mikrokosmos

34: AN EYE FOR AN EYE

By the time Penelope and Jinx were busy cooking for their group's dinner at the common area, Philip sat down beside his daughter.

"I'm heading back to the Castle," Philip said, "The King is gone so I'm in charge of protecting the remaining Royals."

Lyra Jade's head whipped in his father's direction. "You're going back?"

Philip Valentine smiled widely, "Yes. You're concerned for me now?"

"N-no," she denied. Should I just tell him? "What if..." she said then met his father's eyes. "What if I know how to capture Astra?"

"How?" Philip asked, his curiosity piqued.

"I'll break her hands," She raised her gloved hand to show his father how she'll do it. "Then she can't use her powers."

"But no one actually knows what the Queen's power is, Lyra Jade," Philip frowned. "You should sit this one out. I'll try to find out what her power is as much as I can now that she is without a King at the moment."

He's been keeping an eye on her for years now. Clearly, Astra is already aware of his true identity for her to be extra careful around him. Regardless of her thoughts, she replied, "Yeah, of course, that would be so risky, I know," she chuckled nervously. "I'll think of another plan then."

Philip smiled at her warily, "Thank you for putting an effort into this. Leila would be so proud of you once we rescue her," he gently placed a hand on his daughter's head and patted it. "I will be off now. Do not do anything rash, young lady. I don't want to lose my daughter again."

Lyra Jade forced a smile with a nod. "It's not my fault you lost me though."

"I'm sorry," Philip apologized, withdrawing his hand from his daughter's head in an instant. "I did not mean it that-"

"Will you promise to rescue me when someone takes me away again?" Lyra Jade suddenly asked him.

"Yes, I swear," Philip then smiled to himself, "This is the first oath I made after my mother told us about the prophecy."

"You did not promise to find and avenge Leila?" she asked.

"I did not," he answered, "Because I know I will do it for certain. I do not need to say an oath, I just have to do it because I have to. And I want to."

Lyra Jade furrowed her eyebrows. "Then why swear an oath to me? You don't think you have and want to rescue me?"

"I felt like you needed words of affirmation," Philip grinned at her, "Did you not?"

"I... I actually did," she shyly said. "You should get going now."

Philip stood up from his seat and looked down at his daughter. "Take care of yourself. I will come back here after the King arrives safely." She nodded. "Stay with your aunt Pene. Stay close to your friends, they'll protect you. That I'm sure."

"They got on your good side real quick too?" Lyra Jade chuckled.

"They seem nice," Philip shrugged his shoulder. "But I'm trusting Justin more. You should stick to him. He is a really nice young man."

Lyra Jade's eyes narrowed. "Are you trying to set me up with my friend?"

"No," her father smirked. "But if it is what you think I am doing, it is fine for me."

She scoffed. "Quit the matchmaking. It does not suit you, father."

Philip's eyes widened. "F-father?"

"What?"

"You called me father for the first time, Jade."

I did? Must have been a slip of the tongue. "I said that just so you'd feel obliged to rescue me when I need help. You did leave me behind when I was in prison so..." Yeah, I would not let you celebrate for that achievement just yet, Philip Valentine.