I Adopted a Villainous Dad Vol. 5 (novel): I Adopted a Villainous Dad, #5

By Yunsul

A past life. A secret unearthed. A grand conspiracy uncovered.  

 

Amelia's biological parents reappeared. At first, Miltiades refused to allow them near, which led the people of Rahel to cast him as a vicious villain. Upon further reflection, and with Amelia's best interests at heart, said villain allows the envoys' entry.

 

Once again, Amelia finds herself caught up in a scheme orchestrated by the Holy Empire of Vios, with her biological parents and a false saintess as the central players. In the midst of it all, Miltiades's health starts to deteriorate and his energy becomes distorted, leading to his collapse. His life is in danger, and Amelia is the only one who can save him.

 

In her quest for a cure, Amelia unearths long-buried secrets about her and her fellow saintesses' past, all while uncovering a vast conspiracy to awaken a being of immense power known only as the "Great One." With the world in peril, will she manage to save everyone she holds dear, or will she be forced to make painful sacrifices?

 

For the sake of their favorite characters, true fans may not be prepared to sacrifice everything after all.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Astral Rabbit
• Release date: May 15, 2023
• ISBN: 9781954707979

Book preview

I Adopted a Villainous Dad

I ADOPTED A VILLAINOUS DAD

VOLUME 5

YUNSUL

TRANSLATED BY

ASTRAL RABBIT PUBLISHING

Astral Rabbit Publishing

Yunsul © I Adopted A Villainous Dad, Volume 5

Copyright © Shinyoung Media Services, Inc., 2023

English translation copyright © Astral Rabbit Publishing, Inc.

Translator: Chloe C. | Editor: Emely Charlotte Castro

Published by Astral Rabbit Publishing, 2023

All Rights Reserved.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.

English translation rights arranged with Shinyoung Media Services, Inc. First published in the Republic of Korea by Shinyoung Media Services, Inc.

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without writ permission from the copyright holders, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

Astral Rabbit, Inc. supports the right to free expression and the value of copyright. The purpose of copyright is to encourage writers and artists to produce the creative works that enrich our culture.

ISBN 978-1-954707-97-9 (digital)

CONTENTS

Act 22: Not-So-Pleasant Encounters

Act 23: The Moon Swallows the Sun

Act 24: The Holy One

Act 25: Twisted Time

Act 26: A Fairy Tale Waiting for Salvation

Publisher’s Note

About the Publisher

Notes

ACT 22: NOT-SO-PLEASANT ENCOUNTERS

For a moment, the flow of my thoughts seemed to stop. Has my dad permitted the entry of envoys from the Holy Empire of Vios?

In this situation, I could only react in one way. Daddy… are you crazy?

Miltiades, the man who used to loathe the Holy Empire, had allowed them to enter?

Are you not my dad? Where is the real one?

I’m your real dad.

That can’t be true. Where did my dad go?

Calm down, Amel.

Was the person in front of me truly Miltiades? If he wasn’t crazy, how could such a thing be possible? Unable to believe it, I put my hand on my dad’s forehead.

There’s no fever, I noted. Daddy, you are sick, aren’t you?

I’m okay.

No, I think you’re sick. Specifically, in your head, I said, looking at him suspiciously.

When I tried to tell him he needed to see a doctor immediately, Miltiades looked into my eyes and held my gaze. It felt weird the moment our eyes met. With a look I had never seen before, my dad said, I heard the envoys have brought along your biological parents.

I frowned silently, an ominous feeling creeping over me.

You should meet them, he said.

My lips parted, and my mind went blank. I couldn’t believe it. What was happening? Was I dreaming? What did my dad just say? Did he just ask me to meet them? Did he truly mean it?

Daddy, I finally said, I think I didn’t hear you properly. Can you say it again?

I heard your biological parents are here. You should meet them. I fell silent, causing him to ask, My daughter?

Why was he saying this to me? Even if I tried to not let myself feel hurt, it was painful; it felt like my dad was trying to push me away.

My parents being here was a lie, wasn’t it? However, if what he said was true, did he really want me to meet them?

