FEW MONTHS LATER.
The news of the war against the demonic beasts in the far north has come rather faster.
Seems like the archduke and Archer have considered my statement thoroughly, which isn't so bad, but Archer and the Emerald Knights will leave for the battle as soon as the celebration of my sixth birthday is over. And my birthday is tomorrow. Meaning that they're in preparation to leave the day after.
Sigh.
I still have that little resentment toward Archer. Again, my trust issue is the problem here. But, he is still my father who has been doing his job properly as a father in this life. He's no longer just a mere sperm donor to me anymore..
…
…
Have I opened up to him?
Am I worried about him?
Is that the reason why I'm in front of his chamber right now?
*creak.
"I've assigned those who waited on you so you won't roam around the house on your own." He scolded me as he opened his bedroom door. "Can't sleep baby girl?" He kneeled on one knee as he speaks, and I can only nod in response. "Come in then." *picked her up.
**
One hour later, the clock strikes ten o'clock. And I'm still wide awake as fudge. Darn it. I tossed and turned and wanted to bang my head on the pillow, but Archer's still reading on the couch!
"Katriana, are you nervous about your birthday tomorrow?"
"No."
"Are you nervous about me leaving for the war, then?"
"…" I should respond to him. "No." I am but I'm not gonna tell you that!
"Then go to sleep. It's late now. We have your birthday picnic tomorrow. You won't have much energy if yo.."
"Have you ever got sick?"
He jumped off of the sofa and approached me quickly. "Are you feeling unwell?"
"No, Daddy. It was just a question."
*sighed in relieved. "Well, if it's fever and such, it won't actually affect us."
"Because of the dragon's blood?"
"Yes. How far did you read our family history book?"
"Quite far. I never get sick either, have I?"
"No, sweetheart. But although we have quite the resistance, it doesn't mean that we can't get sick. Why do you ask?"
"The north is super-duper cold, right? The ice never melted?"
"Are you saying that I might catch a cold during the war?"
"I'm saying that the Emerald Knights might.." Because they will. In fact, you will lose about seven hundred knights or more due to high fever, and with the lack of medical nurses and doctors, some wounded soldiers will be left untreated, causing lifelong injuries and mental traumas. Although they have their pensions and such, but you will eventually lose some trust from those who pledged their loyalties to our house. They'd doubt you as their lord. We're a powerful house, but negligence on the medical field in the battleground is equal to ignorance. And in this matter, it'll be your own failure to overlook the problem. At least that was what happened back then.
There are mages with healing abilities, but they won't be enough. In addition to that, House Debelvoir is not particularly on good terms with the Holy Kingdom (never was, never is, never will.. ask our ancestors for that, we as descendants only follow their orders). Thus, the presence of priests and priestesses in our house that could help as healers is zero.
However, if you're alarmed by what I just said, you'd do the right thing with it to prevent the catastrophe. And I trust that you shall, since you seemed to be thinking hard by now. And wait, are you grinning?
"Sometimes I wonder how does your brain works in that little head of yours.. but then your Mother was just the same. I guess you took after her in that aspect."
My eyes widened. He rarely, I mean, very rarely, mentioned her. "Dad-Daddy.."
"Hm?"
"Where is she?"
"…"
I thought so. He couldn't answer it. Instead, his grin turned sour, confusion and sorrow crossed his feature.
"Katriana.."
"I'm sorry I asked, Daddy."
"No, you have every right to. I'm just surprised since you never once asked me about her before.."
Huh? "So, uhm.. are you going to, answer me?"
"When the time comes, and when you're old enough, I promise I will tell you everything about her."
Oh.. what a cliché answer, Archer. "But?"
"But for now, all that you need to know is that I loved her.."
WHAT?
"..and you were conceived with love, born and raised with love."
AM I HEARING HIM WRONG? CONCEIVED WITH LOVE? IS HE LYING? I KNOW ABOUT THEIR CONTRACT!
Nonetheless I can't bring myself to ask him any further. I heard about her missing when I was just a baby.. from the old maids.
I really want to know more though..
"You are loved, my little girl." He patted my head softly with a gentle smile, and my heat just dropped and throbbed.
Loved? Am I? But it occurred to me that the LOVED part didn't apply in my previous life with you, Archer.
My heart hurts..
"Now then, would you like to lie on my chest so you'd fall asleep?"
Heh. What a way to quickly lift up my broken spirit. But I guess it's okay. When you're back I'll be old enough not to sleep so casually in your arms, so tonight would be the last time I'd be clinging onto to you like a puppy.. Dad.
"Yes."
He smiled and placed me gently on his chest.
"Scratch my back too."
"Tsk. So demanding."
"You missed the left shoulder blade, Daddy!"