"And would you make me fight you?"
A heavy silence fell, and the tension rose, while the girls stood a few steps away, staring at us in surprise, their hearts pounding with worry.
Amber spoke sharply:
— Don't be selfish. The children can't live in this place. You and I both know how extremely dangerous the forest is.
Do you want them to stay in a wooden cabin, with no friends, no school, no interaction with the outside world?
She stepped forward and added:
— Please, Ulyss… think about their future if you love them.
I didn't know what to say.
Do I have the right to keep them by my side?
Do I even deserve a family?
"Don't be selfish"… How many times had I heard that phrase in my life?
I looked at the girls. Worry was clearly written on their faces.
I didn't want to hurt them, nor did I want them to spend their lives in the forest.
But… do I have the right to be a father now?
I said quietly:
— Yes… I am selfish, and I can't change.
Amber said:
Please, I—
I cut her off:
— I know you're right, and I trust you. If you hadn't saved me, I never would have thought I could be a father or have a family.
But… please…
It was the first time I lowered my head to anyone.
I bowed and said:
— Six years.
— Just give me six years with them… I'll take care of them in that time. Right now, they're not ready for the outside world. They carry wounds and painful memories.
— I can't trust the queens or anyone else… but I trust you. Just let me heal their inner wounds and teach them everything I know. After that, you can tell the queens.
Amber hesitated and said nothing.
Suddenly, as I was still looking down, I felt something warm…
The children had run to me and hugged me tightly.
Kathy said, tears shimmering in her eyes:
— Please… don't take our dad away from us.
Estazia shouted:
— We just want to live together!
Dona said softly:
— Dad is a good man… I want to stay with him, I don't care about anything else.
Finally, Aisha said:
— Dad takes good care of us, he's kind and loving. He accepted us and gave us shelter when everyone else rejected us. We had no one to love us… only him.
— Only Dad loved us… and we didn't even deserve his love.
— Please, Auntie… (she meant Amber).
Aisha continued, wiping her tears:
— We don't want money, a castle, or noble status, we just want to stay with Dad. And if you try to take us away from him… I won't forgive you. I'll fight you if I have to.
I felt something strange inside… Did they really love me, even though I hadn't done anything to deserve it?
I smiled at them and said:
— Did you hear that, Amber?
Amber sighed:
— Fine… I understand. I'm not a villain, I was only speaking for your own good. And stop calling me "Auntie," I'm still young.
Then she looked at me and said:
— They love you deeply… I don't know how you earned their trust so quickly. Ulyss… please take care of them, they are miracles in themselves. If you make them cry or upset them… I won't forgive you.
I smiled seriously:
— Don't worry, I'd give my life for them.
She said:
— Before I leave… I want to ask you something. What about the body of that strange monster?
I replied:
I don't know, I've never seen anything like it before. It looked like a hybrid… or more like a deformed fusion.
She said:
— Yes, I noticed that. Do you know where it came from?
I said:
— No… but a few days ago, there was a gathering of the royal guard in a village near the forest.
She said in surprise:
— That explains why Lilith was interested in that monster. She sent the commander of the royal guard, Naztha herself, to handle it.
Then she looked at me suspiciously:
— And you killed it… by cutting off its head? You surprise me more every day. You must have used powerful magic or some special method.
I averted my eyes and said hesitantly:
— Y-yes, it was very strong.
She said:
— Alright, I have to say goodbye, I'll see you after I finish my investigation.
She approached the girls and said:
— Aren't you going to say goodbye, kids?
But they clung to me and glared at her.
She said:
— Huh… why do I feel hatred in your eyes? I told you I won't take your dad.
But their expressions didn't change.
Alright, I guess I'm intruding on your family moment… sorry for bothering you. Come on, Philo, we have work to do.
She mounted her Griffin, and before flying off, she said:
— See you later.
After she left, Aisha said reproachfully:
— Dad… before you think we need a better place, don't make that decision alone. We're happy now… and we only want to stay together.
(What's with these kids? Every word they say throws my heart into chaos.)
I smiled and said:
— Yes, my dear, I'll think carefully before making any decision.
Then, as I headed toward the cabin, I said:
— Now, let's think… what should we have for lunch?
The day continued full of family warmth.
I felt the girls were starting to trust me more and more.
At night, when they fell asleep beside me as usual, Aisha pretended to be asleep, but I could sense her.
Maybe she thought I wouldn't notice, so I reached out, gently patted her head, and said:
— Having trouble sleeping?
Surprised that I sensed her, she said quietly:
— Dad… can I tell you something?
I answered with a reassuring smile:
— Aisha… I'm listening, you have my full attention.
She said hesitantly:
Promise me you won't hate me?
I said with confidence:
— My dear… it's impossible for me to hate you or any of you. You gave me the love of a family, and the least I can give you is safety. I could never make you feel otherwise.
She lowered her head a little, looking both shy and afraid, then said:
— I used to live with my grandmother in a small house… One day, they came to kill me. My grandmother protected me and gave her life for me.
I'm… pathetic. I talk about protecting others, but I couldn't protect her. Even my mom and dad… they died for me, and I can't even remember their faces.
— What a terrible person I am… they sacrificed their lives for me, and I didn't deserve it.
Even you, Dad… you risked your life for me. I thought I was going to lose everything again… I've caused nothing but pain by existing. I'm truly hopeless… I'm real—
I interrupted her before she could finish:
— You didn't do anything wrong. Even the deaths of your parents and grandmother were out of love for you. Don't diminish their feelings, and don't say you don't deserve to live.
— They saved you because they wanted you to live a beautiful life, to find happiness.
— Even I, Aisha… I'm ready to sacrifice my life for you and for all of you. You're my family now.
— Don't live in regret… live with pride.
Love… feel… express your emotions… and be the protector.
We all want you to live a happy life. Do you understand?
She began to cry silently, her tears rolling down her cheeks.
I hugged her and said:
— I'll make you the strongest… the greatest swordswoman on earth, to the point where your name will strike fear even in monsters. You'll protect your sisters… Kathy, Dona, Estazia… and even me, when my strength fails. So… believe in yourself.
She said with confidence:
— Yes… I'll become the strongest. Dad… teach me to fight, I'm ready now.
I chuckled softly and said:
— Yes… that's my daughter.
Tomorrow we'll start with the basics… are you ready?
Yes, Dad.
After that conversation, peace filled the room.
Aisha fell asleep with a calm smile on her face.
Once I made sure she was safe in her dreams, I closed my eyes and slept beside her, feeling proud… because she had finally opened her heart to me.
And now… I've healed one wound, but I still have three hearts left…
How will I get them to open up to me?