Chapter 50 - Father? Or Not? We’ll Talk Later
Naturally, Jae and Leila both knew that he was not Rena’s father. They both knew, and there was no reason to pretend otherwise.
So, when the Demon Queen revealed what she had heard, he did a double take.
The only person he ever claimed to be Rena’s father to, was Jiyeru, her older brother. Furthermore, just previously, Jiera was in the middle of questioning Jae to figure out his identity, which she never would have done if she possessed Jiyeru’s information to begin with, and Rena herself should have had her memories of him wiped when he last dropped her off at Bahgwud.
Thus, the brother must have been the one to inform their mother, the queen, about Jae’s “identity” as well as his showing up at the palace with Rena by his side. Even more so because he received the information from Jae a while ago, right after he had conquered the Sloth Dungeon.
It was rather strange that he would leave Jiera out of the information as it concerned her sister too, but it was still possible that Jiyeru sent the message directly to their mother and left it at that. Whatever the case, it wouldn’t make sense for it to have been Jiera, meaning Leila’s words were strange.
‘I heard it from my daughter.’
This meant that even Jiyeru, the only possible culprit, wasn’t it.
Of course, the current Demon Queen only had two daughters; if one of them wasn’t the one responsible for filling her in, and it wasn’t the son, then there only remained a single possibility.
“Rena. Did you tell your mother that I’m your father?”
In summary, he ended up asking such a blunt question in the princess’s room.
“...No...?”
Combined with her initial shocked look that quickly turned into a delayed response of faux confusion, the aversion of the young girl’s eyes as she looked anywhere but at Jae’s face was enough to give it all away.
“You didn’t?”
“I was with Bailey the entire time...”
If Jae hadn’t spent a good forty minutes in the holding cell, he might have believed her. Unfortunately, even ten minutes was plenty of time for an urgent message from the princess to travel to the queen’s ears.
The rest of the guards wouldn’t have just stood still when the long-time missing princess finally returns, would they? The very first thing they would do is place her in front of the queen so she could ensure her daughter’s safety with her own eyes. Besides, if she said she had something to tell her mother, especially if it concerns the person who just brought her home and was brought in for questioning, I’m sure they would listen.
“Really now? Your mother says otherwise.”
So. I’m sorry, but it’s just a terrible lie.
“...Mama’s lying.”
“Hohoh... Sweetie, what did Mama say? If the words you give are going to be dishonest, at least wear a face that speaks the truth.”
When Leila spoke out from behind Jae, entering the room with a mouth covered by her royal robe’s sleeve, Rena froze. There was no coming back from this, but as her mother’s words were essentially telling her to manage her expression properly if she wants to tell a convincing lie, one might consider it strange.
“Mama’s here...” With her gaze alternating between Leila and Jae, the little princess muttered dejectedly. Approaching her daughter sitting on the bed and smoothly taking a seat by her side, Leila seemed to hug her shoulders in an attempt to spread some warmth, and, whilst obscuring her face, spoke in an equally warm voice.
“Yes, Mama’s here... And, without fibbing, can you tell me where Daddy is?”
“Mm...”
Rena meekly nodded. Right after that, she slowly raised a single finger up...
“......”
And pointed at Jae.
Naturally, a period of silence dawned on everyone in the room as both adults stared at the child’s pointing finger, their expressions not giving the slightest clue as to what they might be feeling within.
Eventually, Jae calmly closed his eyes, and this temporary quiet came to an end.
“Well. There you have it.” Shooting a quick look at him that seemed to contain some kind of hidden meaning, she rubbed her daughter’s shoulders. “Thank you for being honest, Rena.”
“...Can I talk to you outside for a moment?”
Jae opened his eyes, looked at Leila, and asked. Though, as he never waited for an answer and instead simply exited the room, one may wonder whether it was truly a question in the first place. Not seeming to mind, however, she turned to Rena.
“Sweetie. Mama will see you soon, alright? Here, you must still be exhausted. Try to get some rest.”
“Mmn... I want to sleep with Mama.”
“...Then, I’ll be back in a minute. Wait for me, okay?”
“Okay...”
Click-!
Immediately after closing the door, Leila locked it with some sort of magic and heaved a deep sigh.
