My Daddy Hides His Power - Chapter 145

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Father conceals his strength
145
Before the kneeling Cheshire, the Emperor unfurled the Royal Edict of appointment.
Then, from his lips poured forth the countless exploits of the young knight.
“……The distinguished service in the 1779 Holy Beast incident in Central Wurgen, the 1780 Magical Beast Subjugation campaign in the Gelda Domain, the exceptional Strategy devised as a Boy Soldier commander…….”
At that moment.
By custom, the legion commanders stood in formation on both sides of the great hall, observing the Appointment Ceremony.
Among them, Enoch gazed at the Emperor and Cheshire with a peculiar expression.
“Wow, that’s really something.”
A quiet voice of admiration.
Enoch, drawn from his thoughts, glanced sideways and smiled slightly.
His nephew, appointed a Holy Knight today — Theo.
He stood right beside Enoch, watching Cheshire alongside him.
“You’re pretty incredible yourself.”
Enoch gave Theo’s shoulder a light tap with his own.
“My Royal Edict only lists four lines of accomplishments. Cheshire’s never ends.”
“Four lines is enormous.”
Enoch patted Theo’s back a couple of times in encouragement, despite his dejected tone. “Down the road, you’ll take my position. There’s no talent like yours.”
“Er, thank you for saying so. I’ll work hard.”
The two turned their eyes back to the center of the great hall.
“Accordingly, upon the vassal Cheshire Libre, We bestow the lands of Central Filosso, the lands of Southern Eren, the rank of Knight Baron, and the rank of Noble Count.”
The Emperor folded the edict and handed it to Cheshire, then raised his sword to the young man’s right shoulder and declared:
“We appoint him Commander of the Dos Army Holy Sword Knight Order of the great Pavilion Empire.”
* * *
Imperial Palace, corridor outside the powder room.
“Impressive.”
Leon, who had been waiting for Cheshire leaning against the wall, straightened up with a murmur of admiration.
Theo, too, laughed in surprise at the sight of Cheshire emerging groomed.
“…….”
Black hair swept back neatly.
The pristine white Formal Banquet Attire fit perfectly against his tall frame.
“You look amazing, Cheshire. You’re going to get a hundred letters from the ladies tonight, I’m telling you?”
“Come on, be honest. You stuffed insoles in your shoes, didn’t you? How come you look even taller?”
Indeed, such was the handiwork of the Imperial Household attendants.
One could already anticipate the gaze that would fall upon Cheshire the moment he entered the banquet hall.
“Let’s go.”
Cheshire quickened his pace.
Following him, Theo laughed.
“What’s this? That’s not like you. Why the rush? Looking forward to the reception?”
The Imperial Household of the Pavilion Empire favored knights.
Thus, the Appointment Ceremony Reception was always prepared with great grandeur and splendor.
On such occasions, the heads of invited families brought all their daughters to catch the eye of the newly appointed knights.
For freshly appointed young knights were soon to become centers of new power.
“Oh ho, you dog. So you’re a man after all?”
No doubt the banquet hall would be overflowing with elaborately dressed ladies.
“What are you saying? I’m waiting for Lilis.”
Yet Cheshire answered Leon’s teasing simply and continued hurrying forward.
“Wait! Cheshire, hold on. You didn’t know?”
Theo laughed in astonishment.
“Lilis isn’t coming to the reception today. She went to the Salon. The Salon date was scheduled late, so we only heard about it yesterday, actually.”
“…….”
At Theo’s words, Cheshire’s footsteps—which had been nearly breaking into a run toward the banquet hall—came to an abrupt halt.
* * *
At that same moment.
Robel, the head of the Talent Management Department of the Imperial Magic Tower and advisor to the Tower Master—the thirty-year-old youth—pushed up his silver glasses and doubted his own eyes.
‘Is this… right?’
Four beautiful black horses drew a lavish carriage.
A Coachman dressed in the finest clothes, bedecked with Jeweled Rings on both hands, cleared his throat as he held the reins.

