The Other Daughter

Chapter 5 - Goodbye

"Father! I'm not going if you abandon my sister."

My eyes widened at her remark. I knew Aria had been waiting for the day she could go home. But her determination to throw that away because of me was something I could not understand.

I reached my hand out towards her, "Aria, it's okay."

"No, it's not. We're going to stay together!" Aria's eyes welled up with tears and she started crying loudly.

Flustered and unsure of how to pacify Aria, I turned to Duke Edgar. However, when I met his distasteful eyes directed at me, I let out a sigh and turned to Duke Hellebores for help. Acknowledging my gaze, he rang the golden service bell calling a servant in the drawing room.

"Bring the young lady's nanny here and tell her to take Aria out for a while."

A few moments later, Martha walked in greeting the two Dukes. Noticing the tense atmosphere she quickly did as she was instructed to. Aria put up a fight, unwilling to leave. However, she was defeated by Martha who carried her out the door. My eyes remained glued to the spot where Aria left. As the sound of her incoherent crying grew softer, a warm feeling spread in my chest. Why would she shed tears for me? I could not come up with an answer. My mind was so deep in thought that I didn't notice the two pairs of eyes staring at me.

"What did you do to my daughter?"

Sighing again, I looked at Duke Edgar, "What do you mean?"

"Why would Aria throw a tantrum because of you? Did you force her to do this to get in my favour?"

His reasoning for coming to that conclusion baffles me. Isn't it too far-fetched?

"Brother, you need to calm down. Let's go back to what we were discussing. Are you sure you want to leave the child under my care?"

Duke Edgar turned his piercing glare away from me. "I don't want her near Aria. whatever you do with her, it's up to you."

I understood why he did not like me. I sympathised with him and felt guilty. However, was it necessary for him to berate me like this? Taking a deep breath, I leaned back in my chair. I was getting tired of the animosity directed at me.

Duke Hellebores got up and walked towards me. He bent down, reaching my eye level, "Would you like to stay with me?"

While gently stroking my head, he asked in a voice full of affection. In my past life, I spent years reading the mood of my father through his eyes, making presumptions, and worrying about it. That's why Duke Hellebores' actions didn't fool me. While his voice might have been tender, his eyes shone with shrewdness.

"Okay."

Whatever Duke Hellebores' aim is, would be something I'll worry about later. Right now, staying here with him seemed like a safer route. I would miss Aria but [Aria's Bliss] was originally a story without me.

At my answer, Duke Edgar got up. "Since we have settled this matter, I'll be leaving with Aria immediately."

Without sparing me a glance, he walked out the door. Duke Hellebores held my hand and walked me out of the drawing room.

"You should say goodbye to your sister."

He's right. Though the time I spent with Aria was short, I wanted to give her a proper goodbye. I had a feeling I'd regret it deeply if I didn't. we reached the hallway where Aria was. Her cheeks were stained with tears and she looked distraught, probably at what Duke Edgar was telling her.

"NO, I SAID I WILL STAY WITH SISTER!"

I approached Aria, and her shouting ceased when she saw me, "Sister we're staying together... right?"

My heart ached at the sight of her. Staying with Aria seemed like a pipe dream. Ignoring the hostile stares of both Duke Edgar and Martha, I hugged Aria.

"I'm sorry, but I can't go with you. Live well and be happy. Maybe when we're older we will meet again."

When she heard my words, Aria froze and sobbed, "Why do they hate you? Why can't we be together?"

I felt a pang in my heart, what if one day Aria finds out that her mother died because of me? If she knew how I ruined her flowery path and caused the Duke to leave for war, would she still like me? For the first time in my 5 years living in this world, I felt deep fear. One day those loving eyes might turn into hostility. I realised how big of an impact Aria has had on me. Living away from Aria would be better for both of us after all. I let go of her and gave her a smile.

"Goodbye Aria."