Deborah's POV
In the long silence, I exhaled slowly, trying to press down my turbulent thoughts and complex emotions. With a calm voice, I spoke toward the door, "Come in."
The door opened quietly, and Lugh entered. I lifted my gaze, studying his every move and watching him intently.
His expression was soft, filled with an unmistakable tenderness and care, as though he were gazing at a treasured piece of art. His face showed a joy and fulfillment that seemed almost boundless, as though I were the embodiment of the hope and longing that had sustained him over the past twenty-two years.
Yet beneath this heavy sense of 'fatherly love,' a flicker of wariness and unease stirred within me. For Deborah, Lugh was a father by blood, but for me, he was a stranger—and one I distrusted.
Lugh smiled slightly, his voice warm as he spoke, "Dr Kim said you're recovering well, but you still need to rest. Don't overexert yourself."
His smile and gentle tone painted him as the picture of a caring father.
I simply nodded, giving a faint smile but remaining silent.
Even as he displayed his caring side, I maintained my vigilance, avoiding direct eye contact.
The last time our eyes met, Telepathy had allowed me to sense his emotions and intentions, yet it had also unsettled me deeply. It was a feeling of being bound, of being controlled. He carried with him a power—something in his bloodline that seemed to dominate naturally. When his eyes met mine, I felt as if every part of me was laid bare, exposed to his control. The sensation was chilling.
Lugh seemed to sense my discomfort and fatigue, and his expression softened. He sighed lightly, a note of concern in his voice as he said, "Be careful not to overuse magic. While powerful, it exacts a toll. Prolonged use affects both your spirit and health."
His words made me pause, my mind suddenly catching on.
Could the use of magic really come with such serious consequences?
I had never heard of this before, but now, recalling what I knew of the Blackwood family, I realized many of their witches did indeed have short lives, as though some invisible force were slowly draining them away.
Could this power come at such a cost? The thought sent a ripple of fear through me.
Seeing me lost in thought, Lugh's expression grew more tender.
He reached out slowly, his hand warm and firm as he clasped mine. His voice was low and gentle, filled with regret and sorrow. "For twenty-two years, I've missed both you and your mother. Every day, I searched for any sign of you, but I always came up empty."
His eyes held a deep pain, memories flashing across his face. "I feel guilt for failing in my duties as a father. But from now on, I will stay by your side. You are my only daughter, the only heir to the Edwards family."
His words were soft, filled with an affectionate warmth that flowed over me like a stream, but it failed to touch me deeply. The distance and vigilance within me remained unchanged.
Even though his gaze spoke of sincere remorse, and his words overflowed with fatherly love and regret, I couldn't ignore the complexity of his identity.
After all, Lugh wasn't just Deborah's father; he was also the man who had sent Chad, the one responsible for the Lee family massacre.
Despite the seeming authenticity of his emotions, my intuition warned me there might be deeper motives behind his actions. He was clearly adept at masking his true intentions, and while he displayed a tenderness now, I couldn't tell if it was genuine or if he had ulterior motives.
I raised my head, meeting his gaze, my mind tangled with indecision.
Father? That word was foreign to Deborah.
In her past life in Tirnanog, Deborah had never known what it was to have a father, much less someone who offered familial protection.
Now, here he stood before me, claiming to be Deborah's father, attempting to appeal to her with twenty-two years of guilt and longing.
Should I trust him? Could he truly become a reliable "father" in Deborah's life?
Adding to my inner conflict was the sense that his pain and regret seemed genuine. Each word carried a deep sorrow that seeped into me, creating an invisible pressure that only made my emotions more conflicted.
I was not Deborah in truth, and I feared that my choices would betray her wishes.
It felt as though my heart was being torn in two.
On one hand, I distrusted him, suspecting hidden motives; on the other, his profound emotions stirred something in me. His sorrow was palpable, a grief borne from years of suffering, a longing that had withstood time. It was this mix of emotions that made it so difficult for me to read his true intentions.
