DGMYF 0

Kaiso Windermere propelled his wheelchair forward swiftly. His hands slipped several times in his haste, but he didn’t slow down. His daughter Ingrid, who had been kidnapped by a forest dragon, had returned. For the year she was gone, he thought he was living in hell—but finally.

“Where is Ingrid now?” Kaiso asked Gordon, his butler, who was hurrying alongside him.

“She’s waiting in the parlor.”

“Oh, heavens.”

The corridors had never felt so long. Because he’d been holed up in the study at the far end of the castle, he’d received the news of Ingrid’s return late.

The central lobby was already bustling with people. When they spotted Kaiso, they erupted in cheers.

“Congratulations, Duke!”

“Such a relief!”

Kaiso waved vaguely in response and crossed the hall toward the opposite corridor. Damn it, was the parlor always this far from the study? The path seemed to stretch on forever. At last, he arrived at the parlor door.

“His Grace, Duke Windermere, has arrived.”

Before the announcement even finished, Kaiso flung the door open. In the center of the parlor stood a black-haired girl—his one and only daughter, Ingrid, without a doubt.

“Ingrid!”

His voice cracked as he called out, and the girl turned around. The seven-year-old ran to him in a single bound and climbed onto his lap. Kaiso hugged her tightly, showering kisses on her small head.

“Father!”

“Oh, heavens, my darling. Are you alright? Are you hurt?”

“I’m fine.”

Kaiso held her face, inspecting it closely, turning her arms to check for injuries. Thankfully, apart from being slightly thinner, she seemed unharmed.

“You’ve lost weight.”

Ingrid had been kidnapped by the forest dragon while practicing swordsmanship in the mountains. How he’d blamed himself for letting her go alone, despite knowing the sinister rumors about the dragon targeting children.

“I’m sorry. It’s all my fault.”

After learning of her capture, Kaiso had posted notices across the land, recruiting knights. At first, he’d planned to go himself, but his wheelchair-bound condition made it impossible to even leave the ducal estate, let alone storm a dragon’s lair.

Countless knights from across the continent had flocked to claim the enormous bounty he offered. But the results were always dismal: half fled before reaching the castle, half couldn’t even knock on its gates, and the rest were incinerated by a single blast of the dragon’s breath.

The thought of losing his only daughter had driven Kaiso half-mad. He’d shut himself in his study, barely eating, for an entire year. Seeing Ingrid now felt like a dream.

“That’s not important right now, Father! You won’t believe it—the hero sliced through the dragon’s massive breath with a single swing of his sword!”

Ingrid’s voice bubbled with excitement as she mimicked the sound of a sword—“whoosh, whoosh!”—and struck a pose. Kaiso stroked her hair fondly and asked, “Who did?”

“The hero who saved me!”

Only then did Kaiso look around. Among the estate’s servants stood a towering man in armor, silhouetted against the light. His armor was battered, his shining silver hair singed by fire, and his face smudged with soot. He grinned brightly at Kaiso.

“Duke.”

“Troy?”

Kaiso was speechless, dumbfounded. It was Troy Elliott, his aide, who had recklessly set off months ago to rescue Ingrid. Kaiso had worried something had happened to him, with no word since his departure. And yet, here he was, having actually brought his daughter back! Kaiso could hardly believe it.

“You’re the one who saved our Ingrid?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Unbelievable.”

Kaiso wheeled closer, grasping Troy’s thick hand and shaking it fervently.

“Thank you, truly.”

“It was only what I had to do,” Troy mumbled, blushing sheepishly.

Ingrid slid off Kaiso’s lap and stood with dignity. Troy knelt on one knee before her. She placed a hand on his shoulder and spoke in a solemn tone.

“Hero, name your reward.”

“Anything I want?”

“Of course. You saved me, so I’ll grant you anything. I swear it on the honor of House Windermere.”

Her clear voice rang out confidently. Kaiso watched with pride, nodding enthusiastically. Troy was the hero who had saved Ingrid, the treasure of House Windermere. If he asked for all of Kaiso’s wealth, he’d give it. If he asked for the ducal title, he’d hand it over. Whatever he desired, Kaiso would scour the ends of the earth to provide.

He leaned forward, tense, awaiting Troy’s words. After a brief hesitation, Troy spoke.

“Your father.”

“…Pardon?”

The room fell silent, as if doused with cold water. Undeterred, Troy repeated himself, louder.

“Daughter, give me your father.”

“Troy, what nonsense is this?” Kaiso sputtered.

Ingrid had only one parent—Kaiso himself. So, her “father” could only mean him. The absurd request left Kaiso flabbergasted. Surely, it was just Troy’s usual silly jest. With that thought, Kaiso forced a smile and turned to his daughter. Ingrid, too, was smiling. She nodded regally.

“I grant your request.”

“Thank you.”

Troy rose solemnly, shaking Ingrid’s hand as if sealing a deal. Kaiso, caught in the middle, could only gape, looking back and forth between them.

“Should I call you Father?” Troy asked.

“By all means, daughter,” Ingrid replied.

“Yes, Father. Take good care of my dad.”

“Leave it to me.”

Then, as if they were truly father and daughter, they shared a light embrace.

“Now, wait a minute. This isn’t that simple—” Kaiso began.

Ingrid cut him off, pushing his wheelchair right in front of Troy. Troy knelt again, reverently kissing the back of Kaiso’s hand.

“I’ll make you happy, my dear,” Troy said, beaming with an innocent smile.

Kaiso was at a loss for words.

Um, kids? My opinion? Hello?