Chapter 137 (1/2)

Chapter 137: Chapter 137

‘Exactly the same situation.’

Actually, when Jiun appeared in the past, it was Rose Palace where the crown prince let her stay.

Although I felt my present obviously changed from the past, though it did little by little, I felt like I was going back to the same old past with Jiun’s sudden appearance.

My hands and feet suddenly became cold, and I felt short of breath. My heart pounded like crazy. I lifted the silver cup to calm down, but my hand trembled so much that I couldn’t put it to my lips.

Looking at me quickly, the emperor said to my father, “Good job, Marquis. That’s enough. I appreciate your coming all the way down here.”

“I’m flattered, Your Majesty. Then, can I leave with my daughter?”

When I looked at him hesitantly, the emperor told me with a smile that I could leave.

I didn’t remember how I showed due manners when I got out. I just instinctively walked after my father. It was only when my father, who walked ahead for a long time, stopped walking and put both hands on my shoulder.

When I blinked blankly at his touch, I saw him looking at me with a worried expression.

“… Dad?”

“…Are you okay?”

“Pardon?”

“I guess you have been through so much here.”

Having said that, he suddenly hugged me.

When I was held in his arms, I felt greatly relieved as if I was relieved of all the troubles in this world. Only then did I realize that I was still trembling. When I heard he was whispering that I was okay, and that he would help me out, stroking my hair kindly, I felt refreshed and regained my good spirits. It looked like there was a ray of light in the darkness that bound me tightly.

“… Daddy.”

“Yes, honey.”

“Why did you come down? You are in charge of the defense of the capital… ”

“When I saw the woman with black hair who appeared suddenly, I recalled your dream. As it was a dream that left you with such a truma, I was concerned about you, just in case. Although the timing of her appearance was different, I was afraid that you might be shocked a lot if you heard the news about that woman. When the messenger left, I also wanted to come, but as I had to gather some more information, I arrived here just now. Don’t worry as I let Marquis Enesil take charge of defending the capital while I was away. By the way, are you really alright?”

When I heard his considerate questioning, I could feel he was gravely concerned about me. I could feel it even in his warm embrace and the hand stroking my hair.

Did my father come all the way down here for the past week with just one thought that I might be shocked? As Jiun really appeared, he might have thought that my dream wasn’t just a dream, but a prophetic dream. Nonetheless, it would have been hard for him to trust my dream. Was my father worried about me so much that he even left his official duty with Marquis Enesil?

“I wasn’t okay…”

“… ”

“But I’m okay now. Since you are with me, I’ve become convinced that everything will work out well. ”

“… Tia. ”

“Thank you very much, Daddy.”

My intense anxiety for the past three days went away quickly. As I snuggled into his arms like a child playing the baby, he tightened his grip on his arms embracing me.

Patting my back silently, he asked me after a while.

“Tia.”

“Yes, Dad.”

“As you heard a little while ago, the noble faction and the temple guys joined hands together and began to claim that the dark-haired woman was the child of God’s prophecy. If you go to the capital, you will hear lots of people arguing that the woman should be made the crown prince’s wife.”

His nave blue eyes were staring seriously at me. He said with a determined voice, “I don’t think the emperor will betray my expectation, but I would like to honor your decision.”

“… ”

“Do you intend to be the successor of my family like you said when you were a child? Or do you want me to make you the next empress by fighting with the pro-emperor faction? I will support your decision, whichever choice you want to make.”