I'll Protect the Tyrant Daddy! (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 4

Two maids entered the bathhouse to draw Cien’s bathwater.

Drip, drop.

As one began cracking her neck joints, the other started loosening her waist and shoulder joints.

“Whew, let’s draw the bath while stretching.”

“Not a bad idea.”

Their exposed arm muscles resembled those of a horse.

Cien didn’t know it yet, but the two maids of the North Spire were called the Spire’s Cerberus.

Though they’d been banished to this remote post—Matthias’s North Spire—for resisting the injustice within the mansion that oppressed the maids, their strength was formidable.

Gurgle-gurgle—.

At last, warm bathwater for Cien was being drawn.

Just as they were handling everything quite professionally, one maid spoke up.

“Hey, don’t my muscles look a bit bigger?”

“Oh, I’m drooling from my mouth.”

“Tears, snot, drool—watch out for all of it. You’ll lose muscle mass.”

Though their young mistress had appeared, their only concern was muscle. A frail master who seemed like she’d shatter at the slightest touch simply couldn’t hold their interest. Becoming strong and powerful was their life’s ultimate goal.

“Hmm, you’ve got to do about five hundred lifts to really call yourself a maid.”

“Have you seen the magazine ‘Health Beauty’? They had a special feature on pine resin powder this issue.”

“Oh? Really?”

The maids simultaneously let out a sigh as if the ground had caved in beneath them.

And with a final trickle, the moment the bathwater finished filling, one maid whispered listlessly,

“I really wish I could get my hands on some protein.”

Protein—the magical powder that made muscles bulge.

With it, they felt they could sell even their souls. Of course, for mere spire maids, obtaining protein was an utterly distant dream.

They both sighed again and rose to their feet.

Enough talk of muscles—it was time to attend to their little mistress.

[This is the timeline separator]

The maids quickly returned with the bath prepared.

I was already ready to win them over, so I grinned with tiny rabbit-like teeth showing.

“What is it?”

“Noothing.”

Hearing their blunt voices, I chuckled inwardly.

The pine resin powder they possessed was rumored to be a substitute for the magical muscle supplement—protein.

‘Besides, I overheard them in the bath—they want protein!’

They wanted protein.

Protein was practically a steroid without side effects—an absurdly effective substance for building muscle.

Unfortunately, protein was extremely expensive, and the fruit used as its raw material was hard to obtain. The maids of the underpaid North Spire had surely never even touched protein powder.

‘I don’t have protein either, but I do have palm fruit.’

Palm fruit—the raw ingredient for protein powder.

Grinding and eating palm fruit produced effects nearly identical to protein. By now, the price of palm fruit must have skyrocketed—

‘But Father planted lots of palm trees in our front yard for me to eat!’

Fortunately, Father had planted palm trees before their price rose. Because I was sickly and constantly unwell, he’d bought every health supplement imaginable, learned about the benefits of palm fruit, and then put his farming talent to use.

I beamed, rolling my eyes around gleefully.

‘I was worried how to charm these muscle-loving maids, but I’ve found the answer!’

An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.

Muscle for muscle!

I was certain protein was the perfect bait to win over the maids.

“I’ll help you change your clothes right away.”

“…Wait!”

With arms outstretched, I looked up at the maid who was about to help me change.

The maid flinched under my star-like, sparkling gaze.

“Yes?”

“Your muscles… they’re cool, right?”

“…Ah, thank you.”

A proud smile flickered at the corner of her mouth for one second before vanishing.

“But hey, in my old village, there was stuff for making muscles!”

“Is that so? Muscles grow from exercise, after all. I suppose you had exercise equipment there.”

Her tone was still reserved and dry.

Watching them fetch the clothes hanger, I lowered my arms and said lightly,

“No, no—it’s like medicine. Powder!”

“Powder…?”

“Yeah. It’s palm fruit powder—have you heard of it?”

I smiled sweetly as I looked at the maid.

The two maids exchanged glances, their pupils blinking rapidly.

One maid’s hand, gripping the hanger, began to tremble slightly.

‘Could it be… they’re hooked?’

My tiny heart pounded.

[This is the timeline separator]

It was just then that Matthias—the father of Cien and the Duke’s firstborn son—returned to the North Spire after receiving instructions regarding his heir’s education.

From afar, the spire resembled a crown of thorns.

Thinking that Cien was inside that tower, a moonlit smile appeared on his otherwise indifferent face.

‘The conditions here aren’t suitable for Cien. I should finish things quickly and move her.’

As he passed through the spire’s door and entered the large room where Cien stayed, he witnessed a strange scene.

‘Wait, what’s going on?’

Matthias halted just before stepping into the spire’s large room, where Cien and the maids were.

‘What are those maids doing to Cien?’

Inside the room, the maids were clutching Cien’s soft, bun-like hands as if they were talismans.

