Chapter 209: Confusion and Care
Galatea had been so immersed in the chaos of her life that she had lost track of the days. When she realized it was Friday, a wave of urgency hit her. “I need to pick up Harry and Elisa from school today. Let’s go together,” she said, snapping back to her responsibilities.
Alaric, always willing to lend a hand, agreed, and the two of them headed out to pick up the kids. Galatea had promised the children that she would pick them up on Fridays, and now, she would fulfill that promise.
However, neither Elisa nor Caspian expected Alaric to come along with her. When they saw him, Elisa’s face lit up with excitement. Caspian, on the other hand, seemed nervous, his usual confidence nowhere to be found.
“Daddy, Mommy, you both came together!” Elisa exclaimed, rushing toward them with enthusiasm.
Alaric, ever fond of Elisa, bent down to scoop her up into his arms. It was a gesture of love he had repeated many times, but today, it felt different. Today, he knew the truth—that Elisa was his biological daughter.
He had always adored daughters, but now, knowing Elisa was truly his, the emotions he had kept at bay flooded over him. He kissed her cheek softly, his heart swelling with affection. “Elisa, it’s been so long since I’ve seen you. Did you miss me?”
“Of course, I missed you a lot!” Elisa replied, grinning up at him. “But Daddy and Mommy are dating, so I understand if you don’t want to be disturbed. Harry and I totally get it and support you.”
Alaric’s heart melted. He couldn’t stop looking at her—his daughter. He kissed her again on the cheek and held her close. “I miss you too. And I love you very much. Can you call me Daddy again?” he asked, his voice soft with emotion.
“Daddy,” Elisa called, her voice sweet and sincere.
It was the first time she had called him that, and the sound of it made Alaric feel like his heart was soaring. He kissed her cheek again, holding her even tighter.
But as Alaric basked in the joy of this moment, he couldn’t shake the regret gnawing at him. He had spent so many years not knowing the truth. He looked at Harry and Caspian—so alike, so unmistakably his—and wondered why he hadn’t seen it sooner. How could he have been so blind?
Galatea, noticing Alaric’s overwhelming affection for Elisa, felt a pang of discomfort. She looked at Caspian, who had his head down, avoiding eye contact. He was clearly uncomfortable with the attention Elisa was receiving.
Sensing something was wrong, Galatea quickly asked, “What’s going on? Harry, you’re usually so lively. Why aren’t you talking now?”
Caspian flinched at the mention of his old name. Guilt washed over him as he glanced at Alaric, then quickly looked away.
Alaric, oblivious to the deeper tension, found Caspian’s discomfort somewhat amusing. He was still preoccupied with Elisa, fussing over her as if she were the only person in the room.
“Nothing, Mommy,” Caspian mumbled, his voice low.
Galatea wasn’t convinced. “Are you sure? Are you feeling unwell?” she asked, concern creeping into her voice.
Alaric, ever the calm presence, reassured her. “He’s not unwell. Just look at his rosy cheeks. He’s fine. He just doesn’t feel like talking right now. No need to worry.”
Caspian resented the way Alaric dismissed him so easily, especially when it seemed like Alaric was showering Elisa with affection while barely acknowledging him.
“What do you want to eat, Elisa?” Alaric asked, his tone bright and cheery.
The Knight family had always longed for a daughter, and now that they had Elisa, Alaric couldn’t contain his joy. He treated her like a precious gem.
“I want to eat meat, lots of meat!” Elisa exclaimed, grinning.
“Alright, then we’ll have meat,” Alaric said, his smile wide. “You can eat as much meat as you want.”
With that, Alaric lifted Elisa and carried her to the car, while Galatea took Caspian’s hand, guiding him toward the vehicle.
Once they were all seated, Alaric’s attentiveness toward Elisa became even more apparent. He bombarded her with questions about school—about her friends, if anyone had been mean to her, how she felt in class. He even asked if she was comfortable with the temperature of her blanket at night.
“Daddy, you’re really talkative today,” Elisa said, giggling. “I’ve answered so many questions that I’m thirsty.”
Alaric immediately opened a bottle of water and handed it to her, watching with intense focus as she drank. It was as though he was afraid a single drop might spill.
Galatea exchanged a puzzled glance with Caspian. Neither of them could understand Alaric’s behavior.
At the restaurant, Alaric continued to dote on Elisa, peeling shrimp for her, cutting her meat, pouring her water. It was almost excessive, the way he treated her as though she were incapable of doing anything herself.
Unable to bear it any longer, Galatea spoke up, trying to lighten the atmosphere. “Alaric, what’s going on with you? Elisa’s a big girl now. Even a three-year-old doesn’t need this much care.”
“But Elisa is still a child,” Alaric replied, not seeming to understand her concern.
He continued, “Daughters should be pampered from a young age. If you treat her well now, when she grows up, she won’t be swayed by any guy’s false kindness.”
Galatea raised an eyebrow. “Your excessive pampering will make it harder for her to find a boyfriend in the future. People don’t want to date someone who’s treated like a child.”
“A girlfriend should be treated as well as a daughter,” Alaric shot back, a hint of defensiveness in his tone. “Besides, who says daughters have to get married? If Elisa can’t find a man who treats her well, she can stay with us forever.”
Galatea didn’t know how to respond to that. Alaric seemed unusually adamant. “That’s a little… much,” she muttered, shaking her head.
Trying to redirect the conversation, she turned to Caspian. “Harry, you should eat too,” she said gently, noticing his quiet discomfort.
Caspian remained silent, pushing food around on his plate. He was still trying to figure out why Alaric hadn’t acknowledged him as Caspian. He couldn’t understand why Alaric hadn’t told Galatea the truth yet.
As the meal progressed, Elisa excused herself to use the restroom. Alaric immediately stood up, but Galatea, sensing his overprotectiveness, quickly intervened. “She’s a big girl now. It’s not necessary for you to go with her.”
Alaric hesitated but then relented. “Alright, then you go. We can’t let Elisa go alone. What if someone kidnaps such a cute girl?”
Galatea rolled her eyes but said nothing as she led Elisa away. The table was left with only Alaric and Caspian.
“Daddy,” Caspian asked suddenly, his voice low and anxious. “Why didn’t you tell Mommy that I’m Caspian, not Harry?”