Chương 195: Chapter 178. Understanding Your Children Is Important As A Parent

Charlotte Nyx's Point Of View" Are you really sure you want to do this, Char?" Del, my Brother, asked me the same question again for the 5th time today. I turn to him and speak with annoyance in my voice, since this is the 5th time I'll be answering." Yes, I'm sure."" Then tell us why you want to fight Marquess Matthew so much! It makes no sense! Even when we've tried scoundrels that had similar ideas about Nobles to Marquess Matthew, you've never acted like this. What has changed? Please, tell me.

You're worrying Mom, Dad and me." He pleads for the answer to why I've chosen to duel... Well, "spar" with Marquess Matthew. I wish I could give my Family a real answer, but to be honest, I don't have a real answer. It's just... The look in his eyes as he explained how he didn't care about anyone other than his family and friends... It felt like we weren't included in either group. Like he didn't even think he should bother to try... I didn't like that... Not at all!

I couldn't answer my Family's questions, because I knew how selfish I was being. It wasn't Noble or Honorable. I just wanted him to acknowledge my Family. No... That's not fully correct, I wanted him to acknowledge my Family, but most importantly, I wanted him to acknowledge me. I wanted him... To look at me. When I finally understood that was the desire in my heart, when I was lying in my room, burying my face in my pillow, I knew right then that I couldn't tell anyone about this wish of mine." Char?"

My Brother was even more worried about me since I've been quiet for a few minutes. But how can I approach and explain this feeling to my Older Brother? Or worse yet, explain it to my Dad and Mom behind him. My Dad... He was looking at me with concern. I haven't seen him like this since my first Coming of Age Ceremony when I announced my Job to everyone. When the words left my lips from reading the Appraisal Orb, I dropped the Orb and ran away crying.

My full Family stayed with me for 2 weeks until I felt I could fully reemerge from my room. It took another 3 hours after I returned, when my Maids looked at me with pity in their eyes. I was getting ready to lie to my Family about this fight, but I was stopped by my Mom of all people." Ah, Del, just leave her be. There's no use crying over spilled milk. Besides, it's not something serious, with Lady Sarah's, Lady Anna's and Marquess Matthew's agreement, it became a sparring match instead of a duel.

Whoever were to look at this situation, has no reason to not believe that it's just a bout of friendly sparring between Allies." My Mom began to soothe the concerns of everyone around her, even though it was only meant for us of the Royal Family, the Servants also breathed a sigh of relief at my Mom's words. My Mom looked me in the eyes and then winked at me as she began to add a few words to finish expressing her thoughts." Besides, this is the first time in a long while that Char has acted so childishly.

How can I deny one of My Cute Children something that they want so badly?" Heat..." Mom!" I felt my face heating up. Yes, I did selfishly ask for this, and Marquess Matthew, Lady Sarah and Lady Anna granted me my request, but to have it rubbed in my face, in front of all of these people... It's embarrassing!" Now that we've sorted this out, Everyone, it's time to leave the room." My Mom looked at the Servants and they left out the doors of the Royal Dwellings with swift, unified steps."

Good, now that they're gone, let's talk about what is going to happen from now on, shall we?" My Mom has switched into her Queen Mode... No, wait, she still seems to not be taking this too seriously. Why did she send the Servants away anyways? My Mom looked at Del and I, and began to speak again before I could ask her what she was doing." I was able to place a bet on this sparring match, Char."" Why?" I was confused... My Mom? Betting on something?

She wouldn't even let Del or I eat any candy before dinner when we were children. Why would she bet on something like this? My Mom had a knowing look as she stared at both of us." Really? You don't know why? Well, maybe I should explain this? If you win, we can make 2 Requests of Matthew."" What do you want from Marquess Matthew, Mom?" My Mom looked confused from my question." What do I want? Well, I could ask for a few things from him, couldn't I?"

My Mom smiled as she closed her eyes and placed her hand on her cheek and leaned her head into it." But, unfortunately, I didn't ask for 2 Requests for me, Char. I asked for it for the both of you."" Really?" Del spoke in surprise this time. I had a similar urge to ask my Mom what she was thinking. My Mom sighed as she began to explain her thought process to us." Come on now, like I said, you're both My Cute Children, I can tell you both want to get closer to Matthew.""

But, Mom, something like making him be my Friend through a Request won through a bet... Doesn't that seem... A bit much?"" Who said to demand him to become your Friend, Del? That's no way to go about making a Friend." My Mom began to explain to Del what she thought he should do." Instead of that, you want to increase your chances of meeting him, Del. You both already have a rapport with each other. A good way to become better Friends is to form a Friendly Business Relationship with him to start.""

