving orders through words alone as he was doing now.

No matter how much peace and prosperity the Demon Realm had achieved under his rule, there were always those who coveted power.

If his strength had been weak, the Demon Realm would have already undergone a generational change long ago.

It was precisely to prevent such situations that Theodor worked day and night.

At that moment, a thought crossed Theodor’s mind.

…If it said parents, wouldn’t the mother’s side work just as well, not necessarily himself?

Having thought that far, Theodor let out a hollow laugh.

Even he thought it was an absurd idea.

He must have gone crazy from working too much.

He was thinking of things he would never normally even consider.

Honestly speaking, marriage would bring him no small benefit.

Someone would look after the manor’s finances, and even after he returned to the Demon Realm later, there would be someone to support the family.

The problem was Shuria.

Having gone through such an ordeal with someone who wasn’t even her real mother, Shuria couldn’t possibly long for a mother figure.

It wasn’t because Shuria had said that she only needed him.

Even without that conversation, Theodor had absolutely no intention of marrying.

But the problem was that life never flows according to one’s wishes.

Just like how he had been summoned to the Mortal Realm.

“A letter has arrived from the Imperial Court.”

“…A letter?”

At Antonio’s words, Theodor felt a strange sense of unease.

Perhaps it was because all the recent letters had been marriage proposals.

Theodor glanced sideways at the pile of letters stacked beside him.

Well, surely the Imperial Court wouldn’t send a marriage proposal.

No matter how uninterested Theodor was in the empire, he at least knew that the only imperial princess was twenty years old.

What could the Emperor possibly lack that he would offer his one and only daughter to him?

To someone like himself who even had a daughter, despite being widowed.

However, Theodor’s expectations were thoroughly shattered.

To summarize the letter’s contents:

While understanding the pain of bereavement, it contained threats disguised as suggestions, written in noble language, listing various plausible reasons why he must marry the princess.

Why was everyone so desperate to marry him off?

He was starting to get annoyed.

Theodor took out a piece of stationery and began writing a letter.

What were they going to do if he refused their threats?

If they took issue with his attitude, he could just establish his own empire.

Theodor very elegantly packaged his refusal—that he was worried about his daughter and still missed his wife—and handed it to Antonio.

“Send it as is.”

The moment Antonio took the letter and headed outside was when it happened.

The door burst open with a bang.

There was only one person in this manor who could open Theodor’s door like that.

“Dad! These are all marriage proposals that came for you!”

Seeing the countless letters spilling before his eyes, Theodor was left speechless.

All the letters Shuria had brought were the ones he had returned along with his rejections.

He couldn’t understand Shuria’s intention in bringing these to him.

“So?”

“What do you mean ‘so’? You should get married soon too, Dad. You’re a single father with a kid, but you’re handsome, so you definitely have potential for remarriage.”

Where on earth did she learn to talk like that?

And I’ve never been married.

That was the public story, but Shuria shouldn’t be saying such things.

Who was he pretending to be a married man for?

Still, should he be relieved that she seemed to have no trauma?

After hesitating briefly, Theodor spoke.

“Would Shuri like to have a mother?”

Even as he said this, Theodor inwardly hoped Shuria would say she was fine without one.

Just a few days ago, she had said she only needed her dad.

But having no way of knowing Theodor’s feelings, Shuria simply nodded.

“I’m still a baby, after all.”

Honestly speaking, having a Grand Duchess wouldn’t be a bad thing for Theodor. It would actually be beneficial.

She could take on the role of Shuria’s guardian.

Help with the manor’s finances and work.

And after he left, she could look after Shuria.

But even so, why did he feel bad about it?

“But Dad, if my stepmother bullies me, a prince will come to save me, right?”

…So that was why.

If he waited for a prince to come save Shuria, he would surely die first from the Magical Diagram’s curse.

Just as Theodor was about to say he wouldn’t marry, Shuria’s voice reached him.

“Just like how Dad saved me.”

As she said this, Shuria’s hands and eyes were trembling.

Though she pretended to be fine, the person who had been most anxious seeing those marriage proposals was actually Shuria.

Letting out a small sigh, Theodor lowered his gaze to meet Shuria’s eyes.

“Dad only needs Shuri.”

“…That’s a lie.”

Sharp.

“When Shuri said that to Dad, was it a lie?”

At his question, Shuria shook her head.

Tears had already filled her eyes.

“But still, because of me, Dad shouldn’t have to be alone…”

“How can Dad be alone when Shuri is here?”

“You know that’s not what I mean. I don’t want to interfere with Dad’s life.”

So she does understand.

The magic that bound him to this dimension was indeed a shackle, but that wasn’t Shuria’s fault.

Who could blame a five-year-old child who had grasped the only opportunity given to her to survive?

“That’s impossible. You’re the reason Dad exists in this dimension.”

This was truly a statement without a single lie.

Without that contract, he would be in the Demon Realm by now.

Fortunately, Shuria’s mood seemed to lighten, as her expression gradually began to brighten.

“No matter who comes, I’ll always be Dad’s first priority, right?”

According to the contract, absolutely.

“Then.”

At Theodor’s answer, Shuria slowly walked over to him and burrowed into his embrace.

“Then Dad, it’s okay if you get married.”

At that action, Theodor found himself smiling without realizing it.

Now naturally stroking Shuria’s head, Theodor whispered softly.

“You don’t have to.”

At Theodor’s words, Shuria shook her head.

“Political marriages between nobility are necessary, and I want Dad to stay with me more.”

How could such different mental ages exist in one sentence?

Since she knew that the reason he couldn’t stay with her was because work had piled up, was she smarter than a five-year-old?

Theodor thought this as he held Shuria and began slowly walking around the room.

“What if someone comes to bother Shuria again?”

“Dad will save me.”

Saying this, Shuria grabbed Theodor’s collar.

It was the first time in his life being grabbed by the scruff, but Theodor obediently lowered his head as Shuria wanted.

As he came close to her like that, Shuria whispered in Theodor’s ear.

“This is a secret, but actually Dad is my prince. I’m going to marry Dad when I grow up.”

Saying this, Shuria kissed Theodor’s cheek.

Naturally, the Empire does not permit marriage between family members.

Those words were just empty talk.

Just a momentary emotion harbored by a young child.

Since they were improper words, he should quickly find a tutor to teach her about society, laws, and morals.

Even though he was thinking this in his head, why did he feel good?

Theodor felt the body temperature of Shuria in his arms and kissed her forehead.

“Understood, Princess.”

At Theodor’s words, Shuria burst into giggles.

In a society where a class system existed, carelessly saying such words was tantamount to treason.

But Theodor couldn’t think of anything else to say to Shuria right now.

And at this moment, he was willing to establish an empire or so for Shuria, so the title of princess wasn’t much of a problem either.

Theodor looked at Shuria in his arms and thought.

Still, I shouldn’t get married after all.

The moment he thought he didn’t want to place Shuria in an environment with even the slightest element of anxiety.

Light began pouring out from the Magical Diagram.

[Mission Complete]

[Reward: Demon Realm Return Ticket]

The completion criteria were still incomprehensible, but since he had obtained the result, it was something to be happy about.

Theodor accepted the reward with somewhat mixed feelings.

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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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