How to Protect My Sub Male Lead Dad

The carriage my father brought was huge. He must have picked a big one on purpose to make sure I was comfortable. The interior was spacious too, with plush seats where you could stretch out both legs.

The large carriage was filled with me and Brantley’s chattering.

“The scholarship foundation was actually created to find you. We’ve helped a lot of real scholarship students, but…”
“Why did you change it to a charity foundation?”
“Just to safely bring you to the capital.”
“How much trouble are we getting into…,” Brantley asked worriedly.
“A big one,” I replied shamelessly.

Brantley narrowed his eyes, “Please don’t try to restore my status for me. It’s bothersome and troublesome.”
“That is my next goal.”
But Brantley was firm, “Besides, I’ve already distanced myself a lot from the noble aristocracy. I’m more suited to being a mercenary.”
“Everything will return to normal when we reach the capital.
“No. I’m just here to protect you, who tends to be clumsy.”
“My daughter is not clumsy.”

A voice murmured from the opposite side.

Dad looked displeased as he stared coldly at Brantley.

Brantley immediately straightened his back and assumed a rigid posture.

“I misspoke, sir.”

It was a military posture akin to standing before a high-ranking officer. Just like the twins maintained themselves before their father, the Marquis.

Dad was a commander who led troops in border areas, and Brantley was a mercenary, they resembled a boss and subordinate figure.

“Brantley.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Are you planning to enter the capital like this?”

The sudden question caught Brantley off-guard. His mind went blank and I answered for him.

“First, I’ll make him my personal guard. I’ll say I found a good scholarship student from Cran.”
Dad asked coldly, never taking his piercing gaze off Brantley, “Are you thinking of showing your face?”
“I’ll put a mask on him! I’ll say he has injuries. It’s not appropriate to reveal Brantley’s identity yet.”
“It would be much better to keep him hidden,” Dad said coldly.

Brantley was so tense that he was having a cold sweat.

‘Why is Dad so upset?’

Is it because Brantley made me wait?

But Brantley, who was unusually tense, seemed to know why.

 

***

 

Contrary to his annoyance, Dad treated Brantley quite well.

He gave him a nice room, prepared nice clothes and food for him. He even provided a nice black mask that covered his eyes and nose.

‘It seems like his pretty lips and handsome jawline stand out more when covered.’

I chuckled.

Brantley, who was standing in front of a full-length mirror, turned his head.

“As expected, I look ridiculous..”
“What do you mean?”
“It doesn’t suit me.”

Brantley said self-deprecatingly.

Today was the day I was going to visit the palace.

‘Brantley will accompany me as my personal guard.’

So Brantley wore a more formal uniform than usual.

“You don’t look bad. This outfit suits you as if it were made for you.”

It wasn’t just empty words. The uniform showed off his well-built physique. He had a figure that could make anyone swoon.

“We still have some time left. Let’s practise the greetings.”

Brantley wasn’t going as the next Duke, but he still needed to know the basics if he was going to meet the Emperor.

Brantley bowed clumsily.

It was a proper bow, but the posture resembled a child’s.

‘Did he forget all the etiquettes?’

He had a teacher assist him yesterday, but he was still lacking. As if reading my embarrassment, Brantley laughed bitterly.

“Looks like I’ve forgotten it all.”
“That’s okay, I’ll teach you everything. You’re smart, you’ll catch up quickly.’
“I don’t know about that. You can’t change a bad habit so easily.’

Brantley was mocking himself.

“I will help you.”

I took Brantley’s hands in mine in response. I could feel him stiffen. Regardless, I held him from behind and helped him adjust his posture.

“This is how you do it.”
“I got it! I got it!”

Brantley exclaimed urgently. His face flushed bright red.

I let go of Brantley and smoothed out his clothes.

“You’ll be fine.”
“….…”
“Then I’ll go downstairs, I have to get ready.”

 

***

 

“My granddaughter has become so thin..,” Grandfather cupped my cheeks in his big hands and said tearfully.

‘Me?’

I touched my cheek in surprise. It was still soft and fleshy.

“This is why I told you to not send her to Barbetz.” Grandpa glared at Dad.

His aim was to piss Dad off.

