I’Ll Protect My Tyrant Dad! [EN]: Chapter 5

Tyrant Dad, I’ll Protect You! Episode 5. Patience Is Only Virtue If You Aren’t a Pushover (5/140)

Episode 5. Patience Is Only Virtue If You Aren’t a Pushover

2022.12.16.

The court ladies quietly spoke, noticing my sudden stop as I toddled along.

“Is something the matter, Lady Sienna?”

They must have seen me stop, judging by their anxious looks. But the voices in my ears didn’t cease. Instead, they widened their mouths as if urging me to listen.

“They say she’ll be kicked out soon anyway. Then her head will be chopped off, right?”

“Probably. Good riddance!”

“Our family doesn’t need weak and wicked people like that!”

I bit my lip.

‘Why are they so hostile? Weren’t Dad and I… just exiled? What does it mean to be of an evil woman’s bloodline?’

Questions swirled in my head.

I couldn’t tell if their words were true or just rumors, but one thing was certain at that moment.

Those guys insulted me and Dad.

‘Should I endure this insult for Dad’s sake?’

I pondered for a moment but firmly shook my head inwardly.

‘No. If I stay still, my precious Dad will hear these words even more. I need to show them that I’m the crazy one in this area so they won’t dare to make a peep!’

Those guys are clearly weak to the strong and strong to the weak.

If I just let these petty insults slide, the next one will be even bigger. A ten-year-old kid will even try to insult my dad.

‘Dad sheds tears just seeing me hurt my hand while picking berries, so he’ll definitely burst into tears if he hears such nasty words.’

Thinking about that made me clench my fists.

‘I need to shut their mouths without causing harm to Dad.’

Even if I can’t stop the bad men’s words right now, I can certainly shut the mouths of those children.

I turned my head toward them. Malicious, sneering gazes were directed at me.

“Are you talking about me?”

“Yeah.”

I didn’t expect them to admit it, but they were surprisingly compliant. It seems the rumor that my dad is too nice has spread. The fact that our residence is the North Spire probably plays a part too.

‘They’ve already turned me into an enemy. If I endure, I’ll only look more foolish.’

I couldn’t cause a big commotion within the family.

‘Okay, I’ve come up with an indirect and decent method!’

Of course, I had no intention of bursting into tears or using abusive language.

I blinked at them.

“Say it again. What you said earlier. What’s an evil woman’s bloodline?”

I asked the short-haired kid who seemed to be the leader among them. The child answered immediately, as if they had been preparing for the question.

“It’s exactly what it sounds like. You’re of an evil woman’s bloodline! Get rid of that cursed look! You’re like a witch of the spire!”

I crossed my arms and glared at them.

I don’t know exactly what it means to be of an evil woman’s bloodline.

But okay, shall we try some leading questions?

Witch of the spire?

Evil woman’s bloodline?

Clearly, there’s a big problem with their words.

I tilted my head and said to them.

“Ah, I get it now. You guys are really bad, aren’t you?”

“What’s so bad about us?”

“You are bad, but does it feel bad coming from you?”

They were elated by the word ‘bad.’

‘That shouldn’t be the case, though…?’

I chuckled and decided to use the technique of distorting the conversation.

“Hoo. The spire is where our grandma told me to go live?”

“That’s right, you were kicked out!”

“I wasn’t kicked out? Then you guys are saying our grandma is such a bad person? Enough to kick out her granddaughter?”

The children rolled their eyes at the word ‘grandma.’

No matter how I think about it, the name ‘Duchess Lucrezia’ must be frightening to them too. Even though she doesn’t have real power now, she was once the ruler of the highest tower.

They shrank rapidly like deflated balloons when I mentioned Grandma. But I had no intention of stopping here.

“And you guys called me of an evil woman’s bloodline?”

“Y-yeah. You evil woman’s bloodline!”

“If you’re going to say bad things about our grandma, then the story of the evil woman, you’re saying our grandma is the evil woman, right?”

“W-what are you talking about!”

I glanced around.

The duchess still held some weak power within this mansion, at least. The reason was that in the absence of an heir to the family, Duchess Lucrezia was partially in charge of the interior of the mansion.

Especially the court ladies.

Perhaps that’s why the court ladies, who had no interest in me being insulted, were now all looking here with great interest.

To exaggerate a bit, it meant that the servants and court ladies of the Duke’s residence in the garden were watching this situation.

I deliberately shouted very loudly.

“I think our grandma is the best in the world! You guys are really mean!”

Flattery like seasoning is essential to survive.

I stared intently at the child who seemed to be the leader. Their flushed expression was quite a sight.

“We’re not talking about the duchess, that, that person!”

Their faces turned bright red.

Originally, losing your composure meant losing the argument.

“Then? Who are you talking about?”

It might sound like a question, but it wasn’t meant to be answered.

I shouted in the clearest voice a child could make.

“I heard everything. I feel sorry for our grandma. She’s a very good person. She’s not someone bad people should insult! Don’t call Grandma an evil woman! Don’t call me of an evil woman’s bloodline! You dummies!”

