âOh, um⦠please carry on with your discussion.â
âRia.â
What a surprise! I flinched for no reason.
Why is he calling my name like that when he never usually called me by my name? I looked at him anxiously, and Caitel reached his hands at me.
âCome here.â
âYes, I should go when someone calls me!â
However, was it really alright for me to intrude? I thought they were having a serious discussion.
â⦠is it okay?â
âIâll have to tell you sooner or later anyway..â
âWell, since he called here, I had come.â
Ugh. I ran right away and got in my dadâs arms. Caitel held me up and stared me in the eye.
âDid you hear all of that?â
Should I lie? I seriously thought about it, but I decided to be honest because if I lied, he would just get upset with me like he did last timeâ¦
All right, watch just how honest I could be!
âA, a little?â
âHow much did you hear?â
âF, from the part where you lied about not having a son.â
It wasnât much, right? I tried to smile, but there was no mercy from Ferdel in front of me.
âSo, she heard everything.â
That bastard. Yeah, I heard it all. What would they do about it?
Caitel sighed at my reaction. I looked up at my dad for no reason.
âIs he⦠really not your son?â
Dad mustnât lie, not with a child present.
I thought he would make a facial impression on what I said, but my fatherâs reaction was rather peaceful. Whatâs wrong with him? Had they taken their medicine? However, he smiled slightly and touched my cheek.
âYouâve been with me all this time, so I donât see how you can suspect me. Even my own daughter doesnât believe me?â
Well⦠itâs not so much that I couldnât believe him.
I just wanted to make sure. There were always exceptions in this world.
Caitel smiled at my profound expression. Then he stroked my head. Ferdel, who was looking at us with jealousy, frowned with unease.
âBut why didnât you say so from the beginning?â
âBecause I wasnât sure at the time.â
âThen now you are?â
My dad looked at me after hearing Ferdelâs question.
âWhat are you looking at? Is there something on my face?â
Why did he always laugh when he looked at me? Was my face really that funny to him?
âIâve indeed slept with many women before⦠but I havenât done so since my daughter was born. Isnât that right, dear daughter?â
Why was he asking me that? This bastard should watch his language in front of a child!