Chapter 5
With just one word from Dad, all the grown-ups froze! Even that scary adult who had threatened to summon the knights was standing still over there!
My dad is so cool!
It was the first time she had ever seen her father, but Roer’s heart swelled with excitement and pride.
But that thrill didn’t last long.
The moment she stopped in front of Alcade and looked up at his face, Roer flinched.
He was just standing there, looking down at her with an expressionless face.
‘Ehh….’
Why isn’t he hugging me?
Whenever Mom and Grandpa see me, they always say, “Our cute Roer,” then hug me tightly and pat my bottom.
Still, Roer forced a goofy smile.
It’s because Dad is seeing me for the first time! That must be why!
Even if he doesn’t pat me on the bottom like Grandpa, saying “Our little darling!”… Even if he doesn’t hug me like Mom saying “Our Roer!”… It’s okay.
Instead, once he knows that I’m his daughter, he should pat my head, right?
Suppressing her disappointment, Roer greeted him politely, just as her mother had taught her. Then she beamed brightly.
“Ung! I’m Roervantes! Nickname, Roer! It’s nice to meet you for the first time!”
That’s what Mom always told her.
‘Roer, you’re so, so pretty when you smile!’
And Mom would pinch her cheek gently without hurting.
Grandpa would laugh heartily at the sight and say, “Our Roer is truly adorable.”
Everyone was always happy when Roer smiled!
Just in case Alcade hadn’t seen it properly, Roer made her smile even bigger.
‘I hope Dad feels as happy as I do!’
Clutching her pounding heart, Roer carefully studied Alcade’s face.
Alcade’s eyes narrowed slightly as he looked at her.
‘An ability…?’
He was trying to sense the distinct ripple of power he had felt when the child appeared in the air.
If the child possessed the power that only the direct line of Atteleon could wield…
Just as Alcade furrowed his brow while staring at Roer, she suddenly raised both arms high.
It was the unmistakable gesture of “Hug me!”
“Ung! The Grand Duke is Roer’s daddy!”
Hehehe.
Aren’t you glad to see me too, Dad?
So hurry up and hug me!
But Alcade didn’t budge, even against her secret “Hug me!” attack. He just stood still. A little disappointed and a little embarrassed, Roer slowly lowered her arms.
Maybe Dad’s just a bit shy!
That’s okay. I’m a good child, so I can understand Dad!
“Ah! My tea—!”
Roer lifted a hand to her flushed, embarrassed cheek, but quickly pulled it back.
Clink!
A small metallic sound rang in her little palm. She had forgotten she was holding something and had touched her face with that hand.
Hm?
Alcade’s gaze naturally shifted to Roer’s hand.
At that moment, the child opened her small palm.
‘Why is this… in her hand…?’
A silver pendant glittered brilliantly in Roer’s hand.
Alcade couldn’t take his eyes off it.
For the first time since the child’s appearance, his expressionless face wavered.
Because it was an item he knew all too well.
How could he not recognize it?
It was the pendant he had given to Elaine with his own hands.
He had agonized over which gem would suit her best, which one she might love most. After much deliberation, he had procured the rarest materials and hired a renowned craftsman to create it.
And now… this pendant.
“This is…”
Alcade scrutinized Roer once again.
Her golden curly hair, her bright green eyes.
It wasn’t just that she looked like Elaine.
That smiling face, that sunshine-filled smile.
It was the very smile Alcade had longed for and dreamed of seeing for years.
From the first moment he saw her, he thought she resembled someone he desperately missed.
But he had forced himself not to hope.
Because hope gave birth to longing, and for five years, that longing had been shattered into nothing.
And yet…
Suppressing his trembling heart, Alcade spoke in a low voice.
“Summon a priest. We’ll conduct a paternity test. Quickly.”
Perhaps.
It was impossible, but still… a tiny spark of hope welled up.
Everything proceeded in the utmost secrecy, but with great speed.
As soon as Alcade gave the order, one of his aides hurried out.
“The priest has arrived, Your Grace.”
A short while later, the aide returned to report.
Roer clapped both hands over her mouth to stifle the “Haaahp!” of wonder that nearly escaped.
Thump-thump.
She was going to see a priest in person!
Her wide eyes sparkled.
Grandpa had said that priests served the gods in the temple. They always stayed inside, only coming out for urgent matters.
Priests were messengers of the divine, so to see one was the highest honor.
So that’s why he could come immediately! The god must have sent him!
‘Hiiiyaaaah!’
What would a priest look like?
‘Would they have bright white wings like angels, scattering sparkling light? Or maybe their whole body would shine bright and white!’
And to think, Dad could summon a priest with just one word, even in the middle of the night!
Grandpa said most people would be lucky to see a priest once in their entire life!
Dad is amazing. Truly, truly amazing!
Roer gazed up at Alcade with shining eyes.
This person is my dad!
Straightening her back proudly, she stood tall.
While the aides were bewildered that things had escalated so far, Roer was simply thrilled at the chance to see a priest.
Clack.
The door opened, and a priest hurried into the office, bowing low in greeting.
“Ah, infinite glory of Atteleon to His Grace, Grand Duke Alcade Atteleon—”
“That’s enough.”
Alcade raised a hand to cut him off. He had no time for meaningless formalities.
The room stiffened again.
Meanwhile, Roer pouted her lips in disappointment.
This was nothing like the angels she had imagined.
‘I thought he’d have wings… like an angel…’
The priest before her neither sparkled with light nor had wings.
He was just… an ordinary uncle.
If not for the priestly robes embroidered with temple symbols, one might not even realize he was a priest.
He looked like the fruit seller she had once seen at the market with Grandpa.
The only difference was that the fruit seller had a full head of hair, while the priest’s crown was quite bare.
‘Is he… really a priest?’
Suspiciously eyeing him, Roer glanced up at Alcade.
He was watching the priest with a serious expression.
‘Since Dad isn’t saying anything… this uncle must really be a priest!’
Wiping sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief, the priest spoke.
“So… I was told the reason for summoning me is for a paternity test?”
As he awaited the Duke’s reply, the priest cautiously looked around. The only child present who could be tested was obvious.
“Hello, Priest! I’m Roer! I’m Daddy’s daughter!”
Roer politely grabbed her skirt hem and bowed deeply. The priest blinked in confusion, glancing between her and Alcade.
No matter how he looked at it, the two didn’t resemble each other at all.
Alcade exuded cold sharpness, while Roer radiated warm sunshine.
There wasn’t a single trait that looked inherited.
What’s more, the child’s appearance was far too shabby to be the Grand Duke’s daughter.
She was dressed in clothes no better than what commoners wore, utterly unfit to stand before a noble.
The priest clicked his tongue.
He had rushed over, shocked that the aloof Grand Duke Alcade Atteleon—who usually kept distance from the temple—had summoned him, only to find this nonsense.
Clearly, someone had heard that the Duke was looking for his lost wife, and blinded by greed for reward, had shoved forward some random child.
And yet the Duke had even contacted the temple for this?
Well…
Part of him felt relieved. At least this way, he wouldn’t be suspected of anything. In fact, this might work out better.
“What are you doing?”
Alcade’s cold voice cut through.
“S-sorry!”
Startled, the priest quickly bowed his head.
How dare he let his thoughts wander before the Grand Duke of Atteleon!
His face pale, he hurriedly began pulling out the tools he had brought.
