Dark Dad’s Rebirth - Chapter 11: Time at Crossroads (3)

“Lady Aria, an invitation has arrived from the Marquis of Verha.”

“…What?”

The unexpected invitation from the Marquisate left Aria stunned. She took the small envelope from the maid’s hands. Unsurprisingly, the sender was Leon Verha. It seemed Leon was hosting a small gathering for close acquaintances to celebrate his upcoming succession to the title.

But Aria was not one of Leon’s “close” acquaintances.

Such events were typically reserved for friends who were familiar enough to drop formalities, and Aria couldn’t hide her confusion.

‘Are Leon and I close enough for me to be invited to something like this…?’

In truth, it felt less like an invitation and more like a one-sided request for her attendance.

In the past, Aria would have declined without a second thought. But now, she found herself hesitating.

As she reread the invitation, her thoughts wandered.

“Do you know who sent the assassin?”

“Leon Verha.”

Was Father telling the truth?

The incident had been hastily wrapped up by the Imperial faction, with no real culprit brought to light.

‘Father isn’t the type to lie about something like this.’

But why would Leon send an assassin? Had betrayal been his intention all along?

Her head throbbed with questions, but there was no one she could discuss them with.

If she showed the invitation to Caelius, he would immediately forbid her from attending. That much was obvious, especially since he had no memory of the events from her past life.

‘If I want to figure out what he’s planning… I have to go.’

It had been so long since she’d ventured outside that she couldn’t even recall the last time.

Resolved, Aria picked up a quill and wrote her acceptance of the invitation.

Leon Verha was suspicious, undeniably so.

He was someone worth keeping a close eye on.

 

* * *

 

“Where is she going?”

“To an evening banquet hosted by Young Master Leon Verha,” Goshen replied, carefully gauging Caelius’s reaction.

These days, Caelius’s mood had been volatile at best, and Goshen knew all too well the dangers of delivering unwelcome news. This particular piece of information was a perfect trigger for his displeasure.

Keeping his gaze low, Goshen avoided making eye contact with his master.

The steady, rhythmic thud, thud of Caelius’s fingers drumming on the desk filled the silence in the study. The weight of the pause and the tension in the room spoke volumes about Caelius’s mood.

“I thought I’d made it clear to stay away from Verha…”

Was she determined to disregard every warning he gave her?

The once-docile Aria had become unpredictable, like a rebellious pup testing its limits. Caelius pressed his fingers to his temple and exhaled an irritated sigh.

“The guest list for the banquet?”

“The notable attendees include the sons of Earl Aval, Marquis Vallican, and Viscount Seil,” Goshen replied promptly. He had anticipated the question and deliberately named only those young men who might warrant Caelius’s scrutiny. Young ladies Aria’s age held no interest for him.

“Why must our dear daughter insist on being such a nuisance?”

Though his tone was deceptively soft, his eyes were razor-sharp. Goshen lowered his head even further, unsure how else to mollify his increasingly agitated master.

“Is this her way of throwing a tantrum, hoping I’ll come to fetch her?”

He knew full well it wasn’t.

Yet Caelius set down his pen and rose from his chair with deliberate movements.

“I suppose I’ll pay her a visit.”

One thing was certain: this was not Caelius’s usual demeanor.

 

* * *

 

“Lady Wittelsbach…!”

At the familiar voice, she turned her head to find Leon standing there with a shy expression.

“I didn’t think you would come. You can’t imagine how thrilled I was when I received your positive reply,” he said, escorting Aria with a gentlemanly smile.

Aria forced her lips, which threatened to curl into a smirk, into a neutral position and smiled brightly, feigning ignorance.

“Not at all. Since you invited me, it’s only proper for me to attend.”

Leon only beamed at her polite response, seemingly delighted.

As they moved to the banquet hall, as expected, it was filled with nobles who appeared to be very close to Leon. Naturally, Aria, who wasn’t part of their circle, felt out of place.

