Chapter 103 - Gratitude

Emelia couldn't stop rolling her fingers in circles as the silence between her father and her grew. The two of them weren't the type of people to start a conversation, but one of them had to, or else they will never end up talking to one another. 

"H-how are you?" asked Duke Louis, rubbing the back of his nape and his eyes not able to meet hers.

"I-I'm doing fine and you?" asked Emelia back as she wonders if this type of conversation will continue on like this. 

When it comes to comparing who Emelia's personality is like. The answer is her father, Duke Louis. The both of them can't stand loud places. They don't talk to many people and wouldn't even try to become close to them. The only similarity between them was her platinum-blonde hair color that came from him. 

"Even if it doesn't look like it. I didn't get a single sleep the other night because I was too excited to see you," Duke Louis laughs nervously, and so did Emelia laugh. 

"If Elliot told me you are going to be part of the council, I would have done the same thing as you did," said Emelia as her father smiled at her and sees the necklace of her mother. 

Emelia looks down to where Duke Louis was looking, and he was looking at the necklace. She did not think twice, removes the necklace, and gives it to Duke Louis. 

"I heard that this necklace came from you," said Emelia as the necklace lands on Duke Louis' palms. "I had a dream that my mother gave me this necklace when I was first born into this world. Even if it was a dream, it all felt so real that it makes me cry."

Duke Louis gazes at the necklace that was on his palms, and he took out his, showing it to Emelia, who looked surprised to see another copy of her mother's necklace. 

"I gave this necklace to Alia when it was her debutant. I told her never to remove it, and if we ever to get married, she'll pass it on to our children," Duke Louis gives the necklace back to Emelia, who wore it back on. "Even if Alia is gone. I'm glad that she left something for me to take care of so that I can repay her what she has done to me," Duke Louis said as he clenched his fist. 

"I don't think that's the reason why mother brought me to this world," said Emelia, taking a pause before she continued, "Mother wanted to make you happy, and so I do want to."

Duke Louis Whelan never took a woman into his mansion or even try to court one even if he could have with his handsome features. Until the present day, he looked as if he was waiting for Alia Beaumont to come back home. But learning her death was tragic that brought him down to the lowest point of his life. But he continued living after learning of Emelia's existence. 

"I think it's my time to make you happy, father," said Emelia as she held onto her father's hands which was unusual of her to do so.

"What do you mean?" asked Duke Louis confused by Emelia. 

"I heard from Elliot that you always blamed yourself for my mother's death, but the truth is you're not even at fault."

Duke Louis frowns and said, "Rather than blaming. I regretted not being by her side during the hardest time and not being there to witness my daughter's birth."

Who can a person be this warm? Emelia asked herself on the verge of tears but kept her tears on bay. It wasn't the time to get emotional, even if this was a reunion. There are a lot more people she knows who are warm, but the fatherly love she wanted was fulfilled. 

"It isn't your fault, father," smiled Emelia while Duke Louis bit his lips after hearing the word he has been yearning for a very long period of time. It made him emotional that he couldn't help and let the tears he has holding back for years. 

Duke Louis and Emelia spent more time together, getting to know more about one another. It sounds weird for a father wanting to know more about their child when they're supposed to know already. But it's different for the both of them. 

"That reminds me. I should thank His Imperial Majesty for sparing your life when you got caught," said Duke Louis as he stood up.

"You don't need to," Emelia stopped Duke Louis, pulling down his sleeve. "He promised his father not to after all. I don't think it's something to thank for," said Emelia. While Duke Louis smiled at her. 

"But still I should thank him for bringing you here alive. You are my only family now."

"If you say so…I won't stop you anymore," Emelia said as her cheeks flushed a bit red as if she was being complimented by him. 

"Or do you want to go and see him together?" asked Duke Louis. "To be honest with you. I still want to spend more time with you."

"I don't really mind," said Emelia, interpreting it as she wanted to spend more time with him. 

They both walked back into the meeting room where Elliot stayed behind with Air who were discussing some issues. Air stopped speaking when he heard the door opening and bows his head, seeing Emelia and Duke Louis entering. 

"Are there any problems?" asked Elliot, who still hasn't realized that they entered the meeting hall. 

"The Princess and Duke Whelan is here," answered Air and Elliot immediately turned his back, facing them and walked towards them,

"Why are you both still here? I thought you were going to take a scroll," asked Elliot.

"We just had a conversation outside and I simply am just escorting my father in," said Emelia as she bid farewell and left the meeting room.

"What can I do for you?" asked Elliot while Air still cannot get used to how he was treating Duke Louis like he was trying to get his favor. Duke Louis bows his body out of nowhere while Elliot stood speechless. "Raise your head, please," said Elliot, but then Duke Louis shook his head.

"I want to thank His Imperial Majesty for sparring her life. If it weren't for you. I wouldn't have known I had a daughter with Alia."

"Isn't it normal to let you know that you have a child? Not only that but sparring Emelia's life was my parent's wishes. If they learned I killed her, they wouldn't forgive me for my actions," said Elliot. 

"Still. I may not have sworn loyalty during those days, but then this is my way of showing my gratitude. Even if you don't accept my loyalty, I will listen to you even if you ask me to kill someone," insisted Duke Louis while Elliot shook his head. 

"I don't think Emelia will like it if I had asked you to kill someone. Don't worry Duke Whelan. I only wish for you and Emelia to be happy. I truly do. That is why I order you to stay alive no matter what and be by her side. That is the only way to make her happy after all," smiled Elliot.

"I want to thank you for being by Emelia's side during the hardest times she encountered."

Elliot rubbed the back of his nape and said, "I've done nothing but the right thing to do. I didn't do anything much for her. I just simply stood beside her."

"And that is enough for her," Duke Louis raised his head and continued, "Staying by her side is enough for her. I'm sure of it even if we haven't spent much time to fully know one another. She's like her mother. She just needed someone to stand by her side and help her."

Elliot chuckles and said, "I think this is where she got her stubbornness."

"Well, they say their own children will have a mix of their parent's personality," chuckled Duke Louis and he continued saying, "Your parents will be very proud of you. Even if you lost them in a young age. You grew into a ideal man."

It's not a compliment he would hear everyday but it was enough for him to make his day up. Elliot was loved by his parents, and everyone knew it. But then it's because of the rumors that made him look like a monster. But those who stayed with knows that he isn't a monster but their savior. 

"You're complimenting me to much. I'm starting to feel flustered. Also, you're a bit different from what others say," joked Elliot.

"Well, you can't trust rumors all the time. But then how can I act cold to the person who helped my daughter? I think anyone would," said Duke Louis who asked to shake Elliot's hand. 

Elliot gladly shook his hand and smiled after. For some reason, he felt like Duke Louis was allowing him to court Emelia, or is it all just in his head?