Dark Dad’s Rebirth - Chapter 9: Jealousy (1)

It had been a while since he had donned his knight’s ceremonial attire. The cumbersome cloak draped heavily over one shoulder and the uniform buttoned to the neck felt suffocating.

Caelius stared at his reflection in the mirror with an emotionless expression. The stark contrast between his reflection and the portrait of himself left an unpleasant taste in his mouth.

“Daddy… I love you.”

“Am I special to you, Daddy?”

Foolish girl. The only thing special to me is the throne—nothing more, nothing less.

Caelius smirked coldly. Behind him, Gossen approached.

“Your Highness, the carriage is ready.”

“Understood.”

It was the day of the annual spring equestrian event hosted by the royal palace.

Although he found the event pointless, participation was necessary to formally introduce Aria to the social circle, gEven how recently she had entered society.

Now fully prepared, he strode out of the room with precise, rigid steps. With every step he took, the cloak draped over his shoulders swayed like a crimson trail marking the path he had walked.

As he made his way to the main lobby, he saw Aria standing there in her riding attire, looking awkward and hesitant. Upon hearing Caelius’s approaching footsteps, she turned wide-eyed, startled like a rabbit.

“Daddy!”

She broke into a radiant smile and ran straight to him. It was almost—just barely—a little endearing. Very slightly.

Unlike those women who clung to him reeking of strong perfume and brazenly seeking intimacy, she was different.

Her hair was tied back, swaying like a horse’s tail with each step, and her small mouth chattered incessantly beside him. A wicked thought crossed his mind: what if he shoved something down that tiny mouth, filling it to her throat? The image of her trying to swallow it all was oddly satisfying.

“Next time, maybe I’ll let her take it in her mouth…”

Caelius’s eyes grew oddly half-lidded as he gazed at Aria. Unaware of his indecent thoughts, she continued to smile brightly.

Once they boarded the carriage, Aria began to hum a tune, swinging her legs playfully. Occasionally, she would strike up conversation, ensuring not to neglect Caelius entirely.

It seemed the times they had spent together, physically entwined, had lessened her discomfort around him. Not too long ago, she had avoided him for no apparent reason, which had been frustrating. Now, she seemed confident that he wasn’t about to kill her anytime soon.

“This event is fascinating. It’s not dangerous, is it?”

“What danger could there be? It’s held in the royal palace. There’s nothing to worry about.”

Caelius’s eyes shifted to her frail, skinny arms. He found himself wondering if she might break every bone in her body should she fall off her horse.

“Better keep an eye on her, just in case.”

The last thing he needed was for her to suffer a serious injury from a trivial accident.

Caelius had naturally assumed he would be Aria’s riding partner at today’s event. After all, she didn’t know any young noblemen her age aside from him, and there was no reason she’d ride alongside some stodgy old aristocrat.

But that expectation was shattered in an instant.

“It is an honor to see you again, Lady Wittelsbach.”

Until Leon Verha, the heir to the Marquisate of Verha, approached with a warm smile, Caelius had assumed—naturally—that he would be Aria’s partner for the event.

Even after Leon came forward, Caelius believed Aria would inevitably choose him.

“I hope you’ve been well. You may not remember me, but I am Leon Verha, the eldest son of the Marquis of Verha,” Leon said as soon as Aria stepped out of the carriage.

Unlike last time, Aria was wearing comfortable pants and flat shoes, making her movements noticeably more relaxed. She responded with a cheerful smile.

“Of course, I remember. I’m Aria von Wittelsbach.”

At the previous banquet, she had clung to his arm like a frightened fawn, silently pleading for help. Now, however, she exuded the demeanor of a confident noblewoman, which, though faintly irritating, Caelius decided to overlook. After all, it was just a polite exchange of greetings that would likely end after a few pleasantries.

Leaving briefly to fetch a horse, Caelius soon returned with a well-groomed steed boasting a gleaming, luxurious coat.

And then Aria uttered words that struck him like a bolt from the blue.

“Daddy, is it okay if I ride with Lord Verha?”

The congenial expression on his face froze instantly.

What did I just hear?

Caelius couldn’t immediately process the words, so, unusually for him, he pressed further.

“…What?”

“Excuse me?” Aria looked puzzled.

“What did you just say? You’re supposed to ride with me, aren’t you?”

His voice carried an unmasked irritation that he didn’t even attempt to hide.

Aria, clearly flustered by his unexpected reaction, hesitated. She had thought he would let her go without a second thought.

“Ah… But I heard that it’s uncommon to ride with one’s father during an equestrian event…”

She was correct. In such events, riding with one’s father rather than a young nobleman typically marked a lady as an isolated wallflower from an unremarkable family—a social misstep for someone looking to make an impression.

Caelius frowned, unable to refute her point.