“Hahh...”
“You alright? You seem more exhausted than her. Also, how is she going to get out of that room without a key?”
Turning around, Leila glanced at Jae, who appeared to be waiting for her.
“...It’s a magical device. She knows how to unlock the door from within. May I inquire as to what you wanted to talk about?”
As if he had never brought it up, the queen blatantly ignored his former question of concern, skipping right to the main matter of business. And that’s what I get when I try to be caring. Whatever...
“I think we both know what it is I want to discuss. Why didn’t you tell her the truth?”
Staring at Jae’s face, Leila retorted as if she had no clue what he was talking about.
“What truth?”
“...Huh?”
“I do not understand. When you say, ‘the truth’, what is it that you mean?”
Gradually, he began to realise that something was off.
“What are you-- I’m talking about the fact Rena thinks I’m her dad. Why didn’t you tell her the truth? It couldn’t be because you’re just upset the real one left, right?”
Even if he said something rude, Jae knew there was something deeper. The Demon Queen was hiding something from him, and he had to know what it was.
“What do you gain from lying here?”
“Why is it a lie?”
“...Excuse me?”
“Why are you not her father? Can you prove that?”
“What? Yes, of course. Just take a DNA test and--”
No.
“You do not appear to understand.”
That’s not it. Rather, she wasn’t talking about it like that.
“What I mean is, even with some sort of biological proof that the two of you are not connected in any way, how can you prove that you are not her father?”
“......”
I don’t get it.
Jae still couldn’t understand.
What the hell is going on...?
Why was the Demon Queen saying all this? Like her daughter, was she delusionally beginning to think that Jae was Rena’s father? Was she upset that the real father had disappeared somewhere, and now, with no way to contact the missing parent, was simply relying on him to fill in that gap?
Or perhaps, was it all a trap from the very beginning...?
No... That’s stupid. Don’t think like that.
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“Do you still not understand? Jae. To Rena, you are her father. Even as her mother, from seeing her actions since she has returned, I realise that nothing I say will overturn that. In her mind, it’s already a ‘fact’ that has become the ‘truth’.”
In the end, Leila’s decision not to tell Rena the truth...
“It’s because I didn’t want to hurt my daughter. She has already gone through so much... She was never able to have a father until now, so please... As her mother, I implore you to maintain the act.”
Faced with the expression of a mother who bore nothing but concern for her daughter’s happiness, Jae finally realised what this was all about.
However...
“Man... I didn’t think she still thought of me that way.”
“Children are surprisingly perceptive, you know? If you acted in a way that intentionally avoided the subject, she would have picked up on that and avoided it too, just to stay on your good side.”
“Right...”
Hm... I guess I should’ve expected it. She already took one glance at me and called me ‘dad’ in the past; just because her memories of that time were erased, it doesn’t mean she can’t just take another ‘first glance’ at me and call me dad again... Hah. I just thought things were different because she never mentioned it the second time around.
“Although, if you think Rena is the reason I know you were supposed to be her father, that’s not quite it.”
“Hm? What do you mean?”
“You probably thought that Jiyeru told me, didn’t you? That’s right. After I received the information about you, I informed all guards to simply let into the country whoever was escorting my daughter. You didn’t have trouble passing through any of the gates thanks to that, did you?”
“I-is that how it is... No, I didn’t.”
Haa, really...? I knew getting into the country felt way too easy... So, they knew who I was and just let me in, huh... Wow...
“Thanks for that. Still... You know, I can’t just become someone’s father just like that, right?”
Jae knew most that he wasn’t someone fit to be a father, at least not now. As someone who had to travel around the world and discover the Dungeons of Sin, there would be no time to spend idling around, and at the end of the day, he would hardly be acting any different from her biological father who is nowhere to be seen.
Like she said, Rena’s gone through a hell of a lot of shit. But, rather than dragging me into it, that’s even more reason for me not to be involved so deeply. If I became her father, and wasn’t even here half the time... After everything that’s happened, that’s not the type of family she needs. That innocent girl doesn’t deserve a dad like that.
Of course, Jae couldn’t just mention the existence of the Dungeons in front of someone he was only meeting for the first time, so he had to give some other excuse.
