Mother was about to begin lecturing even more aggressively but my father calmed down the atmosphere first, "You have grown up, Rowan. I was worried about you. How long will it be before you plan to return?" After asking Rowan, he didn't stop and turned to me,
"And Tiffany, why do you plan to go along with your brother?" His voice was calm and without ripples. I wasn't able to infer whether he was just curious or hiding his disgruntlement.
Trying my best to hide the panic in my voice, I said, "The Central Academy is offering free high-quality vampire blood to their top entrant and top ten graduates. I plan to try my luck there."
"But why do you have to go so far? What's the harm in our Tafilat City's Academy if you want to join an academy? Why do you want high-quality vampire blood?"
Upon hearing his questioning tone and his logic, I knew I had to reveal my secrets as well, "I need high-quality vampire blood to awaken as a hunter strong enough to help Sister Hin. Usually, it is not available to be sold to the general public. I need to join an academy or a department of the government, which I can't do with my qualification right now."
He appeared to understand something but his confusion still wasn't clear. I knew that he was misunderstanding my ardent desire for power and the limitedness of channels for acquiring vampire blood.
But there was no way I could ask him for it. Even the lowest quality of vampire blood, which I didn't want, would bankrupt him.
I clenched my fist under the table and moved to stand beside my 'dependable' brother a bit, and faced off in the staring contest with my parents.
In the end, my father's sigh broke that silence as he said, "Little Tiffany has grown up too, but don't the two of you think you're leaving your old parents too far behind? How long would this journey take?"
"2 to 3-no, around 4 months. Papa, please, I can't think of any other way to help Sister Hin."
His expression turned even more helpless as he shook his head, "You're carrying too much burden on your heart, little girl. It would wear you down easily and rapidly. Go if you want to go, but if you don't live your life for yourself, you won't get that chance again."
His words prompted a pin-drop silence within the dining room. Even Chloe had her eyes popping out of her sockets at his unexpected approval. I was prepared to go back and forth with my parents, explain my reasons, worries, and fears, and even then I was prepared to be rejected for the first time.
His sudden acceptance, however, made me feel surreal. It was my mother who recovered from the shock first and stood up,
"How can you agree like that? What if something happens to them? Who will take care of them? They're just kids!"
That was the first time I saw my mother talking to my father in such a defiant tone. Her concern for our safety was obvious from her questions. As I was worried that she would sway my father's opinion right after he approved of our trip, I answered on his behalf,
"Uncle Albert will take care of us, Mumma. Rowan has also grown up, y'know. We need to explore the world now-"
"See? They have already made their decision." My father interrupted my nervous answers with a smile as he looked at my mother, "As parents, we can only bless them on their journey."
His words brought about silence in the room once again. Mother used this time to digest the fact that two of her oldest kids were determined to her side for quite a long time. Finally, she let out a sigh and sat back down.
I was saddened to see my cheerful and talkative mother turn silent like that but there was nothing I could do. I only hoped to come back to Silvermore city as a powerful Nobilis Class Hunter as soon as I could but even back then, I knew that this was nothing but an overly optimistic dream.
After that, father continued to talk about the problems new adventurers and travelers face in their journey and the sort of bad things that happen to them. Some of them even anecdotes from his personal experience.
I kept looking at the ground as he gave his advice. My mother continued to nod her head while we were taught.
After a few minutes, he seemed to have made a decision as he took a deep breath and said, "You're at that age where I can't interrupt your decisions, otherwise it'll hamper your achievements and progress in life. I appreciate that you've chosen to travel together as siblings but I'll need to talk with this Uncle Albert of yours to be convinced of your safety first before allowing you."
I looked at Rowan and saw him nodding his head before leaving for his room in silence. I did the same and went with Chloe following me.
That night was bound to be a long one for my parents. Afterall, that abrupt announcement must have been an unimaginably shocking thing to them. Moreover, even though my father appeared to be convinced, I knew that he would be discussing our plans with my mother for a long time to be certain of his decision. As for my mother, her silence also told me that she had a lot going on in her mind but I knew that my father would do a far better job of convincing and placating her than me. Trusting him with that, I heaved an inward sigh and hoped for the best from the next morning.