Sold?

•Arius

I walked back home alone.

In the end, I couldn't achieve what I came to do.

Well I knew it wouldn't be that easy but like any other person I had hoped it would be.

But well, should I come back again?

Azalea told me not to come back.

I sighed.

Still…

I kicked the pebble on the road as I walked out of disappointment.

Well, it's not like it was a complete failure either.

She said she'll give me an answer soon enough but is there really a need to wait? If she's giving an answer like this where she needs to think, what does that mean?

Does it mean I no longer hold any importance for her?

The thought was messing with my mind.

It was making the hollow feeling in my chest grow stronger.

I sighed again and continued walking in the silence of the night.

When I reached the mansion, it was dead silent.

Except the men on duty everyone was asleep.

As I was making my way to the fourth floor I noticed that the lights of the study were on and the slightly open door revealed that the laptop was on too.

"Pretty sure I left Caesar incharge." I said to myself and walked in. He's not the type to leave things on like this-

…

As my gaze landed on the laptop screen I understood why he did that.

He read the email about the tribal area conflict.

The timing with which it came is uncanny. It had to be the day I left him incharge.

I took a deep breath and shut it down.

Well, maybe now it will be easy to bring up the topic.

***

I made my way to the fourth floor straight to Athena's room.

She was sound asleep in her cradle, her hands fisted by her head side as she breathed softly made me smile.

I squished her cheek softly with my index finger but no reaction came from her but still I can't get enough of how soft and squishy her cheeks are.

"If perhaps Azalea decides to take you away?" I whispered, "Will you tell her you want to stay with daddy?" I asked her such a stupid question.

As a baby I know she doesn't even understand what I'm saying.

I smirked.

But it's still fun talking to her.

"Athena," I picked her up from her cradle, "How about sleeping with daddy tonight?" I took her to my room.

She was so deep in her sleep that she didn't even move or open her eyes when I laid her on the bed next to me and then slipped in next to her.

Her fists just loosened a bit and when I moved my finger near her hand she caught that with her whole hand and smiled in her sleep.

The gesture made my heart flip.

It was too cute.

Ahhhhh!!!!

I mentally screamed.

My daughter is too cute!!!!!

I kissed her forehead and placed the blanket over her and myself, then fell asleep with my finger still in her hand.

***

In the morning I woke up when I felt some pressure on my chest. I think it's been there for a while now.

When I opened my eyes to see what it was I chuckled.

At some point Athena had crawled up onto my chest and had been sleeping there.

She was hugging my chest and also drooling over it.

I stood up while taking her in my arms, "Unn." She woke up and looked at me with droopy eyes.

"Did you sleep well?" I kissed her cheek and she lazily laughed. Half of her was still asleep.

I stood up from the bed and noticed how it was already 10 am.

Oh wow… I've never slept in this late.

Well, I did go to bed quite late.

"Let's wash our faces." I readjusted Athena in my arms, "I think I need to change your diaper too." I suddenly felt it get wet.

I have no idea how to do that but well I'm sure Youtube will help, or maybe I'll just hand her over to Zara. She's up by eight usually so I'll find her first.

I walked to the bathroom and washed her face, then mine. Then I walked out to go to her room and only at the moment I realized something was wrong.

I heard the commotion coming from the lower floors.

"What's this?"

I walked down to the third floor where the maids were fighting among themselves but as soon as they saw me they froze, then their eyes landed on Athena and they took a breath of relief.

Sami was there on the third floor and he came over, "Boss…"

"What?"

"Was Athena with you since morning?"

"She was with me the entire night. Is something the problem?"

"No…" He looked down and fled to the lower floor.

I looked at one of the maid, "Where's Zara?"

"Zara Nim?" The maid looked at me, "She's on the first floor."

I walked down and noticed the tense atmosphere but when I reached the first floor Zara came running to me, "Oh thank God!"

She seemed relieved, as well as all the other people there.

"Is something wrong?" Zara took Athena from me but didn't answer.

"It's because everyone thought Athena disappeared." I turned around to see the owner of the voice descending the stairs, "It didn't really cross anyone's mind that you took her to your room." Caesar answered, "Zara was the one most stressed."

"Do I seem that unfatherly?" I looked around the place but no one met my gaze.

"You have your answer…"

I sighed and looked at Caesar, "Come to the study." I patted his shoulder, "We need to talk."

Caesar followed me without a word.

***

"You already know why We're having this talk.' I said while I sat on the study chair while Caesar sat on the single couch across the table.

He nodded, "But why? Why are you keeping an eye on them? Didn't it all end that day?"

"Caesar, I mean nothing bad from it, not one percent but-" I looked at him in the eyes, "Don't forget that you're the rightful heir of the Hound tribe."

He shook his head, "I never thought about it and I'm never going-"

"You should." I cut his words, "Maybe just once, think about it, it's your birth place, where your sister and mother are buried."

"Arius…" He looked sort of sad, "Why are you doing this? I know you don't want me to go away."

"No!!" I shook my head, "I would never want that but you can't deny the blood in you. It's your decision in the end, but if you decide that you want to take back what was originally yours I'll help you out." I smiled, "And I will always be here to help you out."

"It just seems so foreign. Something so far away."

"I know, It might even be difficult taking that place but it's supposed to be yours. Think about it, maybe just even once but think carefully. I'll support your decision."

"You do remember that it's across the border? In another country."

"I know." I nodded, "We've stuck like glue with each other for twenty years it feels so strange. If you do go, we'll be so far apart." I looked out the window, "That's why I was sort of glad that you read that mail. Otherwise, I had no idea how I was going to bring it up."

He smiled but I could sense the gloominess in it.

"Fine." He nodded, "I will give it some thought."