Dark Dad’s Rebirth - Chapter 11: Time at Crossroads (4)

Unconsciously, Aria clung tightly to Leon’s sleeve.

“…Daddy.”

“…”

“Just a little longer… I’ll come back soon.”

Caelius’s outstretched hand lingered in the air, unacknowledged. Slowly, he closed it into a fist and took another step closer to her. Aria, in turn, spoke sharply, almost as if to defend herself.

“People are watching.”

It was a warning, a plea for him not to cross the line in public. But despite her words, her eyes were full of fear.

Aria knew better than anyone that if Caelius decided to drag her out of here, no one could stop him. Her grip on Leon’s sleeve tightened, almost as if pleading for help.

Sensing the tension, Leon, who had been bowing, straightened and cautiously glanced at Aria.

Caelius reached out toward her again, and Aria reflexively shut her eyes, gripping Leon’s hand even harder.

“Leon…!”

She had always called him “Young Master Verha” and maintained her distance, but now, disregarding all that, she decided to borrow the fox’s hand to escape the tiger.

“You… You mentioned a gift earlier, didn’t you? Right?”

Her golden eyes, glistening as if ready to shed tears at any moment, turned desperately to Leon. Her sorrowful expression caught him off guard, and his face flushed as he nodded, almost reflexively.

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Ha.”

Caelius let out a dry chuckle, tilting his head slightly. Leon subtly pulled Aria closer into his arms and spoke with composure.

“Your Grace, Caelius von Wittelsbach, as the host of this gathering, I will personally ensure Lady Aria’s safety. The knights of Verha will escort her on her return, and I will take every precaution to guarantee her well-being.”

“…”

“I would be most grateful if Your Grace would allow me just a little more time to spend with Lady Aria.”

As Leon finished, an oppressive silence fell over the terrace. Caelius’s sharp gaze was fixed solely on Leon, as if measuring every word.

Aria found it hard to breathe. Facing Caelius was like confronting the angel of death—his mere presence made her feel as if someone was squeezing the life out of her.

Leon, who Aria once thought as cunning and unreadable, seemed like a helpless deer cornered by a predator in front of Caelius. The duke’s jet-black eyes swept over them both with an icy chill that sent shivers down their spines.

Neither Aria nor Leon dared to speak. Both silently prayed for Caelius to turn and leave. The air was heavy, like walking a tightrope over a razor’s edge.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Caelius broke the silence, his deep voice resonating ominously.

“I wasn’t aware my daughter and the young master of Verha were so… close.”

Aria swallowed hard and stole a glance at Caelius. To her dismay, he was already looking at her, their gazes locking.

“You’re the first, my dear.”

“…Excuse me?”

“You’re the first woman to ever brush me off like this.”

Before she realized it, Caelius’s tone had returned to its usual calm demeanor. Aria, expecting anger, blinked up at him in confusion, her tension easing ever so slightly.

“Don’t be late coming back.”

“Ah…”

Aria let out a soft sound of disbelief as Caelius unexpectedly relented and stepped back. Leon, too, seemed to relax slightly, though he carefully kept his movements subtle as he gauged Caelius’s mood.

“And as for you, young master…”

“….”

“You’ll be a marquis soon, won’t you?”

“Yes, Your Grace… soon.”

The abrupt shift in focus to himself made Leon tense again, lowering his head deferentially.

“Let me congratulate you in advance.”

Caelius extended his hand with a gracious smile. After a brief hesitation, Leon reached out, clasping Caelius’s hand and bowing his head.

“Th-thank you, Your Grace.”

But Leon’s voice trembled noticeably.

“Yes, I imagine we’ll be seeing each other often.”

The words were innocuous, yet heavy with unspoken implications. Leon barely had time to process them before he felt a sharp pain. The handshake, seemingly courteous, had a crushing strength behind it. It was as if Caelius was testing Leon’s limits, and Leon had to bite down on the inside of his cheek to stifle a groan.

What kind of monstrous grip…?

Though he managed to suppress a groan, his face betrayed him. His furrowed brows and tightened lips revealed his struggle.

Leon was a knight, one of the Empire’s most skilled swordsmen. But in front of Caelius, a man whose raw power and presence seemed to dwarf all others, he felt utterly insignificant.

At last, a faint groan slipped through Leon’s clenched teeth. Only then did Caelius release his hand, his sharp eyes curving with a smile that didn’t reach them.

“If even a single scratch appears on my daughter,” he said, his voice low and deliberate,

“…the responsibility will rest entirely on your shoulders, young master.”

“Y-yes, Your Grace.”

The hand that had been gripped felt numb, as though it had been seized by a cramp. Watching them with a peculiar expression, Caelius alternated his gaze between Aria and Leon before turning his back and leaving the terrace.

As soon as he disappeared, Leon clutched his throbbing hand, rubbing it to ease the lingering ache.

“Haha…”

“I’m so sorry, young master. I shouldn’t have called you so suddenly… Did I put you in a difficult position?” Aria quickly apologized, guilt apparent in her voice.

“No, not at all. Even if you hadn’t called my name, I would have stepped in to help you,” Leon assured her.

“…I’m truly sorry. I didn’t expect my father to show up like that…”

“By the way, did you two have an argument?”

“…What?”

