Chapter 30: My Scariest, Most Amazing Papa is BACK

Chapter 30: My Scariest, Most Amazing Papa is BACK The pulse of excitement thrummed in my chest as I stood there, barely able to contain the overwhelming feeling of joy that surged through me. My papa was back. The Emperor was back. Everything felt like it was falling into place, like the pieces of a puzzle finally aligning perfectly. It all clicked. Of course, Grandpa Gregor had asked if I remembered papa. He was testing me. But now... now I understood why. I could hardly wait to run to him, to throw myself into his arms and declare my joy to the heavens. But then...something made me stop. My little brain went ding ding ding! I had an idea. A brilliant idea. A mischievous, wonderful, slightly evil idea. Oh yes. I had to have some fun with this. Hehehehe... A sly grin curled at the corners of my lips as I let the moment draw out, letting the silence weigh heavily upon the room. It was as if everyone was holding their breath, just like I had been. My papa, the Emperor, my terrifying, invincible father... he was back. And I was about to make him regret leaving me behind. I stood there, holding Grandpa Gregor’s cloak innocently, my face blank as I pretended not to know what was going on. As if I hadn’t recognized him the moment he stepped through the door. As if I wasn’t dying to throw my arms around him and say, "Papa, I missed you so much." The silence stretched, just as planned. And then, papa dismounted from his horse. The tension in the air only thickened. The ground seemed to vibrate under my feet, like a storm was coming, the air electric with anticipation. And then, every single person bowed. From little Osric to Grandpa Gregor, they all lowered their heads in deep respect, murmuring, "We greet, The Majesty, the Emperor of the Elarion Empire." The entire space seemed to move in perfect synchrony, like a well-rehearsed performance. Knees bent, heads lowered, hands held at their sides. The whole space moved like clockwork. Everyone except me. Meanwhile, me? I stayed standing, as innocent as a newborn lamb. No clue about anything, just standing there with wide, angelic eyes, like the most clueless little princess who had no idea what was happening. I was playing my part perfectly. Then, Papa’s voice, sharp and cold as steel, sliced through the silence, "Raise." And everyone raised. Theon stepped forward, his gaze filled with reverence. "Welcome back, Your Majesty. I hope you had a safe journey." he said, his tone respectful but tinged with awe. Papa nodded once, a simple gesture, but his gaze never wavered from me. His eyes, as sharp and cold as ever, locked with mine. A beat of silence. A shiver of tension rolled through the air. It was like the entire world held its breath. I could feel it, the weight of the moment, building, building, building, as papa’s gaze grew colder, sharper...but warm for me. And then... he took a step forward. And now my evil plan begins. I pretended to flinch, like my heart skipped a beat. With exaggerated drama, I darted behind Grandpa Gregor’s legs, peeking out from behind him with the most innocent, terrified expression I could muster. My big eyes were wide, my little face trembling as if I had just seen a monster. And then, in the softest, most fragile voice I could manage, I peeped out, "Who aw you?" Ba—boom. Papa froze like a stone statue. Everyone froze. Time itself stopped. The knights behind him, even Grand Duke Regis, who had been standing tall and steady behind papa, they all froze. The birds in the sky stopped mid-flight. The air went completely still. Papa’s expression was one of utter shock. And then, nothing. Not a word. Not a movement. The silence stretched so thick it was almost palpable. I blinked innocently, my heart racing with excitement. Papa... the most powerful, ruthless Emperor... was speechless. Hehehehe... How do you feel, papa? Do you regret leaving me behind? Do you see now what you’ve been missing? Hehehehe..... It’s fun. The world around us—his entire world—froze. And me? I was standing there, still the innocent little princess, with a smile tugging at the corners of my lips, trying desperately to hide the evil glee bubbling inside me. It was perfect. But what I didn’t know was...my little evil plan would soon backfire on me. *** And now, here I was, sitting in the royal meeting room, surrounded by everyone I could ever imagine in such a serious, intense setting. Grandpa Gregor, Grand Duke Regis, even Osric—who was acting like a grown-up with his furrowed brow and serious little face—were all gathered here. Theon, standing behind papa, looked like he was about to implode from nervousness. Nanny and Marella were standing at a safe distance from the meeting table, like they knew something terrible was coming my way. And me? I’m sitting at the table—without a proper chair—like some mere child who couldn’t be bothered to sit like royalty. Excuse me, am I not the princess here?! Can’t they spare me a little respect and get me a proper chair? This was so embarrassing. Papa’s cold, calculating gaze was fixed on me, and his hands were folded in front of him like he was plotting some great military strategy...and I couldn’t help but shiver for real under the weight of his stare. Then, he spoke in that sharp, commanding tone of his, the one that could make anyone’s blood freeze. "So... she never entered the nursery after I left for the western province?" I almost choked on my own breath. His voice cut through the air like a thousand sharp daggers. Theon, poor Theon, looking like he had already been sentenced to a life of endless awkwardness, nodded nervously. "Y-yes, Your Majesty." Okay, I was about to be scolded, wasn’t I? Should I run away? But before I could react, Grandpa Gregor smiled and said, "The babies tend to forget people they don’t see for long periods, Your Majesty. It’s normal." Papa’s voice was as cold as a blizzard. "That’s why I ordered everyone to put my pictures in her Nursery." Okay...Papa, that’s a little excessive, don’t you think? Grandpa Gregor chuckled awkwardly, trying to backpedal. "Yes, well... kids can get bored of one place too soon, Your Majesty." Papa grunted, almost to himself. "Hah... I should’ve put my picture all over the palace." Wait. WHAT? All over the palace?! Are you serious, papa?! Are you trying to haunt me, or... or scare the maids? But then... papa’s serious tone broke through again, and my stomach dropped. "Should we call a high priest or perhaps a mage to bring back her memory?" At that point, I nearly fainted. A mage?! No, no, no. This was turning into a full-on crisis. I glanced nervously at the others, but Grand Duke Regis was already stepping in, his voice calm but steady. "That won’t do anything, Your Majesty," he said. "It will only scare the princess." I felt a sigh of relief... for a second, until papa’s gaze turned back to me. His eyes narrowed, and with an expression that could freeze water, he leaned closer, scooping me up with his giant hands. I couldn’t escape even if I tried. "I am your father. Did you really forget me?" Now, that cold, ruthless expression—it was no longer funny. It was terrifying. I shivered, and for the first time, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to stay with my papa all the time anymore. I was regretting my evil plan to tease Papa. I hadn’t expected this turn of events. Then, with a long, exasperated sigh, Papa looked at Nanny and asked, "Nerina, what should I do?" Nanny, as always, was the voice of reason, bowing deeply. "You just need to keep the princess close to you, Your Majesty." Papa blinked and looked at me for a second, mumbling, "Close to me?" Nanny nodded, "Yes, Your Majesty." "Alright," he nodded seriously, like this was the most logical solution. He stood up, holding me in his arms like I was a helpless doll, and with an air of finality, declared, "From now on, every second, my daughter will stay with me. I will take care of her." I blinked, my heart pounding in my chest. Wait. Hold up. What?! ARE YOU KIDDING ME, PAPA?! I did NOT sign up for this. No more playing, no more fun, no more freedom? I love my papa, but...I can’t just be glued to his side 24/7! I know I’m your precious daughter, but I’m also just two years old! I can’t stay by your side forever. I have things to do! I need to play, eat, and explore— I can’t be your shadow every second of the day! But... I can’t even say anything now. After all, I’m the one who dug this hole and fell into it. Sigh... Why did I ever pretend to forget him?! This... this was a huge mistake.