My Daddy Hides His Power - Chapter 84

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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 84
I watched Uncle’s face nervously, trying to read his mood.
No matter how I looked at it, his expression seemed displeased.
Cheshire must have noticed too—he gripped my trembling hand firmly and glared at Uncle with frightening intensity.
“Ah.”
Uncle glanced at Cheshire for a moment, then noticed me shrinking back and looked startled.
“D-did I do something wrong…?”
“No.”
“But your expression—”
“My expression?”
Uncle paused and wiped his own face.
“I’m sorry. I gave you the wrong impression.”
“You looked angry….”
“I wasn’t angry. I was surprised.”
“That didn’t look like surprise….”
“My apologies. I’ll practice.”
Uncle rubbed his forehead, smoothing his scowl, then deliberately curved his mouth upward.
Then he extended his arms. I hesitated before stepping forward into his embrace.
“I’m truly sorry for the misunderstanding.”
“No, it’s fine… But why were you surprised? Is it because of my Rank?”
“Yes. I heard about it this morning, but I couldn’t believe it, so I came to see for myself. Is this really true?”
“Yes, it really is.”
“Hmm.”
Uncle sighed.
Though he’d said he misread his expression, it was clear he still disapproved of my Rank.
“Why? Does it bother you that my Rank is low?”
“Yes, that’s right. There are plenty of shameless people around here who pick fights just by looking at someone’s Rank.”
Uncle caressed my cheek soothingly and asked, “Has anyone been troubling you?”
I thought of Bruce, but simply shook my head.
“No one’s given me any trouble! Cheshire’s been by my side the whole time.”
“I see.”
Uncle glanced down at Cheshire and let out a small laugh.
Then he exhaled deeply.
“This is something. Your father-in-law might end up dancing naked in the middle of Jedo….”
“…….”
“I’m worried.”
I understood Uncle’s concern.
To free Father from the Emperor’s grip, I’d had no choice.
But.
‘Still, now that I’ve actually gotten a Grade 4 Rank and had that run-in with Bruce, I knew my life would get a little rougher.’
Yet what did that matter?
If a little disrespect meant I could protect Father—
“I’m fine. I have Father, and Cheshire, and you too.”
I smiled brightly and threw my arms around Uncle’s neck.
“Yes.”
Uncle stroked my hair as he spoke.
“Let’s go home now.”
* * *
The next day.
The Graduation Ceremony was held for the twenty-one who had received their Ability User Badges.
We gathered in the Grand Hall, just as we had at the Entrance Ceremony.
Uncle, whose temporary assignment had ended, was also there to leave with us—
“U-Uncle, please put me down.”
“No. Just stay.”
Uncle, who had rushed over early in the morning, openly refused to let me go, holding me in his arms for everyone to see.
He hadn’t slept a wink, so worried about me that—
He cast a menacing glare at all the researchers, the facility administrators, and even the other students.
It was a kind of warning performance: don’t think you can treat her carelessly just because her Rank is low.

I was awkwardly nestled in Uncle’s arms, waiting—
“Attention, graduating students.”
The administrator I’d seen at the Entrance Ceremony spoke up.
“Due to an unforeseen change in schedule, His Majesty the Emperor will not be attending today’s Graduation Ceremony.”
A murmur rippled through the crowd.
I swallowed a laugh.
It was a shame, in a way. I’d been looking forward to seeing the Emperor’s rotten expression at today’s ceremony….
‘Took ill, did he?’
Serves him right.
“Oh, that’s a relief. I didn’t want to see his face anyway.”
Uncle muttered quietly.
“What? Why not? Everyone else is desperate to catch a glimpse of His Majesty. Even now, there are plenty of disappointed faces….”
“Well, I don’t like him. Never have.”
“I see.”
That was bold, even for him.
But it was typical of the revolutionaries in the source material.
They all loathed the Emperor.
“…Primera 1026, Gerard Schmid. Primera 1025, Bruce Chamb. Primera 1026, Cheshire. Primera 1024, Diez Jem….”
The administrator called out each graduate’s name one by one.
“…Primera 1026, Lilis Rubinstein.”
My name was called last.
“That concludes the graduation of twenty-one Ability Users. We wish you to grow into glorious servants of the Empire. May Primera’s blessing be upon you all.”
* * *

