How to Protect My Sub Male Lead Dad

If Brantley was not released, Hart was prepared to face the gods.

‘It’s not out of any particular fondness for Brantley but purely for Hanelope’s sake.’

But to his surprise, Grauzer nodded obediently.

“…I see. She cares for him…,” his voice was tinged with bitterness.

Yet, a faint smile spread across Grauzer’s face.

“Then I suppose I should step aside. It is enough for me that his soul has returned. I…”

Grauzer continued to speak, but Hart couldn’t hear him.

The light seeping in from the passage burst forth, engulfing Hart, Hanelope, and Brantley.

 

***

 

When I woke up again, I was lying on my fluffy bed.

“Dad?”

His face lit up as I called him. Slowly memories started to gather. I had fainted after eradicating Prache while protecting Dad and Grauzer.

“Don’t worry. We all escaped safely— even Brantley.”

Dad explained how we had managed to escape from Grauzer’s temple.

‘Everyone’s safe!’

What a relief it was! With Prache’s demise, peace returned to the world.

Grandfather uncovered Prache’s schemes and eliminated the Prache cult. Surprisingly, there was little opposition as the cult was already on the brink of collapse.

Todd, Natu, and Aite were finally freed from captivity. They blessed us before parting-

“We’re off to find new followers.”
“We’ll bless humanity once again.”
“We’ll be in touch once we’re settled!”

‘I wonder what happened to Grauzer?’

Now that the seal was lifted, Grauzer must have also regained his freedom. I was curious about why he looked at me that way, but I figured it was nothing important.

After all, the aide of the Koch family was burned leaving no opportunity for us to meet.
I was disheartened to lose Mum’s keepsake, but what Dad shared with me lifted my mood.

‘Mom has been watching over us. She’s with us… always.’

Just thinking that made my heart swell with warmth.

 

***

 

The Duke of Eisen’s conference room:

Retainers and the noble supporters of the former Duke of Eisen entered hesitantly. This familiar room had turned unknown to them.

Eventually, the main figure appeared, the young Duke himself.
He was tall and strong and carried an imposing aura despite his young age.
The nobles swallowed dryly and stared at the handsome duke.

‘Why did he summon us?

The young duke, Brantley, looked at the nervous group expressionlessly.

“I called you here today to let you know that you may oppose me if you wish.”

The unexpected words left the nobles bewildered and uncertain.

Brantley sneered coldly and continued, “But be prepared to pay the price. As a former mercenary, I don’t know how to back down when faced with hostility.”

The nobles who had insulted Brantley for his mercenary background turned pale.

“When dealing with monsters, a fight doesn’t end until I’ve cut off their lifeblood.”

The nobles who had disparaged his mercenary past turned pale in fright.

“However, for those who humbly lower their heads, I have no intention of meddling. I won’t extort money or drag them into sordid plots.”

At this, the nobles recalled the late Duke of Eisen.

He often demanded excessive donations from his retainers and abandoned his noble supporters to danger.
But the new Duke showed no mercy to those who opposed him while offering better treatment than the previous Duke to those who submitted.

‘The current Duke of Eisen has the Emperor’s trust. He is also close to Prince Hart.’

Brantley Eisen even incorporated his loyal mercenaries into the Duke’s elite guard. His personal skills in combat are already exceptional.

‘He may well become a central figure in continental politics…’

Realizing this, the nobles bowed one after another to pledge allegiance.

“We pledge our loyalty!”
“Save your loyalty for His Majesty,” Brantley responded coldly to the dignified nobles who bowed to him.

He was in the process of ‘cleaning up’ the surroundings.
Those who resisted would be made to submit, and those who did not would be eliminated without mercy.

This was all in pursuit of becoming a Duke acknowledged by everyone. So that he could, even slightly, be a fitting person for Hanelope.

After concluding the meeting, Brantley was surprised to see Hanelope waiting.

“When did you get here…? I didn’t know you were coming…”

The once cold expression softened, and his face adorned a boyish charm.

“I got bored waiting in the parlor. But Brantley I didn’t know as a Duke you’re quite fearsome~”

The words accompanying her bright smile made Brantley’s heart flinch.

Lately, he often heard murmurs that “the Duke of Eisen has changed.” But he didn’t want Hanelope to see his harsh side.

Just then, he heard the nobles leaving the conference room and hurriedly led Hanelope away.

“Why are we leaving?” Hanelope tilted her head curiously.
“Those people seem to be no match for you. Shall I greet your retainers?”
“If it were up to me, you wouldn’t even need to look at people like that,” Brantley said firmly.

Hanelope deserved to be with far better and more noble people, while he could handle those scums himself.

Brantley led Hanelope to a greenhouse. Unlike her usual greenhouse filled with herbs, this garden was brimming with magnificent flowers and trees, rare plants, and a small pond glimmering with real gemstones and pearls instead of pebbles. In the center, there was a path paved in gold, reminiscent of the most luxurious wedding aisle.

Hanelope was completely captivated. Light streamed through the glass, reflecting in her sparkling pink eyes.

“When did you create such a place? It’s so beautiful, like a fragment from a dream.”

