Companionship

"Good evening, Father. How have you been doing?" Joanna greeted her father once she entered the dining room of the de Lara mansion.

Instead of waiting for his daughter to approach him as he usually did after they had not seen each other for days, this time the Duke stood up from his seat in a hurry and made his way in the direction of his daughter, whom he had not seen for three nights.

"Glad to see you fine, Ann," the Duke said as he hugged Joanna.

Pulling away, he sized up Joanna from head to toe. As his gaze fell on Joanna's face, he uttered, "Father has received a report from Sir Sylvester about what happened when you were in the Powel Orphanage. It is a relief to have Sir Canillas there with you. Otherwise..." The Duke did not continue his words, sighing heavily instead.