"Your Grace, your daughter, Lady Melanie is now here." The head butler politely informed.
Duke Orvin was stunned for a moment before regaining his composure then he nodded with an indifferent expression. Although he was Melanie's father, during this entire time, this was actually his first time coming around to have dinner with his 15 year old child. What's more, he even brought along some gifts for her but he is uncertain if she'd like any of it. He'd been thinking since his last mission and realized that he actually didn't know much about his daughter. She's grown into a young lady now. He realized time flies quickly and he certainly couldn't catch up. And so, his face naturally did not look good.
Soon, he saw Melanie coming to the dining hall. The Duke's indifferent attitude dispersed immediately as he creased his forehead when he finally saw how much his daughter had grown.
'The more she grows, the more she resembles her mother. Except for her black hair, the rest is all from her mother.' Duke Orvin thought and sighed. He's been meaning to talk to her over the last 3 years but always lacked the courage to initiate to approach her. He always felt guilty towards his daughter. He was ashamed to face her so he often avoids any contact with her. Facing his daughter now, he felt grateful that she grew up well. He was always so worried because he often received news about his daughter antics and bad behavior growing up. She's known to be overly spoiled and cruel to her maids with no friends who likes her because of her bad character. One time, he wanted to correct her but he could not even scold her when he saw her because of his guilt. It was his fault as he wasn't a good father so he felt he had no right to scold her. Now that she's a bit grown up, her reputation improved over the last 3 years. He still receives reports of her bad behavior but there were no major incidents like before. It seemed like his daughter had matured quite a bit to change.
Duke Orvin Von Diovre can be said to be one of the best looking men in the entire Empire, especially during his prime. Now, his features are clearly more matured but it couldn't deny the good genes that runs through the Von Diovre family. And looking at his beautiful daughter, Duke Orvin decided that he wouldn't let a mediocre man take her away. Thinking of the future, if she ever gets married, he must truly be a man far surpassing his own league. He clenched his fist and promised himself that he must make sure of that.
"Greetings, Your Grace, Duke Orvin." She started as she gracefully courtsied before him as soon as she entered.
"Mmm." Duke Orvin nodded and motioned her to take her seat. It was a long table and both father and daughter are seated on the opposite sides of it.
"Don't you want to seat here?" Duke Orvin asked with a deep frown, motioning to the seat on his right. Melanie looked surprised at the offer and he noticed her gulp.
'Is she scared of me?' He thought. 'Did I scare her with my request?'
"I am fine here, Your Grace. Thank you.", Melanie subconsciously answered.
'I knew it. She's really scared of me.' Duke Orvin thought painfully as he slightly rubbed his temple. 'I was too greedy to ask for more when I should have been contented that she accepted having dinner with me.'
"Let's eat then." Duke Orvin said and they began their silent and awkward dinner after the Duke sent all servants out of the dining hall.
"The butler said you formally requested an audience with me. You wanted to see...me?" The Duke asked quite hesitantly.
"Y-yes, Your Grace." Melanie replied but is still looking down at her food. Mastering a bit of courage, she finally lifted her head to look his way. "I wanted to tell you something, Your Grace."
'Your Grace?' Duke Orvin thought. 'Is it because it's been a very long time since I last saw her and talked to her so now she opted to call me formally. Doesn't she wanna call me Father now? But do I even deserve to be called her father?'
Duke Orvin's expression changed for the worst upon thinking that and regret started to fill his insides. Seeing his stern expression slowly becoming that of a seemingly disturbed expression, Melanie fidgetted her fingers and cleared her throat.
"Actually, I have thought about this for a thousand times, Your Grace. And...and only you can help me." Melanie continued as she looked away.
"You can tell me whatever it is that bothers you." The Duke replied wanting her to go on.
"Please...Your Grace. Please help me break off the engagement with the second prince." Melanie finally spoke out.
"What?!" Duke Orvin blurted out of shock. He actually wanted to open up about this topic to her and ask her thoughts about it. Ever since he tore the engagement copy shown by the Emperor 3 years ago, he's always been bothered by it. He adamantly rejected the engagement in front of the Emperor but felt lost when he learned that his daughter actually liked the second prince. When he received the report, he couldn't confidently break off the engagement because his daughter might hate him if he decided ahead without asking her opinion. He's been thinking of ways to cancel it. He didn't expect that her daughter would be the first one to request about breaking off the engagement with the prince. The last report said that his daughter and the second prince remained in contact with each other through gifts and letters ever since the prince entered the Royal Academy. So why is she asking to break it off now? Duke Orvin's aura gloomed with thought of his daughter being unfairly treated by the prince. "Did the second prince do something to you? Did he make you cry or treat you badly?"
"I...I know that it is beneficial to our Dukedom if the engagement pushes through. Not only will the second prince gain the upper hand and become the Crown Prince, but also, I will become the Crown Princess and soon-to-be Empress." Melanie explained and then she took a deep breath. "But, this isn't what I wanted, Your Grace. I don't wish to be the Crown Princess nor be the future Empress. So...I hope...that...you can help me cancel the engagement."
