Determination

A young girl with shiny and silky scarlet hair stood frozen in the spot as she stared off into space and tried calming her wavering thoughts.

'I mustn't shed tears. I have to be strong. It's all in the past now. They're alive now. They're alive and healthy.'

Inanna thought as she encouraged herself not to be in tears from the meager sight of seeing her beloved father once more.

However, it was hard not to tear up slightly as she stood in front of her father, the Duke's, office.

As a child, it was a rare thing for Inanna to enter her father's quarters. In the past, she never felt the need to pay her father a visit because she never had a significant reason to. She would only greet him when it was family time or if he paid her a short visit.

Her brother Agnes was the only child to visit their father because he was to inherit the Duke's position soon. Of course, besides her older sister Judith, who only paid a visit on account of her discussion about her engagement with Caspian Larkspur.

Shortly, a woman's voice made itself known to the frigid young girl.

"Don't worry, I'll be here whenever you need me, My Lady."

Lucy, her maid and nanny, spoke in a soft reassuring statement as she smiled calmly behind her, not minding or questioning the girl before her throughout the entire thirty-minutes of their arrival.

"Yes, thank you, Lucy."

Inanna thanked with a warm smile—once more gaining her optimism prior to her arrival. This time, she straightened her back with a confident posture and took a deep breath before entering the Duke's quarters.

'You can do this, Inanna.'

* * *

"Inanna, what brings you here so early in the morning? Is everything alright?"

A man's rich and powerful voice asked at the young and lovely girl before him. That being his precious second daughter of the three children his wife bared.

"Good morning, Your Grace. I hope I'm not interrupting or distracting you from any important affairs?"

His youngest daughter spoke and bowed, but in a more graceful and elegant manner than usual. It was quite odd to see.

Observing his daughter, he watched as she awaited for his acclamation and approval to look up in her yellow fluffy dress with white ankle laced shoes.

She looked adorable with her small frame, yet he couldn't believe she was already growing up and becoming a lovely young lady. He's solely hoped no brat would pursue his adoring daughter—being unlikely in the near future.

"Nothing is more important than my wife and children. Ask me anything. Is there something you laid your eyes upon that you'd like?"

Inanna's father asked in a stoic demeanor, but she knew better than anyone who didn't know her father, that he was the opposite of the cold and impassive Duke everyone in the empire knew as.

"No, Your Grace. I'd actually like to speak to you of something else..."

Inanna smiled at her father's quick pampering, not noticing her father's expression faltering at the way she addressed him.

"Inanna, are you angry with papa? Did I upset my beautiful daughter?"

The Duke of Bessa questioned in a worried and dismayed tone, with furrowed eyebrows, as he stared at his youngest child.

Startled by her father's claim, Inanna purely tilted her head out of confusion.

'Huh?'

Seconds later, Inanna became flustered at the realization of why her father asked if she was upset with him. She forgot she was a child. A child who still called her father by a childlike phrase.

"F-Forgive me.. papa. I'm merely trying out what I learned on.. a book! Also, during my lessons!"

Inanna swiftly recovered her strange behavior with an excuse she hoped her father would fall for.

"That's great, but please don't stop calling your father by such a term or else papa will be upset. I may even get sick, sweetheart."

The Duke simply sulked as he had a hand on his chest near his heart, paying no mind at his bizarre claim.

Seeing her father's adorable behavior, Inanna could solely stare at the grown man tenderly and smile softly, reminiscing about how lovable he was.

"Papa..."

Before Inanna could declare her love and show her contentment at seeing her father, throughout the office a knock made itself present to themselves.

Quickly, the Duke looked at his daughter for her consent in letting the unknown person inside the office during their conversation in which Inanna nodded her head in acceptance.

"Come in."

With the Duke's approval, an individual made their way inside the office and stood near the door.

"Your Grace, you have a visitor."

A housemaid with a burgundy maid uniform informed as she bowed.

'A visitor? Who could it be?' Inanna thought.

"Guest?"

"Yes, Your Grace. The person asked for their identity to remain hidden as of now. They wish to see you for an urgent matter."

"Then, tell our unexpected guest I'll be there shortly."

The Duke apprised as he raised from his seat and approached his beloved daughter.

"Darling, father must attend to some important guests. We'll finish our conversation afterwards, okay?"

Inanna's father advised as he crouched to be at the same eye-level as her. Staring at her father, she noticed how young he appeared to be compared to when she last saw him.

'He's as handsome and scary-looking as I remember.'

Observing the man before her, she examined every part of his features.

First, his sharp and narrow eyes, giving a natural intimidating gaze. Second, his pale and flawless skin. Third, his straight-pointed nose and strong jawline. Last, his colored orbs and medium-length hair.

Agnes and her share the same scarlet wavy hair as him, but his eyes were the opposite of theirs, being blue. Out of the three siblings, their sister, Judith, was the only one to inherit his blue eyes except his scarlet hair and inherited their mother's platinum blonde locks instead.

Without question, the three children resembled to be the younger version of their parents.

After studying her father's facial features, Inanna almost immediately replied to the Duke with an indication of understanding.

"Yes, father."

Inanna nodded her head in obedience as her father pecked the crown top part of her head and softly smiled before walking towards the door.

Fortunately, before the Duke left his quarters, the young girl wished her father a cheery farewell with a warm and gummy smile. A mien appearance any father would melt into on seeing and hearing prior to their departure.

"Papa, farewell! I love you and take care!"

Inanna expressed with so much love and affection—making the Duke gaze at his beloved child with tenderness.

"I'll see you later, sweetheart. Goodbye."

Inanna purely waved in response.

"Lead the way."

With that, Inanna was left alone with a mere weighty sigh and defeated thoughts.

'It's okay. I'll tell him the next time we see each other about it. In the meantime, I'll explore the garden and visit brother during his sword training.'