I'm a Immortal Tavernkeeper, But My S-Rank Daughter Doesn't Know That!

If seeing Aluella after so many years was a shock for Victor, imagine knowing that he had a child with her that he didn’t even know existed.

Victor stood motionless, his whole body paralyzed by the revelation. His eyes were fixed on Aluella’s and, for a moment, he couldn’t find the words to express the whirlwind of emotions that swept over him. The words "our son" echoed in his mind like a mantra, each repetition deepening the gravity of the truth he had just discovered.

"I... I didn’t know..." he stammered, finally managing to break the silence that had settled between them. His voice carried a tone of incredulity and a touch of regret. "If I had known, Aluella, I would have done anything to be by your side, to be by his side."

Aluella squeezed Victor’s hand, her expression softening with the understanding and affection she still had for him. "I know, Victor. I know you would have done it. But at the time, the circumstances were complicated. I tried to find where you were, I sent letters to the other heroes and did everything in my power to try and find you, but you had become a ghost."

"I..."

"Don’t worry, Victor. Despite the things I said when we were on the balcony, when I didn’t know you were, well, you..." Aluella tucked a lock of her orange hair behind her right ear. "I don’t blame you or anyone else. I think it was the way of life."

Victor took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing heart. "Tell me about him, Aluella. Our son. What’s he like? What’s his name?"

"His name is Trawerr." she began, her voice soft.

"Trawerr." repeated Victor, letting the name resonate on his lips.

"I chose that name because I always thought it matched the courage and strength he would need to have in this world and also because..."

"It was supposed to be my name before you came up with the idea of being Shieldman..." Victor added.

"Exactly. Trawwer is a strong young man." Aluella continued, a warm smile lighting up her face. "He has your eyes, Victor. Every time I look at him, I see you younger."

Victor felt a mixture of joy and sadness at hearing this. The idea that there was a part of him living in the world, growing up and becoming a person, was both comforting and painful.

"I would have liked to have been there to see him grow up," he said, his voice low. "To teach him, guide him..."

Aluella squeezed Victor’s hand tighter, as if she wanted to convey all her understanding and support through that simple gesture. "I know, Victor. And you would have been a wonderful father. I did my best to raise him on my own. It was difficult, especially at first. But Trawerr is an incredible young man. He’s inherited your courage, your determination."

Victor looked at Aluella, his eyes full of gratitude and admiration. "So, you’ve done an incredible job, Aluella. I know how easy it must not have been."

"It wasn’t," she admitted, her eyes reflecting the struggle and determination of all these years. "There were times when I thought I couldn’t do it. But I always found strength thinking about you and our love. That gave me the strength to carry on."

The silence between them was broken only by the rustling of leaves in the wind. Victor felt a wave of emotion pass through him, a mixture of sadness at the lost time and gratitude at being reunited. He knew there was much to be said, many questions to be asked, but at that moment, all that mattered was that they were together again.

"Aluella..." he began, his voice soft. "I know I can’t change the past, but I want to be part of your future. I want to meet Trawerr, I want to be there for him. Regardless of how much he may hate me now..."

Aluella smiled, a glimmer of hope in her eyes. "I think he’ll love meeting you, Victor. I’m sure of it. He’s always wanted to know more about his father, about the man I always spoke so fondly of."

Victor felt a wave of emotion when he heard this. "Thank you, Aluella. Thank you for not giving up on me, for keeping our memory alive."

She nodded, her eyes shining with tears of happiness. "I’ll never give up on you, Victor. Never."

Victor held Aluella’s hands tightly, feeling the softness of her skin and the quiet strength she emanated. He felt a renewed connection with her, as if the years of separation had not diminished the intensity of the bond they shared.

Aluella took a deep breath before continuing. "Trawerr has become a warrior, Victor. He has the honor and courage of a true warrior. Ever since he was little, he has always had a fearless spirit, always seeking justice and wanting to protect the weakest. He has his own group now, the Knights of the Light, they’re hunters just like we were."

Victor felt an immense sense of pride rise up inside him. "I couldn’t be prouder. He must have become an incredible man. I so wish I could have been there to see every moment of his journey."

Aluella smiled, her eyes shining with the reflection of the stars. "He’s everything we could have hoped for, Victor. But what about you? You said you have an adopted daughter. What’s she like? What’s your life like now?"

Victor hesitated for a moment, the memories of his adopted daughter and all the challenges they had faced together flooding his mind. "Yes, I have an adopted daughter. Her name is Wanda. She is a strong and determined young elf with a gentle soul and a brave heart. I found her in a distant village called Serenity. She wasn’t alone, her mother was keeping her warm in a hut while she bled to death. This woman asked me to look after Wanda and protect her. Since then, she has been a constant light in my life."

"I understand, but tell me more about her. I want to know everything."

Victor smiled, remembering Wanda with tenderness. "She was difficult to deal with as a child in some ways. She was even too brave. She played with insects and snakes. Over time, she became an excellent swordsman because of her indomitable spirit. She also has an insatiable curiosity about the world, always wanting to learn and explore."

Aluella listened attentively, her eyes fixed on Victor’s. "It sounds like she’s an extraordinary young woman. It must have been a great responsibility, raising her alone."

Victor nodded, his expression softening. "Yes, it was. But it was also a blessing. She taught me as much as I taught her. Through her, I found a new reason to fight and keep going. She brought joy and purpose to my life."

Aluella held Victor’s hand tighter, her gaze full of understanding. "You’ve always had a kind heart, Victor. I never doubted that you would do an excellent job raising a child."

Victor smiled, feeling a mixture of gratitude and relief. "Thank you, Aluella. Hearing that from you, especially now, means a lot to me."

Aluella looked at Victor with a serious but affectionate expression. "Victor... Do you have someone? A wife? Someone who keeps you company, who loves you?"

Victor hesitated, his thoughts returning to his years of loneliness. "No, Aluella. I don’t have anyone. I’ve never found the time or thought of having someone else. Besides, my heart has always belonged to you."

Aluella smiled softly, her eyes full of affection. "So maybe fate has given us a second chance, Victor. Maybe now we can create a new beginning, for us and for our children."

Victor felt a surge of hope and excitement at hearing this. "I’d love that, Aluella. More than anything."

They sat in silence for a moment, enjoying each other’s presence. Victor felt a peace he hadn’t felt for many years, a sense that he was finally where he should be. He knew there was much to be done, many issues to be resolved, but at that moment, all that mattered was that they were together again.

"Let’s do it, Aluella," he finally said. "Let’s build a future together. For us, for Trawerr and for Wanda."

Aluella nodded, her eyes shining with determination and love. "Yes, Victor. We will do that. And I know that, with you by my side, we can face any challenge."

They stood there, hand in hand, under the starlight, ready to face the future together. The cold night wind blew around them, but the warmth of love and hope enveloped them, giving them the strength to go on. The reunion, marked by tears and smiles, was the start of a new journey, one that would promise challenges but also unimaginable rewards.

They stood there together, ready to face the future, confident that with love and determination they could overcome any obstacle. The night was filled with promise and renewed dreams as Victor and Aluella prepared for what was to come. A new era was beginning for them, marked by the strength of love and the hope of a bright future together.