Duke Orvin was all the more surprised at his daughter's words. He knew that she is a very smart and talented girl just like her mother, but he didn't know that she is matured enough to this extent at this age. She is just 15 years old but she understood the situation completely.
'My daughter truly has grown so much. How much time have I missed?' Duke Orvin pondered deeply.
"Don't you like the second prince?" He asked and the girl immediately shook her head. Seeing the determination in her eyes, the Duke felt proud for her for knowing what she truly want and what she didn't want. His indifferent expression had already been swept away by his astonishment and admiration. Unconsciously, he brushed off his jet black hair and then his gaze at her had become affectionate and his tone softened when he asked her. That look was as though he was looking at his own sweetheart.
Remembering the words of the Emperor that time, he slightly smirked proudly. She is surely his daughter. He shouldn't have believed the Emperor when he said that his daughter truly liked the engagement.
Seeing the change in the Duke's expression, Melanie looked confused and surprised at the same time. She didn't expect the Duke to react this way. Not even in her wildest imagination. Seeing the gentleness in the Duke's deep blue eyes, Melanie felt complicated.
"Don't worry. I will help you handle it. I also didn't agree with the engagement." Duke Orvin said after some time, his expression returning to that of an indifferent one.
"You...you are not angry, Your Grace?" Melanie asked hesitantly.
"Should I be?" Duke Orvin asked back and let out a soft chuckle. "Actually, I am quite happy that you can tell me what you truly wanted. If you don't want to marry, then don't. I only said nothing about it because I thought you truly liked the second prince."
"Really?" She asked right away, somewhat not believing his words. "I mean, the Von Diovre Dukedom will gain more power and foothold in the Empire if the marriage goes through. It will be at the family's disadvantage if we cancel it. And the Elders will surely be against it."
"The power and foothold we currently have should be more than enough. Why ask for more?" The Duke replied nonchalantly as if the matter isn't really a big deal.
"But if His Majesty disagrees and sees us as enemies? If the Royal Family declares war against the Dukedom?" Melanie blurted out her worries further.
"Your father may have aged a lot but I am still the Duke of Von Diovre. Our family's military power can deal with almost anyone, even the Imperial Army. No matter how big, it is not our Duchy's opponent. Even the Emperor will not drastically attack us and make us his enemy if we strongly cancel the engagement. We just have to have a plausible reason and it'll break off easily. I will come up with a way soon." Duke Orvin said with confidence, a slight smile formed on his lips. "As long as you want it. Of course, I will support my daughter."
Melanie's eyes widened in surprise and Duke Orvin just observed her reactions silently. His daughter's purpose was very clear, she wanted to break this marriage engagement! And as her father who wanted the same thing, he would do everything in his power to make it come true. Besides, it is the very first time that she asked him to do something for her. He cannot disappoint her. "It will be a bit harder though since like you said the Elders have already given their consent to His Majesty and will surely protest once I decide to cancel it. But still, we will do everything we can to break it off. If we can't find a plausible reason, then I would make one."
"Do I really have your word on this, Your Grace?" Melanie asked again for assurance, she didn't notice that she was gripping her utensils so hard, her knuckles turned white. She could not believe it would be as easy as this.
"Of course. You have my word. No matter what, I am your father and you are my only daughter. Who else would do it for you aside from me?" Duke Orvin declared proudly and finally smirked.
"But...why? I don't quite understand, Your Grace." Melanie then asked which made the Duke's forehead to crease. "I thought you are angry at me. I didn't think you would agree so easily. I...I thought you hated me and wanted to marry me off soon to get rid of me."
"Huh? Did you think like that all this time?" Duke Orvin asked as he panicked. He stood up and immediately 0came over to his daughter's side, kneeling right away. Her bitter words eating his insides. "Whoever said that I am mad at you?"
"Isn't because...because it's my fault that...my mother died?" Melanie answered with a question and Duke Orvin gasped in shock.
"Why would you ever think that? It is not your fault. What happened then was never your fault." The Duke immediately explained. He felt pained that his only daughter thought like this all this time.
"Because she gave birth to me, mother met her demise. Isn't the reason why you don't even stay here in the Duchy, Your Grace? Because I'm here and I remind you of my mother's death whenever you see me. Isn't it why you neglected me all these years?" Melanie stated quite bitterly.
"Absolutely absurd!" Duke Orvin could no longer take it and gently took her hand. He could see how shock Melanie is at the moment. With a gentle expression, he looked into her teary eyes and said, "All of those assumptions are wrong. It was never your fault. I never thought of such things. And I don't hate you. I never hated you. That will never happen."
"But if that's really true, why are you not staying here in the Duchy? Why don't you spend time with me? Ever since I became aware of my life and surroundings, you have always been absent in my life. You never came on my birthdays and you seldom talk to me." Melanie said, somehow she gained confidence to freely speak her mind. It's like, she truly wanted to let out all of her bitter feelings. Meeting the Duke's hurt gaze, she continued, "You don't love me. Since then until now, you've never shown that much affection towards me. You shower me with gifts when you are here but nothing more. You always ignored me. You did all these things to me. All these made me feel your hate for my existence. And now you tell me you don't truly hate me. What should I believe? Your words or what you made me feel all these years?"
