The Villainess Whom I Had Served for 13 Years Has Fallen chapter 65

65 – My Father Who Hates Me – Part 4 –

In the dark study.

Histania Rowan was deeply lost in thought, running his hand through his hair as he pondered.

“I’m irritated…”

Hanna’s rebellion, too.

And that arrogant red-haired guy.

No one was claiming that their choices were right.

Despite raising three siblings and never once thinking that his parenting style was wrong, Rowein found himself unusually tangled in thoughts this time.

“Sigh…”

Rowein, seated at his home office desk, poured himself a drink into an empty glass and let out a deep sigh.

His thoughts were becoming overwhelming.

He wondered if it wasn’t a deficiency in himself as a father, who had only pursued the path of the sword, running to his father without even once stopping to think.

Despite thinking that he had worked hard.

Rowein felt that his parenting was wrong every time the face of his wounded youngest daughter came to mind.

Hanna, who did not appreciate his efforts to guide her on a better path, frustrated Rowein.

If he gave up the sword, he could do anything.

Financial support if he pursued business.

Connections if he entered politics.

Introduction to the empire’s most handsome man if he entered into romance. But Hanna only focused on the ‘sword.’

Rowein asked himself a question.

The question of whether he was truly a good father.

Malik, successful as a prosecutor.

The second, who had not missed the top spot for three years with exceptional talent.

Looking at just these two, Rowein believed he had no shortcomings as a successful father.

But Hanna…

She achieved everything on her own.

Hanna’s talent was negligible compared to Malik and the second until before she entered the academy.

If he were to go back in time, he would probably tell Hanna to give up the sword just like now.

Hanna’s swordsmanship was stagnant.

No matter how hard she tried, the level she could reach was nothing more than that of a third-rate adventurer.

Rowein thought it was impossible to ask Hanna, who had nothing but strong mental fortitude, to pursue an unsuccessful career.

His own father had said that, after all.

The one who made it possible for him to stand in the position of the Empire’s Sword right now was his father.

If his father, who raised the Empire’s Sword through ruthless education, had said the same thing to Hanna, Rowan thought.

For the sake of raising oneself.

Because he was a father who had used harsh words and discrimination.

Although he resented the father who had treated him harshly, when he looked at his successful brothers in various fields and his own life as an adult, he could see that his father was not wrong.

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Having grown up under a father who only knew the sword, he couldn’t help but treat Hanna coldly, knowing the unnecessary efforts of his brothers for Malik’s success.

Because certain success is happier than mediocre success.

For the success of Malik.

For the glory of Histania.

At the same time, Rowan thought proudly that he had treated Hanna relentlessly with the hope that she would quickly find her own path.

He defeated the brother who comforted him when he was scolded and depressed by his father in the training ground, and he thought it was only natural for his father to exile the sibling who was expelled from the family for not having talent with a sword, even though he had called him a proud brother and gave him snacks he had hidden as a reward.

Rowan thought there was no fault in the decision to tell Hanna to put down the sword that day.

He grew up that way.

Because he learned that from his father.

Of course, he didn’t think highly of his father either.

He was a wretch who ignored his family and only shouted ‘sword. Sword.’

He had thought since he inherited the family business that he wouldn’t become a father like his father, who had no regard for talents and would unhesitatingly exile those without them, but when he actually became a father, he realized that he was following the same path.

Compared to his father, who would excommunicate without mercy if there was no talent, he softened, but when looked at closely, there was not much difference in his education from his father’s.

“At that time, I hated it so much, but I’m doing the same thing now.”

Damn it. I am, too.

Unlike his father, he raised his children in his own way, giving them affection.

Unlike his father, who cut off all support if there was no talent, he offered different directions to his children.

Learn finance and become a secretary.

Learn diplomacy and become a diplomat.

Learn politics and rise to a high position.

Although he didn’t say it kindly, Rowan, as a father, believed he hadn’t made wrong choices.

Guiding children onto the path of proper success is the wish of parents, the wish of parents.

Just, this process was a bit extreme.