You mean the ice cream he made? It is good, but would he really be willing to sell it to us?"" Of course he will. That was the true point to him sharing it with us in the first place!"" Really?" Del was confused at my Mom's assurance, that was, until my Dad spoke as well." Did you really not notice the look in his eyes as we ate the ice cream, Del? He was watching our reactions to gauge if the Dark Elf palate would be suited for ice cream. It is. And quite frankly, I'd want to be able to eat it every day.

Besides, since this is the first time you've shown interest in befriending someone close to your age since... Anyways we'd like to help you with that, Del."" Dad.. Mom..." Del nodded his head at Dad's words and had a warm smile on his face." Okay, so to help me become Friends with him, you've granted me this chance. And if Char wins, I'd act as the figure head and you both would actually make the decisions?"" Yup! He also mentioned that he had a few other products as well.

It's safe to say that due to his special origin, the knowledge he'll bring to this world through innovative products will be great. It would do us well to become close Business Partners... Also, he could create new flavors of ice cream!" Mom happily agreed as Del finally understood why she did what she did. Then, she spoke about the future with a hopeful tone. How good was this ice cream? Did I make a mistake by not trying it?" Now then, Del, I think you should leave and prepare for the sparring match."

My Mom spoke to Del after the atmosphere around him had calmed down." Why?"" Do it, Son, trust me, I'd leave the room too, but it will somewhat involve me in a way. Don't worry, it's nothing dangerous, just something that for now, should be maintained to as small a group as possible. You'll figure it out sooner or later..."" Dad?" Del seemed confused, but he did as our Parents asked, he left with a confused look on his face. Once Del had left, my Mom turned to me and began to speak."

Char, it's time to be honest with us. Do you like Marquess Drake in a Romantic way?"" What!?" I yelled at my Parents for the first time in a long time." Char, calm down. You really need to calm down and speak with us."" Relax, we're not mad or anything Char. Your Mother and I... We just want to know what you're thinking right now." Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings. My Parents tried to calm me down, but the blood has already rushed to my head.

Why would they even think something like that!?" Char, the easiest way to explain this to us, is to tell us why you wanted a duel with him in the first place. Be honest with us, Char. We're your Parents and we Love You." My Mom spoke to me to calm me down and weirdly... Her words worked. She's always been so good at calming my Siblings and I down, Even Big Sis Mel and Big Bro Donny would be lulled into relaxing by my Mom." Good, good. Just let it out, Baby. I know it's been weighing on you since yesterday."" I...

I want him to see me. Not as a Royal... But as a Friend."" Is that all? Think, Char. Think deep inside your heart." I closed my eyes and began to think. My Mom started to speak to me in a soft, gentle voice." Do you really only like him as a Friend?" My mind flashed to how we met, how he stopped me from attacking him. How he calmly assessed me like I was just another enemy to him. Even though I attacked him... For some reason, that look in his eyes hurt to see.

"Did his explanation about his origin spark something in you?" Flashes of sitting at that round table filled my thoughts. The hurt in his eyes that still remained as he talked about his parents. The gratitude to his foster family. The smoldering anger at the Hero of Promethia, that anger being quelled as soon as he looked at his wives. The look of complete trust in Lady Sarah and Lady Anna as he looked at them. That look that drew my attention to his face and eyes.

Then the look he gave my Family and I as he was accessing if we could be trusted. That discomfort at him thinking I couldn't be trusted, even though I acted like a brat, because I was embarrassed at his Spell completely defeating me after we met.... And the jealousy I felt towards his wives at every love-filled glance he gave them." Was it at dinner?" Flashes at the Dining Hall filled my mind now. More of the same feelings come from before being there, only this time. I felt jealous as his wives flirted with him...

And how he looked at us as strangers. Only Del seemed to get something resembling trust to come out of his calm looks at my Family and myself. Then it finally came to the boiling point. First when he talked about those Lords. Then... He said that." Well, what it comes down to, is that I truly do not care about them or how they feel about me." When he said that, I couldn't hold myself back. I exploded as soon as he said my name. I tried to take a bite of that ice cream to cool the hot blood rushing to my head.

