Night came and so is my dad who would naturally go straight towards his study as soon as he gets home. I brought one servant with me to carry the tray of refreshments that is meant for him. I haven't been seeing him lately which is why I'm visiting him now when he's not that busy because later, I'm pretty sure he'll drown himself with paperwork.

"Good evening, father~ How's your day?" I greeted him after letting myself in, the servant right behind me.

Father looked up from his desk and smiled, "Nadia... It's the same as usual, nothing interesting. You went to the capital?"

The servant then placed the tray on the table and excused herself afterward, to give us privacy.

"Yes, I did and I bought some books," I replied and sat down on the chair in front of his desk.

"Are the books here not to your liking? We can buy–"

I immediately cut him off mid-sentence, "No, no... I liked them. It just so happened that this particular author caught my attention so I bought some of their works, that's all."

Knowing dad, he'll surely do something so extra like purchasing all the existing books in the entire empire. Better not go there...

"Ahh..." he mumbled– "Then do you want me to search for more books with that same author?"

'See?'

I shook my head, "It's fine, dad. You don't have to do that but thank you nevertheless..." and gave him a sweet smile.

"Hmmm..."

He didn't push the idea anymore and drank the tea I brewed for him instead, humming his appreciation. What can I say, it's one of my positive perks.

Looking at him gradually relaxing in his seat, a sudden thought comes to my head.

There was no other reason aside from checking up on my dad when I went to see him but now...

"Ahm... Dad?" I called out.

"Hmm?" he put the cup down and gazed at me– "What is it? Do you need something?"

Clasping my fingers, I finally voiced out the thing that bugs me these days.

"I'm just curious about... you know, if you're..." I blabbered, losing the guts to ask him further the more the seconds passed. My mind was racing as I tried to think of how I would break the topic to him but then, a part of me rallied.

"Ah, whatever. It's nothing..." I grumbled, brushing it off.

If I did ask him about my future and why am I still doing as I please right now, he will surely get aware of it, right? What if he really did forget to look for possible marriage partners for me? Then aren't I just pushing myself directly into the fire?

"What is it? You can tell me anything," he pressed on.

I offered him a small smile, "It's nothing important..."

Why did I even think of asking him in the first place?

Father was unconvinced, "You already asked me, are you going to make me think and worry about it?"

'Dang it, me!'

"Ah... Jeez..." I muttered underneath my breath and started thinking of excuses– "That's not what I... I was just going to ask if you're planning to remarry, you know."

Lies. After all, I already know how hung up he is for mom. I mean, he always stares at her picture every day without fail...

"Nn– Nadia..." My father was nevertheless surprised. His pale ruby eyes widening for a fraction.

"I told you it's not important... It's just a passing thought so forget about it, father." and I'm lying anyway.

He kept silent for a brief moment.

"Do you want a mother?" he suddenly rebuked.

It was my turn to be surprised this time.

"What? No!" I have never thought of that! "I mean, no, I don't," uttered me and cleared my throat– "I'm just thinking if you feel lonely or fancying someone... just silly thoughts..." and another lie.

What am I even doing at this point...

"Well, if you want me to answer then, I also don't want to remarry," he remarked, the tension on his body dissipating– He was really strung up from that question, huh...

"And who said I'm lonely? I have the two of you..." he added.

I tried to stifle my smile after hearing his statement.

"Four, don't forget about Kai and Lost..." I berated jokingly.

"Four then..." said him, mirth in his eyes.

I stood up from my chair and hugged him on his side, clinging to his neck like a monkey.

"I love you, dad."

I couldn't see his expression but I heard his tiny chuckle as he pats my head, still in my awkward embrace.

"I love you too..."

–**

An hour past lunchtime, my maids and I were preparing to leave. Well, me, because I'm going to the palace today and they were helping me dress up. It's that day again where I'll get to have tea-time with my aunt, the Empress.

The carriage rolled in and I was being escorted inside, a routine at this point. I was honestly going straight to the garden but when I saw familiar faces from a few yards where I was walking, my feet changed their course and I found myself approaching two chaotic crackheads.

The two must have noticed my presence and stopped discussing amongst themselves to look at me.

"'Yo, Nads! Long time no see!" Luther, one of the chaotic crackheads, was the first to greet me.

His cheeky grin was already plastered on his face that always made him look like he's a sleazy playboy.

"Hey, yourself~" I nodded at him.

"Nads!" Eon, the leader of the crackhead duo, exclaimed in surprise upon seeing me.

"Hello, Eon..."

Luther plunked his elbow on Eon's shoulder and leaned lazily.

"Tea-party with Her Majesty?"

"As usual... Both of you already know what it is..." I replied.

"But the garden is not this way, little Nads," Luther teased.

"I know," I rebuked and rolled my eyes at him.

Little Nads? Do I look little to him? I'm practically a giant amongst the ladies my age.

Eon, who was surprisingly silent until now, finally found his voice.

"Are you looking for your brother?"

Not really but...

"Yes, where is he? And Kai?"

"Nathan is not here, he's been busy these days and I have no idea why," his face then fell into a frown– "It's unfair because I'm the vice-captain, you know? What am I here? I should also know these secrets!"

'Oh boy...'

"Yeah... yeah... Where's Kai?" I fired back, ignoring his tantrums just now.

What can I say, he always gets into a fit like this every time, this is not new to me.

Eon pouted and stared at me in resentment.

"Man... you're still as cold as ever..."

Luther chuckled, "She's always been like that, come on. Wouldn't it be creepy if she suddenly changed?"

"You're right. She's truly the same cold-hearted woman we always know," Eon readily agreed.

"Yep," Luther nods.

"Hey!" I snapped at them.

Y'all talking shit right in front of my face!

Eon grinned cheekily, "He's in the training grounds right now. Do you want to go?"

'These two bastards...'

"Yeah, I still have time to spare so I'll go and visit him," I muttered and decided to ignore their remarks just now.