Chapter 158: Irene ; Flying Ships (1/2)
”Irene?!” I subconsciously exclaim as I look at her petite figure.
Irene just beams a smile as she strolls over and embraces me.
Before I can ask her anything, Tiffania who's behind me questions in a startled tone,
”You have a daughter?!”
”Well,” I respond while ruffling Irene's hair, ”Her circumstances are a little unusual.”
That's right - unusual. Irene claims to be my daughter, but after being called ”father” by various other girls that are obviously not my ”biological” daughters, I'm starting to think of other possibilities.
Perhaps, she's just calling me as such because I created the System? That's highly likely to be the case, but, why won't she just call me ”creator” as Saturnus does?
Shifting my focus back to reality, I find Tiffania nodding her head as she mutters, ”I see.”
Hm... From the looks of it, Tiffania believes that Irene is an orphan and I must've taken her in. I'll let her believe whatever she wants to, as it isn't that important anyway.
What surprises me is the fact that the two of them have yet to question why and how Irene is here.
”Pardon me,” I say while getting up from the bed, ”I want to have a word with her in private.”
Matilda and Tiffania both glance at each other before nodding as confirmation.
And so, I lead Irene out of the cottage, to somewhere our conversation won't be heard.
The moment we're far enough, I turn to look at Irene in the eyes and inquire,
”Why are you here?”
”Because I thought that it would be useful for me to-”
Not letting her finish her words, I squint my eyes and say in a commanding tone,
”Don't give me that crap. What's the real reason?”
Irene is a little shocked as she lowers her head and says in a somewhat disheartened tone,
”I just missed Father.”
Just as I thought. The last time she 'materialized', all she did was stay as close to me as much she could at every given moment. Am I spoiling her too much or am I just that good of a parent?
Whatever, I can't let her stay in such a saddened state.
Thus, as a proper parent, I get on my knees and hug her small bkdy and whisper into her ear,
”I'm sorry if that came out as a little aggressive. I just wanted to know if you missed me as much as I missed you.”
”Really?” Irene voices in a slightly trembling tone as her melancholy gets replaced by delight.
It seems like this confirms my notion of Irene being more emotional when she is in a physical body.
I caress her cheeks and kiss her forehead before stating with a smirk on my face,
”Of course.”
Getting back up on my feet, I say in a solemn tone,
”Soon, a multitude of men will arrive in this place. Let's head back to the cottage for now.”
Nodding her head, Irene holds my hand as the two of us walk back.
As soon as we step into the cottage, I'm dumbfounded by the sight of Matilda genuinely laughing.
So, she does have a 'natural' side to her, huh? I wonder if Tiffania knows about what Matilda has been doing in Albion.
”It seems like you're enjoying yourself despite us being in such a dire situation.”
My words seem to interrupt their fun as Matilda turns her head and scoffs in an irked tone,
”Dire? You, the one who wiped out an army on his own, in a dire situation? Is this supposed to be some kind of joke?”
”Oh?”
”Don't 'oh' me. Every time a soldier opens their mouth, it's to speak of your 'valiance' and 'blessed' being.”
For some reason, Matilda seems to dislike me quite a bit. Have I done anything to warrant such treatment?
Hm… Nothing at all. She's just acting like this because of her character, I suppose.
”Forget all that, do you want to endanger Tiffania's life?”
Understanding what I imply, Matilda has a serious look on her face as she asks me in a serene tone,
”What do you suggest we do?”
Shrugging my shoulders, I say in a certain tone,
”There is no problem at all.”
As the two girls look at me with confusion all over their face, I walk over and use Norse Magic to form a gateway connected to one of the rooms in Albion's castle.
”In you go,” I say while pointing at the gateway.
Matilda looks at me hesitantly for a few seconds before taking in a deep breath and passing through the gateway while dragging Tiffania along.
Seeing that the two of them have both safely left the area, I turn around to look at Irene and say,
”Now it's up to the two of us.”
Irene just nods and doesn't utter a single word as she meekly abides for my next actions.
A little perplexed by her attitude, I ask,
”Are you not going to ask me why I'm fighting despite being able to get away easily?”
As a response to my inquiry, Irene shakes her small head and states,
”I have no right to question Father's decisions. Father is always right.”
Intrigued by the way she worded it, I ask in a teasing manner,
”What if I asked you to marry me?”
Not even a split-second passes as Irene replies,
”It shall be done.”