Brantley looked at Hanelope’s smiling face as if entranced. To him, the garden wasn’t dreamlike but Hanelope herself.

When Brantley saved her from the explosion, he had fallen into a deep sleep. In that dream, Grauzer had appeared, “My fragment, your duty as a vessel is over. I will carry the god’s burden, so live out your days as a human, and pursue the love I could never fulfill.”

When Brantley woke up, his distant memories from when he had encountered Grauzer had faded. Yet his feelings for Hanelope had only become clearer.

Brantley loved Hanelope.

“This garden is a gift for you. I want to be with yo— Ha- Hanelope!”

Just as Brantley began to express his feelings, Hanelope hopped along the golden path like an excited rabbit.

“Come on, Brantley! Let’s take a walk together!”

Hanelope pulled his hand with a smile. As they strolled, pink flower petals fluttered around. In reality, Brantley arranged this to create a romantic atmosphere to confess his feelings.

He sighed, noticing his plan crumbling, but seeing Hanelope’s radiant smile, he couldn’t help but smile back. A petal landed gently on her rosy cheek.

“Hold on, Hanelope.”

Brantley brushed the petal from her cheek. He realized her face seemed unusually flushed and her expression was as sweet as a peach. Then suddenly, her soft lips touched his cheek and withdrew.

The late realization of what had transpired left Brantley’s face burning. Hanelope had kissed him.

She whispered shyly, “Thank you for the garden, Brantley. But I want something else as a gift.”
“!”
“When I nearly lost you, I realized my feelings. I like you, Brantley. Very much so.”

Brantley could hardly believe what he just heard. His heart felt like it might burst. Tears of joy gathered in his eyes as he pulled Hanelope into his arms.

“I’ve liked you since the moment we first met. You’re the one I’ve had in my eyes for a long time.”

Hanelope hugged him back, and the feeling of her delicate hands on his back made his heart race. Brantley whispered desperately as if the person in his arms were his life.

“Please, let me love you forever. Tell me I can stay by your side.”
“What if I don’t?”
“Then I’ll still love you. I’ll never let go.”

Brantley held her tightly.

“Well then, I guess it doesn’t matter whether I allow it or not?”
“Still, I want to hear from you.”
“Alright. I will allow it.”

Hanelope laughed, her clear voice filling the air. But her laughter was soon swallowed between Brantley’s lips.

 

***

 

His lips felt so hot.
Hanelope’s whole body was feverish, and her vision seemed to blur.

“Brantley, stop…”

I pushed Brantley away slightly. But he only hugged me tighter. His touch, always so careful, was insistent today.
His whirlpool-like gaze was making me lose my mind.

He whispered in my ear, “Hanelope, I…”

Just then someone knocked on the greenhouse door.

Brantley’s face turned sour. I felt he would tear apart the person behind the door.

“Your Grace, I have urgent news for Princess Hanelope!”

It was the butler who knocked on the door. Brantley obediently withdrew hearing he brought news for me.
The butler bowed, “My apologies, Your Highness. His Majesty the Emperor has just announced his intention to crown Prince Hart as Crown Prince!”
“What?”

I doubted my ears.

‘Grandfather is going to crown my father as crown prince?’

Suddenly, I remembered what my grandfather had said not long ago, “Thanks to Hart and Hanelope, we have solved the chaos caused by the Great Temple, and most importantly, you have saved my beloved granddaughter.”
“Hanelope is ‘my daughter,’ so of course, I had to save her.”
“Regardless, I will soon grant Hart a great reward.”

That reward turned out to be the title of Crown Prince!

“They will soon come to escort you to the palace, Your Highness.”

Hanelope was overwhelmed by the news and Brantley was supporting her shoulders.

“Hanelope, I’ll help. Let’s get you ready for the palace.”

As he stepped back, she wondered if Brantley was distancing himself, knowing that her status would now rise along with her father’s. How can he act like this after I confessed!?

Hanelope firmly held his hand and pulled him close. “Let’s enter the palace together.”

Brantley, seeing her unwavering eyes, broke into a wide smile.

“I swore I wouldn’t leave your side, after all.”
Then he murmured, so only she could hear, “I’ll stay by you so persistently that you’ll doubt if you made the right choice.”
“I don’t think I’ll regret it.”

Brantley answered by taking his hand in hers. There was an affection bordering on obsession in his strong grip.

‘Dad was going to be crowned as the Crown Prince.’

That would bring countless changes and many new surprises.

But Hanelope no longer feared what lay ahead. Her heart fluttered with excitement, knowing she would face it all with those she loved by her side.

 

 

– 𝐸𝓃𝒹 𝑜𝒻 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝑀𝒶𝒾𝓃 𝒮𝓉𝑜𝓇𝓎 –

 

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TL/N:
I decided to upload the last four chapters at once cause who loves cliffhangers? And of course, as you see, they are not walled.
Jokes aside this has been a long journey. A very big thanks to you all who accompanied me throughout. I love you!

But wait! This isn’t the end. We still have 6 side stories to go!

So I’m putting off my speech till then. See you in the side stories with more Hanelope crumbs ❤️