Father, I Won’t Do Anything

Whoooo-

The blaring horn signaled the imminent commencement of the demonic beast hunt. Jaina momentarily excused herself from her friends to approach Diamid.

“Father, take care and return safely. And please, be cautious.”

She added:

“Not that I doubt your prowess, but I can’t help worrying.”

Smiling warmly, Diamid gazed down at her reassuringly.

“You don’t have to explain so elaborately; I understand your sentiments, for I feel the same way.”

Relieved by his response, Jaina beamed radiantly.

As she prepared to affix the ribbon she had brought, she noticed an unfamiliar bow slung across his back.

“You intend to use a bow?”

“A childhood pastime I once trained in. Using magic would undermine the fairness of the hunt, so I shall attempt archery instead.”

Withdrawing the bow, Diamid tested the drawstring as he explained.

“I don’t see a quiver. Where are the arrows?”

Brimming with anticipation, Jaina began inquiring intently.

Her father’s willingness to handicap himself in pursuit of fairness struck her as admirable.

“I have no need for arrows. I intend to utilize my mana.”

“You can craft arrows with mana?”

“Yes, enabling me to fire them rapidly and continuously without needing to nock them.”

‘…Isn’t that essentially the same as using magic?’

Though tempted to voice her thoughts, Jaina refrained upon witnessing Diamid’s solemn expression as he caressed the bow.

His determined demeanor, clearly aiming for victory at any cost, evoked a mixture of endearment and amusement within her.

‘So magicians truly are inept beyond magic, after all.’

Recalling Mikael’s previous remark, Jaina smiled wryly.

“Shall we go hunting together sometime? I can teach you archery.”

“While I’d feel too guilty slaying adorable rabbits or foxes… what about demonic beasts?”

“Very well. It may prove trivial, but a momentary diversion wouldn’t hurt.”

Imagining Diamid hunting demonic beasts, Jaina shook her head in dismay.

‘More of a massacre than a hunt, I’d wager.’

If she accompanied him a few times, the demonic beast population might very well face extinction.

Only dragon beings of comparable prowess could potentially pose a challenge.

With an abashed smile, Jaina surveyed Diamid’s attire while grasping the ribbon, seeking an appropriate place to affix it.

For knights wielding swords, the hilt would suffice, but Diamid held a bow in his hands.

To Jaina, adorning a bow with a ribbon seemed rather peculiar.

‘Perhaps across his chest would be more suitable?’

As she contemplated potential locations, Diamid’s departure from his usual robe, clad in light armor, lent him an unexpectedly fresh aura.

Though unremarkable from afar, his altered appearance felt strikingly distinct up close.

“Come to think of it, your attire differs from the usual, Father?”

“Does it not suit me?”

“No, the light armor suits you well. When has anything ever failed to complement you?”

Though Jaina had spoken with utmost sincerity, Diamid merely smiled without further response.

“I’m grateful for your words.”

“I’m not joking, just speaking the truth!”

As Jaina reiterated her sentiment, Diamid’s smile brightened visibly.

“I know, I know. In fact, I chose this ensemble with your preferences in mind.”

“What…?”

Several days prior to the hunting contest, upon his abrupt decision to participate, Diamid had insisted on standing out above all others, demanding his subordinates’ utmost efforts.

“As this contest commemorates Jaina’s birthday (though it actually celebrated the Emperor’s), I must present a striking appearance.”

Naturally, the task fell to Mikael, intimately familiar with Jaina’s inclinations.

“Ah, reduced to such menial errands – the plight of a genius magician… Woe is me.”

However, lacking aesthetic discernment, Mikael procured only outlandish outfits from various shops, ultimately forcing Diamid to seek Hilvenzia’s assistance – someone he had previously crossed.

“I will double your research funding. Select an ensemble Jaina would appreciate.”

For once, Hilvenzia refrained from mischief, having sensed Diamid’s unwavering resolve to ensure his daughter’s triumph.

Attired in the lightweight yet dignified light armor Hilvenzia had acquired, Diamid eagerly anticipated Jaina’s reaction.

Yet her initial gaze conveyed mere familiarity, lacking any commentary on his altered appearance.

Inwardly disappointed, he had nearly resigned himself – until her recent words reignited his hopes.

“I’m relieved it meets your approval.”

The warmth radiating from his previously stern visage resembled the tender caress of spring sunlight, startling nearby onlookers.

“Wh-What did I just witness?”

“How bizarre, I must be seeing things.”

“I nearly felt a chill run down my spine.”

Had it been a mere smile, such extreme reactions would have been unwarranted.

The issue, however, lay in…

‘Is Father embarrassed…?’

His faintly flushed cheeks betrayed his sheepish demeanor.

