"I met her while I was making my way to the library. She was heading back from swordsmanship class and needed to borrow books for the upcoming exams. She and I talked and soon she and I became friends. We were always hanging out with each other whenever we could. She was accepted into the second order of knights while I was accepted into the first. Because we had such busy schedules, we rarely had enough time to meet up. At this point, my father had eyes for the mines in Count Perrie's possessions. So they had struck a deal. But before they could act on it the war broke out."
"It was bloody and cold. The beasts ravaged the land and our hope was running out. At that moment, she appeared like a shining light. She awakened a forgotten goddess and borrowed her power to neutralize the beasts. "
"She and I were put in the same group along with some others to go and defeat the leader of this war.. During that time, our friendship began to grow into love. Then we defeated them once and for all. That night we solidified our love. "
"However after we returned my engagement was announced. I declined the engagement but my father wouldn't hear of it… So we decided to elope, but she fell ill. We couldn't risk it so I met with my father and made a deal. That I will work for Count Perrie if he allows me to marry the woman I loved. He agreed."
"Her fame grew over time but the fact she had a child without being married would have destroyed her. So the pregnancy was kept hidden. My father meanwhile sent me to the fief to handle the aftermath of the war. After a year, I heard my child was born but she had died. Without being able to grieve I was forced to marry Molde. With her reputation as the country's hero, I had to follow my father's will. Or he would have exposed her secret. Her secret is you. You are Shresta Yvnonus's daughter."
Ilanna was silent. The famous hero who saved the land from corrupted beasts was the same person as her mother. She couldn't understand but she saw the tears falling from the duke's face.
He continued, "with all that, I threw myself in work to distract myself. Molde made a promise to me to raise you as her own but by the time I realized her madness had overcome her finally, you were gone. I am sorry, Ilanna.I love you and I have failed you as a father. I wish to make this better from now on. If you are willing to give me a chance."
Ilanna's eyes began to water. That was all she wanted to hear. She wanted to hear those words more than anything. Ilanna jumped out of the chair and ran to the duke. The duke hugged her and they sat on the floor hugging each other. Ilanna sobbed in her father's arms as the duke cried while stroking her hair. They stayed like that for minutes. They calmed down and Ilanna stayed in her position hugging him. The duke held Ilanna as sat on the chair. Gong entered and placed two glasses of water for them. The duke thanked him and Gong simply smiled before leaving.
The duke patted Ilanna's head as she held onto him. She realized that these emotions came from the original Ilanna. So she let herself feel through the child's pain. Her sadness and her acceptance. Ilanna from the book and the high schooler from the past have fused together creating the current Ilanna. Ilanna felt a sense of completion.
Ilanna calmed down and drank her cup of water. She still sat on the duke's lap and Gong was sitting across for them. He re-entered to help calm Ilanna down.
"Sir, now that you have explained your side. I believe that we should hear from Ilanna now," Gong said.
The duke looked at Ilanna and Ilanna stared at her lap. She was bound to tell him what happened to her but she was still hesitant. Gong noticed it and cleared his throat.
Ilanna looked at Gong and saw him smile. It gave Ilanna enough reassurance to begin.
Ilanna told the Duke what Moldde did and how she almost sold her off. Then how she was able to run to the woods and escape. She described what she would do and how she met Bama and Gong.
The duke listened quietly until Ilanna finished her story.
"Bama as in the Great Protector of the Forest?"
Ilanna nodded and the duke stared at Ilanna.
The duke finally nodded slowly finally wrapping his head around the situation.
Gong spoke up this time, "Bama and I have trained her so far but now that you are here. I feel like you will need to discuss how to handle this. Ilanna has stated she wished to be under our teachings but she is still the duke's daughter."
The duke nodded in agreement.
"Yes Molde will have to be punished but Ilanna's identity cannot be revealed."
As they pondered Ilanna spoke up.
"What if you claim to send me off to boarding school?"
The duke looked at her in bewilderment. Ilanna continued.
"Well Molde will be punished for her crimes and it will take time for me to get better so while I stay home, I can resume my lessons. Then when I get stronger, I will go to the forest to learn from Bama under the pretext of me going to boarding school."
Ilanna knew she had to still act as the duke's daughter and even more so as the villain when the story begins. So if Ilanna sets up her escape route now, By the time she comes to age she can act her part then leave.
"Is that what you wish to do?"
The duke looked sad to Ilanna. He seemed to wish for her to stay longer with him but Ilanna was still unsure of the duke. But it would be cruel to deny the fact that he was her father.
Ilanna nodded, "at least for now. Don't worry we will have enough time to catch up."
The duke nods and then get up. He carried Ilanna to the carriage. It had gotten dark out now and Ilanna could feel the weariness wash over her. The duke thanked Gong for his help and provided him with a pass. The duke climbed in the carriage and held Ilanna as they rode off to the duke's mansion. Ilanna's home.
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Sᴏʀʀʏ ғᴏʀ ᴛʜᴇ ʟᴀᴛᴇ ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ. I ᴡᴀs ʙᴜsʏ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴛʜᴇ ʜᴏʟɪᴅᴀʏs ᴀɴᴅ sᴄʜᴏᴏʟ. I ʜᴏᴘᴇ ʏᴏᴜ ᴀʟʟ ʜᴀᴅᴇ ᴀ ɢʀᴇᴀᴛ ʜᴏʟɪᴅᴀʏ ᴀɴᴅ ᴀ ғᴀʙᴜʟᴏᴜs ɴᴇᴡ ʏᴇᴀʀ!