Dark Dad's Rebirth - Chapter 14. Madness(3)

Chapter 14. Madness (3)

Aria felt confused and overwhelmed by conflicting emotions. She didn’t want the future that lay ahead, nor the relationship, feelings, or path they seemed to be on. She wondered why…

“I love you, Aria,” Caelius declared, his words ringing in the air.

Aria longed to hear those words and feel that affection. However, she couldn’t bring herself to accept them. Her heart raced with the intensity of her emotions, but she felt a chill creep into her heart.

Caelius rarely expressed his emotions openly. Despite his evident pride, his voice betrayed a hint of fragility. This version of Caelius felt unfamiliar, as if they hadn’t spent much time together at all.

She loved him but also felt anger and hostility towards him. There was a lack of affection that seemed to grow. She wished he had confessed his love earlier.

Aria wondered if she should have spoken up earlier. Perhaps it could have made a difference before the emotional arguments and hurtful events began to unfold.

When did these unresolved feelings start in her heart? Why couldn’t Caelius be honest with her, even if it meant facing difficulty or being less harsh?

She might have opened up to him again, like a naive fool.

Unfortunately, Caelius’ expressions of love no longer received the same response from Aria as before. They hung briefly in the air before disappearing, without leaving any lasting impact.

It is possible that Leria’s body will be disposed of in the forest today, and Antion and Leon will meet their end at Caelius’s hands.

Caelius repeatedly confessed his love, but Aria remained silent, unsure of how to react. It was difficult for her to tell if he was nervous or afraid, but his words seemed genuine, not a joke or a lie.

“I love you,” he repeated, his tone sincere. “I mean it, not as a joke or a lie.”

Aria remained silent. She was still struggling with her feelings and insecurities.

Aria vividly remembers the first time she saw Caelius. Despite his dark hair and eyes, he radiated a brightness that captivated her instantly. However, as she reflects on their relationship, she can’t help but question if she regrets falling in love with him.

Caelius was dishonest. He claimed to love Aria, but then left her. Aria was left wondering which version of him was genuine. A bitter smile crossed her lips as she struggled with her emotions. She couldn’t believe Caelius’ words of love.

Aria couldn’t trust the man she once loved after he had broken the trust between them. She couldn’t believe his confessions of love because of this lack of trust.

Caelius’s expression darkened. It seemed as if he knew that Aria would never hear what he wanted from her.

“Lily, I…”

“Dad, I…”

But Aria interrupted him, cutting off whatever apology or plea he was about to make.

“I’m…”

She hesitated and then confessed, “I don’t know if you remember. No, you probably don’t.”

“I used to love you deeply.”

She spoke with a wavering voice, choked with emotion. Caelius listened silently, tightening his grip on his sword.

“I mean, I loved you more than you can imagine.”

A faint smile formed on Aria’s lips as she recalled her past feelings.

“I was impressed by your confidence and charisma. It seemed like you were destined for greatness. I recall the day you reached out to me with those sparkling eyes.”

“Even though you abandoned me after spending so much time together, I still wanted to save you, even though your countless declarations of love were all false.”

Caelius furrowed his brow, clearly struggling to comprehend Aria’s words, but she pressed on.

“I loved you so much that I believed I could remain by your side, even if your whispered declarations of love turned out to be lies.”

“…….”

I guess not.”

‘Aria was asked if she truly enjoys the person she becomes when she’s with someone. These are important questions to consider.

Is it the right kind of love if her world revolves around him?

Does his every word, action, or gesture dictate her emotional state? Is she constantly waiting for his affection?’

Aria thought, admitting that she didn’t know what healthy love looked like.

The answer was simple. Healthy love is when you like the way you change in love.

Reflecting on her past with Caelius, Aria closed her eyes, lost in thought. She remembered how she had loved and hated him simultaneously. Every small change in him, every subtle shift in his behavior, meant something to her. She would tremble with fear at the thought of growing tired of him. However, his smile and embrace would reassure her, making her feel safe once more.

It wasn’t just about Caelius; it was about Aria’s shortcomings. She was too afraid to express her true feelings and leave him.

Sometimes she remembered the good times they had shared and missed the beautiful smile she wore when she was happy. However, she is afraid of returning to that state of vulnerability.

“I’m sorry, but I’m too tired to love you anymore. It’s been difficult and painful,” Aria confessed.

Caelius appeared confused by her confession. He let out a quiet groan as he tried to understand what she had said.

-“Where have you been, Dad?” came a voice from the past, haunting Caelius’s thoughts.

-“Don’t leave me alone. I’m scared. Daddy, are you going to abandon me? Next time, please take me with you.”

-“Lily baked a bunch of cookies for you while you were gone!” another voice chimed in.

Caelius’ heart raced as memories flooded his mind. He took a slow, deep breath to steady himself, feeling as though he had this conversation before.

-“Lily has only you, Dad, and I love you.”

Caelius gripped his head and groaned before responding,

-“What a fool. Lily, I would never have another woman by my side.”

-“Isn’t that right?”

-“Yes,” Caelius confirmed.

-“But still, I feel insecure,” Aria admitted.

Caelius frowned, puzzled.

-“Why are you always insecure? he questioned, his anxiety evident.

-“I suppose I’m afraid of losing you, and I can’t imagine my life without you.”

-“Don’t worry, Lily. I’ll try harder,” Caelius reassured her.

-“Is it because of me again? I get scared when I don’t see you, Dad,” Aria confessed.

-“It’s not strange,” Caelius replied gently.

-“Dad, do you love me too?” Aria asked urgently.

-“I love you, no matter what. I love you, even if it means hurting myself,” Caelius responded tenderly.

-“Lily.”

A sudden flood of memories from the past overcame both Aria and Caelius, causing their expressions to darken with the burden.

“If you’re going to leave me like this, at least be nice,” Aria murmured, her voice barely audible.

Caelius was taken aback by the memory, feeling a sense of confusion and unease wash over him.

“No, Lily, I’m…” he began to protest, but Aria’s cold look silenced him.

“That’s enough, Dad,” she said firmly, her tone final.

They both realized that their relationship had reached a breaking point. Trust had been shattered, and understanding seemed out of reach. Their bond had been damaged beyond repair.

Aria didn’t want to understand Caelius any further. Her heart had no room for it. She looked at him thoughtfully before asking a question.

“Can I ask you something?” she began.

“It’s not the last question.” Caelius replied to Lily with a faint smirk, saying, “You can always ask me anything.”

“It could be the last,” Aria said. “If I asked you to, could you give up your titles and live a quiet life in a small town?”

Caelius hesitated before responding, “Lily, that’s…”

Aria sneered as she awaited his response.

“So, it’s a no, then?” she interjected, her voice tinged with disappointment.