NOVEL WEB Chapter 20: Dad
"Albert Eric Junior ,which is currently my father ,I don't have any information about him from when it was still a game. They died in the beginning, and their deaths were used for Helen's character development, so meeting him for the first time is making me kinda nervous," said Junior as he walked down the dimly lit corridor toward his new father's study. The faint echo of his footsteps mixed with the distant flicker of torches lining the stone walls.
He glanced at the knight walking beside him, the man's polished armor clinking softly with every step. Turning to him, Junior said, "You can go now. I wanna be alone with my father."
The knight halted, bowing respectfully. "Yes, Your Majesty," he said before pivoting sharply and marching away, his figure disappearing down the hallway.
Junior stopped in front of the grand, intricately carved door. The weight of the moment pressed down on him, but he squared his shoulders and took a deep breath, the cold air filling his lungs. Exhaling slowly, he muttered to himself, "Here goes nothing."
Lifting a hand, he knocked firmly on the heavy door, his knuckles meeting the polished wood with a soft thud. "Father, I am here. You requested my presence," he called out, his voice steady despite the butterflies in his stomach.
From within, a deep and commanding voice answered, "Junior, you may come in."
"I am coming in, Father," Junior replied as he pushed the door open, its hinges creaking slightly.
Junior stepped into the study, his gaze immediately falling upon the man seated behind a massive mahogany desk. His father was an imposing figure, a man whose very presence exuded royalty. Golden hair, streaked with hints of silver near the temples, framed his sharp, chiseled face. His beard, neatly trimmed and also golden, added to his regal aura, catching the firelight and glinting like precious metal. His deep brown eyes were piercing yet warm, holding a depth that spoke of both wisdom and authority.
Clad in a deep crimson robe embroidered with golden threads, his attire alone was a testament to his status. The heavy chain of office resting on his broad shoulders gleamed in the soft light of the chandelier above, its intricate design symbolizing power and legacy. Despite being in his late forties, there was a vitality about him, a commanding presence that could make anyone in the room feel small.
Junior hesitated for a moment, taking in the sight of the man he had only heard about in fragments, a character who had felt distant and unreal until now.
"Come in, Junior," his father repeated, his voice deep and steady, carrying a hint of curiosity.
Junior nodded, stepping further into the room. "Yes, Father," he said as he closed the door behind him. His footsteps were soft against the plush carpet as he approached the desk, his nerves just barely contained beneath a composed exterior.
His father leaned back slightly in his chair, observing him with a gaze that felt both scrutinizing and welcoming. "You seem hesitant. Is something troubling you?" he asked, his tone calm but firm.
"Nothing, Father," said Junior, his voice quiet as he tried to avoid meeting his father's gaze. His eyes darted to the polished floor, his unease evident in the way he shifted his weight from one foot to the other.
Junior's father let out a long, heavy sigh, his broad shoulders relaxing slightly. "You don't need to be afraid, Junior. I didn't call you here to punish you," he said, his tone gentler now. "I called you here to thank you."
"Thank me?" Junior's head snapped up, his expression filled with confusion. "Did I do something for you to thank me?" he asked, his voice tinged with uncertainty.
A warm smile spread across his father's face. "I heard you and your sister reconciled. That you've started talking to each other again. And you even apologized to her," he said, pride evident in his tone.
Hearing the reason for his father's summons, Junior felt the tension in his chest ease. He let out a quiet sigh of relief, his thoughts racing. *Phew, I thought Junior had done something terrible before I reincarnated into his body,* he thought to himself, the weight of his earlier fears slipping away.
Lost in his thoughts, Junior didn't notice his father rising from his seat until the older man's firm hand rested on his shoulder. The touch jolted Junior back to the present, his father's voice breaking through his inner musings. "Thank you, my son," his father said, his tone filled with a mixture of gratitude and sorrow.
"Your sister was always sad, always crying, and I couldn't comfort her all the time. If I did, it would have made your other siblings jealous. And jealousy in this family… it can lead to dangerous things." He sighed deeply. "I had to keep my distance, even though it pained me. You were the one who always played with her, who made her smile. It broke my heart when you stopped talking to her and began bullying her. But now, I'm happy. The two of you have made peace."