287 – To Become a Good Father

Rowen sat at his desk, flipping through the thick pages with focus.

“Hmm…”

A book as thick as a dictionary.

Even for Rowen, who was accustomed to books, the heavy pages only drew sighs. Wondering if this method was right.

“…This is tough.”

[How to Be a Good Father.]

1. Always smile.

2. Provide positive encouragement and support.

3. Listen to your child’s stories to the end.

Rowen smirked bitterly at the strangely difficult content of the book. None of it seemed to apply to him.

All of it was wrong.

From one to ten.

It was as if the answer sheet was avoiding him, not a single thing fitting.

“From one to ten, all wrong.”

Yet, Rowen concentrated, and concentrated again. He thought of this as the baby steps he could take.

Even if it wasn’t a big deal, even if others laughed, Rowen wanted to walk. Even if they were small steps.

To become a better father for his daughter, and to apologize to his son who had endured, Rowen was shaving off his stubbornness.

There was much to learn.

He was like a baby just starting to walk. Realizing he had to turn everything he knew into a blank slate and start over, Rowen endured a throbbing headache as he focused on reading.

Perhaps 5 hours had passed.

With a ‘thud,’ Rowen closed the book and murmured softly, shaking his head slightly.

“I don’t think I can do this alone.”

It was embarrassing, but he thought it couldn’t be helped. No matter how much he read, only the words came in. His head understood, but his heart wouldn’t follow.

Feeling completely out of sync, Rowen sighed deeply and bowed his head.

“I need a teacher.”

Whether there was someone who would teach a Sword Master, he didn’t know.

Yet, wanting to take a step forward, Rowen didn’t bother to tidy his tousled hair and furrowed his brow.

“…To be a good father.”

A hollow laugh escaped him.

Rumors that flutter through the world are full of lies.

Such is the nature of nobility.

Filled with lies and rumors wrapped in pretense. To the extent that even I was rumored to be a good father. At social gatherings, the young heirs would say, “You must be fortunate, having such a caring father.”

It’s not even funny.

Resting his hand on the book, Rowen muttered softly, wondering if there was anyone among his acquaintances fit to be a teacher.

“Someone trustworthy…”

Without having to mind the Sword Master’s mood.

A teacher who has a harmonious family.

No matter how much he thought, he couldn’t find an answer.

“…”

The nobles were afraid of him.

And he could get tangled in needless scandals. Unable to pinpoint anyone, Rowen sat in his chair, deep in thought.

As darkness began to fill the room.

“Ah.”

A noble who lived without minding others’ eyes flashed through Rowen’s mind.

“I’ll be a good father.”

“…”

“Come to the wedding. You seem like you’d give a generous gift.”

“You’re talking nonsense.”

Of course, that fellow seemed to have gone wrong with raising his children, but still, he seemed like a better father than himself.

So.

“Sigh…”

Rowen lifted his heavy body from the chair and headed towards his friend’s mansion.

*

Today, too, the Duke of Deathsmount’s residence was peaceful.

Dressed in his uniform, Darvab sighed deeply as he looked at the person seated across from him.

“…So why have you come to see me?”

“I’ve come to seek learning.”

“You’re making a joke.”

Darvab was displeased with the unannounced visit. Even if there had been prior notice, he wouldn’t have been welcomed.

Darvab took a swig of his drink and spoke to the man before him, his words laced with suspicion.

“I thought you came out of gratitude.”

“Is there something bothering you?”

“No, the empire’s dogs love us too much for that to be possible.”

The guest, at a loss for words against Darvab’s sharp tone, moistened his dry lips.

“I’ll try to pour less affection next time.”

“How amusing.”

For Darvab, the existence of friends was as good as none. That’s why Rosanna was suspicious when a man introduced himself as Darvab’s close friend.

“Who did you say you are?”

“A friend of Desmund Darvab.”

“Don’t lie. My husband doesn’t have friends anywhere.”

“…”

“Honey!!”

After the misunderstanding was cleared, the hero of the day, Lowen, received a grand welcome and sat down in front of the drink spread prepared by Rosanna, letting out a deep sigh.

“Do you also lack friends?”

“Don’t lump me together with you, Lowen.”

“My apologies,”

With a sigh, Darvab, wearing a heavy expression, asked Lowen. It was time to get to the point.

“Look here, Lowen.”

“Speak, Darvab.”

“Say it one more time.”

“What are you talking about?”

