My Daddy Hides His Power

Author: rolypoly

“Princess, ha….”

Dad looked at me with wet eyes, then said to Cheshire.

“Please take good care of our daughter.”

“Yes, Father.”

Cheshire answered firmly.

Dad gave my cheek a light kiss and relaxed his arms.

My heart ached a little.

My dad, Mr. James…

How restless his heart must be, sending off the daughter he raised so dearly for a lifetime.

Now I’m really going.

“Heuph!”

Another failure.

Ugh, couldn’t he cut me some slack and loosen up a bit too…?

I turned to look at Oscar, and he briefly exchanged glances with Cheshire behind me.

Then he jerked his chin at me.

It meant to go.

Thank you. Finally, go…

“Oh my!”

However, as if he had planned it, Oscar released his grip with a deliberate delay, throwing off my step.

‘No.’

In that split second, my vision spun.

‘M, my wedding…’

Tak—!

“Ah.”

But the disaster didn’t happen.

It was because Cheshire caught me so steadily—almost like an embrace—as I was about to fall.

‘Huh. This is?!’

The moment I was in Cheshire’s arms, I felt it.

This one’s a big catch.

As if it had been part of the performance from the very beginning, like a scene from a painting, we ended up in each other’s arms.

“Oh my, my goodness. This is amazing.”

“Wow!”

The surprised guests cheered!

‘Could it be that even this… is all part of the genius Lord of the Wizard Tower’s scheme?!’

I was moved and looked back at Oscar, but he must have read my mind.

“Yeah, no.”

He clicked his tongue in a whisper, then went back to sit with Dad.

So what if that’s the case!

No matter which way you go, as long as you find the capital, you’re good!

Finally freed, I faced Cheshire.

My handsome man’s face.

Even after seeing him for eleven whole years, his beauty still doesn’t get old—my heart pounds wildly.

“Today, under the blessing of the gods, these two shall become one.”

The gentle voice of Priest Zadkiel resonated throughout the hall, followed by the reading of the temple’s wedding sermon.

I… or perhaps even Cheshire…

I was so nervous—and so happy—that I have no idea what was said or what state of mind I was in.

We bowed to each other, read our wedding vows, and listened as Axion and Dad each took turns reading the declaration of marriage and giving their congratulatory speeches…

It finally felt real when Priest Zadkiel had us face each other for the vows and we exchanged rings.

“The bride and groom, please seal your vow to share a lifetime of joy and sorrow as husband and wife with a kiss.”

Finally…

It was time for the final kiss.

I placed a hand over my pounding heart and looked up at Cheshire.

He couldn’t hide his nervousness throughout the ceremony; just like me, he seemed to be the most anxious right now.

Cheshire’s hand slowly rose and cupped my cheek.

And then, he leans in.

His handsome face.

Very slowly.

Too, too slowly…

‘Ah!’

I can’t stand it!

Even on a day like this, how can he still be as slow as a turtle—keeping to his self-imposed pace for physical affection!

I wrapped my arms around Cheshire’s neck, slightly bowed toward me, squeezed my eyes shut—and kissed him first.

Startled, Cheshire froze for a moment—but soon, he pulled me into his arms and kissed me back.

The boldness of the bride startled the angelic Priest Zadkiel, causing him to flinch slightly, but…

“The bride and groom have solemnly vowed to become husband and wife before all the guests! Please celebrate their union with a big round of applause!”

Soon after, it happily put the final period on the vow.

The guests’ loud applause and cheers filled the entire hall.

Finally, from this very moment, I am!

I became a man’s wife!

* * *

If there is a God, please send me a little angel. Take me away from this hell.

The boy prayed like that one day.

And God answered him by sending an angel.

“I’ve come to get you.”

“Anywhere, it’ll be better than this hell.”

God probably didn’t know.

That the pitiful, greedy boy—once he escaped hell—would cling to the angel and try to rise all the way to heaven.

“The bride is so pretty!”

“Lilith! Live happily!”

“Uncles, thank you!!!”

Now a man, the boy—Cheshire Libre—couldn’t take his eyes off the angel standing beside him.

Wearing a pale pink dress, she walked busily between the banquet tables, beaming brightly with her arm linked through his.

‘My… wife.’

The moment he quietly rolled those words around in his mouth, without anyone knowing—his heart pounded like it was on fire.

