A/N: Another Dishonored story! I'm planning another one after this, one with the Pendleton brothers. As usual, enjoy. Remember, this is head-cannon-ish. :D
Nine-year-old Emily Kaldwell knew she wasn't normal. She knew not all girls her age awoke in over-sized, snow-white, downy beds with servants to tend to her every need. She knew that not all girls her age were permitted to draw all over the Royal Spymaster's notes and get away with little more than a stern look. (She knew her mom thought the man was too stuffy anyway.)
But Emily didn't have a dad. Most girls her age did, but, though heir to the throne, she was, she did not. It wasn't that she minded, though. She had something better: the Royal Protector. Corvo had been there the day she'd been born, helped take care of her when it was too much on the poor empress. (Emily was proud to know that she had ruined quite a few boring meetings and balls with her endless bawling.) He even helped her sneak chocolate pudding out of the kitchen before dinner.
It didn't matter to her that she didn't know who her father actually was. She always pretended to not here the scornful guards and servants and chefs mumbling about how it very well might be Corvo. She didn't know. She didn't care. All she knew is that Corvo taught her how to perform a Tyvian choke-hold when she was supposed to be learning her maths, and that, when she had a nightmare, her mom and the Royal Protector would race to her.
It was late one night, when there was a storm brewing outside her window. It was well after midnight, but stubborn Emily was still sitting up, eyes fixed firmly on the door that lead out into the hallway. She valiantly fought yawn after yawn. She WOULD stay up this timeā¦
When her eyes opened, Corvo was kneeling on the floor beside her bed, smiling at her, "Did your mom know you were still up?"
Emily just grinned mischievously and flung herself into his arms. He laughed and caught her. After a few seconds, the man finally pried her free and settled her on the bed, just as the door opened. The girl laughed, looking past Corvo's mock shamed face to wave at her mom.
The empress smacked her protector's shoulder playfully, then settled herself down on the bed beside her daughter, "Since you found it more important to see my daughter before your main charge."
To anyone else, the words would have stung and sent them scurrying, but Emily knew well enough that she could never be mad at Corvo. He seemed to realize this, too, because he only shrugged and informed her that her daughter had made a point to try to sit up and wait for him, judging by the way she'd fallen asleep. (Emily smiled innocently and rubbed her stiff neck.)
Corvo told them about his adventure in the Serkonos, right up until Emily began to doze off. That was when, after her mom kissed her forehead and rose to leave, Corvo leaded down and pecked her forehead, smiling secretly, "I have a new trick to teach you, tomorrow."
The empress cleared her throat loudly, then laughed. Corvo threw a glance over his shoulder at her, grinning, knowing that she'd heard. Emily smiled, mouthed a good night, then rolled over and closed her eyes. Right on the brink of sleep, the empress whispered something that made the protector chuckle, followed by the sound of a kiss between the two.
With her face hidden from them, Emily grinned widely and cuddled deeper into her bed. She may not have a dad, but she has Corvo. He may or may not be her real dad, but she didn't care. He was her daddy, no matter what anyone said. She was convinced her mom would approve, too.
