Chapter 11 - Revelation

  The newly formed duo stood side by side in the elevator, on their way down to the offices. That was apparently where Franz stayed, even this late at night.

  Daniel glanced sideways at his new apprentice, noting the way she held herself—shoulders rigid, hands clasped tightly in front of her. In the elevator's soft light, it was clear she had been crying recently, with mascara forming lines down her cheeks.

  Good. Might help sell this whole thing.

  The thought felt callous, but he pushed down the guilt. He wasn't manipulating her—quite the opposite. But if her obvious distress helped convince her father to let her go without a fight, he'd take it.

  "Do you want me to do most of the talking?" he asked, keeping his voice gentle.

  Felicia nodded quickly. “If you could… I don’t expect him to argue too much, though. The marriage was grandmother’s idea.”

  “Well, I’m taking his daughter away. Surely some arguing is in order?”

  “He’s got five others, and four sons.”

  Jesus. Ten kids?

  Daniel couldn't imagine it. The logistics alone seemed overwhelming, but maybe that was how noble families worked.

  “Busy man.”

  “Not because of his children. We don’t see him much.”

  The quiet sadness in her voice confirmed his suspicion. Franz Harrowbloom had prioritized quantity over quality, leaving his children to fend for themselves. More like a business arrangement than actual parenting.

  "If anything," Felicia continued, "he might be glad, actually. He knows you're strong."

  Daniel almost snorted. "That's hardly enough to judge me by. But I guess it's better than blind marriage."

  A silence stretched for a while before he realized what he just said.

  “Uh, I mean… better than marrying someone you don’t know.”

  She smiled at his correction. “Yes, I certainly think so.”

  The elevator started to slow down, and Daniel felt that familiar pre-confrontation tension building in his chest. He'd faced down the grandmother without much issue, but then he was still fueled by rage.

  Felicia’s hand lifted nervously next to him, still not entirely comfortable. She needed him to guide her, of course.

  Without overthinking it, he grabbed her hand and tucked it into his elbow, as if it was the most natural thing in the world. Her fingers were ice-cold against his arm, but they stilled at the contact.

  “How do you think he’d react if I came in while carrying you on my back?”

  She pressed her lips together, fighting back a smile that threatened to break through. "I would love to hear his reaction then. But let's not."

  There we go. The tension in her shoulders eased, and Daniel felt a small surge of satisfaction.

  “You’re the boss. He’s through the door right ahead?”

  “Yes, about twenty steps forward.”

  It was interesting to see a glimpse of how the world was structured in her mind. Counting steps, feeling her way past every corner, relying on sounds and smells to learn where she finds herself.

  But, of course, it was also a massive hindrance. One he planned to resolve.

  Arriving at the large double door, Daniel paused for a moment, steadying himself. Franz wasn’t to blame, but he had hardly fought as hard as he should have for the sake of his daughter. And today wasn’t the first time, Daniel suspected.

  He knocked a few times, then opened the door without waiting for permission.

  “Gods, what now?” a rough voice said from within. “I said no more—”

  Franz stopped mid-sentence as Daniel entered. His eyes widened as they tracked first to him, then to Felicia stepping through behind him. He rose from his spot behind his desk with a mixture of shock and outrage on his face.

  “Hansen? What the hell are you doing in my home?!”

  “Good evening, Franz. I’ve decided to take your daughter here as my apprentice.”

  “What?!”

  “I made a deal with her on the mountain, and came here to keep my word. But after getting to know her better, and learning of her life in this family, I wanted to help her.”

  Franz's gaze darted between them, cycling through confusion, anger, and something that might have been fear. “But, you can’t just… Felicia?”

  Daniel felt Felicia straighten beside him, drawing herself up to her full height. When she spoke, her voice carried a note of steel he hadn't heard before.

  “I would much rather go with Daniel than leave to marry someone I’ve never met, Father. In fact, I would go with him even if there was no marriage.”

  Damn right.

  Daniel kept his expression neutral, but inwardly he felt proud. She didn’t shy away from speaking her mind.

  "...Is this about the magic sight?" Franz asked, and Daniel caught the slight tremor in his voice.

  “Did you not feel the mana earlier, Father?”

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  “Mana? Should I have?”

  “I restricted it as best as I could, so it wouldn’t reach the ground,” Daniel explained, mostly to Felicia. “This place might not have been affected.”

  “...From where?” Franz asked.

  “I confronted your mother. She was not pleased, at first. But I managed to convince her.”

  The aging man seemed overwhelmed by every revelation that came to him. He sat back into the chair, leaning over the desk with his hands digging into his hairline. A long moment of silence passed, as he seemed to be deep in thought.

  Then Franz's eyes focused on them again, sharper this time.

  “Felicia, did you reveal anything about your mother to him?”

  Daniel felt his muscles tense involuntarily, though he kept his expression carefully neutral.

  Oh, shit.

  “I did, yes?”

  “Before he took you as an apprentice?”

  “...Right before, actually.”

  Daniel could see the realization forming in Franz’s head. The man's eyes widened, his jaw dropped, and his lips began to tremble slightly.

  Did you really put it together, just from the family connection? You clever bastard.

  The pieces were all there, if someone was smart enough to connect them. A young man powerful enough to face down Lyzelle Harrowbloom. With incredible control of the Void Flame, suddenly appearing at the resting place of the sealed hero. And then taking in the closest thing that hero had to a descendant as his apprentice.

  He must have had suspicions before this.

  Daniel raised a finger to his mouth, catching Franz's gaze and holding it. He only received a shaky nod in return, but he assumed the man had understood the message.