“Dad, I’m going to be a great inspector like you! I’ll punish the bad guys and spread the name of Histania throughout the world.”

“Give up. You have no talent. You’ll only disgrace the name of Histania.”

“But… but if I put in effort too…!”

“Effort cannot surpass talent. Those who achieve success through effort are merely ordinary people occupying a normal position because of it.”

“…But.”

“Don’t stay at the bottom and become a master in another field. Don’t tarnish the name of Histania.”

Rowen did not think he was wrong.

He grew up naively.

His life proved it.

If someone wanted to criticize him, it should be someone with a position and achievements to match.

The words of a philosopher with nothing accomplished but exceptional beliefs seemed merely arrogant.

However.

“Father…”

After witnessing his daughter’s death,

Cracks began to form in Rowen’s heart.

When he held Hannah’s cold body and saw his own face unable to say anything. Rowen felt a deep regret that words couldn’t express.

He used to think that the emotion of regret was useless….

For the first time, the emotion of regret hit him strongly.

“Bang…!”

Rowen slammed the glass onto the table.

The shattered glass in his hand.

With a clean hand untouched by any blemishes on the Swordmaster’s physique, Rowen calmly wiped away the broken pieces with a handkerchief.

“Hannah’s adolescence was too long… I should have disciplined her more.”

Still, Rowen wished that Hannah had given up the sword.

Even if she awakened as the youngest Oracle.

He thought Hannah would take on dangerous challenges.

Now he could no longer criticize Hannah’s talent. She proved her talent, and she was proclaiming the name of Histania to the empire.

But.

“Save me…”

As the hallucination from that time came back to his mind, the desire for Hannah to lay down her sword became stronger. Various thoughts crossed his mind. After the illusion.

I felt a sense of impatience as a father who should no longer embark on such ambitious challenges and a selfless desire to support his daughter’s growth.

Whichever way I thought.

Witnessing Hannah’s death led to a fearful heart, concluding that I must make her lay down her sword.

It was the path for Hannah.

Because it was for her safety.

Whether it turned into a hallucination or a nightmare.

If I could prevent such things from happening…

It was a matter of pushing aside one’s stubbornness.

Hannah would undoubtedly continue to run with youthful enthusiasm.

For the sake of rapid growth, she would venture into danger, and Rowan was confident that she would once again reenact the nightmares she had seen.

So, Rowan became even more resolute in her determination.

Rowan loved Hannah.

Compared to other children, despite the visible shortcomings, she wasn’t a heartless parent who would think it’s okay for her to die.

Sitting at the desk, Rowan nodded hesitantly.

“Yes, it’s all for Hannah. She’ll realize it when the time comes.”

Just as she herself had thought when she became an adult.

Rowan believed that Hannah would understand when she, too, became an adult.

With many unsettling incidents happening recently at the academy, now might be the right time.

Instead of constantly worrying, it’s better to…

At the moment of compromising with oneself.

– Kkeiik.

A handsome man with a refined face opened the door to the study and walked in.

A man with brown hair similar to Rowan’s. He was Hannah’s older brother, and Rowan’s son, Malik.

Rowan frowned.

“Who taught you such manners as entering without knocking? I’m sure I didn’t teach you that way.”

Malik, entering without knocking, awkwardly chuckled and said, “I apologize. I did knock… didn’t realize you didn’t hear.”

Rowan admitted her mistake.

“I must have been too focused on work. I’m sorry.”

“No problem. I’ll make sure to be more careful.”

Malik’s face was hardened.

It was uncomfortable for him to visit his father.

He was not used to being formal.

Rowen knew this and didn’t say anything.

Malik let out a deep sigh and held up the bottle of alcohol in his hand.

“Father, I brought good liquor. Can you spare a moment?”

It was a familiar liquor.

Golden brandy.

A finely crafted glass bottle.

The trademark of a liquor bottle that often graced the lips of nobles. He remembered the name because it was a renowned restaurant. It had a unique name, “Friend of the Forest.”

Rowen, secretly pleased, was his son’s gift.

Malik pulled a chair and sat naturally in front of Rowen.