My Crybaby Father is the Kingdom's Worst Villain
Chapter 34: A Shift in the Story or not.

Chapter 34: A Shift in the Story or not.

Later that night, Ramiro was still in his room, hunched over a mountain of paperwork. The dim light of a candle flickered beside him as he massaged his temples, the weight of the day pressing heavily on his shoulders.

Esteban walked in, holding a sealed letter. "My lord, a letter from Tormar has arrived."

Tormar was the eastern city of the duchy Ramiro was in charge of.

Ramiro barely lifted his gaze, as he rubbed his eyes, the candlelight blurring in his vision. " Just read it out for me."

His head ached, his body screaming for rest—until Esteban’s next words cut through the haze like a blade.

Esteban unsealed the letter and skimmed it quickly before speaking with a hint of urgency. "It says the Maisbeasts have been spotted near the eastern borders again. The attacks have been increasing in frequency, and the local militia is struggling to contain them."

So suddenly? That’s odd... Ramiro thought, a frown tugging at his lips. His tired eyes narrowed slightly, his attention now fully on the information. "How bad is it?" he asked, his tone suddenly sharper.

"Reports suggest several villages have been raided in the past week, with few survivors. The Maisbeasts are becoming bolder," Esteban continued, his voice growing more serious. "The letter requests reinforcements... but they fear it may already be too late."

Ramiro exhaled slowly, leaning back in his chair. His fingers drummed lightly against the desk, as if contemplating the best course of action. "Send a response. We cannot afford to let this fester. Inform the eastern commander that reinforcements are on their way. And have Count Valerio prepare the men for a possible mobilization. We will not let this escalate."

Esteban paused, waiting for the final command.

Ramiro stood up abruptly, his decision made. "And have Aurelio prepare my things. I’ll leave for Tormar at dawn. It’s time I handle this personally." His voice was firm, the weariness gone from his tone.

Esteban’s brows furrowed, but he didn’t question it. "As you command, my lord, but..."

"But?" Ramiro asked, impatience barely contained.

"Didn’t you promise to accompany Lady Luzia to Ignacio’s birthday party?"

Ramiro sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I know. I’ll just have Beatriz tell her and send a letter once I reach Tormar."

Esteban hesitated but nodded, accepting the decision.

Ramiro turned away, heading toward the corner of the study where his travel cloak rested on a chair. But as he reached for it, his gaze drifted—landing on the small sofa by the window.

Luzia used to sit there, curled up with a book or simply eating snacks. She would hum absentmindedly sometimes, a quiet melody that blended with the crackle of the fireplace.

His fingers tightened around the cloak.

’I wish I could tell her, but there’s no time for that. I hope she understands when she finds out.’

"Is there anything else?" Ramiro asked, his mind already shifting gears, preparing for the storm ahead.

Esteban hesitated before answering. "There is also a report from the capital... regarding the upcoming summit. It seems certain factions are beginning to stir in anticipation. They are all waiting for your next move."

Ramiro’s expression darkened slightly, a flicker of weariness crossing his features. "Let them wait." He straightened his posture, determination returning to his form. "I will deal with the Maisbeasts first. Everything else can wait."

Esteban nodded and stepped back.

For a brief moment, Ramiro allowed himself to hesitate. Then, pushing the thought aside, he pulled on his cloak and stepped out with Esteban.

---

The next morning, just after dawn, Luzia sat at her vanity table while Elena carefully styled her hair.

She was preparing to go shopping and make final arrangements for Ignacio’s birthday party, which was hunting-themed.

"It is said he loved hunting in the novel... I guess the novel was right about that," Luzia mused, her gaze distant as she recalled the details.

Once Elena finished, Luzia stood up and smoothed out her dress. She left the room with Elena trailing behind her, the soft sound of their footsteps echoing in the hallway.

As she walked, she noticed Beatriz approaching from the opposite direction.

"Good morning, my lady," Beatriz greeted with a polite nod.

"Good morning, Lady Beatriz," Luzia responded, offering a small smile.

"Where are you heading? I was just about to come see you," Beatriz asked.

"I’m going to have breakfast with Father," Luzia said, her tone light.

Beatriz hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Oh... about that. His lordship has already left for Tormar."

Luzia stopped in her tracks. Tormar?

A sudden lightness filled her head, and before she could react, a memory surged forward.

