A Father’s Resolve

"..."

“It is… exactly as you say.” He finally spoke; his voice was low and ragged.

“So… you knew?”

“Yes.” His expression twisted in pain. “I have known for a long time. My marriage to Seraphine was political, arranged under pressure from powerful relatives and rival houses. I did not choose it. I was happy before, being married to the woman that I loved, Katherine, the mother of your eldest brother and sister. But those days… never returned.

“When Seraphine became pregnant with twins so soon after our union, despite my distance, doubts crept in. At first, I was convinced that they were mine. But as Alice and Karen grew older, the resemblance… it was absent. My suspicions deepened.

“And then, one day, I sought the services of a private inquiry agent, planting a maid in the household to shadow Seraphine whenever she was alone. This maid intercepted her letters, spied on her visits, until finally, the truth surfaced.

“My in-laws visited one afternoon. In the guest chamber, Seraphine met with her parents, believing no ears were near. She spoke openly of her lover. Of the children she bore him. Of how I—” His jaw tightened, rage flickering beneath restraint. “...was being deceived. Forced to raise what was never mine.

“And when the report was delivered, I was enraged beyond words. I wanted to end it all, divorce her, expose her, burn the lies to ash. But… Alice and Karen were still children. Innocent. To tear their lives apart would be no different from punishing them for her betrayal.

“And at the time, I had not yet risen to the position that I hold now; I was not strong enough to withstand the scandal. So I endured. I bore the humiliation in silence.

“Later, from our union, Timothy was born, my blood, without question. And soon after… you.” His voice faltered, trembling at the edges. “You were a mistake born out of weakness, a moment I regret to this day. Still…” His eyes softened, weary. “You are my responsibility, too. And if you truly wish, I can tell you all about your late mother, whenever you’re ready.”

"..."

The words Father spoke hurt, but it did not matter to me. After all, my tolerance for pain, both physical and mental, had reached another level. Besides, I cared more for my sisters than for myself.

“No, that’s fine for now,” I answered, steadying myself. “But I will take your word for it, for the future.”

“I see.” Father allowed himself a faint smile, though his expression hardened again as he leaned forward. “So then, tell me more.”

Yes, Father. As I had said before, that pig bastard—”

"!"

“Hah!” Father let out a sudden laugh, then scoffed as his expression hardened once more. “I did not expect such fire from you. Very well. Carry on.”

“He’ll use deceit, Father, blackmailing them with the truth that they aren’t truly your daughters. You see, Alice and Karen have been living in constant fear all this time, believing that if you ever discovered it, you would then abandon them. What they do not yet realise is that you already carry this truth within you too.”

“No…” Father’s face darkened with sorrow. “I would never. Even if they are not of my blood, I have raised them long enough to call them mine. Oh, my dear Alice, oh Karen, my poor girls, is that what you’ve been afraid of all this time?”

Those were the very words I had longed to hear, the words Alice and Karen themselves needed most.

“Yes,” I continued, my voice ragged with emotion, haunted by the countless iterations of their deaths I had witnessed. “They fear the truth being revealed, and because of that, they would submit themselves to humiliation, to shame… and every single time, they—”

Before I could finish, a pair of strong arms wrapped around me. Father’s embrace was warm and heavy, breaking through the ice that had long encased my heart. My tears burst forth, unstoppable, as I clung to his suit. Pain I had carried through countless iterations bled away, melting into sobs.

"..."

When at last my crying subsided, Father waited a moment before asking gravely, “But how does that bastard know? Who told him?” He placed a hand on his chin, deep in thought, then his eyes sparked with realisation. “Unless…”

“Yes, Father.” I forced myself to meet his gaze. “It was Stepmother. She told him. She wants this marriage no matter the cost, even if it means sullying Alice and Karen’s names. Her only concern is power. I know you may not believe me—”

“No.” His eyes sharpened. “I have long considered this possibility. And I believe you. As for these ‘premonitions’…” He exhaled slowly. “Perhaps they are your special skill. While it is very strange, though, such gifts are usually awakened only at sixteen, during the Church’s ordination.”

So that was it. 

In this world, one received their skill at sixteen, sanctioned by the Church. But it seems I may just be an outlier, already bearing a skill that had become both a blessing and a curse.

"!"

“Right then!” Father’s palm struck the table with thunderous force. “Let’s be off, Elias.”

“To where, Father?”

“Where else?” His hand came down to pat my head, firm and proud. “To save your sisters.”

“Yes!”

Finally, the tides had shifted. Too early to claim victory, perhaps, but this was the turning point I had been chasing for so long. I followed close behind him, like a cub at the heels of its lion father.