Ultimately, Aria chose to ride with Leon, leaving Caelius standing alone with his horse, looking distinctly out of place.

As Aria moved away with Leon, Caelius’s gaze bore into Leon’s retreating figure, his expression murderous.

Several women approached him, seizing the opportunity to flirt, but Caelius paid them no attention.

A creeping, unpleasant feeling took root in him, spreading like poison.

* * *

Aria’s decision to ride with Leon instead of Caelius wasn’t motivated by anything significant. She was simply curious about Leon Verha, the “traitor,” who seemed desperate to greet her ever since their last encounter. Plus, she figured it wouldn’t hurt to uncover his intentions in advance.

Judging by his reaction, it seems like Father naturally assumed I’d ride with him…

If I suddenly chose to ride with Leon instead, would that mean Father has to ride alone? That might turn out to be a rather awkward situation.

The thought that she might have inadvertently put Caelius in an embarrassing position filled Aria with a twinge of concern. She glanced in his direction, only to find him surrounded by a cluster of women.

What the—? For a single Daddy, he’s awfully popular.

She pouted slightly, her earlier worry dissipating. Her gaze wandered to the women clinging to Caelius, their riding clothes tailored to fit snugly and highlight their figures. For some reason, the sight left her feeling vaguely irritated.

As Aria shot a disgruntled look at Caelius, Leon, standing beside her, tilted his head curiously.

“Lady Aria, are you worried about His Grace the Grand Duke?”

“Huh? Oh, no, not at all…”

Leon chuckled. “You needn’t worry. His Grace is as popular as ever.”

Aria’s brow twitched slightly. As ever? So, he’s always been popular?

She supposed it made sense, given that he was the former crown prince and exceptionally handsome.

But seriously, what’s so appealing about a divorced man with a kid?

Aria stared at the scene for a moment longer before looking away. Just then, Leon’s white horse whinnied softly, tossing its shimmering mane as if to show off. The horse’s gentle, elegant aura starkly contrasted with Caelius’s imposing black stallion.

Aria’s curiosity was piqued, and her eyes lit up as she admired the white horse. Leon, quick to notice, spoke up.

“She’s a gentle creature. Beautiful, isn’t she?”

“Yes, her coat is so white and lovely.”

Leon smiled, taking her hand and guiding it to the horse’s mane.
“Go ahead, touch it. She loves it when you stroke her mane.”

Aria hesitated for a moment before gently running her fingers through the horse’s mane. It was a first for her, and her expression softened with delight. For once, she seemed relaxed, free from the tension that usually stiffened her demeanor.

“Wow, her coat is so soft.”

Leon chuckled. “Our family takes special care of her, which is why.”

Aria giggled as she continued stroking the horse’s mane, her laughter bright and genuine. From the outside, she and Leon appeared quite close, and he subtly leaned closer to her. Aria, absorbed in petting the horse and chatting, didn’t seem to mind.

Completely unaware that Caelius was glaring daggers at her and Leon, his expression murderous.

* * *

Riding a horse together was inherently an act that required physical proximity, making it impossible to avoid some level of contact.

As soon as Aria climbed onto the horse, she found herself pressed closely against Leon. Feeling uncomfortable, she shifted her body awkwardly.

“Are you feeling uncomfortable?” Leon asked politely.

“Oh, no… It’s just a little unfamiliar,” she replied, forcing a smile.

It was the first time she’d been this physically close to a man who wasn’t Caelius.

Maybe I should’ve just ridden with Father…

Still, Leon was a “traitor,” and she figured it would be wise to use this opportunity to learn more about his motives whenever she could.

Aria sighed and leaned forward slightly, attempting to ease her discomfort. Her back inadvertently pressed against Leon’s firm chest, and when she glanced over her shoulder, she found him much closer than expected. Startled, she quickly turned her head away.

Why did Leon betray Father, anyway?

After inheriting the marquisate, Leon had immediately pledged loyalty to Caelius. The reasoning behind his allegiance had always been unclear—alliances were typically built on mutual benefit, but Leon seemed to have turned traitor simply to seek a higher position for himself.

He definitely needs to be watched carefully.

Her train of thought was interrupted as Leon’s hand gently covered hers on the reins. The scene looked no different from that of an affectionate couple riding together.

Meanwhile, Caelius, forced to ride with another woman because of Aria’s decision, glared at the pair. His mood was already foul, but seeing Aria laughing and chatting with Leon made his irritation spike further.

The woman sitting in front of Caelius attempted to engage him in flirtatious conversation, her voice lilting as she chattered away. But Caelius didn’t bother to respond.

He was too busy simmering in his displeasure, his piercing gaze fixed on Aria and Leon. The more he watched, the more his irritation festered, filling him with a cold, barely-contained fury.

* * *