VIVIAN/ ISAAC
She thought he must be her father.
But he pulled out a silver scanning device and swept it over her body.
Beep. Beep.
His expression darkened.
"Why are you here?"
Vivian blinked.
"I came to see yo..."
"You’d better not be here to cause trouble again."
His voice was cold.
"Behave yourself, or I’ll have you thrown out."
Vivian’s smile disappeared.
What is wrong with this man? The book said her father loved her like crazy. He wouldn’t say such a thing to me. Then he isn’t her father.
She stepped around him.
"Forget it."
As she walked forward, the soldiers standing in her path suddenly moved aside.
A tall figure walked toward her.
Vivian stopped.
He was extremely tall but slim, with the youthful appearance of a man who looked barely past twenty.
His fiery red hair fell messily across his forehead.
Then she saw his face.
A long scar ran from the corner of his eye down to his cheek.
Vivian’s heart skipped.
That’s him.
The guards had mentioned it.
The original Vivian had once slashed her father’s face during one of her tantrums.
But Haxia’s medical technology could repair almost any injury.
So why had he kept the scar?
Before she could think about it, Vivian rushed forward.
"Father!"
She wrapped her arms around him.
The man froze.
For several seconds, his arms remained at his sides.
Then they slowly wrapped around her.
"Vivian..."
His voice was softer than she expected.
Vivian smiled against his chest. Finally!!
His residence was completely different from the luxurious Astronova mansion.
It was beautiful, but everything was practical.
Military equipment lined the walls. Holographic maps floated above several tables, and security robots patrolled the corridors.
Vivian’s eyes landed on a holographic identification panel.
ISAAC LILIAN:NORTHERN BORDER COMMANDER
She stared at it.
Then she burst out laughing.
"Why do you have such a feminine name?"
Isaac slowly turned toward her.
"...What?"
Robot 99 rolled into the room.
"Should I schedule a psychological evaluation for Miss Vivian?"
Vivian glared at the robot.
"Forget what I said."
Isaac’s lips twitched. "Why are you here?"
Vivian suddenly became serious.
"Um..."
She scratched her cheek.
"I missed you."
Isaac stared at her.
"That is why you came here?"
"Yes."
She smiled.
"Are you surprised?"
"Very."
His gaze moved over her.
Then he asked,
"How did your house collapse?"
Vivian froze.
"...How did you know?"
"I asked what happened to it."
"Oh."
Vivian immediately looked away. Almostexposed myself.
She said, "Bad building materials..."
Isaac sighed. "I already have guards stationed around your residence."
Vivian’s eyes widened.
"So that’s why nobody ever managed to hurt me..."
She suddenly understood.
The original Vivian could offend almost anyone she wanted and still remain safe because her father had quietly protected her.
She looked at Isaac again.
Then she rushed forward and hugged him. "Father!"
Isaac laughed softly. "What now?"
"Why haven’t you treated your scar?"
His smile faded. "I will."
"When?"
"When you forgive me."
Vivian stared at him.
For a moment, she didn’t know what to say.
Then she lowered her head.
"Father..."
Her voice softened.
"I’m the one who should be asking for forgiveness."
Isaac’s hand stopped above her head.
Vivian continued.
"I’m sorry for hurting you."
Silence. Isaac looked at her for a long moment.
Then he gently touched her hair.
"You really have changed."
Vivian’s eyes stung. She never had love from her past life parents. At 5 they took for a science experiment and left her there. They never came back for her. Reading books became her solace.
She smiled.
"But you aren’t growing up Father."
Isaac raised an eyebrow.
"You still look like a young boy."
"If we go outside together, people might think we’re lovers."
Isaac burst out laughing. "No one would think that."
"Why?"
"We look alike."
Vivian stared at him. Then she laughed. "That’s true."
For the first time since arriving in Haxia, Vivian felt completely at ease.
She sat beside him.
"Father."
"Yes?"
"I want to stay here with you."
Isaac’s smile disappeared.
"You can’t."
"Why?"
"You have no military status..and no merit?"
Vivian frowned.
"How do I get one?"
