New World, New Life: I Became A Bigshot In The Ancient World
Chapter 73: FAILED AS A FATHER

Chapter 73: FAILED AS A FATHER

"Come on, tell what happened." Rowaine demanded.

Aristia, Beatrix and Serina took turns recounting what happened. By the time they were done, the expressions of the clueless adults seated in the parlour could be described with just two words; worry and rage.

They were bombarded with worried stares and queries. After the adults had been assured that they were unharmed, the scolding came.

"How could you do something as dangerous as sneaking out of the palace without guards and without permission, even dragging Marquis Eldridge’s daughter into this?" Fedor boomed.

"We’re sorry." Serina apologized.

"It’s not about being sorry. I’ll ensure that nothing like this ever happens again," he said sternly, his gaze landing on each one of them.

It was obvious Aristia had been the one to plan everything. Somehow, he found it easy to believe that she could plan such a thing and carry it out successfully. She was just that smart, but he wouldn’t blame her alone. She was younger than his daughters and should have been discouraged by them from going.

Besides, the guards were at fault for allowing them to succeed in escaping.

Seeing his gaze on Aristia, Beatrix and Serina thought he was about to scold her.

Before anyone could utter another word, Serina cut in.

"It’s not Tia’s fault. We told her we wanted to attend the festival." Serina said suddenly. "We never leave the palace. Everything is brought to us, but we have never gotten the chance to go out there and see things for ourselves." She had just wanted to defend Aristia, but as she spoke, she began to feel aggrieved.

Fedor felt like someone had poured a bucket of water on him on a cold winter night at her words.

His eyes scanned the faces of his daughters. Beatrix too seemed to be in agreement with Serina’s words.

He never knew his children felt that way. He had always thought that it was alright since they were provided with everything they needed.

He had been doing that for their safety. But now, he felt as if he had failed in his duty as a father. Other children wished they were born princesses and desired to live in a palace. But to the princesses, it felt like a fancy cage. It was his responsibility to make sure his children were comfortable and felt comfortable.

He looked back at them.

"We just wanted to really see what it was like outside the palace walls. It was... beautiful." Beatrix whispered the second part. It was beautiful indeed to witness it personally and with freedom, not just a handful of times from the window of a carriage.

"They rarely leave the palace. I just wanted to help. Especially during the festival when the streets were beautifully decorated." Aristia said in her defense. They had all said something in their defense.

She looked at Serina and Beatrix in gratitude. They didn’t have to defend her since they had just talked about the festival; she was the one who suggested they snuck out, yet here they were, defending her.

Rowaine felt a pang in her heart when she heard what her daughters said. The girls rarely left the palace. She knew they desired it but held it in.

She should have known they would feel that way, after all, even herself, an adult and the Queen, sometimes desired to leave the walls of the palace. But just like Fedor, she felt it was enough that they had what they needed. It seemed she needed to speak with her husband about this. She didn’t want her daughters to grow up feeling caged. She herself was quite free as a child.

Her gaze lingered on her husband, before returning to their children.

Fedor sighed, but his voice turned gentler. "I don’t let you leave the palace for your safety."

"But, Tia is also a princess and she can still leave the palace." Serina objected.

"Yes, but you and Trixie are daughters of the reigning monarch. You will face more danger." Fedor spoke the truth, trying to make them understand. Before they could accept their fate with sadness, he added. "However, it seems that decision will need to be reconsidered."

Beatrix and Serina perked up immediately, and Aristia smiled.

"We will let this pass." Melvin said.

"Let this not be repeated. You all could have been badly hurt." Melissa said.

She felt sorry for her grandchildren. She wouldn’t have been able to endure having restricted freedom in movement. After all, she was as free as a bird back in her kingdom. That was in her younger days.

She couldn’t blame them. She wouldn’t have thought twice before sneaking out if her freedom was restricted.

"Yes, grandmother." The three girls replied simultaneously.

"And the servants who let you escape," Fedor began.

"I’ve handled them," Rowaine said.

"I think it is best we all retire to our chambers. The children need rest." Melissa proposed.

They all agreed, and the children left the parlour, retiring for the night.

The adults were now alone in the parlour. Their faces darkened.

Fedor glanced at Wilson with a dark, brooding look. His fingers clenched tightly. "Take care of the bastard that dared to touch our girls."

