Chapter 127

**Acacia Point of View**

Sometimes, the best way to counter shamelessness is by ignoring it. And so I did.

He must be thinking that his fake compliments will soften my attitude towards him. The way he did things in the past, it will be tough or even impossible to believe his words or even the tone he said them.

"I mean it, Eblilis." I ignored him again and continued to point several areas for which different plans are made.

His tone and his expressions indeed looks genuine however, if I was Acacia from six years ago, I would've swooned over those words. Now, the case is different.

I learnt firsthand that his words and the meaning behind them don't usually intersect most of the times. He truly might've meant what he said but I'm too paranoid towards him to acknowledge them and to be honest, I want to keep it this way.

There's a saying that goes like, 'Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me; fool me thrice, shame on both of us'.

Seeing that I did not respond at all, that I did not even glance at him, I heard him sigh behind me. For few moments, he did not talk anything and I thought he gave up which I was thankful about.

However he posed a question that finally made me take a glance at him. "Do you know why I call you Eblilis?"

I slowly turned around and looked back at him, however I did not speak at all. "Do you remember the white flower with a bone stem from back then? You've seen it in the castle several times." I did not answer and just waited for him to complete what he wants to say.

"That flower is called Eblilis. It's a symbol of divinity in a spirit or soul. Every soul, be it mortal's, immortal's or any other being's has a bit of divinity in it and the amount of such divinity depends on all the karma he accumulated over his past and present births. Eblilis is the purest kind of flower that not just symbolizes divinity but the flower itself can also help a spirit soul to enhance it. It's most precious treasure to not just my kind but to every other races and deities as well."

"So?" I asked after hearing what he wanted to say. Seeing me especially indifferent he looked baffled.

He did not say anything and kept looking at me apprehensively so I said what I wanted to, clearly. "So what? So what if that flower is called Eblilis? So what you call me with that name? So what if it has such grand meaning behind its existence?"

"Eblilis, you truly mean a lot -" I cut his words off in the middle for I don't want to listen to that shit anymore.

"Mr. Ebernus, I don't want to mean anything to you. You do not deserve it. Just by addressing me by a name with precious meaning will not make me precious. It's the actions that count at the end of the day. You cannot hit a person brutally and compliment him about how strong and tolerant he is. When words and actions are not interlinked, such words are called fraudulent and such person is called pretentious. I rather be a very common flower Acacia rather be such precious Eblilis. I cannot afford such honor, Your Esteemed Majesty."

Just as I finished, Rafe came back with two bottles of dates soaked water for me and Jerk. After take few sips of water, I finally felt better and looked at Rafe who did not get his own bottle.

"Miss Winters, I'm called back to the base camp for phase two coordination." Ah right, I forgot about it.

"Alright, we are almost finished. You leave first and we will follow after we end the session." He nodded and went back after handing me a bag with some fruits and dates soaked water.

I smiled and patted his back in gratitude before sending him off. Rafe has been with my team from the very start of the company. Although he talks less, he is an exceptional friend who took care of everyone silently.

He is an amazing gentleman.

"These five mountains will be occupied with cabins. These two mountains are especially good for mountain biking. The area is coarse but not too dangerous. If you want to include freeride biking in the resorts, then this will prove to be both thrilling and profitable." I continued to show him the map of the mountain range and give him an overlook of what the team was preparing for the next phase.

"Why are these three not included in your plans yet?"

"Look at this, there are several small and big waterfalls here and the water is very pure and sweet. The water that circulates through these three peaks flows after passing through several herbs and fruit trees which makes it nutritious and sweet. Also, the condition of these three peaks is best for producing tea. With such special water source and the conditions, the tea that grows here will surely be unique, tasty and most importantly, healthy."

The best part of the whole mountain range in my view is these three peaks. Being a sucker for tea, I can already anticipate how good the produce will be. The water here is clean, fresh and sweet which is cherry plant on the top.

Jerk must've noticed the lighter change in my mood when I talked about tea and the peaks; he instantly nodded and asked me to proceed with the tea plantation.

"Mr. Ebernus, we are not responsible for the plantation. You have to approach the concerned people for it. We are only responsible for area planning, development and construction. Regarding the plantations, it was an idea which you will have to decide on and if you agree with it then please have Mr. Winters take care of it. He has better connections when it comes to tea."

This is one of the many things I and dad share in common. We both love tea. Sometimes we almost feel like Chinese and Indians when it comes to our love and pursuit for tea.

An hour of giving him a walk through with the design and development plans, we started to head back as it was starting to get dark now.

It was a silent walk to the vehicle and I did not take any chance to talk to him. Since the contract is signed and since dad is the one who is in charge, I cannot get out of this project.

So I can only take things to the peak of professionalism.

"What will make you change your outlook towards me?" He asked suddenly in a low voice. I almost did not hear him.

"Nothing." Period! I have to make it clear to him that I don't want to have anything to do with him.

He paused in his steps fell behind but I continued to walk forward. I suddenly felt his hand on my arm as he turned me around.

"I truly want to repent, Eblilis. I want to -"

"Mr. Ebernus," This time I did not ignore him. I looked into his eyes dead, without any fear and enunciated every word. "For the last time, I do not care what you want."

"Then is it truly alright for Igses to grow up without a father?" This made me scoff. I found this very line too amusing.

"I see you are still too self centered and too royal to see the truth. Mr. Ebernus, not every child in this world have both parents. Many were brought up by single parent and some without any of them. However, many of such grew up to be exceptional human beings. Does it mean my son doesn't need his father or miss him? He might or he will in the future but I will do more than my best to give him the love of both the parents."

My calm words hit him hard and he started to get apprehensive which was clearly seen on his face. I tried to pry my arm from his hand but he tightened his hold and pulled me to him.

"I am his father." His tone was gentle yet firm at the same time.

"And what proof do you have?"

"I am his father, he has some of my features and he is my heir, my prince with powers that belongs to my race."

"Your claim should be supported by evidence, sir. Say, did you ever touch me like how a man would touch a woman?" Well, if you want to be a father, I better cut it off completely.

This is my world and here, evidence is more important than your powers and royal status.

He went still and frozen when my question perplexed him. He cleared his through several times before he answered it awkwardly. "No."

"So we did not have sex. Then did we go with IVF? Did you have your sperms put into my womb through medical sources?"

"No." His face was turning grimmer with every passing minute. Good!

"I remember well that I carried Igses for nine months in my womb and his DNA matches mine. He is surely my child then there is no option of surrogacy here. I have proof that Igses is my child, do you, now?"

One thing I found strange back then was that although people from Jerk's race share bloodline, they give more importance to aura that is unique to each family and acts exactly like how bloodline works.

And until Igses bloodline is triggered and activated, he only shares the aura-line but not the same blood as Jerk.

"He shares the Ebernus aura." I can tell by his expression and tone that he knows he lost the argument.

"Then do you have a certificate or something like that? Can it be tested and proven? Mr. Ebernus, When you imprisoned me in castle, impregnated me, locked me with you in your realm and everything you did to me, you never explained or asked me before. When it comes to repenting on them, you are asking me what you should do? Don't you think you are being too pretentious and hypocritical?" I pulled my arm out of his hand and turned around to walk away.

After taking a couple of steps, I stopped and said without turning back before walking away.

"As little as I know about your father, you are no different than him."

**~*~*~*~*~*~

Hello Sweeties,

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