Chapter 3: Peculiar Declaration

A complex emotion seemed to occupy the man's golden gaze as he looked down at me. His eyebrows furrowed, and his hands and shoulders stiffened as if he were uncertain about what to do with himself or how to handle me. Everything about him was endearing. My heart fluttered with excitement at seeing my favorite person in the flesh.

"It's my dad!" I giggled with delight. "Daddy!"

I didn't need anything else at that moment; having my favorite person with me was enough. I held him close, savoring an embrace that had once been nothing more than a dream. I couldn't predict when I'd get this chance again, so I had to relish it to the fullest.

Miltiades appeared uncertain about my thoughts, and his expression grew even more complicated. With just a glance, I could sense the turmoil he must be feeling. He was clearly troubled and seemed unsure of how to handle me.

But that was exactly what I wanted! The best time to draw Miltiades in was when he was caught off guard like this. There was only one way to go about it—dive in without overthinking it.

"Who are you calling your dad?" he eventually managed to say. His deep voice had a cold edge, causing me to freeze in place. Surprise and fear briefly washed over me before quickly fading. "I haven't accepted you as my daughter."

Excuse me?

I stared at Miltiades in disbelief. Callian, the red-haired man beside him, also looked surprised and clenched his fists as if to ask what was happening. "Your Majesty," Callian began, "how can you say that so bluntly? The saintess is still young—"

Despite Callian's defense, I clung even tighter to Miltiades. "Does that mean you love me?" I asked.

He looked utterly bewildered. "What?"

I smiled at him. Here was Dad, looking down on his daughter. I couldn't be discouraged, especially since I was well aware of his stubborn personality. In fact, it was rather exhilarating. He was always changing!

"You say you don't accept me as your daughter, but you already love me this much," I challenged, laughing as I nestled back into his embrace. It was quite surprising that someone who despised physical contact as much as he did allowed me to hold on like this. Well, I was holding on rather forcefully, but he didn't attempt to shake me off or push me away, did he?

It was a bit like that phenomenon where people claim to hate something, but their actions reveal the truth they can't admit.

"Who loves you?"

"Daddy does!"

As I giggled, Miltiades began to laugh incredulously. Just as I thought, the only way to break through his barriers was to charge in without hesitation.

"I didn't know you loved me this much!" I continued. He didn't respond, so I didn't stop. "But don't worry, Daddy. I've already accepted you." Once again, no response. "I've adopted you!"

Did I handle that well? I tilted my head.

Miltiades scoffed. There was no amusement in his eyes. Instead, he appeared to be provoking me. Fine, then. I had been acting this way all along, so let's see how much further I could push it.

"This is a secret, but my grandpas seem to dislike you," I whispered conspiratorially. "They say you're not qualified to be my daddy."

Pft. Callian was struggling not to burst into laughter again. Miltiades glared at him, but it was futile.

"It's okay, though! I'm stronger than them," I insisted, patting my chest a few times as if to assure Miltiades of my trustworthiness.

"It must be nice to have such a dependable daughter, Your Majesty," Callian chuckled.

Miltiades shot a glare at Callian. "Do you want to die today?"

"No."

After silencing Callian, Miltiades turned his attention back to me. Even when he was threatening someone, he still looked cool. I was utterly captivated, and nothing could shake my determination for him. It was a shame I couldn't capture this moment with a camera.

My favorite character's adolescence—super ultra-rare!

I clasped my hands together, savoring the moment. Meanwhile, Miltiades observed me. Unlike his earlier warming tone, he returned to his icy sternness.

"I agree with those old men for once," he declared. "I'm not qualified to be your dad."

"What?"

"So, go back."

"Huh?"

As I stared at him wide-eyed, Callian watched me with a touch of panic. Miltiades stood up and walked away toward his bedroom, not sparing me a single glance. Despite my shock, Callian followed him.

Luciana and I blinked at each other, left alone in the drawing room.

This wasn't supposed to happen!

***

"What has happened to him all of a sudden?" I wondered aloud, baffled by his abrupt change in demeanor.

"Is he going senile?" I mused, even though he was far too young for such a condition. Yet, I couldn't fathom any other explanation for his strange behavior. He could have had the saintess by his side if he remained silent, providing a means to oppose the pope himself. "I just don't understand!"

From any perspective, I was someone worth pursuing. How could he simply cast me aside like this? It was inconceivable that my favorite character could be so foolish!

"Ah! What is happening?" Luciana sighed, clearly observing my frustration. "Do you think he's worried about you?"

"Worried about me?" I asked, puzzled.