Lugh seemed to notice my hesitation and refrained from pressing me further. He patted my hand gently and said, "Rest well and don't push yourself too hard. Health comes first."
I nodded slightly, managing a polite smile, though the distance and caution within me remained. I couldn't bring myself to trust him easily, but I also couldn't ignore the warmth in his gaze and the gentleness of his care.
He didn't seem troubled by my cool response, only gazing at me with soft eyes before quietly leaving the room. As the door closed, silence filled the space once more.
After Lugh left, I sat alone on the large sofa, my mind racing as I considered my next steps.
I was now in Ablach, the Sky Cities—a place I had never set foot in before. Ablach's splendor and advancement were legendary, its technological marvels and resources unmatched, all wrapped in a cold and distant atmosphere that seemed amplified by its grandeur.
I glanced down at my hands, feeling the chill in my fingertips, a reminder to stay vigilant.
Though I was now inhabiting Deborah's identity, deep within me, I remained that vengeful spirit who had once struggled in the dark.
Now that fate had brought me here, I had to make full use of the advantages of this identity.
The Sky Cities—the fortress that had controlled the fate of the underground cities—could very well become the starting point for my revenge.
Yet the current situation was precarious for me.
I knew nothing of Ablach's social rules, the power dynamics among the families, or their intricate rivalries.
The only familiar figure here was Chad Baker—the man I once loved, who ultimately betrayed me. In Murias, Chad's knowledge of this body had been limited to brief encounters; he had no understanding of my true identity. This disguise was my perfect cover among my enemies.
I recalled that during our last encounter, he seemed to have sensed something, though he didn't fully grasp the truth.
Regardless, Chad was my sole lead here, the only person I could "know" in this unfamiliar place.
I closed my eyes, my thoughts racing.
If I acted rashly, I might raise suspicion or even provoke Lugh.
As for this so-called "father," I couldn't yet discern his motives. For now, I needed to stabilize his trust before moving forward with my plans.
I rose slowly, walking to the window, my fingers tracing the intricate carvings on the window ledge. Outside, the scenery stretched to the horizon, skyscrapers standing tall and cold, their steel frames reflecting the first light of dawn. Ablach's architecture loomed like titanic iron guardians, trapping its inhabitants within. Neon lights still glowed in the early morning, their cold blue and glaring red hues intertwining in a strange, haunting tapestry, as if painting a scene of a never-ending nightmare.
Very well, if I was here, I wouldn't leave so easily.
This city owed a debt that would one day be paid.
I withdrew my gaze, my resolve hardening.
The Sky Cities was my enemy, but now that I was here, I would chip away at each of its defenses, unravel every scheme they had set in place.
This journey was bound to be fraught with danger, but I wouldn't be easily defeated.
Lugh might still be lost in the joy of finding his 'daughter,' yet I had to remain alert.
Deborah's identity provided me with a perfect disguise, allowing me access to the city's core, granting me entry to hidden chambers and contact with figures behind the scenes.
Chad was my lever.
He was the only one I could reach first who might have some insight into the truth. Whether he truly served Lugh faithfully or harbored his own intentions, I could exploit his stance and draw information from him, giving me a foothold—or even leverage.
Though Chad's position wasn't prominent, his place at Lugh's side suggested he bore important responsibilities—like overseeing the massacre of the Lee family. He likely knew crucial secrets.
If I could win him over, or at least manipulate him temporarily, he could become a hidden ally in my plans.
An ally—potentially short-term, possibly born of convenience, but still a rare opportunity for me.
With this thought, I returned to the center of the room, my mind calculating quickly. I needed to fully assume Deborah's identity, leaving no cracks in my facade. Each move had to be precise, each decision meticulously planned. I had to remain hidden within this intricate web, forging a path to the truth.
The plan was already forming in my mind, each step falling into place. Chad would be the first key to unlock the mysteries of this city.
It was time to take action.