My Daddy Hides His Power - Chapter 41

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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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Dad hides his strength
Chapter 41
“…? Excuse me, what did you just…?”
“Good grief. This kid, seriously!”
“Yes, well. Sure.”
Chesier grabbed both my arm and Leon’s with a firm grip, cutting off our protests.
He leaned in close and whispered something into my ear—a silent warning not to intervene.
“I need to head to the Training Ground anyway. See you later.”
“Wait, Chesier…!”
And with that, he was gone before I could catch him.
“Well then, shall we go?”
At the sound of Daimon’s voice from behind, I clenched my fists and ground my teeth.
‘Damn this guy, seriously ruining my mood….’
* * *
The elegant Reception Room had been set with a tea table far too refined for children.
The other children who arrived later seemed unremarkable enough when we exchanged greetings.
Typical third-generation heirs—comfortable, sheltered, and rather ordinary.
And then.
“…which is why I won the Championship Trophy at the Equestrian competition last year.”
Daimon Matini, an insufferable character if there ever was one, had been bragging for thirty minutes straight.
‘No one’s even listening, yet he keeps going strong.’
Every child seated around the table wore an expression of utter boredom.
“By the way, will the two young masters of Antrace be entering the Equestrian competition again this year?”
“No. We’re planning to go Hunting instead.”
At Daimon’s question, Theo—who had been mechanically stuffing the dessert Erika offered him into his mouth—answered.
“Pfft. Why? Don’t tell me you’ve both switched to Hunting because you lack confidence you could beat me? Well, it’s a wise choice, I suppose.”
Leon, who had been slouching, muttered quietly, “Insufferable bastard….”
“No one can match Daimon’s Equestrian skill, that’s for certain.”
“Daimon will take first place again, no doubt about it. I’m just planning to do Poetry Recitation this time.”
Jean Bever and Bruno Pensler each offered their thoughts.
‘Hmm, so his boasting isn’t entirely baseless.’
The Equestrian competition that Daimon had spent so much time promoting was one of the noble events held during the Festival.
During this time, young nobles aged six to fifteen participated in various refined competitions.
Equestrian, Hunting, Musical Performance, Poetry Recitation, and so on.
Parents spared no expense investing in and enrolling their children in whichever disciplines showed promise.
In truth, for the nobility, the Festival was less about simple enjoyment and more about a competitive arena that returned once a year.
“Will you be participating this year as well? Which competition are you thinking of entering?”
Charlotte Mayer, with her adorable short pink hair, asked me the question.
“Hmm…. I haven’t really thought about it yet.”
“Lirlis, haven’t you learned an instrument? Musical Performance would be the easiest. Enter with me.”
Erika extended the invitation warmly.
‘Now that she mentions it, I suppose I should do something. Ugh, and I have no particular talent….’
Since the event had a significant impact on Family Honor, there was no way to avoid it.
“Please do come watch the Equestrian competition, at the very least. The outcome is decided beforehand, so there won’t be much suspense, but still.”
“No suspense at allll~~”
When Leon began openly mocking him, Erika burst into laughter.
“My, why is Theo acting so strange today? He’s being just as adorable as Leon.”
As for Leon….
Whether people mocked him or not, Daimon continued to boast.
“I’ve acquired a magnificent new horse. I’ve finally found a mount worthy of my skill.”
“Hm? Daimon, you changed horses?”
Theo asked.
“Why did you switch? You won last year because of that white horse, didn’t you?”
“That’s not true. It was my skill.”
At Leon’s comment, Daimon bristled, which was rare for him.
“That horse was sluggish. It couldn’t keep up with my training regimen. …Anyway, Lirlis. You’ll come watch, won’t you? Ha ha ha!”
As I watched Daimon’s smugness soar, something twisted and competitive inside me ignited into flame.
Yes, I wanted to see it.
I wanted to see it desperately.
That moment when a nameless extra gnashes their teeth, thinking ‘Ugh, how infuriating! How could I lose!’ before exiting the stage.
‘I should go out for Equestrian training with Chesier.’
I nodded to myself as I thought it over.
* * *
“Father, Father, Father!”
“Oh! My princess!”
The moment I spotted Father’s carriage returning home, I bolted out to greet him.
He grinned so wide his face nearly split in half and swept me up into his arms.
“What’s this, princess? Did you miss Father so much you couldn’t wait and came all the way out here? I’m touched!”
“That’s not it—I have something to tell you—”
“Thank goodness my princess looks unwell. You’re feeling better, yes? You must have been startled when you woke up and Father wasn’t there. Goodness, the Captain of Knights called for me this morning on account of yesterday’s business.”
“Ah, I see. But Father, I really need to—”
Mmm, mmm, mmm.
He strode across the garden kissing my cheeks without mercy.
A sigh escaped me.
“But why does our princess look so beautiful today? Are you trying to get yourself kidnapped again, dressed like that?”
