White Queen Ascending

Isla shoved the uncomfortable feeling to the back of her mind, and took Raya from Torin. Her action made the girl frown, but she still reluctantly allowed her mother to carry her.

"Young sire, My wife brought some snacks, would you like to join us in eating?" Torin politely offered.

"That sounds nice! I would love to taste the food your beautiful wife makes. I'm sure it definitely tastes good. It's just too bad, I still need to go somewhere." The man refused with a very warm voice. His left hand is on his back, while the other is holding a fan.

Torin laughed loudly, feeling proud about his wife, while Isla smiled awkwardly with his remark. "You're over-praising me sire."

The man sighed in a playful manner then said, "Why are you all being so polite towards me. Young sire, young sire! I have a name!"

The three exchanged glances, not knowing how to respond. After a very short time, Torin could only muster up a few words. "That doesn't seem fine?"

"Sigh.. And I thought that you treat me as a family. I am so disappointed." He replied exaggeratedly.

Torin's lips couldn't help but twitch. "Young-- I, it's not like that."

"Then what? Do you still treat me like a stranger? Call me by my name- Garth." The young man named Garth said with a serious tone.

"Okay youn-- Garth." Torin said.

"Hahaha! Good good!" He happily laughed exposing his white teeth. His current expression could entice a lot of women. "Then I'll go now. Eat well!"

"My wife cooks really well, are you sure you don't want to stay for a bit longer?" Torin asked.

"No I'm sorry. I really need to leave now. I'll join you guys next time." Garth said, then glanced at Raya and smiled. "Raya, be a good girl okay?"

Raya flinched a bit when she saw the man extending his hand on her head. But because she couldn't move properly in her mother's arms, she could only allow him to pat her head. She just frowned and didn't say anything.

"Goodbye!" Garth bade farewell.

When his silhouette could no longer be seen from the distance, Raya blurted out.

"Mom, Raya don't like him." She said while pouting.

Torin heard her say that and frowned. "Raya don't talk like that. The Young sire is our benefactor, be polite. We should always remember our place. Just because his family treats us well, doesn't mean we can be disrespectful towards them."

Raya closed her mouth and nodded. It is rare for her father to scold her. Her eyes instantly became moist. She bit her lips, then burrowed her head into Isla's c.h.e.s.t.

"Torin, it's fine. She still doesn't understand what she's saying." Isla softly said, but in her heart she only felt more uncomfortable upon hearing her daughter say that. She repeatedly tapped Raya's back to calm the girl down.

"She should know these things already." Torin said strictly. But when he saw how his daughter tried really hard not to cry, he can only sigh. His weak point has always been his daughter. He seem to not really be able to watch her cry.

"Don't cry my Raya. Daddy isn't mad."

Raya took a peek at her father. When she's sure that he's really not mad, she extended her arms towards him.

Torin also reached out to her to carry her once again.

"I'm sorry daddy." She whispered.

"It's fine, it's fine. Daddy is sorry too." He answered.

"Tsk come on! I'm hungry." The forgotten Marcus said. "Let's just eat!"

Isla smiled and said, "right. Let's go and eat."

"My darling daughter, you hear that? We're going to eat now." Torin said with a teasing voice.

What he said seems to be effective. Raya's face instantly brightened up. Imagining all the food her mother made, and finally being able to eat then, she excitedly said,

"Daddy, mommy didn't let Raya eat the food without you." She complained. "Now daddy is here, Raya can eat already!"

~~

"You told me you don't have a family." Luciana said, emotionless.

"Yes. I don't. Atleast, not anymore." Torin replied sadly.

Luciana was quiet, waiting for Torin to continue his story. When she saw him absent-minded, she initiated the conversation once again.

"You are my family." She declared. Yes, she already treat Torin as a real family. She owed him too much. The roof she lives in, the food she enjoys every day, the training he gives her, and all the help he gave her. Beside him, she feels safe and calm. He may appear cold and detached, but you can still feel the hidden warmth, if you know him long enough.

Torin awakened from his daydream. It was hard to reminisce his past. Every time he thinks about it, he felt suffocated. When he heard Luciana's declaration, it is as if someone woke him up from his nightmare. He gazed at Luciana and saw in her eyes real sincerity.

Torin smiled, and his feelings lighten up. He gathered all his courage, and reminded himself that there's a very important girl in front of him who he believes, will not leave him and judge him easily. Thinking like that, he said with a croaky voice, "thank you."

He took out a cigarette from his pocket and puffed it, then smoke floated around the two. He inhaled deeply, and opened his mouth to follow up with his story.

"Our days have been lived in peace. I'll be training in the Mavi's place early in the morning. At break fast, my wife would bring food sometimes. During lunch, she would also bring some. And besides from those, and sleeping every night, i am often found accompanying the Mavi family head by his side."

~~

"Torin, i wish you were my son." A bearded oldman said. His hair is white, with few black strands on it. His face is full of wrinkles, and his mouth is formed into a warm smile. He is wearing a striking yellow robe, making him easily noticeable. The color suits him quite well- bubbly and bright. The old man is none other than the head of the Mavi family- Dean Mavi.

The room they're in has a traditional vibe. All the seats were made from wood, and are all carved with different designs. The paintings also depicts the life in a rural region. There were farmers, fishermen, and etc who came to bond with nature.

"This one, couldn't accept such praise old sire. I'm afraid i am not qualified." Torin humbly answered.

"Sigh, such a good temperament. You are also dependable, not like my other sons. Sometimes i wonder whether it is you or is it my son's that are the real noble."

"They're just too young old sire, and haven't experienced much in their life. We should also lessen our expectations for them, not everyone enjoys being pressured."

"You know that I'm already growing older and older. Huh, then for how long should I wait?"

"Don't worry too much about them. For now, old sire, you should rest in your room. Your health is more important." Torin said.

"Stop lecturing me. I'm going to rest now okay?" The old man grumbled. Then he strode towards the door of his room.

Torin couldn't help but smirk. The old sire, sure is getting more and more childish.