It was in a desperate last attempt, before I did something stupid like our first interaction. But... I couldn't help it. His eyes. They didn't see me... I couldn't let that happen anymore. Because... Because... Because I..." I... I like him..." warm... wet... I felt something warm traveling down my cheeks. I opened my eyes to see that my vision was half filled with water." I'm crying?"" It seems like all of your feelings came crashing down at once." wipe... wipe...

My Mom took a handkerchief and began to wipe my tears from my cheeks." Well, now that you realize that. I need to allow you to understand something else."" Some... Thing... Else?" Yes, Char. Close your eyes and do as I say." I close my eyes as my Mom requested, but I was still crying somewhat. Mom started to speak slowly to me regardless." Imagine Matthew, his face, his body, his voice. Everything." I could picture him easily, even without my Mom's instructions." I'm sorry in advance for this, Baby.

Now imagine that he wins this spar." I see his face looking down on me, with those cold, assessing eyes again." Now imagine his back as he leaves with his wives. You'll never be able to see him again most likely."

"... but..."" Shut up and let me work, Sweetie!" My Dad was silenced as Matthew walked away from me. I feel... Lonely and... Cold." Now, imagine that we visit Paradise years from now, you're an adult now, I'm... Older...!"" You'll still be beautiful, Honey."" Thank you, Sweetie."" Mom."" Oh! Sorry, Baby!" My Mom took a moment to collect herself as we walked to a Castle Gates in my mind." You enter the town, inside is a graveyard, we bring flowers to it and the headstone reads.

"Here Lies Marquess Matthew Drake."

"NO!" I opened my eyes immediately; I couldn't control the tears and mucus raining down my face. I could see my Parents very vaguely behind all of the tears in my eyes." Oh, look at what you did, Honey! It's too far! You just broke her heart for no reason!" My Dad was somewhat upset." I needed her to realize the gravity of her situation." Wipe... Wipe... My Mom cleaned my face of the tears and snot, just like she did for those 3 weeks in my room when I was younger. Once I was calmer, Mom began to speak to me again.

She was gentle, warm, kind. The Mother that only us Siblings got to see." I had you go through that so you would understand, Baby. We only have one chance here. You need to win this spar! He's been handicapped by Lady Sarah to help you. You need to take advantage of this opportunity."" Handicapped?" My Mom nodded her head as she began to explain." She's made it almost impossible for you to lose. He can't use a sword, he can't use the damaging offensive Skills from his Holy Magic, since it would harm you too much.

He'll be stuck using basic Offensive Magic and Defensive White Magic. He's a good man, so he won't cast that Magic from before on you since he doesn't want to embarrass you. If I didn't know any better, I'd say his wives want him to lose for some reason."" But... Is that... Even fair to let happen?"" Fool!" My Mom howled at me." Charlotte Bathory Nyx! There is a saying all across this Continent! It's an Ancient Proverb that have been passed down from Generation to Generation!

It states, "All Is Fair in Love And War!" A Maiden's true War, is the War of Romance! You need to take every chance you can get! You need to scratch, claw and bite your way through the front lines and capture your man and give him no escape, Baby!"" So, I need to ask him to Marry me if I win the spar?"" That would be the hard part of your war, Baby." My Mother grew calmer and showed the look of a conniving Queen." You see, Our Countrymen aren't kind to outsiders.

And while they're unkind to you, those fools won't allow you to Marry any Foreigner that isn't also of Royal Blood. That is, if opportunities weren't on their way."" Opportunities?"" Yes, opportunities. Our Spies have heard some interesting tales, Charlotte."

"!" My Mom called me by my name, she really is serious now!" You see, word going around is, that the Elves have been acting strangely, the Demons aren't aware of this since they can't effectively sneak into Alfheim yet. A war is coming, Char. The reason we asked for Matthew to come here is to begin the early work to forge a better Alliance with the Demons for the war to come."" But, Mom. If a war is coming, why not send a message to King Warrick himself? Instead of bringing Matthew here?""

Using his First name already?" My Mom had a warm smile on her face as she teased me. She returned to her previous Queenly look and began to speak." We weren't sure how King Warrick would react. So, to test the waters of his own attitude, we decided to attack from a different angle when the opportunity presented itself. Luckily for us, such an opportunity presented itself to us after we had found out a certain piece of information from a Spy Report we received around 8 or so months ago.

Our Spies told us that his daughter, Sarah Dreadnaught, the 1st Princess of Diablos had done something strange, she Married a "Marquess Matthew Drake", a Marquess who was the Lord of Paradise. We didn't know he was a Human until yesterday however, nor that he was a Paladin. But, we knew that Paradise was close by. We were looking for a good way to test King Warrick's attitude towards us, seeing as we haven't ever met him. What better a way than seeing how his child acted in Darkheim?

