Fated To Not Just One But Three novel Chapter 684

Chapter 684: Keep Acting

Levi’s POV

​The dining hall felt too big that night. The chandelier above us gave off a cold light, making everything feel even colder. Usually, during dinner, I would spend my time trying: offering the girls the best pieces of meat, asking about their day, and trying to start conversations. Most times, they would answer with one word. Tonight, I didn’t even look at their side of the table.

​"So, Louis," I said calmly, leaning back in my chair while holding a glass of dark wine. "About the western border patrol. I want the boys to join the scouting team next month."

​"Father!" Lyra said quickly, her voice too bright, too eager. She was trying to interrupt the serious talk. "I drew a picture today. It’s a wolf. Do you want to—"

​"Pass the salt, Liam," I said smoothly. I didn’t blink. I didn’t turn my head. I didn’t look at her.

​Liam slid the salt across the table. His eyes flicked toward the twins, and there was a small, cold smirk on his face. Lana tried next; her voice was softer.

​"I... I missed you at lunch today, Father Levi. I saved you a sweet roll."

​I took a slow sip of my wine. "Lennox," I continued, ignoring Lana completely, "did you hear that the southern pack wants a trade agreement? We should talk about the terms later in the study after the boys finish their lessons."

​The silence that followed was painful. I could hear Lyra scraping her fork against her plate again and again—a sharp, nervous sound. Then, a chair suddenly scraped loudly against the floor. Lana stood up, her eyes full of tears. Without saying anything, she ran out of the dining hall. Lyra followed a second later, her drawing crushed tightly in her hand.

​My heart felt like someone was squeezing it hard.

​"Levi..." Olivia whispered, reaching for my hand. "That was... that was too much."

​"It’s working," Liam said quietly, his face serious and hard. "Don’t stop now."

​An hour later, the girls did exactly what the boys expected. They came looking for me. They thought I would be alone in my dark room, feeling sad. Instead, they found the study door slightly open. They looked through the small gap and saw me sitting on the floor with the three boys, a large map spread out between us. We were laughing—real laughter.

​"And then," I said, chuckling as I ruffled Leon’s hair, "your Father Louis fell straight into the mud. Best day of the summer."

​"Tell us more about the Great War, Father," Liam said loudly—loud enough for the hallway to hear. "The parts the girls aren’t allowed to hear because they’re too... delicate."

​From outside the door, I heard a sharp gasp. They weren’t just being ignored anymore; they were being replaced. I was giving the boys the stories, the history, and the secrets—the things the girls believed belonged to them.

​"They’re leaving," Leon whispered, his ears twitching. "They’re going to their room to cry."

​I felt bad... but the boys shook their heads.

​"Don’t feel bad, Father... if you don’t do this, they won’t learn. Trust us... we know them better than you do."

​I swallowed hard and nodded. I couldn’t believe I was following the directions of my little boys.

​The next morning, I sat on the porch, staring at the fog covering the woods. My cane rested beside me. Then, I heard soft footsteps.

​"Father Levi?" It was Lana. She was holding a book—the one with the worn leather cover I used to read before I fell into unconsciousness. I wondered how they knew about it and found it. Beside her stood Lyra. She was carrying a tray with a cup of tea, and her hands were shaking so much the cup rattled.

​"We... we brought you tea," Lyra said softly. Her usual attitude was gone; her voice was small. "And we wanted to read to you, since your eyes get tired sometimes."

​They stood there in front of me, two small girls looking up at me with hope. This was what I had wanted for days: for them to come to me, to want to sit with me, and to want my attention.

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