“She should’ve remained with me.”
“Too bad, she’s staying with me. You’ll never achieve your dream.”

Dad said mockingly, without batting an eye.

Grandfather smirked, “Have you forgotten that our Hanelope is becoming an assistant professor soon?”

The Emperor looked pleased at the mere thought.

And I was worried just thinking about it.

‘I’ve just graduated, how am I supposed to teach others?’

I was confident in my research, but teaching intimidated me.

“I’ve been curious since earlier, who is that guy?” Grandfather asked then. His fingertip was pointing towards Brantley, who was quietly standing behind.

Brantley was wearing a well-fitted uniform and a black mask covering his eyes and nose.

“He’s my new personal guard.”
“A new personal guard?” Grandfather’s eyes narrowed.

He was judging Brantley.

“He’s not bad. He has a military physique. Something you need at the vanguard.”

After gauging him to some extent, Grandfather’s approval was evident.

“It seems like he would be efficient in protecting Hanelope. His background and experience, Hart, you must have carefully vetted.”

Fortunately, it seemed like Grandfather was pleased with Brantley.

“What’s your name?”
“Dark Moon,” Brantley replied.

‘Dark Moon’ was the name Brantley used when he was a mercenary.

“Dark Moon?” Grandfather furrowed his brow.

Brantley nodded, “Yes. That’s my name.”

 

***

 

As I walked out with Dad and Brantley, I noticed something.

The palace servants were walking back down the corridor, carrying pots. They were carrying morning glories.

‘They were not normal, but a hybrid.’

Dad frowned at the sight, “Looks like someone did something futile again.”

‘Apparently, someone sent His Majesty morning glories that he didn’t want to receive.’

The Empire was in an uproar over the Morning Glory. Nobles and wealthy citizens were using them as a sign of wealth.

‘It fuelled their vanity.’

Even before the cultivation method was known, Morning Glory Flowers were luxurious items.

Moreover, there were now hybrids available.

The rarer the hybrid, the more it could flaunt one’s taste and wealth.

Once Dad owned all the Morning Glory Flowers in the Empire, but now, he seemed unable to understand their current obsession.

I said, “Morning glories take time to grow, so there must be a shortage in supply.”
“People are signing contracts to buy Morning Glory Flowers before they’re fully grown. And now, there are even people buying uncultivated hybrids as an investment.”
“But they haven’t even been invented yet..”
“People think those new hybrids will determine future wealth.”
“Didn’t grandfather take any steps?”
“Of course, he tried to intervene, but there was a major backlash, saying the Emperor was preventing his people from making money.”

It was absurd. But people blinded by vanity and money didn’t think straight.

‘Grandpa must be really troubled.’

I thought so.

“His Majesty asked for them to be returned?”

A loud and sharp voice came from somewhere.

A woman with black hair was holding a palace attendant carrying a Morning Glory Flower.
The attendant stuttered as he spoke, “Yes. His Majesty asked not to accept it.”
“How precious these are! They’re rare hybrids that can’t be found anywhere. Please tell His Majesty to reconsider.”
“That’s… not a good idea.”

The woman turned around at Dad’s voice.

‘Isn’t that Yenna?’

She seemed to be the one who presented the hybrid Morning Glory Flower to Grandpa.

“Prince Hart!”

A smile bloomed on Yenna’s face when she spotted Dad.

“It’s been a while. How much have I… missed you, Your Highness…?”

Yenna hesitated after finally noticing me beside Dad.

“My daughter, Hanelope, has returned to the capital to have an audience with His Majesty,” Dad said kindly but with a firm tone.

Disappointment flickered in Yenna’s eyes. But soon, she smiled brightly, as if nothing had happened.

“Oh! Hanelope! It’s been a while since you returned to the capital. Is the academy too difficult?”
Suddenly, her friendly demeanor made me uncomfortable.

In the original work, Yenna had pushed Asta into the abyss with a friendly face. Knowing that her kindness didn’t sit well with me.

I kept my thoughts to myself and nodded, erecting a wall like Dad.

“The academy was interesting. It’s a pity I can’t attend anymore after early graduation.”
“You graduated early? Then you won’t go back?”

Yenna’s voice grew louder.