章節 11: Eyes that Conceal

Andromeda walked through the expansive corridors of the palace, her steps echoing softly against the polished marble floors. Tall windows offered glimpses of the sunlit gardens outside, a stark contrast to the turmoil within her. As she passed these windows, a pang of realization struck her. The day had slipped by while she was lost in her thoughts, and the world had continued without her notice. She had even missed her lunch, though surprisingly, hunger eluded her. If left undisturbed, she would have preferred to sleep through the night, escaping into dreams that held no connection to her waking reality. However, the memory of the dream she had witnessed lingered, a shadow from her past that she chose to dismiss. It was no longer her reality.

The palace staff seemed to move with hushed steps and lowered gazes as she passed. Whispers lingered in the air, unspoken but palpable. Andromeda was acutely aware that her actions hadn't gone unnoticed, even if no one dared to speak of it openly. Yet, their opinions and words held little weight in her grand design. As she walked, her thoughts churned within her. While her outburst had been intended to have far-reaching consequences, it appeared that the reality was not in her favor. Delphine was unharmed, and the palace retained its tranquil atmosphere. Altering the course of fate was proving more intricate than she had envisioned. Still, her determination remained unshaken. She would find a way, whether it was today, next week, or next month.

'Let's see, just how long you can escape,' she mused, her gaze drawn to the golden reflections of sunrays dancing across the floor. The same floor on which she had been dragged, a memory of shame etched deeply into her mind.

Finally, Andromeda arrived at the grand duke's office, her heart a mix of turmoil despite her outward calm. Her steps paused briefly, her hand resting on the ornate door handle. She inhaled deeply, not to steady her nerves, as she was not afraid. Instead, she needed to adopt the façade of her nine-year-old self, the façade that had been her refuge and shield for years.

Her fingers turned the handle, and the door swung open, revealing the grand duke seated behind his imposing desk. The room was adorned with rich mahogany furniture, the walls lined with shelves of dusty tomes and artifacts from across the land. A large window allowed moonlight to pour in, casting cold blue hues over the chamber's opulent décor. The air in the room felt charged with an air of authority and duty.

Andromeda's heart skipped a beat as her eyes met her father's. The weight of emotions stirred within her, a mixture of disbelief, joy, and overwhelming sorrow. In her past life, her father had perished during her childhood, a wound that had never truly healed. Seeing him alive and well in this reality was both a blessing and a torment. Yet, she suppressed these emotions, burying them beneath the practiced mask of her façade.

"Father," she greeted with a sweet smile, her eyes carrying a subtle hint of sadness, and her voice soft, free from any trace of her recent turmoil. Her gaze met his with an innocence she had perfected, a mirage to shield her true feelings.

The grand duke looked up from his papers, his expression a blend of concern and affection. "Andromeda," he replied warmly, his voice laced with paternal care. He studied her, recognizing the depth of her emotions, though he chose not to delve into them at this particular moment. After all, his daughter was just a child, and he wished to shield her from unnecessary burdens.

"I apologize for summoning you abruptly," he began, his eyes kind but also searching for something beneath the surface. "I hope your day has been well." He gestured for her to take a seat on the sofa across from his desk, an invitation that carried more than its literal meaning.

Andromeda inclined her head slightly, her gaze meeting his with practiced innocence. As she settled onto the sofa, she felt a swirl of emotions within her—a mix of anticipation, curiosity, and a faint unease. Her father's eyes held a warmth she hadn't seen in years, a reminder of his presence that had been lost to her in her previous life. It was a sight that both comforted and unsettled her.

He rose from his desk, his movements fluid as he walked over to the sofa and took a seat beside her. It was a simple act, but it carried a weight that stretched beyond the words they would exchange. A gesture of paternal concern and a desire to bridge the distance that time had forged.

"I thought a change of scenery might be pleasant," he said with a gentle smile, and his eyes held an unspoken inquiry as if searching for glimpses of the past within her gaze.

Andromeda had lost her father at a young age in her previous life. The duke had embarked on a subjugation mission that tragically led to his demise. As a result, she had only been left with stories of him, heard in whispers, and his portrait to remember him by. Until, that was, her mother's remarriage...

Now, as she stared into the eyes that were the same hue as her own, hazel like a blend of earth and sky, and at the fiery waves of red hair that cascaded like molten strands, the truth resonated within her. This man was her true father—the one she had lost, the one whose absence had shaped her past and fueled her decisions.

A tumultuous surge of emotions swelled within her, threatening to breach the walls of her control. She tightened her grip on her emotions, her fingers remaining gently curled up around the cup she held so elegantly. The turmoil of finding her lost father was matched by the storm of thoughts and feelings raging within her. But she wouldn't allow it to unravel her composure, not now, not in front of him.

Andromeda managed a small smile in return, her heart pounding with emotions she dared not reveal. "Thank you, Father. It's always a pleasure to spend time with you." Her words held the truth, for in this moment, being near him was a precious gift she had thought lost forever.

He motioned to a servant, requesting tea and snacks. The room was soon filled with the aroma of freshly brewed tea, a comfort in the midst of the complex emotions swirling within Andromeda.

As they sipped their tea, the grand duke's gaze shifted to a more serious demeanor. "Andromeda, I heard about the incident earlier today. You lost control and lashed out at Delphine."

Andromeda's gaze dropped, the curtain of her lashes veiling her eyes, creating an illusion of contrition. Her façade of innocence remained unyielding, a well-practiced mask that concealed the true depth of her emotions. The weight of her actions settled upon her like a shroud, but her outward demeanor remained unchanged. She had hoped for a more significant impact from her outburst, but it seemed that the currents of fate were not so easily altered.

Her father's voice, kind and understanding, cut through the air. "I understand that things got out of hand earlier," he began gently, his gaze penetrating as if seeking to unravel the layers beneath her composed exterior. "Your actions could have led to serious consequences, especially considering your extraordinary elemental abilities. However, I also recognize that your loss of control was not intentional. Ilmestys can be an unpredictable force."

Raising her eyes to meet his, Andromeda maintained her innocent façade while a swirl of emotions raged beneath the surface. His words were both a relief and a bittersweet reminder of the complexities she sought to manipulate.

"Delphine will recover," he assured her, his tone conveying the unwavering affection of a father's heart. "Our lineage's resilience ensures her healing. But I wanted to have this conversation with you, to assure you that you won't face repercussions for an incident that was beyond your control."

Andromeda's heart pulsed with a mix of emotions—gratitude for the reprieve, the satisfaction of seeing her plan unfold, and a peculiar pang of twisted anger for her sister. She lowered her gaze, allowing her fingers to trace the delicate pattern of the teacup, a well-practiced gesture of innocence.

"I'm relieved to hear that Delphine will be alright," she replied softly, her voice a carefully woven with the threads of false concern. The contrast between her innocent act and the twisted thoughts that churned within her mind was stark. Her heart had blackened and even seeing the young child her sister was currently, did nothing to calm her hatred for that child.

He extended his hand, his touch gentle as his palm briefly came to rest atop hers. In that fleeting connection, Andromeda felt a warmth that seemed to penetrate through her skin, touching something deep within. The sensation was unfamiliar, a reminder that no one had ever shown her such a display of affection. It left her momentarily speechless, the façade of innocence momentarily faltering.