15: What Marquis Astor Lost ~POV: Father~

 By Antoinette Vanessa December 10, 2022

Upon reading the express letter from the butler, I was utterly relieved to learn Daisy had regained consciousness…

…With this, she could soon begin her preparations for entering Prince Freddie’s harem.

However, when I got home from work and sat down for dinner, I was surprised to see that the table had only been set for one person.

“Isn’t Daisy awake? Why was the table only set for me?”

The butler answered flatly.

“Lady Daisy already had dinner and retired to bed.”

Did Daisy eat dinner first?

That had never happened before. Except for when she was staying at the royal palace, she always made sure to wait for me.

“There’s nothing wrong with the doctor’s diagnosis, right?”

“Correct. Even Lady Daisy herself stated that there are no problems with her physical condition. However, she also asked to return to the academy after confirming her condition for a week. I was asked to relay this question to my lord to see if there are any problems with this arrangement.”

“That’s fine, but why did Daisy have dinner on her own!?”

“Because she felt like it?”

“That’s just selfish! Why didn’t she wait for me!?”

When I involuntarily raised my voice, the butler seemed sad.

“But aren’t you the one who always said that, ‘We don’t need to eat together.’ to Lady Daisy? Besides, it wasn’t like you responded to any of her topics during dinner.”

I couldn’t say anything against that on-point statement from the butler.

“…Enough, I’ll talk to Daisy at breakfast tomorrow.”

“She’s ordered me to prepare tomorrow’s breakfast separately from my lord.”

“What—!?”

“As in, she’d like to have breakfast after you’ve left.”

…Why?

Until now, no matter what I said, Daisy would never yield.

‘I want to at least spend time with my busy father, even if it’s only for dinner.’

As a result, even after my wife died, I always dined with Daisy, and yet…

“It may sound presumptuous, but Lady Daisy has just awoken from an unknown illness. If you want to talk to her, why don’t you match your schedule with hers?”

The butler’s words were sensible.

But I had never done such a thing before. If anything, Daisy should had been the one waiting for me. After all, wasn’t it only natural for her to not burden me?

Even so, I was expected to match my schedule with Daisy…

“She just woke up and is already acting so selfishly. I don’t need to cater to her.”

The butler said nothing.

Indeed.

She was merely recovering from an illness and was thus acting spoiled. Once she got back into shape, I was sure that she’d revert to her original, dutiful, self. Besides, this was an important time for Daisy who had to be chosen as a concubine. Therefore, I couldn’t coddle her, lest she became selfish.

I’m doing this for Daisy.

Thus, I ended up letting everything stay as it was.

However, two days passed, and then three—and Daisy still refused to eat with me.

In the end, I only spoke to daisy four days after she awoke which was on a day off from work.

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For the first time since my wife died, I had breakfast with Daisy.

“Good morning, Father.”

Upon seeing me, Daisy smiled. However, unlike her previous self—who was utterly desperate to please me, something was amiss. The smile itself was impeccable—just like when she was on an official duty.

Normally, even if I didn’t say anything, Daisy would be desperate to initiate any sort of conversation. But today, Daisy didn’t say a word. She silently cut her food as if I was transparent.

“Now is the perfect time for you to be chosen as a concubine. I don’t know what you’re sulking about, but please cease this act of selfishness.”

Annoyed by Daisy’s attitude, I chided her like usual. Surely, she’d then reflect and apologize—

—or so I thought.

“I won’t become a concubine.”

Unwavering, Daisy declared that.

“—Are you going against me!?”

“Even if I do become a concubine of His Highness Freddie, I doubt that my endeavor will ever benefit the Marquis of Astor in any way.”

“I’m doing this for the sake of your happiness, not the family!”

For the first time, Daisy’s mask shattered. She looked terribly upset.

“…For, the sake of my happiness?”

“Exactly—! Do you know how hard I’ve worked for your happiness—!?”

“Are you joking right now…?”

“What did you say—!?”

“Let me tell you, you’ve never made me happy, not even for a moment.”

Daisy said bluntly.

Suddenly, it was as if I had lost all my strength.

W-what? What is this? What’s happening?

Daisy wasn’t happy? No, of course not. After all, the peak of her happiness—the ultimate joy—would be during her wedding, where she’d cry, “Father, I’m the happiest person in the land.”

It had to be.

Because that was my wife’s last wish.

Therefore, it had to be—!

“…Father, ever since mother passed away, I’ve been utterly busy. I’ve barely had any time for myself. Despite the fact that I was taken for granted, I still strived to do everything I could for the sake of the Marquis Astor family and for my father. However, I was under pressure every day. During my days off, I was too exhausted to do anything else, let alone take care of myself.”

While looking straight at me, Daisy went on.

“However, over the past two months, for the first time since forever, I was able to reflect on myself. Father, thank you for arranging such an excellent tutor for me. Thank you for investing in my education. But that is all. At last, I realized how excruciating it was to be with you.”

“…Excruciating, to be with me?”

“Yes. Ever since my mother passed away, I’ve always wanted to speak to you. However, despite my desperate attempts to talk to you, you always ignored me, time and time again. Do you know how agonizing it was? But finally, I realized that I didn’t have to force myself to be close to you, or the people who have no interest in me and only think of me as a tool, even if it means killing my own heart.”

No, you’re mistaken…

I just wanted you to become the happiest person in the country—just like my wife wanted.

Everything was for your sake.

I thought that I should convey that to Daisy, but my throat was too parched to say anything.

…Somehow, I could tell that Daisy wouldn’t have any of it, either.

Then, she finished her meal in silence and merely said. “Thank you for the meal.” before leaving without even looking at me.

All I could do was stare at my daughter’s back as she left.

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