The entrance to the training grounds still evoked a military recruitment center.
The graduates, dressed in civilian clothes, waited for their families to pick them up.
“You look absolutely stunning. Just like a princess.”
“Hehe.”
Uncle marveled at me in the Princess Lara Dress.
“My older brothers gave me this outfit as a birthday present! I have a Tiara at home too!”
“Is that so? That’s my boys for you. They have good taste—take after me.”
Uncle smiled contentedly.
Then suddenly, he sighed as he glanced at Jem and Rom waiting beside us.
I’d invited them both to ride in our family carriage.
Nobles could use the Warp Gate, but commoners couldn’t.
‘Why does Uncle look upset? Does he not want me giving my friends a ride?’
No. I decided not to jump to conclusions about his expression.
‘I’ve been fooled too many times already. I won’t be fooled again.’
Jem, sensing Uncle’s displeasure, laughed awkwardly.
“Um, are you sure it’s okay for us to ride in your family carriage, Lilis? We can just head into town and catch a hired cab. We’ll pay the fare.”
“N-no. C-c-come, how to, understand.”
“No way! Ride with us!”
“Y-yes. Come. Two little ones traveling alone from the Central Region to Jedo? That’s dangerous.”
“Uncle just frowned again, and that’s why the kids were worried.”
“Huh?”
Uncle looked flustered and let out a sigh.
“I see. It’s just that your father irritates me.”
“What? Why would Father bother you?”
“I thought he’d be here since before dawn, but why is he keeping us waiting like this?”
He had a point there!
I’d packed my things yesterday in anticipation of Father waiting for me, and the moment the ceremony ended, I’d dashed out like a bullet!
“Look at that. Even high-ranking nobles don’t use the Warp Gate—they come pick up their children like this.”
Uncle gestured with his chin toward a magnificent, glittering procession that hurt the eyes.
Four horses pulled a fancy four-seater carriage at the very front, and behind it came two smaller carriages.
‘What’s all that about?’
My jaw dropped in surprise as Uncle explained.
“Since this is an occasion to see off and welcome home the heirs, a family must display its power. Most don’t simply hop through the Warp Gate. Everyone does this at the Entrance Ceremony too.”
“Ah, I see.”
So these aristocratic families traveled all the way from Jedo to the Central Region with a string of carriages just to flaunt their wealth and influence.
Such was the way of nobility….
“Duke Schmid.”
At Uncle’s words, Cheshire, Jem, Rom, and I all turned our gaze toward the carriage at once.
Duke Schmid.
In other words, Gerard’s father—and soon to be someone who would join Father’s revolution.
Duke Schmid, his pale violet hair neatly swept back, stepped down from the carriage and opened his arms with an expression of overwhelming emotion.
Gerard moved forward and embraced him.
‘Oh, this is actually touching….’
Even watching them, I felt a lump form in my throat. Was this what it felt like to welcome home a son from the service?
I wanted to see Father too.
Then.
After Gerard finished his joyful reunion with his father, he looked toward us and approached.
This was the first time I’d spoken with Gerard since receiving my Grade Four rank.
“Lilis.”
“Huh? Yeah!”
“Would it be all right if I contacted you once I’m in Jedo?”
“What?”
“…I have some things I’d like to apologize for. What I said yesterday has been weighing on my mind, and I feel like I only did it halfway.”
Gerard added, glancing at Cheshire, Jem, and Rom.
“You too.”
My goodness!
Gerard didn’t seem to mind my rank at all—or meeting with my other friends.
I was so delighted that I grabbed my cheeks while still nestled in Uncle’s arms and cried out.
“Of course! Let’s eat something delicious together!”
“All right. I’ll treat you all.”
This was the unmistakable taste of true redemption!
I watched Gerard shake hands with Cheshire and felt pure happiness.
It was like a lump in my throat that hadn’t yet dissolved suddenly melted away.
“See you soon. Goodbye.”
“Yeah! Safe travels, Gerard! Goodbye!”
What a lovely moment. I was contentedly wiping my nose as I watched Gerard’s carriage depart—
“Dad’s heeeeere!”
A carriage bearing the grand seal of Rubinstein came into view.
“Wow. So Gerard’s father was… rather modest with his display?”
Jem’s jaw dropped.
No wonder—besides the carriage Father was riding in, there were four more carriages trailing behind.
‘Why is Father being so over the top?’
I was a bit puzzled, but I didn’t care. I shook Uncle urgently.
“Uncle, Uncle! Please put me down now!”
“All right. You’ve been dying to see your father, haven’t you?”
Uncle set me down with a smile.
I bounced on my toes, trembling with anticipation at the thought of seeing Father.
“Grandfather!”
Soon the carriage came to a stop before us, and Grandfather emerged first.
“Child. Have you been well?”
Then came my twin older brothers.
“Shortstuff! I brought you something special for your graduation gift!”
“Lilis! I missed you!”
Next came Aunt.
“My, look at our little one. You’ve grown so much!”
I kept bouncing on my toes.
Father, Father.
But after Aunt, the carriage door closed.
What?
I went limp like a cotton candy figure whose sugar had been washed away.
“…Where’s Father?”

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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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