Chapter 52: A Party with the Prime Minister

“No, no, I didn’t think I’d be able to invite Duke Fall to my home like this.”

Speaking to me with a transparent smile was the Prime Minister of this country, Duke Grene. The location is Duke Grene’s house. I received information that he would be hosting a dinner party, so here I am.

I really don’t like this kind of party, so unless absolutely necessary I won’t accept invitations to them, but this time it’s necessary. Sasha and Laurier aren’t with me this time. I’d rather not bring them to a place like this. Besides, Sasha needs to stay at home to take care of her health, and Laurier is too young to bring to events like this.

“The pleasure is all mine. Thank you for the invitation, Duke Grene. As always, this is a splendid mansion, it really makes me envious.”

I meant how much of an extreme waste of money this mansion cost, but Duke Grene looked happy to be praised.

“Hahaha! If it’s Duke Fall, you’re welcome at any time. By the way, I see you didn’t bring your wife and daughter today?”

“Regretfully, my wife isn’t feeling well today. I left my daughter behind to assist her.”

“Oh? If that’s the case, your daughter must be very clever. I wish that my foolish son would follow in her footsteps.”

‘Don’t call your own child “foolish”!’ Although I wanted to retort with that, I held it in and continued with a smile.

“Ahh, that’s reminds me. If I’m not mistaken, my daughter and your son are close together in age. When he’s free, please send him to my house to play.”

“It’s a welcome offer, but… come to think of it, has Duke Fall decided on a fiancé for her yet?

Duke Grene turned towards me with a face full of greed. Perhaps he was concerned that Laurier had already been engaged to Celeu-sama. Since after his wife died, Duke Grene had a second child with a mistress, he surely wants to earn as much profit from his first son’s engagement as possible. Although his family holds the same Ducal status as mine, so I understand why he’s aiming for Laurier… it’s unpleasant to think of Laurier being sent off to this man’s house. I can say with certainty that Laurier will be unhappy.

Without mentioning such feelings, I continued speaking with a strained smile.

“Actually, I haven’t yet. I’ve been waiting to find the right partner for her.”

“Ahh, is that so?”

As Duke Grene gave a meaningful smile, feelings of disgust welled up in me. How strange… no matter what he says, I feel disgusted. It’s like I’ve had a psychological aversion to him from the start.

As a parent, I just want to make my child happy, but he sees his children as nothing but tools. That probably makes us incompatible.

“By the way, I’ve heard that Duke Fall is capable of making splendid deserts. If you don’t mind, please teach me how to make them next time.”

After that, I continued drinking and chatting with Duke Grene using ambiguous language to draw some more information out of him… That was the first time I’ve ever felt that passing time while drinking was unpleasant.

Hi all, I’m Rewind, a second translator for Villainous Father. I really like this story – there just aren’t enough Otome-game-esc stories from a man’s perspective out there, let alone from the father of the Villainess’, and this is a good one. I’m reading along with you all, so here’s to bringing Sasha and Laurier further happiness.

Chapter 53: Taking a Breather in the Middle of the Dinner Party

“Haaaa…”

I sighed unconsciously. Besides talking with Duke Grene, I also spoke with all of the other nobles he invited to his house, and every last one of them were obsessed with political power and social status. I just can’t see eye-to-eye with them. As a noble, that may be the correct way of thinking in a sense, but on a personal level I just can’t agree.

It would be a mistake if I didn’t take a breather outside while I can.

“… Ow.”

I heard a voice along with the sound of rustling of bushes.

After making sure there were no other nobles in my surroundings, I called out to the voice.

“Won’t you come out? There’s no need to hide in such a place.”

The shadowy figure stayed silent for a moment, but soon came out after seemingly making up their mind. It’s a blue-haired boy, about the same age as Laurier? I probably know who this child is, but I asked him without saying it.

“What are you doing out here?”

“… I came to see Father.”

“I see… did your father have anything to do with you hiding here?”

“Not really…”

The boy looked away after saying so. I don’t think there would be any other children here at this time of day, but I continued by asking despite knowing the answer.

“What kind of person is your father?”

“… He’s trash. The worst. Always acting self-important, bossy, living with another person after my mother died, and hardly ever comes home. In a word, he’s scum.”

He ended with a bitter smile in spite of saying so much.

“Then, have you come to complain to your father?”

“… I don’t know. I hate Father. I can’t forgive Father for betraying Mother. But, I can’t do anything because I have no power…”

“Then, what if you had that power?”

“That’s impossible…”

“Why is it impossible?”

“Since Father is the Prime Minister. There’s no way a child like me could ever win against him…”

Well, he seems to be quite clever for a child his age. His language is a bit rough, but other than that he can stay calm and view the world objectively. If it’s this child, won’t it be all right?

“Then, if you could be the Prime Minister instead of your father… what would you do?”

He looked at me with a surprised expression after I said that.

“… Who are you?”

“I’m Callis Fall, head of the Ducal House of Fall, and a father with a child I dearly love.

The boy stayed silent for a moment… and then after having seemingly decided something, he spoke.

“… Please tell me. How can I defeat my father?”

That was my first encounter with the boy… the eldest son of Duke Grene, and the capture target known as the Duke’s son, Macbeth Grene.