They looked ecstatic. Puzzled, Matthias clenched and unclenched his fist.

‘They’re not assassins. It’s unlikely any assassin has infiltrated already—they’d all be watching from the shadows.’

He concealed his presence and quietly hid himself in the darkness.

Unaware of Matthias’s arrival, the two maids and Cien continued chatting excitedly.

Cien was clearly the most excited. Peering through a slightly ajar door crack, she called out solemnly,

“Now, repeat after me!”

“What—what should we repeat?”

Hearing the innocent, guileless voice, Matthias narrowed his eyes firmly.

Most maids in the North Spire were former knights.

They were focused solely on physical labor—meaning they were quite pure-hearted.

And those pure eyes… were ones Matthias knew all too well.

‘Right—eyes enchanted by Cien.’

But he hadn’t expected the maids to already be utterly charmed by her.

Was there some secret he didn’t know?

Holding his breath, Matthias quietly observed Cien and the two maids. Cien puffed out her chest and led the chant,

“Lady Cien is meaty!”

“M-meaty?”

One maid blinked several times, tilting her head in confusion. Cien let out a deep sigh.

“Meaty—no, no—noble!”

The other maid beside her clapped once and shouted,

“Lady Cien is noble!”

The other maid blinked rapidly and echoed,

“Lady Cien is noble!”

Cien beamed like a cheerful little demon, making a flower cup with her hands. The maids sitting beside her grinned broadly.

‘Even the maids have already taken Cien’s side. They must recognize how adorable she is with those big eyes.’

Just as Matthias was calculating when to enter the room,

“Okay! Then I’ll tell you where palm fruit grows!”

Palm fruit? Hearing those puzzling words, he paused mid-step. That fruit was what he’d fed Cien daily for her health. And—

“Clever girl, Cien.”

Having pieced together the whole situation, he decided to step inside.

He’d been about to enter immediately—until he saw Cien’s round eyes sparkling brightly and hesitated.

“Really?”

“Thank you, Lady Cien!”

“Yeah. But you have to play with me in return.”

“O-of course!”

The maids nodded at Cien as if entranced.

Had she already found playmates?

It seemed Cien was adapting to this mansion in her own ordinary, endearing way.

Indeed, his daughter was unbearably lovable. Matthias chuckled softly and finally stepped into the room.

“Cien.”

He strode over and gently stroked Cien’s round forehead.

Cien’s perfectly round forehead—untouchable by anyone else.

None of the maids who praised Cien as noble could ever lay a hand on her.

Feeling a flicker of pride in an instant, he bowed his head toward Cien and asked,

“Cien, you’ve gotten close with the maid sisters, haven’t you?”

“Ung.”

He spoke firmly.

“Still, shall you sleep with Father tonight?”

“Uhn! Every single day!”

Matthias smiled contentedly.

From the small body that nestled snugly into his arms came the warm, soft scent of a five-year-old child.

She was his beloved daughter—whom he would forever protect and guide to the most beautiful place in the world.

The Muscular Maids watched this father-daughter scene with jaws practically on the floor.

Matthias the nobleman had such a side to him?!

They must have died and gone straight to hell.

Matthias shot the maids a cold glance—

a clear warning to keep his true nature secret.

[This is the timeline separator]

Meanwhile, nestled in Father’s arms, I giggled quietly.

‘They’re so innocent!’

My plan to win over the maids was a huge success.

I’d been lucky.

The tiny village where Father and I lived was brimming with palm fruits—the very ingredient for protein powder.

Since our own yard was full of palm fruits too, that said it all.

‘After I described what palm fruits looked like, their eyes all sparkled brightly.’

When I promised to give them some bit by bit, they immediately grabbed my hands and hugged me tightly.

After all, in human relationships, push and pull was essential.

‘I really should think more about what schemes this villainous family is plotting and what kind of children those young masters are—but I’m so sleepy in Father’s arms.’

The penalty I’d received from the gods for being reborn with memories of my past life surfaced in my fading consciousness.

‘Humans with extraordinary past-life memories are threats to the world—it’s only natural I’d be penalized.’

I had a smaller frame than other babies, an underdeveloped body, and occasional mental lapses that made me genuinely act like a real infant.

There was nothing to be done about it.

I curled up like a tiny golden hamster and murmured softly,

“Father, do you have palm fruits?”

“Yeah. You need some, huh?”

“Ung.”

“I’ll bring them right away once Cien falls asleep.”

Father spoke with pure sincerity. I beamed and whispered toward him,

“Yes! Put them in your pocket. Then Cien will sleep, okay, Daddy?”

I let out a small yawn and buried my face in Father’s chest. It smelled sweet—the familiar scent Father always carried.

Such a kind father, like a simple country farmer.

Such a wonderful father, whispering lullabies into my ears every day.

