ELRETH
She sighed and shook her head. "But if he really desired me, he wouldn't have rejected me tonight. There was nothing to hold us back."
"Oh, he desires you, Elreth. I'm willing to bet that was as plain as the—"
"Do NOT finish that sentence. You are my father!"
Reth chuckled again and pulled her into his chest, rubbing her back. "My girl, there is so much of you that makes me burst with pride. You will be the best ruler the Anima have ever seen. But you are not flawless, beautiful. And you must stop expecting it of yourself. And of others. It isn't possible. None of us are perfect. But the best of us make ourselves fully aware of our limits, and bring people alongside who are strong in those areas to stand in our gaps."
She swallowed. "I tried to bring him close. As my Advisor. And then… then just him… but he left me. Both times. So, you explain to me, Dad, why you say his scent is different when I'm close?"
