The Demon King's Paladin

Chapter 178. Understanding Your Children Is Important As A Parent

                                                                       Charlotte Nyx's Point Of View

" Are you really sure you want to do this, Char?"

Del, my brother, asked me the same question again for the 5th time today. I turn to him and speak with annoyance in my voice with annoyance in my voice since this is the 5th time I'll be answering.

" Yes, I'm sure."

" Then tell us why you want to fight, Marquess Matthew so much! It makes no sense! Even when we've tried scoundrels that had similar ideas to Marquess Matthew, you've never acted like this. What has changed? Please, tell me. You're worrying Mom, Dad and me."

He pleads for the answer to why I've chosen to duel... Well, spar with Marquess Matthew. I wish I could give my family a real answer, but to be honest, I don't have a real answer. It's just... The look in his eyes as he explained how he didn't care about anyone other than his family and friends... It felt like we weren't included in either group. Like he didn't even think he should bother to try... I didn't like that. Not at all! I couldn't answer my family's question, because I knew how selfish I was being. It wasn't noble, or honorable. I just wanted him to acknowledge my family. No... That's not fully correct, I wanted him to acknowledge my family, but most importantly, I wanted him to acknowledge me. I wanted him... To look at me. When I finally understood that was the desire in my heart when I was lying in my room, burying my face in my pillow, I knew right then that I couldn't tell anyone about this wish of mine.

" Char?"

My brother was even more worried about me since I've been quiet for a few minutes. But how can I approach and explain this feeling to my older brother? or worse yet, explain it to my Dad and Mom behind him. My Dad... He was looking at me in concern. I haven't seen him like this since my first Coming of Age Ceremony when I announced my Job to everyone. When the words left my lips from reading the Appraisal Orb, I dropped the Orb and ran away crying. My full family stayed with me for 2 weeks until I felt I could fully reemerge from my room. It took another 3 hours after I returned when my maids looked at me with pity in their eyes. I was getting ready to lie to my family about this fight, but I was stopped by my Mom of all people.

" Ah, Del, just leave her be. There's no use crying over spilled milk. Besides, it's not something serious, with Lady Sarah's, Lady Anna's and Marquess Matthew's agreement it became a sparring match instead of a duel. Whoever were to look at this situation has no reason to not believe that it's just a bout of friendly sparring between allies."

My Mom began to soothe the concerns of everyone around her, even though it was only meant for us of the Royal Family, the servants also breathed a sigh of relief at my Mom's words. My Mom looked me in the eyes and then winked at me as she began to add a few words to finish expressing her thoughts.

" Besides, this is the first time in a long while that Char has acted so childishly. How can I deny one of my cute children something that they want so badly?"

" Mom!"

I felt my face heating up. I mean yes, I did selfishly ask for this, and Marquess Matthew, Lady Sarah and Lady Anna granted me my request. But to have it rubbed in my face in front of all of these people... It's embarrassing!

" Now that we've all sorted this out, Everyone, it's time to leave the room."

My Mom looked at the servants and they left out the doors of the Royal Dwellings with swift unified steps.

" Good, now that they're gone, let's talk about what is going to happen from now on, shall we?"

My Mom has switched into her Queen mode... No wait, she still seems to not be taking this too seriously. Why did she send the servants away anyways? My Mom looked at Del and I and began to speak again before I could ask her what she was doing.