A Father's Worry

His cold gaze lingered over her, unreadable as ever.

The gates of the General’s mansion slowly opened.

Rows of guards stood on both sides, their armor glinting under the afternoon sun. At the center of the courtyard stood General Chen, tall and imposing in his dark robes, his sharp eyes fixed on the approaching figures.

The moment his gaze fell on the small girl walking behind the Crown Prince—

His stern expression shattered.

“Ruoxi.”

He stepped forward without hesitation, forgetting formalities for a brief second.

Chen Ruoxi’s eyes widened.

“F-Father…?”

Her small voice trembled, and before anyone could stop her, she ran toward him with tiny, uneven steps.

The Crown Prince’s brows furrowed slightly.

General Chen caught her in his arms just in time, lifting her gently as if she were something fragile and precious.

“You’ve grown thinner,” he murmured, his deep voice softer than anyone had ever heard before.

Chen Ruoxi clung to his neck.

“F-Father… I missed you…”

The courtyard fell silent.

Even the servants lowered their heads.

After a moment, General Chen gently set her down and finally turned toward the Crown Prince, bowing properly.

“This minister greets Your Highness.”

The Crown Prince nodded faintly.

“General.”

Their eyes met.

One calm and cold.

One sharp and protective.

General Chen’s gaze subtly shifted to his daughter again. He noticed the way she stood slightly behind the Prince… the way her small fingers twisted nervously in her sleeves.

His voice lowered.

“Ruoxi… has Your Highness been treating you well?”

The air instantly grew heavier.

Chen Ruoxi froze.

Her lashes trembled.

She slowly lifted her head and forced a small smile.

“Y-yes, Father… H-He treats me well…”

The Crown Prince watched her carefully.

General Chen did not miss the slight hesitation in her voice.

For the first time—

A shadow crossed the General’s eyes.

And though he smiled calmly, something unspoken had already begun.

A quiet warning.

A father’s instinct.

And the beginning of a storm neither of them could yet see.

Just then, a woman's voice rang out from the entrance of the mansion.

"Ruoxi!"

Chen Ruoxi turned her head.

"M-Mother!"

A beautiful woman in elegant robes hurried over. The moment she saw her daughter, her eyes welled up with tears. regard forring about proper etiquette, she knelt and pulled Chen Ruoxiarmser's embrace.

"My precious daughter..."

Her voice trembled.

"Let Mother look at you."

She gently held Chen Ruoxi's face between her hands, carefully examining her.

Chen Ruoxi smiled sweetly.

"Mother, I missed you too."

The General's wife forced a smile, but her heart ached.

The child who used to laugh and run around the mansion now seemed quieter.

Too quiet.

She gently brushed a strand of hair behind Ruoxi's ear.

"Have they been feeding you properly?"

Chen Ruoxi nodded immediately.

"Y-yes."

The General and his wife exchanged a glance.

Neither of them believed her completely.

The Crown Prince stood silently nearby, his expression unchanged.

After a moment, General Chen stepped forward.

"Your Highness, the banquet has already been prepared."

The Crown Prince nodded.

"Then lead the way."

As everyone began walking toward the main hall, General Chen slowed his pace slightly until he was beside his daughter.

His large hand gently rested on her head.

No words were spoken.

Yet the warmth of that gesture made Chen Ruoxi's eyes sting.

For the first time since arriving at the Cold Palace...

She felt like she was home.

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