It hurts, as if someone was scratching at my heart. Not even understanding my feelings, he encouraged me with his amazing low voice, It wouldn’t be a bad idea to meet them once. When else would you get a chance like this…

But… You don’t even know if they’re my real parents.

Since they’re claiming to be your biological parents, meeting them wouldn’t—

I suddenly felt like crying. I don’t want to!

And then, I was the first to leave.

Miltiades tried to run after Amelia; he felt he shouldn’t let her go like this, so he followed her. But suddenly, his heart began pounding violently. His body twitched, and then began to shake. The condition of his body had deteriorated over the past few days, preventing him from catching up to her.

Someone approached him silently and supported his body.

Amel… Miltiades said as he looked at Kais. In this situation, he was convinced that Amel shouldn’t be left alone. Follow Amel.

I’ll follow your command.

If it’s this guy, I probably won’t have to worry. However, there was a weird pressure in Miltiades’s chest as he watched Kais walk away without any hesitation, and it bothered him.

Are you alright, Your Majesty?

Arianne…

Arianne helped Miltiades get up. As she sat him on a chair, she informed him that she would summon a doctor of the imperial palace, but once again, Miltiades stopped her. It’s not something a doctor could fix.

Arianne quietly stared at Miltiades before saying, This time, Your Majesty was wrong.

I know.

Miltiades looked down at his body and noted how quickly it had deteriorated, as if someone was aiming for it. With his condition having reached this point, he couldn’t help thinking about the future.

Even though Amel seemed happy, Miltiades knew she was still lonely. She was fine whenever she felt confident, but every time that confidence vanished, she tended to be dejected. So, he couldn't leave her alone.

Your Majesty shouldn’t have said it so forcefully. Don’t you know Her Highness’s personality better than anyone else?

I know. But if I hadn’t said it that way, she wouldn’t have even considered meeting her biological parents. Miltiades knew Amelia better than anyone. Arianne remained silent as he continued, But I didn’t expect her to hate the idea of meeting them so much.

Amelia always got through this kind of thing without a problem, so he had thought she would do the same this time. Miltiades blamed himself for not understanding Amelia, feeling miserable as a consequence. How could he not feel that way?

Arianne calmly said, The opponent is the Holy Empire. Did Your Majesty not think that they might not be her biological parents?

"But what if they are her real parents?"

Miltiades didn’t know much about lineage. He didn’t even understand what ‘blood is thicker than water’ meant. If Amelia hadn’t been part of his life, he would have lived it ignoring his own kin.

Paradoxically enough, what he did know was how much people valued their lineage and kinship. Furthermore, ignoring her biological parents was…

Miltiades remembered the sadness in his mother's eyes as she looked at him. At the time, he didn’t know she was his mother, and only thought of her as a friendly person.

If they’re her parents, then she will feel at fault.

Miltiades didn’t want Amelia to repeat a tragedy.

Daddy doesn’t know anything. He’s stupid.

The Holy Empire was desperate to take me with them, and he was just planning to send me there?

After running wildly, I arrived at the greenhouse garden. Popo saw me and greeted me warmly, Popo!

Go away, I don’t feel like playing with you right now.

Popo… Popo felt sad at my words.

Crectaus, Gon, Levi, and the wolf were about to approach me as well, but they quickly backed away after noticing my anger. I watched them leave the greenhouse garden as they chatted with each other, but since I wasn’t in the mood, I let them go.

Amel. I hadn’t realized that Kais was following me. I tried to avoid him because I didn’t feel like seeing his face, but it was futile.

Popo! Popo bravely stepped forward to defeat Kais, but the fluffy, glutinous rice cake-like ball was no match for him.

Are you on my dad’s side, too? Kais looked at me in disagreement. Just seeing his expression made me feel a little better. I continued, How could he do this to me when I was bringing him important information? I don’t understand.

Kais remained silent as I went on, How could he tell me to meet them as soon as he heard that my biological parents have shown up? What if I left with my parents? Is he that confident I won’t do it?

Moreover, in all this time, I found cute the fact that he was so confident. I just couldn't hate him.

