TLed by NolepGuy
Chapter 86
Desmond Darbav.
One of the five Archmages in the Empire and the Head of the Desmond Family, a household rivaling the Magic Tower.
Scrolls, Magical Tools, Artifacts—Desmond, as the Head of the House, supplied thirty percent of all magical items in the Empire. Moreover, he was a businessman who expanded his ventures into politics, diplomacy, and industry, and he was Olivia’s Father.
In the novel, Darbav appeared as the Antagonist.
He prioritized practicality over justice.
He was a cunning man who valued Ugly Survival over Righteous Sacrifice.
During the Empire’s perilous time due to the Heretics, when he was mocked as a family that used Dark Magic, he retorted, “When you mocked us as a Dark Magic family, and now you come asking for help? How laughable,” earning the Crown Prince’s wrath and showing his human side.
Above all, he was someone who cherished his daughter, ‘Olivia.’
-Olivia slapped the Crown Prince? Is Olivia unharmed?
-Olivia is going on a Diet…? Summon the Empire’s best physician. She must have contracted a serious illness.
He was a family man who cared so much for his family that nobles called him a Daughter Fool.
He adored his daughter, who resembled him.
Compared to his cold son, his daughter, who showed affection (?), appeared lovely in Darbav’s eyes.
Thus, in the story, Darbav intensely disliked Mikhail and Yuria.
I remember he was criticized by many readers as an Antagonist who despised Mikhail and Yuria, the ones who drove Olivia to her death in the novel.
Although he was a character who met a miserable death after resorting to Dark Magic to protect his crumbling family, he was personally one of my favorite characters.
Because his human side was endearing.
Even though Darbav’s fate changed significantly from the moment the Young Lady didn’t die, he was still one of the most genuine people I had met in the novel.
Anyway, the Darbav I remember is a good person.
A man cold to others but warm to those within his Fence. A family head who treasures his family and possesses a human side, willing to sacrifice others to protect those within his Fence.
That is the Desmond Head of the House and Olivia’s Father, as I remember him.
Of course.
After the Young Lady used Dark Magic, my relationship with him ended.
*
I felt as though time had stopped.
I intended to seek him out, but I didn’t expect to meet him so soon.
I stood there foolishly, unable to move, as the Head of the Household, someone I thought I might never meet again, appeared.
“It’s been a while, Ricardo.”
“…G…Head of the Household?”
I hastily bowed my waist to show respect.
“I greet the great leader of the Desmond Family.”
“Enough. No need for formalities.”
Darbav waved his hand with a frugal expression. Waving off such formalities, he spoke in a Calm Voice.
“It’s been two years. You’ve grown so much I barely recognized you.”
“You flatter me.”
“Still as modest as ever. So… have you been well?”
Have you been well.
Even though it was a simple question, I couldn’t easily answer. Being expelled from the family, I didn’t know what to say.
With a hollow smile, I couldn’t bring myself to say I had been well, knowing the trouble I had caused the family.
“Well, that is…”
As if he could read my mind, the Head of the Household gave a gentle smile, as though to say I shouldn’t feel burdened.
“Feel free to speak your mind. I’m curious about how you’ve been.”
“…Thanks to the grace of the Head of the Household, I’ve been doing well.”
“Grace? The family abandoned you.”
Darbav murmured with a bitter expression.
“There’s no way you’ve been well…”
As Darbav said, we were abandoned by the family. The existence of the Young Lady, who used Dark Magic, was a problem severe enough to lead to the downfall of the Desmond Family.
Families envious of Desmond.
The Imperial Family, starting to check the expanding influence of Desmond. And even the Magic Tower, seeking to expand its business in Magical Tools.
When the Young Lady’s incident broke out during a time when everyone was wary of Desmond, Darbav chose to cut us off.
The best choice.
The only choice a Head of the House could make.
I didn’t think it was unfair.
I would have done the same.
However, the abandoned Young Lady wept bitterly at this reality.
While the Young Lady was unconscious, Darbav spoke to me in a Cold Voice during our meeting.
-You know you’re at fault for Olivia’s situation, don’t you?
-I do. I will humbly accept any punishment you see fit.
-The reason I allowed you to hold the position of Olivia’s Butler was to protect her. To ensure she didn’t stray onto a bad path.
-…
-Even though there were more Competent Butlers with better credentials than you, I entrusted you with the job for that one reason.
-…
-And yet, what is this mess?
-I’m sorry.
-Once Olivia regains her health, I plan to send her to the Monastery. So… don’t think of stepping foot into the Desmond Family anymore and re-enroll in the Academy. I’ll at least cover your tuition.
-Head of the Household…
-If it were up to me, I’d tear you both apart and kill you. So stay quiet.
-I am the Young Lady’s Butler.
-And what does that mean, when this is the outcome before us?
-Even so, I believe I must fulfill my duty as a Butler. If you don’t permit it, I’ll camp Near the Nunnery.
-Are you crazy?
-I’m perfectly normal.
This all began from my stubbornness, knowing the Future.
To avoid public criticism, the Head of the Household had to sever ties, and my defiance left me with the burdens of the family’s indifference and the penalties for Dark Magic.
I understood that.
