"Alright, I''ll head to the office in a bit."


    At this moment, Keith had just finished freshening up, changing into a set of clean clothes.


    He did kill the man, no reason, just couldn''t stand those traffickers, annoyed by them.


    What kind of strength does it show, picking on kids?!


    "Ding ding..." His phone suddenly rang.


    Keith walked over to the bedside table, a smile forming as he saw the caller ID, draping the towel around his neck, he answered, "Hey, princess."


    His voice was sweet, tender like a loving father.


    From the other end came a young girl''s voice, soft and milky,


    "Daddy, when are youing back? I miss you so much, so very much."


    Keith''s smile reached his eyes,


    "Daddy misses you too, princess. But I have to wait for mommy, once she''s done with her work here, we''ll bothe back to you."


    "So, when youe back, you''re not leaving again?"


    "Nope, not leaving. Staying with my princess forever."


    "Okay, daddy, no fooling around, okay? Liars are puppy dogs."


    Keith''s smile was radiant, "Daddy''s no liar, sweetheart. Once mommy and I are back, we''re never leaving your side again."


    "How long till mommy''s done?"


    "Not long, princess. Just be good, eat your meals, maybe put on a couple more pounds, and we''ll be right back."


    "Okay! I can eat two whole bowls now." The little girl boasted proudly.


    Keithughed, "That''s my girl!"


    "I''m gonna go eat now, daddy. You and mommy eat well too. Bye, daddy."


    As the call ended, the little girl moved closer to the screen, blowing a kiss that made a sound.


    Keith''s heart nearly melted, holding onto his phone long after the call, as if savoring his daughter''s love.


    It wasn''t until the phone rang again that he snapped back to reality, his smile fading as he answered, "Speak."


    "Tarquin has intensified his search, specifically targeting picturesque viges this time. He must have a lead. I''m worried about our princess''s safety beingpromised."


    Keith''s brows furrowed, a sh of anger in his eyes.


    The caller continued, "I think it''s time we stop hiding. Before Tarquin gets to her, we should use our princess for our next move. We''ve raised her all these years, it''d be a pity not to use her now."


    Keith''s voice turned icy,


    "The princess is off-limits! Without my say-so, nobody touches her!"


    "...No one dares, we''re only thinking of revenge, not to harm her a bit! She''s our trump card, it''d be a shame not to y it. And you know Tarquin''s capabilities, without using her, our chance of sess shrinks."


    Keith, firm and fierce, "Hold your positions, wait for mymand!"


    Hearing the anger in his voice, the caller didn''t dare to say more, "...Yes!"


    After hanging up, Keith stared at his daughter''s photo, lost in thought.


    When he took her from Elysia, it was indeed for vengeance.


    But times have changed, and so has he...


    His princess isn''t a pawn in his game, nor is she Tarquin''s daughter!


    She has no rtion to Tarquin; she''s Keith''s!


    His princess, innocent and dreamy, lively and adorable, shouldn''t be dragged into adult conflicts!


    As for his deep-seated vengeance, he could avenge without involving her!


    "Sigh..." Keith took a deep breath, looking out the window.


    The sun had risen, bright and shining!


    It was time to end this, years of plotting and nning, his and Tarquin''s feud, it was time for a final settlement!


    He couldn''t bear the thought of being apart from his princess any longer!


    Once the revenge was done, he''d return to his princess, watch her grow, guard her upbringing!


    For eternity, being her one and only knight!