Leahlya glared at Victor and yelled, "What the hell have you written in your 'book?'! You are practically insulting me! And I have to tell; you are doing a pretty job at that."
Victor laughed awkwardly and adverted his gaze. Scratching his head, he said, "I was... just... trying to... motivate people. Yes! That's it! You do understand it, don't you?"
"No, I don't understand. So, would you 'please' edit your book?" snarled Leahlya. She had an urge to tear his book into pieces.
Victor nodded and said, "Ok, I will talk with the publisher. Although, I want to ask apart from that 'mishap,' everything else is good, isn't it?"
Leahlya replied, "In a way, it's tolerable."
"Compliment, from my dearest daughter. Now, I can happily die!"
"And leave me here to rot? Nope, that's not happening. Have you ever tried to correct yourself? I mean, we are the most 'dysfunctional' father-daughter pair in this entire world, much less in Sacrton Empire," commented Leahlya, as she took a bite at the strawberry pastry in front of her.
Victor looked at his plate and grimaced in disgust. Why the hell did his daughter like this 'monstrosity' of sweet? Heck! Even a little kid would vomit just by looking at it.
"You will eat that, right? Or else, I will take it."
Victor faked a smile and pushed the plate towards her. "Enjoy it. I won't regret if I don't get to eat it."
Leahlya shrugged, "Fine by me. But I have to tell, you are missing the taste."
No, he wasn't missing the taste. If possible, Victor wanted to erase both the taste and smell from his mind.
"So, about the permission... you did go to meet the emperor, didn't you?"
Victor recollected all the memories from his visit and gave a small nod. He replied, "Yes, I did."
"What did he say then?" asked Leahlya.
"Nothing much. Except he has no confidence on you. Although, I gave my assurance that you would do a good job."
Leahlya put the spoon on the plate and wiped her face with the back of her hand.
"Lea! How many times do I have to tell you to use the napkin? It must be the thousandth time," sighed Victor. It was his fault that his daughter lacked some of the basic etiquette, though sometimes she did follow it... but it wasn't enough.
"Why are we talking about this now? You were the one who fired my etiquette teacher?"
Victor crossed his arms over his chest and said, "Oh? If I remember correctly, you came to my room crying that you don't want to learn from her. So, I fired her. You remember it, don't you?"
Leahlya's face flushed in shame. She didn't want to remember that day. Mrs. Docckins was her etiquette teacher. Strictness was ingrained in her every fibre. So, the 'little' Leahlya, who never got shouted and punished by anyone in her whole life, got angry when experiencing 'that' for the first time. She ran away from the class and complained her father about the 'horrible' teacher and told him to fire her.
"That's your mistake. You don't have to indulge my every whim," whispered Leahlya.
"Hmmm? I know, but I can't control myself. You were the cutest kid that I had ever seen, and I was completely weak to your charms. As your father, I can tell you were very curious kid... even now that hasn't changed. If I ignore your 'obsession' with the ex-crown prince, I can say you turned out to be just the way I wanted... almost."
Leahlya shook her head. She said, "It's fine, Father. It wasn't your fault. And I will always say this as long as I have to. Although, what had you in mind about this 'turning' thing?"
"Nothing to worry. Always happy, and no obstacles in your life. I always want you to be happy Lea, and for that I can do anything. It is the very reason that I am indulging your wish," answered Victor.
"Wow! You must really want to be the best father in the world, don't you?" teased Leahlya.
"Maybe. Although, there are certain things that I didn't have in mind for you. Your curious nature is very troublesome. Also, you are very naughty. Even as an adult, it hasn't changed much."
Twirling her hair strands in her finger, Leahlya smirked, "I do my best. So, about the emperor... when will he send the permission letter?"
"Soon, I guess. Let me worry about that."
"Great! So, can I go now?" asked Leahlya. There were lot of things she needed to prepare.
Victor raised his hand and stopped her. He said, "There are certain things which we need to discuss."
"About what?"
"Your safety."
"My 'safety?' What do you mean by that?"