We struggled to find a "convenient way to bring Matthew here" though. We did know that if we did, chances were high he would bring his wife, since our Reports indicated that they were quite close to each other. The Gods and Fate were quite kind to us in this occasion as we've found out."" The Elf attack?"" Not only that, but King Warrick himself informed us of the attack. That brought us a great alibi to bring Princess Sarah here." My Dad was quietly drinking his water as my Mom spoke."

Dad, why aren't you speaking about anything?" My Dad looked at me in surprise." Well, Char, Daddy's not really a schemer, my power is on the battlefield. Your Mother and her Family are the schemers, you know? The Espiar Family are known for their excellent Spies after all."" Mom's a Spy?"" Fufufu." My Mom laughed at my question." No, Baby. I'm the Spy Master of Darkheim!" My Mom smiled with confidence at me. I nodded to her words."

So, we were able to bring them here, and not only have I found out most of what I needed to know, but My Daughter has even Fallen in Love with a boy for the first time in her life! No, that's not right! Finally! One of My Daughters has Fallen in Love! So, I'm quite excited! I get to finally help one of Daughters with their Love life! Something all Moms dream of! And he's a Paladin! That's basically a giant sign that says "as long as he isn't spoiled by some fool, he'll treat anyone right"!

In terms of partners for you both.... Mommy can't find much to complain about... Even more so after discovering what he's truly like and what he plans on doing with his ice cream, and the like. Not just that, but he also lives close by! It's almost like the Gods Blessed your Father and I with the Perfect Son-In-Law! However, we need to find a way to cause those useless bast--- I mean our Nobles to not mind a Marriage to an Outsider." There was a lot to unpack from what my Mother had just admitted to...

However, there was something that I needed an immediate answer to from what she said." But how would you do that?"" Well, if you win, you'll be able to voice your thoughts, the witnesses to the sparring match, those same useless-- I mean, those same Nobles who wouldn't accept a Marriage, would accept removing you from sight if it was convenient and didn't look like the Dark Elves are weak."" True..."" Oh, don't be so glum! The same reason they look at you as an eyesore, will be the ticket to your future!

And my Grandchildren!"" How?" My Mom's words were confusing me." Char, what is the name of your Job Classes and what do they do?"" Dark Elf's War Chief. A Rare Swordsmanship class Exclusive to Dark Elves and Dark Elf War Strategist, another Rare Class Exclusive to Dark Elves that Boosts my Intelligence and Ability to create War Strategies, among other Attributes?"" 2 Powerful Classes, that make you perfect for being on the battlefield as either a Solider or as a General directing the Troops!

And it just so happens that Paradise, the place Matthew is the Lord of, doesn't have a true Chief of Staff for its Military. Sarah and Anna somewhat share that Duty together, but from what I can understand, they're just simply "good enough" at the job. With your Skills however, you'll excel without much effort!"" So, I could be his Assistant?"" You'd also live in Paradise. You'd be by his side. And My Daughters are Cute and Charming enough to make any man fall for them! You take after me after all!

He's already stole glances at you during our meetings! The mystique of the Dark Elves and my gorgeous looks, along with your Father's beautiful eyes! No one can resist that combination!" My Mom's plan is finally making sense to me." So, I need to win the sparring match and make my Request to be his Chief of Staff... And then I need to make him fall for me?"" I like that look of determination in your eyes, Char!"" So, Dad is here just to make sure he's okay with letting me go?""

No, I'm here to help you make a strategy to defeat Marquess Matthew. Honestly, Char. I don't hate the kid. If you'd have asked me 10 minutes ago if he was fit to Marry one of My Daughters, I'd have said no, but, if you Love him, I'll allow it. he's not a bad man. you could've picked way worse in my opinion."" Lincoln?"" Lincoln." My Dad nodded to my answer to "choosing worse."" And with that, you're now all caught up!

Let's beat that guy black and blue so that my precious Grandchildren being born can happen even sooner!"" Mom!" With that, I spent the next 30 minutes before the afternoon bell rang, with my Parents, perfecting a strategy for defeating the man I Love in a sparring match. With my Parents' support, we created a perfect plan. Wait for me Matthew! I'm going to beat you, then make you fall for me! Grip!" Oh look, Sweetie. Char is making a fist with a determined look on her face."" Mom!"