A Daughter’s Worry
After getting caught in a light rain, Felberta Ashbourne returned home.
Fine particles of rain drop still adhered to her long dark hair, and the bottom of her dress was moistened by her encounter with the rain-saturated stone walkway. The light breeze that wafted across the courtyard left her no solace despite carrying the sweet fragrance of the earth dampened by rainfall and newly born flowers.
The placid expression that normally masqueraded her inner self had completely collapsed within her heart.
Instead, frustration lingered in her crimson eyes.
That shameless man...
He had chased after her only to spout one outrageous argument after another.
The more she recalled his words beneath the pavilion, the tighter her grip became on the edge of her sleeve.
How could anyone say such ridiculous things with such complete confidence?
She had met arrogant men.
She had met hypocrites.
She had met scoundrels who pretended to be gentlemen.
But never...
Never had she encountered someone as shameless as Julian D’Aurelius.
He spoke nonsense with a straight face, then somehow managed to make it sound reasonable.
Just remembering him proudly declaring himself a gentleman made her want to throw him straight into the lake.
"...Hopeless."
She let out a quiet sigh.
After calming herself for a moment, she changed direction.
Instead of returning to her room, she walked toward her father’s bedroom.
She had to make one thing clear.
She couldn’t allow Julian to continue pestering her under the excuse of treatment.
A few moments later, she arrived outside the room.
The guards respectfully stepped aside before she gently knocked on the door.
"Come in."
Dario Ashbourne’s warm voice came from inside.
She pushed the door open.
The medicinal fragrance lingering in the room immediately greeted her.
Although his complexion had improved considerably after receiving treatment, he was still recovering, resting against the headboard while reading several documents that the household elders had delivered.
The moment he saw his daughter enter, his stern expression instantly softened.
A smile naturally appeared on his weathered face.
"Felberta."
"No..."
He chuckled and corrected himself.
"My little girl."
Felberta’s expression eased slightly.
No matter how powerful or respected Dario was outside, before her he was simply her father.
She walked over quietly.
"Dad."
Dario carefully set the documents aside.
"Come."
"Sit beside me."
Felberta obediently sat down near the bed.
Dario studied her face for several moments.
His daughter rarely came looking for him unless something was weighing on her mind.
"You’ve been frowning ever since you walked in."
"What happened?"
"Did someone upset you?"
Felberta hesitated briefly before speaking.
"Dad..."
"Did you ask Dear Julian to treat me?"
Dario nodded without hesitation.
"Yes."
"Little... no."
He laughed awkwardly.
"I suppose I should call him Dear Julian now."
"Dear Julian is exceptionally skilled in medicine."
"You’ve seen his abilities with your own eyes."
"He can definitely solve your problem."
His voice carried complete confidence.
After everything Julian had done today, Dario no longer doubted the young man’s abilities in the slightest.
Felberta lowered her eyes.
"Dad..."
"I don’t want him to treat me."
"I don’t need treatment."
Her fingers unconsciously tightened around the fabric of her dress.
If the treatment really worked...
She would fall hopelessly in love with a man.
The mere thought made her instinctively resist.
She had spent years building walls around her heart.
How could she willingly destroy them?
Especially...
When the person treating her would probably be Julian.
That shameless, impossible man.
Others carefully hid the worst parts of themselves behind elegant smiles.
Julian was the complete opposite.
He displayed every shameless thought right on his face without the slightest embarrassment.
Seeing his daughter’s conflicted expression, Dario sighed softly.
His smile gradually faded.
"What if your condition becomes worse?"
His voice was gentle, carrying only concern.
"I’ve already decided to pass the position of family head to you."
"There is no one I trust more."
"You have the ability."
"You have the judgment."
"You’ve always been stronger than you realize."
He paused before continuing.
"But you also know..."
"Our Ashbourne family isn’t an ordinary household."
"There are elders to persuade."
"Business partners to negotiate with."
"Guests to welcome."
"Allies to reassure."
"And enemies to face."
"You can’t avoid people forever."
Felberta remained silent.
Every word her father spoke was true.
She understood it.
Yet understanding something and accepting it were completely different matters.
Dario watched her quietly.
A hint of guilt showed in his eyes.
"Felberta..."
I realize I let you down in a lot of ways.
"I wasn’t the perfect father."
I have spent far too long on the pursuit of success.
"I made mistakes."
"I hurt your mother."
"And I hurt you."
Felberta bent her head gently down.
Until nothing else was heard except the rain gently tapping against the window.
Dario a long pause and then a softer voice again.
"But you’re still my daughter."
"My only daughter."
After all that went down with Zyan...
You are my only family now left.
"In case someday I don’t make it..."
The only way I can say I can leave peacefully is if I knew you would be ok.
Felberta’s lips quivered faintly.
"Dad..."
" I do not want any harm to be done to you"
Dario’s face lit up with a gentle smile.
"It won’t."
"Not for a while."
I still got lots to do.
"Until then I want nothing more than to see you smile again."
I still want to see you take care of our family.
"And..."
Grinning mischievously.
I still would love for you to meet someone worthy of you.
"Dad..."
Felberta’s cheeks became unusually warm.
"Don’t start that again."
Dario could not stop laughing.
"Fine, fine."
"I won’t tease you anymore."
He nods as if he wanted to reach out and pat her shoulder.
Felberta tensed up instinctively.
The hand got stuck in midair. Dario gracefully lowered his hand.
There was a slight glimmer of sadness in his eyes, but it was quickly masked by a smile.
Felberta’s heart was pierced by that tiny reaction.
She longed to be nearer.
She just wanted to take his hand.
She had the urge to tell him I didn’t turn you down.
It was just...
Fearful.
Fear of all types of physical contact with men.
Worried that her body would respond first.
The silence between the father and the daughter grew awkward.
Suddenly—
"Cough!"