Dark Dad’s Rebirth - Chapter 18: Afterward (1)

Aria was teasing a stray cat with a stalk of foxtail grass in a peaceful meadow when she sensed someone approaching. Immediately, she turned around, her bright voice ringing out—so different from the lifeless tones of her past.

“Daddy!”

Hearing her call, Caelius smiled warmly and walked toward her, his demeanor relaxed.

“How much longer are you going to call me that?”

His large hand reached out to gently ruffle her dark hair, and Aria leaned into the touch, her smile as radiant as the sun.

“Why? Isn’t it up to me what I call you?”

“That’s true, but still…”

Her slightly impudent tone was endearing to him, her grin too charming to be irksome.

“Did you finish cleaning?” she asked playfully, tilting her head.

Caelius gave a brief nod. Cleaning. The idea of Caelius—former Grand Duke of the Empire—performing such a mundane task was almost absurd. If any noble heard of it, they would surely faint. But Caelius acted as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

“Dinner’s ready too. Let’s head inside—it’s getting cold.”

Their conversation, so simple and ordinary, was a stark contrast to the life they had once led. Caelius, no longer the ruthless figure he once was, radiated an uncharacteristic gentleness. He waited patiently as Aria waved goodbye to the stray cat, then guided her back to their small home.

That day, when Caelius had given everything up and stood on the edge of despair, he had finally regained his memories.

And with those memories came a flood of regret—an overwhelming tide of remorse for every misstep, every moment he hadn’t cherished.

Even with a second chance, he had not changed. The realization gnawed at him, making him despise himself all the more.

What was the point of this new life if it would only mirror his old one?

For the first time, Caelius truly feared death—not for what lay beyond, but for the lost opportunity to atone and mend what had been broken.

If he could speak to Aria just once more, even briefly, he would do anything to make things right. He would apologize, confess his remorse, and seek her forgiveness.

But as he teetered on the brink, sinking into the mire of self-loathing, a faint warmth had pulled him back—Aria’s unwavering devotion.

She had always been like that. Even in a shattered, ruined relationship, she had chosen him again.

Her unconditional love, as reckless as it was, had become his lifeline.

And so, Caelius swore:

This time, I will change. This time, I will be the one who loves unconditionally.

He would give everything back to her, even if it meant becoming her devoted servant.

Now, sweeping their modest cabin or preparing the meals she loved was no longer a sacrifice, but a small joy.

As they walked toward their humble home, Caelius glanced at Aria with a faint smile and thought:

Perhaps this is enough.

Caelius had come to an unsettling realization: if things continued as they were, this life would be no different from the last. And yet, for the first time, he found himself wanting to live, even knowing it might already be too late.

If he could have just one more moment with Aria—one chance to talk to her, to repent for his mistakes—he felt it would be enough.

As he lay engulfed by a storm of self-loathing and regret, the faint warmth of Aria’s presence reached him, pulling him back from the abyss.

She had always been like this—loving him recklessly, selflessly, even to the point of offering her life for his sake.

Even in a relationship ruined beyond repair, Aria had chosen him again.

Looking at her, Caelius had made a promise to himself:

This time, I will stay by her side no matter what. Even if I must become her loyal dog, I will repay every bit of the love she has given me.

Now, sweeping the floors of their small southern cottage or frying sausages—Aria’s favorite—was no longer a task, but part of his new life.

“Eat your carrots too,” he said, watching her with a faint crease of worry on his brow.

“I am eating them, but this is way too much!” Aria complained, poking at the carrots on her plate with a fork.

“You need to finish it all. The physician said your body still hasn’t fully recovered. You need to eat nutritious, balanced meals—”

“Ugh, I can’t hear you! Can’t hear you!”

Aria shook her head vigorously, selectively devouring only the sausages. Caelius let out a quiet sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose.

“Riri.”

His voice dropped to a serious tone, calling her name firmly. For a moment, his expression resembled the Grand Duke of Vittelbach—stern and commanding.

But Aria simply shrugged, completely unbothered, as though his authority no longer held any sway over her.

“Doesn’t work anymore. You can try to act all serious, but I’m not scared of you now,” she said with a mischievous smirk.

