A Father's love

The next morning .

The sky was clear and the rising sun cast a rosy hue across the morning sky.

Violet was looking through some documents in her workroom when a maid announced her father's arrival.

"Your Majesty , His Grace Duke Vanidestine requests for an audience ."

" Send him in.

Everyone else may leave us."

Violet realised that her father must have heard about everything from her brothers.

Duke Vanidestine rushed in as soon as he was granted permission.

He could barely keep his composure.

As soon as he heard the doors close , he hugged Violet tightly.

His arms trembled slightly as he embraced his beloved daughter.

" I know this isn't the most appropriate thing to do now that you're an Empress ,

but , I couldn't help it knowing the pain you're going through." ,

Duke Vanidestine said as he detached himself from the hug and held Violet's hand.

His voice was hoarse and laced with pain.

Violet could see the unshed tears glistening in her father's warm eyes.

" Dad , it's okay to not stand on ceremony when we're alone.

I will always be your daughter before I am an Empress to you."

Violet replied as he brought her father to sit down.

" You're right.

My Violet will always be the best daughter in the entire world."

" Dad , even if you see me at my worst moment ,

I would still be the best in your eyes.

How partial of you " , Violet smiled as she responded.

"My daughter , daddy is sorry.

I'm sorry. It's all my fault.

I am the one who sent you into this hellish place.

I should have defied the Royal orders at any cost .

I'm sorry , my daughter.

I'm sorry that I failed to protect your heart."

"Dad , it wasn't your fault.

We didn't know. Don't blame yourself.

There wasn't much we could do anyway.

It was a Royal decree.

And I would never allow our family to fall into ruins because of me. "

" But Violet , we'd rather lose everything than to see you unhappy in this lonely place.

We don't want you to force yourself to stay with an unfaithful man ,

even if he is the Emperor of this Empire , just for our sake. "

" Dad , my brothers have just started to spread their wings into high society.

I cannot allow myself to be the cause of them losing everything they've worked so hard for. "

" We can move to a different empire.

We can always start anew."

" And be branded as traitors? " , Violet questioned.

"Violet , we don't mind what we're branded as.

Traitors. Defectors. Renegade.

As long as you'll be free ."

"To be free. That's beautiful , dad.

But I don't want freedom at the expense of my family's misery and downfall.

Call me selfish , dad , but I won't allow our House to be labelled as traitors and be plunged into poverty. "

"But , Violet..."

"Dad , I've thought it through.

Running away sounds very tempting.

I wouldn't have to suffer humiliation and disappointment.

But what if it's all the Emperor's intention?

We have so much to lose.

The Emperor would gain too much from it.

Our lands , our business , our gold , our people.

I won't allow them to fall into the hands of that wretched man. "

"And I don't feel weak at all .

Because I know whose daughter I am.

And I know I have a dad who will always have my back.", Violet reassured her father.

"And besides , dad .

Divorce is impossible in marriages involving Royal family members.

We all know that. That's a reality we cannot change.

But I've made a deal with the Emperor.

I'll be free in a few years.

So , let your heart be a little more at ease , dad.

I'll get through this.

And dad , you taught me that

' Pain is inevitable.

Pain nourishes growth.

Out of suffering , the strongest souls emerge. ' I'll take this as an opportunity to grow and become stronger. "

" I know.

Your grandmother always said that smooth seas do not shape great sailors.

She is right.

But I just cannot sit and watch as my daughter suffer.

It breaks my heart into a million pieces.

It hurts here , my daughter.

Right here in the heart.

But if I choose to openly withdraw my support to the Emperor ,

I'm afraid he would find reasons to mistreat you.

But I hate the fact that I have to support the man who is hurting my daughter.

He doesn't deserve such kindness from me."

" Treat him as you would treat any Emperor. Not as a son-in-law."

" My dear ,no accomplishment will ever compare to being your father.

But I'm truly sorry that I'm responsible for the pain that you're going through."

Violet hugged her father to comfort him and to draw the strength she needed to stay in this place.

"I love you , dad."

"I love you too , darling.

I love you the most, my dear daughter."

"Shhush , dad.

Don't say that you love me the most.

Mom would get jealous.

Who knows what she would do to me?

Jealous woman can be scary."

"Hahaha. That's right. We shall keep it a secret between us ."