“Even the peerless Tower Lord becomes a doting father before his daughter, it seems.”

“Well, how could one resist such a lovely child?”

Overwhelmed by this novel experience, coupled with the undeniable affection directed her way, Jaina lowered her head shyly.

When she finally raised it again, her countenance resembled a ripe, blushing apple.

“By the way, Father, have you perchance seen His Highness anywhere?”

Seeking to dispel the lingering awkwardness, Jaina inquired about Rosian’s conspicuous absence.

Ordinarily, he should have appeared at the venue by now to prepare for the hunt.

“I’m afraid not.”

A fleeting, wry smile briefly crossed Diamid’s lips, prompting Jaina’s eyes to widen in surprise.

‘Did I imagine that just now?’

Upon regarding him once more, Diamid wore his customary gentle smile, his expression betraying no ulterior implications.

Uncertain, Jaina could only nod hesitantly in response.

“I had assumed you might know. He’s been missing since last evening…”

“He likely returned to the imperial palace, so don’t worry too much.”

Though Diamid spoke dismissively, he was, in fact, aware of Rosian’s whereabouts.

-Diamid, is Rosian at the Magic Tower by any chance?

Elia had contacted him, seeking her son after his unannounced absence from the Emperor’s birthday festivities.

-Your son is indeed here, appearing quite happy from what I can discern.

-…

The ensuing silence from Elia’s communication crystal didn’t bode well, strongly implying she had taken matters into her own hands.

‘If he has indeed returned to the palace, then no issue, I suppose.’

Diamid surmised Rosian had likely been confined, prevented from venturing out for the foreseeable future – a feat well within Elia’s capabilities.

‘But why come to the Magic Tower and abandon his family, I wonder?’

Diamid didn’t consider himself an irrationally jealous or petty father, inclined to oppose his daughter’s romantic interests.

If Jaina so desired, he would readily support her pursuit of love.

At eighteen, an interest in the opposite sex was only natural.

However… as one who had lived far longer, was it not prudent to preemptively eliminate any unworthy suitors?

To Diamid’s discerning eyes, even the renowned Rosian, lauded as the Empire’s most eligible bachelor, paled in comparison.

His status as the imperial grandson held no sway over the Tower Lord, nor did his reputed handsomeness impress one who gazed into a mirror daily.

At best, Rosian’s prodigious swordsmanship, exceptional for his age, could be begrudgingly acknowledged – yet to Diamid, Elia’s former comrade, it remained vastly inadequate.

‘Such an insufficient specimen is unworthy of Jaina.’

As Diamid nodded unconsciously, a voice from nearby drew his attention.

“Tower Lord, a brief inspection is required.”

“Then I shall return shortly. I’ll see you again soon. Ah, that’s right. This ribbon is for wishing you victory, Father.”

“Oh, Thank you.”

Unable to find a more suitable location, Jaina ultimately tied the ribbon to the bow’s tip.

Though dissatisfied with the placement, pursing her lips petulantly, to Diamid, even that seemed pretty.

Thus, Jaina made her way back towards her friends.

“Lady Jaina?”

A young man obstructed her path, flashing an ingratiating smile.

“Who might you be?”

“Please, accept these flowers.”

Jaina regarded the proffered bouquet with befuddlement.

While fond of flowers, accepting them from a complete stranger seemed unwise.

“Perhaps introduce yourself first…”

As Jaina began her query, another man abruptly interjected.

“Haha, mere flowers, you say?”

This newcomer sported a smarmy grin and an ostentatiously flamboyant attire.

Jaina couldn’t understand why two strange men had suddenly appeared before her, seizing the opportune moment when she was alone.

‘Have they been observing me?’

As Jaina pondered their motives, their voices resonated once more.

“What did you say? ‘Mere flowers’?”

Snatching the bouquet from the first man, the second unceremoniously discarded it onto the ground.

‘What is this situation?’

Jaina found herself utterly perplexed.

“Are you perhaps mocking me?”

“No, absolutely not.”

“Lady Jaina, cast aside these paltry flowers and accept my gift instead – a ring forged from gems mined on my own lands. These gems, you ask…?”

“You dare insert yourself between Lady Jaina and me?”

“For one capable of offering only meager flowers, your voice carries quite boldly!”

“Lady Jaina prefers the purity of flowers over mere jewels!”

By this point, Jaina’s head throbbed as her exasperation mounted, rendering her speechless.

From their audacity in proffering unsolicited gifts to strangers whose preferences they couldn’t possibly know, to their brazen public displays oblivious to others’ opinions – it was all too much to process.

“Gentlemen, please, calm yourselves…”

Though Jaina attempted to placate the overzealous duo, the situation swiftly spiraled beyond her control as yet another man appeared.