Rebirth Of The Duke's Daughter

Chapter 8

A five-year-old boy stood silently in the shadows, his small frame almost hidden as he gazed out of the window. His eyes were distant, thoughtful, as he listened to the words of his father, who stood nearby.

"You will be wedded to Duke Reynard's third daughter, the youngest," his father said, his tone firm and authoritative. "She possesses no special abilities that run within her family. Be aware that anyone who speaks openly of her lack of ability risks a death sentence by her father's decree. We must be careful not to mention it publicly unless you wish to provoke a conflict with him."

The boy continued to stare out the window, his expression unreadable. Even at his young age, he understood the weight of the responsibilities being placed upon him. As the heir to the Zameth kingdom, his future was already being shaped by the expectations and political maneuvers of those around him.

"Such a nuisance," he muttered under his breath, the words tinged with a mix of frustration and resignation. The idea of being wedded to someone he had never met, for reasons that had nothing to do with his own desires, was annoying to him, but he knew better than to voice his displeasure too loudly.

The boy remained at the window, his thoughts swirling as he tried to comprehend the future that awaited him—one filled with obligations and duties that seemed far beyond his years.
***
Heading home late into the night, Duke Reynard felt the weight of exhaustion and lingering frustration from his meeting with the emperor. His mind was heavy with the decisions that had been made, decisions that would shape the future of his family. As he held his head in his hand, he couldn't shake the thought, 'Mila, will you blame me?' The fear of seeing the sadness in her eyes when she eventually learned the truth troubled him deeply.

Finally arriving home, Duke Reynard quietly made his way to his room, seeking some rest. As he entered, he was greeted by a sight that warmed his heart—Mila and Leo were both asleep on his bed, having waited for his return. The exhaustion in his body seemed to ease just a little at the sight of his children, their peaceful faces a stark contrast to the turmoil in his mind.

A soft scoff escaped him, followed by a tender smile as he looked down at them. The love he felt for them was undeniable, and in that moment, the burdens of the day seemed to melt away. Leaning down, he gently kissed the tops of their heads, his heart swelling with affection.

Carefully, he settled into bed beside them, wrapping his arms around his sleeping children. As he held them close, the tension finally began to release from his body, and he drifted off to sleep, comforted by their presence.
***
Mila had been determined to wait for her father to return, her small heart longing to see him after his long absence. With a bit of effort, she made her way to her father's room, her little feet carrying her through the quiet halls.

As she entered, she found Leo already there, sitting at a desk and studying. He looked up in surprise when he saw her. "Why are you in Father's room?" he asked gently, noticing her determined expression.

Mila walked over to him, her eyes wide and earnest. "I miz father," she said, her voice small but filled with emotion.

Leo's expression softened, and he lifted her into his arms, holding her close. "It's okay," he reassured her. "He'll be back soon. Let's both wait here for him."

He carried her over to their father's bed and gently placed her on the soft covers. The warmth and comfort of the bed quickly lulled them both to sleep, their anticipation for Duke Reynard's return making the wait feel longer than it was.

Hours passed, and Mila stirred awake, her small body sensing the presence she had been waiting for. Blinking her eyes open, she saw her father standing beside the bed, finally back home. The relief and joy she felt were overwhelming, and though she tried to be strong, tears welled up in her eyes. The thought of him being away, even for a short time, was too much for her young heart to bear.