Saving The Abandoned Empress

Chapter 18: “Going To The Palace”

Eleanora’s pov ~

It’s been a few days since am living in this dream again. Everynight, before sleeping, i pray to the god to not wake me up from this dream.

Me and my father has been getting along with each other like before again. Maybe it’s not totally like before, but it’s still a lot better.

The atmosphere in the Dalton duchy is somehow just like five years ago, before my mother, duchess Eunicelia died.

I bid my father every morning with a bright smile before he leaves for the palace and father kisses my head and tells me that he will be back soon.

But still, something seems a little off. This days, he over caress for me and he is being a little over protective.

Like even if i cough a little, he would call the physician to cheak up on my health.

.....

Now am currently in my way to the dining room as father eats his every breakfast and dinner with me.

I think he changed a little because i changed?

I entered the dining room where i found my father, who was already waiting for me.

I sat down, still feeling awkward. Even if we get along now, but eating with him tires me out as he just stays completely silent....

“I’m sorry for being late, Father.”

“...”

Huh? Did he wince at me?

As his motion was so small, I did not know if I had seen it well. I tilted my head while moving my fork in silence.

Why is he making such an expression? Is he displeased with behavior?

“You don’t look good. Are you okay, Father?”

I asked awkwardly and This time his motion was rather big. Didn’t he really like the food?

“You look uncomfortable. Are you really alright?”

“I’m fine.” My father replied.

“Then, what’s the matter with you? If you tell me, let me tell them to correct it immediately.”

I asked him again why he was acting unnaturally today.

He was silent for a long time, with his face hardened, and then said finally,

“Why don’t you call me like you used to did before?”

“Pardon?”

I blinked as i didn’t quite get his words.

“I mean, why don’t you call me like you did in the training field and...when you was little?”

Huh? Training field? What did I call you then?

“Daddy...?”

My face blushed and he smilled. Oh My God. What did I do there?

I realized that I was doing something that I wouldn’t have even imagined normally.

Although I vowed that I would act freely as I wished in this dream of mine, I was still very embarrassed.

As I couldn’t see him face to face, I looked down.

As if he felt the same way, he cleared his throat several times and said,

“Yeah, that’s the thing.”

After eating our foods in silent, he stood up after finishing his and i tried to get up too as i wanted to bid him.

But he patted my head and made me sit down again as he took my fork and pushed some food inside my mouth.

Huh?

I become dumbfounded as i continued to chew on my food.

“Eat your food and stay healthy. Don’t get sick.”

He was going away when he suddenly stopped infront of the door and hesitate for moment before he spoke again,

“I will be happy if you keep calling me that, Ele..”

I immediately looked back but he was long gone.

But somehow this triggered me, i felt like if i don’t run to him now, i won’t see him again like before.

I put down my fork as i run behind him.

“DADDY!”

I called out for him and he stopped. He was going to get into his carriage when i rushed to him and hugged him from behind.

I grabbed his blue uniform with my trembling hands. I was afraid he would suddenly disappear.

If I let go of his hands now, I felt like I would wake up from a cozy dream and be thrown into a cold reality, again.

“What’s wrong with you, Ele? Do you have anything to say to me?”

“Oh no, daddy.”

“Well, are you sick?”

“No, daddy.”

“Then, what’s wrong?”

He extended his hand to touch my forehead and then took me into his lap.

When I met his deep blue eyes like mine, filled with concern, I felt as if the anxiety weighing on me seemed to go away a bit.

I knew that doing as I wished was different from troubling somebody.

So, I felt that I should not trouble my father anymore.

I was still scared, but I released my grip on his uniform and said reluctantly,

“It’s nothing special. Please take care, daddy.”

“Hmm.” He was still anxious.

I smiled as brightly as possible, but my father frowned. There was a moment of silence.

When I was about to tell him again that I was okay, he looked me again said,

“You want to go with me?”

“Pardon? To the palace?”

“Yes.”

“Can I?”

“Well, Someone have sneakily followed me there for the past few months...”

“DADDY!!”

I become so embarrassed at his unexpected response, and clung to his arms. How did he knew that i used to secretly follow him to the palace?

Then i heard somebody murmuring behind my back. Looking back, I saw the knights staring at my father and me sharply.

Why were they staring at us like that?

Tilting my head, I met a young knight’s eyes. I also smiled unconsciously when he smiled at me.

Then, their whispering became louder. What the hell were they doing?

Their long whispering stopped only after my father ordered them to leave. I was puzzled, watching them going back to their place as if nothing happened.

Was it because of me? Because I acted differently this days? If that’s the case, it’s too realistic for a dream.

Then, am I in the real world now? Was the long and painful pain of mine, just a nightmare?

I headed for the palace with such doubt.

.....