Ah.

  So it’s time.

  The Grand Chamber is ready to be mine once again.

  Back then, Archer gave me this as a present for my fifth birthday. However now in this life, it’s a different story. On my fifth birthday, we went to a private island. He’d gifted me a vacation villa there, and pretty much the whole island was legally listed under my name.

  But the Grand Chamber, huh? It brings back so many memories.. where Belle ridiculed me by saying that I was unworthy of this room and took all my possessions inside before I was forcefully dragged to the attic. By Anna, my previous nanny.

  I swear on the dragon’s blood within me I would never let anyone treat me that way ever again!

  Sigh.

  I don’t think I can ever escape the past.

  “What’s the occasion, Daddy?”

  Archer flinched, making an odd face. “You’re my daughter. I’m allowed to give you presents anytime.” *sigh.. “I wish you’d act like a little baby girl of mine sometimes instead of using that prodigy brain of yours on making sense of everythi..”

  “Okay then.”

  “Hm?” *raising his brows.

  “Goo goo, ga gaa. There.”

  *smirk. “Why you little..”

  “Ehehe, thank you Daddy! I liked my new room!”

  I hugged him tight. Because it was simply the right thing to do.

  Sure, I’m still bitter about what happened in my first life, but Archer has been trying hard in his redemption arc on loving me that it’s flawless. And I’ll be sure to throw him a big ass fist right on his jaw should he bring those two betches and try to abandon me again in the upcoming future.

  But then, despite that, I guess I do.. smh! It’s corny as fuck, but I guess I should say it out loud. “I love you.” *squeezed. “I love you Daddy! Thank you for loving me so much!”

  “…”

  At that moment, I paused myself to see his face as there was no reply.. for the reason that the warm sensation on my back as he embraced me, was his tears.

  Tears that flowed rapidly..

  I had never said those sweet words before. And he had never cried in the past either. Not to my knowledge that is. But at this moment, I feel like he’s never letting this daughter of his go, and my heart just fluttered.

  **

  Following the Grand Chamber, I was gifted two personal maids and four personal knights.

  The two maids are twins, named Alice and Donna. They both looked like they’re in their late teens, and somewhat unordinary. Calloused hands, sturdy yet flexible frame, and sharp instincts when I tested them out by ‘accidentally’ dropping my book.

  As for the knights, the captain of the squad looked rather younger than the other three members. Then I found out that he was only fifteen. FIFTEEN AND A KNIGHT? And he’s a squad captain at that!

  Tristan Trivankoff as the team leader and the other three knights are Red, Reed, and Rue. Yes, they’re triplets.

  I’ve got twins as my maids and triplets as my knights.

  Did Archer selectively make this choice?

  According to Jasper, they were chosen very carefully by Mr. Hugo and the selection was approved cautiously by Archer.

  Kudos to them, but my new staffs better pledge their loyalty and not betray me in the future. Because if they’d ever to switch side.. oh well, to tell the truth, when I was three and saw Archer wiped off his back after a quick shower, the dragon tattoo on his shoulder reminded me that I had manifested my own Debelvoir power at the age of thirteen in my first life.

  It was a dragon tattoo on my back too, just like Archer’s and my ancestors’.. but I didn’t get the chance to use that power or even meet the dragon. I mean, I never tried to awaken it at all. So, just in case my future in this life would suck, I better read those family history books again so I could stir up the secret power. Maybe I could even manifest it sooner.

  Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.

  Speaking of which, I should also practice the Martial-Arts training as soon as I’m able to. And I’m also itching to go back to the medical field.. perhaps I’d ask Archer to build me a new lab.

  Dang it. Somewhat, I missed my second life. It was easy then. I was living comfortably and had zero anxiety about Vanessa and Belle.

  Why do I feel so concerned by them? As if the memory of them tied me up and never let me go..

  If I’d tackled my brain enough, I would probably be able to know the psychology behind it, right? So why am I so invested in them? It’s not like I’m powerless like I was before.. I’m Lady Katriana Maximillian Debelvoir for fuck’s sake! Archer introduced me to the entire estate, heck, to all the southerners, therefore I should know the power that I have!

  Haaaa I really do need a therapist!

  *huff.

  “My lady, are you alright? Would you like me to bring some warm cocoa?”

  Oh, I forgot that Jasper is still around.

  “N-No.. I’m okay. I’d like to visit the library now.”

  “Sure, my lady. I shall call the escorts.”

  Hm, it’s a good thing that I’m being overprotected, but the library is on the same floor as my chamber though. Archer built the Grand Chamber with the nearest access to the library since he knew of my reading hobby.

  But then, the current Head Butler is rather a strict one, so I understood him somehow. He doesn’t play around either. The maids listened to him at once and even Maryjune was terrified of him. Dude seems to be taking this job rather seriously. And although I don’t fully trust anyone and will never again fall into the trap of blind trust, he does give out that righteous of a man vibe.

  Keep it up Jasper.

  One wrong move against me and I shall purge you along with whoever traitors coming in my way.

