My Daddy Hides His Power Chapter 293 - Side story Part 1 Chapter 33

“Sob, sob.” 

 

Once again, silence.

 

“…? Puhahahaha!!!” 

 

And this hopeless joke only made Dad burst into laughter alone. 

 

“A, are you crazy? If sand cries, it’s ‘heuk heuk’? Sob sob! Ahahahaha!!!” 

 

“….”

 

“L, Lord of the Wizard Tower… Ha, ah, damn… I laughed too much, my stomach hurts. Ah….” 

 

Not knowing whether he had completely lost his sense of awareness, Dad even patted Oscar’s shoulder as he kept laughing. 

 

I carefully lowered my hand under the table and gave Oscar’s thigh a small poke. 

 

It was a gesture meaning that I would apologize on their behalf, so please be understanding of these old men. 

 

“Seriously…” 

 

Oscar smiled broadly.

 

“You’re a funny person.”

 

“Ah, I hear that a lot.”

 

Axion looked pleased.

 

“Hmm, what else could there be…?” 

 

“Wait!”

 

As Axion was about to bring up something else, Oscar urgently shouted. 

 

He couldn’t bear it three times, so after a brief moment of hesitation, 

 

“Ah, right!” 

 

He quickly turned to Dad and asked. 

 

“What are you planning to do about the house once the kids get married? They won’t keep living at their respective homes, right? Well, I personally don’t mind.”

 

“Ah! I looked into houses, too.”

 

You were quick-witted, Master.

 

Fortunately, the topic shifted naturally. 

 

The topic was about the newlyweds’ house. 

 

“I have a mansion on the outskirts of Rantz Street. How about moving there? It hasn’t been well-maintained for a while, so it will need some work.” 

 

“Yes? When you say outskirts, do you mean the old part of town, like the area before it became the capital, near Romwell?”

 

“Mhm, that’s right.” 

 

If I think of it in terms of my graduate student’s world, it would be like saying it’s a house in the Gyeonggi Province that’s still within commuting distance to Seoul. 

 

But now, there’s no subway… 

 

“Why? It’ll take over two hours by carriage to commute. Don’t you have a house in the capital?” 

 

“Do you perhaps have one?” 

 

“Well, I didn’t really need a house. In that case, I can just buy a house in the capital.”

 

“I would love to do that as well, if I could.” 

 

The narrow capital, suffering from overpopulation. 

 

In the first place, even the wealthiest people rarely own more than one house in the capital. 

 

Our family only had one townhouse in the capital. 

 

Of course, in the past, we had received various lands and titles from the imperial family, but since they were nearby territories, they didn’t help me much, as I had to commute to the capital…

 

In fact, Dad had even returned half of those lands to the national treasury when the duchy was founded… 

 

“Master, actually, I’ve already looked into it. It’s really hard to find a house in the capital. No one is selling.”

 

“So, are you saying you’ll wake up at the crack of dawn and commute for two hours by carriage every day?” 

 

“I can’t help it….”

 

“I’m sorry to interrupt you, but wait a moment.”

 

At that moment, Axion raised his hand slightly and intervened.

 

We all looked at him.

 

Isn’t this another dad joke?

 

“I own a mansion on Cremon Street. You could just move in there, so what are you worried about?” 

 

“….?”

 

Me, Dad, Oscar, and even Cheshire were all surprised.

 

“Uncle, really?!”

 

“What are you talking about?! You have two houses in the capital?!” 

 

Dad and I exclaimed at the same time.

 

Axion seemed puzzled, as if wondering why it was such a big deal, and then he turned to Oscar and spoke. 

 

“It’s a house inherited from my father before I received the title. I’ve sold off most of the other inheritance, but I wanted to keep at least the house, so I’ve maintained it.” 

 

“….”

 

“I’ve kept maintaining it with the thought that it might be a place for my son to live when he gets married. After all, it’s difficult to find a new house in the capital.” 

 

I was surprised and covered my mouth.

 

Is there anyone who has a father-in-law who would generously give a house in Seoul to his married son and daughter-in-law?

 

Me!

 

“U, Uncle… are you really going to give us that house? Really? For real?” 

 

“Is this something to be so moved about?” 

 

“Hey! Why are you telling us such an important thing now?” 

 

Dad was dumbfounded.

 

Axion was even dumbfounded.

 

“We haven’t really discussed the kids’ marriage in detail yet, have we? And I’ve always planned to give that house to my son. Why were you the one worrying about where they’d live? Why didn’t you tell me?” 

 

“Wow.”

 

Dad, who was a little more surprised, turned to Oscar and gave him a thumbs up.

 

“Problem with the newlyweds house solved.”

 

“….”

 

Oscar’s expression, which had been filled with worry about me commuting for two hours, softened just a little.  

