My Daddy Hides His Power - Chapter 146

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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
146
“Um, should we talk about something else?”
Lara seemed to notice something had shifted in me and deftly changed the subject.
Yes, think about something else….
“James, you’ve seen Cheshire’s face before, haven’t you? What do you like best about him?”
“Pardon?”
Lara flipped her sketch of Cheshire face-down over mine, as if to shield it, and asked the question.
In her haste to redirect the conversation, she’d veered into something entirely awkward.
“I said I’d seen his face before, but I never said I liked anything about it….”
“Oh! Really?”
Of course, we’re very close and naturally I’m fond of Cheshire, but….
“Hmm. I actually saw him in person for the first time four months ago. During the Triumphant Procession on the street out front. Did you happen to see him then?”
“Ah yes, that’s right! Well, I wasn’t there to see it myself. But yes, it was incredible that day.”
It was absolute chaos.
There had been a massive Magical Beast Subjugation, and so a royal decree came down ordering a separate Triumphant Procession.
And somehow, even the nobles came pouring out of their homes—the crowds were shoulder-to-shoulder.
That’s when I first realized Jedo had so many people living in it.
“He’s so famous for being handsome that I thought, what could be so special? So I went to look for myself….”
Lara swallowed hard as she recalled Cheshire, and added softly,
“…and he really was that handsome.”
“Yes, he was.”
Something about her tone made me uneasy, and I found myself staring at Lara’s dazed expression.
It’s not just Lara who feels this way.
Cheshire hardly speaks about it, but the last time Axion came to our house and complained to Father—though it sounded more like bragging—I overheard him say….
“Sigh, these days my clerk and I are getting headaches. Cheshire receives dozens upon dozens of Letters a day from girls. How do we even handle this? If we run out of firewood this winter, should I come to your place and take some?”
“Haha! You’re joking, you really are. Look at that arrogant expression. Anyone would think he was the one receiving all those Letters. Ha ha ha!”
Father looked annoyed.
Laughing and grinding his teeth, he ranted that once our daughter makes her Social Debut, she’ll completely overshadow whatever popularity Cheshire has.
But even after I complete the Debutante and meet more people, I’ll probably never surpass Cheshire’s popularity.
The man is practically the protagonist, after all.
“What I like best is his expression.”
“…What?”
I was bewildered by what Lara said.
What expression? Does Cheshire even have one?
“That expressionless face. Those indifferent eyes that seem untouched by everything in the world, and that cold, distant air!”
Lara clasped her hands together dreamily, sighing in admiration.
I stared at her with my mouth hanging open.
‘Wow, that’s….’
So a lack of expression is attractive.
I thought it was just because he was handsome.
* * *
Leon gazed intently at Cheshire’s expressionless profile.
Upon hearing that Lilis wouldn’t be attending the reception, Cheshire had gone rigid, as if nailed to the spot.
‘I can tell what this man is thinking now.’
Four years spent as a Boy Soldier, sharing every hardship and joy with this comrade.
Leon had learned to distinguish each nuance of Cheshire’s expressionless face—distinctions no one else in the world could ever perceive.
Just moments ago, Cheshire’s eyes had been wide open.
‘That was anticipation.’
And now, learning that Lilis wouldn’t be at the reception after all, his mouth hung slightly agape.
‘That’s shock.’
Cheshire then closed his mouth and murmured in a flat voice,
“…I see.”
His tone was emotionless, but if you looked closely, his eyes were slightly narrower than usual.
‘That expression means he’s disappointed.’
Of course, to anyone unaware, it all looked like the same blank stare.
At this point, shouldn’t Leon deserve a medal for emotional intelligence?
Leon rubbed his nose with quiet satisfaction.
“Then I’ll just….”
Cheshire quietly turned away.
“Yeah, I figured as much.”
Leon gestured quickly to Theo.
“Hey, Theo. Grab him.”
“On it.”
The two of them seized Cheshire’s arms as firmly as if escorting a criminal.
“…What are you doing.”
“Please tell me you weren’t actually planning to skip the reception and go home just because the little one isn’t here? I’d really hate to think you’re that thoughtless.”
…….
Cheshire fell silent at Leon’s words. Guilty as charged.
“That’s not happening, Cheshire.”
Theo shook his head firmly.
“A reception without the guest of honor? That’s beneath you — you’d be dragging Axion’s name through the mud.”
A perfectly rational assessment from Theo.
The moment Axion’s name came up, Cheshire stiffened.
“…Fine.”
In the end, Cheshire had no choice but to let the twins drag him toward the reception hall.
* * *
When we emerged from the salon.
‘Is this really happening?’
I was floored.