Still, it wasn’t hard to find a reason.
After all, even if that wasn’t the case, wouldn’t it be awkward to share a daughter with someone he barely knew? And a queen at that? It wasn’t so easy to call someone like that ‘family’, and it certainly wouldn’t be an authentic term even if it was used.
“In that case, would becoming my husband change your opinion?”
To that sudden proposal, Jae’s eyebrows soared.
“What...?! No, no, I can’t just do that. And it wouldn’t change anything. Besides, I’ve...”
Jae’s sentence and gaze both trailed off as his consciousness retreated to the far corners of his mind. To a place with distant memories, where the remembrances of those he cherished lay.
I’ve... I’ve...
His lips subtly trembled until he managed to let the words leak out.
“...I have people waiting for me. Family.”
Leila watched him for a moment, then nodded.
“I understand. Then, if you are still unsure, we may continue this topic another time. Keep in mind I will not rescind my offer even if you ask me to, as it benefits me more than simply to make my daughter happy. Then, you may go. If you talk to a guard, they will escort you to your room. I will be in my offi--... Ah~...”
All of a sudden, Leila covered her mouth with her sleeve. Noticing the slight stretching of her facial muscles behind that obscurity, Jae realised what was wrong.
“Shouldn’t you get some rest instead of heading back to work? You’re tired, aren’t you?”
Yawning at this time...
“...The fatigue of a ruler matters not. I simply have to be capable and ready at all times, that is all.”
“I thought someone who manages a nation is supposed to be in their peak condition at all times. At least, that makes the most sense to me. Why do you push yourself so hard? Is it for her?”
“If I can handle it, where exactly is the issue? I should be doing all I can no matter the state of my physical or mental being.”
“Listen. I’m not saying I have an issue with how you work, or that you can’t handle it, or anything like that; by all means, do whatever you find fits your style the best. But, when the way you act starts to negatively affect those around you, sometimes it’s better to hand over the reins for a while.”
If she continues pushing herself in this manner without proper rest, it’s not going to be long until she collapses. Not just for the sake of the people worrying about her, but for her own good, she needs to take a break.
“Whatever are you talking about--”
“I was pretending not to have overheard out of respect, so I’m sorry, but my ears are quite good. Your daughter in there asked you to sleep with her, right? You’re probably thinking it’s because she missed you after being away from home for so long, and yeah, that might play some part in it, but do you want to know what I think?”
Without waiting for an answer, Jae continued.
“I think it’s because she noticed how worn out you are and tried to suggest something that would lead to you having a rest.”
“...And where is your evidence for that claim?”
“Hah. Evidence? ‘Children are surprisingly perceptive, you know?’ Just go and ask her. I’m sure that’s how it is.”
“You-- Excuse me. Jae. You are... Haa, no, never mind. Thank you for your concern.”
“Don’t mention it. You need to take care of yourself, and not just for your own good, right? It’ll make her happier than if you were to overwork. I did the same thing as a kid, so I know.”
“I see... Yes, you may be right. Then, as you suggest, I will... Take some time to rest.”
“Yes. Goodnight.”
After that, Leila unlocked and gently opened the princess’ door she previously left. Closing the door behind her, Jae could faintly overhear the voices of a mother and child talking briefly.
“Rena...? Oh, sweetheart, you’re still up?”
“Mm, Mama told me to wait... I’m glad you’re back.”
“Ah... Me too, my darling... Truly... I’m glad...”
“......”
Noticing the voice of a certain lady beginning to quiver slightly from beyond the door, Jae took it upon himself to quietly depart from the hall outside the princess’ room, but not before installing a simple soundproofing wall with air magic over the door.
Someone so exhausted deserves to have a good rest once in a while, especially on a day like this.
Thinking back to the queen’s appearance from just a moment ago, there was something unusual he couldn’t forget about her tiredness, and it wasn’t just because there was a monumental reunion.
If she were to keep pushing herself and working in that state... Who knows what would happen? It’s not just my paranoia.
He knew. Leila was this close to being met with a terribly unfortunate accident.
Besides... I could see it.
Back then, hanging all over her body and dragging her down... Was the energy of Sloth.
