I Won't Let Anyone Have My Beloved Daughter Rabi! ~The Love Circumstances Full of Misunderstandings Between the Former Strongest Mage and the Cursed Girl~
Douglas was once hailed as the strongest—an SS-rank royal mage who stood beside heroes. Now he's a washed-up old man with a rusty staff, a revoked license, and nothing left to his name. He's made peace with being needed by no one.
Then a soaked, mud-covered girl collapses at his door and calls him "Daddy."
Rabi carries a curse that destroys everything around her when her emotions surge—the same curse that killed her parents and burned her village to the ground. Hunted and cast out, all she wan
I Won't Let Anyone Have My Beloved Daughter Rabi! ~The Love Circumstances Full of Misunderstandings Between the Former Strongest Mage and the Cursed Girl~ - The Case of the Refreshingly Handsome Guy Who Fell in Love at First Sight with the Old Man's Beloved Daughter and Destroyed the Village
The abandoned house on the outskirts of the village of Kodachi was freezing by morning. Light seeped through the gaps in the walls, illuminating the fine dust suspended in the air. Douglas checked Rabi's sleeping face, then quietly stepped outside. The well water was as black and murky as it had been since that night—pulsing in the same rhythm as the curse marks on Rabi's skin. Douglas placed his hand on the well's edge and stared into the murky surface.
(Something is approaching this village.)
He remembered the black mist that had flowed in from deep in the forest that night. It hadn't been ether mist. It was something far more sinister. Someone—or something—was after Rabi's curse. What it was, he still didn't know.
"...Father?"
Rabi stood in the doorway of the abandoned house. Her sleep-tousled silver hair caught the morning light, glittering in fine strands. Her large, violet-tinged eyes wavered as if searching for Douglas.
"You're awake. It's cold today. Go put on your coat."
"Okay."
Rabi nodded obediently and went back inside. Watching her retreating back, Douglas let out a small sigh.
(Yesterday, Rabi confessed to me.)
(And I rejected her.)
He had done the right thing. He was forty-five—a drifter with nothing to his name—and Rabi was a sixteen-year-old girl. Their relationship as father and daughter without blood ties should have been the most natural shape for them both.
But he couldn't get the look on Rabi's face out of his head.
"I love you, Father. As a man."
The moment he'd heard those words, something deep in his chest had throbbed violently—and Douglas had to admit it, even to himself. He'd been afraid to admit it. So he'd pretended he hadn't heard. And yet, the words had come back to him again and again throughout the night, and he hadn't slept.
(What do I want to do?)
No answer came. There was no way one could.
Lively voices drifted from the village. The morning market was starting. Douglas switched gears and began gathering dry grass around the abandoned house. He had to continue Rabi's special training to suppress her curse today, too. Training to sense and control ether. Slowly but surely, Rabi was improving.
But that alone wasn't enough.
The curse's outbursts responded to emotional surges. The more Rabi's heart wavered, the stronger the curse became. By rejecting her confession yesterday, he had undoubtedly wounded her heart. That wound was making the curse even more unstable.
(This is my fault.)
Douglas gritted his teeth.
That was when it happened.
"Hey—anyone around?"
A young man's voice echoed from the village entrance. Douglas raised his head. Looking toward the sound, he saw a young man walking down the village path.
Neat, refreshing blond hair. Clear blue eyes. Handsome features. A small magic-stone earring glinted on his left ear. He was tall and leanly muscled—unmistakably an adventurer at a glance. A fine sword hung at his hip.
Villagers began gathering around the young man.
"Oh, are you a B-rank adventurer?"
"Yes, my name is Kyle. I stopped by this village on my travels."
Kyle answered with a fresh smile. At that smile, the village girls blushed.
"A B-rank! And so young, too!"
"Good looks and real skill—what more could you ask for?"
The villagers heaped praise on Kyle from every direction. He walked through the village with a bashful smile.
Then Kyle's feet stopped.
His gaze landed on Rabi, who had peeked out from the doorway of the abandoned house.
Silver hair. Violet-tinged eyes. In the morning light, Rabi looked like a spirit made flesh. Kyle's blue eyes went wide.