"No. No. A misunderstanding. All these are misunderstandings." Duke Orvin insisted, squeezing the hands of his daughter. With a teary and pleading eyes, he suddenly looked bitter and heartbroken. "Allow me to apologize. With all my heart, I am truly sorry for making you feel like this. I know I wasn't a good father but I didn't realize that I was actually the worst kind of father. I am sorry for making you suffer all these years. I hurt you and neglected you and I don't deserve your forgiveness. But...my daughter, believe me, it was never my intention to make you feel this way. You are truly special to me from then until now. I have always love you."
"Special? Love? But you left me all alone in this huge place surrounded by monsters who's always waiting for the right time to pounce at me. You neglected me for so long that it led everyone to believe that they can just stomp all over me and use me to achieve what they wanted." Melanie blurted out, emphasizing all her points. She wanted to make him feel how much he hurt his daughter. She wasn't yelling but it didn't diminish the impact of her words as soon as Duke Orvin heard what she had said.
"Wh...W-what?" Duke Orvin suddenly felt dizzy upon hearing her words. He stammered for the first time. His face is beyond shock. "What...did you just say?"
"It is what it is. My words are as what I've said. Because you never cared for me, everyone in this Duchy abused me and took advantage of me for their own interests. Because you are always absent in my life and have never even bothered checking on me that they always get away with it. You see, even after living for 15 years, you still have no idea about how I was truly living in this massive mansion of yours. You claim that I am special to you and that you love me but that isn't true. Because if it is, then as your daughter, I shouldn't have been treated like this. All this is because you were never a father to me, Your Grace." The young lady emotionally replied with a more bitter tone. She looked down and clenched her fists that's surrounded by his big calloused hands. "If...if I am truly special, why? Just why would I have to go through all that?"
"Mel...Melanie." Duke Orvin muttered with tears now present in his eyes. He couldn't believe that his only daughter have been suffering abuse all these years. He thought he was providing adequately. He thought she was growing up well. He trusted the people around her. He was confident that they would all treat her very well because she's his only daughter. But all this time, he never thought it will end up like this. His heart felt like exploding of anger, regret and pain. He wanted to crush everything this instant.
"If you don't believe me, then nevermind. Just forget about everything I said and-" Melanie started but was stunned when she felt a sudden tight and warm embrace around her. That moment, she felt a strong sense of security and warmth.
"I believe you. Of course I believe your words. Why would I even doubt you? You are my dear daughter. The sole reason of my existence now. And I know you're telling the truth." Duke Orvin's voice was filled with so much gentleness and remorse that made Melanie felt a little bit consoled. For a moment, her glistened eyes felt heavier and she felt a bit stuffy but comfortable as if all will really be alright from now on. "I'm really such a bad father, right? To think that I made you suffer like this all alone for years. Saying I'm sorry would never ever be enough. So please, don't forgive me. Let me make it up to you. I will never let any of them go. I will surely make all of them pay for everything. At the same time, I enabled all this because of my poor excuses and negligence. I deserve to be punished the most. And so you can punish me however you like. I deserve all your hatred. I wouldn't complain. But please allow me to make all those who treated you unfairly suffer eve if I do not deserve to be your father."
Suddenly, a murderous aura surged from the Duke and Melanie felt it too strongly. She then quickly calmed her emotion and returned to her usual self. She sighed and slowly pushed herself from the Duke's embrace. Quickly wiping her teary eyes, she composed herself and declared, "Like you said, I still cannot forgive you so do not blame me for still hating you. But for the others, you cannot just kill them, You Grace. Besides, it will be bad for your reputation if you suddenly annihilate the whole family except for me."
"But they made you suffer all this time. Even killing them won't be enough for their sins. Let me make it up to you by doing this. Then after that, you can also punish me for being an idiot of a father." Duke Orvin declared sternly as if nothing can change his mind. "I don't care about my repuation or power or whatnot. I just want to make sure to punish them for everything they did."
Melanie looked at the Duke silently for a long while and Duke Orvin felt guiltier as seconds passed by. The girl in front of her looked strong like a huge boulder, now calm as ever. "I will deal with them slowly but surely. So please, don't do anything just yet, Your Grace."
"Are you sure?" Duke Orvin asked, his eyes pained.
"Yes. Though I may need your help and support from time to time." Melanie nodded firmly.
"Anything for you." The Duke replied solemnly, his hands shaking while he gently held hers.
They were quiet once again. The Duke wanted to console her more but was afraid to do or say something that might make his daughter resent him more. He truly is pathetic to entrust her to other people. To think his family and everyone in this Duchy did this to her under his nose, he thinks he is a complete idiot, a fool.
'My wife, I failed once again. I failed to protect you. But then again, I failed more grandly this time for failing to protect our daughter.' He scoldy himself, wanting to tear his self for being an idiot for a father.
***