Dad

"Yllaria... Wake up..." I heard a voice calling out my name as I slowly regained my consciousness. It was silent, but it wasn't cold. I felt safe and warm as I inhaled the scent of paper and ink. My safe haven. Am I in a library?

I kept my eyes closed and continued inhaling the calming scent. I felt a big and calloused hand holding mine. The hand was holding me tight, but it didn't hurt me, instead, I felt safe. I smiled as I recalled someone who gave me the same feeling whenever he held my hand.

"Daddy..." I whispered and a tear fell from my eye. I loved my father so much. He's the main reason why I started to love books. My dad wrote novels, and I, as a little girl, was his biggest fan. I loved the way he looked so serious when writing his drafts and manuscripts, but he always offered me a kind smile whenever I watch him do it. He always placed me on his lap as he read to me the words he was writing. As a kid, I never understood even one of his novels, but I loved to stare at his bright face whenever he told me about it. He looked so happy, and that encouraged me to read books. Of course, I started reading books for children, and most of the time, my dad read it to me with his calm voice and a bright expression.

I can also remember that time when I told him I wanted to be a writer. He looked thrilled with what I said and gave me a warm embrace. After that, when I proceeded to try writing a story, I whined a lot because I can't think of anything. That was the time when my father came to my rescue and gave me an advice I can never forget.

'The greatest story you could ever write is your own life. The accumulation of your experiences, from your failures to your achievements, are the ones that would make the best story you could ever have. You don't need to rush, take your time as you slowly write the story of your life. Do the things you want, but also remember to set you limits. Live, just live happily, my dear Jane.'

"Daddy..." I called out once more and smiled bitterly. I felt the grip on my hand tightened and that snapped me back to reality. I immediately opened my eyes and startled to see the duke looking at me seriously with his emerald eyes. I also noticed that it was his hand that was holding mine all the time.

"Y-your grace." I stuttered and I noticed how his expression darkened. Oh gosh, what did I do again? I winced when his grip was really tight. He seem to notice this and immediately released my hand and took a deep sigh. I tried to avoid his stare and scanned the room I'm in. I saw a window and it was already evening. How long was I asleep?

I also noticed that there were a bunch of papers in one side of the room, so I guess this is the duke's room. I continued scanning around and my mouth slightly parted when I saw how luxurious this room was.

It was covered with gold, like, every single furniture or thing here was made of gold or it has gold adornments. From the table, the chair, the vases with fresh flowers, and even this bed! It has gold, intricate designs that I really can't explain well.

What the... It's so different from my room! This kind of discrimination is pissing me off!

"You like those?" I heard him asked and I immediately turned to the duke who was now having a calm expression. I subconsciously pouted and looked at my hands that were above my lap.

"I'll send it to your room later." My eyes widened with what he said and immediately shook my head. How can you easily give that to me?! I like it of course, but... really?

Nobility is so absurd!

I sighed and massaged my head, a habit of mine that I usually do when I'm worried.

"Does you head hurt?" I heard the duke asked. I took a glance and I saw his worried expression. I honestly don't want to answer him, but I guess I should.

"No, I'm fine, your grace." I told him and gave him a smile. He keenly looked at me and heaved a deep sigh.

"Why are you calling me that?" He asked me. My forehead knotted in confusion, calling him what?

"Pardon, your grace?" I asked him and he sighed again. He looked at me seriously and he gave me a small smile.

"Don't be too formal with me, Yllaria. I'm your father." He said and I was shocked. That's what he was been thinking about all this time? I thought he was angry at me or something. This is... unexpected. For some reason, I can't help but laugh out loud. I knew that it's unbecoming for a lady, but I can't help it!

I felt so stupid for getting so scared of him when his only problem was me being formal and calling him "your grace"! Oh gosh.

I continued laughing until I noticed that the duke was smiling at me. Ah right, he didn't turn evil because I fainted. We didn't meet the duchess since he brought me to this room. I looked at him closely and tried to think of a way to have him not drink the tea.

Why did he change after drinking that tea? Maybe it was some kind of magic? This is another world, after all.

"Yllaria?" I snapped back to reality when I heard his voice. I guess I should loosen up when I'm with him. He was actually a good father to Yllaria, only if he didn't drink that tea. He deserves a chance. I cleared my throat before answering him.

"Yes, Father?" I asked and showed a bright smile. His eyes widened, obviously shocked with what I said. My mouth parted when I saw his ears turning red.

HOW CAN THIS GORGEOUS MAN LOOK SO ADORABLE?

With that thought, I can't help but chuckle. He must have been embarassed.

"Father, your ears are as red as your hair!" I told him then I started laughing. I can't help but wheeze when he immediately covered his ears but it's no use since his cheeks were also red.

"You're as cute as me, Father." I exclaimed and he turned his face turned redder. Oh gosh, he looked so cold and distant before, but he shows his true color with his daughter. So adorable.

It would be really hard to hate him. Not just because he's one gorgeous man, but also because he's too kind to me before he was invaded by that dark smoke.

It took us a few minutes before calming down. We looked at each other's eyes and smiled. He doesn't look like my dad one bit, but his presence reminded me a lot of my dad.

"I'm sorry, Father. For making you worry." I told him. He chuckled and messed with my hair.

"It's okay, Yllaria. Am I frightening you? You reacted like you were so scared of me before you fainted." He asked me. I gave him a smile and signaled him to sit on the bed beside me, which he obliged. After he sat down, I immediately hugged him, which caught him off guard.

"I also didn't know why I reacted like that, Father." He gave me a confused look, but I just smiled. I wasn't completely lying. At first, I really didn't know why, but after that dream, I learned the reason. Though I also wondered how could Yllaria' still have those emotions and control me. I sighed and dismissed those thoughts first and stared at the duke seriously.

"I love you, Daddy." His eyes widened and I was more shocked when I saw a tear fall from his eye. Oh gosh.

"Father, why are you crying?" I asked him but he embraced me tight. I can't help but smile when I felt his warmth. It was just like my dad's.

"Can I hear it again?" He asked me. I felt a little bit wet on my back. I guess he's crying, huh?

"I love you... Daddy." His embrace tightened and I hugged him back.

"Call me that from now on, okay?" He asked me and I nodded.

"Okay." I whispered and the hug lasted for a few minutes. I closed my eyes and tried to treasure this moment.

'Dear Dad,

For some reason, your daughter is now living as a princess in a novel. I died once, but I was given another chance in this world. Here, I'll try to gain more experiences that I wasn't able to have in my past life ever since you were gone with Mom. Please watch over me as I try to live happily in this world. I won't forget you or the lessons you taught me, but now, I won't be seeking for you anymore, because there's someone here who loves me the way that you do. I'll continue writing my story, but not as Jane Adelline Hart, but as Yllaria Madeleine Sedillon.'