Chapter 54 (2/2)
After catching his breath for a moment, he said again,”But I heard that Verita’s son visited you on the eve of the crown prince’s coming-of-age ceremony after you passed out. I also heard that you told him not to come back, and that you had a hard time after that.”
“… ”
“As you know, the crown prince is absent right now, so people will be paying attention to you. If they hurt you rather than giving you peace of mind, I don’t have any reason to allow you to meet them, right? I want you to be happy. I really don’t want you to hurt because of them.”
“But you don’t have to stop me from corresponding with them by letters…”
I could understand his position, but I grumbled because I thought he went too far when he intercepted Allendis’s letter to me the other day. Looking at me silently, he said with a sigh,
“Oh, did you already hear about it?”
“Yeah.”
“I’m sorry about that. I did so because I didn’t know what the letter was about. I took it because I was worried you would feel hurt again when you had just begun to feel better.”
“… ”
“I was so happy to see you working hard in a cheerful mood, so I took the letter. I’m sorry for that.”
Suddenly, I felt sorry somehow. He did it because he was worried about me. I didn’t feel good when he said he was sorry.
“I’m sorry for throwing a tantrum, Daddy.”
“No, you don’t have to. I left the letter sealed. Would you take it? ”
“No, Daddy. You can give it to me later when you think you feel comfortable about it. I’m so sorry. I didn’t know why you did it.”
“… Didn’t you hate me for that? ”
“How can I hate you, Daddy? You know that.”
When I smiled bashfully and leaned on him, he sighed and swept my hair.
“So, did you have a good time?”
“Yeah. By the way, you told me you would like to have tea with me, right?”
I pulled the string and asked the maid to bring some hot water, and I showed my father the box I received from Allendis.
“What is this?”
“I received a gift from Allendis. He said it’s a very precious plant growing only in the estate of the Verita family. When I brewed it for tea, it was very pretty.”
“Really?” After being silent for a moment, he called me as if he recalled something.
“Tia.”
“Yes?”
“Well, a little while ago when Verita’s son was here, I heard him calling you by your nickname.”
I smiled awkwardly because I didn’t have anything to say. He heard it, too. I thought he didn’t hear it because he didn’t mention it until now.
“Well, I believed that I was the only one who could call you by your nickname… ”
“… ”
“Hmmm… I’m a bit sad.”
“Oh, Daddy, that is…”
I was very embarrassed at his sad expression. What should I do? I was thinking of making an excuse somehow, when I heard somebody knocking on the door. I let out a sigh of relief.
‘Am I out of the crisis since he didn’t take any issue with it?’
After the maid brought the teacup and a teapot with hot water, I quickly pulled the teacup before he asked me more about my nickname. After adding a spoonful of dried petals and pouring hot water, the vivid blue color gradually spread out. I was a little worried because it was the first time I made it. But I carefully filtered out the petals and handed the mug to him.
“Isn’t the color pretty?”
“… Yes, it is. ”
“When I added lemon juice, it turned pink. It was amazing. ”
“I see.”
I tilted my head as he silently leaned over the mug.
‘Did I brew it wrong? It’s strange. It looks the same as when I enjoyed it at Allen’s.’
“How does it taste?”
“Well, the scent is just so-so, but I like it because you brewed it.”
Does he mean he liked it or not? When I looked at him curiously, he sipped a cup of tea and said, “Hmmm…I guess you didn’t finish your homework today.”
“Ah yes. I’m sorry, Dad. I’ll definitely finish it by tomorrow morning. ”
“No, you don’t have to stay up all night to do it.”
“But…”
“Fine. I’m afraid I am too hard on you. As it’s too late, go and have a good sleep, but you should make up for what you missed today.”
“Yes, I will.” I nodded lightly and stood up. Now, it was time to go to bed.