As my daughter got cleaned up, I went to wait for her and wait for Diablo to finish the business meeting. I went to the dining hall with measured steps for some noble hospitality.
As I took my seat and a maid poured me a drink of something expensive, I thought on everything that happened on this small trip. What was supposed to be a easy going business deal to acquire vast resources for Luminosity - ended up anything other than 'easy going' I thought.
A daughter, huh. Well I'll take it one day at a time, can't be any more difficult than reaching Great Mage rank at 70. As I thought this a smirk played itself on my lips, before disappearing behind a mask of seriousness and aloofness.
I'm going to need to speak to her once we get back and understand what happened, how did she end up there? What happened to her mother? Who.... who... killed her, because that can be the only thing that happened if that woman left her daughter alone like that.
As I thought this a slight bit of my aura leaked, before I quickly controlled it. However not before making the maids, now standing off at the edges of the large, decorated dining hall quiver and drop to their knees and the room itself to shake.
I shook my head before taking another sip of this nice wine. While plotting the downfall of yet another enemy, well, soon-to-be enemy.
Over an hour later:
As I waited in the same large foyer than greeted me when I first got here, Diablo now at my side, I could see the conflict in his cold black eyes.
Before he made himself pass out from what ever ridiculous thoughts were going around inside his head, I spoke firmly. "She is my daughter, Diablo. It seems she had an unexpected pregnancy when she left Luminosity. And I felt the blood resonance earlier. Which was why I left."
As I uttered those words, Diablo seemed to realise something, like it all clicked into place, then with his signature smirk replied "Your Excellency, you with a daughter, now that I never saw coming. I don't think the world will see it coming either! The cold, aloof, all powerful, Lightborn himself, having a little cute daughter hahaha"
As he said this my eye twitched before I gave him a sidelong glance that made him shiver. Before replying, more seriously this time, however with the same smirk playing on his lips "I'm sorry if I offended, but what are you going to do now?"
I sighed before stating simply "What else? Try and be a father, and while doing that try and find whoever is behind what happened. Because you know better than most, what must have happened for her to end up alone."
As I said this Diablo seemed to show a rare side to himself, conveying some melancholic emotion on his face before masking it with his usually smugness "Yes, I know. *sigh* what a shame, such a nice woman. Too nice for this fucked up world. Just give me the word and I will mobilise the Shadows." Said Diablo.
As I was about to give the word, I heard a commotion. Then I saw Alphonso come around the corner followed by the rest of the unit along with a little girl with luscious locks of wavy long golden hair, red shining eyes that made me shudder in recognition of the past, pale creamy skin, now without any marks or scars and a cute little nose and face. Wearing a platinum, silk dress, which made her seem like an angel in human form.
Even while being slightly malnourished she still radiated and captured the room. Then out of nowhere and to the surprise of those around us, the ones not yet informed, including the castle staff, the king and his family who were waiting with us, well I think even the king has realised by now - the young girl ran to me nearly tripping over her dress shouting "Father! You left me!" and as she reached my feet she looked up with a warm, pouting face that made me want to reach down and pinch her cheeks, if her face wasn't malnourished that is.
Always other opportunities in the future, I thought. Eh what am I thinking? I then bent and picked her up stiffly, as I saw Diablo next to me smirk again, tch, bastard.
I then looked at her and replied "Sorry, I wanted you to get washed up, can't bring you back home looking like you did, you stunk." I then waved my hand as I made a gesture signifying what I said.
She then laughed slightly, the first time I heard her laugh I thought, before she spoke again "I didn't think you could be funny father."
.....
As this little father-daughter exchange was ongoing those around them looked on in abject horror, Lightborn himself, cold, ruthless, aloof to the world and acting like he was above it, was now looking almost... mortal.
Those same people all collectively shuddered at this, while some of the more acute like the king and his wife thought to themselves 'he has a daughter? How? We need to report this to the imperial family as quickly as possibly.' Before putting back on their perfect noble faces, hiding their unrest perfectly.
Kyros then turned and spoke, while holding the little girl in his arms, "We will be leaving then. Ensure you cooperate with Diablo and whoever he entrusts to oversee this agreement." Then, before the king could respond, Kyros and his retinue left, to travel back to the palace, where the surprise of a lifetime was awaiting the residents of Luminosity and the palace.
A new Lightborn is here, and will she be just as monstrous as her father or different?