"You’d have to enter Haxia Military Academy."
Her eyes immediately brightened.
"Then I’ll enroll. I want to be like you father." Her once dream was to be in the military.
Isaac’s expression changed.
"No."
"Why?"
"You haven’t awakened."
"You are a Zero-Class female with no combat experience."
His voice became serious.
"The military academy isn’t a place where you can hide behind your family name."
Vivian clenched her fist.
"Then I’ll awaken."
Isaac stared at her.
"You don’t even know whether you can."
"I’ll find out."
He sighed. "You’re still stubborn."
Vivian smiled. "That’s why you love me."
Isaac shook his head.
"Your admission has already been arranged at Saint and Saintess.."
Vivian froze.
"I knew. You did that right.?"
Isaac nodded. Vivian grinned.
"I knew a blockhead like me wouldn’t be qualified to get in."
Isaac laughed and knocked her lightly on the head.
"Your blockhead is pretty."
"If you want Haxia Military Academy. I can also help you get in. But you have to pass their test."
"I will Dad."
Vivian rubbed her head. "I love you, Dad."
Isaac smiled. She pointed at his scar.
"So go treat that scar."
"I don’t want to see it anymore."
"Yes, Princess."
Vivian’s smile disappeared.
"Don’t call me that."
Isaac looked at her.
"Why?"
"I’ve decided to give it up."
His expression immediately became serious.
"Give what up?"
"My princess status."
Isaac stared at her. Vivian looked directly into his eyes.
"Father..."
"I want to help you end your partnership with Emelianna Astronova."
Isaac froze. His expression changed completely.
"Vivian."
He stepped backward. "Are you okay?"
"I’m fine."
"Your entire life, you’ve loved being a princess."
Vivian lowered her gaze.
"I don’t want it anymore."
Isaac was silent.
"If we end the partnership, you’ll lose your position as Princess of the Astral District."
"Then I’ll lose it."
Vivian looked up. "I don’t need a title."
Isaac stared at her as if he were looking at a completely different daughter.
"Why?"
She paused. "Emelianna doesn’t love us."
Isaac’s eyes darkened. He knew the truth.
Vivian continued softly. "It’s time we stop pretending that she does."
Silence filled the room.
"Father."
"Just say yes or no."
Isaac closed his eyes. For a long moment, he said nothing.
Then he opened them.
"Anything you want."
Vivian smiled.
"Thank you, Father."
Astronova EstateThe grand hall was filled with nobles, wealthy merchants, military officials, and powerful Beast Clan members.
Emelianna walked through the crowd holding Elena’s hand.
Her smile was radiant. "This is my daughter, Elena Astronova."
People immediately turned toward them. "She is a crowned Saintess."
"And an SSS-Class female."
"She is beautiful."
"She truly deserves the Astronova name."
Elena lowered her head modestly.
"Thank you."
Emelianna’s smile widened. She loved hearing those words.
This was the daughter she was proud to show the world.
Then a guard suddenly hurried toward her.
"Madam."
He leaned toward her ear and whispered.
Emelianna’s smile slowly disappeared.
"What?"
The guard whispered again.
Her face turned pale.
"No."
She shook her head.
"That can’t be true."
The guard nodded nervously. Emelianna waved him away.
"Don’t tell anyone."
She tried to compose herself.
"It must be a mistake."
Then....
DING!
The massive holographic screen above the hall suddenly lit up.
Everyone looked up.
BREAKING NEWS
The entire hall fell silent.
A reporter appeared.
"An unprecedented announcement has just been released by the Astral District."
Emelianna’s heart stopped. The screen changed.
A familiar face appeared. Long black hair.
Violet eyes. Snow-white skin. Vivian!! Elena’s smile vanished.
The reporter continued.
"Princess Vivian Astronova has officially submitted a request to terminate the spouse partnership between Commander Isaac Lilian and Madam Emelianna Astronova."
Gasps exploded throughout the hall.
Elena’s face went white as she held the frozen Emelianna.
Then the reporter added:
"Under Imperial law, the request was submitted with the authorization of the couple’s daughter."