My Daddy Hides His Power - Chapter 233

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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 hides his strength
Chapter 233
“Wait! This is a misunderstanding, Uncle! I can explain everything!”
I scrambled down from the bed.
“A misunderstanding? What misunderstanding? What more is there to say in a situation like this?”
Axion glared at Cheshire and me in turn, his face dark with anger.
Right…
Just moments before, he’d caught us locked in each other’s arms on the bed.
‘Oh no—Father didn’t even know Cheshire and I were together!’
If we hadn’t been touching, I might have found some way to talk my way out of it, but there was no escaping this.
And to make matters worse, I was still in my nightclothes—the white robe priests wear while sleeping.
‘I didn’t think anything of it yesterday, but now I see why it looks like something from a cheap motel.’
It was hopeless.
* * *
In the end, we confessed everything.
That we’d been dating for two months.
That the real reason we’d chosen Argonia as the training grounds for Father’s private forces was so we could meet here in secret.
And so on…
“Couldn’t you have found a way to contact me?”
Father, seated on the bed, asked us as we both knelt before him.
Though he wasn’t actually making me kneel on the floor—Cheshire had dropped to his knees so quickly that I felt I couldn’t just stand there, so I knelt beside him instead.
“Cheshire, you knew how difficult things were for us to move about, didn’t you?”
Axion asked, his arms folded across his chest.
Right—Argonia currently had hundreds of the Emperor’s Elite Force here for training.
If Father, who was in Jedo, had tried to use Teleportation Magic by simply marking coordinates, he’d have risked exposure.
‘There were far too many risk factors.’
It was a time that demanded the utmost caution.
Which was why the only way he could have come was through the Warp Gate, using the pretext of picking up his isolated daughter.
“Yes, sir. I understand it was difficult for you to come. I’m very sorry.”
…?
Cheshire had jumped straight to an apology, and I was taken aback.
“No, don’t phrase it like that—it makes it sound like we deliberately stayed away overnight. Father, I’m truly sorry we couldn’t contact you. But there really was no way.”
Father looked at me intently.
“I mean, you told me not to use my Ability until you started your business, and with Cheshire here too, there’s no real danger, so… we just decided to wait until the Warp Gate recharged and then come home.”
“Is that so?”
“Your Grace.”
At that, Cheshire lowered his head.
“In truth, I could have reached out to you. Even if it was difficult for Your Grace to come here from Jedo, I could have easily sent Lilis home.”
…?
What? Why is he suddenly saying this?
“C-Cheshire? I mean, you know I was isolated here, so I had to come back through the Warp Gate anyway…”
“We could have coordinated our story and sent her back secretly. There were ways to contact Your Grace, and I could have arranged for Lilis to stay in Jedo.”
My mouth fell open.
Well, he’s not wrong.
Since we were all people who knew how to use Teleportation Magic, if we’d really tried to find a way, we probably could have—but…
‘Why would he say that here, now?’
I glanced cautiously at Father’s expression and lowered my eyes meekly.
“I’m sorry. But I didn’t want to be apart from Lilis.”
…?
What was he doing—being this honest? Was he insane?
“But there’s nothing to worry about. Please believe me. I apologize.”
Wow.
I was floundering, not knowing where to even start salvaging this, when Father sat quietly for a long moment, then rose to his feet.
“All right. Let’s go home, Lilis.”
And he left the room. Axion sighed and followed after him.
…That’s it? Just like that?
“Hey!”
The moment they left, I smacked Cheshire’s thigh.
“How could you say that? You should have made excuses! We were so flustered yesterday we didn’t even have time to think of something like that!”
“No, Lilis.”
Cheshire lifted me up and spoke.
“I’m sorry for only saying this now. It’s true I was caught off guard yesterday, but as I told your father just a moment ago, I had already worked out a way to send you back.”
“…….”
“I just pretended not to know because I wanted to spend a little more time with you.”
“Ah, no….”
I felt a flush of embarrassment wash over me and looked away from Cheshire’s eyes.
“Even so, you didn’t need to be so honest about it to Father….”
“Denying it would only make me look worse in his eyes. It’s better to admit honestly that I wanted to be with you. If I lied, he’d think even less of me.”
“Cheshire….”
“Hurry up and come down here!”
I jumped at Axion’s shout from outside.
Ugh, really….
* * *
We said goodbye in front of the Warp Gate.
Cheshire had to stay here and continue his training.
‘If we part now, I won’t see him until the business is done?’
A sigh escaped me.
“Take care of yourself, Cheshire.”
“Yes.”
Father’s farewell came out surprisingly gruff.
Cheshire lowered his head like a criminal, watching for any sign of approval.
Honestly, it was me who suggested meeting here, and me who wanted to stay longer.
Cheshire had done nothing wrong.
Feeling apologetic, I quietly reached out my hand toward him. The moment he saw it, Cheshire extended his hand in return.
Our fingertips were just beginning to touch—
“Ah!”
—when Father swiftly severed our contact with the edge of his hand.
“Let’s go.”
“Ah, Father….”
Father pulled my arm.
“Don’t skip meals. Take care of yourself.”
“…Yes.”