“The thing you asked of me.”

Without hesitation, Lowen told Darvab.

“I asked you to teach me how to be a good father.”

“Ha…?”

Darvab shook his head at Lowen’s words.

“Do I look like a good father to you?”

“…”

“You wouldn’t say such a thing if you’d only heard the rumors that go around.”

After a long silence, Rowen spoke heavily.

“I want to be a father my daughter doesn’t have to hide from.”

“…”

“At least your daughter doesn’t sell you out proudly, does she?”

“…Are you cursing me now?”

“I wish it were a curse. I’d like to hear such words myself.”

Darvab put down his teacup and shook his head.

“It’s still too much.”

“Why? I can pay you handsomely.”

“I have plenty of money, Rowen. It’s the conscience that’s the problem.”

“You had a conscience?”

“…Are you picking a fight?”

“I’m sorry.”

Darvab exhaled and said,

“I personally don’t think I’m a good father. Rowen. I couldn’t stop my daughter’s rebellion, nor understand her sorrow.”

“…”

“Who am I to teach anyone? I’m not a good father myself. Don’t you think so, Rowen?”

“…”

Rowen said to Darvab,

“Is there really no way?”

Just as Darvab was about to refuse again,

-Daddy!!! I’m home!!!

A familiar voice came from the first floor of the mansion. A sharp and venomous voice. Rowen frowned at the booming voice of the girl, reminiscent of a little devil.

-Thud.

“Where are you going?”

“My daughter has arrived, hasn’t she?”

Without a moment’s hesitation, Darvab put down his glass and issued an eviction order.

“Leave. I have to play with my daughter now.”

“What did you say?”

“You heard me. Get a hearing test.”

Rowen glanced at his friend, whose lips were curling up, and wore a look of incomprehension.

“Our conversation isn’t over yet.”

“Sorry, but playing with my daughter is more important to me. If you have a complaint, go play with your own daughter.”

“Are you joking?”

Darvab answered with a serious expression.

“Do I look like I’m joking? I’m always sincere.”

Rowen watched Darvab’s back as he picked up his coat, thinking something felt off.

And following him had led to a disastrous result.

“Giggle.”

“Olivia!”

“Daddy. I’m out here.”

“What brought you here?”

“This.”

Darvab’s daughter handed over a paper bag with a smile. It didn’t seem like a grand gift, but Rowen was intrigued by her confident demeanor and quietly observed them.

“I bought it because it reminded me of you.”

“But it’s not Daddy’s birthday yet.”

“Just because. I wanted to give it.”

“Daddy is proud of you.”

“Giggle…! I’m proud of you too, Daddy.”

Rowen couldn’t feel affection for his friend’s transformed appearance. He wasn’t the type to smile like that. And he was surprised by what he now saw before his eyes.

What’s a ‘Daddy’?

And what’s with that expression?

Thinking that the first step to being a good father was far from ordinary, Rowen sighed deeply at the gift emerging from the paper bag.

“What is this… A lunchbox?”

“Yep. Got it for free.”

“…”

“You won’t die from eating it, so it’s fine.”

Rowen felt utterly bewildered.

For a moment, Rowen’s wandering gaze met that of a familiar man. A man with red hair and red eyes.

Ricardo nodded slightly to Rowen in greeting, as if asking if he had resolved the concern he had inquired about before.

“Yes.”

Rowen nodded in response, acknowledging Ricardo’s greeting.

-Hehehe! Daddy, where did mommy go?

-Olivia!

-Eeeeek!!!! It’s mommy…!

They seemed harmonious.

This family.

Feeling a warmth he had never seen in his own lineage, Rowen thought he had found the answer and watched their story unfold a little longer.

“Daddy!”

“Yes, Olivia.”

“Have you eaten?”

“Yes.”

“I didn’t eat because I wanted to eat with you.”

“…I’ve already digested.”

Rowen carefully noted Darvab’s actions in his heart.

A considerate heart.

An understanding stance.

Seeing Darvab’s behavior, which reflected the actions described in books, Rowen let out a small laugh, thinking, ‘What makes a bad father?’

“I should be going now.”

With heavy steps, Rowen nodded and took his leave.

Soon after, he was struck by a realization that left him gasping.

“Ah…”

-This month’s business earnings report.

Total: 100,000,000 gold.

-Author: Histania Malik.

“Now I’m at a loss for words.”

Indeed, he was the worst father.