The moon was high in the sky, the birds were sleeping and the world was silent, except for the occasional car zooming by the mansion. On the bed, a small figure moved. It was Victoria. She got up and looked at her clock, it was almost midnight and she had to go to the bathroom. She couldn’t hold it in any longer.
With a yawn she stepped out of her room, closing the door softly behind her. The hallway was dimly lit by the round lamps on the walls. She tiptoed her way to the bathroom and closed the door after her. After finishing her business, she washed her hands and turned off the light.
That’s when she saw a small shimmering light coming from the door at the end of the hall. Her father's study.
It was coming from a crack in the door. Curious, Victoria approached it and peeked inside, careful not to make any noise.
Her father was there, sitting at his desk with a glowing mana sphere hovering above it, casting a blue hue over the room. He looked deep in thought as he stared at something on his computer screen.
She accidentally leaned too hard against the door, making it swing open with a creak and she stumbled inside.
Her dad looked up from the screen. Their eyes locked.
Victoria swallowed nervously. She was sleepy and not fully in control of herself or she would never be this careless.
“Victoria? What are you doing awake at this hour?”
The tone was soft and caring. He had no reason to suspect that she was spying on him. Probably.
She quickly composed herself, forcing a smile on her face and walked further into the room. “I needed to use the bathroom and I saw the light. What are you doing?” She glanced at the screen and saw some photos of magical artifacts. There was a lot of text but the images stood out.
Silas sighed, leaning back in his chair.
“I’m researching magical objects. Something has been itching at the back of my head recently and I want to learn more,” he explained.
She sat down in the chair next to his. She hadn’t meant to get stuck here, but now that she was, she was intrigued by this side of her father. The serious one that he hid behind jokes and teasing.
“What is the object?” She leaned closer, looking at the screen. There were all sorts of things from weapons to jewelry, each with detailed information on their origins and powers.
Scratching his chin, Silas brought up a photo of glasses. They were thick-rimmed with an unusual color in the lenses. They looked familiar. Where had she seen those before?
Victoria’s eyes widened as the memory hit her. The teacher. She recalled the same glasses that Mr.Smith wore during their first few days at the academy.
“Are those Mr.Smith’s glasses?” she asked.
Her father raised an eyebrow. “You have a sharp eye, princess. Yes, they belong to him.”
Princess. Her small heart fluttered and she suppressed a giggle. She coughed. Focus.
She pretended to think for a moment before asking another question.
“Why would you be researching them? They just seem like regular enchanted glasses to me.” She leaned back in her seat, trying to look casual.
Silas stared at her, his eyes piercing and calculating. For a second she thought he saw right through her facade but then he shook his head and let out a soft chuckle.
He was still falling for her lies.
“You are right, they look like any ordinary magical item,” he said, tapping the screen with his finger. “But there is something about them that doesn’t sit well with me. Something hidden behind the enchantments.”
She got up from her chair and walked closer, coming to stand beside him. Making sure to lean in, she brushed her chest against his shoulder. Did she forget to wear a bra? Oops. He smelled like mint and cologne. Goosebumps appeared on her arms.
Leaning further, pressing her boobs against him, she pointed.
“This rune right here, it seems off. Almost like it’s not symmetrical with the rest,” she traced it with her fingertip.
Silas tilted his head and looked at the rune closer, then at his daughter’s hand.
“Did you learn this from Mr.Smith’s class?”
Victoria nodded, moving her hand away from the screen and placing it on his shoulder.
“He taught us about the basic principles of runes. The rule of 5 must be followed, but this one breaks it slightly,” she explained, trying to keep her voice steady even as her heart raced. Did she know more than her father? No, it couldn’t be. He was just letting her feel important. Her dad was just so kind.
Her father turned his head to look at her, his face inches away from hers. She could feel his warm breath on her cheek.
Her eyes flicked down to his lips. She snapped back to reality and blushed. What was she thinking?
With a nervous laugh, she stepped back. But her dad wasn’t looking at her, his gaze was fixed on the screen again with a focused look. A pulling sensation started at the edge of her stomach. That was the way he looked at her mom.
“What’s wrong Papa?” she asked.
He shook his head and stood up, grabbing the mouse and clicking on a few files. “It’s nothing, just an old memory resurfacing. Don’t worry about it.” He avoided her gaze and turned off the computer. “Go back to bed Vic.”
Victoria nodded. But her heart was shrinking inside of her. Why did he push her away when she finally got his complete attention on something other than her sister or mother?
But she couldn’t show her disappointment. So she smiled and walked to the door.
“Goodnight papa,” she said softly, giving him one last glance.
“Wait” Silas’s voice made her pause and she turned around with wide eyes, hoping he would call her back.
His footsteps got louder. He walked up to her and stopped very close. Looking down at her with his violet eyes that seemed to glow in the darkness. Her breathing hitched and then she took a whiff of his scent. Her head spun with possibilities.
Silas reached out and tucked a strand of black hair behind her ear, his fingers brushing against her ears. He kissed her forehead.
“I love you. You know that right, princess? I will always protect you and Kathy."
The kiss lingered, his lips warm and gentle. She closed her eyes, enjoying the moment even though it was too short.
When he pulled back she nodded, opening her eyes slowly.
“I love you too papa. Goodnight.”