"Papa?"
The little girl mumbled softly, unaware of the chaotic emotions Han Cheng was experiencing. Her eyelashes fluttered as she stirred and turned to face him. Each small movement made Han Cheng's heart tremble.
She had soft, delicate European features and succulent, curious eyes that seemed to marvel at everything around her. Her skin glowed in the warm lighting of the room, suggesting she was well cared for. Her silky auburn hair was slightly tousled, adorned with mismatched ribbons so adorable that Han Cheng had to stifle a snort.
Her innocent eyes were large and round, an unusual mix of violet and gray. It was hard for him to ignore the intelligent gleam within them. She wore a pastel blue dress, soft in texture and embroidered with a distinct image, a dragon wrapped around a phoenix.
It could be said, from a distance, the embroidery was deliberate and made with utmost care.
He found himself resisting the urge to pat her head, like an older brother…
Or a father.
Eh? Why am I suddenly overwhelmed with this protective feeling? he thought, surprised at how quickly his heart softened.
I can't believe all my years of professional experience didn't prepare me for interacting with a child. This is absurd! I am a seasoned diplomat who has stared down military generals and corrupt leaders.
How is it that a child is making me in the knees?
He sighed internally, embarrassed that he had no idea what to do. He had never worked with children before, and it had been a long time since he last interacted with one.
I have barely spoken to one outside of formal ceremonies. When was the last time I actually held a conversation with a kid?
His mind flickered back to his childhood.
The last memory he had of being close to a child was with his little sister, Mei Mei, but even that had faded over time.
From observation alone, it was clear this girl wasn't from an ordinary background. At most, he could conclude she was of European nobility, judging by the setting.
Everything felt unfamiliar.
There was no electricity. No clock. No television.
High ceilings arched above him, supported by dark beams carved with dragons and lilies. Heavy crimson curtains framed his bed, their gold embroidery dulled by age. The floor beneath him was polished marble, reflecting firelight from a hearth that warmed the room. One wall held stained-glass windows; another, a massive bookshelf with titles he couldn't read.
But what caught his eye most were the banners.
They hung proudly throughout the room.
"Dragons and lilies…" he murmured.
It has become apparent to him that the dragons with lilies craved over the marble signify something far greater than just mere decoration.
It was hard to tell whether he was terrified or excited by the scene before him.
An adorable little girl in his bed, calling him "Papa," in a completely foreign world. This was the sort of thing a man might expect if he were married or deep into his middle age.
But Han Cheng was neither.
The whole situation felt as if he were roleplaying as someone's father or in a video game.
Of course, the idea that he was actually her biological parent didn't concern him. He was Chinese, and the girl looked entirely European. No resemblance. No shared features. If there were some resemblance, then maybe, just maybe, he would panic. But as it stood, the child clearly wasn't his.
Besides, he had remained a virgin his entire life.
It was practically impossible for him to have a child, he comforted himself in his head. Unless somebody did something to him while he was vulnerable. He quickly shook his head at the thought in ridicule.
The closest he had ever come to a romantic encounter was being verbally assaulted by angry delegates for defending his country's interests.
Phew.
That realization comforted him.
Still, the bigger mystery remained the voice in his head.
Who the hell are you? Han Cheng tried speaking to it again, but there was no reply.
Was he hallucinating? Delirious from the assassination attempt?
Whatever this was, one thing was certain,
I'm definitely no longer in Geneva.
"Papa, you're finally awake!" the girl's delighted voice snapped him from his thoughts.
He turned to look at her. Her wide, shimmering eyes were filled with excitement and worry, on the verge of tears.
Han Cheng didn't respond right away.
Should he play along? Or should he reject the title?
But something in his heart recoiled at the idea of pushing her away. She didn't know who he was, only that he was her father. It would be too cruel to deny her.
And so, he chose to play along, for now. It felt like the option that would do the least harm to the mentality of a child.
"Papa! Say something, please!" she urged, her voice quivering as though she was fearful of his reaction. "Are you okay?"
