Father, I Won’t Do Anything

Enveloped by a blinding white light that made her lose consciousness, Jaina found herself in a grand, spacious hall.

Belatedly regaining her senses, Jaina surveyed her surroundings, her eyes falling upon a pamphlet clutched in a man’s hand.

Beysarit Periodical Concert

Only then did Jaina realize Diamid had brought her to a concert venue.

‘Could it be, the Tower Lord and I are attending a concert together?’

“Sit down.”

“Ah, yes.”

At the voice beside her, Jaina swiftly took a seat.

This grand concert hall was her first experience, leaving her quite ill-at-ease, while Diamid seemed perfectly comfortable, as if such performances were familiar territory.

‘He hardly looks like a magician right now.’

Within this serene, elegant hall, he even resembled a musician himself. Diamid possessed an aristocratic appearance coupled with a graceful aura. Though unable to mask his inherent aloofness, it almost lent him the dignity of an artist.

As anticipated, whispers soon arose from those around Diamid.

“Oh my, he’s handsome… Who is he?”

“He doesn’t seem to be a commoner, does anyone recognize him?”

Rarely attending social events, Diamid’s face wasn’t widely known, prompting puzzled scrutiny from the crowd.

His exquisite features, refined jawline, and radiant presence that seemed to captivate all light in this dim space drew everyone’s gaze.

“I wonder if he has a lover?”

“With those looks, how could he not…”

Despite the murmurs, Diamid remained untouchably aloof as he gazed steadily forward like the haughty moon.

While people stole furtive glances at him, his distinct aura deterred any from actually approaching.

Surveying their surroundings, most attendees seemed to be families, couples, or groups of friends.

‘Yet the Tower Lord and I share no such relation…’

Sitting beside Diamid, Jaina couldn’t shake a sense of being a misplaced ink blot on pristine paper.

She pondered why Diamid had brought her to this concert hall.

‘Does he wish to spend time together like those people?’

Certainly not. Jaina inwardly chuckled at such an absurd notion.

‘He couldn’t have brought me along because he disliked being alone.’

The idea of Diamid feeling loneliness or caring about others’ perceptions was equally preposterous.

‘Then what could it be?’

After contemplating at length, Jaina finally deduced the answer.

‘Ah, he must have brought me to reference my mother’s harpsichord performance.’

Diligent practice was crucial, but experiencing others’ performances could greatly aid her own skill development.

Nodding in understanding, Jaina finally relaxed.

“Is there an issue?”

Noticing Jaina’s mumbling, the seated Diamid spoke up, his gaze still fixed forward.

“Ah, it’s just my first time attending a concert, so it feels novel.”

“Your first? It seems dragons lack culture.”

Jaina had been about to counter that dragons were in fact quite interested in the arts, but desisted.

Claiming they enjoyed concerts, exhibitions, and various cultural events – excluding herself – would only sound like petulant whining.

“You’ll have many opportunities from now on.”

His coldly uttered words could be construed as either reassurance or mockery, prompting an awkward smile from Jaina.

“I certainly hope so.”

Not long after Jaina’s light nod, the performance commenced.

The opening piece was a familiar melody Jaina felt she had heard somewhere before, despite only residing at the Magic Tower.

‘Here, I can observe the musician’s hands.’

Jaina’s seat was slightly left of center, perfectly situated to view the harpsichordist’s dazzlingly nimble fingers.

‘A good vantage point, but I wonder how the Tower Lord acquired these concert tickets?’

Given the full house, it didn’t seem like he had obtained them on this very day.

‘Could it be… he pre-booked these to attend the concert with me?’

Nah, surely not.

Jaina let out a soft chuckle at the fleeting thought, deeming it inconceivable.

The notion of Diamid seeking an opportunity to engage with her was simply far-fetched.

‘No need to overthink it, I should just focus.’

Whenever a melody caught her fancy, Jaina would nod her head slightly in time, or trace imaginary notes in the air with her dainty fingers as she appreciated the performance.

Then, a wistfully sweet melody drifted over.

“Ah…”

In contrast to her earlier reactions, Jaina froze motionlessly, hand hovering by her lips as she stared entranced ahead.

“Do you like it?”

And Diamid attentively observed her every response.

“Prencino’s Nocturne No. 10.”

Startled by the nearby voice, Jaina looked up in surprise. Without awaiting a reply, Diamid murmured softly:

“It was a piece your mother favored.”

“…”

“You seem to share her tastes.”

Jaina’s eyes widened.

This seemed to be the first time Diamid had directly mentioned Bezrice from his own lips.

