Father, I Won’t Do Anything

“I never imagined I’d witness Father shedding tears in my lifetime.”

Jaina blurted out the words in a rather boastful tone. In response, Diamid, seated before her, cleared his throat in seeming embarrassment.

“Ahem.”

Yet Jaina remained undeterred, pressing on.

“But my vision was hazy at that moment. Did you truly cry?”

“…”

“Was it because of me?”

Normally responsive to even Jaina’s most trivial inquiries, Diamid now maintained steadfast silence. Admitting the truth risked lifelong teasing, while denial might disappoint her.

Akin to being asked to choose a favored parent, it posed an inescapable dilemma.

‘More vexing than battling the dragon sovereign…’

With a faint sigh, Diamid reflected upon the relentless past ten days.

Several days after the confrontation with Kalarya, Jaina had lain bedridden for over a week, having expended her mana reserves to the absolute limit.

During that interval, the leaderless dragons and demonic beast forces had swiftly retreated, enabling Diamid’s company to regroup and launch a retaliatory strike upon the dragon strongholds.

Mikael’s insistence on utterly eradicating the ‘wretched lizards’ had been unanimously accepted.

Ordinarily, Hilvenzia and Elia might have cautioned against excessive casualties, but this time, none voiced any objections.

“I’ll lend my aid as well. No, I insist on taking the vanguard, an opportunity for vengeance would be most welcome.”

Witnessing Rosian’s bloodied return had left Elia’s composure in tatters.

“Our magicians continue producing restorative concoctions. By tomorrow, all the wounded should have recovered.”

Similarly, Hilvenzia had fervently devoted herself to synthesizing treatments, gritting her teeth at Jaina’s unconscious plight.

Thus, Diamid’s elite forces advanced upon the mountain ranges where the surviving dragons had congregated, mercilessly slaughtering those who had yet to regain their mana reserves.

“You don’t need to overexert yourself yet, Tower Lord. Please rest and recuperate.”

From the sky, Mikael’s meteors rained down incessantly, while on the ground, Elia’s and Izren’s blades left dragon blood in their wake.

Even without Diamid’s direct participation, the human forces matched the dragons’ onslaught.

Though the dragons commanded formidable magic and their scaled hides granted resilience, their reduced numbers following the previous battle proved their undoing.

“Ieik, to be overwhelmed by these feeble humans…!”

Initially, the dragons had fought ferociously, their pride refusing to accept subjugation by mere humans.

However, with the majority being mere hatchlings, even the celestial dragons lacked sufficient mana reserves to unleash high-tier spells, rendering their offensive impact negligible.

Inevitably, compelled to prioritize their species’ survival, the dragons had no choice but to surrender.

“Ashrid… No, I shall recognize Jaina as one of Black Night clan. Now go back, humans, while this temporary armistice holds.”

“Not until a blood pact has been sworn.”

“…Very well.”

Diamid had stipulated that in exchange for acknowledging Jaina as a dragon and restoring Bezrice’s tarnished honor as an outcast, the dragons and demonic beasts must swear a ‘blood pact’ – refraining from assaulting humans for the duration of Jaina’s lifetime.

A ‘blood pact’ sworn through dragon blood transcended mere oaths. Violating it would instantly invite death upon the transgressor, barring divine intervention.

With matters settled, Diamid had returned to the Magic Tower, dedicating himself to Jaina’s recovery. Two days later, she had finally awakened.

Lost in contemplation, Diamid’s reverie was interrupted by Jaina’s insistent voice.

“Was it truly because of me that you cried?”

“…”

“Was it not?”

However, Jaina seemed disinclined to relent this time, fixing Diamid with an unwavering gaze.

Her twinkling blue eyes reflected Diamid’s flustered countenance.

“…”

“…”

Silence fell between father and daughter – an awkward lull for Diamid, yet one Jaina found oddly intriguing.

Unable to withstand her earnest, imploring gaze, Diamid eventually acquiesced with the faintest of murmurs.

“Your words… are… accurate.”

Barely audible, had one not been listening intently.

“Huuh? What did you say?”

Feigning confusion, Jaina tilted her head quizzically. Flustered, Diamid smoothed his brow before leaning forward to whisper conspiratorially.

“…Teasing your father excessively has consequences.”

“Oh?”

Tap.

With a gentle rap, Diamid tapped Jaina’s forehead lightly.

Pursing her lips in an adorable pout, Jaina retorted petulantly:

“I only did so because I’m overjoyed that Father cares for me so deeply.”

“…You can’t imagine how worried I was when you put yourself in danger so recklessly.”

Diamid’s words were like a weary sigh. Blinking her eyes, Jaina focused intently upon his solemn tone.

“Never have I felt so utterly helpless in this world.”

To be rendered utterly incapable of action – nothing pained Diamid more profoundly.

And Jaina, too, had experienced that same anguish.

Nodding contemplatively, she replied:

“Yes, I understand. Witnessing Father’s fight filled me with similar sentiments. That’s why I took action.”

As Jaina beamed radiantly, Diamid’s expression grew somber.

“Then I must dedicate myself further to magical research, ensuring none can ever threaten you again.”

‘Just how much stronger can you become…?’

Suppressing that unvoiced thought, Jaina stared straight at Diamid.

“I’m truly fortunate to have been born Father’s daughter. In turn, I will try harder, to be capable of protecting you too.”

There had been moments when she had lamented her fate as the final boss’s offspring.

Yet now, she understood. All those tribulations had paved the way for her present happiness.

