It's been 3 days since the incident and I spent my time trying to think of ways to survive. The weird copy-cat me was somewhat merciful considering that she gave me back of my past life and what will happen if I choose to be with any of the men that the heroine will get herself involved with.
It's quite annoying that I've already met Prince Leonidas. The second prince seems like he would gladly have my head burning on a spike. I hadn't even done anything to offend him. At least, nothing I could think of...
Prince Leonidas Avereth is the second prince and is one of the male leads.
In the game, he was engaged to the dukes daughter and had held a grudge against her from the very day he met her.
He was untamed and cherished freedom more than anyone. Always forced to learn etiquette, take responsibility, and had to mature at an earlier age than others is what made him hate his title. He was understandable, but what flawed him was his hypocrisy.
He'd always want the protagonist for himself and forced her to obey him, even if it meant threatening her.
He'd accidentally hurt her in the process, leaving a bruise or two without even realizing it.
I growled at such ludicrousness.
What a little abusive hypocritical as-
"My dear Calista, what's wrong?" Father asked cautiously as he took a look at my hands. I follow his gaze to see them shaking slightly while holding the teacup.
I stop immediately before setting it down, "Sorry papa, I have a lot on my mind right now." I say quietly. I watch him nod slowly before placing his teacup down onto the table.
Father invited me out to have our weekly afternoon tea. I glanced at the maid who did nothing but blush at my father and gave such looks at him.
Father didn't pay her any mind. Instead, he was taking his time enjoying his tea. It was quite nice whenever we had tea together, although it is better when it's just the two of us.
"Calista," Father interrupts my thoughts.
"Yes, papa?" I look up at him.
Duke Evander Rastus Vasilis. Father of Calista Teodora Vasilis and husband of late Duchess Helen Drea Ariadne-Vasilis.
He was tall, built with pure muscles. His jawline was sharp with his hollowed cheeks. Dark brows over piercing grey eyes and a straight nose. His hair was always flipped onto one side, a couple of strands find their way back in front of his face.
He was always stern, his face is either expressionless or frowning.
"I need to leave in the afternoon tomorrow. There are things that need to be taken care of. It may take a while but I'll be back soon." Father informs me.
I can't tell the exact duration that father had to leave but it was certainly more than what he considered 'soon.' His trip started before I had enrolled into a school and ended when I had decided to leave school and be homeschooled.
I frown, "I see."
"I'm sorry, Calista. I promise to make it up to you when I get back..." He tried to coax me with the mention of different books I've been persistently asking him for. Now, it seems worthless compared to the lost time I could spend with my father. As selfish as it sounds, I just wanted him to stay.
But I shouldn't be so selfish.
I bit back the urge to beg him to stay with me. I wanted him to be by my side until the next year where I'll be leaving to go to school.
I needed him to stay by my side when I'll be bullied time and time again by my classmates till the point I'll come back home crying everyday. I pray for him to not come back to see a broken, obsessive, vengeful daughter who will do nothing but brush his love off and seek it herself, just so she could be killed painfully.
No, that will not happen. I will make sure.
"Okay father, you promised." I grin, hiding away the pain in my heart.
The rest of the afternoon was spent with an ignored maid, a handsome duke, and a troubled daughter.
~~~~~~~~~~***~~~***~~~~~~~~~~
It was the next day and father began to board his carriage. He was dressed up in a fancy suit made for his title specifically that had maids blushing a crimson red. Their eyes roamed his suit and cape with hunger. Yeah, handsome guy, I know so...
Please stop undressing my father with your eyes.
I growled at them from within my heart as he turned to me and gather me in his arms, "I will come back," He says as he cradled me into his chest, "Father promises that he will be back and stay longer. Be a good girl and don't get into any trouble." I rolled my watery eyes at that before he sighed, "Don't miss me too much."
I hug him a little tighter, tears threatening to spill, "I miss you already." I hear a sharp intake of breath before he lets go. I look up to see the sadness in his eyes that he refuses to show on his face.
"I'll be back." With that, he steps away from my short, fat figure and gets into the carriage. With a whip of the reins, they're off. They leave out the gates of the manor, leaving a dust of dirt in air as the horses gallop forward until they disappear from my sight.
"I love you." The words, although too late, escapes from my lips.
"My lady, it's time we go inside." One of my maids speaks up. It breaks me from the daze that I'm in and I let them escort me back to my room.
My hearts too burdened by the stress and pain of the future. My future to be exact. What to do...
Should I...?
I sit in front of my mirror and leave the maids lined up by the door. With a wave of my hand, I excuse them from watching me any further.
"But the duke..."
"Is not here." I say quietly, "You may take your leave." They hesitate for a minute, not knowing whether to follow my orders or obey fathers commands. They chose the former.
They leave, one after the other. The last person to leave stopped at the door, glancing back at me. I didn't bother to look, I didn't want to anyways. She sighed when I didn't budge and closed the door behind her.
"You can come out now." I say after the footsteps faded away while staring into the mirror. The mirror warbled a little and my reflection began to stray from copying my motions. Its eyes grew cat like as it grinned, leaning back into the reflected chair it sat on with a fold of their hands behind their head.
"Chosen child finally called for me."
~~~~~~~~~~***~~~***~~~~~~~~~~
I sighed as the carriage made its way through town. I had business that I couldn't run away from and it was to take a long time, probably the longest time I'll ever be away from my precious Calista.
I growled when I recalled the encounter three days ago where my daughter was to meet her potential betrothed.
That fucking brat prince.
How I wish I could strangle his puny body until he was claimed by death itself. How absurd to treat my daughter in such a way.
Honestly, what was Samson thinking when he suggested the marriage? That's the last time I'm listening to him.
I don't know what was worst, the fact that I was to have chances of bumping into the second prince, or the fact that I have to refrain myself from turning around back home to Calista.
I sigh, yet again, running my hand through my hair. Calista was certainly a bit too plump for someone her age, but I thought it was cute. She definitely would grow out of the baby fat. That's all it was. Cute baby fat. Though, I would like to see her stay as her adorable cute self. She had taken after her mother after all. Her purple doe eyes that shined even in sadness, her light hair that was bound to get darker as it grew out, her touching kindness, her outstanding smarts. I knew she was to be just like her mother.
But why did she not see how beautiful she was? That day when she was found on her bedroom floor with blood oozing out of lines of scars. Did she...? No.
Let's not think about such thoughts.
I look out the window and gaze at the castle that towered over the land tremendously with a frown. An image of a woman laughing with the most brightest smile flashed in my mind.
"Evander..."
Power...
Beauty...
Intelligence...
Death.
I winced and tried to gulp down the lump in my throat, "Helen, what should I do? Our Calista, our daughter, she's alone. If only you were here, you'd know what to do..." The pain in my heart had increased.
Helen, how I miss you so...