My Adorable Daughter Can't Be A Villainess

They had to take the carriage even though the picnic spot wasn’t far. Chloe might look better now, but she still hadn’t fully recovered.

Years of torment had taken their toll. The parasite had been eating away at her for so long that a few days of rest could never be enough to restore her health.

The truth was, Chloe had long forgotten what it felt like to be at her best.

Her body had been slowly breaking down, her strength and speed fading over time. The same woman who once defeated men twice her size now had to avoid even the gaze of weak, unawakened men because her body couldn’t back up her pride anymore.

At some point, her biggest struggle became climbing stairs or getting up from the ground without support.

Her bones had grown fragile, and her senses had dulled.

Even though her body was recovering thanks to her Arcane, Chloe still needed to take things easy for now if she wanted to heal properly.

“Waah, this place is so beautiful,” Charlotte murmured as the carriage rolled along a muddy path, short trees lining both sides. Golden-brown leaves clung to the branches, making them look like natural fire lamps.

The weather was warm even though the cold season was retreating. A bright sun hung overhead, and a gentle breeze brushed Charlotte’s face as she took in the scenery.

Turning to her mother, she asked, “Did you used to come to places like this to hang out with your friends?”

Eric answered for her. “She didn’t have any friends, unfortunately.”

Charlotte blinked. “Really, Mom? You were a loner?”

Chloe’s pride took a hit. She glared at the man across from her and said to her daughter, “Say it like he had a bunch of friends. He was a bigger loner than me.”

Eric gave a wry chuckle when he felt Charlotte’s gaze shift to him.

Letting out a sigh, he said, “Well, my personality wasn’t liked by many.” Then, glancing at Chloe, he added softly, “It was only your mother who ever tolerated me.”

Chloe huffed and looked out the window. “I wasn’t exactly your friend.”

“But you tell me so much about him…” Charlotte muttered innocently, completely unaware of the glare her mother sent her way.

Eric’s lips curved slightly. Just then, the carriage came to a stop.

He stepped out first and helped Charlotte down, earning a sweet, “Thank you.”

When it was Chloe’s turn, she stared at him for a moment before offering her hand.

Eric held her cold, soft fingers and helped her down.

The moment her feet touched the ground, Chloe assumed he would let go… but he didn’t.

She looked up, brows raised.

Eric’s thumb brushed the spot where he had once placed a ring years ago. He could still see a faint pale mark there, proof she had only recently removed it.

Chloe realized what he was thinking and quickly pulled her hand back.

“Don’t overthink,” she said. “Someone else gave me a ring.”

Eric frowned and caught her arm before she could step away. “Don’t lie to me.”

Chloe glanced at her daughter. Thankfully, Charlotte had already rushed toward the lake and was busy chasing butterflies, too distracted to notice them.

Chloe turned her sharp gaze back to Eric. “Why do you believe I wasn’t seeing someone else?”

“Because I know you never moved on from me,” Eric said, his voice firm. “Don’t lie to me.”

Chloe yanked her arm free, the ice in her eyes not fading. “Go ahead and stay delusional. You left me, so I wasn’t bound by any promises.” With that, she walked past him.

Eric stared at his hand for a few seconds, then took a slow breath and turned away.

Swallowing the tightness in his throat, he walked toward his daughter.

“Like this place?” he asked.

Charlotte beamed. “I love it! It’s so calm, and the air is so fresh.”

Eric nodded. “I’m glad you like it.” Then he looked toward the water. “Want to catch some fish with me?”

Charlotte peeked up at him. “Catch fish? I’ve never done that before.”

Eric rested his hand on his excited daughter’s head. “Come. I’ll teach you.”

Charlotte nodded twice, her bright eyes sparkling.

Eric asked her to bring two thick branches from the nearby forest.

Since the forest was monitored by soldiers, he wasn’t worried about anything attacking her. Still, he activated his detection as a precaution.

While Charlotte ran into the trees, Eric headed toward Chloe.

His gaze was dark and forceful, nothing like the gentler look she had gotten used to these past few days.

Chloe stiffened for a moment, then met his eyes with a stubborn, confident front.

But Eric didn’t stop in front of her like she expected. He walked straight to the carriage.

From a storage compartment, he pulled out a toolbox, a basket, and a stool.

He set the stool down in front of Chloe. “Sit.”

Chloe shrugged. “I’m fine stand–”

“It’s not necessary for you to defy me every single time just to prove how much you hate me,” Eric cut in. “If you collapse because you stood too long under the sun, my daughter will worry. So sit.”

Chloe’s heart skipped, her lips pressing into a thin line at his words.

That blunt way of talking…it wasn’t new.

Still, she didn’t argue. She sat down.

Just then, Charlotte’s giggles reached them, and both adults turned to see her being chased by squirrels.

Seeing the little girl laughing so freely softened something in both of them.

A smile appeared on their faces without either meaning to, and the tension in the air faded away.

Eric let out a quiet sigh as he approached his daughter.

His presence startled the small animals, and they instantly dashed off.

Charlotte turned to him and held out two long branches, grinning. “Here! Are they good?”

Eric looked at the branches, then at her hopeful expression.

He smiled and patted her head. “You did great, Charlotte. Now let me teach you some basic hunting skills.”

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