🔊 TTS Settings
Chapter 32
“…Am I supposed to say thank you?”
“If you hadn’t stepped in, the situation would have resolved itself.”
So, you’re scolding me for getting involved. Biyu understood the nuance.
But the Black Duke didn’t stop there.
“It just means I don’t trust others easily, and I’ve never really received help.”
That was true for him.
Every day when he opened his eyes, his memories were gone.
Even the warmth of others, even the memory of perhaps having once trusted or been helped—vanished.
He couldn’t trust anything.
“You called me ‘Dad’ because you wanted to make me take responsibility, didn’t you?”
No matter how he thought about it, he didn’t have memories of having a daughter.
“You’re telling me to act like a father.”
For Biyu, that wasn’t wrong. Except—she didn’t expect much from a father.
“…”
“But I can’t take responsibility. Not like this.”
The child stared at him silently. Her face was calm, as if not the least bit shocked.
“It’s okay. Everyone struggles at first.”
“…”
“I didn’t ask you to really become my dad.”
Biyu said clearly and precisely,
“Just protect me when things get hard. Like now.”
A soft blush colored her cheeks. She looked pleased.
“Just be on my side. That’s enough.”
Her tilted eyes looked up at him—calm and serene.
Truly, they held no greed.
“I liked that you and Grandpa protected me. Just treat me like your top priority. I need protection.”
If she was just protected, she could become the greatest doctor in the world.
“Okay.”
The Black Duke nodded.
“You said you could treat me. Can you give me a chance to recover naturally?”
“Recover naturally?”
The child returned a portion of his lost memories. She had said that if he obeyed well, she’d make him completely better.
If that was the case, then maybe she could help him recall his memories on his own.
“I mean, I want to remember you by myself.”
The child fiddled with her fingers. It wasn’t idle movement—she was calculating.
‘How much of my lifespan will this cost?’
She hesitated, then lifted her head.
“Is it not possible?”
“…Um. It is possible.”
The child grinned.
“But you have to pay in advance.”
“Advance payment.”
“Yup. From now on, you absolutely can’t break your promises to me, okay? Do everything I say.”
Biyu stuck out her pinky.
Her smile was brighter and clearer than ever.
The Black Duke stared at the little finger and chuckled softly, then hooked his own—much larger—pinky around it.
“As you command.”
He could wish for it only because he didn’t understand the cost. Because he had no idea how big of a request it was.
‘I’m back here again.’
I looked at the clear pond and took a deep breath.
Right now, I was at the place where I first met Dad. The place with the big tree and the pond.
‘Alright, let’s do this!’
I was about to jump straight in when—
“Eh?”
I was dangling in the air. Dad was floating, holding my clothes so I couldn’t fall.
“What the—why’d you stop me?”
You’re the one who asked me to treat you.
Honestly, I had hesitated when Dad asked for treatment.
‘It’s possible… but it’s going to cost a lot of lifespan.’
Still, after seeing his sincere cooperation and unexpectedly competent abilities, I changed my mind.
‘I’ll just think of it as an investment.’
A powerful wind mage. He’d be useful in countless ways.
Let’s get the heroine to become a head of a household faster and achieve my goals.
That’s why I came to the pond—so why is he holding me back?
“Is it okay if the setup’s the same as last time?”
“Huh? Uh-huh.”
“Then no need to jump in recklessly.”
Dad acted immediately.
Splash!
He scooped me up and jumped right into the water with me.
And as if that wasn’t enough, he lifted me by the armpits and dunked just my feet in.
‘Like… shabu-shabu?’
For some reason, he looked faintly proud watching me. Must be my imagination?
“We’re all set. I did it exactly the same.”
“Oh, okay.”
I clasped my hands like I was praying.
This treatment seemed like it’d be pretty tough, so I needed to brace myself. A serious expression crossed my face.
As the water surface started to ripple, Dad quietly spoke.
“Am I the only one who gets this kind of treatment?”
“Um…”
Yeah, I guess so. My big uncles could be treated with medicine.
