In that instant, Sylas felt as though he had been plunged into a frozen chasm.
The traumatic memories from years ago came flooding back, overwhelming him.
His body went rigid, and his mind blanked, even as thoughts raced chaotically.
Stunned, he managed to stammer out a question.
"How is Puckers?"
Missing his daughter had become as instinctive as breathing. His first thought wasn't for his own escape, but for her.
Isolde was taken aback. She had expected Sylas to struggle and cry out for help, not to be overwhelmed by paternal longing.
A wave of complex emotion washed over her, followed by a sudden, cunning idea. A plan began to form in her mind.
Isolde lowered her voice, adopting a gently chiding tone. "You have the nerve to ask about your daughter?
You've been living comfortably here in Argenthaven, while she's been enduring hardship in Lorynth."
Sylas's heart clenched in panic. "Hardship?"
"Ah, she's fallen ill," Isolde sighed heavily, though the thought of her daughter likely playing happily with her aunt almost made her laugh.
"If she's ill, why are you here? How can you be here?" Sylas's voice held a note of reproach. He leaned against Isolde, his face etched with worry.
Unsettled by his blame, Isolde covered quickly, "Well... you, the father, are off enjoying yourself. Can't I, the mother, come find you?"
She wrapped her arms around his waist and said assertively, "Our daughter says she misses her real father. You figure it out."
"..."
Sylas hung his head, a mixture of joy and sorrow warring within him.
Isolde continued coaxing him, "She can talk now. Every day when she opens her eyes, she asks: 'Where's Papa? I want Papa.'
Ah, it breaks my heart to hear it. Why else would I come all this way? Do you think I have nothing better to do?"
"She still remembers me..."
Remembering his daughter's adorable face and hearing Isolde's seemingly sincere words, Sylas's eyes reddened.
He looked at her and finally capitulated.
"Then... then I'll... I'll go back with you."
He had yielded.
Over the past two years, even with his freedom, his longing for his child had only grown deeper.
"Go back? Now that I'm here, why go back? We're not leaving." Isolde was delighted he had taken the bait so easily.
She released him, lay down on the nearby bed—shoes still on—crossed her legs, and swung her foot triumphantly.
Believing the child was ill, Sylas was burning with anxiety. He sat anxiously on the edge of the bed and urged, "If our daughter is sick, we should..."
"I've gone through all sorts of hardships to get here, and you don't even care about me?
Tell me, how many years has it been? You just want to see your daughter right away? How entitled are you?"
Isolde chided, half-serious, half-teasing. It was true; three or four years had passed.
Sylas had matured since his capture. Isolde had changed too.
Beyond the beggar disguise she wore, she now carried herself with greater radiance.
The noble Empress combined the fresh beauty of youth with a ruler's aloofness, a combination that greatly enhanced her charm.
Sylas, however, had no mind to appreciate it. For the sake of the supposedly ill child, he could only ask, "Then what counts as caring for you?"
Isolde grinned mischievously. "What do you think?"
Sylas said helplessly, "Your Majesty, I... I have a Lady Sovereign now. We... we should maintain some distance."
"???"
Isolde's triumphant air vanished. She slowly sat up, staring blankly at Sylas.
After a long moment, she said quietly, "Your capabilities have grown. Your wings have hardened again."
She gave a cold laugh.
"I know. You and Stonewold's Gwendolyn are deeply in love, a perfect match."
Sylas remained silent, tacitly admitting it.
Isolde slowly stood up. "In that case, I won't disturb you two any longer. I'll take my leave." She walked out in a huff.
Sylas, slightly embarrassed, chased after her, softening his tone. "But our daughter..."
"Go have one with your wife! We won't see each other again. Hmph!" Isolde complained indignantly.
"No... Your Majesty, please don't say that..." Sylas panickedly grabbed her arm.
Isolde shook her arm free irritably, then turned , "What's with the grabbing? You're her husband now."
"I... I want to see the child... I want to see her..." .
Unable to control his emotions, he hung his head, tears falling.
This longing was simply too strong, especially upon hearing the child was sick. He couldn't control the surge of paternal love.
If Isolde hadn't come, he might have continued being an ostrich, burying his head in the sand. But with news of the child, he was completely thrown into disarray.
Isolde folded her arms and said coldly, "I don't agree."
Sylas looked at her sadly.
Finally, he yielded. He tugged at Isolde's sleeve, slowly knelt beside her legs, looked up, and begged, "Your Majesty..."
Isolde let out a long sigh. The feeling of controlling Sylas was truly exhilarating.
She took a tattered hood from a storage pouch, put it on her head, and then took out a Memory Orb.
Then, she said greedily, "Well then, my Lord, shall we send your Lady a grand gift?"
"This... no."
"Ah, Puckers doesn't even want to take her medicine now. The child is wasting away. I, as her mother, can't control her."
"..."
Sylas's heart was filled with desolate and helpless.
He knew Isolde was blackmailing him with the child, yet he didn't dare risk that her words might be false.
When it came down to it, he truly wanted to see his child.
"Come on, it's simple. You just need to say a few words with me later. I'll teach you." Isolde struck while the iron was hot, helping him to the bed.
...
Everything was so familiar. Painful memories are always the most profound.
"Come on, say to Gwendolyn: 'Lady Sovereign, I'm sorry. I was so lonely, I found a beggar.'"
"Wuwu... No... I can't..."
"Say it! Quickly!"
After several rounds of torment, Sylas's mental defenses crumbled.
He mourned sorrowfully, "Lady Sovereign, I'm sorry. I was so lonely, I found a beggar..."
Isolde laughed. "Perfect! I'll send this little gift to Gwendolyn right away. Ah, let's see if we can't anger that wretched woman to death!"
Sylas wiped his tears and asked helplessly, "Then... what about our daughter?"
"Oh, I forgot to tell you. Celeste and I brought Puckers to Argenthaven.
We're at the Welcome Inn in the city.
You can send someone to fetch them.
You performed quite well just now.
A reward for you. Mwah~"
She planted a hard kiss on Sylas's forehead, looking utterly pleased with herself.
He looked at her in confusion, then realized that he had been played.
He helplessly lowered his head, feeling dejected and speechless.