Althea Melody's (POV)
After the beast man left, I stood on the roof with Keil, gazing at the moon.
"Well, isn't this quite peaceful, your royal highness?" Keil remarked, a smile playing on his lips.
"Yeah, it's oddly peaceful... almost too much so. It's making me wonder why everything's going so smoothly," I replied, turning to look at Keil.
"Also, just call me Thea, like everyone else does. Stop with the titles, okay?" I said, fixing my gaze on him. He smiled in response.
"Well, as you wish, Thea," Keil replied with a smile, turning his gaze back to the moon.
"Should we head home now, Thea?" Keil asked, still captivated by the moon's glow.
"Your father will be here soon, or he could be looking for you," Keil added, and I sighed in acknowledgment.
"Well, I suppose we should head back," I said with a smile. Keil then extended his hand towards me.
"Hold my hand, and we'll go back to the villa," he said with a smile, to which I returned with a smile of my own, taking his hand.
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When we arrived at the villa, I spotted Mother with her arms crossed, her gaze fixed on me.
"M-Mother..." I greeted her, offering a smile.
"Do you know what time it is?" Mother Cynthia's tone was stern as she stared at me.
"Do YOU know I've been looking all over for you?" Mother Cynthia says, and I smiled awkwardly in response.
"I-I'm sorry, Mother..." I apologized, but she remained visibly upset.
"Do you realize how many people were searching for you? I was so worried, and I had no idea where you were!" Mother Cynthia says
"I'm sorry, Mother. I won't do it again," I promised.
"Well, I better go," Keil said, ready to leave, but Mother stopped him in his tracks.
"And you! Where did you take my daughter?" Mother Cynthia demanded, then Keil turned to look at me, then he looked at mother.
"Well, you see... We went somewhere far and had some fun," Keil replied with a smile, but before Mother could respond, he vanished into thin air.
"Thea," Mother Cynthia called, and I met her gaze.
"Waah~ don't be angry at Thea, Mother," I pleaded, faking tears.
"*sigh* Fine, but you better not do this ever again. You made me worried!" Mother Cynthia says, pulling me into a warm hug. I hugged her back, secretly smiling to myself.
"Don't ever do that again, alright?" Mother Cynthia says, and I nodded in agreement. Just then, Father Willard arrived.
"Your Imperial Highness..." Mother Cynthia says, but Father's attention shifted to me.
"So, you were here all along," Father remarked, and I smiled at him.
"I'm sorry, Father. I didn't mean to worry you and Mother," I apologized, and he turned to Mother Cynthia.
"Thank you, my lady, for taking good care of my daughter," Father expressed his gratitude, directing his gaze towards Mother.
Suddenly, an idea popped into my head, and I couldn't help but smile from ear to ear.
"Father..." I began, holding his hand, and he turned his gaze towards me.
"Yes, Thea?" Father asked, meeting my eyes. I then put on a cute expression.
"When will Father propose to Mother Cynthia?" I asked. Both of them looked utterly shocked.
"M-My dear?!" Mother Cynthia says.
"I want a mommy... And I want Mother Cynthia to be my mommy..." I continued, holding Mother Cynthia's hand with a sorrowful look.
"I-I... I'm so sorry, Your Imperial Highness. This..." Mother Cynthia says, clearly taken aback.
Meanwhile, I secretly smiled at both of them.
"Thea, do you understand what you're saying?" Father asked. Seeing their reactions, I had to fake a cry..
"Waaaaah~ I want a mommy! I want a mommy!!!! Why can't I have a mommy too?! Other kids have mommies and I don't! It's so unfair!" I cried, tears streaming down my cheeks, while the servants, Ms. Vera, and Mr. Bosworth watched in shock.
"My dear..." Mother Cynthia started, looking genuinely concerned.
"Thea... You know we can't..." Father attempted to explain, but I cut him off with even louder sobs.
"No! I want a mommy! I want Mother Cynthia to be my mommy! Why can't I have a mom too!? Why can't I have one! I miss my mom... I miss my mom..." I cried.
"Thea, calm down, come here..." Father says, but I pushed him away.
"Why do other kids have a mother while I don't? I get jealous seeing others with a mother and father... Why can't I have one too?" I continued, my cries growing louder and faking my tears.
"Thea... Please..." Father pleaded, looking at me with worried look on his face.
"No! I miss my mom! Why can't I have a mom too!" I said before running away.
As I reached the hallway, I quickly wiped away my fake tears and grinned to myself.
(Wow, I didn't know I was such a good actress.)
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"I... I truly apologize for what just happened, Your Imperial Highness," Lady Cynthia said, looking apologetic. Archduke Willard then turned to face her.
"I... I apologize to you too, my lady," Archduke Willard replied, looking directly in to Lady Cynthia's eyes.
"Well, it is already late. I will take my leave," Lady Cynthia says.
"No, my lady. It is already late at night. You may stay here for the night. The maids will prepare a room for you," Archduke Willard insisted, gesturing towards a maid.
"Oh, thank you, but I may have to dec—" Lady Cynthia attempted to decline, but Archduke Willard cut her off.
"I insist, my lady," Archduke Willard says, his gaze fixed on Lady Cynthia.
"T-Thank you, Your Imperial Highness..." Lady Cynthia says, and Archduke Willard nodded to the maid.
"Follow me, my lady. I'll guide you to your room," Maddie said with a bright smile, leading Lady Cynthia away.
Alone in the main lobby, Archduke Willard found himself approached by Vera and Bosworth.
"Well, that was quite a scene to watch, Your Imperial Highness," Vera commented, a small smile playing on her lips, while Archduke Willard simply sighed.
"The lady must really miss the presence of her biological mother," Bosworth says, lost in thought.
"Your Imperial Highness, would you like me to prepare some suitable candidates for you to consider for marriage?" Vera suggested with a smile, but Archduke Willard's expression darkened.
"I believe it's time for His Imperial Highness to consider marrying again, so that the position of Archduchess can be filled," Vera pressed on, while Archduke Willard sighed heavily.
"I don't have time for that," he replied firmly.
"Yes, you do, Your Imperial Highness. That is... if you don't want the young lady to resent you for not providing her with a mother," Vera countered.
"I truly believe that the young lady misses her mother, which may explain why she's drawn to Lady Cynthia," Vera says
"It's possible that the young lady sees Lady Cynthia as a mother figure, which could explain her desire for you to marry her," Vera continued.
"Your Imperial Highness, would you like me to assist you in pursuing marriage with Lady Cynthia?" Bosworth suggested, but Archduke Willard's frown deepened.
"I believe now is the perfect time for you to consider marriage, Your Imperial Highness," Vera says
"His Imperial Highness must also consider that we cannot leave the Archduchess seat vacant for long," Vera insisted, but Archduke Willard simply sighed and walked away from them.
However, Bosworth and Vera persisted, following behind him.
"Furthermore, Lady Cynthia is one of the most suitable candidates if His Imperial Highness plans to propose marriage," Vera added.
"Your Imperial Highness, although her reputation may be questionable, Lady Cynthia is slowly returning back to the society, which is a promising sign," Vera continued, her smile unwavering.
"And let's not forget, Your Imperial Highness, the young lady adores Lady Cynthia," Bosworth chimed in. Archduke Willard halted and turned to face them.
"You two. Get lost," he commanded, and Bosworth and Vera obediently nodded before departing, leaving Archduke Willard alone .
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