From the very day he first met Lilith.

Long before he even came to feel anything that could be called desire…

He instinctively decided.

He would never let go of the hand of the angel he had once held.

It’s not enough that you pulled me out of hell. I’ve never had anything before, so I don’t know how to let go. I’m obsessive, insatiable, greedy. I won’t lose you—I’ll hold you in my arms, only mine, and I’ll see heaven through you.

If you knew this impure, desire-filled heart of mine, you’d probably be scared.

So I will keep it tightly, tightly hidden.

Finally, on this day when I’ve bound her to my side in what humans call the closest relationship.

I’ll hide even this wicked thrill rising lowly inside me, deep down…

“Why does the groom’s eyes look so impure and gloomy? If I opened his head right now, I think he would be thinking of something strange?”

……

When did he come to this table?

Enoch, Axion, and Oscar were sitting around.

The sharp Oscar was stroking his chin and glaring at Cheshire.

“…No.”

“Why are you really like that to Cheshire? His eyes aren’t any different than usual. Stop being so hard on him.”

“That’s right, Master! Stop being so hard on my husband!”

“No way! I just had a strong feeling!”

The sharp instinct of a genius. Cheshire subtly avoided Oscar’s gaze.

“But why are you two like that with Young Master Manuel? It’s only natural to be a bit grumpy with the groom on a day like this.”

Axion interrupted and laughed at Cheshire.

“I feel like I’ve gained another daughter, so I’m just happy, but dads with daughters see things differently. You understand, right?”

“Yes, I understand.”

After Axion learned from Cheshire about the bond between them that he alone hadn’t known, he treated Oscar with the utmost respect like no one else did.

At their first meeting, during the formal introduction, he also persuaded Oscar perfectly, leaving nothing to be desired.

He even prepared a very funny joke for Oscar…

“Young Master Manuel, you look a little gloomy today.”

…Oh, it looks like it’s coming out again!

“Father!”

Cheshire, who noticed it faster than anyone else, tried to stop him, but Axion was even quicker.

“Do you know what happens when a pine tree is twisted?”

He couldn’t stop him…

Cheshire tightly shut his eyes and Lilith sighed beside him.

“Toothbrush.”

At that moment, Oscar answered without a second of hesitation.

Axion’s mouth dropped open.

“Toothbrush? What? No way?! Tsk! A twisted brush? A toothbrush?”

Enoch burst out.

“Hahaha…!!! Oh my goodness!”

“Y, Young Master Manuel! Then what about the apology that feels bad when someone laughs?!”

“Green apples.” (Sounds like pft, apology)

“!!!”

“Ahahaha! Are you crazy? Pfft! Apology? Ah…! No, Lord of the Wizard Tower, how did you get that right?!”

“What’s the easiest number in the world?!”

“One hundred and ninety thousand.”

“One hundred and ninety thousand? No way… Easy?! Puhahahahahahaha…!!!”

Axion’s face turned pale.

“How… did you… do all this?”

“I thought Duke Libre liked this kind of humor, so I studied it on purpose.”

“…!”

Oscar laughed, and Axion seemed quite touched by those words.

The atmosphere was warm, contrary to expectations.

Lilith and Cheshire looked at each other and smiled faintly.

“Ahahaha… Ah, Cheshire! A man has to be fun like Axion! You’ve got to be able to make the one you love laugh!”

When Enoch spoke, Lilith straightened her face.

“Dad? I, I’m not sure….”

“Yes, I’ll try.”

“You don’t have to!”

Lilith was horrified, but Enoch stood up, approached, and firmly grabbed Cheshire, saying.

“Take good care of our princess. Make sure she never sheds a tear, and always keep her smiling.”

“Yes, Father.”

“Not a single tear should fall from her eyes while she’s with you. If I ever see my daughter cry because of you, I swear I won’t stand for it. I’ll take her back myself.”

“Huh? You’re just going to take her back? No way—I’m going to beat him half to death first.”

“Enoch, don’t you know my son yet? That won’t happen.”

Enoch grinned as Oscar and Axion spoke up behind him.

“That’s right. I only trust you.”

“Yes.”

Cheshire answered, then looked at Lilith, who was clinging to his arm.

Her face was smiling brightly.

Enoch’s request was unnecessary.

I will never, ever make this little angel cry.

Never…

* * *

“Hwaaaaa…”