Book 14.5: Chapter 4


    Daisy liked her dad; except, she didnt like the way he was always elusive. In Daisys opinion, strict adherence was thew and something the world needed. For instance, a clock must be urate by the second, and the hands had point at each number precisely. You should only eat enough to be satisfied; no more and no less. She strictly adhered to her daily schedule, doing what had be done at specific times. That was what her mom imparted to her.


    When Daisy picked up a sword with her mom, her mom told her that swordy wasnt the equivalent of murder. Even an idiot could randomly swing a sword and kill somebody. Swordy, on the other hand, was graceful and precise technique. It was not randomly swinging your de but using minimum effort to strike fatal locations. She was to train technique, not ughter.


    Whats a professional swordsman? A professional swordsman is he, who appears to be engaged inbat, while actually being somebody who positions himself so that his opponent can only swing their sword three metres in front of them. That gives the attacker the false impression that the strikes are making contact, when the reality is theyre hitting thin air. The professional swordsman can precisely hit any fatal location of their choice. Hence, she really disliked her fathers elusive nature. If one likes another, should they not always be by their side?


    I have two older sisters and one younger sister, so my father has a total of four daughters. If he likes us, shouldnt he tell us who he likes most? Dad likes being like this and blurring the lines. In fact, you could argue he likes everyone. Can that be considered love? Love is something magnificent, so why is Dad so unfettered about it? He doesnt treat me, alone, this way. He treats Mom the same way. Dad always says he likes me. If he likes me, why did he marry Mom and not me? Why wont Dad marry me? Daisy would question.


    Mom said that if two people were truly in love, they should get married and be together forever. I like Dad so much. If he also likes me, why cant we be together? If its because of Mom, I just have to train hard then defeat Mom in a duel, and itll be settled! concluded Daisy.


    Dad has never professed his love for me, however. In fact, he has never even told me he likes me. Hell hug me and caress my head, but he does that with others, too! Its not love! What I want is for Dad to love me, but its not love if he treats everyone the same way! How can the greatness of this romance be proven if he treats me the same way he treats my sisters? argued Daisy.


    What Daisy wanted wasnt that sort of mindless and empty promise and fondness, but for her dad to propose to her in an extravagant venue as she heard of in stories.


    I just have to defeat my Mom in a duel, Daisy reasoned.


    Daisy never stopped fantasising about that day. Her father was a gentle, kind, yet powerful, man. A man as great as him was worthy of touching her heart. Daisy also firmly believed her father would definitely see her brilliance, so she just needed to wait until her father realised her charm.


    Daisy looked forward to that day, and she believed that her father would belong to her sooner orter. Therefore, she kept on training diligently even if it meant her wrist was bruised so badly that she couldnt hold a fork and knife from training with her mom. Even if her mother identally broke a rib, she was not going to call it quits. Her mom couldnt bear to see her daughter so battered and tried to convince her to stop training, but her conviction was that it was worth giving up everything for her love. Except, when would her dad understand her feelings?


    Merely seeing her dad with her other sisters was enough to leave Daisy bitter. As a result, she would make all sorts of contemptible remarks and even go overboard with her remarks about her father. Deep down, though, Daisy was aware she couldnt treat her father that way.


    I like Dad, but why cant I be more upfront about it? It must be Dads fault! Its Dads fault! If Dad could just focus on loving me instead of being so gentle and affectionate with my moms and sisters, then I wouldnt do that. Therefore, it all boils down to being Dads fault! He didnt even call me for afternoon tea today. I was sending him continuous hints all lunch, yet he went to have afternoon tea with Vera! God damn it! Daisy silently fumed in her room.


    Daisy, are you asleep yet?


    An apologetic voice came from the door.


    I worried Dad, since I skipped dinner tonight. That was my goal; Dad came for me as I expected, thought Daisy.


    Daisy curled up in her nket and didnt reply. Instead, she responded in a muffled tone. The door wasnt locked, so if her father truly worried about her, he coulde right in


    Daisy, if youre hungry at night, go see Miss Xia. Xia is on duty in the kitchen tonight. If youre hungry, go and make something to eat. Dad doesnt know why youre angry, but Dad is worried about you. If youre tired, Dad wont disturb you


    It was definitely your fault, Dad!! silently raged Daisy.


