My Daddy Hides His Power Chapter 312 - Side story Part 2 Chapter 8

* * *

 

Nordic Rubinstein’s life had been smooth sailing—truly a man who had walked the straight and noble path of a nobleman.

 

Born as the heir to a grand noble family, he had one daughter and one son, and had raised his two children admirably, even fulfilling the role of his wife who had died long ago in battle.

 

His son, Enoch, as the leader of the revolutionary army that uprooted the dictatorial monarchy, inscribed the name “Rubinstein” in history books as that of a proud revolutionary family.

 

He proudly presented grandchildren so precious that they could never cause him pain even if placed in his eyes, and those grandchildren also found good matches and became betrothed.

 

In Nordic’s room, there hung a formal wedding portrait each of his granddaughter Lilith and his grandson Theo.

 

If Nordic had one final wish after living a perfect life, it would be to hold his beautiful great-grandchildren in his arms before he dies.

 

And once he could close his eyes without worry, he would meet the wife who had gone before him and look back on his life, saying it had been a happy one…

 

“Wuba!”

 

…That’s what he thought. 

 

Nordic looked down at the son babbling in his arms.

 

“Ubya-bya-bya? (Is your blood pressure okay, Father?)”

 

“….”

 

Nordic Rubinstein, at the age of 65 this year, is faced with the task of raising a child again! 

 

Raising a son who has already been raised from scratch!

 

As expected, human life is not always smooth sailing.

 

“Can he really return to normal for sure?”

 

Nordic asked Oscar, feeling somewhat dizzy.

 

“Of course.”

 

The one who caused the accident is that Lord of the Wizard Tower.

 

They say the Wizard Tower is researching the cores of the gifted, and Enoch agreed to help but ended up causing a problem.

 

Since his son recognized the risks and voluntarily offered to help, there was really nothing anyone could say against it.

 

“If everything goes smoothly, it will take about a week. Once the components for the magical device arrive, I can finish it right away, and then Duke Rubinstein will return without any problems.”

 

He could trust those words.

 

From the start, regardless of the exact principle, Oscar’s skill was proven by the fact that he could tamper with an ability user’s core without permission.

 

The only concern was taking care of his son for a whole week—or possibly even longer.

 

“I’d like to ask a favor. The research at the Wizard Tower must not be leaked, and besides, Enoch’s mind is still fully intact…”

 

Axion said carefully.

 

Nordic immediately understood what he meant.

 

First, keep the mouths of the household servants in check.

 

Not difficult. Since it would be hard to believe it’s really Enoch, just make something up vaguely. Saying he’s a child of a distant relative or something like that should work.

 

But for the dignity of his son, who is an adult in mind, he couldn’t entrust his care to just anyone.

 

How could he possibly ask the maids to change his diapers? What choice did he have?

 

“I understand.”

 

Nordic suppressed a sigh and looked down at Enoch cradled in his arms.

 

Bright, sparkling eyes. Chubby arms and legs.

 

He felt a lump in his chest as memories of holding his newborn son in his arms for the first time decades ago came flooding back.

 

Yeah, it’s only a week after all.

 

Can’t even change a diaper for your beloved son?

 

“Ujjujjujju.” 

 

“….?!”

 

At 38 years old, Enoch Rubinstein, suddenly burdened with fatherly duties, was overwhelmed and mentally dazed by the shock.

 

* * *

 

At that moment, the newlywed couple found themselves in a precarious situation once again.

 

Cheshire silently looked down at Lilith, who kept her head bowed.

 

He was well aware of the purpose behind the research that was being conducted using her lifespan.

 

In other words, it was research aimed at creating a leash for Primera.

 

Everyone feared that the power of Primera, too omnipotent for a human to possess, would inevitably bring tragedy.

 

“Are you going to have a child?”

 

“If Lilith wants it.”

 

“Of course. Wow, since they’re both handsome, they’ll make a good character.”

 

Axion, his father, was also worried.

 

“Father, do you have something you want to say?”

 

“….”

 

“Are you worried that our future child will be a Primera?”

 

Just like the emperor who is now in hell, overwhelming power will always corrupt sooner or later. The power of Primera will inevitably be abused.

 

In the distant future, it’s possible that the revolutionary families ‘Rubinstein’ and ‘Libre’ might be recorded as dictators.

 

“Cheshire, so this is like my mission or something.”

 

When Lilith, who knows justice rather than being like an emperor, wields the power of Primera.

 

She willingly becomes the test subject herself to conduct the research and prepare a way to keep Primera in check.

 

“Cheshire, I’m really sorry.”

 

Lilith apologized tearfully. 

