4 Mete Out a Punishmen

Tsundere. Her father is a tsundere. Chalice giggled inwardly at her thought. Duke Alaric Sylvann de Amaranth was known to be taciturn and merciless. And in her memories he was always strict and cold. The way she sees it however, the man was actually the prickly on the outside, soft on the inside type of person. Now that she thinks about it, this father of hers is quite cute.

Not mentioning the fact that he was very handsome as well.

'Hah. The genes of my family is impeccable.'

Chalice noticed that her mother was not around. So to ease the tension and awkwardness between them she asked for her whereabouts.

"Your mother is in the kitchen. She went to oversee the preparations for lunch."

Her father answered curtly, his attention at the papers in his hands.

"Oh, I see. Am I disturbing you father?"

Chalice started. She wanted to talk about what had happened. She wanted to apologize. And given the customs of this time, she knew that a punishment is in order for her. After all, it was the prince of the empire that she had offended.

Her father looked up at her and laid down his documents at the table.

"No. Is there a problem, Chalice?"

Chalice put her hand in front of the other, trying to determine where she should start. She lowered her head and released a tense breath.

'Oh to hell with it. I had my faults. I need to admit all of it lest my father comes up with asevere punishment for me.'

"I'm sorry, Papa. Sorry... for giving you trouble again."

---

Alaric was dumbfounded. He already prepared his ears for Chalice's usual bellyful of complaints. Not once had he imagined a day that his daughter would actually lower her head and apologize. But what was more important was... She called him papa. Papa!

The last time he heard Chalice call him that was when she was five. Alaric was in a bliss. He struggled to maintain his composure. However, his eyes softened to noticeable degree. He breathed in deeply before answering her.

"It is good that you are sensible enough to acknowledge your wrong. That is enough for me and your mother. The important thing now is for you to recuperate. You don't have to worry about other matters."

Alaric had planned for Chalice to return to their fief as her punishment if ever she complained. Much to his delight however, Chalice apologized instead. It must be noted that this proud daughter of his seldom apologized. What she had done was already a feat of its own. Alaric was willing to let her go with this, even if he had to anger the crown prince. It's not as if the boy can do anything about it. He will just apologize to the emperor himself if need be. His daughter is obviously more important than some prince.

---

Chalice stared at her father in surprise. She was prepared for the worse. Except what she got was the opposite. Chalice saw the warmth in her father's eyes. She couldn't help but be touched. It been so long since she felt the love of a father.

Fuzzy feelings flooded her chest. And before she knew it hot, wet tears escaped from her eyes. Throwing all caution to the wind, she ran to her fathers arms and sobbed.

This was the scene that Chalice's mother, Lyana, saw upon entering the study. Her daughter crying hard in the arms of a panicking Alaric. Chalice was sure her mother would have laughed out loud at her father's expression if it were not for her crying.

"Alaric, what did you do? Why is our daughter crying?"

She heard her mother saying sternly.

Chalice sniffled while calming herself. She looked up at her mother and smiled.

"Mama, Papa did nothing. I was just happy. Thank you. Thank for loving me and tolerating everything until this time."

Surprise colored Lyana's face as she stared at her. Chalice knows that her actions were incomprehensible to them. But she didn't care at that point. All she wanted to do was make them feel her happiness at having them.

Lyana approached, and enveloped them in a hug.

"Chalice, dear there's no need for thanks. You are our daughter. No matter what happens, we are here for you."

Chalice's tears welled up again. She was not alone anymore. She had parents again. This warmth that she had missed desperately, she was able to have again.

"I love you Papa, Mama. I promise this time, I am not going to disappoint you again."

Her solemn tone caught the two off guard. But they just smiled as they settled her down to the couch.

When her bout of emotions had passed, Chalice knew that it was time to get down to her business. Enduring the embarrassment she feels, she started.

"Papa, there is something that I must ask of you."

Chalice saw her father looked at her mother curiously then turned to her.

"What is it, Chalice?"

Chalice looked at him seriously and with a solemn tone replied

"Please mete out a punishment for my offense to the Crown Prince, Papa."