She sipped champagne and nibbled at finger foods by herself. Noticing her solitude, Leon discreetly approached her and struck up a conversation.

“Lady Aria,” he murmured softly near her ear.

“Ah, my lord.”

“Are you uncomfortable?”

“Not at all.”

“I’m sorry. I wonder if I made you uncomfortable by inviting you here because of my selfishness…”

“Not at all. I’m grateful for the invitation.”

Despite her polite words, Aria had clearly been a misfit throughout the banquet, and Leon must have sensed her discomfort. Even so, Aria maintained a bright smile as if nothing were wrong, and Leon furrowed his brows slightly, looking apologetic.

“Would you care to take a break on the terrace for a moment?”

“Will you escort me?”

“Of course.”

With a chuckle, he extended his left hand. Without hesitation, Aria placed her hand in his, and they moved to the terrace.

The slightly chilly evening breeze brushed past them. As Aria shivered slightly, Leon, as if he’d expected it, took off his coat and draped it over her shoulders.

“Please wear this, my lady.”

“Thank you.”

Aria accepted it without hesitation. Leon simply smiled brightly. As she met his gaze, a surge of irritation welled up inside her. Fighting the urge to lash out, she bit down hard on her lower lip.

“Why…”

Why did he betray Father?
The man standing before her—traitor, the one who had sold them out, a lackey of the imperial faction. That was how Aria saw Leon now.

An awkward silence hung between them. They hadn’t been particularly close to begin with, so it was natural that being alone together felt uncomfortable. How long did that awkward stillness last? Finally, it was Leon who broke the silence.

“Actually, this terrace is one of my favorite places.”

Not understanding his intentions, Aria silently looked at him.

“Standing here, you can see the night sky reflected in the pond so clearly.”

Following his gesture, her gaze fell downward, where the pond in the center of the Marquis’ garden came into view. Just as he had said, the night sky, dotted with countless stars, glittered on the pond’s surface.

Aria loved the night sky. The stars, like scattered jewels embedded in the dark void, always reminded her of Caelius. Whenever she looked at the night sky, she couldn’t help but think of him.

“I wonder what Father is doing now…”
Perhaps he would be furious that she had attended the Marquis Verha’s banquet on her own accord.
“Or maybe… he won’t care enough to be angry.”
It would be a relief if he hadn’t completely abandoned her. A bitter smile crept onto her lips, and Leon tilted his head in curiosity as he observed her.

“My lady,” he called.

“…Yes?”

“Am I making you uncomfortable?”

“A little,” Aria replied, nodding almost instinctively.

Her forthrightness, unusual for a noble, startled Leon. His eyes widened as he looked at her, taken aback.

“…I’m sorry.”

Aria’s golden eyes, cold and indifferent, rested on Leon.

“I…”

“….”

“I don’t understand why you treat me so kindly, my lord.”

You’re going to betray us anyway.

The polite smile on Aria’s face had long since faded. Her expression was now entirely unguarded, her brow slightly furrowed as she bit her lips in frustration. Watching her, Leon hesitated, carefully adding to his words.

“At first, it was out of admiration for the Grand Duke. Knowing you were the daughter of the one they called the ‘Warlord’ piqued my curiosity. But now…”

“….”

“Now, I feel a strange affection and pull toward you.”

Leon’s voice trembled slightly, his cheeks flushing as if he were an awkward adolescent.

Lies.

To Aria, his words were nothing more than sickening sweet talk from a traitor.

If… if Father’s rebellion had succeeded without Leon’s betrayal…

What would have happened? Could we have been happy? Father as emperor, and I standing by his side, basking in the splendor of the dream we had cherished for so long.

“I don’t like you, my lord.”

The words slipped out unconsciously, blunt and tinged with raw rejection. Leon’s eyes widened in surprise, but that was all. He didn’t question her or scold her.

“…I’m sorry,” he said, bowing his head. His demeanor was submissive, and yet, it only heightened Aria’s wariness.

“I must have been too focused on my own feelings, making you uncomfortable.”

