Duke Evermoon could not help but mentally shake his head at the strained, oddly stiff air surrounding his daughter and Michael.
It had not always been like this.
Before the revelation of Michael's possible background… before it was revealed that he had a Great Being–level bodyguard… before it became apparent that he himself was already touching that same realm…
The two of them had actually shared a good relationship.
They spoke naturally.
Even laughed a few times.
There had been mutual respect then. A comfortable distance, but not an awkward one.
But suddenly…
Everything had changed a week ago.
And Duke Evermoon knew exactly why.
His daughter did not feel herself worthy anymore.
Not even worthy, in her own mind, to call herself his friend.
It was not something she voiced aloud.
But a father did not need words to see what weighed on his child's heart.
And if he was being honest…
Even he, her father, felt something similar.
