My heart were beating so fast while we were walking together. My hands are still holding t the duke's hands and I can sense that he knew that I was nervous but he didn't care. And it's my first time holding his hands again, it's suffocating for no reason.
He led me into a closed room with only one window from above. The moonlight was barely providing the room's light but I can still see the duke's silhouette because of his aura.
"What joke did you say earlier to the Emperor?" he asked
I gulped and took a deep breath. I must stay composed and strong. I'm not the fool and stupid Adelaide from the past.
"I said that maybe we have another daughter from Lascena."
He stopped from walking so I stopped too. He let go of my hand and I felt relief. He moved his hands to his face and start laughing.
"Why did you say that?"
He's still not looking in me but his eyes are on the front. I can sense sarcasm in his laugh so I'd better give an explanation.
"It was a joke," I insist.
"Are you still hoping that I will give you a sibling? There's no way I can do that. Your mother is not as amazing as I heard and she can't even make me happy."
"Don't get me wrong, I did say that because maybe one of my aunts will give birth to a daughter. Why are you so affected with my joke?" I said coldly
Fear was overwhelmed by hatred because of what he said. How dare he mock my mother in front of me while he's clearly cheating her without her knowing.
"Now you know how to talk back?"
His gazed become sharp and I can feel his bloodlust with it. His eyes beam because of anger. But I stand firm and look at him with his eyes too.
After a minute, I sighed.
"Alright, I'm sorry. I won't talk back."
He's still glaring at me and I feel irritated.
"What?" I asked
I mean there is 'what are you looking at?'
Mock me all you want, hit me until I pass out but never mock my mother.
"What did that woman do to you to disrespect me like this? I will punish her, she doesn't have a right to raise a child." he said and he wasn't looking at me anymore
I felt the rage inside my body that anytime will make me burst in anger.
He is the reason why me and my mother lived a fvcking miserable life! I won't forgive him. I will certainly won't forgive him!
"Lay a finger in my mother..."
I was glaring at him with the same bloodlust he emits to me earlier and he replied with a smirk.
"And what if I did?"
"Canary..." I uttered
His eyes were enlarged in a complete shock. It's certain because it's the name of his lover.
"What do you want?"
I can say that he swallowed his pride just because of them. If I spread a rumour that he had another family other than my mom, a war may arise against Ravella country where my mom lives. And then this Dukedom will fall. Or he won't let his lover and his daughter suffer from discrimination. A love from a father for his family, that's how I describe it.
Man, I feel jealous.
"Let me and my mom do whatever we want as long as we won't tarnish the name of our family. Don't hurt her, treat her nicely. I don't want to see her sad just because of you. And I also want a change our treatment in the mansion, it seems that our maids were quite brave and disrespectful to their master." I discussed
"That's all?"
"Oh, and from now on. We're just a father and daughter by name. I will never acknowledge you as my father. I don't deserve a scum like you."
I passed through him and started to walk.
"You--"
"Rest assured, I will not let them know about them if you fulfill my conditions..."
I glared at him for the last time after opening the room's door.
"... You raised a devil in your own hell, so you have to pay it back." I said and then decided to walk out in the room.
I sighed in relief that the 'small talk' is now over and I take over the dominance. I cannot believe that I did that, I'm already free from my dear against my father! But he surely hate me a lot this time for sure. I hope he wouldn't kill me, I know he's not that fool it's not alright to kill right now. He must have come of a plan, but anyway, I should continue to live until my coming of age, after that I will leave this mansion for good together with my mom.
"Miss!"
I was shocked when someone suddenly called me then I turned around and saw Lina.
"Lina--"
She didn't let me finish speaking and she suddenly hugged me.
"We're so worried when your cousins said that you were with the Duke and it's really late now." she said while she were catching her breath
I hugged her back and seems that she had calmed down.
"Don't worry Lina, from now on. I'll be fine." I said
She hold my hand and smiled in me.
"Let's go now to your room, come quick I have a surprise for you." she said
I smiled and was excited to her surprise. I wonder what was it?
