Chapter 103- Conversation Under The Moon (Part 2)

"Oh?" Emilia raised an eyebrow as she looked to the side. All she saw on Fiona’s face was an eerie, serene look, as if she were talking about buying groceries or something insignificant, not killing the most important man in the world.

However, that didn’t seem to shock Emilia too much as she smiled at her. "And what makes you want to do that?"

"He’s the devil." She said. "A demon amongst humans. This world would be a better place if he disappeared."

"..."

Her words were incredibly cold. If someone heard her, they wouldn’t think she was talking about her own dad, of all people.

"Hm." Emilia looked at her. "I can tell that you hate him."

"..."

"A long time ago, I heard a rumor about something, but I wasn’t sure of it. Your father killed your mother, and she didn’t die in normal circumstances. Is that true?" She asked. This was a piece of information she received years ago, and it seemed to have sent ripples within the world of Vampire Hunters.

Geralt’s wife was a very prominent hunter and one of the strongest in the world. She used to be a prolific Hunter with countless records and kills under her belt. However, after marrying Geralt, she disappeared from the public eye to focus on her family. People heard their relationship was very strong, and many even tried to take advantage of that clear weakness in Geralt’s otherwise invincible presence.

However, in a mysterious manner, one day, the news got out that she passed away from ’sickness’. Nobody knew what kind of sickness, and many even thought it was not real. But, either way, a funeral happened, and many attended. The news spread throughout the world.

"..." Fiona’s lips quivered for a second before she looked away and nodded.

"I see..." Emilia replied. "Such a thing... I wouldn’t wish it upon my worst enemy. You have been through a lot, weren’t you, Fiona?"

"I... Sigh, well, seeing my own dad kill my own mother is a nightmare that still chases me to this day. I think about it every waking moment of my life. But, every passing day, I realize that I have deserved it. I took it for granted that I had the entire world. I had loving parents, wealth, fame, and a future set in stone because of my talent. I thought I owned the entire world."

Just recalling those days and how carefree and happy she was. She hated herself for not cherishing those moments more.

"I was arrogant. I had everything others wanted, and it made me think I’m better than them. It made me think I’m the chosen one..."

Fiona didn’t know why, but she found herself venting all her thoughts to Emilia. This old lady’s presence was so calming and soothing that even someone as wary of people as Fiona could only feel really comfortable around her. She was certain this woman was a good person, through and through.

Emilia, on the other hand, just listened quietly as the girl spilled her feelings out. She could see the struggle within her, the conflict that she had to live with. Hating her own dad and missing her mother dearly. Someone as young as her could only blame themselves for this.

"Recently, I talked to him, and I asked him if he regrets it. He said..."

"No, didn’t he?"

Fiona nodded her head.

"Of course," Emilia replied. "Men like him don’t regret things. They see themselves above measly things like feelings. They think even their mistakes are divine intervention. You can’t expect him to think that way when his morals aren’t really... morals. They’re more like commandments, something he considers to be absolute law."

"Why?" Fiona asked as she clenched her fists. "Why would someone kill the love of his life with cold blood? How can you live after that? How can you look at yourself in the mirror?"

It just never made sense to Fiona. Her father wasn’t a bad person. She saw how much he adored her mother. She saw how he smiled at her, how he looked at her. How he hugged her and how he cherished her as if she were his most prized possession.

Yet, the way it all happened, it made her question everything. Was her father pretending? Was he lying? Was she just so delirious and naive?

These questions frustrated her even more.

Instinctively, Fioan clenched her hands on the handrails from anger.

"What did he say to you when you talked to him last time?" Emilia asked.

"He said that... There are things far bigger than his own feelings." She replied.

"Hm, that is quite cruel to say to a child who lost her mother before her eyes," Emilia said. "But, do you want to know something, Fiona? Perhaps it’s not the answer you’re looking for, but... I think it’s the truth."

"What?"

"Your father most likely loved your mother as much as you think he did." The old lady said with a confident tone. "Perhaps even more than you imagine."

"..."

"However, if there is one thing about Geralt that I know well, it’s that he believes he has a purpose far bigger than his person. No, he doesn’t just believe in that; he blindly follows that idea. As a patriarch, he was cultivated into that kind of individual. Someone who can feel, but when the time comes to choose between himself and his clan, he would snap back into that personality they planted into him, and he would make the choice that the ’clan’ wants."

"..."

"He is a heretic, as much as any other crazed heretic; he just happens to be the strongest heretic to ever live."

"So..." Fiona muttered.

"Yes. A side of him most definitely hurts greatly. But that side doesn’t matter; it’s irrelevant. What this world sees is Geralt the patriarch and not Geralt the husband and father."

"..."

"That in no way makes this revelation any easier on you. Whether he truly regrets it or not, it still happened." Emilia said as she approached Fiona and gently put her hand on her face.

"You’re a very brave girl, Fiona. Even though we have just met, you remind me of myself quite a lot." She said with a smile. "You have a good soul. Even as you desire to kill your own father, you never said it’s because he killed your mother... You said that it’s better for this world if he disappeared. Even when you’re greatly hurt, your first thought is to spare the world from his cruelty."

That was a detail even Fiona didn’t notice when she spoke. Her eyes widened as a thousand emotions crossed her mind. Emilia had read her like an open book without even trying.

"I’m not good. I’m not..."

"Worth it? Of course you are, darling. How can a child not take their parents’ love for granted? You were a kid who lived the dream. Nobody should expect you to think that what happened will happen. I always say this to Elio: Life isn’t worth killing yourself over. I’m sure your mother wouldn’t want to see her dear daughter living in constant torture because of her."

"Miss Emilia..." Fiona looked down for a second, trying to gather her feelings. She didn’t expect the conversation to go such a way. She felt like a huge weight had fallen off her shoulders just talking to Emilia. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

Seeing that, Emilia smiled before she pulled the girl in and hugged her.

"It’s ok. Everything will be ok. You will be alright."