Chapter 16. Seeking help from Mr. Charles

DARTH was troubled at the scene he was witnessing now. Numerous people surrounded Hera, and it seemed they were articulating derogatory remarks toward her, evident from how she reacted.

He did want to leave at that moment and let everyone draw havoc. However, something inside compelled him to oppose his thought as he felt he had good reason to be more helpful, although the reason behind it was undeciphered.

Without hesitation, he strode toward the direction where people had a commotion, and before they could do more aggressive things toward Hera, he shut his eyes and let the robust wind soar through the sky, blowing their feet off the ground.

Hera was left still, and soon as she opened her eyes, she was stunned to see Darth shielding her through his white robe. His sudden appearance stupefied everyone, but no one dared to speak.

"Ignore them," Darth said, staring directly into her beautiful eyes, which earned a slight nod from her.

Hera could not help but ingest hard with the fact that this man was there again to protect her from humiliation.

Afterward, Darth pulled her into a tight embrace, holding her gaze. Closing their eyes for a beat, and soon as they opened them, they were already standing outside the Pluma.

"I meant no harsh to you last time. I spoke without thinking. It's just being disturbed by anyone is what I despise the most because I care about privacy, so I expected you to do the same," Darth explained in a solemn tone as they parted ways from the embrace. He was pertaining to the scene last time when Hera was offering her to accept the paint she made for him, which he refused.

She smiled slightly, which earned Darth a sincere smile that was new to him. Bestowing a smile to anyone wasn't a cup of his tea because there was no reason to do so, but because of this woman, he did it unexpectedly, which was unfathomable. "Are you not mad anymore?"

"Who said that? I was sad that time but not infuriated."

"You should… a bit." he smiled again slightly, and for the first time, he looked so fine, as if he was glad to converse with her, unlike their first encounter up to the previous.

"I think I should be the one asking you that. Are you not mad at me?"

Darth sighed heavily and answered the query, "Pardon me for making you feel that way, but I'm not. I am not just fond of entertaining anyone. Prithee, forgive me."

"No, no, no. I'm perfectly fine."

"So, can I have your present if it's still for me?"

Hera gasped in disbelief upon hearing his words, but she felt a sudden pang because some of her works were taken by the knights, including the work she painted for him, which he refused last time.

"I want to give it to you, but they took it." she diverted her gaze to the ground.

"Who are they?"

"It's a long story." her eyes were full of misery as she recalled how her father was arrested and blamed for such a thing he never did and how her mother hopelessly shed tears.

Hera loved these talks with Darth; she felt heard by someone she truly admired in the first place. She loved standing there with him, but her sentiments could not obliterate that she was having a massive struggle, and she had to find a way to address it, or else her father would end up stuck in prison. She wanted to prove her father's innocence even though she had zero idea where to start; her avidity to conquer it is paramount.

"I'd like to apologize for everything I've caused you. Thank you for being there for me, Darth. You're very consistent, and I guess I should stop expecting too much about us… oh, I mean our friendship." she bowed to show her appreciation. "I have to go, Darth. I'm glad to meet you."

Without lingering for his response, Hera left him standing still. She walked away and decided not to look back anymore. Perhaps that was the last time they would see each other. The thought gave her a stain of guilt; however, she managed to keep it to herself rather than explain.

A blast of ache penetrated Darth's chest as he couldn't believe Hera's utterance indicated farewell. It may sound strange, but the moment she saw the sadness in her eyes earlier drove him to the apogee of curiosity. He was dying to know the truth behind those words, although he wanted to avoid her.



AGGRAVATED is the utmost sentiment of Hera that she'd been struggling to overcome now while walking in the street. Her mind was filled with anxiety because of the difficulties she'd been carrying; nevertheless, she had a high spirit and believed everything would fall into place.

After walking for almost one hour, she finally reached her uncle's residence, and she stood momentarily in front of it. Knocking on the door twice, she waited for someone to open it, but she got nothing after a moment. She knocked again twice and succeeded when someone opened it and appeared in front of her—a woman wearing a long dark blue dress and cloak on her head.

"Good evening. Can I speak with my uncle?" Hera inquired politely.

"Hello. May I ask your name?"

"I am Hera Crey, and I'm here to talk with Mr. Charles. Is he there?

"Oh, yes. Let me ask him for a moment."

She smiled until the woman immediately went inside and she closed the door. It took her five minutes before the woman returned.

"Come in, Hera. He was waiting for you inside." she bowed her head in reverence and let her in.

Hera was welcomed with a warm breeze from the pleasant trees and flowers like a heaven garden in a dreamland. There were also lanterns with sort shapes hanging on both sides of the wall, which served as a light to the entire area. She couldn't help but smile in amusement, wondering how her uncle could organize this lovely vicinity.

Walking to the garden, the woman guided Hera toward the dinette, and there stood Charles, waiting for her to approach him.

"Please, give us a moment, Rene." Charles motioned the woman, and she obeyed him instantly.

Silence lingered for a moment. Hera was wordless and honestly felt awkward because they were not close, but she came to ask for help.

"I'm glad to see you here, my beautiful niece. So, what brings you here?" Charles smiled, clearly curious about her sudden arrival. "Is there something I can help you with?"

"I know we're not close enough to ask you a favor, uncle. But I need your help regarding your brother… m-my father." she stuttered nervously.

"What happened to your father?" he inquired as his brows crumpled in perplexity.

"He was..." she trailed off, feeling uneasy. Clutching her breath, she strived to set aside her worry and voiced her sentiments. "He was arrested by the knights and is currently inside the Avenin Constitution. According to my mother, he was accused of stealing the imperial jewel of the emperor, but I know that was just a false filthy accusation. My father is a good man."

Hearing those utterances made him nod in acknowledgment until he spoke again, "I am sorry to hear that, Hera. Please take a seat first so we can discuss this matter." her uncle assisted her to the chair and let her occupy the space.

"So, you're saying your father was accused of theft?"
She nodded in confirmation. "But I don't believe that. And I'm here because I need your help. We need to prove his innocence. I know that you and the emperor have a strong connection. We're not taking advantage of it, but… could you please talk to him and ask him to free my father once the accusation has been proven wrong?"

Remaining rigid, Charles spent a couple of seconds brooding about it until his gaze diverted directly to Hera. "What if the outcome is contrary to your assumption?"

"He's not a criminal. I swear, he's not."

"I'm not saying that he was, Hera. We have to look at the possibility, and I am apprising you this to broaden your senses because this is a serious matter. You have to be prudent."

"What do you mean, uncle?"

"Sometimes, the person we trusted the most is the one who would propel us into peril. You have no idea, you have no clue unless your expectation wrecked and turned into mucky trash," he stated as if he was confident in his statements.

"So you're saying my father is a criminal?"

"Maybe. We cannot assure it for now, Hera," he replied. "But there's a way I could offer you."

Confused about what she heard, and soon she was about to ask, the next thing happened suffocated her in disgust.