She saw herself—older, kneeling on the ground. Tears streamed down her face as she sobbed uncontrollably.

"How I wish, Father... how I wish we were happy like we used to be before that incident. I want to see you again. I wish to be with you again. Father... please come back!"

Her voice trembled, raw with grief.

"I can’t do this anymore... Ever since I lost you, I’ve been left alone..." she mumbled.

Then, amidst her despair, a deep, soothing familiar voice whispered—

"You’re not alone, Luzia..."

The voice lingered in her ears, warm and distant. And then—

A hand on her shoulder. A distant voice. "Lady Luzia?"

"Lady Luzia..."

A distant voice called to her.

"Lady Luzia?"

She blinked rapidly, the vision fading as reality settled back in. Beatriz was crouching before her, concern etched on her face.

"Oh..." Luzia murmured, pressing her fingertips to her temple. What was that? Another continuation of that memory?

"Are you alright, my lady?" Beatriz and Elena asked in unison.

Luzia’s lips parted slightly, but no words came out. Ramiro had left? Without telling her?

She swallowed, trying to keep her voice steady. "He must have had something important to attend to in Tormar..."

But the words felt hollow. He had promised to be there for Ignacio’s birthday, to accompany her. Had something urgent happened?

A strange heaviness settled in her chest. She pushed it down, forcing a small smile. "Then I’ll focus on getting ready for Lord Ignacio’s birthday."

As Beatriz and Elena exchanged a glance, Luzia turned away. She shouldn’t let this bother her. Yet, as she walked, the lingering question remained—why did it feel like history was repeating itself?

---

After breakfast, Luzia set out for the shopping district with Beatriz and Elena and stephan accompanying her. The streets were lively, filled with the scent of fresh bread from nearby bakeries and the chatter of merchants hawking their goods.

As they walked past a jeweler’s shop, Luzia caught sight of an elegant silver brooch shaped like a hunting hound. It reminded her of the party’s theme and, strangely, of Ignacio himself.

Luzia’s gaze lingered on the silver brooch, its delicate craftsmanship catching the light. It was the same one she had bought in the novel, the one Ignacio had admired. She knew he would like it.

Her fingers hovered near it—but then she pulled back.

If she followed the novel exactly, would she remain trapped in its path?

A small knot formed in her stomach. Was she making this choice because she wanted to... or because she was afraid to stray from the script?

She pushed the thought aside and continued browsing. The goal today was to find the perfect gift for Ignacio, something fitting for his status and not a personal taste.

Taking a breath, she turned away from the brooch. "Let’s look at something else."

Luzia moved past the brooch display and instead let her gaze wander over the various shops. She needed something that suited Ignacio’s identity as a noble and a hunter but also something that wouldn’t feel overly personal.

"Elena, what do you think of a hunting dagger?" Luzia asked, glancing at her maid.

Elena tilted her head in thought. "It would certainly be practical, my lady, but I doubt it would impress Lord Ignacio."

Beatriz chimed in, "There’s a well-known weaponsmith nearby who specializes in noble hunting gear."

Luzia nodded. "Let’s pay them a visit."

As they reached the weaponsmith’s shop, the scent of polished wood and oiled steel filled the air. Displayed behind a glass case were intricately crafted hunting knives and daggers, each bearing different designs—some with engraved hilts, others with jeweled pommels.

A finely made dagger caught Luzia’s eye. The hilt was made of dark wood, smooth to the touch, with an ornate falcon engraving on the blade.

Would Ignacio like it? She wasn’t sure. And of course, she didn’t care

This time, she wasn’t choosing for Ignacio—she was choosing for herself.

"This one," she said firmly.

Stephan, who had been following quietly, stepped forward. "A fine choice, my lady. It’s balanced, well-crafted, and ideal for a noble hunter... but I don’t believe it will suit Lord Ignacio."

Luzia nodded, satisfied. After paying for the gift, she had it carefully wrapped in a velvet box before leaving the shop.

As they stepped back into the bustling streets, Luzia exhaled softly. The novel had said Ignacio liked the brooch, but this time, I chose differently.

Would it change anything?

She wasn’t sure, but she had a feeling that, no matter how small, things were already beginning to shift.

’Whether it changes anything or not... I’ve made my choice. Let the plot unfold as it will.’