Leah had yet to wake, but I figured that she'd be fine at this state. Angelina was probably correct. The succubus in the capital did say that succubi are very wary of those around them being touched by others. My instincts told me that the information the succubi gave me was applicable to Leah's condition. Judging from Leah's reaction, succubi, unquestionably, needed their man to always be with them. I left Leah for a little too long. As a consequence, Leah fell into her fuzzy state. She would be fine once I slept with her at night.
Angelina sat aside in silence with her arms folded. I understood where Angelina was coming from, since she was Veirya's mother. She was bound to choose Veirya over Leah if she had to choose between the two of them. She made the same decision before. If someone and Leah were drowning simultaneously, I'd definitely choose to rescue Leah first. It was totally normal.
"If Leah tried to stab Veirya this time, no one knows what she'll try in the future. If Veirya and I do discuss marriage at some point - which I genuinely hope will happen - then what happens with Leah? If Leah cries and protests, what do we do? Do I just have Veirya raise a succubus without an official title for herself?" I pondered.
Just because I could understand Angelina's stance, it didn't mean that I concurred with her. Children choose; an adult takes it all. Leah and Veirya were both my treasured family members. I couldn't possibly sacrifice one for the other. I loved Veirya, and I cherished Leah.
I prepared to head downstairs. As soon as I opened the door, I saw Veirya. She was startled when she saw me. She carried a tray in her hand. Before I said anything, she asked, "How is. Leah?"
"She should be all right; she's fine. She should be all right after some rest."
Veirya handed me the tray: "Good, then. This. For you to eat."
I took the tray, while Veirya squeezed through. She looked at Leah, who was in bed, and carefully touched Leah's face. She was expressionless, but I could sense she cared for Leah. I went up to her: "I'm so sorry, Veirya…"
"Why?" Puzzled, Veirya turned around to look at me. She seemed confused as to why I apologised.
I looked at her and then Leah: "Because Leah nearly hurt you. I didn't think that would happen; sorry."
"It's fine." Veirya shook her head then went on, "It's not. Leah's fault. Leah is. Just sick."
"I'm just worried that Leah will continue to be sick often," expressed Angelina. She came up from behind Veirya and patted her shoulder: "Veirya, what will you do if Leah continues to attack you with a knife? What if, one day, Leah genuinely wants to kill you? If that actually happens, what will you do?"
"Angelina!" I yelled.
Angelina slapped me across the face, almost knocking my lights out. She pinched my face to stop me from interjecting. She turned her attention to Veirya. Veirya looked back at her mother and calmly responded, "Leah can't hurt me."
"What about in the future? Tell me again what we're doing nowadays. We're teaching Leah combat skills. Leah is very smart. You and I both know she's a very fast learner. She might not be able to hurt you now, but what about in the future? Are you confident enough to protect yourself from her in the future?! Leah is a succubus! She needs this man. What will you do when you two need each other?! Leah wants to kill you now, so what about in the future?! Can you still protect yourself?! Did you forget that you killed her father?! What are you going to do when she wants to seek revenge?!"
"I can. Protect myself," argued Veirya, with a nod. She grouched, "This is. Our business. Leah. Is our daughter. I'm sure. She won't do that."
Angelina steeled her heart and thundered, "You're being too simple minded!! You're a warrior when you wield your sword, but you have the brain of a child!"
Angelina shoved me aside then turned around and left, loudly slamming the door behind her. I rubbed my face and sat up from the bed. Veirya concerned me. She lowered her head and didn't speak. After a short silence, she looked up at me and solemnly said, "Leah. Won't do that."
While that sounded as if it was a statement, I felt as though Veirya asked me a question. Perhaps Veirya wanted my confirmation to ease herself. Alas, I wasn't confident, either.
Angelina wasn't necessarily wrong. Who could say for certain what Leah would do? She was still just a child, yet she tried to stab Veirya. If she already went that far as a child, what would she do in the future?' Sophia said that succubi wouldn't let others touch their property. Nothing changed the fact that Leah is a succubus. It was most likely Leah's nature.
"Are you worried?" I asked.
I said that I wanted both of them, but I had to consider Veirya's opinion. If she didn't want Leah, I had to convince her to accept Leah. As a matter of fact, Veirya might not accept Leah and force me to abandon Leah.
If both Angelina and Veirya didn't want Leah, I was getting the boot. As a consequence, I would only have one feasible route; I would have to go and seek out Queen Sisi. Queen Sisi wouldn't care if there was a succubus with her. That was not to mention there was also a group of succubi in the imperial capital who could take care of Leah. I didn't want go to her, but if it came down to it, I had to go to her for Leah's sake.
Veirya shook her head: "I'm. Not worried. I. Like Leah very much. She's a. A cute girl. She won't. Do that."
"I won't let her do it, either. Veirya, I'll protect both of you."
Veirya nodded back: "Uhm."
Veirya then caressed Leah's face before turning around and leaving. She was expressionless as usual. I, therefore, couldn't read her mind. But nonetheless, every word she said was convincing and reassuring. Though Veirya and I hadn't been acquainted for long, we trusted each other. People could say whatever they wanted, and Veirya would never betray us.
I sat next to Leah and gently caressed her face. I knew about everything that could potentially happen in the future. In spite of that, as her father, my goal was to protect her and Veirya; not run away.