READ NOVEL ONLINE Ch. 33 - Dad, I Love You
“Uh… yes. If that’s what you want, I’ll gladly accept it.”
“Thank you.”
He held Yuriana’s hand, and they smiled together in the now spacious living room.
The window visible through the open curtains would bring warm sunlight during the day.
At night, it would provide a cozy, soft darkness and moonlight.
He hoped it would become a lively room that suited Yuriana well.
“You don’t have to worry about going up and down the stairs.”
“Why not?”
“By then, we’ll install a pulley system and an elevator. I won’t make you do anything strenuous, so don’t worry. I swear to the heavens, this place will be better than any house in the capital.”
To such an extent!
Asil never intended to force a marriage alliance if Yuriana didn’t want it, no matter how much Harun pressured him.
He could already envision Yuriana growing up beautifully and happily in this place.
Today, he felt an immense sense of pride, having restored his daughter’s birthday.
Although he planned not to mention Yuriana’s biological mother, considering his daughter’s lost memories.
Asil Litus, he’d fulfill the roles of both father and mother.
How many years must pass before he could take Yuriana to her mother’s grave, holding her hand?
It would be a painful story for both of them.
But someday, they would go.
“Dad.”
“Thank you for coming to me.”
Yuriana stood there, feeling a bit dazed, but then she gathered her thoughts.
Asil treated her very well.
The initial scary first impression now felt like a faded old story.
So, she wanted to return some of the love he gave her.
To help him find his true happiness, not just be buried in duty.
“Dad, the room I’m using is also spacious.”
“That’s because you’re a little kid.”
“L-little kid?”
The word coming from Asil’s mouth felt incredibly unfamiliar!
“Anyway, I’ll keep it as it is, so when you grow up and come back in ten years, you’ll compare and see. You’ll probably complain that it’s only a few steps from one end to the other.”
“… don’t just be good to me. It’s okay for you to do what you want too, Dad.”
Yuriana spoke very honestly.
Yes, Al said it, but it was obvious that Harun was behind that marriage alliance.
Even though Asil’s heart was currently focused on Yuriana, when a new stepmother arrived, he should treat her well.
At that time, even if Asil’s attention shifted to her, don’t be upset!
‘Hehehe, I hope she’s just a bit kind. Whether I have a new half-brother or sister, I’ll treat them well.’
Even though this was a game, in novels, one parent’s other children often led to bloody chaos.
Yuriana didn’t want to follow such a terrible path.
She also had the powerful weapon of the collection album, so she should prepare for independence later.
Oddly enough, it was only after doing everything else that she remembered.
‘Oh. I forgot it was my birthday when we received presents and had a meal together before.’
Fool.
She lightly mocked herself as she took out something well-folded from her pocket.
Something she wanted to give Asil in celebration of turning seven.
The carefully kept paper rustled.
He quickly noticed and asked.
“What is it?”
“Hehe, I wrote it. For you, Dad.”
She handed him the note with both hands, and he took it without any dismissive expression.
“Let’s see…”
Asil muttered to himself as he unfolded the note.
It was her name written in a child’s uneven handwriting.
Yuriana Litus, to her father, Asil Litus.
Below that, it said, “Dad, I love you,” with the
It was an unexpected gift.
Receiving something like this on his daughter’s seventh birthday.
‘…’
How could he describe this feeling?
Asil stood there, endlessly gazing at the short note.
Without a word or response.
He had no idea Yuriana was conceived from his first love.
He had no clue about the pain Yuriana’s mother went through, giving birth to her.
Did she ever breastfeed Yuriana, even for a day? He didn’t know.
When did Yuriana start walking? He didn’t know that either.
The first moment Yuriana babbled human words, he also didn’t know.
Yuriana, where was she born and where did she grow up?
It was only when she turned six that he learned all these things.
Asil had missed many parts of the parenting process.
But this was the first time.
This brilliant moment was his alone.
This note, handed over by Yuriana, indicated their shared language, their relationship…
The words written there.
The sweet and touching words that had bound humans together for thousands of years, preventing their downfall.
‘I love you.’
This memory, today’s moment that would become a distant memory someday, belonged solely to Asil.
‘Hmm, he’s not responding. I should stay still.’
Yuriana fidgeted with her fingers, waiting.
For some reason, she felt she shouldn’t disturb Asil, lost in thought.
Eventually, he put the note in his back pocket and asked.
“Yuriana, is this the first time you’ve written?”
