I slowly opened my eyes when I felt that my consciousness came back. It was still dark and freezing cold despite the thick blankets wrapped around me.
I could hear the sounds of insects in the trees outside my window and the moon’s not that bright this night because of the clouds blocking it.
I wanted to sit but I noticed that I was holding something -someone was in my left hand.
I blinked a few times to adjust my sight in the dark before turning my head to my left side. I squinted my eyes and tried to recognize the person who was sitting next beside the bed.
It felt like I was holding on a finger. Was it Dad’s finger?
I turned to my left very slowly, in fear that I might wake my father up but its no use because he still woke up.
He opened the lampshade resting in the corner using his other hand before facing me.
“Dad…” I called out to him.
Why was he here? Did he guarded me?
“How are you feeling?” he asked and took a closer look of me. His voice was colder than the night but I could hear the worried tone mixed in it.
Did he stayed here since I fell asleep to look after me?
Just by thinking about it, my heart throbbed in joy.
“Maxine’s still dizzy.” I replied in a sore and dryly throat. He reached for a glass of water from the bedside table and made me drink it while he was holding the glass.
“Then you should rest more.” He muttered after my throught drenched. I felt much better now.
He reached for the top of my head and patted it slowly that made my eyes half closed and after that, he leaned and kissed my forehead gently. I was startled but felt glad.
Daddy sat back properly.
His figure became more distinguishable because of the light coming from the lampshade. His red eyes were glowing even in the dark. Was he not cold? It is still winter plus, it was still so early morning, I pressume. Or midnight?
Yet, he was only wearing his coat.
He was only wearing the clothes I saw before I fell asleep and it was not that warm. I worry Dad might also get sick.
“Why are not you closing your eyes?” he asked when he saw me staring at him.
“Dad has a pair of beautiful eyes.” I complimented him and tried to smile a little. I saw his lips twitched up.
“Maxine’s has Dad’s same eyes but Maxine’s more beautiful.” He said in a childish way. Was he trying to cope up with the atmosphere? I could not imagine my cold father talking to me like that.
How considerate.
It felt warm in the chest.
I was starting to love everything about Dad, from being too cold to bringing warmth. He was slowly changing and I could see that.
“Dad. Can you sleep with me?” I asked him. He pause for a moment because of what I was asking. Did he not like to lie beside me? Did he feel embarrassed?
“Then, can you sing me a lullaby instead?” I asked when I knew he did not know what to reply.
He still fell on silence.
I thought he would not answer me again but his mouth opened to say something.
“But I am not a good singer…is that okay?” he asked hesitantly.
“Hmm…”
“Then lie down now.” He said with a blank face and pushed my head to lie down before he started humming but the way he hummed, I did not know if I would be able to sleep.
It was just a humming but the tone… was not that good. It was just in a low voice but why did I feel like I would be going to have nightmares?
I cringed and I almost laughed if I did not stopped myself.
I did not know that there was such a bad humming as this.
“U-uhm Dad… Wait…” pagpapatigil ko rito.
Who would have thought that the cold Duke was this bad in just humming.
“What?”
“Your humming was…a little out of the tune.” I told him bluntly. He looked a little sad and I did not know why he looked like a puppy in my eyes right now. He was cute for a moment though.
He sighed. “Your mom also did not liked my hums.” He said sulking that made me giggled.
“Lie down with me instead. Let’s sleep, Papa.” I said cheekily, trying to force him while pulling his finger that I was holding since I woke up.
He suddenly looked startled. What was it?
“W-what? C-can you repeat that again? “ he asked. Oh-wow. The great Duke also know how to stutter. This was odd. Never I heard him like that.
If I just have a recorder to record this moment… but of course, I would not be showing it around to others.
Do he not really want to sleep with me that he even stuttered?
“Lie down with me instead?” I hesitantly repeated the words I first spouted.
“No. After that.” He sounded pleading. I wonder what was making him like this?
“Let’s sleep, P-pa… Papa?” ohh… Now I know what was making him so flustered.
He suddenly smiled at me widely that I did not expect. It was my turn to be dumbfoumded. Was he getting it back to me?
His face was so bright and a visible smile was painted in his lips.
I did not know that calling him ‘Papa’ would bring him this too much joy.
“Yes. Let’s sleep my daughter.” He said with a happiness stirring on his cold voice.
He crawled on my bed so I pushed myself at my back to give him space. I was glad that my bed was spacious and it was able to mount us both. I expect Dad would be comfortable.
When he finally lied down beside me, he lifted the blankets until it reached our neck. He pulled me in an embrace and locked me inside his firm and strong arms. I was surprised at first but smiled after a moment.
I could feel that my face was flushed. Does men’s muscles really this hard as a rock?
He also smells so nice. Take note, he still had not taken a bath this evening because of me. I could feel my face heated up more because of embarrassment.
Dad! I may be a five-year old girl in your eyes but a twenty-year old lady was living inside this body!
I squeezed myself on my father’s arms and sniffed his scent. Was his sweat a perfume? Why do it smells so pleasant?
Do we sell Dad’s sweat as a perfume?
‘Maxine! What are you thinking?! That is your Dad for Graces’ sake!’
‘Ehem. Is it bad if I smell the fragrance of my own Father?’
‘No. But it is still embarassing!’
I bit my lip. I was about to stop sniffing him just when, “Maxine…are you sniffing me?” Dad suddenly asked. I might have already jumped in surprise if it not were for his arms resting on me.
“N-no! Why would I?! I-I am just…s-sneezing!” I reasoned out. I heard him chuckled that made me flushed red.
What kind of reason was that, self?
“A’right. You are sneezing and not ‘SNIFFING’ me.” He teased, emphasizing the word ‘sniffing’.
“Dad! I told you! Let’s sleep!” I tried to change the topic because of too much embarrassment.
“Yes. Yes.” He replied with a chuckle.
I yawned and I felt him tap me a little.
“Good morning Papa.” I greeted in a low voice and move my little body closer to him before closing my eyes.
“Good morning too, my Daughter.” He greeted back and I felt him kissed my head.
A smile crept to my lips. It was warm being with Dad.
I slept with a smile painted on my face.