Extravagance incarnate!
Even the bridle sparkled densely with what had to be diamonds.
‘Really… is this right?’
Robel’s eyes met the coachman’s, and they both laughed awkwardly.
The hastily appointed coachman was equally flustered.
“Come on, get in! We’re late!”
Oscar’s irritable voice came from inside the carriage.
‘No, this can’t be right. I have to stop this. I have a duty to preserve my master’s dignity.’
Robel squeezed his eyes shut and spoke.
“Master.”
“We’re late. Get in and talk about it on the way.”
“No, please. I’d rather not ride. Reconsider this. Why would you go to a young ladies’ salon?”
“Everyone’s going!”
“Yes! Because they have daughters there. They’re picking up their own girls. But you? Who do you have there?”
“I told you, the girl’s father can’t make it today.”
By “girl,” he meant Lilis, princess of Rubinstein.
“That’s unfortunate. But what does that have to do with you? Even if it did, please—are you really going to show up looking like that?”
“…What? What’s wrong with how I look? Is there something odd?”
His voice shifted from moments of shouting to something almost worried.
Robel hesitated, scratching his head as he recalled Oscar’s appearance from before boarding the carriage.
“Well, nothing odd, really. To be honest, you look quite good. I’ve never seen you look so… presentable, after spending all your time cooped up in the Magic Tower like a hermit.”
“What did you say?”
“But your image! Please, you have to think about your image! You’re the Master of the Magic Tower—to show up at a children’s salon without any dignity, to pick someone up like that—no. Really, this can’t happen.”
“No one will recognize me as the Magic Tower’s master if I don’t tell them.”
“Well, yes, that’s true, but—”
He was secretive by nature, after all.
“Still, if someone there recognizes your face…”
“For god’s sake! Just get in, will you! How much longer is that mouth of yours going to run?!”
“Right, yes! But what will you say? If someone asks what your relationship is with the young lady, what will you say?”
“…….”
“You have nothing to say! What are you to her? What gives you the right to go there?”
“…I’ll say I’m her father, what else?”
“What did you just say?!”
Robel’s mouth fell open in shock before he clicked his tongue disapprovingly.
Oscar’s incomprehensible love for Lilis was something Robel, who had watched him closely all this time, understood better than anyone.
“Master, I understand your feelings. But if you want the girl, go out into the world, meet a woman, get married, and build a proper family. Don’t even think about whisking away someone else’s daughter.”
“You talk too much and it’s all garbage. Coachman, just leave. We’re abandoning this chatterbox.”
“Wait, wait! That won’t do!”
That was a bridge too far!
“Take me too, understood?! Waaaah!”
Robel finally opened the carriage door in tears.
* * *
“So what did James draw?”
Deep into the salon, the gallery hummed with activity.
Lara stood close beside me, chattering eagerly about whether she truly liked my work.
“Oh, my drawing?”
I looked at my finished piece.
‘My hands are bigger now, I’m already eleven years old—why hasn’t my drawing improved at all?’
There was a roof, there were people-shapes.
It looked like a happy family to anyone, but the fact that people felt the need to ask what it was suggested it was hard to make out.
Arts and crafts were clearly realms of talent, no question about it.
“It’s my family.”
“Oh! I see now… so that was a person? You’re really quite skilled!”
Lara spoke in surprise.
‘She’s kind.’
The way she offered praise so I wouldn’t feel embarrassed suggested Lara was a decent girl.
“There are quite a lot of people in your family. Is it okay if I ask who’s who?”
“Of course!”
I kindly unrolled the Drawing Paper and explained each figure to Lara one by one.
“This one in the middle is me. On the left is Father, and on the right is my Master.”
“Dad! So that would be James, right?”
“Aha, yes! And here’s Grandfather, and under the red roof these two are my brothers. This one here is my aunt and uncle, and….”
“You have brothers too! Lucky. I only have a sister.”
“Your brothers are all so handsome and kind.”
“I’m jealous. You have such a big family. So who are these two under this blue roof?”
Lara pointed at the last two human figures beneath the blue roof.
They were Axion and Cheshire.
“My uncle’s house. This one is my uncle, and this one is….”
As I pointed to Cheshire, I stole a glance at Lara.
Black hair painted dark, two red dots marked where the eyes should be.
Surely she wouldn’t recognize him?
“This one is… a boy friend….”
Lara stared at me intently.
‘Oh no. Did she figure it out? Has my drawing skill really improved to the point where everyone can recognize Jedo’s most popular man?’
Thump-thump-thump.
Half nervousness, half anticipation.
But then Lara hesitated for a moment before asking carefully.
“Why isn’t your mother here?”
“Oh.”
Right. I’d introduced all the drawn figures, but my mother was missing.
That was what seemed odd to her.
‘Ugh, I’m an idiot. The other children might notice and think it strange, so I should’ve just drawn her in vaguely.’
I hurriedly sketched a figure with long hair and stammered out words.
“…Actually, my mother isn’t… around. So I forgot about her.”
“Pardon?”
Lara looked taken aback.
“Does she live somewhere else?”
“No…. She’s just… not around.”
Thinking of my mother was terribly painful, so I simply glossed over it.
“I’m, I’m sorry. It seems she must have fallen in battle. I shouldn’t have kept asking….”
Fallen in battle? I paused, then nodded inwardly.
Right—in this country, when someone says they’re missing family, nine times out of ten it means they died on the battlefield.
“I’m really sorry….”
“No, it’s fine!”
To ease Lara’s worry, I continued drawing on the paper and corrected her gently.
“She didn’t pass away. It’s just….”
Four years ago, after the lucid dream.
I had deliberately tried not to think of my mother’s face.
“She just….”
Vanished from time.
‘It’s all gone now, anyway.’
So if I resented my mother, I’d be the strange one….
Yet despite that, my sharp nature meant I’d sometimes feel a sudden surge of anger toward her.
Of course, it’s really the Emperor who’s to blame….
But still, if my mother had only thought of me a little.
If she’d regarded me as pitiable and precious, the way she did my brother Kyle.
Then maybe everything could have been different.
—Such useless hypotheticals.
If my mother hadn’t handed me over to the Emperor.
If I could have stayed free instead of being caught by him, able to protect myself as I do now.
‘If only, if only….’
“You promised you’d make me meet my father.”
Oscar wouldn’t have needed to turn back time, nor would I have had to bear the weight of heavy shackles as payment.
“My mother was simply never there from the beginning. That’s why.”
I spoke faster, trying to push down the surge of emotion rising in my throat again.
“That’s why I don’t even know her face.”
My hand drawing also quickened.
“So, so….”
“J, James….”
“…I’m really okay. You don’t need to apologize.”
I sketched a picture of a mother who didn’t exist, then forced a smile for the bewildered Lara.

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