My Daddy Hides His Power Chapter 292 - Side story Part 1 Chapter 32

“W, wh, what….” 

 

The shocked Martha staggered.

 

Axion stood in front of the mirror casually and checked his appearance once more.

 

‘Hmm, the first impression isn’t bad.’

 

First impressions are important. They weren’t strangers, but this was the first time they were meeting through a formal arrangement. 

 

“Young Masteeeer!” 

 

“Ugh. My ears are ringing.”

 

“Y, you’re joking, right? Are you saying you’re in a relationship with a man?” 

 

“What are you talking about? No prejudice here. I just mean that the person I’m meeting today is a man.”

 

When Axion corrected himself, Martha finally cleared her mind.

 

“But who could this man be, to make someone who rarely puts in effort to dress up go to such lengths?”

 

Caron wondered.

 

Axion looked at the mirror and naturally thought of the person he was meeting today.

 

The Lord of the Wizard Tower, Oscar Manuel. 

 

In fact, Axion had already asked Cheshire multiple times to arrange a meeting, saying he wanted to meet him in person.

 

‘I was planning to turn everything upside down.’

 

He’s not the bride’s parents, nor grandparents, nor even relatives.

 

Who does he think he is to oppose the marriage?

 

Of course, he knows that the Wizard Tower greatly contributed to the revolution and that Enoch and Oscar have a fairly close relationship. 

 

He also knows that Oscar has been a cherished master to Lilith since her childhood. 

 

But that’s all.

 

He couldn’t understand why Oscar had such a significant influence over his son’s marriage.

 

“We’re planning to take our time with the wedding. Actually, we need the Lord of the Wizard Tower’s permission…”

 

“Oh, the trip I was supposed to take with Cheshire? It got canceled. Master said the Wizard Tower is busy and told me not to go…” 

 

“Uh, I think that might not be possible? I’ll ask the Lord of the Wizard Tower tomorrow and let you know.” 

 

His son, Lilith, and even Enoch—whenever something came up, it was always “the Lord of the Wizard Tower, the Lord of the Wizard Tower, the Lord of the Wizard Tower.”

 

At this point, Axion couldn’t help but notice the strangely tight-knit bond between them. 

 

“Father, I have a favor to ask.”

 

And just yesterday.

 

The son began a long story and asked his father for the first time.

 

“I’m going.”

 

Axion finished thinking and was about to leave the room.

 

“Oh my, Charon.”

 

He took a few steps back and called out to his cheerful butler.

 

An awkward relationship, having never had a long conversation before—this was practically their first real meeting.

 

“It might be a bit awkward when we meet. Is there any way to ease the atmosphere and make it more natural?”

 

“Hmm.”

 

Caron thought about it and then clapped his hands.

 

“Ah! I’ll tell you something fun!”

 

* * *

 

Port city, Bethel.

 

A spacious restaurant with a panoramic view of the sunset over the sea.

 

There was even a private room. 

 

‘What is this place? It’s literally the perfect venue for a formal meeting between families!’

 

Actually, it really is a formal meeting between families… 

 

“Honey, it’s so beautiful. How did you find a place like this in just one day?” 

 

“….”

 

“Honey?”

 

Cheshire seemed so tense that he didn’t even hear my voice.  

 

His hand, which was tugging at the collar of his shirt in frustration, had gone pale. 

 

“These are faces you see all the time—why are you so nervous?” 

 

“It’s the first time these familiar faces are all meeting together… Anyway, have you talked to the Lord of the Wizard Tower yet?” 

 

“….”

 

“Lilith.” 

 

“No… Actually, I went a few times, but he was busy and wouldn’t open the office door for me. I guess Master is a little upset with me too.” 

 

“Haa.”

 

“He wouldn’t skip today just because he’s upset with me, right? He did promise you he’d come, didn’t he?” 

 

“Well… I guess so. Let’s go in and wait.” 

 

Cheshire opened the door to the room.

 

And as soon as he entered, he froze.

 

“Princess, are you here?”

 

Seeing Dad and Oscar already sitting next to each other!

 

“D, Dad. What? Why are you here already? I told you to come by seven!” 

 

It’s currently 6 PM.

 

It’s an hour earlier than the scheduled time. 

 

“Cheshire booked a nice place~ So the Lord of the Wizard Tower and I came a bit early to enjoy the ocean view~”

 

Dad spoke nonchalantly. Cheshire took a seat across from him and greeted him. 

 

“I’m sorry for being late.” 

 

“…? What are you talking about? We were the ones who arrived early.”

 

“Oh. Ah, right…”

 

“Puhaha! No, Cheshire. Why are you so stiff over this?” 

 

I hesitated as I watched the two exchange words.

 

“You’re here…?”

 

I awkwardly spoke to Oscar, pushing my butt next to him.

 

“Yeah.” 

 

He accepted my greeting, but he looked uncomfortable.

 

He had come since Axion had asked to see him, but he looked as if he didn’t understand why he was here. 

 

“I’m sorry. My father will probably arrive right at seven…”

 

“Oh, no, it’s fine. We’re the ones who showed up early without saying anything, so there’s nothing for you to apologize for.”

 

At that moment, Cheshire was extremely flustered at the thought of having to make Dad and Oscar wait for another hour. 

 

Click. 

 

The door opened and Axion appeared.

 

“U, Uncle?”

 

I gaped in surprise at his model-like appearance.

 

“What the? You actually look like a person?”