 

Axion, who became the hero of this place with just a house.

 

He briefly wore a confused expression, but soon, as if deciding to showcase his father-in-law’s strength, he grinned and added with a smile. 

 

“Since both of you have jobs, it would be difficult to manage the house on your own. Of course, I’m not just offering the house, but I’ll also help find someone to assist with the household chores. This way, Lilith can focus on her work without any worries, just as she has been doing.” 

 

The best father-in-law.

 

It’s hard to hold back from giving a standing ovation.

 

“Yes, I understand your thoughts, Duke…”  

 

Oscar’s eyes, which had been hesitating for a moment, became sharp.

 

“Do you have any stance on the children’s plans for having children? As you know, she’s still building her career at the Magic Tower, and she’s quite young, so there are many concerns.” 

 

It came out… 

 

Oscar had been endlessly worried about that damn pregnancy and childbirth…

 

I don’t understand why we have to settle that issue before even the marriage, but I guess Oscar… 

 

“When do you plan on having children?”

 

I couldn’t help but think that he was imagining in-laws who pressure their daughter-in-law with questions like, “So, when are you going to have kids?”

 

‘Well, since the child will carry the Libre name, even if we want to enjoy our newlywed life for a while, Uncle might have a different opinion.’ 

 

I looked at Axion nervously. 

 

But he looked blank for a moment, as if he had no idea why this question had come up, then suddenly burst into laughter. 

 

“I see now what you’re worried about, Young Master Manuel. However, I have no intention of interfering in the children’s plans for having children. The succession of titles has already lost its significance, but even before that, I never really obsessed over the issue of continuing the family line. After all, if there had been no son…” 

 

Axion nodded to Cheshire next to him and added. 

 

“Libre was a family name that would disappear, and I didn’t regret that. As you know, it’s a family with no history.”

 

“….”

 

“So, I have no intention of pressuring my daughter-in-law to quickly bear a child to carry on my family name. Also, even though I call her my daughter-in-law, she feels like a daughter to me, as I’ve known her since she was a child. As for having children, whether they have them slowly when they’re ready, or never have them at all, I believe it’s a matter for them to decide freely.” 

 

…A flawless answer.

 

Oscar was speechless.

 

I’ve never seen anyone shut Oscar’s mouth, which was always flashy, so suddenly.

 

‘Ah, if you take away the dad jokes, he’s perfect…’ 

 

His face, personality, wealth, and consideration!

 

The perfect father-in-law answered every single one of Oscar’s follow-up questions with nothing less than flawless responses that day.

 

It was a truly successful meeting.

 

* * *

 

The capital, Romwell.

 

The evening sky seemed to be filled with stars.

 

The two men walked side by side through the quiet, dimly lit streets of the night. 

 

Axion felt a bittersweet mix of emotions as he prepared to send his son off. 

 

“Father.”

 

“Yeah.”

 

“Thank you.” 

 

Axion let out a small laugh at his son’s stiff greeting. 

 

“Yeah, it wasn’t that difficult. Young Master Manuel is pretty easygoing and nice.” 

 

“No, I do appreciate you coming today, but…” 

 

“….?”

 

After a brief pause, Cheshire quietly added. 

 

“…For raising me.” 

 

Axion’s eyes widened. 

 

“Thanks to you, Father, I have grown up without hardships or lacking anything. I will be sure to repay the kindness you’ve shown me for the rest of my life.” 

 

“….”

 

At a loss for words, Axion cleared his throat a couple of times and walked slowly. 

 

The sincerity of his son, who was never good at expressing himself, was both surprising and made his heart feel heavy. 

 

“…What do you need to repay? Just living happily without any pain is the best way to repay.”

 

“….” 

 

“And I am grateful too.”

 

Axion looked back. When his eyes met with Cheshire’s, who had turned around, he smiled faintly.

 

“For being my son.”

 

My son.

 

The words were so overwhelming and heartwarming that Cheshire bit his lip, his eyes wide open, trying to hold back tears. 

 

Maybe… 

 

Cheshire may be the one who understands the most what kind of feelings Oscar had, taking care of and sacrificing for Lilith.

 

Because he had also received love.

 

Even though it wasn’t by blood, he knew how deep and strong the bond formed by the heart could be.

 

In his bright and youthful days, his father took him in without expecting anything in return, despite having no prior connection to him.  

 

The poor child, who had first learned the sorrow of being cold, hungry, and having nowhere to return to, had finally come to know the warmth and satisfaction of being full. 

 

The stability of having a home to return to and a family that welcomes him.

 

A father who gave love, care, and guidance without expecting anything in return.

 

Cheshire lifted his head to keep his tears from showing. 

 

He saw a sky that seemed like it would pour down stars.