We walked together till we reached the room's door. She opened it and I was amazed on how big this room is. I was fascinated by the large bed so I ran into it. I was about to jump to the bed when I saw someone was hiding within the bed's comforter.
Who was that? Don't tell me it was Alexis? No, Lina will never do that. Argh, it's possible!
Out of curiosity, I slowly put my hands to the bed's comforter and carefully lift it up but it suddenly stood up so I was shocked to death.
"Surprise!"
I nearly died because of shock, my goodness! But I smiled and felt happy when I saw mom smiling to me. Mom is really cute when she was childish!
"Mom!" I yelled and jump to the bed to hug her.
She hugged my back and then we lie in bed together. Mom kissed my forehead and sang lullaby. Her lullaby makes me fall asleep and later on, I slept.
...
"Adel, my daughter please run. Your father is mad and he wants to kill you! Run!" mom yelled
Mom, I won't leave you here, come with me. Let's run together!
"Run! He's here!"
Why can't I speak? I can't open my mouth!
Mom!!
Why am I running? No, I must go and save my mom!
My legs won't stop from running and it takes me to a crowded place.
"Adelaide Reisel von Lascena"
I was shocked I saw myself kneeling down and Alexis was pointing his sword in my neck.
"Your execution will begin," he continued.
No!!!
I was able to see how Alexis beheaded me like I'm watching a scene from a movie.
I'm scared....
"There you are"
Someone's hands were holding my shoulder and when I turn my head, I saw father grinning while he was holding a knife.
I suddenly woke up and realizes that it was all a dream. The dream is so realistic that made my heart to sting. I looked at my side and I saw that my mom is sleeping. It's probably 3 am in the morning. I slide down to my bed and walk out to get some fresh air.
I exited the castle and headed to a place where there is no sign of people. The guards are in everywhere but I saw an isolated tree that is close to the garden so I walk to reach it.
I suddenly feel that I was about to cry. My chest become heavy every step I take to reach the tree. And when I reached it, I burst in tears and I wanted all of it to release together with my tears. This is so much to take.
While crying, I suddenly remembered the song that touched my heart in my past life. It was a musical stage play named 'Cats' and the song entitled 'Memory'.
I hummed the song while crying. It was sad but it managed to release all the negative memories in my life. While crying, I saw a silhouette of a young man coming in this way.
"The song was sad," he said.
I dare not to look at him and I hid my face between my legs while sobbing. I also didn't give him a response but I was shocked when I sensed him sitting beside me.
"Can you sing it again?" he said it with a sad tone.
I slowly reveal my face and look at him. He has a dark hair with a blue ocean like eyes. It seemed like we were sharing a same grief and sorrow when I looked at his eyes.
"It's not for free, what will you give?" I answered to him.
He gave me a small laughter and he picks something in his pocket. I was shocked when he handed me a gold necklace.
Is he serious? I was just joking. Who is this child? The necklace looks like its not an ordinary one.
"Is it enough? I'm sorry it's all I have," he said while scratching his nape.
"I-It's more than enough," I replied hastily
"It was a memento that my mother gave me when she died."
Ehhhh? Why did he gave me this? How could he gave me something so important?
"I cannot accept this!" I said and put the necklace back to his hands.
"Why?" he said in disappointed tone
"How could you give something important?" I raised my voice to him and I didn't realize it.
"When I hear you sing, my tears falls out of my eyes. It's been a long time since I cried when my mother died. I thought I'm not a human anymore and turned into a monster they usually call me. So please, take it and sing for me." he said
I sighed and accepted his necklace.
"Fine, I'll sing for you," I said with a smile
"Memories, all alone in the moonlight, I can dream of the old days~"
I sang until we both cried in the end. It's kinda made me happy that there's someone who shares the same sorrow with me but still keeps on fighting. After I sang he stood up.
"Thank you for granting my request, I think this is our last encounter but I'm sure we can see each other once we grow up. When we do, please let me see the necklace." he said.
"Sure! " I said and wave my hands as he walks away and vanished in the fog.
Right after this, my heart is filled with hope and came back to my room and sleep again with my mom.