Partners In Crime

Chapter 82: The Servant of Evil Part 3

Kaname, Hanabusa, Lloyd, and Aria walked together to the training grounds the next morning. Mistake stood in the center of the grounds with the white knights lined up against the fence.

"You're late," Mistake states.

"Mother?" Lloyd looks confused.

"But we're on time," Aria argues. "It's 9am."

"To be early is to be on time, to be on time is to be late." Mistake smiles "And to be late, well, you won't like it."

"What are you doing here?" Lloyd asks.

"Special training," Mistake walks up to them "for you, my son."

"For me?!" Lloyd looks around surprised "What for?"

"To be worthy of your station," Mistake points to the fence "Line up with the rest of them!" She turns and smiles to Aria "Your father is waiting for you in his office princess, I will return Lloyd to you when we are done."

"Oh... okay." Aria looks at Lloyd before turning and walking into the castle.

Aria passed many of the servants before descending the staircase into her father's underground office.

"Daddy!" Aria calls out.

"Over here!"

Aria went through the white room until she saw her father bent over an altar.

"What are you doing?" Aria asks curiously.

"Planning," Svern sat on the alter and patted his lap.

Aria ran over and jumped into her father's lap. Svern sighs before looking down at her.

"Now, you know I love you more than anything in the world, right?" Svern asks.

"Mhm," Aria nods "I know you try to spoil me as much as you can dad. But I really don't need all these things, I promise I'll do my best always."

"Well, princess, this isn't about that." Svern wraps his arms around her "Dad... dad isn't feeling so well these days."

"What's wrong?" Aria asks.

Svern thought for a minute before answering "Do you remember that story I told you, about the great dragon?"

"Mhm," Aria nods "even the mightiest of beasts that seemed undefeatable, was destroyed by a broken heart."

"Well, that's sort of what's happening." Svern tells her "Dad's heart... is being broken. I fear for what will happen after I'm gone, and I want to prepare you for the worst."

Aria thought for a second before giving her dad a kiss on the cheek "Did that make you feel better?"

Svern smiles before hugging his daughter to his chest tightly. Aria could only lay her head against her father for comfort.

"I don't want dad to leave," Aria says.

"Honey, I've kept you sheltered for all your life, and that was my mistake." Svern sighs "This is going to seem harsh... really harsh... but from now on we can't tell mom anything."

"Why not?" Aria asks.

"I know you're not naive Aria," Svern tells her.

"I.." Aria looks down.

"I'm not mad," Svern smiles "I have no issues with my little girl doing as she pleases... but now." He sighs once again "I'm afraid I have to ask you for a great sacrifice. We will hold training, every day from now on, without your mother's knowledge or approval."

"This is really important, isn't it?" Aria questions hesitantly.

"It is... I have to ask you, to not trust your own mother." Svern says "Do you think you can handle it?"