Entwined With the Villainous Guardian
Chapter 336: Her Wish

Chapter 336: Her Wish

They rode home and Ziya was already waiting for her. Martha told Viviana that Ziya refused to get inside without her mama. But Ziya jumped from her to Leonardo the moment she saw him.

Her baby loves her uncle so much.

"Mama, fiii. Ah-do, fiii," Ziya shook the little fish Leonardo gave to her.

"Did Uncle Ardo bring little fish for little Ziya? How beautiful?" Viviana kissed

Ziya couldn’t say "uncle" really well. So, Leonardo tried to teach her his name "Ardo". Ziya couldn’t pronounce the "r" yet and she calls him "Ahdo". Leonardo loves when she calls him Ah-do.

Leonardo raised his brows at Viviana. Viviana smiled. Leonardo bought some fish on the shore because he was sure Ziya would ask for fish. She thought Ziya would have forgotten about it after her nap.

Leonardo was right. Ziya did remember.

"You want to get down?" Leonardo let Ziya down as she twisted herself.

"Fiii....Fiii..." Ziya tottered away the moment she was let down.

"Careful..." Viviana tried to catch her but she stopped seeing Vito Vitale.

"What’s the hurry?" Vito smiled and tried to hold her.

But Ziya started running with all her might and her shoes squeaked. Even her Pop-pop couldn’t stop Ziya as he "ran" with all his might to stop the "dashing" cheetah.

"Fiii... Fiii..." Ziya ran circling around Vito.

Vito tried to hold her as she almost fell. But Ziya managed to hold her balance and continued to waddle away. Vito chased her unable to stop his laugh. He enjoyed his time with his granddaughter.

Viviana guessed what Ziya was trying to do. Ziya loved the Koi Pond in the house. She talked about wanting more fish in the pond yesterday and maybe that’s why she asked her uncle for fish.

Vito sat by the stone watching Ziya letting go of the fish. The fish was dead but as it slowly sank under the pond Ziya thought it was swimming.

"Why haven’t you built an aquarium for Ziya yet?" Vito glared at the housekeeper. "Get some exotic fish and ask some decorator to design a big one in her room."

The housekeeper was overcome with terror. He was never asked to build an aquarium until now. How will he do that on his own?

Viviana had to interfere. "Just get a couple of goldfish in a small tank. The fish would be easy to replace," she said.

Vito had to think for a moment. "It is hard to explain the concept of life and death to a one-year-old, isn’t it?" He finally understood why Viviana suggested what she did.

They travel a lot and a smaller tank would be easier to carry and goldfishes would be available everywhere. He was impressed with his daughter’s thoughtfulness. Some people are generally gifted with empathy and knowledge to raise a child. His daughter would be the best.

Too bad she cannot carry a child of her own.

Viviana got ready for the party. She looked at herself in the mirror and even she was amazed at the reflection of her. She was always a pro at makeup and now she has only gotten better. It covers up her blemishes well.

She was eating well, but the hollowness in her heart swallows everything. She’s lost weight. Her rings have gotten loose. She thought she could gain weight and there would be no need to alter her rings, but maybe she should. Her engagement ring is slipping out because of its weight.

Her weightloss is something of concern as she was boney to begin with. She cannot be losing weight.

She is like a painted tomb.

The way she dresses, the way she walks and the way she speaks has changed. She’s not the insecure orphan Melanie anymore. She is a socialite who can strike up a conversation with royalties and entrepreneurs and keep them intrigued. She’s learned a lot; grown a lot.

She made sure the neckline covers up her pathetically protruding clavicles. The chandelier earrings drew attention to her face. Her delicate eye makeup ensured everyone’s attention was on her eyes and nowhere else.

As she stepped out of her room in her six-inch gold pumps, she was stunned to see her father in the hallway.

"Bellissima!" he hugged her and kissed her cheek.

"Thank you, Dad," Viviana kissed him back. "You too look dapper..." she smiled from her heart.

She noticed that her father doesn’t wear his contacts anymore. At first, he used to wear them. But lately, she doesn’t see him in his contacts much. It was like he got comfortable with his natural eyes.

"I’ll walk you," he placed his hand on her back and walked with her.

Viviana understood he might want to talk to her about something.

"Are you happy here, Principessa?" Vito asked. "No one’s bothering you, or...Leonardo can be tough to handle at times, but he loves you very much."

"I am happy, Dad. And I know my brother loves me. I love him too," Viviana stopped. "Why are you... asking?"

"No reason..." Vito shook his head and held her cheek. "It’s nothing... You’ll tell Dad if you need anything, right?"

"I have everything I need, Dad. But I will tell you if I need anything," she held his hand. "Dad, am I making you worried?" she asked. She didn’t know why her father asks this of her.

"I am worried for you, dear... It’s just... I can understand you. But I still worry for you. You’re still not smiling the same way you did when I first met you. I sometimes think whether you are losing your love for me, but then I remember you’ve lost the person you were with that day. It’s understandable if you are not the same anymore..."

Viviana let out a deep breath. Her eyes watered. "I love you, Dad. And I love my brother. There is nothing I lack. I’ve gained a lot. I am treated as a Princess. But..." she hugged him.

"I used to be a queen. Surely, his kingdom was not as vast as yours, but... I was a queen. His queen..."

Vito kissed her cheek. He said nothing. He couldn’t say anything. She was not talking about money or influence. He understood that. She was talking about her position. She was his wife, his queen. She feels as though she was demoted back to Princess.

"He’s not alive, Principessa. I’m sorry to say this, but your King is dead. You should~"

"He’s not dead, Dad. He will come to me soon..."

Vito sighed and gently patted her head. "I hope he comes..." He held her shoulder and looked at her. "Do you want to return, Principessa? To Abenney back where you buried your child?" Vito asked.

Viviana wetted her lips. She wanted to talk to her father about it and he’s brought it up himself. "Yes, Dad. If you allow me to return..."

Vito shook his head.