Dragon Savior A New Beginning ( Update Version)

Think Before Speaking (14)

Starfania's footsteps echoed down the hall before the sharp slam of her door reverberated through the castle. Inside her chambers, Starfania collapsed against the wood, sliding down to the floor. Her breaths came ragged, and though her father's harshness still stung, she couldn't escape the guilt that gnawed at her chest. Why did I say that? She thought bitterly. Hugging her knees to her chest, she crawled onto the bed, curling into a ball as hot tears finally broke free. No matter how hard she tried, it felt as though she would never be enough for him.

Back in the study, Cesar remained rooted in place. Her words—I wish you weren't my father—echoed relentlessly, cutting deeper than any blade. His shoulders sagged as he turned toward his desk. There, in a simple frame, smiled a younger version of himself: Lyria at his side, radiant as ever; Starfania as a little girl, proudly holding her baby brother in her arms; and himself with a goofy, unrestrained smile that felt foreign now.

Cesar's fingers brushed over the glass, lingering on Lyria's face. A quiet sigh escaped him. He moved to the mirror on the far wall, staring at his reflection. For just a heartbeat, he glimpsed that man again—the father, the husband, the dreamer. Then the vision faded, replaced by the weary king he had become, hardened by loss and duty. Then the vision faded, replaced by the weary king he had become, hardened by loss and duty. With a shake of his head, he turned away, locking those softer memories deep inside.

Starfania pressed her face into the pillow, trying to swallow the lump in her throat. When she finally sat up, the moonlight spilling through her window painted the room in silver shadows. Her chest ached as the image of her father's broken expression replayed in her mind. He was not a king at all; he was just a man hurt by his daughter's words. Guilt clawed at her, whispering questions she didn't know how to answer. Was there still a way to fix it? Or had she gone too far this time?

Morning light crept through the curtains, chasing away the shadows of the night before. Starfania stirred, her chest still heavy from the storm of words she had unleashed. The ache of regret lingered, but mingled with its chest still heavy from the storm of words she had unleashed. The ache of regret lingered, but mingled with it was something new—resolve. She couldn't undo what had been said, but she could choose what came next. Rising from her bed, she pressed her hand over her heart and made a silent vow. I will try to mend what I broke...but I won't lose myself.

She would seek a path back toward her father, but not at the cost of her own voice or her mother's memory. For too long she had twisted herself into knots, desperate to meet his expectations, only to feel invisible. No longer. If Cesar ever saw her more than a child, she would show him through her actions, not by surrendering her spirit. She would train, she would fight—but also dream, laugh, and live as Starfania, not just the daughter of a king. With that thought, she drew a deep breath and opened her door to the day. The path to reconciliation would not be easy, but she would walk it on her own terms, balancing duty with the person she was going to grow into.