Though surely meant as an interpretive aid regarding the composition… for some inexplicable reason, Jaina found herself unable to avert her gaze from Diamid’s countenance.

“Wow, I really loved that piece.”

“If you enjoyed it so, then it was worthwhile bringing you along.”

The affectionate mother-daughter pair seated before them reminded Jaina of her own side-by-side presence with Diamid.

* * *

It was an afternoon where brilliant sunlight streamed through the clear blue sky.

Jaina had ventured outside the Magic Tower accompanied by Hilvenzia. However, she couldn’t help repeatedly glancing back with unease.

“Are you truly sure this is alright?”

“It’s fine, I’ve made the proper arrangements, so don’t worry.”

Unable to refuse Hilvenzia’s impromptu outing proposal, Jaina had secretly slipped out, leaving Izren unaware – prompting pangs of guilt.

“Come to think of it, this is the first time I’ve gone out just with you, Hilvenzia.”

“That’s right, and mercifully without that pesky kitty this time.”

“So what materials are we actually procuring?”

“Ah, I’m a bit short on lizard tails. But that should be quick, leaving us ample time. There’s a festival happening along the way, so we can stop by and the timing should work out perfectly.”

A few days prior, Hilvenzia had casually asked if Jaina wanted to go out together since she needed to purchase some materials. Confined to the Magic Tower, the restless Jaina had readily agreed. Coincidentally, the planned outing date aligned with a festival Jaina had wished to attend.

While finding it peculiar that Hilvenzia had timed their excursion to the whimsical festival, Jaina also felt a tinge of suspicion.

-Dad, can we go to the Whimsical Festival next time?

-Sure, shall we pick out what to wear right now?

After attending the concert with Diamid, Jaina had inquired about the ‘Whimsical Festival’ upon overhearing the family in front mention it. Yet mere days later, Hilvenzia had proposed this very date for their outing, aligning with that festival. Could Diamid have relayed it to Hilvenzia?

When Jaina asked her about it:

-Oh, I had no idea today was the Whimsical Festival?

Hilvenzia had feigned ignorance. Given her character, lying was plausible, but Jaina chose to let it go.

Especially since Hilvenzia had excitedly proclaimed, ‘Oh dear, our little Jaina will simply have to dress up for the occasion!’ before buying Jaina an assortment of outfits.

‘It’s fortunate I didn’t mention the concert with the Tower Lord.’

Jaina had refrained from telling Mikael, Hilvenzia, and Izren about attending the concert alongside Diamid.

Her uncharacteristic silence wasn’t solely due to the peculiar feeling she had upon witnessing that affectionate mother-daughter pair.

She worried the others might form unnecessary expectations.

Among dragons, the concept of a ‘father’ didn’t exist.

Moreover, Diamid himself had even insinuated she was the daughter born from Bezrice’s affair with another man.

While their encounters had grown more frequent lately, and their conversations had increased, such a severed bond could hardly be mended overnight.

“This attire doesn’t seem very suited for the Whimsical Festival, does it?”

Snapping out of her reverie, Jaina glanced down at her elaborately dressed self.

Her petite frame was adorned in an exquisite silk ensemble.

“Oh dear, does that mean my eyes are failing me? Could it be that I’ve developed cataracts in my old age…?”

Hilvenzia melodramatically lamented her alleged elderly decrepitude despite her reaching a pinnacle.

Yet Jaina could hardly outright refuse. This was merely Hilvenzia’s way of indulging her desire to dress Jaina up. Inevitably, she found herself being ushered from wardrobe to wardrobe, having to try on various cutesy outfits one by one.

The tastes differed from the previous wardrobe Mikael had taken her to. Evidently, Hilvenzia wished to adorn Jaina in adorable attire.

“Oh my, our little lady resembles a snow fairy!”

Donning a snowy cape trailing below her knees, along with a puffed skirt, the ensemble was completed by a furry white peaked cap.

‘This blatantly screams ‘I’m cute’, but I don’t know if it really suits me…’

Jaina awkwardly fiddled with the plush fabric around her knees. Such an overtly cutesy outfit left her unsure if it was truly appropriate to wear.

Of course, the attendants would naturally claim it suited her perfectly – they wished to make a sale, after all.

Glancing up at Hilvenzia, Jaina found the woman’s eyes crinkled affectionately.

“Jaina truly is adorable. My eyes weren’t deceiving me after all – it seems I can hold off on glasses for now.”

Tilting her head with a warm smile, Hilvenzia’s expression prompted the nearby attendant to gleam excitedly, sensing an opportunity.