Papa
Riding at the front of the wagon together, Sher Aka and I have a pleasant conversation like always. She doesn’t do anything weird or different from usual, the only difference is that we’re sitting a lot closer today.
“Hey, Sher Aka?”
“Yes?”
“I…I might be thinking like a kid again soon. I know I’m getting stupider, it feels harder and harder to think even while we’re speaking.”
“Does that scare you?”
“Yes. If…When I get like that again, can you pause the trial run for a bit until I get back to normal? I…I don’t like the idea of getting attached to someone when I can’t even think.”
Brushing through my hair she answers in a kind calm voice, “Of course. Don’t worry, I won’t force anything on you, I want you to choose me of your own free will.”
“Thank you, Sher Aka.”
“You’re welcome, Rose.”
We continue without problem until evening approaches and we make camp where John is taking a look at me.
“Are you feeling any worse or different than before?”
“I dunno but Rose have trouble thinking.”
“I see…Do you know where you are right now?”
“With my bestie! Giggle”
“Right…Do you remember why we’re on this mission?”
“Uhm…Money?”
“Not quite…But I think we’re done now.”
“Alright! Can Rose go cuddle with ane and manya now?”
“Sure.”
Running over to ane and manya I give them a hug, “Rose want cuddles!”
“But didn’t you say you wanted to keep your distance for a bit, oko?”
“Eh? Rose said that? Rose have hard time remembering…Sorry Rose is stupid…”
Manya picks me up, “You’re not stupid, come on here. Let’s get you some cuddles.”
“Yay!”
“Say Rose, do you remember what happened when daddy came here?”
“Daddy? No? Rose have daddy?”
“Yes, a daddy that loves you very much!”
“Really!?”
“Yes! Really, really! Do you want to meet daddy?”
“Yes, Rose wants to meet daddy!”
Putting her hand on manya’s shoulder Sher Aka whispers something in her ear but I can’t hear it.
“It’s best for her to have a father. I don’t care if it’s unethical. It’s good for her in the long run.”
“I see…So you’ll go and do it no matter what…And here I thought you respected her choices…What about you Rayla? Aren’t you going to stop her?”
“No. I understand that it’s a bit underhanded but this is a great opportuni-”
“To exploit her, correct. Do what you think is right. I just wanted to inform you.”
Scarlet answers, “We will…Come on Rose let’s meet daddy!”
“Yay!”
Carrying me into the wagon manya and ane lay down with me and we start to cuddle.
“Papa, now is a xxx xxx.”
“Xxx.”
“Look ahead Rose, daddy is coming.”
“Okay!”
I hear footsteps and then someone appears in view, “AAAAAAAAGH!!! Help! Scary man! Scary man! Hiss.”
“Nononono, that’s not a scary man, that's daddy. He’s really kind! You wanted to meet daddy, right?”
“S-scary man is daddy?”
“Yes and he loves you very much!”
“Scary man loves Rose?”
“Yes, I do. Very much so, my dear daughter,” the scary man answers.
“How about it oko. Do you mind if he gets a little closer?”
“Scary man…Hurt Rose?”
“I will never hurt you again my dear daughter.”
“Scary man, promise?”
“Yes, I promise that I will only act with what’s best for you in mind.”
“Hmm…Okay…”
The scary man then comes closer…He’s still scary.
“Manya, ane, protect Rose?”
“Of course, oko. If he tries something I’ll beat him up!”
“And I’m always here to protect you, Rose!”
“Okay…That’s good.”
The scary man then kneels down next to me and slowly puts his hand towards me. Closing my eyes, I braze for impact but there is no pain, just a warm hand on my cheek.
When I open my eyes again the scary man has a very kind and soft smile on his face, “I love you very much my dear Rose.”
“Rose not love you.”
“I know…But in time you will.”
Sniff “Scary man smell like manya? But not quite…Weird.”
“Of course I do. I am your father so of course we smell alike. We’re family, Rose.”
“Scary man…Family?”
Petting my cheek he answers, “Yes, we’re family. So, how about you call me papa instead of scary man?”
“Papa?”
“Yes, I’m your papa.”
“What does ‘papa’ mean?”
“It means daddy.”
“Papa, Rose has question.”
“Ask away my dear.”
“What did Rose do wrong for papa to hit her?”
“You didn’t do anything wrong! It was me who was wrong, Rose. I made a big mistake.”
“Nuh-uh. Daddy always hit Rose because Rose did something wrong. Please tell Rose so daddy won’t hit her again.”
“What are you talking about, oko?”
“Whenever Rose did bad, Daddy would beat Rose. If Daddy not have time, maid would beat Rose. So what did Rose do wrong?”
Manya looks worried as she asks, “Wait, wait, hold on, Rose. Your daddy beat you? Did he do it often? How did he do it?”
“Whenever Rose did something wrong. Daddy was very kind, he only hit Rose with leather whip. Maid was mean, she always used metal one and lied to daddy about Rose being bad.”
“Rose…Is that the same maid that pricked you with needles?”
“Sometimes, but many maids pricked Rose.”
“Why?”
“Because Rose should never have been born. Rose was bad because she lived, so maids pricked her.”
Papa’s voice sounds really cold when he asks, “Who was it, Rose? Who did that to you? What is their name?”
“The maid? Her name is Mirai Seleen.”
“And your father? What’s his name?”
“Daddy? His name is Emhyr Pradia Sol.”
Panicked, manya grabs my shoulders and stares me straight in the eyes, “What did you just say, Rose?”
“Emhyr Pradia Sol…?”
Manya's face now looks very angry and shocked.
“Did Rose say something bad?”
“Are you one hundred percent sure that was who raised you!?”
“Yes…Manya you’re scary…”
“Oko, tell me right now! What was your name back then!?”
“My name? Eithlynn Pradia Sol.”
“Are you absolutely sure!?”
“Yes… Sob Please stop yelling at Rose…It’s scary sob.”
“I’m sorry, oko! I wasn’t trying to scare you. Shhh…It’s alright, there, there.”
“I…Rayla, father and I will step out for a second if that’s alright…”
“I understand. But make it quick, Rose is really scared.”
“I…I’ll try…”
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