“All right, let’s just walk instead-“ I stopped midway and looked at the little girl suspiciously. “Wait, why does it sound like I will be the only one who would do the walking here? What trick are you planning this time, kid?”
Just yesterday, Ali suddenly requested that I carry her on my back. She even slept on my back while I was walking. Not that I was complaining, though. I liked having her close to me.
Ali giggled. And I loved hearing her laugh, too. At first, my eardrums hurt every time she would call me “Mister Sormont.” She insisted on calling me that way. She said that it was unique since nobody calls me that way here. She also said that it was her way of making me remember her. But lately, “Mister Sormont” had been like her endearment to me. She would always call me in the sweetest and softest manner I had ever heard. And I… had grown to like it, too.
Every time Ali would tell me stories, I tend to forget all my problems in the Castle. I tend to forget that I am a King. I did not have to worry about how I would act. I did not have to worry about disappointing the little girl either. In her eyes, I was just an ordinary man whom she treated extraordinarily.
Because if Ali wanted to, she could have asked for another Armethian’s help. I’m sure there were people who could see and hear her if she would search hard enough. It did not have to be me since I rejected her the first time we met. But Ali chose to stay by my side even if our trip had been delayed many times because of the patients that we needed to prioritize. I didn’t know what exactly the little girl saw in me, but whatever it was, it was certainly something beautiful.
Because I was whole and unflawed in her innocent eyes.
“You are ten times stronger than I am,” Ali answered as she pouted. But the naughty glint in her eyes would not fool me. “And I have such tiny feet. I will not be able to match your pace. Where is your heart, Mister Sormont? Do you have the conscience to let me walk? Can’t you just carry me on your shoulders instead? They are broad and they look really strong. Besides, I want to experience it. I always see my classmates being carried by their fathers. While we haven’t found my Daddy yet, can you please indulge me? Can you be my Daddy even for a while, Mister Sormont?” She pressed her palms together. “Pretty please?”
Just like that and… I lost. How could I ever say no when she put it that way? Ali surely knew how to charm her way around people’s hearts. I bent a knee. She screamed out of joy and immediately positioned herself comfortably on my back.
“I’m taller than you now, Mister Sormont! I could see everything clearly from here!” she said while giggling when I stood up. But her voice broke upon telling me those things. My brows knitted. Why do I feel like despite the happiness she was showing in front of me, she was actually sad inside?
Was Ali sad because we haven’t found her father until now?
“Ali?” I asked softly while walking.
“Yes?”
“Don’t be sad. We will find your father soon, I promise.”
I heard her sniff.
“Cheer up now. Just tell me more about your father. What’s he like?”
“Well, he is a very special man, not just because he is my Daddy. My Mommy told me that Daddy gets lost at times, but eventually, he learns to find his own way. And he helps those who are lost, too. I was told that everybody who knows him loves him. They couldn’t help it. And he loves them, too. He may not say it because he was not good with words, but everybody around him can feel his love. He is a very kind man.” Ali’s voice cracked. “He only looks intimidating, but he’s quite easy to approach. He tries his best to help even the people he doesn’t know. There were also times when the needy didn’t have to come to him anymore. He would come to them in his own will.”
“I saw it with my own eyes.”
“What? How come? I thought you haven’t seen him yet?”
Ali smiled mysteriously. “I have my ways to see him. He couldn’t see me, though. Maybe we need to see eye to eye before that happens. Dad is a hero to me and to many people, too. Yes, he gets tired, but he doesn’t give up. He gets hurt, he gets disappointed, and he fails at times. But he would still continue his fight regardless of his wounds. That’s my father. He’s not afraid of anything oh, wait.” Ali suddenly laughed. “He’s afraid of my mother. But he is tall like you, strong like you, handsome, smart, and dignified like you, Mister Sormont. Come to think of it, you are pretty much like my father. I’m in Arameth where every single thing I see is strange to me, but I never felt lost. And that’s because of you, Mister Sormont.”
“Really?” The corner of my mouth lifted. I didn’t know why but I was both pleased… and proud. “I haven’t met him yet, but I feel like I’m going to like him. He sounds like an incredible man.”
“Because he really is an incredible man. You would really like him.”
Ali sounded so sure.
“Then why wasn’t he by your side? Why didn’t he come back on his own? And why did you have to search for him all by yourself in a strange kingdom where you knew nobody except him? What you did was risky, Ali. I’ve been meaning to tell you that. If we didn’t get to meet, you could get lost since Arameth is huge. You could also be in danger if you happened to encounter some wicked wizards who have the ability to see spirits. Because not everyone in this kingdom is willing to help the needy. Not everyone is like your father, Ali. Why didn’t your mother accompany you here?"