Dark Dad’s Rebirth - Chapter 10: The Real Aria (6)

From the very beginning, Caelius didn’t particularly dislike Aria. He didn’t particularly like her, either. To him, it felt like adding a new piece of furniture to the mansion—nothing more, nothing less.

“Daddy… are you asleep?”

That was, until Aria started crossing boundaries on her own.

“Daddy…?”

Tiptoeing quietly, Aria made her way toward Caelius’s study, peering inside to find him. However, unlike usual, there was no sign of him.

‘That’s strange. He’s always in his study at this hour…’

Perplexed, she scurried about the room, glancing around.

“Ha…”

A faint groan reached her ears. Startled, she perked up and turned toward the source of the sound.

“Daddy…?”

And there he was, slumped against the corner of the study, leaning weakly.
Her surprise at the unfamiliar sight lasted only a moment.

“D-Daddy! Are you all right?”

Panicked, Aria rushed to him. His body was drenched in cold sweat, his hands trembling uncontrollably. Nearby, a pile of burnt-out hallucination herb butts was stacked high, evidence of just how much he had consumed. It was unlike Caelius—a man always in control.

He was about to place another cigarette between his lips when her voice interrupted him. Slowly, he lifted his head, his gaze clouded and unfocused. Through his blurred vision, he spotted the small figure of Aria moving about in a fluster.

“Daddy! Your… your condition—it looks awful. Are you okay? I’ll go fetch a doctor!”

Her trembling voice filled the room, desperate and urgent. The sound of her frantic cries only worsened his dizziness. Frowning deeply, Caelius swatted her hand away and muttered,

“I don’t need one.”

“But…”

“Leave me alone.”

For the first time, the ever-gentle Caelius pushed Aria away. His unexpected behavior startled her, but knowing that the kindness he showed her was often a façade, Aria wasn’t entirely shaken.

His dark eyes quivered. The gaze, which was usually sharp and predatory, now resembled that of prey—fearful and cornered.

“Daddy…”
Aria, at a loss for what to do, dabbed at his sweat with a handkerchief. Then, gently, she took his trembling hands in hers and began to massage them, as if trying to calm him down.

“Stop wasting your time… and leave.”

His tone, usually sweet and considerate, was now cold and cutting. The stark contrast to his usual demeanor made it all the more jarring.

Aria, who had only ever seen his gentle side, should have been taken aback by his harshness. Yet she didn’t back away. To her, he seemed less like a terrifying predator and more like a frightened herbivore bristling with defensive instincts.

For the first time, Caelius, who had always seemed so large and imposing, appeared small.
Even as he pushed her away with enough force to hurt, Aria refused to leave. She wasn’t afraid. Her concern for him outweighed all else, leaving no room for fear.

Nestled within that concern was a tiny, growing desire. She hoped that, in his current vulnerable state, she might carve out even the smallest place in his heart.

Aria’s small hands reached up to caress his cheek. Startled, Caelius flinched and pushed her away again. But when she reached out once more, he didn’t resist. He seemed to surrender, merely groaning and squeezing his eyes shut.

“What… is it… that’s so…”

“…”

“…frightening you?”

Her voice was careful, almost hesitant. She worried that her question might hurt his pride or trigger an outburst. But he didn’t respond. He didn’t lash out, nor did he lean on her for support. He simply clenched his fists tightly, biting his lip as he reached again for the hallucination herbs.

“Daddy…”

“…”

“Daddy.”

Despite her calls, Caelius didn’t so much as glance her way. He continued to stare blankly at the snow falling outside the window. A heavy silence hung between them. Aria didn’t speak again, choosing instead to stay quietly by his side, hoping his condition might improve.

“I…”

After a long pause, he finally broke the silence.

“…hate the snow.”

His voice was hoarse and cracked, the words tumbling out in a low, raspy tone. Even so, it carried an allure that made Aria’s heart race.

His darkened gaze remained fixed on the swirling snowstorm outside, lost in thought.

Aria’s curiosity made her want to ask why Caelius hated the snow, her lips itching to form the question. But she held back. She knew well that talking about one’s scars was never a pleasant experience. It didn’t bring relief; it only deepened the discomfort.

