Chapter 28

The morning sun streamed through the windows, but my heart was heavy. Mama's voice still trembled as she and Papa decided I wouldn't go to school today. They were worried, but I refused to stay behind.

"I want to go too!" I insisted, my voice determined.

Papa looked down at me and sighed. "Fine," he relented, kneeling to meet my gaze. "Just promise me you won't let anyone persuade you into anything."

"I'm smart!" I pouted, puffing out my cheeks.

He chuckled, ruffling my hair. "I know, my little princess."

---

We drove in Papa's new car, the one he'd bought a few weeks ago. It was so smooth and comfortable compared to the old one, which was destroyed during a monster attack. I glanced at the backseat and shivered at the memory.

From outside the car, Mama waved with trembling hands. Her worry was etched across her face.

"Stay safe, Aleena," she murmured, almost too softly for me to hear.

---

We reached the academy in no time. Papa parked outside and led me through the familiar hallways to the principal's office. His strides were firm and deliberate. When we arrived, he didn't hesitate—he banged the door open.

Principal Evora stood up abruptly, her face a mixture of surprise and resignation when she saw us.

"Mister Xavier," she greeted, though her voice wavered.

Papa didn't waste time. "Miss Evora," he started, his voice sharp, "why was my daughter subjected to that nonsense yesterday?"

The principal sighed, looking conflicted. "I... I'm sorry, sir, but I can't do much about it."

"You can't?" Papa's tone grew colder. "Do you want to jeopardize our ties?"

I blinked in confusion. Ties? What ties? And how did Papa have this kind of authority?

Evora visibly flinched. "Please, Mister Xavier, this is not an issue of cooperation. We need your help."

"Then tell me who's behind this," Papa demanded, his patience wearing thin.

Principal Evora hesitated, then picked up the phone on her desk. "Yes… Let him in. And her as well. Tell her it's urgent," she said before hanging up.

---

The door opened, and two familiar figures stepped in: the blonde-haired teacher Mari and the "bad uncle" Griffin Bargue.

Papa didn't turn to face them. He sat in a chair with his back to the door, the aura of authority radiating from him silencing the room.

"So," he began, his voice low, "which one of you forced my daughter into a contract?"

Bargue stiffened. His eyes darted to Mari, who started to speak, "We just wanted to—"

"Don't say anything, Mari," Bargue whispered sharply, cutting her off.

"What's gotten into you?" Mari frowned at him before turning her attention back to Papa. Her arrogance flared. "And who do you think you are, calling us bastards? Who even are—"

Papa turned his chair around, revealing his face for the first time.

The shift in the room was instant.

Mari's eyes widened, her confidence evaporating in an instant. "I-I apologize for my rudeness, Mister Xavier," she stammered before dropping to her knees.

Bargue bowed deeply, his voice reverent. "It's an honor to meet you, Mister Xavier."

I looked between them, baffled. Mari? Bargue? Why were they acting so strange? I tugged at Principal Evora's sleeve.

"Principal Ma'am," I whispered, "who exactly is my Papa?"

The principal smiled warmly, her gaze soft as it rested on me. "Aleena, your father is no ordinary man. He is the reason I cooperated with you yesterday. You may think of him as just your Papa, but inside him lies the heart of a hero."

"He is a legend of the past. The man who sacrificed his power to save the world. Your father is Alfred Xavier."