CHAPTER # 25

"ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND!!! HOW CAN YOU SLAP HER?" Mommy shouted at Dad while hugging me who was too stunned to react to anything.

On the other hand, Dad himself was shocked by his action. He was standing like a statue as tears started to stream down his eyes.

"I-...I'm sorry...Sabi...my baby...I'm-" Dad said as he fell on his knees and started to cry his heart out. Mommy's eyes softened at his vulnerable state whereas I got a hold of my environment as tears filled in my eyes.

"I...d-don't know...what to do?...I'm...sorry" Dad said while crying.

I was hurt...very hurt, but seeing his vulnerable state my heart clenched. I never saw him cry before, this was the first time I ever saw him cry.

I couldn't bear to see him anymore so I ran out of the room leaving Mommy and Daddy behind, I knew Mommy would comfort him.

I was running in the hallway where I spotted Fannie with other maids.

"Oh Miss, wha-" I ignored her and kept running.

"Is she okay?" Fannie mumbled to herself, being concerned.

I ran and ran until I reached my favourite and comfort spot...the fountain. I sat on it and cried my heart out.

"Why is he doing this? What did I do wrong?" I said between my sniffles.

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After a session of crying I finally calmed down. The peaceful sound of the fountain played a huge role in calming me down. It was night already, the moon was glowing beautifully in the night sky.

I was sitting while hugging my knees resting my head on them silently looking at the moon's reflection in the water until something caught my attention.

It was Mommy's reflection in the water. I lifted my head and saw a concerned expression on her face.

"I'm okay...." I said in a very low but audible voice and again rested my head on my knees.

"Sabrina-" "You don't have to advocate for Daddy. I know he didn't mean it but please I need some time" I said, earning a sigh from her.

She came and settled down beside me. Silence took over, not an awkward one but it was rather peaceful. Mom's warmth made me feel secure and calm.

"Sabrina, I know you are upset and you also have all the right to be. What your dad did was really unforgivable. But lately...he is not himself. He is really worried" Mommy said calmly looking towards the moon.

"For what?" I asked, looking at the moon's reflection in the water.

"For you..." she said as I lifted my head.

"For me?" I asked with a questionable look on my face.

"Mhm...Right when you woke up after your awakening, you might have noticed his strange behavior?" she said, still looking towards the sky.

"Hm" I hummed.

"I noticed it too and talked to him but he didn't give me a proper explanation, he always changed the topic whenever I brought it up and today...I finally got the answer." she said.

"What?" I asked. She finally looked towards me and smiled.

"Because you...are special" she said.

"Huh? I don't get it." I said as I got confused. She smiled and held my hand in hers.

"Because you are the Agnola, the fragment of Sol and Luna, the Divine Healer...." she said.

"So he doesn't love me anymore because I'm Agnola?" I asked as tears brimmed in my eyes.

Mommy placed her warm hand on my left cheek and caressed it. She shook her head indicating it's not true.

"No...he loves you more than anything in this whole wide world. He can never ever see you in pain, you are his everything...You know, there are types of parents too?" Mommy said, reverting her gaze towards the moon.

"Like?" I asked.

"Like?....Um...like there are parents who choose to love and adore their kids and there are also parents who choose to ignore and hurt those precious souls...." she said as I scooted close to her, making her giggle.

"There are parents who express their love openly and there are some who love their children dearly but can not express it well....Your dad lies in both categories." she said, making me frown.

"Parents always want the best for their kids. There are times their actions might hurt you or you might feel unloved or wronged but that is never their intention. Some just can't express it. They try to show their love and care through their actions but sometimes it backfires, just like your father's. You should never judge the love a mother and a father hold for their children,...it's infinite, just like the stars in the sky, you can never measure it" She looked at the sky as she continued,

"They will scold you, punish you, be strict with you but they will always have your back...always there to make you stand when you stumble...always there to catch you when you fall...always there...when you are at your lowest." Mommy said while side hugging me as I snuggled into her.

"Your father's life resides in you so never question his love for you. The reason behind his current behavior is because of history..." She said as I looked at her with my swollen eyes.

"History?" I asked.

"Agnola's dark history...You know right? What happened to the last Agnola?" She asked as I nodded.

"Everybody does, which scares your dad the most. He is scared...scared that the same might happen to you...because the world is too cruel for a precious soul like yours." She told me the reason, making my eyes go wide.

'So this is the reason behind his behavior. Miss Granny was right.' I thought.

"He wants to protect you at all costs. He can't lose his precious princess. When you finally regained your consciousness he was the happiest that you are okay but sad at the same time because you'll be in danger from now on. He couldn't accept the fact that the evil sword will be hanging over your head all the time which is why he was making impulsive decisions but....now that you know the reason behind everything, wouldn't it be better for your father and daughter duo to clear out your misunderstandings, hm? I really miss your cute little fights together" Mommy said while pouting, making me giggle.

I nodded as she kissed my forehead. After a little moment of silence and hugging each other, feeling each other's warmth, Mommy stood up to leave.

"I will be heading towards Shane's chamber since it's late now. He must be angry now after looking for me for a while since we have been missing since afternoon." Mommy said as I chuckled remembering my little brother's cute angry face. I nodded and Mommy turned to leave.

"Your father is in his study" Mommy said before disappearing behind the pillar.

I looked towards the moon and said,

"Mr. Moon, should I talk to him?"

"...Maybe I should".

I am someone who doesn't hold grudges but firstly to hold grudges I need to remember them, My silly brain is so forgetful that I even forget if someone fought with me this morning. And also, I believe in forgiveness and second chances...but not third.

'At least I should give him a chance to explain' I thought as I started to walk towards Dad's study which is also his office.

After a ten minutes walk, here I am standing in front of his study.

"Where are the knights?" I wondered since I didn't see anyone while coming here. A few hours ago the whole mansion was packed with guards but now there is no sign of them, not even in front of Daddy's study.

*sniff*

"Wha- Is someone crying?" I looked here and there as I heard some sniffles.

'Oh well' I shrugged and entered his study with hesitant steps. As soon as I entered the sniffles were clearer. I looked towards my right just to find Daddy sitting on the couch with his head hung low. The sniffle noises were coming from him.

'He...is crying?' I thought as I slowly started to approach him.

"D-daddy?" I said as he shot his head up.

"S-Sabrina?"