[Completed] Legend of the Five Knights III: Song of Divine Wrath

Episode 61: A Parent's Regrets

*Reginald*

I emerged from a black vortex and found myself in the center of a small room with a colorful silk carpet and a small machine that let out nutmeg-scented vapor. Sitting in the corner of the tiny cell was a long-haired woman in a red-kimono who resembled Rocio.

I took another step closer, wondering when she would notice me, but she just kept on whispering stuff to herself like some mad-woman.

"Seems that son of yours took good care of you despite what you did to him and his brother," I said with a neutral expression on my face. I wasn't sure how to speak to her after having seen Conrad's memories for myself.

The woman lowered her hands from her lips and gasped as soon as she saw me. "P-Papa..."

I sighed. It was all my fault this happened. I had a feeling that Selena was lying to me when we spoke on the phone, but I hadn't acted on it. I should've stepped in and saved her from the toxic relationship she had found herself in. I should've protected my grandsons more too.

"To think that you would be in this state," I said as I sat down next to her.

"Papa. What... what are you doing here? T-this is the first time you visit me in a while," she said, looking down.

I stretched out my hand and ran it through her jet-black hair. Even in this situation, it was still as beautiful as when she was a little girl.

She put her hands on my right arm and hugged me tightly. "Papa! I missed you so much!"

I grimaced upon hearing those words. Perhaps, I should've visited her sooner. "Selena, you aren't a child anymore. Learn to behave like the grown woman you are," I said.

"Sorry..."

I put my hands on her shoulders and took a deep breath. "Sel, why didn't you tell me the truth?"

"About what?" she asked, averting her gaze.

"There was a time in which you sucked at lying. If anything, that helped you conceal the truth easier."

She continued to keep her head down. "What did I lie about, Papa?"

"About how you were fine. How everything was okay. I now know that things weren't as sudden as you made them out to be." My hands shook. "Azami, he hurt you, didn't he?"

She nodded slowly. "Yeah. I tried to save him, but I couldn't. I accepted the abuse, thinking that I could bring back the man I once knew. But he was too consumed in the pain inflicted on him by others. I thought of leaving him, but the kids and I were the only ones he had left."

I took a deep breath. "What about his brother?"

"I'm not sure. My brother-in-law is a difficult person to read. I think he might've wanted to help him, but wasn't sure how."

I crossed my arms over my chest. "I see. You should've separated and sought help for yourselves. You made the kids suffer."

Selena stared at the bunny plushie in her arms. Tears streamed down her face. "I know, Papa. I hurt them, especially my youngest son." She pressed her head against my shoulder. "I led him to his death. I'm a bad mother! If Mom were here, she would hate me as much as Serrano does!"

I hugged her. "No, she wouldn't. She would be just like me," I said, closing my eyes to keep myself from crying. "We both love you, Sele. I only left you here all these years so that you can get some help."

Taking another deep breath, I took another look around the room. It didn't look like the cell of a mental patient at all. Nor was it a prison.

I bit my lip, "Selena, I would like to tell you something, but before I do, I need to know something."