"Celestia, can we have a word please?" Father called before I could leave.
"Sure," I replied, looking at the other guys. They didn't look worried but they didn't seem happy to have to wait outside without me. "I won't be long," I reassured them. They all nodded; Hunter and Orion let go of my hand. Arielle hopped on my shoulder excitedly and I smirked, knowing it was her way of reassuring the guys that she was there to keep me safe, even though Father would never hurt me. Men are so overprotective.
Everyone but Magnor left the room. I stared at both of them with a blank expression. Magnor sighed. "I know you’re upset."
I shook my head. "Upset isn't the word to explain how I feel right now."
Father frowned, guilt washed over his expression. "Celestia," he whispered.
"Why didn't you tell me? You lied to me for years, saying you were a gatekeeper and couldn't come home," I stressed.
"I couldn't tell you," he defended.
“Why not? If you told me you were the headmaster of Aslan and had to keep your identity a secret, I would have understood. Mom isn't super specific about what she has to do in the dimension she’s in right now, but that's better than lying, saying you’re something you’re not."
"Celestia, it's not that simple," Father mumbled. His weak defense only made me angrier. Magnor opened his mouth to speak and I glared at him, silencing him before he could interrupt. His bit was coming, he'd just have to wait.
"I'm your daughter. You should have given me the chance to safeguard that knowledge, rather than assume I couldn't keep it a secret to begin with. Do you know what I've gone through? The bullying I experienced because YOU weren't there to defend me. Every day I was tortured, both physically and emotionally. Hah, even mentally! You don't know the scars I carry and the hatred I held in my heart as I fought to not believe what everyone was saying over and over!" I shouted.
Father was silent, unable to fight against my claim. "If it wasn't for Magnor...you wouldn't even have a daughter to speak to right now," I whispered, looking away.
The room was silent, my words settling in with each passing second. I deserved to be mad. I'd experienced so much, all the while thinking my father was dimensions away, serving his duty as a gatekeeper. Yet here he was, a headmaster of the prestigious Aslan Academy, letting Magnor basically babysit me while he did his job. Was I just some hindrance or a burden to him?
My face must have displayed my fear because Magnor took a step forward. "Celestia. I know that look and it's not what you think," he whispered.
I huffed, turning my gaze to him. "You knew all along Father was a headmaster and didn't tell me either. You're just as guilty as him. Why wouldn’t I think I was some kind of nuisance or a liability? Just because you give someone a gift or present once every few years, doesn't mean shit. You saw how the villagers treated me. You witnessed first hand and it was only because of your intervention that it stopped. Why aren't you upset that you were practically forced to raise me, instead of my own father?!" I exclaimed.
"I wasn't forced, Celestia, nor was it a burden. I wanted to take care of you,” Magnor insisted.
"Why? Did you get a bonus in pay or something?" I grumbled.
"Celestia, that's enough," Father snapped.
"You don't have a say!" I insisted. "You don't know how I feel right now. I went through so much shit because you and Mom went away. No one had answers, just excuses. You abandoned me for three years before Magnor interfered. Three years where I came home to an empty house. Three years where if I was sick, I had to fend for myself. Three...fucking years, where on some days I didn't have a single thing to eat and had to steal bread from dumpsters near the bakery. Three years where I was called names, punched, kicked, and shoved into walls, leaving bruises and cuts that I had to heal myself. You want that all to be erased because you had a job and said sorry? I should just ignore the pain in my heart right now so that you don't feel guilty just because you tried to contribute to my life when you bothered to think of me at all?"
Tears rolled down my cheeks as I slowly caught my breath, not realizing how loud I’d been. I bet the guys could hear me from outside but I didn't care. The pent-up pain I'd been holding in for the last couple of days had finally decided to burst and he would get every single bit of it. He deserved to know about everything he dismissed for the sake of his "job." He pushed his duty of being a father on someone else and thought it was okay? I needed him to realize it wasn't.
Magnor sighed, walking up to me. I glared at him, thinking he'd just stroke my head and tell me to forgive, but he did something completely unexpected. He went on his knees, bowing his head. I stared at him in shock as he took a deep breath.
"I get you’re upset, Celestia. You have every right to be. But I need you to understand that raising you was my decision. I chose to do it because I wanted to. There was no benefit or bonus. I promised I'd train you when you were ready and that night...when I saw how hollow your eyes were...I knew that you'd be strong enough to handle anything I threw at you. I won't kneel here and lie to you. A part of me did take you in to save you from...suicide...but I've never once chosen a student and regretted it. I knew you'd achieve great things and you've proven that. You've experienced things no one should have, simply because you were different. Yet, you've still grown into a woman who loves and is selfless. That wasn't because of me, or your father. That was all you and I acknowledge that. I apologize if I contributed to your hurt." I noticed the tears that fell from his eyes and onto the tiled floor.
