[House Veyrath—Later—Night—Azram Vaerun’s Chamber]
"Ughhh... my hands hurt!"
Seyra groaned miserably.
She was on her knees facing the wall, both little arms raised above her head exactly as Varun had ordered. Her cheeks were puffed in outrage, her hair was slightly messy, and her entire posture radiated the suffering of a child who had been personally betrayed by the universe.
"CAN’T YOU SHOW ANY MERCY ON ME?!" Her voice echoed through the chamber. "I AM FOUR YEARS OLD! AND YOUR DAUGHTER NOW!"
Across the room, Vaerun Veyrath sat calmly upon the couch, one leg crossed over the other. A cup of tea rested between his fingers, and he looked entirely unaffected by the tiny rebellion taking place only a few steps away.
Beside the wall, Butler Renn and Maid Mira stood in silence, and both stared at Seyra with pity.
Renn finally opened his mouth.
"Azram, perhaps the little lady—"
"Whoever speaks on her behalf," Vaerun said without even looking at him, "will have their mouth ripped off."
Renn immediately closed his mouth and straightened. He folded his hands behind his back, and he became a man who had suddenly forgotten how speech worked.
Seyra’s eyes widened in disbelief, and her mouth dropped open. "You’re a devilish tyrant!"
Vaerun calmly took another sip of tea.
"How fortunate."
Seyra’s eyebrows shot upward.
"HOW IS THAT FORTUNATE?!"
"At least you have correctly identified your father."
Seyra’s face twisted in outrage. "How can a person like you even exist?!"
Vaerun placed his teacup down for a moment as his unreadable eyes settled upon her. "Every father becomes a monster in the eyes of his daughter eventually, but your upbringing is in my hands. So raise your arms properly."
Seyra immediately lifted them higher.
"Higher."
Her little arms trembled.
"Straighten your back."
Seyra straightened.
"Chin up."
She lifted her chin.
"Face the wall properly."
"Ughhh...CAN YOU JUST STOP NOW!!!! I AM FACING THE WALL!!!"
Vaerun said nothing and calmly picked up his tea. Seyra narrowed her eyes at him, then whispered loudly enough for everyone to hear,
"I think he’s secretly enjoying this."
Renn’s shoulders trembled. Mira quickly covered her mouth. Vaerun’s eyes moved toward them, and both servants immediately became statues.
Seyra huffed; she had at least achieved something, and then Vaerun’s voice became more serious.
"You disclosed that you have no Aether Core."
Seyra’s shoulders immediately dropped, the humor vanished from her face, and Vaerun continued calmly.
"You were fortunate that the person who heard you was the Malik himself. I have every reason to believe he will keep your secret."
Seyra remained quiet.
"But what happens when you say those words before someone who wishes you harm?"
Her fingers curled slightly, and Vaerun’s voice remained controlled.
"Your enemies would not see a four-year-old child. They would see a weakness; they could use that weakness against you."
The little girl swallowed as she finally understood. This wasn’t merely about her saying something she shouldn’t have. It could put her life in danger.
Vaerun leaned back slightly.
"You do not yet understand how dangerous the Imperial Court can be. Nor do you understand what men will do when they discover something they can use against you."
Seyra’s lips pressed together; she knew he was right. Still...she was four and she was currently kneeling against a wall with her arms raised.
She couldn’t let him win completely.
"I know," she muttered. Vaerun raised an eyebrow. "I will not say it again."
"That is better."
Seyra hesitated, then she turned her head slightly.
"Can I stop now?"
"No."
Her eyes widened.
"What?!"
"No."
"But I apologized! I understood! I learned my lesson!"
"I doubt that."
Seyra gasped.
"Papa!"
Vaerun’s expression remained perfectly calm.
"Are you angry?"
"No."
"Then why am I still being punished?"
"Because understanding your mistake does not erase the consequences of making it."
Seyra’s mouth fell open as she stared at him.
"You really are a tyrant."
"I am your father."
Seyra’s expression softened for half a second, then she immediately looked away.
