2 A Daughter They Would be Proud of (1/2)

”My dear, about Chalice. She's already injured. Can't you let this one go as well?”

Alaric looked up from the documents he was reading and landed his gaze to his beloved. It was always like this. Whenever their daughter, Chalice, got into trouble it was his wife who pleaded and apologized for her. Frankly, Alaric already expected this. He sighed and met her lovely peridot green eyes filled with anxiety and worry. These eyes never failed to take his breath away.

”Lyana, my love, you know that this time it's different. The crown prince is involved.”

Lyana's shoulder slumped, her face down-trodden. Alaric stood and took her into his arms. The both of them know that Chalice was at fault. The crown prince had disliked her from the start. He only tolerated her as respect to Alaric being the prime minister and sworn brother of his father emperor.

However,the crown prince was truly angered when Chalice chased after him doggedly and thus had her trampled by his horses to stop her.

Even if she was injured in the process, in the end Chalice had disrespected the crown prince. This is something that they, as her father and mother cannot deny. Thus, it was either House Amaranth punish her themselves or deliver at the mercy of the crown prince himself.

”Then could you be more lenient with her punishment. Don't make suffer.”

Lyana conceded. Alaric looked down at her and smiled reassuringly.

”Lyana, Chalice is my only daughter. I may be strict with her but I also do not wish for her to suffer. I know, somehow it is also my fault that she turned out to be this wilful.”

”It's both our fault, my dear. We're her parents. I just hope that this incident would change her for the better even just a tiny bit.”

Alaric sighed. He didn't refute what his wife said because he too hoped for it. Howeverhe did not want to hope too much. Chalice was much too spoiled by her mother. And his strict demeanor did too little and instead made her more rebellious.

”Let us just wait for her to wake up and hear her stand on the matter first, my love. I will give her fair judgement.”

Lyana did not reply to him and just reveled in the comfort his embrace gave though it did little to ease her anxiety about their daughter.

---

Pia stared at the face reflected back at the vanity mirror. Exquisite. There's no denying that Chalice was a beauty. Her features were that of a sinful enchantress.

The girl's ebony locks tumbled out in waves perfectly framing her small face. Her fringes were just long enough to tease the thick, dark eyelashes fanning out. This was complemented by her upturned aquiline nose and soft, heart shaped lips.

But the most notable one is her eyes. They shimmered like the purest of emeralds with gold flecks scattered in. They were bright and clear like the lush forest basking underneath the morning sun.

”Tsk! This girl is an evildoer. Her looks are even more devastating than my previous one.”