Arabella didn't see the flash of ferocity in Frederick's eyes. She was completely immersed in her own emotions, burying her head under the covers, forcing herself back into that dream. She had to get back into the dream, she had to, so she could see the people she wanted to see more clearly.

Frederick didn't move, nor did he leave.

He stayed in silent accompaniment, listening to the muffled sobs from under the quilt as they went from a breakdown to a faint whimper, until they finally ceased.

He had also reached his breaking point. He reached out and pulled away the obstructive quilt.

The girl's face was flushed a deep crimson, and she was damp as if she had just been pulled from a bathtub. Arabella was now completely awake. At the thought of what she had just said, she was filled with guilt. She bit her lip in shame, not daring to meet Frederick's eyes.

"Aerona," Frederick asked calmly, "are you trying to suffocate yourself?"

"No..."

"Do you still need to cry? If so, I can leave now and give you some space," he said, standing up.

"No!" Arabella quickly grabbed his wrist, her grip quite strong.

Frederick lowered his gaze, glancing indifferently at her hand. "Aerona, don't force yourself. Let the person you want stay with you."

Even Frederick could sense the overwhelming bitterness in his own words. It was so bitter he felt ridiculous. He was perhaps a little jealous of the man who had appeared in her dream. Just a single dream had completely surpassed him. What had she dreamed of? Her real father?

Arabella looked at him like a child who had done something wrong. "I want you."

"You just said you didn't want me and that I wasn't your Daddy. Birdie, I'm not deaf."

"Hmph." Arabella pouted. He seemed calm, but he radiated an oppressive aura like the deep sea. "That's not what I meant. I had a dream, Frederick. I think I dreamed of my mommy and daddy."

"You remembered." Frederick's eyes sharpened. 

Arabella shook her head. "I wanted to see them clearly, but then I woke up. rederick. He is my Daddy, I'm sure of it!"

Frederick narrowed his eyes.

"He's very handsome—soooo handsome! He doesn't look old at all, and he's just as tall as you! He's a very gentle man. And my mommy! I saw her too. You can't imagine how beautiful my mommy is; she's practically a fairy. She even makes chocolate mousse, but I didn't get to eat it... I woke up."

Arabella talked incessantly about the dream, her excitement overflowing with sweetness and pride. But as she mentioned waking up, her excitement plummeted just as quickly.

"I miss them so much, Frederick," she whispered. "At least I remembered them."

Frederick's Adam's apple bobbed. "You love them."

"Of course! They are mommy and daddy!"

"If you remember..." Frederick sat back on the edge of the bed, brushing her messy hair away from her forehead. "I'm saying if, Birdie. What if they were cruel to you, not like they were in your dream? You know, not all parents in this world love their children. Would you still love them?"

"No way!" Arabella protested. "They couldn't be. I don't like that 'if'! Take it back!"

Frederick raised his brows, a smile playing on his lips, his blue eyes unreadable. "Then there is no such 'if.' I take it back."

"And don't say it again..." Arabella suddenly clung to Frederick's arm, tears welling up again. "Frederick, can you help me find them? It's been half a month now. They must be worried sick. Frederick, you said you'd help me. Please..."

"Don't use the word 'please.' Of course, I will do my best to help you."

But everything required clues. The forest where she had appeared had no surveillance, was sparsely populated except for explorers, and lacked even roads. The nearest drivable path was three kilometers away. There was no way to determine which direction she had come from. Most importantly, she had amnesia.

"Don't worry, Little Bird. It won't be long."

"Mhm." Arabella wiped away her tears, looking at the tall, handsome man with admiration. "I believe you. You're Daddy. Daddy can do everything!"

Arabella lunged forward to kiss Frederick, her lips puckered high, but Frederick caught her chin, holding her in place. He had no intention of flirting. His thumb pressed firmly against her pouted lips, his tone stern as he settled the score from earlier. "Don't ever say those things again."

"What...?" she replied vaguely, her eyelashes fluttering guiltily.

"Aerona, do I need to repeat it?" Frederick was not joking.

"I know, I know. I won't say it again. Frederick, you are my Daddy. Even when I find my real father, you will still be my Daddy. I love you!"

She chirped her sweet nothings, calling him Daddy and saying she loved him. Frederick was finally coaxed into a better mood.

He ruffled her messy hair. "Fine, you've won me over, but it must never happen again, or there will be punishment. Sweetheart, I don't think your little butt wants to suffer."

"Mhm, mhm. If I say it again, you can spank my butt until it's red, and I won't get any rewards for three days." She was still thinking about the sensation from yesterday—it had been a pleasure so intense.

Frederick sighed helplessly. She didn't seem to understand the root of the problem, acting as flighty as a child and spouting reckless endearments. "Daddy can get hurt too. Do you understand, Birdie?"

"Then I will never let you be sad again." Arabella hooked her arms around Frederick's neck, her amber eyes sweeter than freshly boiled syrup. "I love you so much."

With that, she scurried up like a little squirrel and planted a loud, wet kiss on his mouth. Mwah! "Now hurry and help me find my mommy and daddy! Oh, and my palace! I have a new clue. Right when you walk into my palace, there's a giant crown. It's huge, bigger than a swimming pool, and it's made of sapphires. It should be easy to find, right?"

Frederick simply took it as childish talk. Where would one find a crown larger than a swimming pool? Undoubtedly, her dreams were very beautiful. "We'll find it."