"...A tyrant father."
Vaerun’s lips moved almost imperceptibly. It was not quite a smile, but Renn noticed it, and so did Mira. Seyra didn’t; she was too busy suffering. Her arms began trembling again.
"My hands really hurt."
Vaerun glanced at her raised arms, and for a moment, his expression softened, only slightly.
"Keep them raised for five more minutes."
Seyra stared at him in utter betrayal as Vaerun calmly took another sip of tea. Her tiny arms trembled above her head, and her knees were beginning to ache against the carpet, but she remained facing the wall as ordered.
Five minutes later, Vaerun finally set his teacup down.
"Do you reflect upon your fault?"
"I did..." Seyra muttered, rubbing her aching arms.
"Then come here."
The moment he released her from the punishment, Seyra slumped onto the floor like a melted potato. Mira immediately hurried toward her. "My Lady...!!!"
But Seyra only groaned dramatically. "My arms hurt... and I want snacks."
Mira’s worried expression softened into helpless amusement. She quickly left to fetch something from the kitchen. Seyra remained on the floor for a moment before slowly getting to her feet. She walked toward Vaerun, climbed onto the couch, and dropped herself onto his lap with a tired little PLOP!!!!
She curled against him without hesitation, lazily wrapping herself around his waist like a small panda. Vaerun looked down at her but said nothing. Instead, he took one of her hands and gently massaged her sore fingers.
The simple gesture made Seyra relax almost immediately.
"While I am away, do not wander outside the manor, no matter what."
Seyra nodded against his chest. Vaerun continued massaging her hand.
"How many days will you be gone?"
"I cannot tell. It may take some time, but I will return as soon as possible."
Seyra nodded again. She did not say anything else, but her fingers curled slightly around his sleeve. A moment later, Mira returned with a small tray of snacks. Seyra’s tired expression immediately brightened at the sight of the date biscuits.
She looked at her aching hands, then at Vaerun.
"Feed me. My arms hurt."
Vaerun picked up one of the biscuits and held it to her mouth. Seyra happily took a bite as Mira quietly placed the tray on the table before stepping back.
Vaerun looked down at Seyra.
"I will introduce you to the remaining knights tomorrow."
Seyra groaned and sank deeper into his arms. She only wanted to sleep. She had already met enough knights, servants, nobles, priests, emperors, and terrifying people to last several lifetimes. Yet apparently, being the daughter of the Azram came with an endless list of things she was expected to learn.
Everyone already knew she was Vaerun’s daughter.
Why did she need to meet them again?
"Why do I need an introduction? Everyone already knows I’m your daughter."
Vaerun offered no immediate answer. He merely looked at her, apparently unconvinced that the little girl had any intention of becoming responsible in the foreseeable future.
"You will become lazy this way," he remarked.
Seyra abruptly lifted her head, her expression turned solemn, her violet eyes carrying the profound conviction of a scholar about to reveal an ancient truth that would change the course of civilization.
"LAZINESS IS THE KEY TO SUCCESS!"
. . .
. . .
The chamber fell utterly silent.
Mira lowered her head, struggling to suppress her laughter. Renn turned away, his shoulders trembling as he desperately attempted to maintain his dignity. Neither servant dared look at their master.
Vaerun stared at his daughter in disbelief.
The feared Azram of House Veyrath, the man whose commands could silence nobles and whose presence commanded the respect of the empire’s strongest warriors, had somehow acquired a daughter who believed laziness was the foundation of success.
He looked at the tiny girl settled comfortably on his lap, entirely pleased with her own wisdom. For the first time that evening, Vaerun seemed genuinely at a loss.
"...It is difficult to be a father."
Seyra smiled proudly and settled comfortably against him again; she had no idea what she had done, but judging by the silence around her, she suspected she had won.
And for Vaerun Veyrath, who had faced monsters, nobles, armies, and the burdens of House Veyrath without hesitation, raising one chaotic four-year-old girl was beginning to feel like the greatest challenge of his life.