Kais, what happened? Why aren’t you saying anything?

Kais thought I was going to kick him out, but instead, I poked his cheek and grumbled, causing him to look at me as if he couldn’t understand me.

I was simply envious of the emperor.

All of a sudden?

Yes. He looked at me calmly. He didn't say much, but the intensity of his gaze was enough to tell me how jealous he was.

Perhaps because of his sad eyes, my mood improved a little. My heart beat faster when I was near Kais, and the whooshing sound of it made me feel better.

Kais, do you also think that I should meet them just because they’re my biological parents?

I had said it as a complaint, but when I saw Kais contemplate it seriously, my grumpy mood improved.

The choice is yours, he said.

You’re talking like it’s really all up to me.

But… I think it would be good to see them at least once.

His love toward his younger brother echoed in his words. Oddly enough, I would have been upset if someone else asked me to meet them, but since Kais was the one who said it, I didn’t feel this way.

Hey, did my dad tell you to say that?

If you don’t like the emperor, I can kill him right now.

You’re going too far. I held onto him as he moved to get up, and let out a sigh of relief.

I didn’t have any intention of seeing them. The reason I decided to see them secretly was that I didn’t want a proper meeting. There was no such thing as a biological parent for Priscilla, after all. But now there was a possibility that my real parents were out there, so even though I was still reluctant, I nodded.

The meeting involved three parties: Miltiades, my biological parents, and me.

I had requested a meeting with no one else but the four of us, hoping that the Holy Empire would disagree, but when they unexpectedly accepted it, my mood went down. I wondered what they were plotting.

I arrogantly sat next to Miltiades with my arms crossed. Soon, a couple entered the room, and stopped in surprise when they saw me.

My mood plummeted when I saw tears in the eyes of the woman who was supposed to be my mother, as if she was thrilled to meet me.

It’s okay, honey.

Honey, our Lumia…

Yeah, I see it, too, the self-proclaimed biological father said emotionally.

The two politely greeted, Glory to Rahel’s light.

I looked at the couple sardonically, who behaved according to the proper etiquette of the Northern Empire, seeming like they had practiced their scripts. I would have pointed out any flaws right away, but they were greeting us properly.

My eyes met the person who claimed to be my birth mother, and she burst into tears. Oh, our Lumia has grown so well…

Sorry. My wife is so emotional right now.

It was interesting how the people who claimed to be my biological parents seemed to get along so well. If they were so close, then why did they abandon Priscilla right after giving birth to her? Why had she been dumped on a street and eventually ended up in Cavera?

There was one thing I knew about Priscilla’s past: she was orphaned as soon as she was born, and ended up in the world’s worst slum, Cavera, where she was raised by a prostitute. Then, because of the plague that swept the area, she was sold merely for one dose of medicine…

Priscilla had been lucky that a bandit attacked the merchant who bought her. She survived, awakening her powers as the saintess during the crisis.

There wasn’t a single line about her biological parents at this point in the novel. As a result, I was unable to look at them pleasantly. Where were they when Priscilla was suffering? If they truly were her parents, they would have shown up to find Priscilla in the novel.

The novel didn’t mention her ‘real parents’ until Priscilla was facing death. So obviously, I didn’t regard them nicely.

Greetings. I am Paul, and this is my wife, Linda.

I observed them closely as they introduced themselves. The clothes were nothing compared to the garbs worn by the nobles or the imperial family, but I could still tell they were of good quality.

Their posture was erect, and there were no calluses on their hands. Their skin seemed soft, with few traces of sunburn. I supposed they made enough for a living to not have to resort to physical work.

There was one thing surprisingly annoying: I looked like the woman claiming to be my mother. However, my features didn’t match the man who was supposed to be my biological father, and that seemed to have surprised Miltiades as well.

Lumia… The woman reached out to me.

The moment our eyes met, I pushed the woman’s hand away.

Thankfully, Luciana did a good job at rebuffing her. Please, be careful not to be rude to the crown princess.

Oh, yes. Of course. Linda looked at me and smiled reassuringly, as if telling me that she was alright.