I shoved his chin away before he could practically suck my cheeks clean.
“I do have something to say!”
“Hmm? What is it?”
“Buy me a horse! A young horse!”
“A horse? What’s this about suddenly?”
“The Festival competition is coming up, remember? I want to compete in Equestrian. With Chesier.”
Father’s brow furrowed.
“Equestrian?”
“Yes!”
“Why Equestrian? It’s harder than it looks. Do something else. No, better yet—you don’t have to compete at all.”
“What are you talking about? Everyone else is scrambling for medals. Father, what kind of patriarch are you? Don’t you care about Family Honor?”
“…Heh. Grandfather would be pleased to hear you say that.”
“Exactly! Anyway, I want to do Equestrian. It’s fine if Chesier does it too, right?”
“That’s not the issue, but…”
Father looked reluctant, but watching me shine with determination, he finally surrendered.
“All right then.”
* * *
From there, Father took Chesier and me straight to Je Island’s most famous Stable.
Chesier, who’d followed along without quite understanding, hesitated when told to choose a horse.
“But… am I allowed to compete in the tournament too?”
“Of course. Since I’m your patron, if you place, it’ll count as a victory for our house.”
“Ah, then I’ll do my best.”
Just as I’d predicted, a fierce competitive fire lit behind Chesier’s eyes.
‘Heh, I knew it.’
The protagonist never holds back.
For all his taciturn nature, Chesier had never won arguments with small-time villains through wit alone—instead, he crushed them with abilities that surpassed theirs across every domain.
“Pick whichever horse appeals to you.”
“Yes.”
Watching Chesier’s figure disappear toward the horses, I grinned to myself.
‘Immutable Law of the Original Work Number One: the word “second place” doesn’t exist in the protagonists’ vocabulary.’
Though Chesier had never ridden a horse before, he would claim victory in the end.
This Equestrian tournament would humble Daimon’s insufferable pride while introducing the world to Chesier’s talents and name.
Truly, a brilliant strategy to achieve everything at once—catching crayfish while fixing the dike and having your cake and eating it too!
“Shouldn’t you pick a horse too, princess?”
“Ah, I’ll just… pick something casual.”
Of course, my plan was to stand beside Chesier and simply watch the show.
I’d never ridden before, and with only two weeks to practice before the competition, there was no hope of placing.
“Hmm.”
I wandered absently through the Stable.
There were plenty of smaller breed horses suited for children.
“Huh?”
Just then.
A light shone unusually bright from one corner.
“Wow…! Father, look at that one!”
I was drawn like a spell toward a horse standing alone, remarkable in its singular beauty.
“Goodness!”
“Oh, how lovely.”
It was a beautiful white horse.
Its coat was immaculate and gleaming, pure white with meticulous care, and its mane shimmered with an otherworldly blue hue.
But most critically, beneath those long, fluttering lashes… the eyes!
Those eyes were the killing point.
“This one has blue eyes!”
If it were a person, it would feel like a haughty noble. Those blue eyes that met mine burned with both arrogance and melancholy.
I pointed to the white horse.
“I want this one!”
“Oh, Miss.”
Just then, the stable master, who had been hovering behind Father and me, spoke with an apologetic smile.
“You’re looking for a horse to compete in this spring’s Festival Equestrian competition, I presume? If so, I’m afraid this one won’t do.”
“Why not? Is there a problem?”
Father asked, and the stable master scratched his cheek.
“This is Zephyr. He’s the horse that won the Equestrian championship last year with Lord Daimon.”
“What? Really? I’d heard about it. So this was Lord Daimon’s horse? But if he has an owner, why is he here?”
“He sustained a leg injury during training. Well, it’s mostly healed now, but he’ll never regain his former speed.”
“What? You mean Lord Daimon abandoned him?”
The stable master let out an awkward laugh.
“Well… racing horses are typically considered past their usefulness once they’re injured, you see.”
“So he really did abandon him… but surely, after spending so much time together, he’d feel some attachment? Shouldn’t he continue to be responsible, whether they compete again or not…?”
“Ha. I suppose there were circumstances we’re not aware of.”
Circumstances. What nonsense.
Knowing the character of the villain extra Daimon, it was painfully predictable.
He abandoned him. A companion he’d spent over a year with, through thick and thin.
Even one who’d brought him a Championship Trophy just last year.
“His true colors showed.”
“Pardon?”
“So if no one buys Zephyr, he stays here?”
“No. Since he was raised as a racing horse, he won’t sell. Horses with no commercial value are disposed of as standard practice….”
“……?”
“Usually sent to the slaughterhouse.”
What? In that instant, my mind went blank white with shock.
‘K-killed? This perfectly healthy animal?’
I lost my words, my mouth falling open as I looked back up at Zephyr.
Those eyes I’d thought melancholic like a person’s now seemed truly tragic—aware of their own fate.
As if deeply wounded.
“This can’t be right….”

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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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