And since it was a decision made by the Head of the Household, we exchanged bitter smiles in silence.
At that time, Darbav was furious, and Olivia’s Older Brother was so angry he grabbed me by the collar.
And the Young Lady was abandoned by her family.
Darbav’s bitter smile made me uneasy. After all, I was the one at fault.
A moment of silence passed, and a question came from Darbav.
“I heard a Rumor. You paid off the debt?”
“Yes.”
“…That wasn’t my intention.”
“Pardon?”
“Never mind.”
Muttering softly, Darbav turned his gaze to the Young Lady sitting beside me. The Young Lady, still unable to accept the closure of the Chocolate Shop filled with old Memories, stared blankly, showing her melancholy.
“Young Lady…!”
“The purpose of our Travel is gone…”
“Please pull yourself together, Young Lady… The Head of the Household is here…!”
“My Regular Shop… Bakery Mister said he’d give me a freebie next time. He has to keep his Promise!”
The Young Lady’s spirit was absent.
Seeing the Young Lady’s Back Figure in the wheelchair, Darbav frowned.
“That woman…”
Darbav expressed his displeasure.
I thought his mood had soured because of the Young Lady’s appearance, but Darbav said something completely unexpected.
“Is she your girlfriend?”
“Pardon?”
“I thought there was a Positive Atmosphere between you and Olivia. Was I mistaken?”
“?”
Crafting a scenario in his mind, Darbav let out a bitter smile and expressed his regret.
“Well, you’re at an age where it’s natural to have a girlfriend. I understand… but it’s a bit disappointing. Unless, of course, I bribe her to break up with you.”
“I don’t quite understand what you’re saying.”
“That woman.”
Darbav spoke, looking at the Wheelchair.
“Isn’t she your girlfriend?”
“She is not.”
I answered firmly.
“I see.”
A Glow of Hope began to appear on Darbav’s pale face.
The Young Lady, who was still gazing at the Chocolate Shop, would be introduced later. For now, I focused on my conversation with Darbav.
If I introduced her now, I wouldn’t know what to say. Since I had an obligation to side with the Young Lady if Darbav got angry, I wanted to avoid unnecessary friction.
I thought of a suitable remark.
I needed time to ease the Head of the Household’s mood, so the Young Lady and the Head of the Household could have a peaceful conversation.
With a heavy heart, I started speaking to Darbav.
“What brings you here, Head of the Household?”
“Ah.”
Darbav raised the Paper Bag he was holding and spoke.
“I thought of Olivia after a long time. I decided to stop by, wondering if the shop might still be open.”
“I see.”
“Here. Olivia liked this place a lot… I couldn’t leave empty-handed, so I bought some Snacks from a nearby store on my way back.”
Darbav took out a Choco Conch Bread from the Paper Bag and offered it to me.
“Would you like to try it?”
“I’m fine. I already had breakfast.”
“What a pity. It’s a very delicious bread.”
Darbav was gentle.
Honestly, I thought he would scold me. I expected him to lash out, asking if I knew where I was, and hurl harsh words the moment he saw me.
At that time, his anger had been so intense, and his declaration that we would never meet again was still vivid in my memory. Darbav’s unexpected demeanor now gave me a glimmer of Hope.
Because of that, I dared to ask him a question.
I couldn’t suppress my curiosity.
“Head of the Household.”
The Head of the Household, who was eating bread, looked up at my question. The sight of him eating, with crumbs around his mouth, reminded me of someone.
“What is it? Do you want to eat some now?”
“No. I just have a question…”
“A question?”
Darbav placed the bread back into the Paper Bag and allowed me to ask.
“Go ahead.”
“Are you not angry with us?”
“Hmm?”
“Didn’t we endanger the Household? With the Excommunication and all…”
Darbav nodded and didn’t deny my words.
“That’s true.”
“That’s true?”
Darbav gave an answer I hadn’t expected.
“I was planning to visit you soon. To discuss what lies ahead.”
“What do you mean…”
“You asked if I hate you? …Well, yes. Olivia caused such a major scandal that I even considered removing her from the Family Register…”
“But I saw something unusual…”
Darbav gazed at the sky with a wistful expression.
“They say a Parent can never win against their child.”
With a conflicted expression, Darbav spoke to me.
“Is Olivia doing well?”
Just as Darbav finished asking his concerned question…
The Young Lady, who had been quietly reflecting, began turning the wheels of her Wheelchair and looked ahead.
“Ricardo. Since it’s come to this, we should open a shop… Oh?”
Only now did the Young Lady notice her Father standing before her.
The Young Lady’s eyes widened.
“Fa…”
The Young Lady stammered, her Voice trembling with emotion.
“Fa…th…”
“Olivia?”
“Fa…ther?”
In an instant, The Man disappeared before I could react. Darbav moved at a speed that defied comprehension.
By the time I regained my senses…
“Hiiieeek!!”
“Huuueek!”
The emotional reunion of Father and daughter was taking place.
Come to think of it…
Darbav…
Was a hopeless Daughter Fool, something I had forgotten.
“Why have you lost so much weight?!”
“Ricardo starved me!”
“You scoundrel!”
“…”
The reunion of the Father and daughter, after such a long time, was something I couldn’t quite adjust to.