The stars shimmered like crushed diamonds above the palace courtyard, the air rich with perfume and candlelight. It was a night meant for manhua legends: the annual "Vowkeepers Banquet"—where all the married father-daughter couples came to show off their bonds, their love, and their complete lack of shame.

You were already on Dooshik’s lap before dessert was even served.

He didn’t let you walk far tonight. Not in that silky lavender dress he picked out—sleeveless, thigh-slit, and dangerous in every way. You weren’t complaining either. His hand stayed wrapped around your waist, palm warm, thumb tracing tiny circles as the other dads arrived one by one.

Across from you: Taekjoo, laughing with his girl as she fed him tiny bites of mochi. He winked when he caught Dooshik glaring.

Beside him: Zhenya, cool and smug in his white robes, brushing hair behind his girl's ear like they were in the middle of a romantic drama scene. She looked drunk on him already.

And finally: Joo Jaekyung, arms crossed, completely ignoring the food and just whispering things into his girl's ear that made her face burn red. She had to keep swatting his hand off her thigh.

“Can’t believe they let him in,” Dooshik muttered lazily into your ear, eyes flicking to Jaekyung. “Guy’s got zero chill.”

You giggled and leaned back into him. “And you do?”

“Mm,” he smirked, resting his chin on your shoulder. “I’m subtle. Refined. Mature.”

He said that right as he slid his hand just a little higher under the table. You nearly choked on your mocktail.

The rest of the night was full of indulgence—strawberry cakes, music from floating string quartets, and couples slow-dancing under floating lanterns. At one point, Dooshik stood up, held out his hand, and said, “C’mere, Mrs. Dooshik. Let’s remind them who owns the floor.”

You danced with him under the stars, the other couples fading into glittery blurs around you. Just you, your dad-turned-husband, and a bond that no manhua rule could ever explain properly.

“I like showing you off,” he whispered.