If there had been an adult around these children to correct them, they would have pointed out the errors in my words.

However, since I had already mentioned ‘the duchess,’ none of the adults present could intervene in this conversation.

I decided to drive in the final wedge.

“Onni [term of endearment used by a younger female to address an older female]. Didn’t you say that Grandma looks at my schedule when I’m being educated?”

I looked at the court lady beside me with narrowed eyes.

“Yes?”

“Huh?”

“Ah, yes.”

The court lady, not understanding the meaning of my words, tilted her head.

“Then I should report this too, right?”

“Ah! Yes, that’s right.”

“No, don’t tell her.”

I deliberately shouted very loudly.

So that everyone in the garden could hear.

“Yes? Why?”

“I’m worried our grandma will be hurt.”

The court ladies looked at each other and exchanged meaningful glances.

I put my index finger to my lips and made a shushing sound.

“Our little secret, okay?”

“Yes, of course.”

I don’t know if the court ladies of the North Spire will report to the duchess or not. They were already slaves to the coconut I had given them.

But the court ladies distributed in the garden were different.

As the eyes and ears of the duchess, they would surely report this incident to the duchess in depth.

Believing that they wouldn’t be harmed if I said that, the children raised their chins and shouted shamelessly.

“Hmph! Looks like you know to be scared? You’re just a slave of the spire!”

“Yeah, if I’m a slave of the spire, then you’re a moron who doesn’t know what’s ahead!”

I smiled brightly at the little child and poked the court lady again.

The startled court lady carefully looked down at the top of my head.

“But, what’s the reason they’re saying that?”

“Yes?”

I smiled brightly and insulted their parents.

“It’s all because their parents didn’t teach them well.”

But it’s true, and they started it first!

‘May you be dragged before the duchess for misusing your mouths!’

Those children will be safe. Only their parents will incur the wrath of Duchess Lucrezia. The die has already been cast, so I decided to watch the show and eat the rice cakes.

“I’m really looking forward to how they’ll grow up later. Bad kids. But this is all a secret, okay?”

I glanced at the surrounding court ladies and servants.

If there’s one way to make news spread far and wide, it’s to declare it ‘a secret.’

The moment it becomes a secret, the news sells like hotcakes.

I was sure.

All of this would be reported to the duchess within five minutes.

Already, a conspicuous blue-haired servant was quickly leaving for the west side of the garden.

I chuckled inwardly and entered the mansion.

People who say bad things should be punished just as much.

I never endure.

There’s an old saying, right? If you’re patient three times, you’re a pushover!

‘But, what does it really mean to be of an evil woman’s bloodline?’

I felt the need to properly investigate this matter.

***

At that time, there was a gaze watching Sienna from afar.

The gaze quietly watched her departing footsteps before disappearing in another direction.

The lingering gaze disappeared, but the person remained.

The owner of that subtle gaze was none other than the boy who would be taking heir lessons with Sienna in a few minutes, Leonhardt Mirmod.

A few tens of minutes had passed since he saw Sienna in the garden earlier.

The masked boy, Leonhardt, finally entered the heir education room.

In his view, he saw a large room, two desks placed in the center, and a chestnut-sized child.

To take lessons alone with such a small child.

Some might consider it a blow to their pride.

Especially since he had already been somewhat recognized for his genius-like abilities, it would have been understandable if he had thrown a tantrum, claiming he was being ignored because he was adopted.

But Leonhardt was different. The boy was not concerned with age. And thanks to having seen Sienna’s performance earlier, he was even slightly excited.

Even though he might appear aloof and expressionless to others.

‘I thought it would be boring, but it might be better than I thought.’

-That’s the kind of feeling he had.

Leonhardt was originally a man of few words.

In fact, it would be more accurate to say that he had no desire to engage in conversation with anyone.

It was thanks to the fact that no one was particularly interested in him, and he was not interested in others.

But Sienna was a bit different.

The story about Sienna and her father, Grand Duke Matthias, was known even to Leonhardt, who was not well-versed in rumors.

‘So that chestnut is the famous…….’

As he approached the desk, he carefully observed things like the baby’s wheat field-like hair and the overflowing cheek fat visible from the back.

‘……The one who’s going to be killed by Grand Duke Matthias, huh?’

The existence of a child several years younger than himself, whom he had encountered after a long time, was quite fascinating.

She was a bold child, as if living a second life.

And, probably the daughter of Grand Duke Matthias.

Of course, Grand Duke Matthias was an extremely dangerous person, so it was clear that he would abandon her immediately if he judged that she had no value, even if she was his daughter.

What was it like when Grand Duke Matthias was receiving heir education? Those who stood against him, and those who betrayed him, were torn to death.

In fact, such things were commonplace within the family. However, Grand Duke Matthias showed an even more extreme cruelty. He mercilessly slaughtered even those who seemed weak on his side.

And Sienna, the little child who somehow managed to survive until now.

She seemed to know how to use her brain, but she looked extremely weak no matter how you looked at it.

