Chapter 2257 - This Is My Decision

"Father." What a strange and yet desired form of address.

She had once huddled in her mother's arms and asked what kind of person her father was.

She said he was a tall and mighty man, and a hero. He would return one day, riding on a colorful cloud and bring them away for a good life.

Mother didn't survive that cold winter and would never get to see her hero again.

Now, she saw him.

He was indeed tall and mighty, but there was no colorful cloud and he wasn't the hero in her heart.

Elizabeth let go of Miya, looked at Rankster and said, "Yes, Miya. This is our father."

"Miya…" Rankster took a step forward.

Miya teared up and sobbingly said, "W-why… did you only appear now…"

She had once thought she would be very happy, but when she really met this man, all she could think of was her mother who had died on that cold winter night.

It was only a small ailment, but how could her frail body have pulled through hunger and coldness?

Where was her hero at that time?

Rankster's footsteps halted suddenly. He felt guilt and self-reproach when he saw the crying Yabemiya.

Elizabeth stood at the side and pursed her lips in silence, watching Miya with a pained gaze.

"She… Your mother. Did she talk to you about me?" Rankster asked softly.

"She said that you are her hero and will come back to fetch us on a colorful cloud one day." Miya shook her head at Rankster and sobbed. "But you lied to her. Do you know how difficult it is for a human woman to live in Chaos City with a half-dragon child?

"You told her to wait for you and she did, year after year. All her best years were pinned on your ethereal promise."

Rankster clenched his fists tightly subconsciously and said with deep self-reproach, "I'm sorry, Miya. I've let you and your mother down."

An outstanding woman like her would have had a bright future if she hadn't met him back then, but she had spent the rest of her life in misery because of him.

Miya looked at Rankster and walked forward slowly. His stoic and handsome face was filled with self-reproach and pain right now.

She stood still and looked at the man in front of her. The man whom her mother loved to death and waited for her whole life.

Just like that, all the grievances and blame suddenly dissipated.

"Mother, have you forgiven him? Or, have you never blamed him before?" She stared at the glowing ring hanging on the necklace around her neck and was dazed for a while.

The ring seemed to have a spirit. It floated away from Miya's chest, got away from the string and flew towards Rankster.

"This is…" Rankster looked at the ring hovering in front of him, stunned. He reached out with his right hand and gently grasped that ring.

The silver ring had an ice crystal embedded in it. This was their token of love and the only thing that he had given her back then.

Although it wasn't exceedingly expensive, it would be enough to let the mother-and-daughter duo survive in Chaos City if she had sold it.

The white glow on the silver ring got dimmer gradually until it disappeared.

Rankster felt something in his heart disappear along with it too. He felt an emptiness.

Yabemiya also looked at the sky with tears in her eyes, but she blinked the tears away. Mother hated to see her cry when she was small. She shouldn't cry at this final moment either.

After a long time, Rankster put down his hand and walked to Yabemiya. He crouched down and hugged her gently.

Miya's emotions finally exploded at this moment.

She hugged Rankster tightly, as though she was afraid to lose him again, or perhaps, she wanted to express all her longing.

So, this was how a father's embrace felt like. It was indeed very warm, secure and safe.

Miya let go and took two steps back. She looked up at Rankster with an energetic smile and clearly said, "Father, I am Miya, Yabemiya."

Rankster looked at Yabemiya's smile in a daze before smiling too. He placed his right hand on top of Miya's head and gently said, "From today on, you are Yabemiya Cleveland, the princess of the Frost Dragons."

"Yabemiya Cleveland…" Yabemiya repeated her name gently and the smile on her face became even brighter.

"Miya, come back with us to Frost Dragon Island. Father wants to live with your sister and you," Rankster said to Miya. He owed the two sisters a lot, so he wanted to spend more time and care for them. He also wanted to teach them how to cultivate and grow.

Miya shook her head and said to Rankster with a convicted gaze, "Father, I don't want to return to Dragon Island. I want to stay in Chaos City."

"Why?" Rankster frowned slightly. "Don't you want to return with me?"

"No. I just don't want to leave Chaos City and the restaurant." Miya shook her head and smilingly said to Rankster, "As for the reason, Father should have the answer after tasting all the dishes on the menu."

Rankster was embarrassed as he looked at the amused smile on Miya's face. He didn't expect this girl to recognize him.

"Although Mamy Restaurant's food is indeed very delicious, as a giant dragon, gaining a greater power and seeing the bigger world and sky out there, are what we should be doing. We can't stay in a comfortable place for too long," Rankster said gravely.

"So, that's why you left back then? For a bigger sky?" Miya asked him in return instead.

"…" Rankster.

"I don't want unparalleled power and I don't like the vast and strange sky and world out there, I like Mamy Restaurant. I like everyone here. I like the dishes that Boss makes and every child who comes to the ice cream shop," Miya said with a serious and convincing expression. "This is the life I want to have. I want to stay here. This is my decision."

Rankster looked at Miya, as though he had seen that stubborn maiden again.

The past events surged in his mind and his heart wavered too.

Yes. What was the point of getting stronger?

The women he loved were all gone. He was left all alone.

There was no one else to drink with him even when he was invincible.

Boring, boring.

"Father, you can stay in Chaos City for some time. I guess you will like it here too and we can get to see each other every day," Miya smilingly said.

"Alright, I will stay here for some time." Rankster nodded in agreement.