    Daisy was so furious she flipped her nket over and aggressively sat up. Troys footsteps outside went further and further away.


    Does Dad not understand?! Why does he still not understand after all that?! Ive made it so obvious already, so why does he still not understand?! Dad is in the wrong, isnt he?! Its totally Dads fault! Ive already made it so tantly obvious, yet he still doesnt understand! How did Dad capture Moms heart when hes that dense?! I love Dad so much, so why doesnt understand why Im hurt?! If he doesnt know why Im happy or sad, then how do I prove he loves me?! Daisy thought to herself.


    <strong>*Tap! Tap! Tap! Tap!*</strong>


    Daisy couldnt restrain herself any longer. She hopped off her bed and ran over to the door barefoot, and then pulled the door open. Just as she was nning to shout out to her dad, she discovered her dad standing outside, looking at her with a smile. She was stunned. She originally overflowed with anger that she wanted to vent on him, but she forgot all of it in that moment. She was lost for words.


    Troy revealed a proud smile and rubbed his daughters head.


    Dads hand is truly so warm and soft. Im filled with courage and warmth when he holds me with his hand. Its as though the entire world is in Dads hands, thought Daisy, looking at her dads tender smile right in front of her.


    Daisys sisters werent around and neither was her mom. Miss Ying and Xia werent present. Lucia and Sister Luna werent around, either. She was alone with her dad in the corridor. She was finally alone with her father! That realisation led to her drawing a nk. She went to speak, but she didnt know what to say.


    Its all right. Its all right. Dad knows. Dad knows that you wanted to have afternoon tea with Dad, but Dad only had one spot. Vera came, so Dad naturally had to take her. If you want to have afternoon tea with Dad, then


    Daisy suddenly came to her senses. She silently celebrated, I knew it. Dad knows me very well. He hasnt disappointed me. He, the man I love, really does understand me very well. Dad does know me well. Since hes mentioned it, hell definitely be able to take me to afternoon tea for once, right? t-as-a-board Vera is a nobody. Shes not qualified to fight with me for Dad. I just need to wait for Dad. He loves me. Hell definitelye and make it up to me if Im not happy.


    Tell your moms and sisters, too, then, and well go for afternoon together as a family


    Daisys joy froze on her face. She looked at her dad with a stupefied look.


    Dad isnt an idiot, is he? Im no longer angry, yet he went and said that? What am I supposed to say? I dont want afternoon tea or whatever. I can drink afternoon tea with Mom! Who needs you?!! I wanted to drink alone with you! Daisy concluded. She then thundered, No! Who would want to drink afternoon tea with you, you scaly freak?!!


    Troys smile froze on his face. His scales were a taboo to him, because he was different to his own family. The scales granted him a body impervious to des and allowed him to utilise mana, but it wasnt as warm and soft as flesh. As a matter of fact, it could hurt his family. He strongly loathed hearing people criticise his body, especially his family members.


    Daisy immediately realised she poked her father where it hurt. Regret and fear instantly seized her heart. Her hands and lips trembled. Her fear was so overwhelming that she almost passed out. She was genuinely very scared. She fronted and said that, but if her dad was truly angry, she, herself, would be hurt.


    Sorry Daisy Troy murmured as he pulled his hand back. He smiled helplessly and apologised, Sorry. I know that you dont like my scales That must be why youve never liked me very much It cant be helped, though Dad doesnt want this body covered in scales, either; but, this is the price Dad has to pay to live till now


    Daisy was emotional and wanted to say something. She regretted what she said. Scratch that; she <em>really</em> regretted what she said. She genuinely didnt mean it. She didnt hate her dad, not in the least


    Did what I did in the past make Dad think that I hate him? I dont hate him, though! I like him! I like my dad! contemted Daisy.


    Daisy threw herself at her dad and tightly hugged him. Her hug startled Troy. She took in a deep breath. While she kept her arms tightly around him, she shut her eyes as if she had given up everything and belted, I dont hate you, Dad! I truly dont hate you, Dad! I like you, Dad! I sincerely like you very much, Dad!