“….”

“I…”

Leon hesitated, his lips trembling with unspoken words.

“I truly… hold you in great esteem, my lady.”

Why?

“So, if there’s anything about me you dislike or find displeasing, please, feel free to tell me directly, just as you did now.”

He gave her an awkward smile and glanced up at her tentatively.

“If it’s your request, I’ll do anything to change.”

You’re just as insincere as the rest.

Her lips held a faint smile, but her gaze remained cold and distant. Leon gently took her hand, brushing his lips against the back of it in a courtly gesture.

“I don’t want to be hated by you, my lady.”

“….”

“I’ll do my best, no matter what it takes.”

Their exchange was interrupted by the urgent voice of a servant.

“My lord, in the lobby…”

The brief annoyance at the interruption was replaced by shock as the servant continued.

“His Grace, Grand Duke Wittelsbach, has arrived.”

Leon wasn’t the only one stunned. Aria, too, froze, unable to maintain her composure.

“Who… did you say has arrived?”

“His Grace, the Grand Duke Wittelsbach, has come to escort you personally, my lady.”

Father? Why? For me?

Her heart pounded wildly. In the past, he had picked her up once or twice as a mere indulgence in her frivolous escapades, but that was a long time ago. They weren’t on such terms anymore.

A chill ran through her body, her blood turning cold. A strange, overwhelming emotion churned within her. It wasn’t simply her usual feelings toward Caelius.

Why, why, why—why me?

Hearing someone else utter that name made her body stiffen involuntarily.

Caelius von Wittelsbach.

Caelius, Caelius, Caelius…

The man who once felt like a fever I couldn’t escape.

In the past, I had loved Caelius without a doubt. I loved him, begged for him with blind devotion, and couldn’t imagine a life without him. That’s why, even in the final moment when he betrayed me like a fool, I still made a wish for his sake.

But that was only when my world revolved solely around Caelius.

Now, after living another life and returning to this one, Aria’s world no longer belonged exclusively to Caelius.

It’s different now. I don’t want to live as I did before.

She didn’t want to return to the life where she was ignored and cast aside like a worthless object, endlessly chasing his affection and thirsting for his love.

Aria’s face went pale, and Leon, sensing something amiss, immediately reached out to support her, his voice trembling with concern.

“My lady, are you all right? You look… unwell.”

His words barely registered in Aria’s ears.

Don’t let yourself be swayed by Caelius.

Aria clenched her fists tightly, her voice shaking as she deliberately spoke each word with care.

“…Tell him to leave.”

“Pardon? But…”

“Tell him not to worry about me. I’ll return on my own…”

Before she could finish, the terrace curtains were suddenly pulled aside with a sharp motion. Standing in their place was none other than Caelius.

His eyes, cold and unyielding, and his expression, stern, were anything but that of a father coming to fetch his daughter.

Caelius frowned slightly as he looked at Aria, who was leaning in Leon’s arms. The change in his expression was so subtle that most wouldn’t notice, but Aria caught it.

“I wondered what you were up to, wandering to places you never frequented,” he said.

“…”

“I didn’t expect you to be playing at some petty romance.”

His voice dripped with mockery, making Aria’s shoulders flinch.

“Your Grace, Caelius von Wittelsbach, the Empire’s Blade,” Leon said, immediately bowing deeply, startled by Caelius’s sudden appearance.

But Caelius didn’t even spare him a glance. His eyes remained fixed solely on Aria. With his long strides, he approached her and extended a hand.

“Come here.”

“…”

“I told you, my patience for these childish tantrums only goes so far.”

Childish tantrums.

Yes, to him, everything she did was just a trivial display of petulance. As that realization hit her, Aria’s expression crumbled.

She didn’t want to be hurt anymore. She wanted to be loved like everyone else, to live an ordinary life. Every effort she made to erase the scars of the past, to kill the part of her that kept following after him—he dismissed it all as childish antics.

It stung. It made her angry.