I didn’t know why, but it made me uncomfortable. Why was she acting like my mother when she had barely even seen me? I was sure that these two couldn’t have been my parents. There was no way it was possible.

Amel, my dad said in a low voice, hinting that I needed to meet them properly.

I stopped frowning; it seemed Miltiades had noticed my obstinate attitude. I was already there to meet them, so I decided to stop being stubborn after being warned by him. When he spoke, I couldn’t help but listen to his words, since I loved him so much more. The one who liked the other more was always weak.

Then, to begin with, I want to know how you lost me. I had no intention of being respectful, so I spoke roughly.

The couple claiming to be my birth parents exchanged a look at that. The man who was supposed to be my real father said, Your Highness has been special since you were a baby; you knew how to use divine power. I lost Your Highness when I was trying to take you to a temple.

I don't even know how long I searched for Your Highness. I looked everywhere, but I never thought you would be in a place like this, he continued.

It seemed plausible, but I knew it was nonsense; Priscilla had been an ordinary child who didn’t know anything about divine power until her awakening.

Since I lost you, crown princess, when you were so little, I don’t know much about you, said the woman called Linda. I don’t even know how to prove that we’re your parents.

I froze when I heard their genuine confession. Miltiades’s reaction was the same.

We just wanted to do what we couldn’t do, even if it’s late.

If it’s all right with Your Majesty, can we stay with the crown princess for the time being?

What kind of rubbish was that? I was at a loss for words after hearing the ridiculous suggestion.

Then, the woman added, If you leave her to us, we will raise the crown princess well. Please, Your Majesty.

The couple knelt as they made their request, causing me to become even more puzzled. Were they planning to take me now? Of course, this was nonsense. Daddy was going to say no. I thought he would, but then I turned around, and found him actually considering it.

No way. He wasn’t going to allow them to take me, right? He couldn't agree to such a request. I was in denial, and desperately waited for his response.

And then he said, Then, for a few days…

Something inside me broke.

Bang! I got up from my seat, causing Miltiades and my so-called biological parents to focus on me. It didn’t matter to me whether they were my real parents.

I turned and glared at my dad with all my might. My eyes met his, but when I saw that he didn’t understand why I was reacting like this, the pain in my heart only worsened. In the end, I left the room.

Your Highness! Your Highness!

My unexpected action astonished everyone, including Luciana, but it made no difference. Whoever was following me didn't matter to me. I hurried to my palace and shut the bedroom door as soon as I got there.

No one can come in! I exclaimed as I locked the door.

The princess’s palace was in disarray. The lovely crown princess had suddenly locked herself inside her bedroom.

By the time Miltiades arrived, it was too late.

Amel.

Miltiades received no answer.

Cutie, he called again.

There was only silence on the other end.

My dear daughter.

He stood in front of the door and desperately called Amelia for several hours, but the door showed no signs of opening. Unable to wait any longer, Miltiades even tried to break down the door.

But then a sharp voice rang out, If you break that door down and come in, I will never see your face again, Daddy!

Miltiades had no choice but to slowly back away. In the end, he could do nothing but stand in front of her room as the night set in.

Your Majesty… Callian, aware of his emperor’s physical condition, called him uneasily.

But Miltiades only stepped away from Amelia’s room when he could no longer feel her presence. He couldn’t forget the look on Amelia’s face earlier. It was the first time he had seen Amel look so hurt.

I just thought she would be okay staying with them if they’re her biological parents, he thought.

Perhaps, because there was something wrong with his body, he was no longer at his best. No—Miltiades realized he was trying to deceive himself. Worse than that, his heart was weak; he had thought that her real parents could treat her better than the adopted one.

He never revealed his agony, but Miltiades always thought this unconsciously, Am I truly okay as a father?

Maybe that’s why he was more at peace with this situation.

I’m being punished.

This all happened because he caused it.

Later, a commotion took place in the princess’s palace.

Your Highness, I’m Mia! Please, let me in.

It’s Lana! Sarah is by my side!

That’s right, His Majesty is not here!

