Author's note: this chapter is from Aldus's point of view

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I observed Lazarus who was seated at the opposite side of the dining table. Each of us had a glass of wine in front and we didn't touch the appetizers.

"Is your daughter coming?", Lazarus asked impatiently, and I can imagine that for him is torture to look at the food and not eat. Lazarus is used to getting what he wants, when he wants it, which is usually right away.

"She is Miss Mezzanotte for you unless she approves that you can address her otherwise.", I reminded him. "Serina will be here soon."

Lazarus's lips twitched in annoyance and I smiled while remembering bits of my conversation with Serina from earlier…

"How should I treat Lazarus?", Serina asked me, looking for guidance.

"If possible, I hope that you give him a clean slate.", I responded. I saw her displeasure and clarified: "Not because I want you to have a good relationship with Lazarus, but because there will be other creatures you will meet in the future and each of them has certain… impulses. After you left the garden, I explained to Lazarus that you are my daughter and that he needs to respect you. I believe that he got the message. Your status as my daughter will provide you with a certain dose of safety, but you need to find a way to interact with others, or risk being alone."

"Don't I have you?"

I was surprised by this question. A girl who so far spoke about returning to her family, now she insinuated staying by my side. It seems that I am doing as a father better than expected, or maybe her image of what a father should be is so bad that her standards are low.

Sure, she does not remember the person, but feelings are not easily erased, and Serina definitely has a notion of what a father is to a daughter.

I am surprised that her family didn't search for her. Based on the information I gathered, two days after Serina's untimely death, her co-vacationers checked out of the hotel and returned to England. Serina was sharing a room with three other females, and there is no way that they didn't notice that Serina is absent.

I contacted my sources in Italy and the United Kingdom to suppress any inquires and to prevent the news from blowing up, because I don't want Serina's disappearance (and death) to cause big waves, but so far, there was nothing to suppress which is unusual. She is missing for two weeks, and any normal family would ask where their daughter is. I sent my best investigators to quietly find out more about this, and I am waiting to hear back from them.

"Yes, you have me, Serina.", I said with a smile and patted her head twice before adding: "However, as much as I am charming and fun to have around, variety will prevent you from descending into boredom. It will be up to you how you want others to see you..."

I saw her looking at me with a different gaze, and I think that might be... trust.

Back to the present…

My eyes moved toward the entry door as I heard Serina's steps approaching.

She entered the dining room and stopped at the door. Her gaze moved from Lazarus to me, and she smiled as she approached her usual seat, by my right side.

I stood up to pull a chair for her, as always. I don't know how Serina lived before she ended up dead in the alley in Venice, but I want her to get used to being treated like a real lady, like royalty, because that is what Miss Mezzanotte is and she deserves only the best.

"Did you have a good rest?", I asked Serina, when she took her seat.

"Yes, thank you, father. I'm sorry for being late.", she responded softly and looked at the opposite side of the table. "We have a guest?"

I was surprised by her calling me father. When did that happen? It's probably a show for Lazarus.

I found it amusing that she feigned ignorance about Lazarus's presence, but a second later I understood that is her idea of a fresh start.

"Yes, Serina, we have a guest. Allow me to introduce you to Lazarus Lupo. He is a colleague. Lazarus, this is Seraphina Mezzanotte, my daughter."

Lazarus stood up and bowed in greeting while trying to conceal his confusion.

Serina responded with a small nod and spoke to me: "He looks familiar. Is this his first time here?"

I hid my unexpected laugh behind a cough. I don't remember the last time laughter caught me by surprise. Having Serina around is fun. "I believe you met him briefly in the garden this afternoon."

"I see… I apologize, Mr. Lupo, but I didn't recognize you now that you are keeping your distance from me."

Lazarus suppressed an incoming growl by clearing his throat. "Please, call me Lazarus. It is I who should apologize, Miss Mezzanotte, for acting out of place. I hope that you can forgive me."

Serina waved her hand like it's not a big deal. "No harm was done, just make sure it does not happen again."

She looked at me and smiled. "What's for dinner? I am starving."

I waved at the maids and the food was served.

A soup and a salad later, Lazarus attempted small-talk with Serina.

"Miss Mezzanotte, do you mind telling me how you met Aldus?"

Serina paused her movements, glanced at Lazarus, and then looked at me, silently asking me to answer.

"We bumped into each other in Venice. It was accidental, if I may say.", I responded vaguely.

Lazarus was visibly irritated that Serina didn't speak to him. "Is something wrong with your daughter, Aldus? Why are you answering in her stead?"

Serina gave him an insincere smile and answered: "We both know that my father's status is… special. I will prefer that he talks about things that involve him. I don't want to accidentally reveal things you should not know about."

I was incredibly pleased with her answer, and she called me 'father' again. I could get used to it.

Serina is unexpectedly amazing.

I like that with her answer she told Lazarus she knows more about my affairs than he does. Serina is not there yet, but I will gradually introduce her to different aspects of my life.

Right now, Serina is asserting her position as the princess and I approve.

Lazarus blinked a few times before giving her a small nod. "Will you answer my questions if they are related to you?"

"If they are appropriate.", Serina responded briefly.

Lazarus was speechless.

Considering my knowledge about Lazarus and his lecherous history, I could guess that he had more than one topic ready for Serina, but they were probably not something I (aka the father) would approve of, so he continued eating in silence while Serina and I engaged in small talk, mostly about food and the book she is reading.

"How is your Italian going?", I asked Serina when she was about to finish her dessert.

"I started this afternoon, but I was interrupted. I plan to continue my lessons after dinner, to catch up."

"Don't stay up too long."

"It will be fine…", Serina said with a smile.

She gave Lazarus a small nod and left the dining room.

I was glad that she didn't mention my lab and tests that we usually do later in the evening. It would only make Lazarus more suspicious, and I want to keep Serina's background a secret, at least until I get a good understanding of what I created.

Of course, how Serina came to existence will always be a well-guarded secret only between me and her, but her other abilities should also not be revealed. Creatures like us don't want to expose our abilities, no matter how big or small they are because that can be used against us.

The common rule is: the less others know about us, the safer we are.

Even Lazarus is aware of this, and that is probably the only reason why Lazarus is not bombarding me with questions about Serina.

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