Sloane felt anxious. Calling her out of the blue meant a serious matter.
They arrived at the marquess's study.
Knock*Knock*
"Come in," Azriel responded.
"My Lord, Lady Sloane is here," Benjamin informed opening the door.
"Let her in."
Azriel who sat on his chair continued writing on the paper.
-"He isn't even done with the documents. Why summon me?"
"You called for me Father?"
Sloane stood across the room obediently.
The cold-hearted marquess looked up. His blood-red eyes met hers.
"Benjamin, please leave us alone."
"As you wish My lord." The elderly butler bowed and exited the study.
"Let me get straight to the point. Orion informed me about last night's incident."
"...."
"Do you have something to say about it?"
"...."
"Answer me. Why did you do something so reckless? Do you not understand the problem you stirred in that place?"
"..."
"I'm asking you, Sloane De Nirvana!" His voice grew louder with fury every time he questioned.
"I did what was needed to be done. Rest assured father I will take care of it with my own hands."
"How can I relax? What if there was a spy there? Our family would be the center of attention in high society. Do you not know that we are the esteemed family of warriors who have been serving royalty and the blessed nation?"
"...."
"We would end up with nothing but a tarnished reputation."
Sloane knew this was coming. In the previous timeline, a similar thing happened when she did not meet his expectations during the hunting competition.
Her father never raised his voice on his daughters and only ever did he shed a tear was the day when the marchioness left the world.
"You prioritize your reputation over family?"
Sloane asked as obediently as she could. But her eyes hinted great fury that burned like flames of hell.
"Have you ever asked me the reason behind it?"
"It better be acceptable." Azriel retorted crossing his arms.
"That gutter rat has been secretly abusing a child of Nirvana. Did you think I'd let it slide, father?"
"What did you say?"He stood up alarmed.
" I'm getting straight to the point as well."
Azriel couldn't believe that the person standing in front of him was his daughter.
"That son of a bitch kept abusing Yulia right under our noses yet we never paid attention to it. All I did was to repay him and teach the world a lesson to ensure that no one ever looks down on us ever again."
The room went silent. Neither of the two dared to utter another word.
He reclined back on his chair combing back his jet black hair with his fingers.
—"He dared to hurt my daughter. I shouldn't have scolded her. She did the right thing."Thinking for some time he gave in.
"Sigh*Very well. You did the right thing. I have no objection to it. I shall do whatever I can to cover you up."
"Thank you for understanding." Sloane bowed and turned to leave.
"If Estelle was here. She would've scolded me for scolding you"
Sloane's eyes widened and looked back at her father.
"You did a great job."
Azriel walked over to his daughter. He smiled faintly and patted her on her head.
Sloane thought that she was dreaming. Her father never smiled after the tragic death of their mother.
A tear ran down her eye.
"I miss mother. She was all I ever needed."
"We all needed her.
—"She was the light we all needed. Just like an angel who descended from heaven."
Sloane wiped off her tears.
"Go now. You need to rest. Have some dinner and sleep early."
Sloane drew a big smile across her face.
She bowed and left the room.