LIGHTNOVELWORLD My Daddy Hides His Power
Chapter 201
“Since when…? Since when did you like Jem?”
I asked Cheshire. I thought that if he liked someone, he would at least tell me first. “Jem, please don’t interrupt me and listen to me.” But Cheshire ignored me and tried to persuade Jem. “Lilith!” Jem quickly shouted, looking at me in shock at being ignored. “No! We never, really, had anything like that! Hey! Cheshire, you brat, not long ago, you told me about Lilith… euph!” Cheshire suddenly stood up and covered Jem’s mouth with his hand. “Jem, I don’t like you. I’m not asking you to date me because I like you as a woman.” “Mmmmm?!” What kind of trash statement is this? Cheshire continued speaking while covering Jem’s mouth. “So, could you… pretend to… date me?” “….?” Pretend to date…? * * * On the way back. Seeing us off, Jem mechanically put his arm around Cheshire’s shoulder. ‘What is that?’ I followed along with Rom and watched Jem’s awkward performance. “Ho, ho, ho.” “Jem, thank you.” Cheshire whispered. “You don’t have to go this far. Everyone knows we’re close. I was just trying to play along.” “Is that so?” Jem pulled her arm away, clearly disgusted. And then she whispered. “Hey. Instead of that, help me with—Sir Alfred, you know?” “Don’t worry. Even if our relationship becomes that well-known, I’ll make sure there’s no misunderstanding. And…” Secret deal. “Every time your mercenary group goes on a mission, I will place you in the same area as Sir Alfredo.” Cheshire uses his power to pay Jem in return. “Really? You promise?” “Mhm.” Jem, who had been promised a bloody battlefield date with her boyfriend, waved her hand with a happy face and sent us on our way. I asked as soon as I got into the carriage. “His Majesty the Emperor told you to marry the princess? Really?” “It won’t happen like that.” We couldn’t explain the complicated situation to Jem. So, he simply asked her to pretend to be his lover for a while to avoid an unexpected marriage proposal. “Do you think His Majesty the Emperor will believe that you have a girlfriend?” “Is there any reason not to believe it?” “That’s right. Everyone knows you’re close to Jem. But why does it have to be Jem? If it’s someone known to be close to you… hmm, wouldn’t I also be an option?” “You can’t.” …Rejected. Even though it was a contract girlfriend, getting rejected in just one second felt rather strange. “Mhm, okay. I get it.” I answered bluntly and asked. “But why are you still holding my hand? You can let go now.” Cheshire didn’t let go of the hand he held when getting into the carriage. “Do you dislike holding hands? You kept holding hands with the Lord of the Wizard Tower.” “….?” “The Emperor doesn’t want me to become deeply involved with the Rubinstein family, so that’s why. If I were to claim you as my lover, he would do everything possible to separate us.” Cheshire didn’t let go of the hand he held, instead, he turned his gaze towards the window. “Aah.” Why I am not suitable as a contract girlfriend. ‘I see.’ The Emperor seems to have every intention of using Cheshire to his advantage. However, what if Dad, who takes a different line from the emperor in every matter, becomes the father-in-law of Cheshire… “That’s right. That’s what I heard.” “And I need to earn the Emperor’s trust. Being too close to you and the Rubinstein family is already risky enough, and becoming lovers wouldn’t only fail to gain trust but also likely raise suspicion. He might even try to exploit you.” “I see.” In just one second, my bitter feelings melted away. “Besides, there’s a reason it has to be Jem. Because Jem is a commoner.” “What’s wrong with Jem as a commoner?” “If all goes according to my plan, the Emperor will probably try to negotiate with me for Jem.” Cheshire added, looking back at me. “At the negotiation table, the Emperor will put me in debt. And in exchange, he’ll demand something from me. Probably to take command of the invading forces.” “Aha! Wow, I see.” I had a general idea of our rebels’ plan. Operation Undercover. Cheshire was expected to serve as commander of the invasion force and become one of the emperor’s closest associates. “Is this really trying to kill two birds with one stone?” “That’s right.” “Wow.” Once again, my heart raced as I saw Cheshire, who had already grown so big, and was planning a full-fledged rebellion. As expected, he truly is the protagonist, and… Is it finally becoming real that ‘Revolution Day’ is fast approaching? “But can you act well?” “What act?” “You have to go to His Majesty the Emperor and lie that you have someone you like. You’ve never met with His Majesty alone before, have you?” “Mhm.” “He’s very perceptive and cunning. If you don’t act properly, you’ll get caught right away.” “I’m not acting. So it’s okay.” “Eh. What are you talking about?” Cheshire looked at me without saying a word, then turned his head back out the window. “There’s no need to act. I’ll just tell the truth.” “What do you mean?” Cheshire never responded. ‘I don’t know what you’re thinking.’ I pouted. * * * A few days later. The Emperor summoned Cheshire. “Is this your first time seeing us alone like this?” “Yes.” Nicholas personally filled Cheshire’s teacup and spoke. “You know why I called you, right?” “I heard that you had a conversation with my father about my marriage.” Cheshire responded as if he had been waiting. “The story spread fast. My daughter will be a good choice. Although giving birth to the successor of Octava in the non-combat class may not result in outstanding abilities.” Nicholas added casually after taking a sip of tea. “Well, children can be judged separately from their high-ranking parents. Since my daughter doesn’t go to war and focuses only on family affairs, she can support you, which is actually better.” “….” A statement that may make you doubt your ears. Cheshire was speechless. ‘Is he suggesting I have children with someone other than my wife?’ It was certainly not something to say while sending off his own daughter. But to the Emperor, even children are just pawns without exception. “A union with the royal family could give you wings.” “I apologize but I can’t comply.” “Why?” Nicholas’ eyes sharpened. “I have someone in mind.” “Ah, is that so?” Nicholas chuckled. He already knew everything about Cheshire’s surroundings. So, it’s a lie. It was an excuse that was within the expected range. “Well, I thought you didn’t have anyone in mind, so I was pushing for the marriage proposal.” “You probably didn’t know. I haven’t told anyone about it because it could cause trouble for my father.” Trouble for Axion? What does it mean? “Would it be a big problem if there was someone you had in mind? With your status, a few mistresses after marriage wouldn’t be a big deal.” “….” “If you’re worried about my daughter or the image of the royal family, it’s fine. Marriage is a transaction, and my daughter will understand that much.” “I don’t see marriage as a transaction. It’s a very important matter in my life, and I want to form a connection with only one person whom I love.” “Aah, is that so?” Nicholas made a displeased expression at the boring remark. ‘This part is boring. I guess he’s still young and doesn’t know what he’s doing.’ Looking at Nicholas’s expression as if he didn’t believe what he was saying, Cheshire slowly took a breath. “But can you act well?” Lilith was worried. But, as he said then, he didn’t need to act. Although the target was different, he planned to tell his true feelings anyway. “These are not immature emotions. It’s a feeling that cannot be expressed simply with words like ‘liking’ or ‘love’. This person reached out to me when I was weakest and most insignificant, and since then, she has been my life and salvation.” “….” “It was for the first time that I thought about wanting to live for someone else. It’s been four years already and my feelings haven’t changed, so I think it will remain the same in the future.” “….?” Nicholas’ eyes slowly widened. ‘What is it?’ One by one, as if spitting it out. A confession that seems calm, but feels turbulent with long-old emotions. Anyone who is not a fool will sense that Cheshire is sincere. ‘Do you really have a lover?’ It was different from what he knew in advance. In fact, if it’s to this extent… Forcing self-talk is poison. Especially since he’s young and can’t help but be emotional. “Even though we can’t tie ourselves together through the institution of marriage, I don’t want to have anyone other than that friend by my side. This way, I won’t be ashamed of my feelings, and I will also respect that person.” “Wait.” Nicholas narrowed his eyes and cut off Cheshire’s words. “Even though we can’t tie ourselves together through the institution of marriage….” Someone he has feelings for, but can’t marry? “…because it could cause trouble for my father…” A high-ranking noble, a situation that is inconvenient to his adoptive father, Axion Libre? Nicholas noticed it right away. “So it’s a commoner.” Cheshire bowed his head. “…I apologize. I would like to decline the marriage proposal.” “No, no. What is there to be sorry for? The feeling is something that can’t be easily controlled.” Nicholas said, ‘On the contrary, work has become easier.’ He smiled inwardly. “It must have been hard on you. Why didn’t you try talking to your father about it?” “He is someone who would respect my opinion, even if he doesn’t agree. However, if I acted on my own accord, it would bring dishonor not only to me but also to the family name and my father’s reputation.” Nicholas wanted to stand up and applaud those words. A report was received from Cheshire’s biological father, the Marquis of Onyx. “Fortunately, he doesn’t seem to have a deep bond with his adoptive father. However, he would never betray him. He feels a great sense of gratitude for being taken in and a strong obligation to repay that debt.” Yes, he really liked that aspect of Cheshire Libre. The fact is that he can easily make him loyal as long as he pays off his debt! If he receives a favor, he will never betray it until he repays it! “It’s unfortunate. You’re still young, but you must have been worried a lot inside.” Nicholas got up and walked up behind Cheshire. He said, gently placing his hand on his shoulder. “Is it powerless people?” “…She’s Diez. She’s a friend who works as a mercenary.” “Aah!” Nicholas let out an exclamation. I got it. I know who you’re talking about. Now the puzzle in his head has finally come together. “It’s truly regrettable. Having a friend you care about but living in a world where you can’t mix with each other.” “….” “But giving up isn’t an option. Even though our social classes are determined from birth, you don’t have a solution either…” Nicholas, lowering his head, whispered like a snake in Cheshire’s ear. “…What if I had authority? I guess I can at least be free from the glares of the nobles.” There was nothing that Nicholas, the emperor above the law, could not do. It’s like allowing the lower classes to live a noble life. “Yes?” Cheshire glanced back at Nicholas with eyes filled with surprise unlike before. ‘As expected, you’re young.’ Hope. Excitement. The young man was unable to hide his fluctuating emotions at all. “Your Majesty, are you…” “Yes, yes. Is there anything I can’t do for my loyal subjects?” “….” Chesire’s breathing became increasingly rough. “If you could do just that… I would be truly, truly grateful.” Finally, after thinking for a moment, he asks carefully. “…Is there something your Majesty wants from me?” “Hahahaha!” Nicholas laughed heartily, no longer hiding it. He knows well even the principle of trading in fair exchanges. ‘Although he’s young and emotional.’ He was overflowing with insight and thoughts. A sword that couldn’t be more perfect to handle. ‘Cheshire libre.’ With this man by his side. This time, he had confidence that he wouldn’t fail.
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