She understood this because she felt the same way. No matter who the other person was, even if it was Caelius, Aria didn’t want to expose her wounds or vulnerabilities in detail.

Recounting how she had lived alone in her room, what she ate, and how she endured—it wouldn’t heal her pain. It would only reopen old wounds.

Aria fidgeted with her hands, her lips moving as she tried to decide what to say.

“Riri also…”

“…”

“Riri also hates the snow!”

Her voice, cheerful and bright, rang out in the office, contrasting with the somber atmosphere. She immediately got up and began scurrying around, pulling the curtains closed one by one. Aria, with her short arms and legs, moved about with determination, letting out small grunts as she worked.

As she moved, the thick blackout curtains gradually covered the windows, one after another. Once she had ensured that every window was covered, she returned to Caelius’s side. The room was now engulfed in darkness, so dim it was impossible to tell if it was day or night.
Even in the pitch-black room, Aria easily found her way back to Caelius. She smiled brightly, making an effort to sound cheerful.

“Riri hates the snow too, but it’s lucky that Daddy also dislikes it! I guess I’m really a lot like Daddy, huh? Hehe, don’t you think?”

In truth, she had come hoping to build a snowman with him. Suppressing her disappointment, she forced a smile.

Caelius, however, remained unresponsive.

“…My head hurts.”

It was only after quite some time that he finally spoke. Perhaps he was feeling a little better, as he reached out and wrapped an arm around Aria’s waist, pulling her into his embrace as if to trap her there.

Startled by the sudden action, Aria blinked rapidly and glanced around nervously, trying to gauge his mood. After hesitating for a moment, she tentatively wrapped her arms around his neck.

“Daddy.”

“…”

“…Can I kiss you?”

At the sound of her delicate voice, his gaze finally shifted to Aria. But it was just a glance; Caelius still gave no response. As her lips parted hesitantly and she wavered, she slowly leaned closer to him. The distance between them grew so small that if she moved even a bit further, their lips would touch.

She was about to ask again but instead chose to carefully press her lips to his, so lightly it was almost fleeting. With a soft sound, their lips met for less than a second, a brief instant in which Aria kissed him.

Caelius, who had been watching her actions in a daze, suddenly cupped the back of her head and brought their lips together once more as soon as she pulled away.

Aria’s face turned blank with surprise at his unexpected move. Her already large eyes widened even further, and her body stiffened.

But her initial shock quickly faded. Feeling Caelius part her lips and deepen the kiss, she closed her eyes, surrendering to him. His large hand wrapped firmly around her back, supporting her nape as he kissed her with unrelenting intensity.

Before they knew it, the dimly lit office was filled with the sound of wet, passionate kisses mingled with Aria’s faint sighs, echoing softly through the space.

Aria also knew clearly. All the actions that I and Caelius were doing were not the kind of actions that a normal father and daughter would do.

‘It doesn’t matter.’

I like my Daddy.

She still couldn’t forget him.

Caelius, who had appeared before her like a ray of light, was no less than salvation for someone who had spent her entire life confined within a single room.

Suddenly, a thought crossed her mind.

Just as she couldn’t live without Caelius, she hoped—no, she wished—that Caelius couldn’t live without her either. Even though she knew it was selfish, she wanted to be someone special to him.

“Daddy…”

“…”

“I… love you.”

Uncontrollable emotions surged chaotically, overwhelming her.

For Aria, Caelius’s presence was far too immense to fit into her tiny heart.

“Riri… only has you, Daddy,” she murmured, burrowing deeper into his arms.

“I can’t live without you.”

“I can’t live without you, Brother.”

“Daddy is my favorite…”

“I like you, Brother.”

Caelius stared blankly into the void, letting himself drift aimlessly as Aria’s voice intertwined with old memories that resurfaced unbidden.

“I don’t want to fight you for the throne, Brother.”

Lies.

Every word you say—can it truly be genuine?

 

* * *

 

Since that day, Caelius sought out Aria whenever the snow fell. Though he would approach her with a hollow expression, intoxicated and frenziedly seeking only her body, Aria was satisfied.