The unexpected question left Aria momentarily dumbfounded.

“It’s just that the atmosphere between you two feels… different from before.”

At his observation, Aria’s expression darkened further. Realizing his mistake, Leon immediately apologized.

“I’m sorry. That was out of line.”

Leon sighed and sank onto an outdoor sofa, his movements weary.

“But still… it’s quite fascinating.”

“What is?” Aria asked.

“I’ve never seen the Grand Duke care for someone this much.”

Aria frowned deeply at his words.

“Care… for someone?”

“As you know, the Grand Duke isn’t one to waste time on trivial matters.”

“….”

“The fact that he came here personally to fetch you speaks volumes.”

Leon’s eyes flickered with an inexplicable light.

“On the battlefield, the man I saw was… ruthless and brutal, almost inhuman. It was as if he didn’t possess emotions at all.”

Caelius on the battlefield. That was a side of him even Aria, who had spent years by his side, had never seen.

“No one could have predicted that someone like him would ever hold anything dear.”

Aria nodded slightly, watching Leon’s expression shift back to his usual genial demeanor.

“…I see.”

“Perhaps he’s beginning to feel something now,” Leon remarked cryptically.

“What do you mean?” Aria tilted her head, puzzled by his words.

But instead of answering, Leon remained silent. His expression, uncharacteristically somber, betrayed a hint of inner conflict.

“Young master?”

Aria called out again, her tone tinged with curiosity and concern. Only then did Leon smile softly, his usual charm returning to his features.

“Forgive me. I let my thoughts wander for a moment, even while in the presence of such a distinguished lady.”

As she looked into Leon’s eyes, Aria felt an odd sense of familiarity, a strange dissonance she couldn’t quite place.

Was it just my imagination…?

Leon’s face, flushed like a boy experiencing his first love, seemed eerily similar to another face Aria had seen countless times before.

The carefully constructed facade Caelius had worn when he first arrived at her estate.

* * *

“You’re late.”

Caelius’s voice greeted Aria as soon as she entered her room. The low tone carried unmistakable anger, though Aria, pretending to be unfazed, responded nonchalantly.

“You’re still awake?”

“What kind of father would sleep while his daughter is out at a banquet full of men and doesn’t return until nearly midnight?”

Despite the seemingly concerned words, his expression was cold. Aria couldn’t stop the bitter smirk that twisted her lips.

“…Since when were you such a doting father?”

The sharpness in her voice was unmistakable, a barbed retort delivered in irritation. The moment the words left her mouth, she regretted them, but it was too late to take them back.

Caelius said nothing, simply staring at her. His jet-black eyes, blending with the shadows of the dimly lit room, were predatory, like a beast waiting for the perfect moment to strike. The chilling intensity of his gaze made Aria bite her lip nervously.

“I’ll ask again,” he said, his voice low and measured.

“…”

“Why are you acting like this all of a sudden?”

Instead of answering, Aria casually shrugged off her coat and tossed it aside.

“I’m tired. I want to rest,” she said dismissively, untying her hair as she made her way toward the bathroom without sparing him another glance.

Even after spending a long time in the bathroom, Caelius was still there when she came out. He hadn’t moved from his seat on the edge of her bed.

Aria, now ready for bed, shot him a pointed look as if to say leave. Predictably, he didn’t budge.

But Aria wasn’t one to back down either.

“…I’m going to bed first,” she said stubbornly, climbing into bed and pulling the covers over herself.

Caelius let out a disbelieving chuckle.

“…Daughter,” he called, his voice rough, but Aria kept her eyes shut and refused to answer.

“Answer me.”

“…”

“Aria.”

When there was still no response, Caelius leaned over her. Instead of her familiar scent, he caught the faint smell of alcohol. His expression stiffened immediately.

“Have you been drinking?”

“…”

“I asked you, have you been drinking?”

“Do I need to report every little thing to you?” Aria snapped, unable to hold back her irritation any longer.

“I’m an adult.”

Her golden lashes fluttered as she opened her eyes, looking up at him with a face full of annoyance.

“I’m going to sleep now. I’m really exhau—”

“What did you do at the banquet?” Caelius cut her off, his tone sharp.

“What exactly kept you out so late?”

“Ha…”

Her exasperation spilled into a sigh, but Aria didn’t flinch under his gaze.

“I don’t see why I need to explain every little thing to you.”

“Oh, was he sucking your pussy or something?”

“Father!”

Aria’s eyes widened in shock at his vulgar insinuation.

“Stop saying ridiculous things and leave.”

“I think the only one saying ridiculous things here is you.”

“…”

“So, when did you and that fledgling Verha brat get so close?”

His tone was low, predatory, carrying the menace of a beast baring its fangs. Aria gripped the edge of her blanket tightly, her knuckles turning white.

Caelius, in contrast, appeared calm, even affectionate. His hand reached out, smoothing her disheveled hair with surprising gentleness. His fingers combed through the golden strands, pushing them back from her face with deliberate care.

Unlike Aria, who was tense as a bowstring, Caelius’s movements were leisurely, almost mocking in their ease.

“You seemed quite friendly with him. Did you spread your legs for him, too?”

Aria bit her lip harshly, her face twisting with humiliation.

“Your silence says it all, doesn’t it?”