 

Axion seemed a bit surprised to see all of us gathered.

 

“I came early on purpose, but somehow, I’m the last one to arrive.”

 

Axion muttered as he walked over.

 

He gave me a deep pat on the head and greeted me, then immediately shook Oscar’s hand.

 

“This is the first time we’re meeting properly. It’s a pleasure. I’m Axion Libre, this kid’s father.” 

 

“Ah, yes… I’m Oscar Manuel. But.”

 

But?

 

Cheshire and I instinctively held our breaths for a moment, exchanging tense glances.

 

“I came because I heard that Sir Libre wanted to see me, but to be honest, I don’t understand why I need to be here.” 

 

“….”

 

“I was reckless in giving unqualified advice on the children’s marriage. I am sorry, and I will not cause any trouble in the future in preparing for marriage, so please do not worry.”

 

The silence fell as Oscar spoke, as if he had prepared for it.

 

The atmosphere was cold from the start…

 

“It seems there was a misunderstanding.”

 

However, Axion calmly accepted it as he sat down.

 

“I heard that you are a teacher like a parent to Lilith. I believe that gives you every right to have a say in their marriage, which is why I wanted to meet you in person.”

 

“….”

 

“Honestly, I should have arranged a meeting like this as soon as the topic of their marriage first came up. I apologize for the delayed introduction.”

 

…What is this?

 

Axion’s answer was so perfect that I almost gave a standing ovation.

 

Not my father, not my mother, not my uncle, not my aunt.

 

A perfect first greeting that was considerate of Oscar, who must have been uncomfortable because their relationship was hard to define in front of others.

 

‘Why are you so cool, Uncle?’

 

It seemed like there was a halo behind Axion. He was twice as cool because he was handsome.

 

“Ah. Yes, well. Then….”

 

Oscar, momentarily at a loss for words from the unexpected remark, soon mumbled awkwardly and gave a nod.

 

Master’s embarrassed look.

 

A bit rare to see…

 

“Wow, this place is nice. The view is nice, and the food is good.”

 

Just like Dad said, it was a good start.

 

The dishes that started to come out were all pretty and luxurious.

 

‘The atmosphere of the meeting is perfect! So far, it’s been a perfect score out of a hundred!’

 

But the crisis came right away.

 

Only the quiet surrounding and the sound of knife chopping echoing through the room. 

 

There was no conversation.

 

“….”

 

“….”

 

Silence itself.

 

What about a normal meeting?

 

Isn’t it supposed to be the parents from both sides asking and answering questions, something like that?

 

‘I don’t know because it’s my first time either! What should I do!’

 

Since Dad and Axion knew each other so well, there was really nothing to ask or talk about. 

 

In fact, from the beginning, it was more of a meeting between Axion and Oscar rather than a traditional marriage interview…

 

‘I feel like I’m going to die from awkwardness!’

 

It was then. 

 

“Sir Manuel.”

 

Axion broke the eerily awkward silence and spoke up.

 

“Yes.”

 

Oscar raised his head.

 

“By any chance…” 

 

“….”

 

“If a strawberry loses its job… do you know what happens?”

 

“Yes?” 

 

Oscar narrowed his eyebrows.

 

‘What are you talking about all of a sudden? Where is Strawberry’s job?’

 

Everyone, including me, was wondering at that moment.

 

Axion said.

 

“Strawberry syrup.”

 

“….”

 

?

 

??

 

???

 

About 3 seconds of silence.

 

My mouth slowly opened as I understood the shocking humor.

 

‘This is bad.’

 

It’s an emergency.

 

Even Cheshire was deep in thought.

 

“Pfft!”

 

At that moment, Dad burst out.

 

“Hey! No way… Are you saying ‘strawberry unemployment’?”

 

“Yeah.”

 

“Ahahahahaha!!! Oh, I’m going crazy!!!”

 

Dad started holding his stomach and bursting out laughing, even shedding tears. He really seemed to find the strawberry syrup funny.

 

“Aha, ha, haa…. Ah, you really have to give it to this guy for his sense of humor. So funny. Strawberry syrup, pfft! Puhahahaha!!!” 

 

I’m Dad’s daughter who knows him best.

 

He’s not just pretending to find it funny to lighten the tense atmosphere. 

 

He genuinely found it hilarious.

 

‘This is bad! I guess this is a joke that works for old men!’

 

I grabbed my head in shock.

 

Sadly, Oscar isn’t an old man, and even if he gets older, he’s not the type to laugh at this kind of joke.

 

I trembled and barely turned my stiff head to check Oscar’s reaction sitting next to me.

 

“That’s right….”

 

He forced the corners of his mouth to rise and said.

 

“…That’s funny.”

 

“Oh, was it okay?”

 

Axion’s expression became pleased when Oscar said a word.

 

No, no!

 

Uncle, stop!

 

“Then….”

 

Axion’s mouth was about to open again.

 

My mind went blank.

 

“Father, over there. Wait a minute.”

 

Cheshire also tried to stop him, not knowing what to do.

 

“Do you know how sand cries?”

 

In the end, something else came out.

 

“Well…” 

 

Oscar, pretending to be absorbed in cutting his food, responded.

 

“Why is the sand crying….” 

 

I grabbed my cheeks and pulled.

 

I wish Axion’s mouth would never open.

 

I want to stop time.

 

Please.

 

But he trampled my earnest wish…

 

Axion smiled with a handsome face and said.

 

“Sob, sob.”