CH 18 ~ Changed Behavior

Eleanora's P.O.V~

It's been a few days since I am living in this dream again.

Every night, before sleeping, I pray to the god to not wake me up from this dream.

Me and my father have been getting along with each other like before again.

Maybe it's not totally like before, full of awkwardness but it's still a lot better.

The atmosphere in the Dalton duchy is somehow just like six years ago, before my mother, duchess Amelia 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.

Even if I cough a little, he would call the physician to check up on my health.

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

I think he changed a little because I changed?

Would it be better if I had directly expressed my feelings to him, instead of obsessing and following him around?

With those thoughts running in my mind, I entered the dining room and 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."

"..."

I called him but I think, he just wince at me?

As his motion was so small, I did not know if I had seen it well.

So, I tilted my head with confusion while moving my fork in silence.

But it was still bothering me.

Why is he making such an expression?

Is he displeased with my 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?

His face kind of looked gloomy and his dark expression turned darker.

"You look uncomfortable. Are you really alright?"

"I am fine."

My father anfter a brief silent.

"Then, what's the matter with you? If you tell me, I will tell them to correct it immediately."

I asked him again as his unnatural act was really affecting me to judge the situation.

If I am back to the past, he shouldn't be right here now and eating with me.

I know how much of a workaholic person he is.

He should be on the imperial training field now, or discussing about border matters with the current emperor.

Emperor Valerian De Alfred Valentino, the 33rd emperor of this empire should still be alive now.

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

"Why don't you call me like you used to do before?"

"Huh...Pardon?"

I blinked as I didn't quite get his words, almost dropping the spoon off my hands.

"I mean, why don't you call me like you did in the training field and... when you were little?"

Training field?

What did I call him then?

"Papa…?"

I asked out with confusion and a pleased look appears on his face.

My face blushes and the never fading frown on his face finally eases.

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.

I couldn't see him face to face so, I looked down.

As if he felt the same way, he cleared his throat several times before speaking again.

"Yeah, that's the thing..."

And then the awkward silent begins again...

After eating our foods in silent, he stood up as he finishes 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 in front of the door and hesitates for moment before he spoke again.

"I will be happy if you keep calling me that, Elle..."

I was stunt to hear his words and by the time I looked back, 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.

My heart clenches with pain as I decided to put down my fork before running after him.

"PAPA!"

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 tightly.

I grabbed his blue uniform with my trembling hands, refusing to let him go.

I was afraid he would suddenly disappear.

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

"What's wrong with you, Elle? Do you have anything to say to me?"

He asked and I shook my head, I just want to hold him.

"Well, are you sick?"

He asked again and I shook my head this time too.

"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, Papa."

He still looked more anxious after I spoke.

So, 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 before speaking hesitantly.

"You want to go with me?"

"…To the palace?"

"Yes."

"Can I?"

I asked in a low voice as that place, tell to be truth I really don't want to go back there.

But I have to confirm something.

"Well, someone has sneakily followed me there for the past few years..."

"Papa!!"

I become so embarrassed at his unexpected response, and clung to his arms.

How did he know 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 from the future I remember these days?

If that's the case, it's too realistic to be a dream.

Then, am I in the real world now?

Was the long and painful pain of mine, just a nightmare?

I headed to the palace with such doubt.

My answers lay there after all…