— Father, I'm here.
— Come in, — came a voice from the room, giving permission to enter.
Liana Dexsin's throat went dry for a moment. She quietly entered the room and stopped in front of the head of the astrological order's desk, trying not to show that she felt uncomfortable.
The man, refined but stern in appearance, looked at her with a determined expression. Liana was very similar to her father, only she made a more benevolent impression than he did. His chestnut hair, neatly tied back in a short ponytail, and cold green eyes only reinforced this impression.
Liana was used to her father's unfriendly gaze. And she was also familiar with this terrible silence. After all, the head of the order could not be called a soft-hearted father who spoiled his children. On the contrary, in his parenting methods, the man adhered to strict discipline and a rigid order. At least, that was how he had behaved towards his eldest daughter all these years. But, to her surprise, Liana did not even tense up now, as she usually did at such moments.
Finally, the chief astrologer opened his mouth and said quietly:
— Why didn't you tell me you were leaving?
"...."
It was a suggestive but very serious tone that indicated that the head of the cult was clearly dissatisfied. Liana, who understood his facial expressions and mood better than anyone else, understood this too.
— Do you even realise that you turned the entire astrological tower upside down when you just disappeared without warning?
— I'm sorry, Father. It won't happen again.
Despite the girl's excuses, she did not seem to feel any real remorse for what she had done. Khalia Dehsin noticed this and sighed deeply. His thick eyebrows knitted together, making his expression even more tense.
— You left for the north without warning, putting not only yourself but our entire organisation at risk. Did you think about what would happen to the astrological order if it lost its heir?
— I... — Just as Liana was about to speak, the head of the order interrupted her.
— Don't tell me. I know why you went there.
The successor to the astrological cult pressed her lips together.
— It's all because of Gardenia, isn't it?
"...."
Liana shuddered involuntarily when her father mentioned that name.
The man read her reaction on her face and sighed heavily.
A weary expression appeared on his face.
— I know it's hard for you and that you miss your sister. I still can't come to terms with her death either, — he said. — But whatever the case, that's life, and it goes on. You understand me, don't you? We have to look forward, not back.
When the head of the order said these words to her, Liana found it extremely difficult to control her emotions. After all, she too had so much she wanted to say.
— So you want me to just accept it and let it go? — Liana asked with quiet anger.
— What else can you do? — he said. — You can't bring the dead back to life. Even the heavenly bodies are powerless here.
Liana looked closely at his face and wondered for a moment if this man could really be talking to her about this so indifferently. Gardenia had died only recently. Why was he talking about her as if his daughter had died long ago?
It was difficult for Liana to understand him, but she clenched her teeth and said:
— So you called me here to tell me that?
— I called you to warn you not to dwell on unnecessary things, but to focus on what is really important, — replied Halias Dexsin calmly. — Your ceremony to become the chief astrologer will take place very soon, won't it?
After these words, the hidden emotions lurking deep within her soul intensified even more. Liana struggled to find the strength to clench her teeth and nod her head.
— Are all the preparations complete? — asked the current head of the order.
— Everything is going according to plan, Father. As you ordered.
— I'm glad to hear it.
Khalia Dehsin stood up, leaning on his cane, and walked over to the window. His gaze was fixed far beyond the mountains and clouds, to where his beloved youngest daughter might now be.
Finally, the man sighed heavily.
— If you think I am a heartless father, that is your right, — he said, — but first and foremost, I am the head of the order and must not stray from my direct duties. Just like you.
— ...
— You understand that, don't you? It is our destiny, predetermined by the stars.
— I understand.
The young head of the order was supposed to respond exactly like that.
— In that case, go and try not to get involved in any more unpleasant situations. Do you understand me? Everything must go perfectly on the day of your appointment.
— Yes, Father.
As soon as Liana finally left the head of the order's office, she struggled to contain her emotions. In fact, she simply found it difficult to understand that for a man in her father's position, there could be things more important than family values. Although Halias Dehsin adored Gardinia, it seemed to Liana that he had accepted her death too easily.
Was she really the only one who truly suffered because of this?
Finally, after standing at the door for a while, the young woman slowly walked down the corridor, the dialogue with her father repeating itself over and over in her head.
And just as Liana Dexhin was at her most confused about what had happened, her assistant Orson suddenly caught up with her.
— Mistress!
"...."
When Orson finally caught up with her, he looked somewhat confused.
Orson glanced furtively at his mistress. He had seen that expression on her face before. A grim expression with a sharp gaze from her shining green eyes.
To say that she looked angry was an understatement.
Nevertheless, the assistant couldn't just remain silent, as he really had important things to tell her.
— Um, my lady, I have news I must tell you...
The assistant relayed the news to Liana one by one, which was directly related to her work and the upcoming appointment ceremony. The woman listened calmly to all of it. Finally, it was time for the last piece of news. This time, the servant looked more nervous than before.
— My lady, a message has arrived from your home.
— What is it? — Liana frowned.
— The butler reports that Lady Katrina left for her family estate a few days ago and has not yet returned. It seems she has decided to stay there for a while.
As soon as the young head of the order heard his wife's name, his already bad mood worsened.
The woman couldn't help herself and snapped at her assistant:
— So what? Why are you telling me this?
— .....
Orson blinked in confusion.
— Where is she and what is she doing... What do I care? — she muttered irritably.
Irritated, Liana Dexsin walked around her assistant and hurried ahead. After all, she had something else on her mind at that moment.
"I called you to warn you not to dwell on unnecessary things..."
Remembering her father's words, the woman clenched her teeth. A moment later, her thin lips twisted and her green eyes darkened so much that they resembled a stormy sea.
"Unnecessary things"? What did this man know about what was really important to her? At that moment, Liana Dexsin felt anger like she had never felt before in her life.