บท 17: Not dead

After knowing that her mother was still alive, Aylin felt so shocked that her legs gave out and she sunk on the floor.

Aelia quickly pulled up her younger sister and hugged her. She knew that Aylin had been blaming herself for their mother's death.

Their mother, Amelia Romanov had suddenly gone missing after going out on an evening to buy a new set of sketch pens for Aylin. Aylin had been busy for a few days, designing a new set of jewellery for the company, so after realizing that her supplies were going to be finished soon, she had requested their mother to buy some supplies from the nearby supermarket.

However, Amelia Romanov had gone missing ever since leaving the house in the evening of that day. Even after an extensive search by the police for the next few months, there was no sign of the abductors who had kidnapped Mrs Romanov. Eventually, Azrael, who was working with the Delphians at that time, sent a message that their mother could possibly be dead.

Finally, when Amelia Romanov disappeared for more than twenty months, with no news either from the police or from the Delphians, everyone regretfully concluded that she possibly could not be alive.

Seeing his sister's expression, Azrael too felt extremely guilty. For it was him who sent the message confirming their mother's death. Actually, the Delphians were so sure, because they knew that the opponent who had abducted Amelia had a vicious personality. After not finding any trace of Amelia for nearly two years, they concluded that the side of the opposition had captured and killed Amelia Romanov to weaken the Delphian Council.

However, a few days ago after Azrael had returned to Phillon, the Delphian Council suddenly received a very feeble energy signature from Amelia. Though they felt it only for a few seconds and could not even determine her location, they were at least able to confirm that she was alive.

Azrael, however, was blaming himself for giving wrong information to his family, thereby breaking all their hearts.

Aelia could feel that Azrael was blaming himself, so after consoling her younger sister, she went to Azrael and hugged him.

"Brother, please don't blame yourself for this! I'm sure that you had tried your best to locate mom. No one, not dad, nor Aylin, and definitely not me, will blame you for this. We know that you have been missing her as much as we have! So, please don't blame yourself, brother!"

Mr Romanov too agreed with Aelia.

"Son, don't foolishly blame yourself. We all know that it's not your fault!"

Then, he turned towards Aylin and patted his youngest child's head.

"You too Aylin, stop blaming yourself! Since the enemy already planned to capture Amelia, it would not have mattered, if your mother had not gone out that evening. They would have simply abducted her at the next opportunity they got."

Aylin sniffled and nodded. Azrael too calmed down after receiving the warmth from his family.

Asher felt extremely pleased on seeing how his angel had handled the situation so well. He was sure that her joining the Council would be able to make a huge difference and improve the power balance within the Council.

Me Romanov gave a hug to each of his children and said, "Remember, from now on you shouldn't blame yourselves. Alright?

I've always known that Amelia would always be involved in dangerous situations due to being a Delphian. I'm not criticizing her, for I know that the responsibilities of the Delphians like her, would always be to take care of the ordinary people. I support her work and I'm extremely proud that my wife is such an extraordinary person.

It's just that I feel a little helpless, as I know that I'll never be able to protect her directly. That is the worst regret of my life. Sometimes, I wonder if it would have been better for her to marry a Delphian, who could stand by her side to protect her. However, I'm still not confident that if I'm given the chance again to marry her, I'd be able to refuse even after knowing all these. I think it'd be even more impossible now, after knowing of the warm love and the incredible family she gave me."

Andrew Romanov looked at his three children and smiled at them.

"Lia, Linlin, Az, I want you guys to always remember that whatever happens and whatever you do, your mother as well as me, are extremely proud of all of you! I know that I've not been much of a father to you, after your mother's disappearance, but you should always know that we have complete trust in you, so never hesitate in doing the things you feel right! Alright?

I've also seen Reine's actions today! You guys don't have to worry too much about her! I'll have a talk with her and see if she's willing to change. Even after this, if she doesn't take the chance to turn over a new leaf, I'll send her abroad and she won't be allowed to come back, until she can confirm to me that she has really changed! "

All three Romanov children were surprised by their father's sudden decisive actions. They were finally assured that their dad had finally awakened from the muddled state that he was in ever since their mother's disappearance.

However, they understood that the effect that the news of their mother's death would have on them would be exponentially greater on their father. Amelia Romanov might have been their mother, but she was his wife, his only love in this lifetime! Hence, neither of the Romanov siblings blamed their mother for being in a daze after their mother's sudden disappearance.

Azrael, Aelia and Aylin did not bring up the fact about the fake DNA results. They all had agreed that it was better to just bring in the real results after Azrael completed his investigation.

After the conversation was over, just before leaving the office room, Mr Romanov turned to Asher with a warning look.

"Your Highness, I know that your marriage with Aelia is a grave matter and would hold various consequences for both the Delphians as well as the rest of the world! But, please give her the proper respect she deserves, even if you think that your marriage is just due to a prophecy. If I ever find out that, you have mistreated my daughter, I'll make sure that no Delphians would be able to get any kind of cooperation from the Phillonians!"

Asher gave a respectful nod to his future father-in-law and said, "Don't worry, dad! I'll take good care of Aelia! And you can just call me Asher, or better yet you can call me 'son', just as you do with Azrael."

Hearing Asher shamelessly proclaiming himself as the son of the Romanov family, Azrael and Aelia we're left speechless. Aylin found her brother-in-law quite amusing and she chuckled. She somehow felt sure that this brother-in-law of hers would be able to win her sister's closely sealed heart.

Mr Romaniv too could only shake his head at this Crown Prince's shameless attitude. In spite of that, he could somehow feel that his future son-in-law would treat his daughter well. But that did not mean that he would have to be happy with the man who was stealing his baby daughter and taking her away to Delphia.

So, after giving him a curt nod, he left.