The Villainess Whom I Had Served for 13 Years Has Fallen

Chapter 287

Rowen, seated at his desk, was engrossed as he flipped through the thick pages of a book.

"Hmm..."

A book as thick as a dictionary.

Even for Rowen, who was accustomed to keeping books close, the sheer weight of the pages only drew sighs. He couldn’t help but wonder if this was the right approach.

"...This is difficult."

[How to Become a Good Father.]

1. Always smile.

2. Offer positive encouragement and support.

3. Listen to your children until they finish speaking.

Rowen let out a bitter smile at the strangely difficult content of the book. None of it seemed to apply to him.

It was all wrong.

From one to ten.

As if the answer key was deliberately avoiding him, not a single thing fit.

"Everything from one to ten is just wrong."

Even so, Rowen focused and focused again. He believed this was his first step.

Even if it wasn’t something grand, even if others mocked him, Rowen wanted to keep moving forward—no matter how small the steps.

To become a better father for his daughter, and to be a father who could apologize to the son who endured, Rowen was chipping away at his pride.

There was much to learn.

After all, he was like a baby just now taking its first steps. Realizing he had to wipe the slate clean and start over from scratch, Rowen endured the throbbing headache and focused on his reading.

Had five hours passed like that?

With a dull thud, Rowen closed the book and nodded slightly as he murmured quietly.

"I don’t think I can do this alone."

He thought it was embarrassing but inevitable. No matter how much he read, all that entered his mind were letters. His head seemed to understand, but his heart wouldn’t follow.

Frustrated by the disconnect between his mind and emotions, Rowen let out a deep sigh and lowered his head.

"I need a teacher."

Though he doubted if anyone would dare teach a Sword Master.

Even so, Rowen, who wanted to take a step forward, frowned without bothering to fix his disheveled hair.

"...A good father, huh."

A hollow laugh escaped him.

The rumors circulating in society were full of lies.

That’s how nobles were.

Full of lies and embellished rumors. How else could there be rumors of him being a good father? At social gatherings, young lords would say things like, "Your children must be so fortunate to have such a caring father as the head of the household."

It was laughable.

Placing his hand on the book, Rowen muttered softly, wondering if there was anyone among his acquaintances who could serve as a teacher.

"Someone trustworthy..."

Someone who wouldn’t be intimidated by a Sword Master.

A teacher who had built a harmonious family.

No matter how much he thought about it, no answer came to mind.

"..."

The nobles feared him.

And there was always the risk of getting caught up in unnecessary gossip. Unable to pinpoint a single person, Rowen sat in his chair, lost in thought for a long time.

By the time darkness began to creep into the room.

"Ah."

A noble who lived without caring about others’ opinions flitted through Rowen’s mind.

-I will become a good father.

-...

-Make sure to attend my wedding. You seem like the type who’d give a generous gift.

-What nonsense.

Of course, that man’s parenting skills seemed questionable too, but even so, he seemed like a better father than Rowen.

So.

"Haa..."

Rowen lifted his heavy body from the chair and headed to his friend’s estate.

*

Another peaceful day at the Desmond Darbav Duke’s Estate.

Darbav, clad in his uniform, let out a deep sigh as he looked at the man sitting across from him.

"...So why have you come to see me?"

"To seek your guidance."

"You’re spouting nonsense."

Darbav was already displeased with the unannounced visit. Not that he would’ve welcomed him even with prior notice.

Taking a sip from his liquor glass, Darbav addressed the man before him, his question laced with suspicion about his intentions.

"I thought you came to audit me."

"Do you have something to hide?"

"No, but with how much the Empire’s dogs love us, that’s unlikely."

Rowen, unable to respond to Darbav’s sharp words, moistened his dry lips.

"I’ll try to show less affection next time."

"You’re ridiculous."

For Darbav, the concept of friends was as good as nonexistent. So when a man introduced himself as Darbav’s friend to Rosanna, she had her doubts.

-Who did you say you were?

-I’m Desmond Darbav’s friend.

-Don’t lie. My husband doesn’t have friends.

-...

-Honey!!

After clearing up the misunderstanding, today’s guest of honor, Rowen, received a surprisingly grand welcome and sat before the table Rosanna had prepared, letting out a deep sigh.

"Do you also lack friends?"

"Don’t lump me in with you, Rowen."

"My apologies."

Letting out a sigh, Darbav wore a heavy expression as he addressed Rowen, signaling it was time to get to the point.

"Listen, Rowen."

"Speak, Darbav."

