"Do you understand, Vesta?" Joash asked. "I will be busy doing many important things, and I have no time to look after you. It will be safer for you to stay with William."
"Safer?" Vesta asked back. "I don't think being with him is safer. Father, let me stay by your side. I can help you with any–"
"No. You'll just be a hindrance." Joash looked at his daughter coldly. "I don't have time to babysit you. Now is a very crucial time and I don't have the time to spare to make sure that you are behaving properly. William has no intention of fighting against Felix right now, so being with him is the safer option."
Vesta felt her heart tremble inside her chest because this was the first time that she had seen her father look at her so coldly. It was as if he was looking at a complete stranger, and not his own daughter whom he had loved and raised for the past nineteen years.
"I… understand," Vesta replied as she lowered her head. "I will do as you say, Father."
