Capítulo 37: Missing Child

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Hansol looked at Ezra and Xavier with confusion.

'Xavier… Did this upset you that much? Not too long ago, you wished for her death. You wanted nothing to do with her. In fact, you tried killing her many times! If it wasn't for us, she would have been dead! I just…'

Ezra placed a hand on Hansol's knee as a sign to stop.

'What Hansol is trying to say is that we… are just a bit confused. Surely, you have upgraded her living situation. She started in the black tower, remember? She barely had any living expenses. She wore commoner clothes until the age of three, Xavier. Hansol had to increase her living expenses behind your back and even use his funds for the tower since it was falling apart. We just..' Ezra stopped and looked at Xavier, who was dazed out.

'... Yes, I have lost my mind. I am many things. I know. I am a tyrant. I am a killer; I am heartless. I promised myself that I would never be a shitty father if I ever had the chance to be one. But I obviously failed at that. The girl told me she not only hated me once but multiple times. Even though my father treated me like his own puppet, I never thought of using those words on him. However, this child said it so...easily, out in the open, In front of everyone to hear. She wanted everyone to know how much she hated me. I… do not know why, but I cannot seem to hate that child anymore. Those words hurt me more than getting stabbed with a sword through my chest.' Xavier responded.

'Every day, she looks more like me. But she resembled Jennavicia's personality, more and more by the second.'

'Xavier, we are both proud of how far you have changed for the princess. You have changed for the better. You show acts of kindness in the smallest of ways with her. You spoil her with her favorite desserts every day; you are concerned about her education. Not to mention, you even went out of your way to get horses that are gentle with children so that she can ride them without fear. What the princess has for you is not hate, its fear.' Hansol explained.

'That is right, Xavier. What you need to do is show your love another way now. The princess does not hate you; all you need to do is heal her saddened heart. She is alone in this world, Xavier. She only needs her father's love and affection. She doesn't know what love is because she has never had it from you, her father.' Ezra said.

'Affection… love? Those things do not make a person. I never had any of that from my mother, let alone my father, and I turned out just fine how an emperor should be. Cold, heartless, logical, and aggressive. Love and affection only make people weak and vulnerable. No child of mine will have a defect such as that.' Xavier responded as he got up to fill his cup.

'Xavier, she is only a child. Your father knew from the second you were born that you were going to rule this empire. Your circumstances are different. You said it yourself; she is only but a child with no one to call family. Surly, Ezra is her uncle, and I am her cousin. However, you are her father. She is part of you, and you are part of her. There is no denying that.' Hansol replied.

Silence filled the room once again. Xavier leaned against the end table while he chugged the little wine he had left in his cup.

'YOUR MAJESTY! THE… THE PRINCESS! SHE IS NOWHERE TO BE FOUND!' Busted in the emerald guard.