Free Web NovelChapter 156: Pointy-eared Daughter
Victor accepted the letter with a slight smile on his lips as his fingers gently glided over the Golden Sun Guild seal. He rose from the table and made an apologetic gesture to the others.
"Excuse me, I need to read this in private."
He left the dining room and walked through the silent corridors of Selvarum Mansion. The mansion was immense and majestic, with wide corridors and large windows that let in natural light.
Victor found a small reading room, one of many in the mansion. The bookshelves in this room were full of old, thick books, and there was an unlit fireplace in the corner, with a few comfortable armchairs around it. He sat down in one chair, opened the letter, and began to read.
[Dear Father,
Winter has begun, and homesickness is growing. The nights are long and cold, and I often find myself looking up at the starry sky and thinking of you and our conversations around the fire. I miss the stories you used to tell, our laughter, and even our arguments.
Recently, I finally heard from you. The national newspaper reported that you had killed the Devourer of Ships! I must admit that I was surprised, but also very proud. That’s an impressive achievement, Father. If you keep this up, you’ll soon be more famous than I am, and guilds will want to hire you.
I also heard that you’re in contact with the Selvarum again. Are they as incredible with the sword as the rumors say? Oh, I really need to know! Anyway, it’s through them that I hope this letter reaches you. It’s hard to communicate when I don’t know where you are, and even harder since I’m on the road and can’t receive your letters.
In any case, our reunion shouldn’t be long in coming. As you may know, the Royal Selection is scheduled to begin in early spring. My guild has been called to serve, so I’m preparing to go to the capital, but first I should be passing through Klento in about three weeks. I want to visit you, share some of my time with you, and hear your stories in person.
Take care of yourself and please stay safe. I don’t want to see my father involved with monsters or political intrigue, remember you’re not so young anymore (laughs).
With love,
your pointy-eared daughter].
Victor carefully folded the letter and tucked it into his inside jacket pocket. His daughter’s words warmed his heart. She was an extraordinary young woman, determined and brave, and he couldn’t have been prouder.
As he walked back into the dining room, he noticed that everyone was curious. Their eyes turned to him, but before any of them could speak, Luisa asked with a gentle smile:
"Well, Victor? Good news? From the look on your face, it’s certainly not bad."
The slightly cheerful expression on Victor’s face disappeared, returning to its characteristic seriousness, and he sat down at the table again.
"Yes, I have some good news. My daughter will be going through Klento in about three weeks and we’ll be able to see each other again. It seems like forever ago."
"I’m happy for you, Victor," said Mari, who was sitting next to him. She fixed her large glasses on her face and smiled. "I imagine it must be hard to be away from her for so long. It’s a shame she won’t be back in time for the holidays."
"That’s true," Victor replied. "But knowing that she’s okay and that we’ll see each other soon is a great relief."
Bel looked at everyone’s faces, a little disheveled, and asked:
"Am I really the only one here who’s hearing about Victor being a father for the first time? Frugeon? Gracela? Mari?"
"I already knew, sir," Frugeon clarified, remaining serious and polite.
"Luisa told me a long time ago." Gracela clarified.
"He’s not only her father, he’s Wanda Stillwind’s father."
"WHAT?! Wanda Stillwind, the swordswoman who cuts through even magic and is an S-class?" Bel was even more surprised to hear the hunter’s name, which made it inevitable that everyone would laugh at his reaction.
Later, as Victor and Bel Selvarum practiced fencing, Bel’s face was still a little bitter and rigid, as if he hadn’t fully digested the story of Victor’s daughter.
"You don’t seem to be concentrating, Bel," Victor commented as he landed a side blow that Bel barely managed to block.
The incoming attack pulled aside Bel and lowered his wooden sword.
"Sorry, Master. It’s just that... Wanda Stillwind! I never thought you were her father," Bel replied. freewёbnoνel.com
Victor smiled and also lowered his sword for a moment. "I see. Not everyone knows, and I prefer to keep it that way. Her life is full of danger, and the fewer people associate our relationship, the better for both of us."
"I know, but it’s just that they say she’s a full-blooded elf. I was hoping that..."
"Her father was one too?"
"Yes, it’s shocking to discover that she’s actually half elf. It takes away some of the puritanical air she had for me."
"Hey, don’t forget to be respectful. You’re still in front of her father, remember?" Victor warned Bel, resting the tip of his sword on the ground and looking serious. "Besides, Wanda is a full-blooded elf. I adopted her when she was a baby."
Bel looked more resigned and scratched the back of his head, ashamed of jumping to conclusions.
"I bet she must be very grateful for that." He said.
"I am very grateful to have her in my life. Now, let’s get back to training. Concentrate, Bel. Don’t let your emotions get in the way of your focus this time."
"Yes, Master!"
And so the two returned to their fencing training.
Soon, Bel Selvarum would finally have his test to try to earn his knighthood and officially become an officer of the Kingdom of Athina. He had to be prepared, as the pass rate for this test was less than 2% per year.