 

“You clearly told me not to do it, but I went ahead with the research in secret. And… I know you’re doing this because you’re worried about me, but by constantly bringing up the greater good, I made it seem like you were the bad guy for opposing it…”

 

It’s Lilith’s right to use her own lifespan however she wishes. She doesn’t need anyone’s permission.

 

Still, Lilith only asked for permission out of consideration for those who know she is Primera, care about her, and worry about her lifespan.

 

“Why aren’t you saying anything? Are you really angry?”

 

“….”

 

He knows that Lilith has decided to use her entire extended lifespan to die on the same day as her loved ones.

 

If this had been something that would burden Lilith, he knew that Enoch or Oscar would have stepped in to stop her first.

 

So Cheshire knows there’s no reason to get angry and fight over this unnecessarily.

 

But he had to do it anyway.

 

“You know what, Lilith?”

 

Why?

 

“I’ve never once thought it was a good thing that you live longer than others.”

 

“Mhm?” 

 

“You’re different from people like us—you get to decide with your own hands how long you’ll live.”

 

“….”

 

“If you act selfishly, you can live as long as you want, but if not, you might die even sooner than I do.”

 

Cheshire calmly brought out his true feelings.

 

“And in all the countless choices you’ve faced until now, you’ve never once made a decision thinking only of yourself.”

 

It was always like that. Lilith.

 

“That’s why I feel anxious every moment.”

 

Of course, he believed that it was precisely because she was that kind of person that Primera had chosen her, but at the same time, he felt that Primera’s power was like shackles because of who she was.

 

Because Lilith, who wields that power, is caught in an obsession that she must accomplish something.

 

“I’m afraid that one day you might suddenly disappear, leaving me behind.”

 

“I won’t.”

 

“Can you promise that? What if a situation comes where you have to trade all your remaining life for the safety of this world?”

 

“….”

 

“In a situation like that, it’s too obvious what choice you’d make. That’s why I… I’m always anxious….”

 

A future where you can’t see even an inch ahead. A life where you don’t know what will happen.

 

It’s not that I’m telling you not to use your abilities.

 

Cheshire just wanted Lilith to remain mindful every moment she chose to use her lifespan.

 

Even if it means enduring clashes and arguments like today…

 

He had to make sure Lilith wouldn’t become dull when using her lifespan.

 

“I’m sorry for meddling with how you use your lifespan.”

 

“What are you talking about? We’re married now, so it’s only natural.”

 

“If I don’t do this, there’s no one else who will stop you.”

 

Cheshire approached and sat facing Lilith on the bed. Then, quietly, he pressed his forehead against hers.

 

“The Duke cares about you, and so does the Lord of the Wizard Tower, but in the end, they both give in to you. So, so at least I…”

 

Rubbing their foreheads together, he held Lilith tightly in his arms.

 

“I’m sorry for being selfish.”

 

He buried his face in Lilith’s neck and whispered, as if trying to check the warmth that might suddenly cool down.

 

“And I’m sorry for getting angry.”

 

“No….”

 

Lilith, on the verge of tears, threw herself into his arms.

 

“I never thought you were selfish. I know better than anyone why you were against it.”

 

“…Yeah.”

 

“I’ll live in a way that you’ll never have to worry. I promise I won’t waste my lifespan just because I have more than others. My goal is to live just one day longer than you. I swear!”

 

Lilith, who was sniffling, was cute, so Cheshire smiled weakly and hugged the small body that was being held tightly.

 

“Calm down, honey.”

 

“I already did. Then let’s solve the problem now.”

 

Cheshire, who was an extreme rationalist, quickly returned to reality.

 

“What’s the problem?”

 

“You said your power didn’t activate when you made the wish. I feel like this is partly my fault—I shouldn’t have said I wanted a baby who looks like you.”

 

“How is that your fault? There’s nothing to fix. It just adds one more line to the research paper: ‘Requests that are too difficult to fulfill will not be granted.’”

 

“But isn’t that strange?”

 

Cheshire felt a twinge of doubt.

 

“So the ability was supposed to consume as little of your lifespan as possible, but this time it didn’t grant anything and just took a whole month of your life?”

 

“It’s a bit strange.”

 

“By any chance, even if you can’t see it right away, is it already cast in some way?”

 

“Can’t see it right away…?”

 

The two were lost in thought.

 

And a few minutes later.

 

Suddenly, Lilith’s pupils shook as if there was an earthquake.

 

“What’s wrong?”

 

Cheshire tilted his head in confusion at the strange reaction.

 

“H, h, honey? Could it be…?”

 

Lilith swallowed hard and carefully pointed to her flat stomach.

 

Cheshire’s eyes widened as he understood.

 

“…No way.”