That someone so kind and pure was actually the demon-like Duke’s son of the Mirmod family… I nearly teared up, imagining how hard Father must have struggled while living among the Mirmods.

“Mm. Sleep well.”

“Father, what will you do tomorrow?”

“Just….”

Listening to Father’s soft whisper as my lullaby, I squeezed my eyes shut.

“Sweet dreams, Cien.”

That night, I truly had a wonderful dream.

In it was Father’s birthday from a few months ago.

When I’d picked a tiny wildflower and handed it to him, Father had smiled brightly and carried that flower with him everywhere.

‘Because it’s a gift from our Cien—I’ll cherish it dearly.’

He kept that wildflower tucked close until it crumbled into dry dust, long after his birthday had passed. I even remembered him proudly telling the villagers it was a gift from his daughter.

It was a loving, warm family life I could never have imagined before my reincarnation.

Even in my dream, I thought:

I would do anything to protect Father—the one and only family I had, the most precious person in the world.

[This is the timeline separator]

The next day, the effect of the palm fruits Father brought was incredible.

“After eating palm fruit powder, I woke up at four in the morning and washed bedding for five hours—yet I still feel light as air!”

“I did about a hundred pull-ups this morning. I’m finally starting to feel the power flowing through me.”

I gaped like a fish, unsure what to say.

‘Are those sisters monsters or what?’

Scary! I must never underestimate them. The thought flashed rapidly through my mind.

I quickly opened my mouth and muttered,

“It’s time to gather intel.”

“Hey, what about the kids who receive lessons with me? Are they… nice?”

If they’re bad, I’ll have to reform them into good kids. I gave the maid sisters a sly inward smile.

At my probing question, the maids—who already had their pockets stuffed with bribes of palm fruit—hesitated.

“N… nice, you say?”

“Yeah!”

As if they’d just heard a question they absolutely shouldn’t answer.

“Why won’t you talk?”

I urged them impatiently.

Now prisoners of the palm fruit, the maids rolled their eyes around before replying in a surprisingly honest tone,

“Hmm… how should I put it… There’s someone who always wears a mask and rarely speaks—it might be a bit difficult to become friends with them.”

The maid sisters seemed reluctant to say any names. I tilted my head in confusion.

‘Was there mention in the original story “The Life of Melodia” of a masked noble?’

“Why? I’ll talk to them if I want!”

“It’s just… they’re not easy to approach….”

“Why?”

“…Hmm.”

“Well, it’s just….”

Seeing the two maids exchange wary glances, I blinked and tilted my head again.

What could possibly be wrong with the child who’s supposed to study with me?

[This is the timeline separator]

Starting today, I was to enter the mansion for lessons.

I calmed my slightly trembling heart, put on my colorful ceremonial outfit, and stepped outside.

To avoid getting lost, I firmly held the hands of my maid sisters in both of my honey-bun-like hands as we set off!

“All matters concerning bloodline education are reported directly to the Duchess—you must do your best!”

“You certainly will, Lady Cien!”

The maid sisters had begun trusting me in a rather odd way.

All thanks to the palm fruits! I nodded proudly with a satisfied smile.

Instead of riding in a carriage, I walked diligently while breathing in the morning air—and finally, the mansion’s garden came into view.

“Once we pass through this garden, you’ll arrive right at your classroom.”

“Oh, really? The garden is so pretty!”

“Would you like to take a stroll? We still have a bit of time.”

“Yeah! Let’s go to the garden!”

The weather was lovely—no need to rush straight into lessons.

The sun was warm, and the breeze pleasantly cool.

Before me stretched a delightful afternoon, with green leaves rustling gently.

Holding the hands of both maids, I entered the mansion’s garden—and witnessed a slightly odd scene.

‘Why are there so many children in the garden? They look about ten years old—roughly five or six years older than me.’

All of them were young nobles and noblewomen dressed in fine clothes—about five in total.

The Duke’s household maids and attendants merely watched them from a distance.

I stared at them curiously, but the Muscular Maids were too busy admiring their own arms and tending to me to offer any explanation.

So I took the initiative and spoke first.

“Who are those kids?”

“Oh, they must be the young misses and masters of allied noble families. They often come to the mansion for tours.”

“Oh.”

I’d always adored sweet, cute babies. Back in our village, I rarely got to see such children. But still…!

‘If I get tangled up with those kids for no reason, something bad might happen to Father.’

After all, noble children of the Mirmod family were surely utterly wicked.

So I suppressed my curiosity and decided to simply walk past.

The Muscular Maid Sisters watched me—taking careful, tiny steps—with evident pride. Clutching my neatly dressed clothes, I happily began strolling through the grass.

Walking slowly, step by step, across the lawn…

I suddenly froze upon hearing strange whispers drifting to my ears.

“Isn’t she the famous one—have you heard?”

“She’s not as pretty as Uriel.”

“Well, she is descended from that infamous villainess, after all.”