----------------------------------------
Having spent a long time travelling, Jae decided to rest in the castle for a few days before setting off once again.
Since that day, Jae has not had another meeting with Leila. Her schedule was far too busy even for a brief conversation that concerned the matter of him becoming Rena’s legal father or not, especially with all the work that needed to be done regarding the Minister and the pureblood extremist faction.
So, in the meantime, he spent his days rather leisurely.
“Sir Jae.”
At some point, the guards approached this recent visitor to the castle. Although he had the look of someone who didn’t belong, as Demons, they all found his immeasurable pool of mana to be incredible, and even went to talk to him out of awe.
“Yes?”
What’s more...
“Can you teach us Spirit magic?”
“...I’m sorry?”
“Is it not possible?”
“What are you talking about all of a sudden, Spirit magic...”
“Oh, if it’s not possible then don’t worry about it! Take care of yourself!”
“Uh. Yeah...”
There soon began frequent incidents around the castle involving this man with an unknown identity.
“S-sir Jae!”
“Yes?”
“Eek! Th-thank you very much...!”
“??”
Including not only the guards but even the caretakers and servants, too.
“......”
“...You’re becoming popular.”
“A--... Y-yes, well... I’ve noticed that, too. Um... By any chance, do you know why this is happening?”
“Hah. I wonder...”
Sipping on tea in one of the castle gardens, Jae sat with Jiera, First Princess of the Illujhin Royal Demonic Family. Of course, she has since been filled in after their previous meeting that Jae is not Rena’s father, but that he took care of her for a period.
“No, seriously, I don’t understand what’s going on here... Did I do something or what?”
“...Relax. It’s not that big of a deal. Since all the sleeping quarters of the staff who work here are within the walls, and we provide all additional living arrangements like food and clothing, a lot of these guys don’t ever go outside the castle gates. They’re just not used to someone new and interesting wandering around like you.”
“Is that how it is... I see...”
The past few days have been undoubtedly peaceful, but Jae couldn’t deny that he was getting extremely bored. Despite having the time to teach Rena and Bailey in magic and the like as he had promised back in Bahgwud, it wasn’t very fun, and even training his own magic and skills was quickly becoming a bother.
I’m only realising it now, but I’m not nearly as good a teacher as Aphy was... And, it’s just not fun unless I get to level up or gain new, wacky skills through Gluttony, either... Huh. Have I already turned strange?
Since Nazar should be arriving any day now, Jae decided to meet with him before leaving for Seronia. For that reason, he knew he didn’t have to wait long before he could start having fun again.
“Oh, by the way, the magic teleportation circle will be ready again soon. You said you wanted to take a trip to Seronia for some personal business, right? Use it.”
Speaking up as if she just remembered, Jiera mentioned a teleportation circle. Hearing the surprising news, Jae nodded excitedly.
“Really? That’s great. It’ll save a lot of time getting over there. It takes a long time to charge, huh?”
“Not to charge, but just scraping together the required mana takes half a year, give or take.... It’s new, so it’s cost-inefficient. Keep in mind we won’t be able to bring you back. You’ll have to make the latter half of the journey yourself.”
“That’s fine. I was expecting to have to do that anyway.”
Just thinking about heading back to the same place that summoned him to this world made Jae anxious. Logically, there was no longer any reason to be afraid as he was incomparably stronger than that time, but he couldn’t shake the unease.
A feeling akin to that suppressed, almost electrifying fear he felt whilst escaping the palace. It stayed with him even now, buried deep within the recesses of his heart.
“Yes. Of course, as a friend of our family, we are willing to provide you with as much assistance as you require--”
“My lady...!! Where are you!?”
All of a sudden, a raised, evidently panicked voice reverberated throughout the empty, serene flower garden to interrupt Jiera. Silently moving her gaze to somewhere behind Jae, he grew curious as to why she seemed so calm despite the situation.
Puzzled by the abrupt intruder, whose voice didn’t match any one of the castle staff he had met so far, Jae turned his head, following Jiera’s gaze.
“Ah, I found y--”
At that moment, their eyes met.
“...Angel?”
And Jae couldn’t help but mutter.