157: Under the eyes of papa bear

Under the eyes of papa bear

Music Recommendation: Heavens, what an afternoon - John Lunn0

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Anastasia glanced at her mother, who cleared her throat and suggested, "How about you men take a seat while Anna and I get the breakfast ready?" She then turned to Dante and introduced herself, "I am Margaret, Anna's mother."

"Milady." Dante offered her a bow. 

Now that the day was bright and Margaret could see the man more clearly, she admired his appearance and gave a subtle nod before smiling. She then called for her husband's attention, "Hugh?" 

"Yes, at the dining table," Mr. Flores said before they took their seats, facing each other. 

When silence fell, Anastasia remarked, "Papa, don't you think Dante and we have similar surnames? They are both related to plants."

"Hmph," Hugh grunted softly while maintaining a broad posture to match the young man her daughter had brought home. "Flores means flowers. Blackthorn… means thorns. They are completely different." He paused momentarily before continuing, "Flores is derived from the forest. There used to be a sacred entity that protected the humans who took shelter there. And they had abi—ahem. It is a sacred last name that not everyone has the privilege to carry."

"Papa, he knows I am a forest fae," Anastasia informed her father before he awkwardly attempted to cover up the family secret. 

Mr. Flores stared at Dante for a moment before turning to look at his daughter, who gave him a nod and pursed her lips. He took a deep breath before saying, "You were so young, and yet you remembered. People here don't know about it because they were never exposed to it and confuse our kind with witches. Anyway, you must be wondering why we invited you to breakfast. It's not because we have a big heart, but because we needed to talk to you."

"I had hoped to speak with you as well, Mr. Flores. After all, you are Anastasia's family, and what's important to her is important to me," Dante responded, causing Mrs. Flores to smile while Mr. Flores only continued to stare at him. 

"It's good that you know that we are important to her. Family comes first!" Mr. Flores stated, and Dante responded with a nod, saying, 

"I agree with you."

Mr. Flores said, "Look, son. I know people meet and think that they are 'soulmates' but relationships are hard. Marriage is even harder. You need to put in effort, and I need to know whether you are worthy of my precious daughter. We spent eight years apart, not knowing how or what she was doing. Sending my daughter far away, where I cannot see her, doesn't make me happy."

Anastasia realised her father didn't understand what she meant when she said she and Dante were soulmates. 

"I am sorry that it happened. It shouldn't have—" Dante apologised to Anastasia's father. 

"Why are you apologising? It isn't like you kidnapped her and kept her in the palace by force," Mr. Flores stated, leaning back only to bend forward again. He said, "Tell me, Dante. If you were in my place and had to send your daughter out with a man you did not know, would you consent to it?" 

"I wouldn't," Dante agreed, and a twinkle appeared in Mr. Flores's eyes. 

"So you understand what I am talking about then," Mr. Flores stated before continuing, "I need to know you are an honest man, a man of your word. Someone who will fight for my daughter, but not just for the sake of fighting. Violence outside can spill inside. How much do you earn per month?" 

"Papa, I think he has all of those things covered," Anastasia informed her father. 

"That's fine, Anastasia," Dante interjected, happy to win over Anastasia's father. He replied, "I don't think I've ever counted how much I make. What I had always seemed sufficient." 

"I see, so you don't value money," Mr. Flores hummed in slight approval. He said, "With all that mud on you last night, I can only assume you have trouble with your animals. But, drought or no drought, you should still be able to feed your wife and children. This is something I need to see with my own eyes." 

This time, Dante became perplexed before realising the man was referring to demon blood he had mistaken for mud, as it had dried with the passage of time. To be certain, he tried to clarify with Anastasia's father, saying, "I don't think I follow you." 

"You are a shepherd, aren't you? Or are you a wood cutter? I can give you my axe, and we can start working on it right after breakfast," Mr. Flores stated in a firm voice. "Let me see if you are good at it."

"Actually, you are wrong," Dante said, and Mr. Flores frowned. "I only have one animal, and it is a little rabbit."

Anastasia smiled, a blush forming on her cheeks. She then heard Dante say to her father, "I am a farmer." It seemed that they weren't going to tell her parents about him being the King of Versailles—not yet, at least. Maybe they would adjust and get to know Dante just like she did, and they would come to understand there was more to their relationship than the soulmate bond. 

"Oh, a farmer! That means you own land, unless you work for someone else." Mr. Flores continued with his interrogation, and seeing Dante's calm demeanour, as if he were enjoying 'bonding' with her father in this manner, Anastasia felt her nerves easing. 

"I was previously employed by someone. My father. However, now I'm on my own," Dante answered truthfully. 

"And who is there in your family?" Anastasia's father questioned him, his curiosity driving him to uncover every possible detail about this man, sensing that there was something being hidden from him. 

"A loving grandmother, who has always been a great source of support. I have two sisters and two brothers. And some distant aunts." Maybe, Dante thought. Even though he was trying to win Anastasia's father over, he decided to withhold certain details from the man until they established a deeper rapport. A few lies from the demon and a few truths from the earthling, he thought to himself. 

"The food is ready," Mrs. Flores announced.

"In any case, I will speak to Carlos later and get you some land. Let us see if you have persistence and endurance," Mr. Flores informed Dante as he helped himself to the breakfast from the table. As if something were passing through his mind, he noted loudly, "You called her Anastasia." That indicated their relationship was in its early stages. He then said, 

"We will make a room for you here so that we can get to know you better. Anastasia." 

Anastasia was about to sit next to Dante when her father called her with a smile, saying, "Come sit over here. It's been so long since we had breakfast together." 

Anastasia returned the smile and sat beside her father, and her eyes met Dante's in silence.

At least her father wasn't chasing Dante out of the house but instead welcomed him in. So far, their meeting has gone well, and she internally nodded to herself. And they were having breakfast together. All the important people in her life were present, and she wished Marianne was here as well. And that her sister got to experience what she was feeling right now. 

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