“Please... make sure our Namia gets into the Capital Academy.”
The place Dad took was to his older brother—the Baron of Roafi.
“She’s a smart kid. Promise . Promise you’ll let her get an education. This should be enough for you to move to the capital.”
Dad handed him an envelope, and as soon as the baron saw what was inside, he grinned brightly.
“Sure, don’t worry about it.”
“...I’m just worried because you were absolute trash as a kid. I can only hope you’ve beco human since then.”
Looking back, Dad’s instincts were dead-on.
“Then add Namia to your family registry. She’s the sa age as Juan—just say she’s his twin. It’s °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° not like anyone in the capital knows you. Who’s going to care if they’re real twins or not?”
Honestly, it was a decent plan.
When Juan enrolled in the Academy, they’d definitely ask, ‘What about the other twin?’
That would give a natural opening to be enrolled too.
“I’m coming back. No matter what. I’ll co back for Namia.”
Dad said it while looking at the baron.
“So until then, please take care of her. She’s your blood too—you won’t treat her too badly, right?”
I rember staring nervously at the envelope Dad handed over.
He was barely managing to pay the interest on his debts. And now this lump sum?
‘Where did he even get that money...?’
There were so many things I wanted to ask.
But Dad’s expression looked so painfully sad, I couldn’t bring myself to ask anything at all.
Pretending not to understand the grown-up situation—that was the virtue of a child who grew up too fast.
Dad hugged tightly and whispered,
“My little girl... just wait a little. You know I love you, right?”
I wanted to hold him and beg him not to go. I wanted to cry and say I wanted to stay with him forever.
But, just like I did every morning, I smiled and answered calmly.
“Yeah, Daddy... I’ll wait, and I’ll be brave. I’m really smart, so don’t worry about . Just take care of yourself.”
That was the last conversation we ever had.
“Don’t forget, big brother. Make sure Namia gets into the Academy.”
“Of course, of course! Don’t worry. Trust like you used to when we were kids! Don’t be so uptight.”
“...Recalling our childhood makes realize I can’t trust you. Let’s write a contract—one as tight and heartless as possible.”
Before leaving, Dad signed a legally binding contract with the baron.
If he didn’t send to the Academy, Dad would return and demand double in damages.
But there was one more surprise.
The next day, the loan sharks ca to with a docunt.
It was a debt clearance certificate in my na.
‘No way... That debt wasn’t sothing you could pay off easily...’
I had been freed from the burden that had been tied to since birth, and I was left speechless.
anwhile, the baron used Dad’s money to move to the capital. And just like the contract said, he enrolled in the Academy along with Juan.
But when I scored first place on the entrance exam...
That was the first ti the baron slapped .
“You got top marks? You—Juan’s twin—ca in first? What are you trying to do, humiliate Juan? They’ll compare him to you over everything!”
His wife joined in, her eyes wide with outrage.
“Ugh, you freeloader! Can’t you take a hint?!”
After that, I deliberately bombed my tests. I half-assed my assignnts.
I wanted to keep attending the Academy, but I was scared the baron would break the contract and pull out.
‘Even if he said he’d just pay damages... what if he actually stops from going?’
So one year passed, then another.
Dad never ca back.
This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.
And the baron’s treatnt of got worse and worse.
If I did Juan’s assignnts, I’d at least get to eat.
The baron had fulfilled only the bare minimum of his contract—sending to the Academy. Everything else was a ss.
“Where’s your dad? Hmph. Of course he told where he was going.”
But I couldn’t talk back to the baron at all.
“I’ll tell you when the ti cos. You’re still too young. No need to know yet. I promised your father—I wouldn’t tell you until you beca an adult.”
I couldn’t argue with that. I had my own suspicions anyway.
The debt under my na had been massive.
But it was suddenly paid in full. Enough to move into a manor in the capital, too...
‘Dad was kind and gentle... but he wasn’t soone with special skills.’
He must’ve sold himself. For that kind of money, there’s no way it was sothing legal.
So I waited until I beca an adult—until I could earn my own money. I wanted to find him, no matter where he was.
But after I beca an adult and started working at the palace, the baron changed his tune.
“Just wait until we beco viscounts. Just until then, Namia, please.”
The baron and his wife wanted a viscount title.
There were ways to buy such titles with enough money.
But they were short on funds. So they asked if they could use my salary.
I guess being in the capital made their greed worse.
“Once we’re a viscount family... once Juan is officially the heir to the title... then I’ll tell you. Okay?”
“Until then, it’s just... we’re scared. Who knows what kind of trouble your dad might’ve gotten into. We’ve got our own goals, you know?”
Right...
I was so afraid Dad had committed a huge cri that I didn’t even dare go to the information guild to ask.
‘I want to get the truth from the baron safely, if I can.’
So I understood why they wanted to be careful until they got the title.
But I wasn’t going to keep backing down forever.
“If I give you my salary from now on, you must tell where my dad is. You promise, right?”
“Of course, of course! Let’s make a contract, just like your father! Cold, strict, and official!”
“Five years.”
“Huh?”
“I’ll only give you my salary for five years. I can’t go beyond that.”
“Five years isn’t enough! Ten! Make it ten!”
In the end, we settled on seven years in the contract.
Seven years of giving them my pay—and in return, they’d tell where Dad had gone.
[Just a little longer, my daughter. You know Daddy loves you, right?]
Dad gave his entire life to protect .
The ti I spent with him as a child was the brightest part of my life.
When there was nowhere else to leave and the library was closed, he even took to work.
[I’m not tired at all! Just seeing your face gives energy, sweetie!]
While working, he’d wave at with a bright smile every chance he got.
And on our walk ho under the early morning stars, he’d carry asleep in his arms, patting gently the whole way.
Dad...
Now that I’m an adult, I will find you.
No matter where you’re being held—I’ll rescue you.
‘I’m saving up all my overti and leave pay in secret, without the baron and his wife knowing. Even skipping als on night shifts to save cash...’
The only one with any lead on where Dad is... is the baron.
Ignoring the baron’s words would feel like giving up on Dad.
So this is how I’ve lived until now.
[I don’t know your whole situation, but maybe you should just cut ties and live your own life.]
That’s my situation.
Maybe others wouldn’t think it’s such a big deal. But to ... it’s everything.
My dad gave up his entire life for . Enduring seven years of giving away my salary—it was worth it.
‘But if they ask for more than that... I won’t sit quietly.’
I quickened my pace toward the baron’s manor.
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