"...Ah."
For a moment, Kyle was speechless. Then, as if snapping back to himself, he rushed toward Rabi.
"Hey, you! Are you from this village?"
Startled by the sudden approach, Rabi hid behind Douglas.
"Um, I—"
"Oh, sorry for calling out so suddenly. I'm Kyle. A B-rank adventurer. The moment I saw you, I just... ah, how should I put this? Anyway, you're incredibly beautiful."
Kyle stared at Rabi with an earnest look. Flustered, Rabi glanced up at Douglas.
Douglas stepped between Kyle and Rabi.
"What do you want?"
Douglas's voice was so low and cold it surprised even himself.
Kyle seemed to notice Douglas's presence for the first time, studying him carefully. Then he gave a small laugh.
"Ah, so you're the girl's companion? I see. ...Why would a delicate girl like her be with an old man like you? What a waste."
At Kyle's words, Rabi's expression stiffened.
"Don't insult my father!"
Rabi planted herself in front of Douglas. Her silver hair swayed softly with her anger.
"Father? Ah, so that's it. But you're not blood-related, are you? That kind of relationship—who knows how long it'll last. You should be protected by someone more suited to you. Someone like... me, for instance."
Kyle kept his refreshing smile as he extended his hand to Rabi.
"Don't worry. I'll protect you."
Rabi shook her head, rejecting Kyle's hand.
"I don't want it! I'm staying with Douglas!"
"Douglas? Huh, you call him by name. That's unusual."
Kyle brushed off Rabi's words lightly.
"But an old man can't protect you. From the looks of him, he's pretty old, and that staff is worn out. Even if he was an adventurer once, he's probably retired by now, isn't he?"
Kyle's blue eyes appraised Douglas. Douglas met his gaze head-on.
(Young. And strong.)
He could feel the surging ether radiating from Kyle's body. B-rank was no empty title. In his prime, Douglas wouldn't have considered him a match. But now, he had weakened.
(Even so.)
(Rabi is mine to protect.)
Douglas quietly stoked the fighting spirit within his heart.
"This is none of your concern. What happens between us is for us to decide."
Douglas glared at Kyle.
"Hmm. Well, fine. But I'm not giving up. What's your name?"
Kyle smiled at Rabi. She remained sullen and silent.
"Rabi, is it? What a cute name. Rabi, won't you talk with me?"
Without waiting for an answer, Kyle reached toward Rabi's shoulder.
That was the moment.
The curse mark on Rabi's neck throbbed with a sharp pulse.
"...Ngh!"
Rabi pressed a hand to her neck in pain.
"Rabi!"
Douglas pulled her into his arms—just before Kyle's hand could touch her shoulder.
"What? What's wrong?"
Kyle was bewildered by the sudden turn.
"Stay away."
Douglas glared sharply at Kyle.
"Rabi bears a curse. When you get close, the curse reacts."
"A curse?"
Kyle stared at Rabi's neck. The black pattern visible between strands of hair. Kyle's expression tensed slightly.
"...I see. Cursed, are you? But that's all the more reason I should protect you. I know how to suppress curses."
Kyle's refreshing smile returned.
"If you come with me, the curse can be removed. I'll introduce you to a high-ranking mage in the guild. You'll be far happier than staying with this old man."
"I don't want it! I'm staying with Douglas!"
From within Douglas's arms, Rabi glared at Kyle.
"Don't be like that. Hey, old man—if you truly wish for this girl's happiness, I think you should step aside."
Kyle addressed Douglas directly.
"You don't have the power to protect her. You can see that from the curse's reaction just now. Even with you nearby, the curse runs wild. In that case, I—someone with more power—should be the one to protect her."
Kyle's words were reasonable. Douglas couldn't argue.
(It's true—I can't fully suppress Rabi's curse.)
(Because my power is insufficient.)
Douglas bit his lip.
"Father is strong!"
Rabi shouted, shielding Douglas.
"Father saved me. He cares about me more than anyone. Don't speak badly of him!"
Rabi's eyes were moist.
