sonovelo Chapter 325 - 326: Finally Reunited!
Chapter 325 - 326: Finally Reunited!
Kieran Sinclair’s voice was gentle, carrying a subtle plea.
This behavior from Lazuli did not surprise him.
Though there were elements of compulsion involved, yet...
After all, he didn’t fulfill the duties of a competent Clan Leader, nor did he fulfill the duties of a....
A competent father!
Aster Grant raised his head and looked at the man who was taller than him by a full head.
His eyes were the same amber color as Lazuli’s.
However, compared to Lazuli’s youthful innocence, Kieran Sinclair’s face told many stories, showing the marks of time.
Aster did not respond immediately.
Choosing to avoid him was Lazuli’s decision, even if standing before him now was Lazuli’s father, he wouldn’t force Lazuli to do anything.
However, seeing that trace of plea in Kieran Sinclair’s eyes, Aster’s heart softened.
"Whether to see you or how to see you is Lazuli’s choice."
After saying this, he let his consciousness sink into the Beastbond Space.
Within the space, Lazuli’s mood was somewhat downcast.
She sat hugging her knees beneath the Tree of Life, burying her face deeply into them, her shoulders gently trembling.
The pure energy around seemed also to have been affected by her mood, becoming somewhat heavy.
"Lazuli." Aster’s voice gently echoed within her consciousness.
Lazuli suddenly raised her head, her amber eyes still shimmering with wetness, she quickly wiped the corners of her eyes, trying to restore her usual cool demeanor:
"Master? How are things outside... Has Laney... won?"
"Everything is resolved."
"That’s good!"
Lazuli nodded, once again burying her face into her knees.
Aster sensed the little girl’s current emotional upheaval.
Aster’s conscious form slowly condensed ahead, then he reached out to gently ruffle Lazuli’s hair.
He knew, Lazuli wasn’t that fragile.
Choosing to avoid Kieran Sinclair was simply because his appearance was too sudden.
For Lazuli, who was accustomed to facing things alone, it was difficult to adapt to such a change all at once.
But as Lazuli’s master, it was his time to fulfill his function now.
"Lazuli! Do you really not plan to see him?"
Lazuli hesitated for a moment, then seemed to think of something, her pupils slightly contracting, revealing a trace of barely noticeable panic and resistance.
She instinctively folded her wings to slightly wrap herself.
"Is it necessary to meet?"
"That depends on you, if you don’t want to, I will convey your wishes to him."
Lazuli’s fingers unconsciously clenched the hem of her skirt, her joints turning white.
Deep down, she knew it was impossible not to see him.
Despite having some grievance against Kieran Sinclair, but....
She was aware that Kieran Sinclair surely had his own reasons.
She couldn’t be so selfish!
At this thought, Lazuli took a deep breath, trying to calm her emotions.
Aster, seeing this, understood that the little girl had made up her mind.
Thus, he extended his hand, slowly speaking:
"Let’s go, I’ll go with you!"
Lazuli looked at Aster’s hand, then raised her eyes to the encouraging look in his eyes, took a deep breath, and slowly placed her hand into his palm.
With a flash of light, their figures disappeared from the Beastbond Space.
...
Upon Sancterra Plaza, the crowd held their breath.
All the angels focused their gaze on Kieran Sinclair.
The previous moment, he was imposing, suppressing two Totem Ninth Tier angels, and then....
He approached a creature they had never seen before and humbly made a request.
"Who is this person, that Lord Kieran Sinclair shows such demeanor towards him!"
"Indeed! Lord Kieran Sinclair has never behaved this way towards anyone else!"
"And where is Lady Lazuli? Why wasn’t she here earlier!"
Amidst the murmuring crowd, the space beside Aster began to ripple, and a slender figure quietly appeared.
Lazuli’s ten wings slightly folded, more lustrous than the clouds in the sky.
Lazuli lowered her head, her silver hair cascading down, covering part of her profile.
"Lady Lazuli has appeared again!"
"It seems Lady Lazuli is related to that unidentified creature!"
Low cries spread like a tide.
Yet Kieran Sinclair was deaf to everything around him.
In that moment, his entire world consisted only of the girl who lowered her head, seeming too afraid to look at him.
His steps instinctively moved forward, but then halted just short of approach, as if fearing to disturb the girl.
His lips moved, words stuck in his throat, finally turning into a trembling, nearly broken call:
"Lazuli... my... daughter..."
This call was extremely soft, yet like lightning struck Lazuli.
She suddenly lifted her head, her gaze crashing directly into Kieran Sinclair’s equally wet golden eyes.
Time seemed to freeze at this moment.
Kieran Sinclair clearly saw the complicated emotions in his daughter’s eyes——
There was unfamiliarity, grievance, years of longing turned into resentment, but deeper within, there was the inherent bond driven by their shared blood.
He saw her slightly trembling lips, her tightly clasped hands, and her defiance that mirrored his own tendency to hide vulnerability.
Lazuli also gazed at the man before her. It differed from her memory, where he was a warm and strong father figure.
The man before her was more imposing, his brow carrying the marks of trials and fatigue, with the scent of battlefield smoke and blood clinging to him.
But those eyes, those gold eyes deeply staring at her, held the same emotional depth as the sense of security buried in her memory...
Even more intense, filled with unapologetic pain and guilt she had never seen before.
"You..."
Lazuli’s voice was very soft:
"...Where did you go?"
This question was like a key, instantly unlocking the floodgate of emotions within Kieran Sinclair’s heart.
Scalding tears finally flowed uncontrollably from the steel-hearted Seraph’s eyes, tracing a path down his resolute face.
He did not attempt to wipe them away, but just looked deeply at Lazuli, his voice hoarse and heavy:
"I’m sorry... Lazuli, I’m sorry... It was father’s fault... He couldn’t protect you... leaving you to endure so much pain alone..."
Although everything was due to circumstances beyond his control, yet...
He made no excuses to avoid his failings.
But instead made a firm admission of his errors.
Hearing this choked apology, seeing the unexpected tears on Kieran Sinclair’s face, Lazuli’s frosty shell of self-defense abruptly shattered.
She said nothing more, simply stepping forward gently to hug Kieran Sinclair.
She did not know how to express her emotions at that moment, choosing instead to communicate her feelings silently through action.
This scene instantly made Kieran Sinclair freeze.
Slowly, he extended his arms, carefully and gently encircling her trembling shoulders, drawing her ever so slowly into his embrace.
When he finally held his regained daughter in his arms, Kieran Sinclair felt at peace.
"I’m sorry... I’m sorry... Father will never leave you again... Never again..."
He repeated softly, over and over.
...
...