I could see Axion and Cheshire exchanging words as well.
No, this can’t be happening!
If we part like this, we won’t see each other for a whole month!
In the end, I hesitated only a moment before offering a brief farewell that could convey my desperate feelings.
“Take care of yourself, dear! Stay well!”
“……!”
I could see Cheshire on the other side of the Warp Gate, startled. His lips formed a “Yeah,” though his expression was bittersweet.
“…….”
“…….”
“…….”
And in that single moment, we crossed over.
Jedo, Pavil Temple.
The temple in the early morning was silent as a tomb, empty of any soul.
Only Father and Axion stood there with expressions of utter bewilderment at what they’d just heard.
“Lilis.”
Father lowered his voice and spoke.
“You are forbidden from staying out overnight for the next two years.”
……?
“W-what did you just say?”
I blinked, taken completely aback.
“Father, you don’t trust Cheshire? We didn’t do anything—why are you doing this?”
“It’s not that. After what happened today, I’ve learned something for certain. I trust Cheshire. It’s you I don’t trust.”
“…….”
I swallowed hard.
“You were the one who insisted that Cheshire’s training be set in Argonia.”
I had no words.
Cheshire had said, “I came here to train after learning where Lilis was visiting,” but….
Father, it seemed, had seen right through to my hand in the matter.
“Father and Uncle can tell Cheshire a thousand times not to let me stay over, but if you’re the one asking for it first, what’s there to do about it?”
“I’m not asking! And Father—! You don’t— we’re not doing anything like that!”
“How would Father know whether you are or aren’t?”
“Well, that’s true, but still!”
I couldn’t back down.
Two years without overnight stays—was that even fair?
If I gave in now, I’d probably end up living with Father forever and never get married.
“What gives Father the right to control my freedom!”
“……?”
Father’s eyes widened.
“What… gives? Did you just say, what gives Father the right?”
“Oh, I didn’t—”
That came out too harshly.
But what was I supposed to do about being wronged?
“I’m—I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking straight. But…”
Normally I would have obeyed Father’s words, but something about today made a rebellious streak surge up inside me that didn’t feel like me at all.
“I’m your daughter, but that doesn’t mean you have the right to control me!”
“Who said anything about controlling you?”
As our voices grew heated, Axion stepped between us.
“Listen, Lilis. That’s not what we mean. Do you have any idea how much your father worried about you yesterday?”
“…….”
“You’re still a minor under your parents’ protection. Until you come of age, you need to follow your father’s guidance.”
“But…”
“Not allowing overnight stays for minors is your father’s parenting philosophy. It’s not a lifetime ban, and two years is just until you become an adult—you can bear that much.”
Ugh…
It was all painfully reasonable, but it felt so unfair.
If I backed down now, I’d really be stuck with no overnight stays for two whole years.
One month from now, once the business wraps up.
‘I was going to travel freely. Cheshire even made me a list of the ten most beautiful travel spots…’
My dreams of a carefree one-night trip shattered.
What had been my biggest reason for working so hard, cutting years off my life to help Father prepare for this business?
No more suffering, happiness begins!
After everything was done, I’d travel freely with the people I love!
Eat delicious food!
Live that happy, carefree life!
But instead?
Two years?
‘I hate Father!’
Swelling with frustration, I stood on one leg and began picking at my nails.
“What? Princess, what’s with that rebellious posture? Did Father teach you that? Ignoring Father and causing worry, asking to stay over? Well?”
“…….”
“Stand up straight!”
I straightened immediately.
It was submissive, but I kept my lower lip thrust out to show my defiance.
“That pretty mouth!”
No pouting.
He really wouldn’t let it go.
“You—?!”
Father’s voice grew louder. I caught a glimpse of his expression—it was terrifying.
“…….”
I meekly drew my lip back in.
So I was losing after all…
But I had to let him see my disappointment.
So I spoke.
“Tch.”
“……?”
At my rebellious display, Father clutched his forehead and swayed slightly.
“Oh, heavens above.”
“…….”
“This won’t do.”
Father spun around sharply.
This wouldn’t do.
It sounded like an ominous line.
Sure enough, Father stepped toward the door and spoke as he moved.
“I’m going to tell the Magic Tower Master that the Princess stayed out overnight.”
“……?”
What? I rushed forward and grabbed Father’s arm.
“Why would you tell my teacher that?”
“Because you won’t listen if I tell you.”
“All right, all right! I hear you. I won’t stay out overnight anymore.”
“Good. But I need to tell your teacher as well. That’s the only way I’ll be able to rest easy.”
“No! Father! Wait!”
He’d lost his mind.
I grabbed Father’s arm desperately, trying to hold him back, but it was hopeless.
How could I stop someone with no strength to spare? He was practically a corpse in human form.
“Father? Father! Please!”
I hung from his arm like a calf being dragged to the slaughterhouse, my heels scraping across the ground.
“Father!!!”
“Let go, Princess!”
My vision went white.
It wasn’t Oscar—it wasn’t!
He’d really crossed the line this time.
“Father! I’m—I’m sorry! Just once! Just once, please! I beg you! I was wrong!!!”

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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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