Duty-Bound: Chapter 35
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Under her request, Natsume had left a few days ago. Hopefully, her hunch was right so that they would only need to find the evidence. Because of Natsume's absence, someone had replaced him temporarily as her protector. She didn't complain one bit because since the introduction ceremony, she always had a bad feeling whenever she was alone. It was funny that she would feel unsafe even in her own home. Shaking her head mentally, she continued picking the best looking flowers for her beloved late father. The servants had offered to help, but she refused them with a hard glare. Satisfied with her findings, she made her way to her father's shrine. After putting the flowers before the shrine, she brought her hands together in a prayer and closed her eyes.
She had heard that her father fell sick and went to visit him. However, after her visit, her father's health had gotten worse. Since then, her Lady Mother had not allowed her to see her father. On her third secret visit, she immediately apologised, "I'm sorry, Father."
Feeling a hand on her head, she looked up at her father's pale face.
"Did you do something bad?"
She looked down to her feet.
"What happens to me is not your fault, Mikan."
"But, Lady Mother says…"
Her father crouched down before her. "Whatever she does, your mother will always unconditionally love you."
After opening her eyes, she glanced at the nearby garden, where she picked the flowers from. When she asked Rin about it, she was told that the garden was built under her Lady Mother's command. A soft, little smile made its way to her lips. She was glad that her Lady Mother still loved her father even until now. For that, she might be able to forgive her.