Seeing her hold back her tears, something surged in his chest. A wave of emotion he could not explain made his eyes sting all of a sudden.
Ugh! Why am I so touched by this?! he turned away quickly, trying to hide his face in shame. Since when has my heart softened this much?
"I… am," he stuttered, coughing once before pressing a clenched fist to his lips, slightly embarrassed. "I suppose I am."
[System Note: Emotional bond established. Elara Darcheval recognizes Host as father. Stability increased.]
[Fluff Shield +15%]
[Chance of survival +10%]
[World hostility slightly reduced.]
"???"
What do you mean I've been recognized as a father? My survival rate increased?
Am I… in some sort of video game?!
He began to sweat as panic rose in his chest. And I'm even a father now?!
If he remembered correctly, the voice had called itself the Diplomatic Strategist System. Did the assassination attempt trigger this? Was this some weird afterlife mission? Or did his soul transmigrate?
A thousand questions flooded his mind, none with immediate answers. And he did not know who to turn to for answers.
Then he glanced at the little girl again.
Elara Darcheval… so that's her name.
She recognizes me as her father now…
The last thing he expected was to be seen as someone's dad.
He placed a hand over his chest.
My name isn't Han Cheng anymore… it's Stephen Darcheval.
Darcheval. There was no mistaking it. That means I'm related to this child.
His eyes landed on her again. She smiled brightly, her lips curled in a way that erased all his earlier fears. Her gaze sparkled like galaxies were trapped within it.
She looked at him like he was her entire world.
And that realization shook him.
His eyes began to burn again.
"What's wrong, Papa?" her gentle voice cut through his thoughts. "Did something get in your eyes?"
Han Cheng waved her off quickly. "No, no. Just… a little dirt."
After rubbing his eyes, he looked at her again, his expression complex but softened.
It seems my survival here is tied to this child, he realized. If I want to live, I have to protect her.
Maybe… that's not so bad.
He smirked slightly as a thought crossed his mind. Perhaps I could make use of a child. Why not get some answers from the little girl herself?
As much as he was aware that he sounded like a sociopath at the moment, he had no intentions to harm the child whatsoever. Hence, he proceeded to attempt to manipulate some useful information out of the little girl.
"Do… you mind telling me your name?" he asked awkwardly. She tilted her head, confused, and pouted.
"Did Papa lose his memory? Does Papa not remember Ellie?"
So her nickname is Ellie. I have gained another useful information, he held back from making his curiosity and mischief visible.
She looked adorably annoyed, which made him unable to resist the urge to press more.
Han Cheng suppressed a grin. "Do you remember how old you are?"
"Hmph! I'm turning four this year! How could Papa forget?!"
She looked like she was about to cry again.
Such a soft-hearted child, he thought to himself, I'll continue where I left later. Right now, I have to cheer her up.
Han Cheng couldn't help it, he chuckled softly. He reached over and gently patted her head, almost instinctively.
As he was unsure of how to properly interact with a child, the closest example he could make use of right now is the way he treats his cats.
"Of course, I remember. I was just afraid you forgot."
"???"
"No one else has ever made my heart soften like you, my daughter," he said, slipping into character with a deep, fatherly tone.
Elara's mouth fell slightly open. She looked up at him in awe, realizing she'd just been tricked.
"Papa! You're back!" she cried, flinging herself into his chest. "I was so worried! I thought the fall damaged your brain!"
"..."
He laughed softly, his arms catching her on instinct. "I just wanted to tease you."
"Hmph! You always do that to me!"
She clung to him tightly, rubbing her cheek against his shoulder with innocent affection.
Han Cheng didn't push her away.
His training had always cautioned him against physical contact, especially from unknown individuals, but in this moment, his guard melted completely.
Strange… this feels so natural.
It's like we really are related.
He opened his mouth to say something, but no words came out. Instead, he simply wrapped his arms around her and breathed in the sweet, flowery scent of her hair.
It silently left a mark on his heart.