"Say it again."

"Say what again?"

"What you asked me for."

Without a moment’s hesitation, Rowen replied to Darbav.

"I asked you to teach me how to be a good father."

"Ha...?"

Darbav shook his head at Rowen’s words.

"Do I look like a good father to you?"

"..."

"Even just hearing the rumors about me, you wouldn’t say that."

After a long silence, Rowen finally spoke, his voice heavy.

"I want to be a father my daughter doesn’t hide from."

"..."

"At least your daughter isn’t ashamed to speak of you with pride."

"...Are you insulting me?"

"If it’s an insult, I’d welcome it. I’d like to hear something like that too."

Darbav set down his teacup and shook his head.

"Even so, it’s impossible."

"Why not? I can pay you generously."

"I already have plenty of money, Rowen. The problem is my conscience."

"You have a conscience?"

"...So, you're looking for a fight, huh."

"I'm sorry."

Darbav exhaled deeply as he spoke.

"Personally, I don't think I'm a good father, Rowen. I couldn't stop my daughter's rebellion, nor could I understand her sorrow."

"..."

"Who am I to teach anyone? I'm not even a good father myself. Isn't that right, Rowen?"

"..."

Rowen spoke to Darbav.

"Isn't there any way?"

Just as Darbav was about to refuse once again—

-Father!!! I'm here!!!

A familiar voice echoed from the first floor of the estate. A sharp, spiteful voice. At the sound of the boisterous voice belonging to a girl who evoked the image of a little devil, Rowen furrowed his brows.

-Thud.

"Where are you going?"

"My daughter has arrived, hasn't she?"

Without a moment's hesitation, Darbav set down his liquor glass and bluntly issued a dismissal.

"Leave. I need to spend time with my daughter now."

"What did you just say?"

"You heard me. Get your ears checked."

Rowen glared at his smirking friend, his expression one of utter disbelief.

"Our conversation isn't over yet."

"Sorry, but spending time with my daughter is more important. If you have a problem with that, go play with your own daughter."

"...Are you joking?"

Darbav answered with a serious expression.

"Do I look like I'm joking? I'm always sincere."

Watching Darbav gather his coat and turn away, Rowen thought to himself that something felt off.

And when he followed after him, the result was nothing short of disastrous.

"Heehee."

"Olivia!"

"Father, I'm here."

"What brings you here?"

"This."

With a smile, Darbav's daughter handed him a paper bag. Though it didn't seem like an extraordinary gift, Rowen found her confident demeanor fascinating and silently observed the two.

"I thought of you and bought it."

"But it's not my birthday yet."

"I just wanted to give it to you."

"I'm proud of you."

"Heehee...! I'm proud of you too, Father."

Rowen couldn't warm up to his friend's completely transformed demeanor. After all, Darbav had never been the type to smile like that. It was shocking to see what was unfolding before his eyes.

Father?

What is with that expression?

Thinking that Darbav's first steps toward becoming a good father were anything but ordinary, Rowen let out a deeper sigh as he looked at the gift emerging from the paper bag.

"This is... what? A lunchbox?"

"Yup. I got it for free."

"..."

"It's safe to eat; you won't die from it."

Rowen felt a sense of helplessness wash over him.

In that moment, Rowen's wandering gaze met the familiar eyes of a man. A man with red hair and red eyes.

Ricardo nodded slightly toward Rowen, as if asking whether the dilemma he had once mentioned had been resolved.

'Yes.'

Rowen returned the gesture with a nod, acknowledging Ricardo's silent inquiry.

-Heeheehee! Father, where's Mother?

-Olivia!

-Eek!!!! It's Mother...!

They looked harmonious.

This family.

In the warm atmosphere that could never be found in his own household, Rowen thought he had found the answer and decided to watch their story a little longer.

"Father!"

"Yes, Olivia."

"Have you eaten?"

"Yes."

"I didn't eat because I wanted to eat with you."

"...I'm hungry again."

Rowen carefully noted Darbav's actions in his mind.

A heart of consideration.

A willingness to understand.

Seeing Darbav embody the actions described in the books, Rowen chuckled softly to himself, thinking, 'What kind of bad father is this?'

"I should be going now."

Rowen left with heavy steps, nodding as he departed.

Not long after, he discovered one undeniable fact that left him speechless.

"Ha..."

-This month's business revenue report.

Total: 100,000,000 Gold.

-Prepared by: Histania Malik.

"I don't even have words anymore."

Indeed, he was the worst father after all.