Deliberately taking an exaggerated bite from the cake before them, Jaina exclaimed:

“Ah, delicious.”

The cake gracing their table had been crafted by Diamid himself.

Since her previous birthday, he had baked cakes for Jaina whenever requested.

Unsurprisingly, his peerless intellect enabled him to rapidly hone his baking skills to professional pâtissier levels through practice.

Recalling Diamid’s dedicated efforts, a warmth seemed to bloom within Jaina’s chest. His willingness to continually learn and adapt, all out of love for her.

‘I wonder what new experiences tomorrow may bring?’

Just a few years ago, she had resigned herself to a foreshortened existence. Yet now, she eagerly anticipated the countless days awaiting her.

“…How happy I am to know you will continue smiling throughout the innumerable days ahead.”

As if reading her innermost thoughts, Diamid’s words elicited a momentary start from Jaina.

“For at least some of those myriad days, permit me to remain by your side, as I am today.”

“Yes, let’s continue walking this path together, Father.”

In retrospect, Diamid wasn’t the only one who had transformed.

Mikael and Hilvenzia, too, had become nearly unrecognizable compared to their initial selves. Though admittedly, the change primarily benefited Jaina.

‘And also… Izren and Her Highness Elia as well…’

Comparing the novel’s narrative to reality, Jaina couldn’t suppress an amused smile as Rosian crossed her mind.

“I suppose a day may come when I experience romance as well?”

“What? Romance?”

The tender smile Diamid had worn while regarding Jaina vanished, his expression instantly freezing as he vehemently shook his head.

“Absolutely not, if it involves the Crown Prince!”

“Why not?”

“He’s far too frail and delicate.”

Yet there are few in this world capable of handling that weak man…?

“Not to mention his appearance leaves much to be desired. You deserve someone far more handsome.”

He is renowned as the Empire’s paramount beauty, is he not…?

“And he’s too short in stature.”

Yet his height seems comparable to yours, Father…?

As Jaina fixated him with an expectant gaze, Diamid hastily added, as if making excuses:

“He must tower over me, possessing not only exceptional looks and strength but an impeccable character, wealth, and prestigious lineage as well. And…”

‘Does such a person even exist in this world…? Are you simply forbidding me from romance altogether, Father?’

Suppressing the retort on the tip of her tongue, Jaina smiled and gently interrupted:

“But I never specified the Crown Prince as a potential partner?”

“…Ahem.”

As Diamid fell silent once more, Jaina let out a soft chuckle.

‘Truth be told, I have received a confession.’

Though she hadn’t mentioned it to Diamid, Jaina had indeed been confessed to by Rosian several days prior.

-Miss Jaina.

Diamid hadn’t been the only one devastated by Jaina’s collapse.

-…

When Jaina had finally regained consciousness, innumerable well-wishers had already come and gone, praying for her recovery.

And the one who had steadfastly remained by her bedside, to Jaina’s astonishment, was none other than Rosian himself.

-I’m truly relieved you have awakened. The physicians assured me you would wake up soon, yet I couldn’t help but worry…

In the hushed sickroom, illuminated by soft, dust-mote-filled sunbeams, their muted voices alone disturbed the stillness.

-So that’s why you insisted on being here?

-I was worried you might awaken alone, given everyone’s poor condition.

Rosian’s weary countenance betrayed his sleepless nights as he absent-mindedly traced his lips. Witnessing his evident fatigue, Jaina’s voice rose in pitch.

-Truly, for that reason alone? Most wouldn’t exert themselves to such extremes.

-Well, not solely for that reason. There was another underlying motive…

-Which?

With solemnn gravity, Rosian spoke in hushed tones.

-I was afraid of the prospect of losing you before I could voice my feelings.

-What?

Jaina’s startled reply escaped reflexively.

-Actually, I harbor affections for Miss Jaina – romantic affections. When I learned you had fallen ill, I couldn’t simply remain uninvolved.

Perhaps she had subconsciously sensed it, that Rosian’s pure, unwavering devotion transcended mere friendship.

Jaina couldn’t dismiss such profound sentiment lightly, just as she and Diamid had agonized over each other’s well-being.

Yet neither could she provide Rosian an immediate response.

Not due to his abrupt confession, but because she had never once contemplated him in a romantic light.

Initially, believing her life foreshortened, she had avoided forming deep bonds.

Afterwards, the temples’ slanders and the war against the dragons had preoccupied her thoughts.

Recognizing the weightiness of his feelings, she couldn’t reply easily.

‘True, there is no urgency. His Highness didn’t ask for an immediate answer.’

Jaina’s future sprawled abundantly before her. Thus, she intended to thoughtfully ponder this newfound aspect of ‘romance’ she had never properly experienced in her previous life.

Though Diamid would undoubtedly vehemently oppose such notions.

“I’m bound to surprise you with many more revelations to come.”

“Hmm?”

“For I am no longer the ten-year-old Jaina awaiting death, but ‘Jaina Bellafanian.'”

I wish to experience all that I couldn’t in my past life to the fullest.

With an impish smile, Jaina propped her chin upon her hand.

Regarding her with momentary surprise, Diamid’s expression shifted to one of eager anticipation as he replied:

“Very well, commit whatever unanticipated mischief you desire, vex me with unimaginable troubles. It doesn’t matter.”

“You mean that sincerely?”

“Yes. As long as you remain by my side, healthy and happy… I could ask for nothing more.”

(Main Story: THE END)