TIDSF 36

Chapter 36

They must have been incredibly close.

‘Wow… he’s really handsome…’

His features were bold, and his skin was deeply tanned.

The man, whose chef’s uniform looked like it could burst from his bulging muscles, pulled Dad into a tight hug.

Dad patted the man’s back a couple of times.

“Thanks for making time.”

“No, it’s your request—of course I would. But hey, you really cleaned up! What happened to that scruffy stubble? Now you look like some pretty-boy scholar!”

The man rubbed Dad’s chin with his large hand.

Dad, looking annoyed, brushed the man’s hand away.

“Don’t start with nonsense.”

Dad took a step back.

The chef, having shared a brief reunion with Dad, finally turned to look at me and Uncle.

“So, who are these folks?”

“My son, my daughter, my father.”

Dad looked at Aiden, me, and Uncle one by one as he introduced us.

“…Did you get married again? No, adopted them? Or is this some miraculous reunion with your late father…?”

“It just happened that way. Anyway, let’s sit first.”

“Oh!”

Only then did the man realize his lack of manners and step back with open arms.

“Welcome to the Welcome Restaurant! I’m Vision, the owner of this fine establishment.”

The man dramatically swept his right arm in a circle and bowed deeply with one foot behind the other.

It was a rather old-fashioned and classical greeting.

“Vision, huh. This is Vivian. We crossed paths a long time ago and worked together on a few subjugation missions.”

Vivian?

His appearance didn’t match his very feminine name.

“Hey!”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Wood Repre.”

Uncle chuckled low and held out his hand, and the two shook lightly.

Vivian’s eyes widened.

“Repre… oh! Could you be the Repre I’ve heard of? Wood the Condemner?”

“Just an old tale now. I’m just a retired man these days.”

“It’s an honor.”

Vivian smiled pleasantly at Uncle’s humility and led us to our table.

It was a window seat at the far end of the second floor, offering a wide view of the ocean beyond.

“Ah, may I ask for your understanding about one thing?”

“Looks like you’re busy. Something going on?”

Dad had been watching the busy movements of the staff.

“Yeah, well… sigh. Today was supposed to be a soft opening for close acquaintances only, with very few tables served… but early this morning, a servant from a noble house came demanding a table.”

Vivian scratched the back of his head, looking a bit tired.

“It was someone I couldn’t really refuse… We’ve tried to avoid contact, but I ask for your understanding if there’s any inconvenience.”

“It’s fine.”

Uncle nodded.

“The place has a rough charm. I like that it’s not pretentious.”

“That’s his personality. But his cooking is excellent.”

“Good. I’m looking forward to it.”

As they chatted, the food came quickly.

Just as we received our fish dishes, the atmosphere outside grew noisy. It seemed the noble guest he mentioned had arrived.

“It’s delicious.”

“I’m glad you like it. He’s always been a good cook.”

Dad alternated feeding bites of fish to Aiden and me with his spoon.

Anyone watching would think we were a real family.

“You seem to have good connections.”

“Well… I do have a likable personality.”

Dad trailed off awkwardly before joking.

“Ive, do you want more juice?”

“Yeah.”

Aiden nodded, wiped his lips with a napkin, and lightly rang the bell on the table.

“Did you call for me!”

Vivian, who was just bringing out the next course, replied playfully.

“Two more orange juices, please.”

“Got it! I’ll be back while you enjoy the appetizer sherbet.”

Wink.

He fluttered his long eyelashes in a teasing wink.

“You place orders so politely.”

Uncle praised Aiden while patting his head.

‘Oh right, he’s been attending lessons too.’

As I slowly nibbled on the sherbet, Uncle excused himself to the restroom.

‘Is he not feeling well?’

Unlike usual, Uncle had been eating well during this trip. I worried he might be pushing himself again.

“My bladder’s about to burst. I’ll be back too—keep eating the sherbet, okay?”

Dad downed his sherbet in one go and got up.

“Ugh, my head hurts.”

He acted mature around Uncle, but as soon as Uncle left, he groaned and stepped out.

After hesitating for a moment, I quietly jumped down from my seat.

Tap!

At that moment, my wrist was grabbed.

“Ugh… I mean, come on, Oppa. I’m just going to the bathroom too…”

“You can’t go alone.”

Aiden firmly shook his head.

His red eyes stared straight at me.

Why does a kid this young have to be this good-looking? And this strong?!

“You’re going to find Dad, right? Let’s go together.”

And so perceptive, too.

Sigh.

With a short sigh of surrender, I left the table with Aiden.

Having noticed the child glancing around instead of eating, Calix got up and headed straight to the source of the commotion.

“Well, look who it is! Sir Wood! I didn’t recognize you at first—you look different from my memory.”

There, along the path to the restroom, was a man confronting his father-in-law.

The man looked to be in his mid-to-late 40s.

He had a scrawny frame, deep dark circles, and hollow eyes.

A textbook junkie.

“…Baron Rudeng.”

“I’m a Count now, actually. Inherited the title recently.”

Rudeng snapped.

“Must be because you’re in Rogas—you’re behind on the news. Oh! I heard you sent away your personal doctor recently… Financial trouble?”

He scratched his forearm vigorously, grinning slyly.

“Is that so.”

“Yes, I brought my father out for a special meal today. This restaurant is said to be amazing.”

“Enjoy your time, then.”

Wood Repre replied emotionlessly and tried to pass.

But the man kept blocking the pale old man, rambling on.

“Hey now! Don’t go yet! That’s so cold. After all we’ve done for you!”

At that, Wood Repre’s expression turned icy.

“And what have you been up to all this time?”

Calix tilted his head slightly.

So rude.

“There are some strange rumors going around Rogas. Intriguing stuff. How about a meal together, just like old times?”

No manners.

“I’m with company. Maybe another time.”

“Oh? Company? With whom? I’d be happy to invite them too.”

No tact.

“With family. That’s all. Let’s end this conversation here.”

“Family? Who are you referring to? Ah… perhaps that young Duke…?”

Not listening either.

What a jerk.

And while it wasn’t publicly known, Calix was the real Duke.

So out of the loop.

Having come to that conclusion, Calix saw no reason to be polite anymore. He stepped forward and smiled.

“Father. What are you doing back there?”

At Calix’s friendly tone, attention turned toward them.

“Calix.”

“Fa…ther…?”

The man looked confused, glancing between Calix and Wood Repre.

“I never heard you had a child… Seems you’ve met a good partner.”

“Just how things turned out.”

“Hmm. If dining here is uncomfortable, how about joining us at our estate for dinner?”

“Persistent, aren’t you… like a leech.”

Calix muttered under his breath.

“Excuse me?”

“Oh, just saying my daughter and son are waiting, so we’ll be going.”

“Daughter… and son…?”

When did that happen?! — his expression screamed.

Calix, no longer willing to entertain the endless chatter, strode forward and deliberately supported Wood Repre.

“Since you can’t take a hint—my father’s not feeling well, so we’ll be leaving.”

“What… Are you seriously treating me like this?”

Rudeng completely abandoned even the thinnest layer of politeness, sneering openly.

Twitch.

Calix’s cheek twitched hard.

He was just about to snap when—

Clatter-clatter-!

“Aaagh!”

Something zoomed by and crashed to the floor, and then—THWACK!—a flying object landed square on Rudeng’s head.

“…?”