Chapter Forty-Three
"What happened now, Kaelen?"
I asked, shifting my weight on the bed and listening to the springs protest as my eyes were graced by the presence of a heaving Kaelen.
"The construction of all the ice houses are completed, Master! It was faster than we thought with the rcenaries helping. All the citizens are gathered in the square. They want to thank you, Master. Like, personally!"
"Oh... It’s fine, really. I’m not much for crowds. You go without ."
"Daddy!"
Lily’s voice cut through the air before she even entered the room. She bounded in, spinning around so her new dress flared out like a blooming flower. "How do I look?"
"Really pretty," I said, the corner of my mouth twitching upward despite my fatigue as I picked her up in my arms as my eyes landed on Zein who was trailing behind her.
"I see you dressed Zein up, too."
Zein stood there in a crisp black outfit, looking like a miniature undertaker who was very disappointed in the world.
Well, he was an Necromancer who was disappointed in world.
"He’s really boring, Daddy. He only likes black," Lily complained, puffing out her cheeks as she whispered in my ears. "And he also calls ’Miss’ now. It’s so annoying!"
"Is that so?" I glanced at Zein. The boy’s face was a mask of stoic professionalism, but his ears were slightly pink.
Hah... Must be nice to be in love, huh.
"Yep. He feels like an old man, Daddy."
"Master," Kaelen interrupted, his eyes shining. "The citizens will be really happy if you co. Please co."
"Daddy, you’re not going to the festival?" Lily asked, her eyes widening into those SSSS-Rank puddles again.
Ugh... This is not good.
"You guys made it a festival," I muttered. "It’s just fixing my past mistakes."
"Your Grace, all the ladies prepared food," Lady Elena said, stepping timidly into the room behind Selia. "They used rations from the Duchy’s pantry. I was going to tell you, but—"
"It’s fine. You guys go ahead and have fun. I’m just really tired."
"My Lord." Vizen’s voice was soft, but it held that stubborn weight of a father.
"Yes, Vizen?"
"Lord Hans and I are leaving soon to fulfill your orders. We’ll depart right after the festivities. Won’t you see us off?"
"Vizen, I know what you’re trying to do. This is emotional blackmail."
"Please, Your Grace. Just take a look at the smiles you’ve brought to the faces of these people."
"I—"
[Alert!]
[Quest Triggered: The Greatest Reward Is A Smile]
[Objective: Host Must Visit The Festival and witness the happiness he’s brought.]
[Reward: 500,000 Gold Coins]
[Would you like to accept the quest?]
[Yes] [No]
Sysi... What is wrong with you?
[Ping!]
[What’s up with what, Host?]
You don’t give quests for the important stuff. But you give a fortune for a stroll in the snow? Is it your first ti being a system?
[Ping!]
[It’s been a tense for a while now. Host deserves to relax.]
I relax when I’m alone in a room with no dust and only money.
...
Sysi?
The system went silent, the digital equivalent of whistling and looking the other way.
"Your Grace?"
"What is it, Lady Elena?" I snapped, the sound echoing a bit too sharply in the room. She flinched, her shoulders hunching up.
"Bad Daddy! Don’t yell at the pretty lady!" Lily shouted as she slapped my shoulder, squinting her eyes at and pouting.
"...I didn’t yell," I muttered, feeling the onset of a massive migraine.
"You snapped," Lily corrected imdiately. "That’s yelling, but fancy."
Traitor. Am I your father or her?
Kaelen coughed into his fist, his shoulders shaking with suppressed laughter. Vizen had the audacity to turn away, pretending to inspect a crack in the wall.
I closed my eyes and exhaled slowly through my nose.
"Lady Elena," I said, pinching the bridge of my nose, "you have my apologies. I wasn’t angry at you."
She bowed deeply. Too deeply. "N-not at all, Your Grace! I spoke out of turn—"
"Stop," I said, tired but firm. "You didn’t."
Lily jumped out of my arms as she ran to Elena, grabbing her hand without warning. "You’re really pretty," she announced. "Daddy just gets grumpy when his head hurts. You should give him food. Right, Lady Selia?"
"Of course, Princess," Selia chirped.
"...I don’t think I’m pretty, Princess," Elena whispered.
"You definitely are," Lily nodded confidently. "I only like pretty people. That’s why I like Zein and Daddy the most."
"I wasn’t pretty when you first t ," I reminded her.
"Daddy’s soul is a very pretty color. Humph!"
I looked at the SSS-Rank Necromancer. Zein was currently tensing up, looking genuinely anxious about the ’pretty’ ranking.
"So who’s prettier? or Zein?" I teased.
[Ping!]
[Host is so petty! Bullying an eleven-year-old for beauty points?]
I was born this way, Sysi. I must always be number one.
"I’ll tell you if you co with us, Daddy," Lily bargained.
I’m really tired.
"Daddy," Lily ran back to as she tugged my sleeve. Her fingers were cold, but her eyes were warm. "Please?"
I looked down at her.
[Ping!]
[Pretty please?]
What are you? Her mom?
[Ping!]
[Co on!]
Haaah... You two are going to be the death of my dignity.
"...Fine," I said at last.
"Yes!" Lily cheered, throwing both arms into the air.
[Ding!]
[Quest accepted! Yayyy!]
Pfft.
[Ping!]
[Host is a softie, huh.]
No. I’m doing this for the money.
[Ping!]
[Sure. Sure.]
"I knew you’d co, Master!" Kaelen grinned, his teeth white against his soot-smudged face.
Vizen smiled. Hans and Lady Selia were standing near the door, catching each other’s eyes and smiling softly. Lady Elena looked like she might cry with relief.
I pushed myself off the bed with a groan, my joints popping.
"If anyone tries to make give a speech," I warned, pointing a finger at Vizen, "I’m leaving imdiately."
"Why would we need a speech, Your Grace, when your presence in the flesh is enough to warm the whole North?" Kaelen grinned, already practically dragging toward the door.
"This brat..."
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