“No. I practiced a lot on paper, but Levina only gave me this.”
“Okay.”
“You’re the first person I’ve written for. I’ll write longer letters for you in the future!”
“You better.”
Asil responded nonchalantly, but inside, he was overjoyed.
He chalked up a win against those two conceited and foolish imperial bastards dreaming of marriage!
He had also monopolized Yuriana’s kisses!
Hugs…! Well… better forget about those, damn it.
Anyway, his daughter loved him, so she would do as he said even when she’d grown up.
Empire-bound? Don’t make him laugh.
Asil carried Yuriana down to the first floor and sent her to her room.
Before closing the door, he spoke tenderly.
“Good night.”
“You too, Dad.”
“… is that all?”
Huh? Was there something else besides saying good night?
During the pebble map incident, Yuriana kissed Asil on the cheek, but it hadn’t ended well.
Yuriana tilted her head, then recited the last thing she had written.
“Um… Daddy, I love you?”
He was satisfied with just that.
“Great! Go to sleep now. Thanks for the note.”
“Okay.”
Asil smiled broadly, whistling as he left his daughter’s room.
He figured he’d get a kiss next time.
He returned to his office and unfolded the note he had placed in his back pocket.
He took a new frame from his drawer, carefully placed the note inside, and proudly set it on his desk.
He felt great!
‘Hoo-hoo. I’ll have to reward Levina soon for teaching her to write.’
Asil had no idea that he had transformed from the ruthless leader of Dark Town into a sentimental mood-swinger.
And it was likely he’d remain unaware for quite some time.
That was his destiny as a doting father.
* * *
On the morning of the second day since Karas and Al arrived in Dark Town, Yuriana woke up crying for her sweet chocolate.
“My chocolate!”
“Oh, Miss Yuriana. It’s untouched and safe. Did you sleep well?”
Levina teased Yuriana’s pointed nose with a laugh.
Yuriana, sensitive to tickling, squirmed and giggled.
“Ah! I told you it tickles. And you can have some, Levina! I’ll forgive you for half.”
She made an exaggerated gesture.
“Really? It’s a special chocolate sent from the empire. Won’t you cry if I eat it?”
“My father gave me life, and you raised me, so why would I mind?”
Yuriana smirked, celebrating her seventh birthday.
“Oh, my! Miss, you shouldn’t say such things. People might misunderstand.”
“Why?”
“There are things like that in the world. Anyway, don’t say it, okay?”
Despite their age difference, Levina had never seen Asil as a man, unlike the late Leticia.
That was a significant difference between them.
Levina’s gentle yet straightforward demeanor had helped her rise under Asil.
“What does it matter if it’s true?”
“Stop it. Hmm, and Miss, you should eat your meals before having chocolate. Don’t forget to brush your teeth.”
“Hehe, okay.”
To Levina, Yuriana was a well-behaved child who ate everything without complaint.
Although she could have raised Yuriana to be a gourmet to extort more money, Levina hoped she would grow up eating a balanced diet.
Asil had significantly changed since his daughter came to the Dark House, and he had delegated considerable authority to Levina.
The top priority in choosing food was, of course, health.
‘Sweet snacks like chocolate should be limited.’
Yuriana asked another question.
“What about Lord Karas?”
“Oh, our Miss woke up looking for chocolate, but that’s what you were really after, right? He’s well. We’ll visit the capital together soon.”
Levina was slightly wary of the guests from the empire.
It wasn’t out of hatred, of course.
She was indignant because it seemed like these unknown men, who resembled mountain bandits, were about to snatch Yuriana away, whom she had resolved to raise as her own daughter!
Though Karas had a refined appearance far from that of a bandit, it didn’t matter to Levina.
How dare they talk about a marriage alliance?
‘I was planning to move to the capital with Miss, and now the empire? No way, I can’t directly ask the boss to stop, but I’ll plan carefully.’
The emperor of the empire probably thought everything would work out if he persuaded the boss.
But in some ways, there was someone here even more resolute and unforgiving than Asil.
At this moment, Levina shared the same feelings as Asil.
After a simple breakfast, Yuriana, unaware of Levina’s thoughts, moved her hands.
She pulled a familiar book from the shelf.
“Shall we read?”
She had diligently studied with Levina but eventually gave up on the imperial language textbook.
“Yes. Lord Karas and Al are from the Empire. I overheard another maid whispering that the spoken language is the same, but the written language is different.”