MCFATTKM

124

At first, it was small whimpers, but then a larger, sorrowful cry began to pour out.

Eventually, Julianna cried like a child.

Emperor Perseus, as always since her childhood, hugged Julianna and patted her back affectionately.

But one side of his heart felt uncomfortable.

Whenever Julianna was sad or struggling, Perseus always came in as a big shield. As the most reliable and affectionate father in the world, he reassured his daughter.

But...

What was Lelia like in all those moments when he was being such a good father to Julianna?

She would have to cry alone and overcome her fear, right?

Without leaning on anyone?

He remembered a small, skinny child crying and rubbing her palm.

Perseus painfully distorted his forehead. His heart was pounding.

"Dad... If that child hates me..."

"No, she won't."

Perseus calmed Julianna down with a heavy heart, recalling Lelia, who he had never soothed before.

"Julianna... Don't worry about anything. Who in the world can hate you?"

"... Are you sure?"

"Yes, there is no one in the world who hates you."

"But..."

"When she finds out how nice and sweet you are, she will love you."

"Really?"

"Sure. So, don't worry about anything."

At the emperor's sincere words, Julianna gradually felt calm.

"Please pat my back a little more... I want to be spoiled like when I was young."

"Yes, as much as you want."

Julianna stopped crying and laughed.

For a long time, she was in the arms of her sweet father.

In the meantime, Perseus vowed to hug Lelia like this when she returned.

'I will be such a reliable father to Lelia in the future.'

'I will keep my two daughters safe like the most precious flowers in the garden for the rest of my life.'

***

"Why did we say we're going to the capital city again?"

"......!!!"

It was as they were first setting up camp, Kalix asked.

Lelia looked at the escorting knights skillfully setting up the tents, then turned her head in surprise.

[Kalix... What did he just say?]

[It's been a day since we left, and you're asking that now?]

[And I explained it to you before you left, right?!]

It was clear that he was thinking about something else.

Lelia clenched her fists.

Romeo, who was next to her, was also looking at Kalix with a shocked look on his face.

But soon, he clicked his tongue with an expression of "Yes, yes."

"Captain, cheer up..."

Romeo tapped Lelia's shoulder a couple of times as if to cheer her up then ran away.