 

“To be honest, I never had the desire to have children, nor did I ever feel the need to build a family. I could never understand that lunatic who deserted because of his daughter, either.”

 

Cheshire laughed at Axion’s gentle words.

 

“But then, when I saw that lunatic who came back and his daughter—aha, I understood. In this desolate life where everyone else is a stranger, having someone who feels like a part of myself.” 

 

“….” 

 

“How could they not be precious?”

 

Axion continued, smiling.

 

“Anyway, watching that crazy guy, I thought, ‘Ah, so this is why people raise children.’ And then I saw you. But it was really fascinating. You were like an old man in a young body at that age, already perfect without needing to be taught anything….” 

 

“….”

 

“But still… you’re a child. You still need someone to protect you.”

 

Axion recalled the day Cheshire became his adopted son. 

 

Was it the day he went to the Imperial Ministry of Public Affairs to adopt the child? 

 

When he arrived, the greedy biological father who had abandoned Cheshire was already there.

 

The fact that the illegitimate child, who had been abused, had a rank of Dos was enough to make him anxious to take him back immediately.

 

Right next to him, while signing the registration consent form, Axion happened to notice Cheshire’s “child-like” appearance. 

 

His face turned pale.

 

The eyes filled with fear, glancing at his biological father, and the hands fidgeting helplessly. 

 

His dry lips twitching from nervousness, and when his eyes met Axion’s, he quickly lowered his gaze. 

 

It was then that Axion realized. 

 

He was too mature for his age, so he almost missed it.  

 

He was still a child.

 

For me, it was just a matter of scribbling a simple signature on a piece of paper…

 

For you, who are still too young to be cast out into the world alone, this might be a turning point that could change your life.

 

“Hey, do you remember that day? The day we went to register you? What would have happened if I hadn’t brought the seal? The staff at the Ministry were freaking out, saying the documents wouldn’t be valid without the seal.”

 

“Yes, I remember. It was a bit… scary back then.”

 

“Hahahahahaha!”

 

Actually, I’ve been carrying the seal around ever since the day Enoch suggested adopting you.

 

“Wow, the kid who used to dangle around my waist has grown up so much. Now he’s even getting married before his father~”

 

Axion hugged Cheshire’s shoulder and pretended to cry.

 

“Live well, my son. When I die, just come by occasionally and maybe dig a grave for me.”

 

“Live long, long life. I’ll definitely dig your grave. I’ll make sure to live one day longer than you.”

 

“What? Puhahahahaha!”

 

“Father.”

 

“Yeah.” 

 

“….”

 

“What. Why are you calling me?”

 

“I…” 

 

“….?”

 

Cheshire turned his head away in embarrassment and muttered in a small voice.

 

“…I love you, Father.”

 

“….?!”

 

Axion’s eyes widened.

 

Axion Libre, a thirty-seven-year-old single father.

 

The first confession of love he heard in ten years of raising his son.

 

He burst into laughter without resistance.

 

“I love you too, son.”

 

The night street, where starlight poured down.

 

“This is the reward for raising a son! I even got to hear ‘I love you’!”

 

The two of them walked, laughing for a long time, reminiscing, and enjoying the moment. 

 

Though not able to express it as overwhelmingly as Enoch and Lilith, who held hands and rubbed their cheeks together. 

 

Just walking side by side, sharing the full affection that could be felt even without words.

 

“Son.”

 

“Yes, father.”

 

After walking for a while, Axion looked up at the sky and called.

 

“Do you know what happens when a sesame seed dies?”

 

“….”

 

Cheshire, who was looking up at the sky in the same way, gently closed his eyes.

 

He thoroughly wore a mask in front of the emperor for the sake of the revolution, and he acted with a smile in front of his own father.

 

So he…

 

For his beloved father.

 

He was a son who could do enough things like laugh out loud at a joke that wasn’t funny at all.

 

“Well. Does sesame seeds die?”

 

“Freckles.”

 

“….”

 

A second of silence.

 

Soon, Cheshire began to laugh, holding his stomach.

 

“Ha, hahahahaha! Hahahahahaha!”

 

Axion was surprised by his son’s refreshing reaction, who rarely showed his emotions.

 

“Is it that funny…?”

 

“Hahaha! Ah, haha! Ha… Ah, Father… Yes, it’s so funny. Keuk, hahahaha!”

 

Cheshire even shed tears.

 

“Father, you have the best sense of humor of anyone I’ve ever met. I had a hard time holding back laughter at dinner earlier.”

 

Cheshire began to laugh out loud again after blurting out his thoroughly prepared words.

 

“You….”

 

Feeling embarrassed for some reason, Axion turned his head slightly and wiped his nose proudly.

 

“What’s so funny about this….”