Chapter 1578 - 223 - The Declaration of War (3)
"You’ve been acting more and more like a father lately, and honestly, it’s kind of making me feel a little weird," Gabrielle said as she looked at me with a warm smile that didn’t match the words coming out of her mouth.
Although her words made it sound like she was caught off guard by the change, the expression on her face told a completely different story. Rather than being uncomfortable, she looked like she was genuinely enjoying seeing this side of me. It almost felt like she had discovered something unexpected, and instead of questioning it, she found it strangely heartwarming.
"Out of everyone I know, I never would’ve expected you of all people to end up acting like this, Master," she continued with a soft chuckle that carried more affection than surprise.
Just what kind of image had she built up of me all this time for her to react like that?
Then again, after thinking about it for a moment, I really couldn’t blame her.
Looking back, I hadn’t exactly given off the impression of someone who would naturally become a good father. Most of my time had been spent traveling from one place to another, solving problems, dealing with enemies, and constantly getting dragged into situations that refused to let me settle down. And most of the time, spending my time with other women. Spending peaceful afternoons with my family had honestly become more of a luxury than something I could regularly enjoy.
"Well, after this, I promise I’ll stay involved in their lives as much as I possibly can," I said while carefully lifting Kana into my arms with as much gentleness as I could manage.
The moment she felt herself being picked up, her entire face lit up with excitement. She happily flailed her tiny arms around while making cheerful little noises that were somehow enough to brighten the entire room. Seeing that kind of innocent happiness was honestly more satisfying than I ever expected.
A smile naturally found its way onto my face before I even realized it.
Gabrielle quietly watched the two of us for a while before speaking again.
"Well, I’m really not going to blame you for always being away," she said in a gentle voice. "You’re doing all of this for every one of us, aren’t you? If anything, I feel like I’m the one who should apologize for not being by your side more often, Master."
She was still calling me "Master," even after we’d already had a child together.
Despite the countless times I’d told her she could simply call me by my name instead, she never once changed the way she addressed me. She always smiled, nodded, and then immediately called me "Master" again as though the conversation had never happened.
At this point, I had pretty much accepted that trying to change her mind was a losing battle.
Honestly, she seemed to genuinely enjoy calling me that, and forcing her to stop would’ve been more trouble than it was worth.
If that title made her happy, then I really didn’t have much reason to keep insisting otherwise.
While I sat there quietly enjoying the peaceful moment with my children, Isabelle eventually made her way over to where we were.
"Master," she called out politely while stopping beside me.
I turned my attention toward her and waited for what she had to say next.
"They’re here," she informed me in a calm voice after giving a respectful nod.
The moment those words left her mouth, I instinctively prepared myself to stand.
Even so, I couldn’t bring myself to rush.
I carefully handed Kana back over to Gabrielle, making sure she was comfortable before letting go.
Almost immediately after leaving my arms, Kana stretched both of her tiny hands toward me as though she still wanted me to stay with her. Her little fingers reached as far as they could, and before long, her eyes began to water, looking as though she might burst into tears if I walked away too soon.
To be completely honest with myself, I wanted to stay with her for a little while longer too.
Watching her reach out for me like that made it surprisingly difficult to leave.
After all, what father wouldn’t hesitate after seeing something like that?
That thought alone was enough to make me pause for another moment.
Because of that, I decided it wouldn’t hurt if I stayed with her just a little longer before finally taking care of the meeting that was waiting for me.
***
A few hours later, after spending enough time with Kana to satisfy both of us, I finally made my way downstairs to meet the people I’d asked Isabelle to invite.
Agneis was already sitting comfortably by the time I arrived.
She held a cup of tea in one hand while leisurely enjoying the quiet atmosphere, looking as relaxed as though the world itself had decided to take the day off. Nothing about her posture suggested the slightest bit of impatience despite the fact that I’d kept everyone waiting for several hours.
Honestly, it felt like very few things in the world were capable of disturbing her peace.
Sitting beside her was Artemis, who had now officially taken Solaris’s place as the Queen of the Elven Kingdom.
"It feels a little scummy of you to keep us waiting for several hours when you’re the one who invited us here," Agneis said with an amused smile that made it obvious she wasn’t actually upset. "Still, since it’s you, I’ll kindly pretend I didn’t notice this little incident."
Her tone carried far more teasing than annoyance.
Judging by the playful look in her eyes, she was simply enjoying the opportunity to poke fun at me.
I was willing to bet Isabelle had already told the two of them that I’d been upstairs spending time with Kana instead of deliberately making them wait.
Knowing Agneis, that explanation probably made the whole thing even funnier to her.
She seemed to be having far too much fun teasing me about something she clearly understood.
Then again, during all the years we’d spent together, she’d almost never seen me openly spoil my children like this.
From her perspective, watching me delay an important meeting just to spend more time playing with my daughter was probably a completely fresh experience.
So naturally, if someone had told her that I’d willingly choose family time over an important discussion, she probably would’ve laughed in their face.
"Well then," I said, "let’s finally get into the real reason I asked the both of you to come here today."
"That’s exactly what I was expecting," Agneis replied before gently setting her teacup back onto the table. "Things have finally reached the point where it’s only natural for us to start thinking seriously about what comes next."
She folded her hands together before continuing in a noticeably calmer tone.
"A declaration of war from that place wasn’t something I expected to happen quite this soon."