The Adored Daughter of the Disliked Duke's House: My Magic Power Increases Every Time I'm Praised, So I've Been Perfecting Cuteness Since Infancy! - Episode 27

“Father!”

When I returned from school, I found my father at home—a rare sight.

Lately, due to the Demon King’s revival, monsters had been more active, keeping my father quite busy.

“Oh, Lilietta!”

“Welcome home! You’re early today.”

“Yes. I have a break until tomorrow.”

That was truly rare.

Despite looking tired, Father smiled warmly as he lifted me up.

“Father, I’m not a child anymore.”

“What are you saying? You’re only five.”

“No. Since I go to school, I’m already a proper lady.”

I pouted deliberately, and Father’s eyes softened with a gentle smile.

“You’re right.”

He set me down and gently took my hand.

“Then, my beautiful and wise lady.”

A warmth spread through my chest, and my magic surged slightly.

I didn’t do this just to be praised, but it seemed my little “lady act” was to his liking.

Incidentally, the maids and butlers watching us also blushed, entranced by our little game.

Father softly kissed the back of my hand.

Despite his intimidating face, he was the Duke of Rosenford. His refined gestures made my heart skip a beat.

“May I ask you about your school life?”

“Of course.”

I responded gracefully, and Father’s lips twitched as if holding back laughter.

Seeing that, I couldn’t help but giggle myself.

“Fufu.”

“Hahaha!”

We both burst into laughter at the same time.

As our laughter settled, Mother, hearing the commotion, appeared in the entrance hall.

“Welcome home, Lilietta.”

“I’m home, Mother.”

“And you, dear, thank you for your hard work.”

“Yes.”

“Tonight, we can finally have a meal together as a family.”

“Indeed.”

Thus, for the first time in two weeks, the three members of the Rosenford family sat down together for dinner.

“So, I heard you’ve been causing quite a stir at school?”

After dinner, Father dismissed the servants before speaking.

Apparently, he was serious about wanting to hear about school.

(Well, I do have a lot to report.)

Though, calling it “causing a stir” was a bit much.

“I haven’t! I simply accepted a duel challenge and cleared my name from false accusations.”

“Hahaha! That’s true!”

Father laughed joyfully, while Mother held her head in her hands, looking troubled.

“A duel… false accusations…”

She muttered, making me shrug. I knew I worried her, but it was out of my control.

“Father, I have a letter from Professor Glouff for you.”

I took a letter from my pocket.

It was addressed to Father.

“Oh? From Crybaby Sebastian?”

Father grinned mischievously.

(Oh dear.)

I had assumed the rumors about Father bullying Professor Glouff were false, but… judging by his reaction, that might not be entirely true.

Noticing my expression, Father shrugged lightly.

“I just bested him in mock battles a few times.”

I see.

That made sense.

Destroying textbooks and bullying were definitely false accusations. However, if he had repeatedly defeated Professor Glouff in duels, then it explained the professor’s deep resentment.

(That poor man…)

If he had been constantly beaten by Father, then his hatred made sense.

(So it was jealousy, after all.)

I narrowed my eyes at Father.

(Why would you do things that make people hate you…?)

I couldn’t say it aloud, though.

“I couldn’t exactly go easy on him.”

Fair enough.

I sighed. Knowing his personality, he wouldn’t have held back, even in school.

His unsociable nature had made him a target for envy and avoidance.

If he had been more personable, someone might have defended him against false accusations.

“So, what does the letter say?”

Father skimmed it, then glanced at me.

“…He acknowledges the past accusations were false and apologizes.”

Professor Glouff had kept his promise.

“I see!”

I nodded in satisfaction.

This wouldn’t resolve their animosity, but it was a small step toward understanding.

“However, he also says I should properly educate my daughter.”

“Me?”

“Yes. He warns against recklessly revealing secret magic.”

I shrugged.

Though I hadn’t disclosed everything, I had revealed my illusion magic to the professor.

Now that someone knew, there was a risk of the information leaking.

During the confrontation, I had been provoked into revealing my abilities. In hindsight, I should have handled it differently.

“So, did you gain anything from all this?”

Father’s gaze sharpened.

He was no longer treating me as a child but as a magician.

“Of course.”

I straightened and set down my spoon.

“Monsters are involved in the false accusation incident.”

“Oh?”

“A magic spell was used to transfer traces of magic onto a different object. It’s possible that a monster was directly responsible.”

“The Arkanaris Academy has been heavily guarded since the kidnapping incident. Are you saying a monster infiltrated?”

“I believe so. Illusion magic was used to frame me, but there were no remaining traces of it.”

Floria had sworn she saw me in the classroom.

Illusion magic was the only explanation.

Yet, when I tried to analyze her for magical residue, I found nothing.

“There must be a monster capable of manipulating magical traces.”

“That’s troublesome.”

“Yes. It could not only frame people but also sow discord among the students.”

Mistrust was mentally exhausting.

When people sought to escape that distress, they turned to anger and hatred.

If someone could fabricate evidence, they could create endless conflicts.

“…I’ll discuss security and investigations with His Majesty again. For now, stay close to Prince Leonard at school.”

Prince Leo was skilled in light magic.

He didn’t have my ability to see magic, but he was adept at detecting monsters.

“Understood.”

“How’s the dorm situation?”

“I made friends with a dorm student. We plan to visit each other.”

This was my greatest gain from the incident.

I had befriended Kai, but since he was a boy, visiting the dorms together would be inappropriate.

However, now that I was friends with Floria, I could visit without issue.

(Dorm visits are best done alone.)

Bringing Leo or Al would be impolite.

This decision was a mistake.

I realized it a few days later.

One evening, in the dorm lounge—

I was suddenly swallowed by darkness.

“Well, well. Fancy meeting you here.”

A sinister chuckle echoed.

In the dimly lit barrier, a small, hooded figure grinned menacingly.

“Barzemir…!”

It was the same monster that had barely escaped my mother’s shadow magic in the sky garden two years ago.

A fateful reunion.