It felt as though, in his own way, he was trying to rely on her.

Brilliant as she was, Aria couldn’t suppress the emotions she was drowning in when it came to Caelius. Yet, she never dared to cross him or provoke his ire.

She wanted to stay with him for a long time. For that reason, whenever he desired her, she complied without a word. Even so, she made sure not to reveal the depths of her own longing or the emptiness that lingered within her.

Throughout the winter, they spent nearly every moment together, so much so that it wouldn’t have been a stretch to say they shared a bedroom.

“Riri.”

By now, she had grown accustomed to hearing her nickname roll off his low, resonant voice. When had that voice, once perpetually cold, begun to carry a peculiar languidness?

“Come here.”

Bit by bit, real expressions began to appear on his face, which had always been masked with lies. Even if those expressions weren’t positive—irritation, boredom, exhaustion—she didn’t mind. These were sides of him he meticulously hid from others.

He must be in a bad mood today…

Aria hesitated briefly before trotting over to him like an eager pup, seeking his approval. Caelius pulled her into his arms and settled her onto his lap as if to say she’d done well. With their difference in size, Aria seemed to disappear in his embrace, engulfed entirely by him.

And that was when she felt happiest—when her whole body was enclosed within his. She let out a soft, contented sigh, closing her eyes and basking in the moment.

Living with him had naturally revealed certain truths. For instance, the real reason Caelius had taken her in, or the ultimate goal he was striving toward.

Aria’s gaze shifted to her golden hair as his hands idly played with it. Moments like this, where she could feel his touch completely, felt utterly blissful.

But the reason Daddy often strokes my hair is…

Because it’s golden.

…And that’s okay.

Having golden hair is enough. If it means Daddy won’t abandon me… then that’s all that matters.

Caelius held her in his arms for a long time before eventually picking up a pen, seemingly to resume his work. Aria blinked, her eyes following the soft scratch of the pen as it moved across the paper.

Does he trust me?

Caelius often held her close while working, just like now. The documents before him were filled with information that Aria considered far too sensitive. Yet, he no longer bothered to hide them from her.

“Daddy, Daddy.”

“…”

“I want black hair like yours.”

The tip of the pen, which had been moving swiftly, stopped in its tracks at her words.

I’ve crossed the line.

Aria knew she shouldn’t have said it, but she did anyway.

Maybe—just maybe—she wanted to confirm that her worth to him wasn’t solely tied to her golden hair and eyes. It was a futile hope, and the voice that shattered it was cold beyond measure.

“…Don’t say such pointless things.”

“But Daddy, you’re so handsome,” she replied, pushing her luck.

Was she asking for trouble? Even as the words left her mouth, Aria was keenly aware of how precarious her actions were. For now, he was showing her mercy, but if she stepped out of line, she knew he would cut her down without a moment’s hesitation.

“Under the moonlight, your hair shines like the night sky—it’s so beautiful.”

“…”

Aria continued, despite knowing he didn’t care for his current disheveled state.

“To me, Daddy is the most handsome person in the world.”

Caelius thought her behavior was shameless.

The way she deliberately acted submissive, like a child groveling for affection. The way her lips chattered, subtly provoking him. And those clear eyes that seemed like they would wither without his attention—every bit of her seemed calculated to pull him in.

If anyone else had said such things, their tongue would have been cut out long ago. Yet as Caelius rested his chin on his hand and watched her, he felt an odd sense of curiosity.

Her words were impudent to the extreme, yet he wasn’t as angry as he should have been.

Why was that? Perhaps it was because her gaze, filled with blind devotion, held not a trace of deceit. That, for once, tempted him to joke back.

“Other women feel the same way.”

“Pardon?”

“It’s not just you who thinks I’m the most handsome man in the world.”

Aria blinked, unable to grasp the meaning of his words at first. Then, after mulling it over, she finally realized he was joking.

“Pfft…”

A soft laugh escaped her lips, followed by a series of bright giggles. Her crescent-shaped eyes crinkled delightfully as her laughter filled the room like a melody.

“What about me?”

“…”

“Do you think I’m the prettiest in the world, Daddy?”

