Rebirth Of The Duke's Daughter

Chapter 95

"We're not sure, but she just arrived here in this condition with the wound open," Tim explained, trying to offer some reassurance, though he could tell Duke Reynard's concern was far from relieved. "We were able to patch it up since it wasn't too severe." Tim, ever observant, had heard the rumors about Duke Reynard's deep affection for his youngest daughter, Mila. It was said that he cherished her more than anything else in the Mireraweth kingdom, and it was easy to understand why. 'What kind of father wouldn't love a child they raised with their own hands?' Tim thought quietly to himself. He respected Duke Reynard, admiring how he had supported Mila through everything, especially when she had no mother by her side and when most of her half-siblings turned their backs on her. 'But why does Mila keep going through all this hardship, even after returning home?' Tim couldn't help but feel a deep sympathy for the girl. It seemed like there was always something awaiting her at home, but it was never peace—it was always more trouble, more pain.

Tim knew, deep down, that Duke Reynard would be furious with whoever was responsible for Mila's injury. 'He'd probably kill anyone who even laid a finger on her,' Tim thought grimly. The Duke's protective nature was well known, and Mila was his youngest, the one he had been there for every step of the way. She was precious to him, and nothing would stand between them.

"She needs to rest for now," Tim continued, turning his attention back to the situation at hand. "She'll likely have a fever soon, so I'll stay with her to keep an eye on things." He started to settle back into a more practical role, preparing to monitor Mila's recovery.

Before he could continue, however, Thelma spoke up, but her words were cut short as Duke Reynard moved to Mila's side. "No need," he said firmly. "I'll do it. She's my child, and I have to take care of her." His voice softened, his eyes searching Mila's peaceful face, a look of quiet sadness passing through his features. "It's been too long since I've had such a moment with my youngest daughter."

Tim and Thelma exchanged a glance. They both understood the depth of Duke Reynard's feelings. It had been far too long since he'd had a moment to himself with Mila. In many ways, their bond had been strained by the chaotic events of the kingdom, and this time of vulnerability—Mila's recovery—was one that the Duke desperately needed to grasp. He had been busy with the kingdom's affairs, with the Mireraweth emperor's dealings, and had not been present as much as he would have liked. This was his chance to be there for her, to protect her as a father should.

Duke Reynard's hands trembled slightly as he gently smoothed a strand of hair from Mila's forehead, his mind swirling with a hundred different thoughts. 'Why must you always go through such pain?' He thought, the weight of his failure to protect her weighing heavily on him. 'You are still so young, just a child. Barely a teenager. You're still my little princess.' His heart clenched as he thought about the dangers she had faced, the dangers that seemed to follow her whenever she set foot in the Mireraweth kingdom. He didn't understand it. 'Why does this always happen when I'm not there to protect you?' His chest tightened at the thought that she might have faced this danger all alone, without him by her side.

Feeling helpless, Duke Reynard looked down at Mila again, guilt and frustration twisting inside him. His fingers traced the edges of her blanket, and he whispered, almost to himself, "Mila, why do you always end up in some sort of mess like this when I'm gone? It's like you're bound to bad luck in this kingdom. It's always something."

The anger in his voice was muted by a deep sense of confusion and sorrow. 'Why did it seem like Mila was always in danger, always getting hurt?' He couldn't make sense of it. Every time she was hurt, she returned alive, but each time it was by the thinnest of margins. There was always something in the Mireraweth kingdom that seemed to tear her apart, that always put her in harm's way. It was as if the kingdom itself was set on testing her, making her suffer before she could even think about living in peace.