  FEW MONTHS LATER.

  The news of the war against the demonic beasts in the far north has come rather faster.

  Seems like the archduke and Archer have considered my statement thoroughly, which isn’t so bad, but Archer and the Emerald Knights will leave for the battle as soon as the celebration of my sixth birthday is over. And my birthday is tomorrow. Meaning that they’re in preparation to leave the day after.

  Sigh.

  I still have that little resentment toward Archer. Again, my trust issue is the problem here. But, he is still my father who has been doing his job properly as a FATHER in this life. He’s no longer just a mere sperm donor to me anymore..

  …

  …

  Have I opened up to him?

  Am I worried about him?

  Is that the reason why I’m in front of his chamber right now?

  *creak.

  “I’ve assigned those who waited on you so you won’t roam around the house on your own.” He scolded me as he opened his bedroom door. “Can’t sleep baby girl?” He kneeled on one knee as he speaks, and I can only nod in response. “Come here then.” *picked her up.

  **

  One hour later, the clock strikes ten o’clock. And I’m still wide awake as fudge. Darn it. I tossed and turned and wanted to bang my head on the pillow, but Archer’s still reading on the couch!

  “Katriana, are you nervous about your birthday tomorrow?”

  “No.”

  “Are you nervous about me leaving for the war, then?”

  “…” I should respond to him. “No.” I am but I’m not gonna tell you that!

  “Then go to sleep. It’s late now. We have your birthday picnic tomorrow. You won’t have much energy if yo..”

  “Have you ever got sick?”

  He jumped off of the sofa and approached me quickly. “Are you feeling unwell?”

  “No, Daddy. It was just a question.”

  *sighed in relieved. “Well, if it’s fever and such, it won’t actually affect us.”

  “Because of the dragon’s blood?”

  “Yes. How far did you read our family history book?”

  “Quite far. I never get sick either, have I?”

  “No, sweetheart. But although we have quite the resistance, it doesn’t mean that we can’t catch it. Why do you ask?”

  “The north is super-duper cold, right? The ice never melted?”

  “Are you saying that I might catch a cold during the war?”

  “I’m saying that the Emerald Knights might..” Because they will. In fact, you will lose about seven hundred knights or more due to high fever, and with the lack of medical nurses and doctors, some wounded soldiers will be left untreated, causing lifelong injuries and mental traumas. Although they have their pensions and such, but you will eventually lose some trust from those who pledged their loyalties to our house. They’d doubt you as their lord. We’re a powerful house, but negligence on the medical field in the battleground is equal to ignorance. And in this matter, it’ll be your own failure to overlook the problem. At least that was what happened back then.

  There are mages with healing abilities, but they won’t be enough. In addition to that, House Debelvoir is not particularly on good terms with the Holy Kingdom (never was, never is, never will.. ask our ancestors for that, we as descendants only follow their orders). Thus, the presence of priests and priestesses in our house that could help as healers is zero.

  However, if you’re alarmed by what I just said, you’d do the right thing with it to prevent the catastrophe. And I trust that you shall, since you seemed to be thinking hard by now. And wait, are you grinning?

  “Sometimes I wonder how does your brain works in that little head of yours.. but then your Mother was just the same. I guess you took after her in that aspect.”

  My eyes widened. He rarely, I mean, very rarely, mentioned her. “Dad-Daddy..”

  “Hm?”

  “Where is she?”

  “…”

  I thought so. He couldn’t answer it. Instead, his grin turned sour, confusion and sorrow crossed his feature.

  “Katriana..”

  “I’m sorry I asked, Daddy.”

  “No, you have every right to. I’m just surprised since you never once asked me about her before..”

  Huh? “So, uhm.. are you going to, answer me?”

  “When the time comes, and when you’re old enough, I promise I will tell you everything about her.”

  Oh.. what a cliché answer, Archer. “But?”

  “But for now, all that you need to know is that I loved her..”

  WHAT?

  “..and you were conceived with love, born and raised with love.”

  AM I HEARING HIM WRONG? CONCEIVED WITH LOVE? IS HE LYING? I KNOW ABOUT THEIR CONTRACT!

  Nonetheless I can’t bring myself to ask him any further. I heard about her missing when I was just a baby.. from the old maids.

  I really want to know more though..

  “You are loved, my little girl.” He patted my head softly with a gentle smile, and my heat just dropped and throbbed.

  Loved? Am I? But it occurred to me that the LOVED part didn’t apply in my previous life with you, Archer.

  My heart hurts..

  “Now then, would you like to lie on my chest so you’d fall asleep?”

  Heh. What a way to quickly lift up my broken spirit. But I guess it’s okay. When you’re back I’ll be old enough not to sleep so casually in your arms, so tonight would be the last time I’d be clinging onto to you like a puppy.. Dad.

  “Yes.”

  He smiled and placed me gently on his chest.

  “Scratch my back too.”

  “Tsk. So demanding.”

  “You missed the left shoulder blade, Daddy!”