Her question was frivolous, bordering on childish. Was she trying to drag him into idle banter? His eyebrows arched in mild irritation as he resisted the urge to reply. But her golden eyelashes fluttered eagerly, her gaze full of expectation as she waited for his answer.

“I don’t know,” he said indifferently.

Objectively speaking, Aria was cute, but not the type to be considered breathtakingly beautiful. During his time as crown prince, Caelius had been surrounded by women deemed unparalleled beauties. Compared to them, Aria could hardly be the most beautiful.

When he didn’t answer, the corners of her eyes drooped in disappointment, giving her the look of a forlorn puppy he once saw on a noble’s leash. Amused by her transparent reaction, he remained silent on purpose. Her lips soon puckered into a small pout.

“Ugh, mean.”

Should I tell her she’s pretty or not?

Caelius tore his gaze from the documents, briefly mulling over the question. Then, he abruptly realized how absurd it was to spend even a moment contemplating such a trivial matter.

The idea of himself deliberating over whether or not to compliment a woman struck him as laughable, and he let out a dry chuckle.

“It’s fine. Even if you don’t think I’m pretty, plenty of other people do,” Aria muttered, her tone tinged with playful defiance.

“At parties, there’s always a line of young nobles waiting to dance with me—it could fill an entire ballroom.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes! At the party hosted by the Marquis of Araben last time, it was the same.”

“Hmm…”

“The Marquis’s son even said I was the prettiest among the young ladies there.”

Caelius sifted through his memory, recalling the Marquis’s son. A polished, oily-faced boy came to mind, infamous for his frivolity and poor reputation in social circles.

His gaze narrowed slightly as he pictured that same boy, imagining his hands straying to the inside of Aria’s thigh.

“And?”

“W-What?”

“So, did that brat get on his knees and suck your toes or something?”

The bluntness of his words made Aria’s cheeks flush to the point of near combustion. No matter how much time she spent entangled with him, she could never quite adjust to such crude remarks.

“N-No, of course not—”

“Of course not. Right?”

She nodded vigorously, vehemently denying it.

“Because if he had, I might’ve had to pay a visit to the Marquis’s estate to cut out his tongue.”

His words, icy and chilling, were laced with a possessiveness that made Aria’s heart flutter erratically. Embarrassed, she bit her lip and lowered her head.

Then Caelius leaned in close, his voice low and velvety as he whispered in her ear.

“You’re beautiful.”

“…”

“My daughter, after all. It’s only natural. Every part of you is.”

Aria’s ears turned a vivid red despite knowing his words were devoid of deep emotion.

“But I didn’t realize my daughter was so popular.”

“…”

“That’s… not something I find particularly amusing. You see, I don’t enjoy sharing what’s mine.”

Caelius pressed his noticeably tense cock against her, the motion deliberate and firm. Aria gasped sharply, her body flinching in response to the sudden sensation.

“Sweetheart, what did Daddy just say?”

Aria avoided Caelius’s gaze, fidgeting nervously. He tilted his head, urging her to respond.

After hesitating for what felt like an eternity, she finally murmured in a voice barely above a whisper.

“R-Riri is…”

“…”

“Only Daddy’s dick…….”

No matter how much she liked him, whenever he said things like this, a wave of shame surged through her, making her want to bite her tongue in frustration. Caelius seemed to relish her reactions, as a subtle glimmer of amusement flickered in his eyes.

“Only eat Daddy’s cock…… and…….”

“And?”

“Oh, I’m gonna fuck by Daddy’s…….”

Her voice grew softer and softer, barely audible, like the sound of ants crawling. Watching her, Caelius couldn’t hide the satisfaction of being in absolute control, much like a snake coiling around its prey before devouring it.

In their relationship, Caelius was undeniably the one in power.

He held the leash that could drag Aria into despair at any moment, while Aria’s hands were utterly empty.

And yet, Aria was happy.

“Daddy.”

“…”

“I love you.”

Once, he would often respond with I love you, too, even if it was a lie. But at some point, he stopped offering those false reassurances.

That was Caelius’s first act of kindness toward her.

 

* * *