“Oh…I tripped accidentally and fell over a huge rock when I went hunting.” Jared replied to her, his eyes twitching nervously as he tried cutting off Lydia’s gaze from his’. He tried to maintain his composure as he didn’t want to risk revealing everything in front of Lydia.
“Hunting? But it’s not even nightfall, and your hunting clothes are still with me. Did you forget that you gave them to me the last time?” Lydia asked him, her voice was a mix of mockery and tease.
Jared’s heart stopped for a second. He had made up the lie within seconds and had not properly assessed it before it slipped out of his mouth. He flung his gaze at Clara, giving her an icy look. He knew it was due to Clara’s influence, Lydia was not that clever to figure out a lie within seconds.
“Yeah… actually…it was an unplanned hunt, and I had no time to prepare. Also, I was looking for my hunting clothes all over the house, but I gave it up as time went by.” Jared stammered, biting his lower lip and staring into the ceiling.
Lydia wore a smirk on her face, before switching to a warm smile.
“Dad! Just leave Killian alone, for my sake, please.” Lydia begged, holding Jared’s hand but he slowly slid her hand away from his grip.
“I am sorry, but I can’t.” Jared thundered, leaving Lydia stunned. She had debated heatedly with Clara before visiting her dad, standing firmly on the fact that her dad would grant her anything she wished, even if it was Killian.
Lydia took some steps backwards, and stared straight into Jared’s eyes, making him confused and shocked.
“How did my mother die?” Lydia asked, causing Jared’s mouth to open wide.
“Haven’t I told you before? She died while giving birth to you. She made a huge sacrifice just so you could come to this life.” Jared snarled, before taking in a deep breath. He placed his hands on Lydia’s shoulders and stared into her eyes.
“I am sorry that I shouted at you, Lydia. But that’s the truth.”
“It’s not the truth!” Lydia screamed almost immediately, shoved Jared’s hands off her shoulders, while hot tears streamed down her face. She took some steps backwards from Jared, who had become dumbfounded by her attitude.
“It’s the truth, Lydia. Why won’t you believe me?” Jared muttered, tried to move closer to Lydia, but she was not giving him any opportunity for him to reach her.
“You think I don’t know that she died due to your mistake? My mother lived for three years after my birth, and you claim that she died while birthing me? She was even pregnant with your second child then, and now, you wanted to assassinate Killian, why do you always want to take away my source of happiness?” Lydia screamed at the peak of her voice, which caught Jared off guard. His jaw dropped wide, and his blood went cold.
His brain was immediately flooded with memories of that arduous year. He had stayed overnight with his friends, drinking and partying hard, leaving his heavily pregnant wife all alone at home.
Earlier on, he had received news from the moon priestess that his wife will deliver on a full moon, but destiny makes fools out of people.
It was not yet the full moon, but his wife went into a hard, painful labor, with no one to come to her aid.
He had also forgotten the keys in his pockets, which prevented his wife from screaming for help, eventually dying from the pain of hard labor.
He arrived early in the following morning, just to meet a crowd in front of his house. His wife’s brother had come to visit her when he noticed her sister lying on the floor lifelessly through the window.
Jared was devastated and pained, blaming himself for the mistake that cost him his wife’s life. He had swore on his life to give his only child a perfect life, as that was then the only way he could repay his deceased wife.
He was so immersed in the memory that he didn’t realize the tears that streamed down his cheeks. Lydia was shocked and confused to see her father crying, it was her first time seeing her father cry, and it seemed kind of painful to watch.
Clara knew she had to give the father and daughter some space so she quietly exited the study.
Lydia saw the sincerity in Jared’s eyes, and felt pity for him. He had been trying to right his wrong all these while by giving her all that she asked for. If she had known that the memory was such a painful one to her father, she wouldn’t have brought it up.
She moved close to Jared and wrapped her hands around his waist, while he placed her head on his chest.
“I am sorry, father. But please, don’t take Killian away from me. I love him, and I only want him.” Lydia pleaded, hoping that her father will have a change of heart, and grant her her wish this time around.
Jared wiped his tears with the back of his palm, he pulled Lydia and stared into his eyes.
“I took your mother away from you, and I deeply regret that. This time around, I won’t take the love of your life from you. As long as you are happy, I am willing to give up my lifetime dreams for you.” Jared muttered with a smile, and Lydia’s joy knew no bounds.
“Thank you, father.” She screamed happily, giving him a tight long hug. “I know you will definitely give me what I want, you are the best father.”
“Now, we have to make some moves for you to achieve your dreams.” Jared stopped, while Lydia slowly withdrew from his grip, staring into his eyes.
“Really? Do you have a plan?” Lydia asked with ecstasy.
“You must enter his chambers tonight!”