"Yes. There's no other reason he would let go of such an incredible opportunity."

"But why would he be worried?" I questioned. He should have taken me with him if he truly cared for my well-being.

Luciana shrugged in response to my skepticism. "I'm not sure... Maybe he feels some sort of responsibility?"

"Responsibility?" I echoed.

"He might be concerned that he can't raise you properly. Or something of that sort," Luciana suggested.

"Ah!" It hadn't crossed my mind. Still, the idea of Miltiades harboring such concerns seemed unlikely. It was a possibility, perhaps, but he didn't strike me as that type of person. I pondered the notion.

Luciana's theory held some merit, but Miltiades didn't fit the mold of a responsible guardian. There had to be another explanation. He simply lacked that sense of responsibility.

Perhaps he didn't want a family? He had always shown a strong aversion to family and love. However, if that were the case, how could I resolve this issue if that were the case?

"There's nothing I can do if he rejects me like this," I concluded, my thoughts racing. Did he understand what I needed to do to silence the elders and the pope? I seriously considered going back, clutching his clothes, and confessing that I possessed knowledge of the future, which could aid him.

But a noise near the door caught my attention just then, and a servant appeared. "Saintess, His Holiness is looking for you," the servant announced.

An uncomfortable feeling settled in the room, hanging like a heavy cloud.

***

It was a frosty day when it happened. Miltiades couldn't help but reminisce about his first day in the Vios Empire. Once again, sleep eluded him, and he felt utterly exhausted. While some had suggested that he suffered from a curse, his doctor had diagnosed him with insomnia. Regardless of the name, it continued to afflict him.

In an effort to calm his sensitive nerves, he decided to take a walk. He walked with his head in his hands, attempting to alleviate his throbbing headache. As he strolled, a faint whimpering sound caught his attention, akin to that of a small animal caught in a trap. He followed the direction of the noise and stumbled upon a peculiar scene.

"Oops!" A young child was entangled in the window curtain, struggling to free herself. Miltiades was perplexed by her presence. Was she an apprentice under the tutelage of a priest? His curiosity was piqued, and he observed her closely. Eventually, her grip on the curtain weakened, and she fell, letting out a loud and surprisingly fearless scream.

Perhaps it was a moment of impulse or an unexpected amusement, but Miltiades rushed to her rescue, cradling her in his arms. His initial thought was that she resembled a squirrel. When the child opened her eyes, seemingly startled by her fall, Miltiades couldn't help but notice her unusually pristine, red irises.

Gently, he placed the child on the ground, and she bowed to him. "Oh, thank you!"

Miltiades had anticipated fear in her eyes when she saw him. He was accustomed to it, but her fearless demeanor left him feeling unexpectedly touched. However, his curiosity got the better of him.

"Who are you?" he inquired, surprised by the audacity of a child who didn't flee upon recognizing him. When the trembling child remained silent, he repeated his question. "I asked you, who are you?"

At this point, he expected her to beg for forgiveness after realizing who he was, but her response caught him completely off guard.

"Daddy!"

The word he never thought he would hear directed at him escaped her lips. It was the first time he had ever felt such panic.

The warmth of her subsequent embrace was unfamiliar to him, suffocating yet strangely comforting. The fact that he didn't entirely reject this feeling was a revelation.

"Who are you calling your dad?" he stammered.

She giggled and repeated, "Daddy!"

It made no sense. Her shamelessness made Miltiades wonder if she could be his own child. Despite his attempts to detach her, she clung to him. Then, she made a bold promise.

"Daddy, wait for me. I'll take you away," she vowed.

Take him away? Miltiades couldn't fathom the meaning behind her words at that moment. Little did he know that her seemingly absurd declaration would become a reality in the days to come.

***

How could Miltiades have foreseen that a saintess would choose him as her father? Lost in his contemplations, he shifted his gaze from his thoughts to the twelve elders and Pope Raphael, all seated around a colossal table. Beside the pope sat a timid little child whose demeanor had shifted from cheerful laughter and chatter to silent avoidance.

This little one was so full of arrogance. Her previous exuberance had now given way to an unwelcoming aloofness.

Elder Roquel, one of the dignified council members, broke the silence with a solemn voice that reverberated through the hall. "Emperor Miltiades," he began, his words carrying weight, "we have heard that you informed the saintess of your perceived unfitness to be her guardian. Is this indeed the case?"

As the tearful child glanced towards Miltiades, another elder's voice rang out, expressing a growing dissent. "Perhaps, from the very beginning, we should have selected a different guardian for the saintess!"