The three maids who were supposed to stay by Amelia’s side from morning to evening didn’t know what to do in the face of the tightly shut door.

Saintess. It’s me, Luciana. When she received no answer, Luciana continued, You aren’t going to open the door for me either?

There was a small rustle, and then a note slid through the crack between the door and the floor.

Luciana, you are on Dad’s side, too. I hate you.

Luciana’s expression turned unhappy upon seeing the note. She said, I’m not on His Majesty’s side.

Another note appeared.

I don’t believe it. All adults are the same.

Luciana let out a deep sigh as she dealt with an extremely upset Amelia. Margaret and the other maids urged her to say something.

After thinking deeply about it, Luciana suggested, Saintess, you still have to eat.

There was a bathroom connected to the bedroom, so Amelia could easily wash up if she wanted to, but she wouldn’t be able to eat unless she came out.

Then, hand it through the window.

Through the window? The maids looked at each other; Amelia’s room was on the second floor.

Oh, I know a way! Mia creatively used the tool she used to wipe the windows with, and put the meal in front of Amelia’s bedroom window.

Amelia opened the window and grabbed the tray before retreating.

Yay! The servants of the princess’s palace became happy upon the successful delivery.

And then, it was the same situation all over again.

Your Highness, you won’t see us either?

Your Highness! Please forgive me!

Your Highness!

The maids did everything they could to alleviate Amelia’s mood as much as possible.

How about bringing Popo and Gon? Her Highness likes their cuteness.

Popo and Gon were sent away before they could even enter the room. Popo found it very unfair, but the maids comforted him and sent it back to the tiger’s arms.

Master, I have something to report to you! Achillios arrived, but he, too, was rejected.

Achillios and Helene then received a message telling them to only contact her through the magic orb, so they left quietly.

Harel was summoned in a hurry. He was everyone’s last hope, but…

I’m sorry. Miss Angel doesn’t want to see me right now either. Harel shook his head as he waved the note.

Theodore and Arianne faced a similar result.

To appease Amelia, the maids made macarons for snacks for every meal, sang in front of the door, and tried every other method, but nothing worked.

Only His Majesty can get this door to open!

But even Miltiades couldn’t get the door to open. He came by every day to visit her, and called for Amelia as he stood in front of the door for hours, but she refused to open it.

Three days later, Kais found himself looking at a note which Gon had flown over and dropped all of a sudden.

1 a.m. By the window on the second floor.’

It wasn’t signed, and there was no explanation, but Kais immediately recognized the handwriting and realized who had sent it, so he headed to Amelia’s bedroom window in the middle of the night.

He entered through the open window, and a weeping Amelia turned to Kais.

…Amel? Kais called out as he stiffened.

Amelia stepped forward, and then said, You told me I should only cry in front of you.

The tears welling up in Amelia’s large eyes made Kais’s heart pound.

Kais couldn’t say anything as Amelia sniffled. He was the one who told her to cry only in front of him, but Kais wanted to kill his former self for saying so.

Why did I say that? Watching Amelia cry was more painful than walking around naked in the forbidden area. It was torturous.

Amelia sobbed. Her face was pale; it shined brightly under the moonlight. Her quivering eyelashes were drenched, and rose petals like lips were pressed tightly.

Surprisingly, it also hurt him to see her suffer. He’s the only one who can make you look like this.

Miltiades was her father, so he had kept him alive till now, but it was annoying.

I want to kill him. Kais clenched his fists. If that person is gone…

What would people call these feelings? Jealousy? Envy? Whatever it was, it didn’t matter. Even if Amelia hated Kais for it, he wanted to kill Miltiades right now.

Can I replace him?

Amelia, who had been sobbing, slapped Kais on the forehead. You shouldn’t say things like that.

Kais touched his forehead after being rebuked so suddenly.

You are you, and dad is dad, she said. Both of you are precious to me.

I want to be your everything, said Kais. Because you’re already mine.

Amelia’s eyes widened with surprise; even that small movement was so lovely to Kais that he didn’t know what to do. His feelings agitated him; he wanted to lock her up and be the only one who could see her, knew her, and have her.

I