Wilson hummed, his expression just as tight as his brother’s, if not scarier. He didn’t need to be told twice.

Outside the room, the children walked away in silence.

Ivan watched them go with a look of surprise on his face. He still could not fathom how they had snuck out of palace unnoticed.

And the part where they had all collectively fought a grown man. He couldn’t find words to say. They all just silently walked to their own rooms.

Aristia returned to her room. Adeline was waiting in front of her door, looking forward blankly.

[What’s with that plain expression?] Aristia thought, approaching her.

Immediately Aristia came into view, Adeline’s eyes lit up and her face brightened.

"Princess," she bowed.

[Okay...]

Aristia nodded in response, before entering the room. Adeline followed behind.

"Would you like to take a bath now, princess?" Adeline asked.

After some thought, Aristia nodded. Adeline pulled a rope. That rope was connected to the servants’ quarters.

Minutes later, the door opened and a group of maids came in, carrying buckets of water.

"Don’t make it warm. I want it hot." Aristia said to Adeline.

Adeline nodded and headed into the bathroom. After the bath water had been mixed to be hot, but not scalding, the maids left as per Adeline’s instructions. Aristia didn’t want many hands on her body. The bath they had given for the banquet was enough.

Aristia soaked in the bath and relaxed as Adeline scrubbed her body.

The flickering candlelight illuminated the bathroom with a dim, light golden hue.

"Did you enjoy the rest of the banquet, princess?" Adeline asked as she washed Aristia’s hair softly, gently massaging her scalp in the process.

Aristia sighed, almost falling asleep. "I enjoyed the banquet."

After a pause, she said, "I’m sorry, Linny, for almost putting you in trouble." She apologized.

It was her orders that Adeline was obeying. She knew that there was no way Adeline would report them. If she hadn’t ordered her to help them, then she wouldn’t have done that.

[Who am I kidding? Even if I hadn’t ordered her to help me, she would have suggested to help because she wouldn’t have been able to watch me do it myself.]

Adeline’s hand on her head paused, then she continued. "It’s nothing, princess. I don’t regret it. But you shouldn’t have pleaded with her Majesty on my behalf. I deserve to be punished. You almost got hurt," she sounded a little fearful; something Aristia had almost never seen from her.

"But I am fine, aren’t I?" Aristia asked with a smile.

"Still, you could have gotten hurt." Adeline shook her head.

"Thank you for worrying about me, Linny." Aristia said gratefully.

Adeline didn’t respond, but she had a faint smile on her face.

After the bath, Adeline got to drying her body as they left the bathroom.

Aristia sat down at the edge of the bed. The lamp was still lit in the room, allowing her to see her surroundings.

Adeline was about to dress her in her night gown when she froze.

"What’s wrong?" Aristia asked, confused at her reaction.

"What is this?" Adeline muttered quietly, her finger brushing over Aristia’s wrists and exposed shoulder. She knelt down to observe Aristia’s body better.

"Huh?" Aristia followed her gaze.

[Oh.]

"This? It’s nothing," Aristia said, trying to slip the gown through her head herself. "It’s just from where I was grabbed."

The sleazy man had grabbed her tight enough to cause a mark, and now her shoulders and wrists were a red, purplish colour.

"That man did this?" Adeline gritted out, her head lowered.

Aristia couldn’t see her face, but she could hear the edge in her voice. She grabbed Adeline’s hand and squeezed it gently.

"I’m fine, Linny."

Adeline sighed and straightened up, going to Aristia’s drawer.

She pulled out the box and went back to kneel in front of Aristia.

She took out a vial and a piece of cotton, and used it to press on the colouring areas.

The air between them was silent and no one was trying to break it.

When Adeline was done, she returned the vial to the box. The contents of the vial had reduced greatly these past few months since Aristia used it whenever she got hurt during training.

However, to Adeline, that was different from now. Aristia shouldn’t get hurt because of someone else.

She stood up, tucked Aristia in, and returned the box before turning off the light.

"Goodnight, princess," she wished, going towards the door.

"Goodnight, Linny." Aristia nodded, watching her head towards the door, body illuminated by moonlight streaming in from the gap between the curtains. "I’m really fine, trust me."

"I know," Adeline said, before leaving. As the door closed, Aristia heard her say in a voice so calm and quiet, it was strange. "You’re fine."

She couldn’t see how cold Adeline’s face was.