Was it a dream, or some kind of psychic connection between father and daughter? Emeric''s brow furrowed in his sleep, his fingertips twitching reflexively. "Mom, was she royalty?" Bet''s breath hitched.


    Evadne shook her head gently. "I don''t know. If she was a member of the royal family, even if she was exiled or disowned for some reason, there would be some record of it.


    So, I suspect she might have been someone from the pce, or someone rted to the royal family. But the specifics, I''m not sure, since we really don''t know much about the situation in Helgen. But one thing is certain."


    Her eyes sparked with a cold light, her delicate fingers clenched tightly. "Mom must have had some feud with the Helgen royal family, forcing her into exile, and then, by some twist of fate, she ended up in Skyrim and, coincidentally, was saved by Bevis."


    The word "feud" struck Bet''s heart like a cruel and invisible dagger.


    "Dad always doted on us, letting us make our own life choices. Coming from a wealthy family, he never pressured us into arranged marriages, allowing us to seek our own happiness."


    Bet knelt by the bed, grasping his father''s much-too-thin hand, his eyes brimming with tears. "But the situation with Ste and me, he opposed so strongly. It shows Evadne, your spection must be on track. There must have been some bad blood between Mom and the Helgen royal family to cause such a stir in Dad''s emotions."


    Hearing this, Evadne pondered deeply.


    Indeed, from a young age, their father had only shown excessive tolerance towards his five children, spoiling them. But towards Suri and Myra''s kids, he acted more like a strict patriarch.


    He would vehemently oppose Debby marrying into Helgen, had arranged for Nydia to marry into the Chambers, and constantly urged Aaron to settle down.


    But for them, even when she went off to be a doctor without borders, no matter how rebellious, father had always seemed strict but ultimately indulgent andpromising.


    Father truly loved their mother the most, his affection extending to all her children.


    But with such deep affection, why would he remarry again and again?


    If mother and father were truly in harmony, why watch him take another wife after another, never interfering, even being friendly with these other wives?


    As a woman, she couldn''t understand her mother.


    How could one not feel jealous? Unless there''s no love, otherwise, how could she tolerate a polygamous life, let alone have children with such a man?


    "Evadne, if Mom really had a feud with the Helgen royal family, then I will cut ties with Stepletely. There''ll be no further contact with her."


    Bet''s breath was ragged, his voice trembling with suppressed emotion. "While there''s still time, it''s not toote."


    "Bet, all this is just my spection. To give up on your happiness because of it now would be too cruel," Evadne said, her heart aching for him.


    "I lost my mother early, I can''t lose my father too. I can''t gamble with my father''s health."


    Bet bowed his head, turmoil and guilt swirling within him. "Evadne, I, Bet, might not be destined for greatness, nor do I have the courage to defy everything for love. I just want Dad to be okay, for all of you to be okay. That''s all the meaning I have left in living."


    The siblings sat in silence, watching over Emeric a while longer before Bet, his figure defeated, left the room.


    "Dad, what exactly happened with Mom? When will you be able to tell me honestly? I really want to know."


    Evadne sat by the bed, sighing heavily.


    Just then, as her gaze fell back to Emeric''s noble face, her pupils suddenly dted


    Two trails of tears streamed down from the corner of their father''s eyes, soaking the pillow.


    Their father, was crying in his dreams.


    Late at night.


    Bet took his military uniform out of his suitcase, hanging it up and carefully polishing his medals and insignia.


    He had taken time off to attend Mr. and Mrs. Fairhaven''s wedding, and after that, he had to rush back to duty, so he brought along his prized uniform.


    Busy as he was, sleep eluded him. He tossed and turned for a long while before finally drifting off.


    Suddenly, Bet felt a wave of heat over his body, a sweet breeze caressing his face.


    He woke up abruptly, wide-eyed-


    In the dim light, Ste''s soft and fair body was barely covered by a thin, strapless nightgown. As she leaned forward, her chest was fully exposed, tantalizing like a juicy, tender cut of pork ready to melt in one''s mouth.


    "Hold me, I miss you."


    The girl''s eyes, watery and full of longing, gazed at him, filled with a tangle of emotions.


    In that moment, a fire surged in Bet''s lower abdomen, hisshes trembling with restraint.


    The dim light concealed his blushing cheeks, spreading to his neck and ears.


    He was a gentleman, but also a man.


    Another nce, and he would lose control.


    Breathing heavily, Bet grabbed the military uniform hanging nearby and draped it over Ste''s shoulders, covering her up tightly. No matter how she squirmed, he wouldn''t let go.


    The neatly pressed uniform got wrinkled in her struggle.


    He treasured it, always ironing it himself, not even letting his secretary touch it.


    But now, as she messed it up, he felt no regret.


    "Bet, I''m right here in front of you. Do you not like me, or is there a problem?" Ste pouted, her face flushed with annoyance.


    "Stop it," Bet said, his hands on her shoulders, his eyes dark.


    "Hmph, we''ll see if there''s a problem," she retorted.


    Ste was stubborn as a mule, always insisting on seeing proof before taking any action. In a fit of defiance and pride, she dered, "You know, back in the day, princesses would have ady-in-waiting test the waters with a potential suitor to make sure he was, you know, up to snuff. But hey, I''m not one to bother others. I''ll just do the honors myself!"


    "Princess, for heaven''s sake, stop this nonsense!"


    Bet''s voice turned even colder, his gaze sharp and piercing, sending a shiver


    down Ste''s spine, "I''m going to bed. Please, leave now."


    Ste froze, taken aback, "What did you just call me?"


    "Princess."


    "Say that again. One more time?!"


    "Princess."


    His eyes, calm and untroubled like a clear night sky, didn''t waver, "Even if you ask


    a thousand times, my answer remains the same."


    "Why won''t you call me by my name anymore? You never used to call me ''princess'' in private!"


    In an instant, Ste''s earlier defiance and arrogance evaporated, leaving nothing behind but a pair of wide, pleading eyes, anxiously searching his face. Her voice softened, barely above a whisper in the cool night air:


    "Bet, are you mad at me? Did I upset you? Please, let''s talk about it."


    "Tomorrow, you should go back to Helgen."


    Bet''s gaze was icy, his tone final, "From now on, I''ll stick to my duties, and you to your royal obligations. Let''s not cross paths again."