ARTS 05

Posted by zahid, Released on May 30, 2026

CHAPTER 05 My Angel — From Father Glamis’s Perspective

This chapter is told from Father Glamis’s point of view.

When I entered my study, three former intelligence agents appeared soundlessly before me.

“Cardinal has been acting strangely. What’s going on?”

“…”

The fact that all three remained silent wasn’t because they didn’t know the answer. Even though they were former agents now, they had once been among the finest intelligence operatives in the kingdom.

“What exactly have you three been doing?”

After a long silence, Kagerou—the leader of the trio—finally spoke.

“At Lady Cardinal’s earnest request, we have been teaching her self-defense.”

“You?”

These were people who had once carried out assassinations for the Intelligence Division.

And they were teaching my precious daughter?

“What do you mean, teaching her? Why aren’t you simply protecting her yourselves?”

“Because it was Lady Cardinal’s wish.”

“And why did you agree to teach her?”

The three of them fell silent again.

I sighed.

“Cardinal ended up being frightened of me, you know.”

From behind Kagerou, Higurashi muttered quietly,

“Maybe that’s because you approached her while completely hiding your presence, sir.”

“Higurashi.”

“Yes?”

“You’ve been getting lazy lately. Why don’t you spar with me?”

“No way! I’ll die!”

Even so…

Did that mean Cardinal had actually become capable of noticing when someone concealed their presence?

My daughter truly was remarkable.

“Cardinal is… well, how is she doing?”

“She’s a genius!”

All three answered at exactly the same time.

A genius?

Was she really that talented?

“Whether it’s illusion magic, martial arts, or swordsmanship, she learns everything almost immediately.”

Illusion magic?

Wasn’t illusion magic something that required years of intense training?

I couldn’t even use it myself.

Only a handful of intelligence agents were capable of using illusion techniques.

And Cardinal had already learned them?

“Furthermore,” Kagerou continued, “Lady Cardinal realized that the three of us were former intelligence agents.”

“What?”

It seemed my little princess was no ordinary child.

“Bring Cardinal here.”

The moment I gave the order, the three disappeared.

A short while later, there was a knock at the door.

“Come in, my princess.”

The door opened, and Cardinal entered.

She gracefully lifted the hem of her skirt and gave a perfect curtsy like a proper young lady.

My adorable daughter.

I was completely captivated.

“You wished to see me, Father?”

“I’ve heard you’ve been learning quite a lot from those three.”

The moment I said that, Cardinal’s face turned pale.

“F-Father… this was all my fault. I was the one who insisted. Please don’t punish them.”

Tears began gathering in her eyes.

She wasn’t worried about herself.

She was worried about them.

“I’m not angry.”

I pulled her into a hug.

Immediately, she clung tightly to me.

Did she really care that much about those three?

I could almost feel a trace of jealousy creeping into my heart.

“Apparently you’ve learned illusion magic,” I said. “Would you show it to me?”

“Yes!”

Cardinal stepped back from my embrace and smiled brightly.

At first, I felt like I was about to watch a child’s performance at a school festival.

Then the room transformed.

Tiny points of light gathered together, sparkling like stars.

One by one, they formed the shapes of butterflies.

The butterflies fluttered gracefully into the air.

Then more appeared.

And more.

Soon, dozens of luminous butterflies filled the room, dancing through the air in a breathtaking display.

The sight was beautiful.

Mystical.

Dreamlike.

Perhaps my daughter wasn’t actually a princess.

Perhaps she was an angel.

I found myself completely enchanted by the spectacle.

“How is it, Father?”

“It’s wonderful.”

I smiled at her.

“I always thought Cardinal was my princess. But perhaps you’re actually an angel.”

“I am simply your daughter, Father!”

As she spoke, every butterfly rose toward the ceiling and vanished without a trace.

Then Cardinal rushed forward and hugged me again.

“Father, there are still many things I want to learn from those three. May I continue studying under them?”

Ah.

So it wasn’t me she needed.

It was them.

My daughter, you wound me.

“Of course you may.”

Even if I felt a little lonely, there was no way I would refuse my precious daughter.

I couldn’t risk her disliking me.

“Also, Father?”

“Yes, my angel?”

“Please don’t overwork yourself.”

“Hm?”

“You are the kingdom’s important Prime Minister, but before that, you’re my precious father.”

I blinked.

Cardinal continued eagerly.

“I want to learn how to make sweets!”

“Sweets?”

“Yes! I want to make treats that can help ease your fatigue, even if only a little.”

Her emerald eyes sparkled.

“And I want to have tea parties with you. We can talk about anything. You can tell me your worries, your complaints—whatever you like. I simply want to spend time with you.”

Then she looked up at me.

“Is that selfish?”

What…

What was this unbearably adorable creature?

This level of cuteness should be illegal.

For Cardinal’s sake, I could do anything.

I would work harder.

I would become a father she could be proud of.

As long as this child existed, I felt like I could keep going forever.

“It isn’t selfish at all.”

I stroked her hair gently.

“Cardinal, my angel. Your father will continue to do his best.”