I Want Them Both
The town we resided at was about half-a-day away from the city. As we didn't need to rush, we didn't choose to travel through the night. Veirya seemed a lot more anxious to return than I did, however. I speculated she missed Leah.
Honestly, I could only allow us to kick back for half a day, as I wanted to go home to see Leah, as well. I even bought her a huge ham, which Francis recommended. The ham wasn't made from salt, but honey. The price was ridiculously exorbitant. It cost one gold coin for one chunk of ham. The chunk was big enough to last our entire family for one day. I figured Leah would really like it.
We finally saw the outer perimeter of the small town at noon. The crops outside of the town had grown. The crops in the fields were alive, so we were unlikely to face a famine in the coming year. The war had ended; the weak North wasn't going to be able to withstand a second war. If it did suffer another one, I'd have to surrender if I needed to procure food. If I conned the military for their army provisions again, Queen Sisi would probably arrest me and have me brought to the Imperial Capital for a public execution.
"Lord Veirya. Sir Lin." The farmers in the fields on both sides saw us, so they stopped working and saluted us.
I gave the farmers a smile and let them know they didn't need to mind us. Veirya was expressionless as always, appearing as if she didn't care. Nevertheless, I noticed that she cared about the people's gazes on both sides. She started to fit the title of a lord more despite being Veirya. She finally understood that the people were her assets. It was a good thing for someone to learn to take care of their assets.
Mm, the main door was still there. The lord's property wasn't on fire and there were no succubi pinned to the city walls. That meant that nothing happened in the town. That was great. All I asked was that it was safe and in one piece. That also meant Leah was fine.
The two of us rode to the door. Veirya dismounted and then walked up to me. Before I could react, she pulled my crippled left foot out of the stirrups for me.
"Now. It's easier, right?"
Veirya then turned and headed to the residence as if nothing happened, leaving me feeling slightly awkward. My heart suddenly began to race and couldn't calm down, while she was nonchalant. Admittedly, though, it was a lot easier for me. It was tedious for me to dismount every time, otherwise.
After dismounting, I carried the ham on my back as if I was carrying New Year gifts home. I held my cane with my left hand and entered the main hall. Speaking of the main hall, it wasn't used for anything. I intended to renovate it and see if I could turn it into a useful room of some sort. I didn't think I'd ask everyone to assemble there.
We entered the corridor, where I took a look at the fountain. Anna turned it on during the day for a short while and then again at noon. Usually, we didn't turn it on because I didn't want to destroy the flowers with too much water. The flowers had begun to grow; from the looks of it, we should have bright flowers in bloom in summer that year, which would fulfil one of my promises to Leah.
Veirya pushed the door open. I had a look inside. I saw Veirya lower her head with her hands behind her back at the door, so I smiled. Leah must've sensed us coming and stood at the door to welcome us. I chuckled: "Leah, we're back. Were you a good girl at home?"
"…"
Leah didn't answer. Instead, she looked at Veirya and walked over. Veirya was confused. Her expression showed her dilemma. Her hand on her sword shook a little. I didn't understand why Veirya wanted to draw her sword when it was just Leah.
Leah approached Veirya with light steps. I thought she was going to hug Veirya, but my heart literally jumped out of my chest the next instant. Leah pulled out a meat cleaver from behind her and thrust it at Veirya. I nearly passed out from fright. Fortunately, Veirya reacted extremely fast, catching the cleaver, thereby stopping it right in front of her stomach. The knife trembled just centimetres away from Veirya's belly. Leah looked up at Veirya with a pair of listless eyes. She then tightened her grip on the handle to try and stab it into Veirya. Leah gnashed her teeth as she belted, "Die, bitch!"
Veirya gripped the blade, making it impossible for Leah to thrust it forward a single inch regardless of her efforts. Veirya's hand didn't bleed; she calmly watched Leah without moving.
I quickly pressed a hand on Leah's hands and shouted at her, "What's the matter, Leah?! What's wrong?!! Why are you attacking your mom?!!!"
"Papa!!"
Leah immediately released her grip when she saw me. She jumped up and tightly hugged me. Her voice was somewhat shaky. Angelina and Anna finally came racing downstairs in states of shock: "Leah, what did you do?! Didn't we tell you not to run around when we were taking care of the Queen?!"
Seeing the blade in Veirya's hand totally freaked Angelina out. Veirya nimbly spun the knife and then set it down aside. She calmly said, "Just. Explain to me the reason first."
Veirya had done her absolute best to hold back. If she was her past self, she'd likely have decapitated Leah by then. I patted Leah and went to put her down. To my shock, however, Leah had passed out on my shoulder.
"Leah!! Leah!!" I quickly hugged Leah. Her body was weak and immobile. Frantic, I asked Angelina, "Is Leah sick?!"
Angelina nodded: "Mm… I guess… She's been sick recently. She's been spacing out a bit. Hurry and see how Leah is. She's a child; she definitely did that due to her illness. Leah's not in the right frame of mind at the moment. We can't help."
"Let's head up first."
I turned my head to look at Veirya, and she nodded: "I see. It can't be helped, then. How is. Leah? Do we need to call a doctor?"
"Leah is a succubus, so I doubt humans would be able to help. Come up with me first. Veirya, find a place that sells some stuff."
Angelina tugged my arm and then handed Veirya a sheet of paper. Veirya nodded after she took a look: "Understood."
I nervously rocked Leah as I carried her and followed Angelina upstairs. I placed Leah on the bed. I didn't have time to go and greet the elves because I needed to ensure my daughter's safety first and foremost.
I only left for a few days; how did Leah fall sick? Additionally, what were we to do when a succubus fell ill? I had no idea where to take them for a medical check. The only hope was the succubus in the imperial capital.
I began to panic in my mind: "What do I do when the succubi aren't over here? It would take three full days if I rode non-stop to reach the Imperial Capital. There's no way I'll make it. What do I do?"
"Calm down first." Once inside, Angelina slammed the door shut. She continued, "Don't panic. Leah is fine right now; she's a succubus. She may have not yet fully awoken, yet, but she still needs you. Not only are you her father, but also her food. Without you, Leah will fall sick."
I was astonished with what I heard. I turned back to Leah and stuttered, "S-So you mean that I-I have to be with Leah? D-Doesn't that mean that she'll recover as long as I'm by her side?"
Angelina nodded: "Essentially. Next time, it's best if you don't leave Leah behind. After you left, her mental state started to become abnormal and lots of things happen with her at night. I think that it's for the best if you keep Leah with you at all times."
I nodded: "Uhm."
I hugged Leah and rested her head on my thigh. Gaze on me, Angelina sighed: "Leah's situation is quite simple; however, have you ever considered the consequences? You like Veirya, don't you? If you want to be with Veirya, I think you need to consider Leah's place. You have to consider her in the future anyway, don't you? Leah will be with you two, but after you're married, you'll have your own life. Leah will advance to the next stage. If she needs you more, what are you and Veirya going to do? Who will Leah be to you two?"
I didn't reply.
"What can you do? What will you do? Are you going to give up Veirya for Leah? What exactly will you all do? The problem you're currently facing is that you like Veirya, and still have Leah. How will you choose? Leah is a succubus, and nothing will change that. She's not human; she's a s-."
"She's not human," I said in agreement, nodding. "But she's my daughter."
"So, what are you going to do? You're Leah's father, but I'm Veirya's mother. I can't watch my daughter have her happiness stolen. You have to take responsibility for my daughter. You can have your own daughter, and Leah can have her own life. Are you going give up on Veirya?"
Angelina started to frustrate me. Stoically, I declared, "I've never once thought of giving up on any of them. I want them both."