"Allicia, I'm sorry..." my daddy whispered.
I've been watching him for twenty-five minutes since I knew dad was asleep when he was trying so hard to calm me down so I wouldn't cry anymore. Dad even patted my back very gently even though the second his eyes were closed. I think dad is half asleep now because daddy kept saying mom's name.
All of this must be hard. After dad lost mom, dad didn't sleep very often. Even just to rest, I don't think he could do it. he better use his time to meet and accompany me and also think of a way so he can find the mother who until now has not been found.
Even if only for one second.
All of that because he also has to do his job as the Grand Duke overseeing all the Dukes in This kingdom. And don't forget about his main duty as a 'conqueror'. Daddy always works hard to be able to divide his time so that he can look after me too.
That was the conclusion I could summarize based on these faint fragments of bodily memories. The former Cellia seemed to be a very calm and quiet child. He prefers to listen and pay attention to things himself, and it is because of this nature that I get information and can draw conclusions about what happened to my mother and daddy.
It's been more than a year since mommy was declared dead, but daddy stubbornly believes that mother is still alive and thinks mommy has only disappeared even though he himself is fully aware of the reality he is facing. All this is because of the black totem that appeared a year ago when we were traveling to a neighboring kingdom to handle diplomatic relations between kingdoms.
"If I hadn't asked to come with daddy at that time, this bad thing would definitely not have happened."
So. All of this should be my fault!. I've made daddy sad ....
Dragon!. I have to find out about that too now.
"But, I have to find out where?. Library?. Right!. Library!"
I saw Dad's finally fall asleep completely. His hands that had been patting and stroking my back had also stopped completely. I hope dad can rest and sleep more. I won't let anyone disturb Dad's rest time!
Because being an adult is very tiring but no one will care about your tiredness. I know that feeling. It's really sad when I remember my previous life if I myself don't even know what tired is?.
But, since earlier there was something that made me curious...
"What does black totem mean? Why is that dragon called black totem by mommy?"
I thought again and remembered something.
I still remember a friend from my previous life even though I can't remember her name or face, but I still remember how she gave me a wooden statue, a souvenir from a tourist spot her visited while on leave from his wedding.
My friend gave me a wooden statue shaped like a long, short stick the size of a flower vase. The wooden statue has a strange face carved because it depicts a human face mixed with animal faces stacked in three parts. Even though it's strange, but my friend said that if it could be a protective amulet. I still accept the statue as a souvenir and display it on the display case as decoration because I don't believe in things like amulets.
"If I'm not mistaken, that wooden statue is called a totem, right?"
"So, the dragon is a creature that can be a protector? But if it was supposed to protect, why did it attack and take my mom?"
It's useless. I won't get an answer if I just stay in my dad's arms. I have to go to the library to find out information about this totem.
I looked back at my dad's face. He was still asleep, so I tried to get off of daddy's lap carefully so as not to wake him.
Knock!
Knock!
Eureka! Victory! I just wanted to say those sentences after successfully getting off my dad's lap, but my efforts to keep him asleep were in vain. My daddy quickly woke up from his sleep and realized that I was not in his arms.
"Celia?!" my dad shouted. He made a horribly worried face.
"Oh, my goodness. You were there. Thank God..." he said again after he realized that I was standing in front of his feet. Dad's worried face faded. He breathed a sigh of relief.
My daddy carried me again and I returned to his warm arms.
"My Lord, I'm Vincent," said Vincent, who seemed to be the one who knocked on the door, causing my dad's to wake up. Just watch out, Vincent! I won't let you go because you've disturbed Dad's rest time!
"What is it?" my daddy asked after opening the door.
"My Lord, Earl Lucca's Totem is out of control!"
"What?! This is serious. The totem is a Phoenix. Prepare the vehicle immediately! We are going to Earl Lucca's residence now..." My dad's ordered.
"Yes, my lord!" Vincent answered. He immediately left the place as quickly as possible, half running. Meanwhile, my dad immediately left and went to his work to get the things he was going to take with him and leave.
"Vio!"
"Yes My Lord. I'm here," answered Vio, who somehow was in my daddy's study in the blink of an eye when my father called him.
"Take care of Cellia. I have to go to Earl Lucca's residence because the totem is out of control"
"Yes My Lorď"
"Dear Cellia, go with Vio first, okay? Dad has to go for a moment," Dad said to me.
But dad's, I can't let you go this time. Not because I'm worried about Lady Helia who might seduce you, but I have to see and find out what the totem you and mommy are referring to!.
I hugged my dad's neck tightly again and shook my head quickly.
"Cellia wants daddy! Don't leave Cellia! Don't go!" I said.
Even though there are so many words in my head, what comes out of my mouth are only simple sentences that get to the point. Ah, so little children can only speak the truth, right?.
"Lady Cellia, let's go back to the room," said Vio who tried to persuade me to let my daddy go.
"Don't leave Cellia!. Daddy!. Mommy!" I shouted.
I became hysterical as feelings of loss rose within me. My chest suddenly became tight. When I remembered that the dragon called the black totem took my mommy, I became very scared when I heard the word totem that would make my daddy go too. I'm afraid that my daddy will also leave me forever. I'm afraid I won't be able to feel this warmth anymore. When I thought about that, my emotions became turbulent and finally I could only cry while hugging my father tightly.
Actually, what is the meaning of totems in this world?!.
Duke Leonhart seemed stunned for a moment when I was hysterical, but he immediately recovered when he remembered his task and immediately made a quick decision.
"There is no other choice. Vio, come with me and help me take care of Cellia when we arrive at Earl Lucca's mansion!" my father said.
"Yes, My Lord"
Finally my dad's took me to Earl Lucca's house together with Vio who was assigned to look after me while daddy took care of the totem which was said to be out of control.
***
Earl Lucca's residence.
When I reached the front of the gate, I could see a bright reddish light enveloping the mansion making it look like the mansion was on fire.
"Vio, take care of Cellia!" inside the mansion that seemed to be surrounded by a strange thin bluish dome.
"Daddy..." I called, but unfortunately daddy ignored my calls. signaled to come into the mansion.
"Daddy!. Cellia wants to go with daddy!"
"My Young Lady. We can't go there. It's dangerous in there. We have to be outside the sealing magic dome..." said Vio.
It's precisely because it's dangerous that I want to go inside! If it's dangerous, then daddy is also in danger, right?! Let's go there too! I have to find out about the totem that too!.
"Dad!. Daddy!. Daddy!. Cellia wants daddy!"
I said. Again I could only utter simple words. I kept pulling Vio's clothes and trying to struggle from her arms.
Put me down!. Put me down, quick!.
"Okay, please don't cry anymore My Young Lady or Duke Leonhart will let go of his totem if he sees me making you shed tears" Vio said. Her speaking style was really stiff like an automatic reader.
Again totem!. Even daddy has a totem?!. What the heck is that totem? ?. Could it be that I also have a creature called a totem?!. What does it look like?. What's the point?. Will it protect or attack me?.
If I heard right, daddy said earlier that Earl Lucca's totem was a phoenix. Then, what about dad's totem? What does it look like? Then mine? And does mommy also have her own totem?