I Will Try to Save My Dad - Chapter 145

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

Chapter 145

When Father finished climbing the staircase and our eyes met, Kane faltered and took a step back.
“On what grounds are you taking my daughter?”
“…That’s not it.”
His quick retreat was a wise decision, though he seemed to have momentarily forgotten he was still holding my arm. Father’s gaze lowered.
“Your hand.”
Kane flinched.
“…Release it.”
With a soft snap, Kane opened his hand. I rubbed my freed arm for a moment, then waved cheerfully at Father from behind Kane. Father exhaled a short sigh at my antics before turning his attention back to Kane.
“That’s not it?”
“….”
“Not what, exactly?”
Father continued speaking.
“Kane, I’d like to hear from your own lips what instruction you planned to give my daughter.”
Father was merely asking, but Kane didn’t seem to take it that way.
Kane clamped his mouth shut as though his very life depended on his answer.
I watched Kane’s hands. They trembled, frozen just before forming a fist.
‘His pride is wounded.’
As a direct descendant living in Diamond House, Kane could only be disciplined by Grandfather, Grandmother, Uncle, and Aunt. Even Aunt Mariane treated Kane kindly out of deference to Uncle.
So being unable to speak back to Father, who merely lived in Stone House, must have felt like nothing short of humiliation to Kane.
The silence stretched on. Unable to bear the pressure of the moment any longer, Kane finally opened his mouth.
“It was not something Uncle was thinking of.”
“Your explanation is insufficient.”
“I meant that I could provide instruction to Berry in areas where she might be lacking. Surely we cannot allow a member of the Trabel Family to fail the Academy entrance examination again.”
“Berry asked you to do this?”
“I thought it would be necessary for Berry.”
Sensing that his excuses were becoming more convincing, Kane’s voice gained confidence. As Father observed Kane’s newfound composure, he took two steps forward, closing the distance between them.
“So you’ve been looking after my daughter that carefully.”
Father’s tone had softened. Kane felt it too, relaxing the shoulders he’d held tensely in guard.
“Thank you.”
Then he extended his hand as if to shake. Kane looked at Father’s offered hand and let out a soft chuckle—the kind of laugh one gives when realizing the other person isn’t as formidable as one thought.
Kane must have believed that Father had fallen for his words and was now offering a handshake as an apology.
“Yes.”
But that was precisely when one needed to be careful. When the opponent seemed less threatening than their reputation suggested. It could mean I was falling for an act, letting my guard down.
“I have been attentive.”
The moment Kane grasped Father’s hand, his knees buckled as though all strength had drained from them.
Kane suddenly found himself on his knees in the Corridor, his face bewildered as he looked up at Father.
“Now, Uncle. What is this—”
“Education.”
“Pardon?”
“You won’t be able to move anything below your neck. I’m controlling your body with my aura right now.”
At Father’s words, Kane and I both looked toward the same place at once. It was Father’s hand. He was pouring his aura into Kane’s palm, which he gripped firmly.
‘Father?!’
I was startled, but Father’s expression remained as usual. It meant there was a reason for him to act this way. I stood quietly and watched what Father was doing.
“Ugh…!”
Kane was a vigorous adult man in his prime. The veins at his temples bulged as he exerted all his strength, but Kane’s hand didn’t escape Father’s grasp—it didn’t budge an inch.
“Why are you struggling?”
“Please… let go.”
“I told you, Kane. I’m controlling everything below your neck. It seems your education is still lacking.”
“Count Trabel is in the Main Estate. How can you do this to your nephew? Aren’t you afraid of what comes after—”
Kane’s lips sealed shut. The words that burst forth seemed not of his own will, only murmuring uselessly inside his closed mouth. Father spoke.
“This? Is what you did to Berry also considered ‘this’? I merely repaid you for educating my daughter.”
“….”
Fear flickered in Kane’s eyes as he looked at Father. His complexion had already turned pale. Father gazed down at Kane with a frigid stare, then lowered his head and whispered.
“If you ever try to educate my daughter again, I’ll educate you every single time.”
With a sharp sound, Father released his hand, and Kane’s upper body lurched forward. He braced himself with both hands on the floor, kneeling as he steadied his ragged breathing. His eyes stared blankly at the ground, as if unable to believe what had just happened.
“Let’s go, Berry.”
“Y-yes.”
Father descended the Staircase he had come up and called to me.
Though Kane had certainly provoked him first, seeing him bow his head like a defeated man made me uneasy.
“I’ll go on ahead. Uncle Kane.”
I patted Kane’s shoulder in consolation, then followed Father.
“….”
Kane murmured something quietly in response to my words, but I couldn’t make out what he was saying.

***

“Father, why did you come to the Main Estate?”
“To see Grandfather.”
We were on our way back to Stone House. I walked alongside Father, continuing our conversation.
“But why are you heading back?”
“I’m just dropping Berry off, then I’ll return.”
“Wait. You’re worried I can’t make it back alone? I’ve grown too much for that kind of concern. I’m already fifteen years old. In just two weeks, I’ll be sixteen.”
“You’re still a child in my eyes.”
Father chuckled softly and ruffled my hair. I gazed up at him intently.
“What?”
“Come to think of it, Father’s been acting strange lately. Even though I caught the fraudsters and recovered the jewels, you’ve only offered praise.”
Demian and Father were friends. Judging by how awkward Demian seemed when discussing the First Princess last time, he appeared to know something about my origins as well.
So Father must have heard the news that I’d met Princess Belesa—
‘He’s exactly the same as always.’
All my worries about how to face Father on the way back to the Trabel Estate proved pointless. Father simply shrugged.
“Well, is that so strange? You did something praiseworthy, so I praised you. And since Berry didn’t get hurt, there’s nothing to scold you for.”
“You didn’t even ask what happened in Belodia.”
“Jeffrey told me everything. He said you learned of Baron Oldman’s scheme and used it to your advantage. I’ve read the newspapers too, so there’s nothing left to ask you about. This isn’t your first time planning something like this. Your old man can pretty much figure it out by now.”
I glanced at Windis hanging from Father’s waist as I spoke.
“…Aren’t you curious about anything else? You even met Demian.”
Even without Father grasping it, Windis remained still. It meant Father’s emotions hadn’t shifted significantly at my question. …Did Demian perhaps not tell Father anything?
“I’m not particularly curious about Demian. He’s probably doing well on his own.”
“Doing well on his own? Haven’t you been in contact with Demian lately?”
“No. I rarely contact him anyway.”
“Hmm.”
It seemed Father hadn’t heard from Demian. Then again, since it wasn’t good news, perhaps Demian deliberately didn’t reach out.
If that was the case, there was one thing I needed to tell Father.
“Father, about the results—Theon destroyed the Shipyard so severely that a damage compensation claim will arrive soon.”
The compensation amount had already passed through my account to the manager’s, but I needed to mention this so Father wouldn’t try to deduct from my results for a while. I just had to hold out for two more weeks. Father pinched my cheek lightly and spoke.
“You’re transparent, Berry Berry.”
“Hehe.”
In two weeks, Father would become the owner of Diamond House.

***

———-
I will find you.
———-

“….”
Princess Belesa stared at the letter she’d received in reply, then folded it in half.
Reytan Quartz Trabel. This man never changed, no matter how much time passed. When it came to that girl—anything concerning her—he threw himself into it with blazing intensity.
“And he’s not even her biological father.”
Princess Belesa murmured to herself.

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