‘Sienna, it’s a waste for you to die so early.’

But it was time to wrap up his thoughts. Still with a stiff expression, Leonhardt sat down next to the baby.

‘Shall we test her?’

He was thinking of poking the child like pressing a ripe persimmon. He rested his chin on his hand and looked at Sienna, throwing out a word.

Shall we start with what I already know?

“Chestnut. What’s your name?”

The child, who had been called Chestnut, opened her mouth primly towards him.

“I’m not Chestnut, I’m Sienna.”

As the child opened her mouth quite saucily, the pigtails that the strange court ladies had probably tied crookedly fluttered and swayed.

“Sienna. Sienna Mirmod?”

“Ung [a cute way of saying ‘yes’].”

Sienna turned her head back. He had quickly lost her interest.

It seemed that no part of Leonhardt could attract Sienna’s curiosity.

Leonhardt smiled slightly because that fact was pleasant.

‘A child who’s not curious about my mask. Well, she’s Grand Duke Matthias’s daughter, after all.’

If she was the daughter of ‘that’ Grand Duke Matthias, it was to be expected.

Perhaps that child had never been curious about anything in her life.

‘Surely Grand Duke Matthias abused that child.’

That was entirely possible for that Grand Duke Matthias.

Leonhardt had stolen a few of the family’s secrets while being adopted into the Mirmod family. Among those secrets was the reason why ‘Grand Duke Matthias’ was exiled.

He was always followed by the modifier of being ruthless and wicked. It was only natural. There was no way that such a ruthless and wicked person would have raised his daughter properly.

Leonhardt quietly opened his mouth.

“You’re the daughter of ‘that’ Matthias.”

That this small child was the daughter of ‘that’ vicious and terrifying devil, Matthias Mirmod.

I thought she would be a monster, but she’s as lovely as a little bird…….

……Not really.

Leonhardt tried a little to maintain his stoic expression and looked at Sienna.

“Ung.”

Sienna yawned again. She seemed reluctant to say more.

But Leonhardt was different. He was curious about what kind of life Sienna had lived. Whether she had lived hiding in the shadows of someone like himself. Being tormented by Matthias…….

“……Right. There’s never been anyone like Grand Duke Matthias in the family history.”

When Sienna seemed about to continue talking about Grand Duke Matthias, she stared at him intently. Her eyes finally sparkled as if it was a topic of interest.

It was only natural that Sienna would react like that. Leonhardt himself would often have his eyes flash when he thought of those who had abused him.

‘Yes, you probably know well about your father’s cruel and heartless appearance. Sienna Mirmod.’

There were many people who committed evil deeds as casually as Matthias. But there was no one who had such overwhelming power, such elegant beauty, and was so cruel.

Nor was there anyone who had disappeared as if dead and returned again.

Nor was there anyone who possessed a presence that overwhelmed others even when they were still.

Leonhardt was curious about Matthias and curious about what Sienna would say.

“Ung. Of course, there wouldn’t be.”

Seeing Sienna nod, Leonhardt calmly observed Sienna’s expression. A subtle blush rose on her soft, mochi-like cheeks.

Leonhardt, who was clumsy with emotions, only knew one reason why people blushed.

It was fear.

‘I wondered, but as expected. Sienna is afraid of Matthias. Grand Duke Matthias has no mercy even for his own child.’

He had naturally expected that Matthias would oppress Sienna. But seeing that young child’s face turn so red and tearful, a capricious displeasure arose in his heart.

No matter what, where was there to torment that little bean cake?

Thinking that way even though he was a child himself, Leonhardt indifferently brought up the next words.

“Then you know that you might die at any moment.”

Grand Duke Matthias might kill Sienna at any moment. Considering his usual character, Sienna’s death was only a matter of time.

Did Sienna know that obvious fact too?

Surprisingly, Sienna nodded.

But it wasn’t a frustrated face.

“That’s right. But I’ll never die. I’ll live.”

Leonhardt read an amazing determination for survival on the child’s face and froze for a moment.

Such spirit and strength not to be intimidated even by ‘that’ Grand Duke Matthias.

Was that why that young child had not been killed by Grand Duke Matthias and had come to the Duke’s family with him?

Thinking that she was a mysterious chestnut in many ways, Leonhardt casually continued the conversation.

“Okay. Live.”

Sienna nodded repeatedly.

Leonhardt looked down at the small chestnut and nodded once more.

That chestnut is quite cool.

The chestnut, Sienna, who was bathed in sunlight, closed her eyes tightly and sneezed lightly.

“Achoo.”

What is it.

She’s even cute.

Sienna glanced at him and whispered.

“Hmph, stop looking at me.”

Leonhardt tilted his head.

“Why?”

“Because it looks like the teacher is coming.”

Sure enough, the sound of footsteps was quickly heard from outside.

He chuckled and looked down at the chestnut-sized child.

Strangely, he kept wanting to see that soft face. Was it because that cheek was like the slime he used to play with a few years ago?