  "Yes, learning of her mother's fate was difficult," Daniel continued aloud, keeping his voice even. "But I don't want you to think I made the decision just out of pity. Your daughter has an incredible talent. Talent that remained hidden due to your refusal to teach her magic."

  Franz remained silent, alternating his gaze between the polished surface of his desk and quick, nervous glances up at Daniel. The man was clearly struggling to process his revelation while maintaining a normal conversation.

  "...You really think so?" Felicia asked from beside him, and Daniel caught the note of wonder in her voice.

  "Absolutely," Daniel replied, meaning every word. "Well, I do feel bad for you as well. Both helped me make the decision."

  Franz suddenly found his voice again, leaning forward with palms together in front of his mouth. "What is your plan?"

  “Mmh, after staying here for a few more days, we will head for Novanny to visit the academy. I have some business there. After that it mostly depends on what happens there.”

  Franz's expression shifted subtly at the mention of Novanny, a flicker of recognition that made Daniel's pulse quicken.

  “...Business?”

  “Yes, I was thinking of meeting some old acquaintances.”

  I’m sure you understand who I’m talking about. Elania, the Grifantes family, and if that old teacher of mine is still alive, him as well.

  “...Of course. Yes! You have my blessings!”

  The sudden enthusiasm would have been whiplash-inducing if Daniel hadn't been expecting it. Franz had just connected the final dots, and realized exactly who was standing in his office, asking to take his daughter away. No wonder he was suddenly eager to cooperate.

  “Really?” Felicia asked after a short gasp.

  “Yes, absolutely! Learn everything you can, Felicia. Lord knows it’s—”

  Franz caught himself mid-sentence, shooting another nervous glance at Daniel. He coughed awkwardly. "...It's a better choice than what your grandmother was planning for you."

  I’m known as Lord as well? This religion is too annoying…

  Felicia's composure finally cracked, with tears gathering at the corners of her eyes. She bowed deeply. “Thank you, Father. I will do my best.”

  Franz nodded, a genuine smile replacing his earlier shock. The man looked almost relieved, as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders.

  And maybe it had—getting his daughter out of a forced marriage while simultaneously gaining favor with a religious icon was probably the best outcome he could have hoped for.

  “Will you be okay, though? I know you’re capable, but taking care of a blind girl…”

  Doesn’t seem like a task for the messiah?

  Before Daniel could respond, a voice suddenly called from the hallway behind them.

  "Franz!" The voice was female, older, with a clear hint of panic. "Franz, Felicia has left! Her bedroom is—Oh!"

  A maid burst through the door, skidding to a halt as she spotted them. Daniel took in the details automatically—dirt blonde hair in a severe bun, and hazelnut eyes that were currently boring into him like a protective mother bear.

  Ah, so Felicia does have someone who cares about her in this house.

  "Elizabeth, perfect timing!" Franz called, and Daniel could hear the relief in his voice. “Sir Hansen, would it perhaps suit you to bring one of our maids with you? Elizabeth is one of our best, and I’m fairly certain Felicia wouldn’t mind either.”

  Sir Hansen. Messiah, savior, lord, uncle. At this rate I’ll need a business card.

  Having a familiar face around would definitely help Felicia adjust. “That’s perfect, actually. We planned to ask the same thing. But it might only have to be for a few days, until she learns how to see on her own.”

  “See? What is going on?” Elizabeth asked, seeming quite pressed.

  Franz stood from his desk again, this time walking to the front and leaning against it. “Felicia has decided to leave with her new teacher, rather immediately. Would you join them for a few days?”

  “...Is that wise?”

  Franz smiled, but Daniel caught the edge of resignation beneath it. "I don't have a choice in the matter."

  After a moment of tense silence, Elizabeth crossed to Felicia and knelt in front of her. “Felicia, is this something you want?”

  The question was asked with the kind of careful concern that Daniel thought had been absent from Felicia’s life. The maid truly cared for her.

  “Yes, Liz. Absolutely. And if you would join me, that would make me even happier.”

  The response was immediate and heartfelt, and Daniel watched Elizabeth's expression soften slightly. Still, when glancing over at Daniel, her gaze remained wary. “I would join you anywhere, so of course.”

  Is it because she really means that, or because she wants to make sure I have pure intentions? Both, probably.

  Daniel couldn't blame her for the suspicion. A powerful stranger appearing out of nowhere and whisking away the family's youngest daughter—it had all the makings of either a rescue or a kidnapping, depending on your perspective.

  “Good, then let’s not waste any more time,” Daniel said, looking at Felicia with some worry. It was late, and her earlier burst of energy was clearly fading. “Will you be joining us right away, Elizabeth, or do you need to pack first?”

  "...I can join you now, then come back here in the morning to get everything I need... Sir Hansen."

  The title was added quickly, almost as an afterthought, as she stood and offered him a proper bow.

  At least she's professional about it.

  “Sounds like a plan. You want to say anything before we leave, Felicia?”

  Felicia gathered herself, straightening to her full height despite her exhaustion.

  “...I will be much stronger when I come back, Father. But tell my dear siblings that they can have your position. I don’t want it, and I never did.”

  There's the steel core. Daniel had suspected it was there, buried under layers of fear and self-doubt.

  Franz's expression was hard to read, like a mix of twenty emotions at once. He nodded, staying by the desk instead of moving closer to her. “...I’ll be sure to tell them.”

  “Goodbye, Father.”

  “Goodbye, Felicia.”

  The words were spoken so lightly, like just another business deal. But they both knew this was the end of what has been, and the start of something new.

  She's mine to protect now.

  The full weight of that responsibility suddenly weighed on Daniel’s shoulders. It was a good weight. He had been too floaty for too long.

  And he couldn’t wait to start her first lesson tomorrow morning.