“Thanks for coming to visit me,” Shendou said in gratitude.

“Idiot! You made us so worried!” Julia yelled and wacked Shendou’s head.

“Okay okay I’m sorry. You can stop now,” Shendou said while blocking Julia’s attacks.

“Shendou, did you only have a cold?” Aki asked suspiciously.

“…Yes,” Shendou answered.

“Are you sure?” Aki asked. He did not like how Shendou paused briefly before answering.

“Of course. Why do you ask?”

“Nothing. Just wondering.” Aki smiled. He then reached into his backpack and pulled out a few sheets of paper. “Anyway, I brought today’s class notes and homework that you missed. Here, take a look at them.”

Five minutes later…

“Hey guys, I would like to call it a day because I still haven’t recovered from the cold,” Shendou said tiredly. He could feel his insides still ache from the torture previously.

Julia’s jaw dropped. “But…we just got here five minutes ago…”

Aki put a hand on the girl’s shoulder. “We should let him take the day off. He looks really exhausted.”

“Fine,” Julia said in defeat. She and Aki quickly went to pack up their things. After the three bid each other good night, Julia and Aki left Shendou alone in his bedroom and proceeded towards the front door. They found the door ajar and overheard Shendou’s father, Hiroki Beitiouwuen, having a heated conversation with someone in the yard. Curiosity killed the cat. Julia and Aki decided to eavesdrop and peek outside the door. Julia froze when she recognized the person who was talking to Hiroki as her own father. She did not know what to think of the situation. She had no idea that these two people even knew each other. All she could do then was to keep listening to their conversation, and hopefully that would give her clues about what was happening.

Roger smiled ruefully as he gazed down at his own hands.

“You’re absolutely right. I committed an unforgiveable crime. I fell in love with your sister, I even vowed to protect her under all circumstances, but I have failed--I let her died by the hands of my enemy. That's why you have a right to be angry at me, but please, tell me what I can do to make it up to you. Even if it means giving up my life, I won't utter a word of complaint.”

Hiroki laughed in bitterness.

“Always making empty promises and breaking them so easily. You’re such a liar and a coward, Roger Burningbush. You don’t deserve to be with my sister. I wished she hadn’t met you. Because of you, she had died so young. She had never gotten a chance to experience most stages of life--such as starting her career, fulfilling her dream, getting married and start her own family. Sister chose to gave her life to you because you were the commander of our ally, and you had played such an significant role in that war thirty years ago. But I’m more saddened by the loss of her life…much more."

Hiroki’s cold façade and words ruthlessly cut and stabbed at the other man’s heart.

"I only wished for her happiness. She should never have done such a foolish thing as sacrificing her own life for the sake of world peace. I will never forgive you, who deprived her of her life, happiness, and everything she possessed.”

When Hiroki finished speaking, he was taken aback when he saw tears in the red haired elf’s eyes.

“Hanuel, I’m sorry that I made you feel so terrible. What can I do to earn your forgiveness?”

“No!” Hiroki yelled. “I don’t want to hear those words. You don’t even understand how I feel. How dare you say those things to me? When my sister and I were still very young, our parents passed away and we had no one else to rely on, except for each other. Therefore, to me, her happiness was more important than anything else in the world. If you want me to forgive you, there is only one condition.”

“What is it?”

“If you’re really sincere, then you must be willing to send your daughter to work for me for unlimited years.”

Roger grimaced, for only a moment.

“I’m afraid I can’t agree to that. Julia is an innocent bystander, so I would greatly appreciate it if you would leave her out of this matter. If you’re in need of help because your son has ‘awakened from his slumber,’ I would be much more of use than my daughter, who is still young and inexperienced.”

“No. There is nothing in the world that I would hate more than having you as my retainer. Your presence irks me. I want no one else but Julia to have this position.”

“I can't agree to this,” Roger said firmly. “As a father, I can’t let my daughter carry my burdens. I’m sure that you can understand how I feel because you’re also a parent.”

“Then you'll lose the only opportunity to earn my trust back,” Hiroki said angrily. He turned and began to walk back to his mansion. “I believe our conversation is over now. Please leave and don’t expect we’ll ever talk again.”

“Wait, Hanuel! Don’t turn your back on me just yet!” Roger called, making Hiroki stop in his track. “Why must you make such a request from me? You know I can’t choose between you and Julia. Both of you are the only family I have left now.”

“Heh. I bet you have never thought that there would be a day when you need to beg someone for mercy,” Hiroki said, chuckling at the irony of how things had turned out. “So between your brother-in-law and your daughter, which side will you choose, Roger? The choice is yours.”

“Will you please stop bullying my father?” Julia said, loud and clear. To everyone’s surprise, Julia opened the door and marched towards the two men with an angry expression.

“Father?” Aki cried out in surprise.

“Julia…what are you doing here?” Roger asked. He had not expected to run into his daughter there, so he was very surprised when he did.

Stopping in front of Roger, Julia began to explain things to her father. “I was visiting a friend of mine. He lives here and he is his son,” she said before directing her gaze toward Hiroki.

“Julia, you know this man? And his son?” Roger looked even more surprised as he glanced from Julia to Hiroki.

Aki sighed. He felt sympathetic toward Roger, who must be having a rather bizarre and dramatic day, having gotten blackmailed by his own brother-in-law and received so many surprises from his daughter.

Swallowing her pride, Julia turned to Hiroki.

“I accept your request, as long as you’re nice to my father and keep your promise at the end,” she said while glaring at the man.

“Julia! What are you saying? You’re acting on impulse. I won’t approve of this,” Roger reprimanded.

“Dad!” Julia turned to her father with a resolved look on her face. “No one but me has the right to make this decision. Not you. Not him.” She glared at Hiroki once more. “I’m serious. I meant what I said, and I won’t go back on my words.”

Hiroki smirked. “Very well. Pack up all your things tonight and be prepared to move in the morning. You will begin living here starting tomorrow. I can send someone if you need help moving.”

“Thanks, but that’s not necessary. I can manage on my own.”

“Okay then. I expect you to be settled in by dinner tomorrow. There are a lot of things that I need to go over with you, so don’t be late.”

“Right. Got it.”

“Well, that’s it for now. I will see you tomorrow.”

“Yes. Good bye for now.”

Hiroki shut the gate before going back into his mansion. Meanwhile, Roger had become sullen and oddly quiet.

Aki turned to Julia with a concerned face. “Is this really okay?”

“Don't worry Aki, I'll be fine." Julia smiled encouragingly.

- To Be Continued -