"Rabi..."
Douglas gently stroked her head.
"Thank you. But it's all right."
Douglas turned back to Kyle.
"You're right that I've weakened. I may not be able to fully suppress Rabi's curse. But I've decided to protect Rabi. No matter what anyone says, that resolve won't change."
Douglas's voice was quiet. But his eyes held an unshakable will.
Looking into those eyes, Kyle faltered—just slightly.
"...Hmph. Well, whatever. But I'm not giving up. Rabi, I'll see you again."
With those words, Kyle walked off toward the village inn.
Watching Kyle's retreating back, Douglas let out a small breath.
"Are you all right, Rabi?"
"Yeah... I'm sorry, Father. Because of me, you had to deal with something unpleasant."
"It's not your fault. That kind of person exists everywhere."
Douglas patted Rabi's shoulder lightly.
"More importantly, let's continue your training. Practice suppressing the curse."
"Yeah."
Rabi nodded firmly.
The two moved to the open lot behind the abandoned house. Douglas continued teaching Rabi how to sense the flow of ether. Rabi followed his instructions with a serious expression.
But from that day on, Rabi's curse began to erupt more frequently—and more violently—than before.
Ever since Kyle appeared in the village, the curse mark on Rabi's neck pulsed constantly, as if responding to something.
Livestock died suddenly. Crops withered overnight. The well water grew even blacker.
Among the villagers, criticism of Rabi began to rise again.
"It's that cursed girl, just like I thought."
"Ever since that girl came, the village has been strange."
"Just leave already."
The villagers' cold stares pierced Rabi. She hid behind Douglas, trembling.
Douglas stood before the villagers, shielding her.
"It's not Rabi's fault. Someone is deliberately activating her curse."
Douglas explained to the villagers. That the murkiness of the well water synchronized with Rabi's curse mark. That black mist was flowing in from deep in the forest.
But the villagers wouldn't listen.
"That's just your excuse!"
"You're the one who brought a cursed girl here! Take responsibility!"
The villagers' angry shouts rained down on Douglas.
"Don't blame my father!"
Rabi stepped in front of Douglas and shouted at the villagers.
"Father is only protecting me! It's my fault! Because I'm cursed...!"
Tears spilled from Rabi's eyes.
"Rabi, stand back."
Douglas made her step behind him.
"Call the village chief. I want to talk."
Douglas told the villagers.
They reluctantly went to fetch the chief.
While waiting for the chief to arrive, Douglas had Rabi take shelter inside the abandoned house.
"It's all right. I'll handle this."
"But..."
"Just stay here. Understand?"
Douglas stroked her head and went outside.
The village chief arrived with the villagers in tow. He glared at Rabi, then spoke to Douglas in a cold voice.
"You lot need to leave this village."
"Wait. Rabi hasn't done anything. This is someone's scheme."
"Scheme? Don't make me laugh. The village has been strange ever since you two arrived. Just having a cursed one among us brings ruin. That's been passed down since ancient times."
The villagers nodded at the chief's words.
"That's right! The cursed bring disaster!"
"Get out! Get out right now!"
The villagers' angry shouts intensified again.
"Please. Rabi is still a child. She has nowhere to go. At least give us a little more time."
Douglas bowed his head to the chief.
"No. Leave by the end of today. Otherwise, we'll drive you out by force."
The chief's tone brooked no argument.
Douglas bit his lip.
(Damn... what can I do...?)
That was when it happened.
"Please wait."
Kyle appeared from among the villagers.
"I'll take this girl into my care."
Kyle addressed the chief with his refreshing smile.
"I'm a B-rank adventurer. I know how to suppress curses. Please entrust this girl to me. I won't cause this village any more trouble."
The chief looked at Kyle's face and considered for a moment.
"...A B-rank adventurer. You're saying you'll take this girl away?"
"Yes. I'll take full responsibility for protecting her."
Kyle said it with his chest puffed out.
"I see... then that settles it. Take this girl and leave the village at once."
The chief accepted Kyle's offer.
"Please wait!"
Rabi burst out of the abandoned h
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