“Mama!”
“How was the salon, my beautiful daughter?”
A throng of brilliantly dressed noblewomen.
“Ellie! Mama’s here!”
“Mama!”
So many carriages crowded in front of the Gallery that traffic had come to a complete standstill.
The young ladies from the salon ran out delighted to find their mothers waiting for them.
‘What on earth is this….’
Some of the noblewomen were already chatting away, growing familiar with one another.
In the meantime, they’d each dressed as extravagantly as possible, eager not to fall behind.
‘Wow, this is completely ruined. So much for keeping the Anonymous Salon actually anonymous.’
I was devastated.
What had Joseph been thinking when he came up with this Anonymous Salon idea?
It was supposed to let the young, still-learning saplings mingle without regard to rank.
Later on, they’d introduce themselves properly, but before that, if they became close friends first….
‘It’s ruined! Completely ruined!’
But with all the noblewomen turning out to collect their daughters, everyone’s family affiliations had been broadcast on the very first day of the salon.
“Mama, mama! This is James, the girl I got close to today!”
Just then, Lara came over pulling her mother along.
“Nice to meet you, James.”
“Oh! Hello.”
I bowed respectfully to Lara’s mother.
Chaotic as things were, I still had to keep up appearances….
“I’m Marianne Juliet. You can call me Mrs. Juliet.”
“Ah, ha, yes.”
Juliet — I’d heard that name before. It was a baronial house.
Lara… so she was the young lady of Baron Juliet….
I was worried about how to salvage this Anonymous Salon now that its entire purpose had been defeated.
“But where is James’s mother?”
Mrs. Juliet asked, her eyes brightening with curiosity.
Lara tugged at Mrs. Juliet’s skirts and laughed awkwardly.
“I… I think James’s mother didn’t come today.”
“Oh, is that so?”
“Ha, yes….”
I was grateful to Lara for tactfully covering for me.
“Well then, would you like to ride back in the organizer’s carriage, or would you like to come to our house and talk more with Clara?”
“Pardon?”
“Oh! Would you like that, James?”
Lara — no.
“Haha, oops, I let my name slip before introducing myself. I’m Clara Juliet.”
Clara laughed shyly as she spoke.
I found myself slightly bewildered.
Most of the mothers who’d come to collect their daughters were from respectable families.
But me, with no one coming to meet me—I must look like a real nobody….
Marianne, whom I’d expected to lose interest quickly, proved unexpectedly kind and gracious.
‘Hmm, not bad at all.’
There was a warmth to her that set her apart from the highest-ranking aristocrats at the apex of the social hierarchy.
‘Even if the Anonymous Salon’s veil of secrecy wears thin, the underlying purpose of social gatherings might still be fulfilled.’
Perhaps our brilliant strategist, Joseph, had already foreseen results like this.
Should I accept the invitation?
In the midst of my deliberation—
“Oh, oh my.”
“What is it? Who’s that?”
Suddenly, murmurs rippled through the crowd.
The noblewoman and daughters clustered together parted like the waters of the Red Sea—
“Wow, he’s really something.”
—and Clara, standing beside me, gasped with wide eyes.
What was this?
I followed her gaze.
‘Oh, wow.’
The first thing I noticed was a pair of gleaming black shoes.
Then long legs in impeccably tailored dress trousers.
A black suit clinging to a slender frame—the picture of elegance….
‘Right, me. First Mother’s crowd, and now Father makes his entrance.’
I sensed the commanding aura of the man dominating the room and sighed.
How extravagant could Father be?
The Cufflinks on the shirt cuffs, every button of the black vest—all gleaming with gold plating.
‘And what’s that on the Cravat? A Diamond? Look at the size of it…. Just how rich is he?’
Coming to pick up his daughter while loudly advertising, ‘I have money!’—
“……?”
I was clicking my tongue when I saw the man’s approaching face, and my eyes narrowed.
Wait. What is this?
I’d seen him somewhere before….
“One moment, please.”
Someone who appeared to be an attendant hurried up behind the man.
He then draped a black Half Coat across the man’s shoulders with a flourish.
The man accepted this escort as his due, tilting his head with arrogant grace as he adjusted the cuffs of his Black Gloves.
“Wow, wow….”
I stumbled backward in shock.
This was truly unrecognizable.
Even his usually unkempt white hair was swept back forcefully with such deliberate styling.
‘What on… what on earth….’
The man strode toward me, my mouth hanging open.
‘Why, why….’
Everyone around held their breath, watching his walk as though he were a model on a runway.
The illusion of spotlights bearing down.
‘Why is my Master here…?’
Yes. It was Oscar.
But what in the world was this?

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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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