"Bru..." Arielle flew off my shoulder and went to land on the floor beneath Magnor's lowered head. A teardrop fell onto her head and she fluttered her wings before flying up slightly to hover in the air while she rubbed her cheek against Magnor's tear-stained one. I could feel her sadness and pity for Magnor. I could tell from his actions that his intention was true. He honestly wanted to save me and it was thanks to him that I'd lived to be able to even tell my story. I wouldn't have made it this far without him, and his love and guidance were what helped me develop the tough skin I had now.
"I forgive you Magnor," I whispered, feeling a little bad for making him cry. My own tears continued to fall down my cheeks. He nodded his head, slowly rising to his feet. I couldn't let him leave without showing I meant what I said, so I took a step forward and wrapped my arms around him. He hugged me back, stroking my hair like he always did to comfort me.
"Please don't be too upset. You have every right, but please understand,” he whispered. I simply nodded, still unsure how I felt about Father. He watched us in silence and I finally released Magnor, who moved to the side, giving me space to confront my father.
We stared into each other’s eyes for a long time and his shoulders sank in defeat and he bowed his head. "I'm sorry, Celestia. I...I should have been honest. I was sworn to secrecy by the council when I took my role. It was foolish of me to think everything would work itself out when I left, but I thought it would give you a better life. I had no idea about the torment you experienced. Maybe Magnor tried to tell me back then, but I wasn't originally in this position where I sat in my office signing papers and running an entire school. I had to prove my worth and be a hunter for a few years in order to stand where I am now. Regardless, I know it sounds like an excuse and nothing can change what occurred in the past. You're right. I should have taken my responsibility as a father more seriously and I didn't. I know it will take time for you to accept my apology and look past the pain you endured because of my absence, but I hope we can fix this. I'll try to work this out with you if you’re willing to give me a chance, and no matter your decision, know I love you,"
I closed my eyes and felt Arielle land on my shoulder. I could hear the regret in my father's voice, the agony, sadness, torment. Everything. He truly regretted his decision. I didn't need a looking glass to feel the emotion in the air and notice that he was on the verge of tears.
"Bru..." Arielle whispered. "He does mean it. He genuinely wants to make things right."
I slowly opened my eyes, lifting my gaze to Father, whose head was still hanging down in shame. Through all the anger, I still remembered the kindness. The love he'd shown me in my childhood. The compassion when he told me stories and the happiness that flashed in his eyes when we were together.
Through all the bad memories, my heart still yearned for my dad. I still wanted him in my life, even if he hadn't gotten the opportunity to raise me. Even though he was far away, he didn't abandon me completely. He didn't hate or despise me like other parents might have. He accepted that I was a rare being in this world and only did what he thought was best. Even if, looking back, it wasn’t the best choice.
"The dual swords you bought were pretty useful," I mumbled, more to myself and Arielle than to Father and Magnor. "And you did get Mom's gift and made it so Sia and I could have an easier time."
Father lifted his head slightly, his sad, tear-filled eyes meeting mine. We maintained our stare for what seemed to be minutes, but I knew only seconds had passed.
"Everyone deserves a second chance."
It was weird to suddenly recall those words, remembering my mom's soft voice from when I was five. If she was here, she'd tell Father that it was his fault I was so stubborn and didn't want to forgive people so easily. Of course, we'd all know my stubbornness was really from her. In the end, she’d encourage me to hug my father and forgive him.
I slowly walked up to him and a glimmer of hope washed over his once dejected expression. "You have to promise from now on you'll be truthful, or at least try to be," I whispered to him.
He slowly nodded, putting his free hand to his chest. "You have my word, Celestia."
I pondered what else to ask of him, unsure if there was anything else I wanted.
"BRU!" Arielle chirped and a thought coming to my mind.
"And when you’re free...we have to hang out. Even if it's just for hamburgers. I like hamburgers and cupcakes," I said shyly.
Father smiled and nodded. "Anything you want to do, we’ll do. Does that sound like a good deal?"
I met his gaze, giving him a small smile. "Yes," I replied. "I missed you."
He closed the gap between us, pulling me into a tight embrace. "I've missed you so much. You have no idea, my princess. I'm so sorry." He continued whispering apologies.
I knew he would keep his word this time and maybe one day we'd simply laugh at this memory, cherishing all the years we had as a family. All I hoped for was that Mom would come back one day too. Then with Magnor and Arielle, we'd be a happy little family.
Maybe then I could introduce my men as lovers, instead of just friends.