Theorizing About Harriet’s Father

[20 years ago]

"She's not my daughter, right?" Orcenal asked seriously. When he passed the hallway, he saw the little girl walking by with perfect posture, bowing her body toward him.

He couldn't help but wonder...

"She's not," Helena said, not even glancing at him from the paper she reviewed.

"Then whose child is she?" he asked again.

"Not yours," Helena answered flatly.

Orcenal clicked his tongue. He tried to calm himself, and he managed to do so. "You... plan to never tell her who her father was?"

"It doesn't matter," Helena said coldly.

"It does."

Orcenal stared sharply at Helena, and finally, that woman turned to him.

"She wouldn't need her father to become the Empress," Helena said flatly.

Orcenal closed his eyes. "You know you are a monster, right?"

"A good one," a thin smile formed on the woman's lips. "She will hate me, but I assure you she will not become like me."

"A monster?" Orcenal asked.