“Hah.”

Caelius let out a short laugh, shaking his head in exasperation.

Caelius couldn’t help but find her utterly endearing. The way her small lips moved as she cheekily talked back to him only made him love her more. Any attempt at stern reprimands melted into a soft smile, his heart warmed beyond reason.

The occasional news from the empire no longer held much interest for him. Reports of the nobility feuding over the throne had been trickling in for almost a year. With the power of the royal bloodline now gone, the opportunistic aristocracy had plunged the empire into chaos, dividing into factions and teetering on the brink of civil war.

Neighboring nations were said to be eyeing the empire hungrily, waiting for the right moment to strike.

But Caelius couldn’t bring himself to care.

He folded the newspaper and tossed it aside, far away from their peaceful haven.

“It feels like a dream,” Aria murmured, burrowing into his embrace.

“That we can live like this, Daddy… It’s like a dream.”

“Still?” he asked softly.

“Yes, still.”

“Me too,” Caelius replied, his voice low and warm.

As he stroked her long black hair, which now flowed down to her waist, a tender smile spread across his face. It was a color he had once hated with every fiber of his being—jet black hair and dark eyes that had once reminded him of everything he loathed about himself.

But now, those very features belonged to her, making them unimaginably precious.

What he once detested had become a source of joy, a symbol of the connection they shared.

As he held her tightly, basking in the warmth of the moment, he felt her small hand begin to move against him. Curious, Caelius glanced down, only to meet Aria’s mischievous, almost impish smile.

“…Riri?” he asked cautiously.

Aria’s lips curved into a grin as she whispered, “It’s because this feels like a dream.”

Caelius let out a startled, incredulous laugh at her unexpected answer.

“I fail to see how this so-called dreamlike feeling and… touching my dick are related.”

“Come on,” Aria replied with a teasing grin, “I’m just making sure this is real.”

It wasn’t hard to understand what she wanted, but unlike before, Caelius firmly moved her hand away. His expression, though gentle, was resolute.

“Riri, not yet.”

Aria’s face fell slightly, a hint of disappointment flashing in her eyes as she responded softly.

“Why not?”

“Why not? Riri, it’s obvious—your body still isn’t fully—”

“But it’s already been a year! A whole year! I’ve been living like a nun!”

Caelius let out an incredulous laugh.

“Hah, and yet you used to cry and wail every time I touched you, saying you hated it.”

“That was then!”

Aria’s retort was sharp, her voice unwavering as she met his gaze with determined eyes.

Then, narrowing her gaze, she added with a hint of accusation, “If you keep avoiding me like this, I’m going to get hurt, you know.”

“Hurt? Over what?”

“It’s starting to feel like… you don’t see me as a woman anymore.”

It was, of course, a lie. Aria was deliberately trying to unsettle him, her voice trembling just enough to sound convincingly hurt. She sniffled and continued, adding a touch of dramatic flair.

“Using my health as an excuse… Do you just not want to be with me anymore?”

Her teary-eyed performance caught Caelius completely off guard. For the first time in ages, he found himself fumbling.

“Of course not! How could you think that?”

“Really?”

“Yes! Riri, absolutely not. That’s not it at all.”

Caelius’s face was a picture of panic, his calm and composed demeanor unraveling as he stumbled over his words. He was entirely oblivious to the fact that he had just walked into Aria’s carefully laid trap.

As if to prove his words, the front of this pant that Ariya had touched was already swollen and firm. Caelius was also suffering from having to endure for a year.

“Huh… Sometimes I worry that you go somewhere else to satisfy your sexual desire…”

In the end, Aria’s final, decisive words left Caelius with no choice but to surrender completely. Once again, he had lost to her relentless determination.

“Ridiculous,” he muttered, shaking his head as he scooped her effortlessly into his arms.

Aria, now comfortably nestled against him, dropped her tearful act as quickly as she had donned it. Her lips curved into a triumphant, playful smile as she leaned closer to whisper, “Then hurry, won’t you?”

“…Hah.”

It was only then, as he looked down at her mischievous expression, that Caelius realized he’d been expertly played. Letting out a dry, resigned chuckle, he carried her toward the bedroom.