Even though that medicine is disgustingly complicated, takes forever, is expensive… and hard in general.
I smiled sweetly.
“Yup. It’s a special treatment. Because you’re my dad.”
I lifted just my index finger between my clasped hands and mimed a “shhh.”
This was the perfect chance.
I should score some points and make sure he keeps it quiet(?).
Especially because Big Uncle is quick-witted and persistent. If he finds out I’m using my lifespan to treat people, it’ll be a headache.
“This is a secret from Grandpa and Uncle, okay? They might get hurt feelings.”
“…They don’t seem like the type to sulk, but alright.”
Somehow, Dad had a strange expression.
“…Special treatment. I’ll remember that.”
Huh? Is it something worth remembering?
‘And won’t he just forget this moment anyway?’
I tilted my head, but since he looked so serious, I nodded obediently.
“Alright then. Let’s begin.”
The water shimmered and waves rose. Just like before, they engulfed both of us.
When I opened my eyes, we were underwater.
In a space as comfortable as a bed, I turned my head slowly.
‘This space really does feel peaceful.’
Suddenly, I remembered when I used this ability during my third life.
‘Hey.’
A fierce voice that was secretly kind.
Probably the sweetest voice I’d ever been called by. It always tickled my ears.
It was a man I’d believed to be my friend.
Through his red hair, I saw a sharp and beautiful face filled with worry.
‘Make me a promise.’
‘…’
‘Next time… even if I die, don’t use this again.’
In that strange atmosphere, I helplessly let him touch my cheek.
‘How does this treatment feel? It doesn’t hurt, right?’
‘Not at all.’
‘You’re still pretty even when you cry.’
Back then, I had trusted him. I’d felt like the world was collapsing. I didn’t want him to die.
‘Once you’re healed, I have something to tell you. Ugh, it’s so cheesy! Anyway, promise you’ll listen?’
Maybe that was already foreshadowing his betrayal.
I recalled how, blushing deeply, he’d stroked my cheek so tenderly—and shook my head.
‘Let’s focus on the treatment.’
Now, let’s see—how much will it cost to improve his condition?
When I opened my eyes again, there was a huge tree in front of me.
Only I could see this tree.
As soon as I decided to improve Dad’s condition, the leaves started to fall in heaps.
‘Ahh, my poor tree’s going to go bald.’
I lowered the intensity a bit, and only some of the leaves fell.
‘This should be fine.’
Back in the water, I looked at Dad’s closed eyes. I cautiously held his large hand.
‘He’s not used to being defended, huh.’
I thought of the times when Big Uncle and Dad stood up for me.
A ticklish warmth fluttered in my chest.
I truly hoped that in this life, they could live as healthy people, not patients.
That was my sincere wish.
And I wanted to finally go home.
As the water accepted that resolve, it rippled and surrounded Dad.
A brilliant light burst out, and when I opened my eyes again, I saw a scene unfamiliar—just like before.
‘Where is this?’
A quiet pavilion. From the green trees outside, it looked like early summer, or maybe spring.
‘Where’s Dad? Last time, I saw his memories with him…’
He was nowhere to be found.
Whooosh. The wind blew. A soft hum floated with it.
“Our little Biyu. Are you feeling better?”
I flinched.
‘Ah!’
How had I not noticed her? A woman sat right there in the pavilion nearby.
Eyes the same color as mine. A graceful beauty. She was definitely “Mom.”
In her arms was a baby wrapped in a blanket…
‘That’s me. So cute!’
I barely had time to admire before—whish!—a strong wind blew.
With the wind, someone appeared, lightly stepping onto the pavilion.
Long hair fluttered in the breeze.
“Sorry I’m late.”
I got chills.
The voice was familiar—but was it really the same person?
“Baek-ah.”
Dad looked a bit younger and smiled brightly.
“I’m here.”
“Yes, you are.”
Her voice was so warm and gentle.
“You’re beautiful today too, my lady.”
Dad, so massive yet hiding all his sharp edges, was acting like a gentle puppy. It felt unreal.
“The most beautiful in the whole world.”
