Chapter Text
'The Duke'. His Grace, Wriothesley, is a man in his early 30s. Highly known to be the head administrator in one of the most developed prison in the country. Despite his menacing demeanor, all in all he's a fair and reasonable man. That, and he has a daughter waiting for him at home, other times in school. Today has been on more of the hectic side of days for Wriothesley, though it may or may not have been his own fault for neglecting the paperwork, as per usual.
How long has he been sitting on his desk, he doesn't know. The stale smell of coffee mixed with the acrid smell of burnt tar became the first most noticeable thing in his office. It's so strong that it undermines the sight of the slumped figure of the head warden in his chair, dressed with bloodshot eyes.
As he was about to sign off another file his phone alarm went off with loud, rapid, and continuous beeps that made the statue like duke jump and immediately tend to the notification. '12.30 pm pick up siege' was the alarm label. Wriothesley stood up from his seat and blinks at the time on his phone, '11.40' it reads.
He blinked again, twice and more quicker this time. Rubbing his hands over his eyes, surprised by how incredibly dry it is. After putting out his cigarette, he returned his hand to his phone, as he clicks the on button twice to open the camera function so it acts like a mirror.
He looked at himself and began fixing his hair. Then he pocketed his phone as he chugged a glass of water down, lastly he took a piece of sugarless mint and threw it into his mouth, closing back the container as he unlocks his office door, making his way towards the parking lot of the prison, after making sure he's presentable enough for his daughter.
Thankfully the traffic was merciful, so he made it to the elementary school 2 minutes early, so basically he's still early. He parked his motorcycle and took of his helmet, not taking off his jacket nor gloves. After a few past experiences, he'd rather avoid stirring anxiety amongst the security and other parents by the sight of his uniform.
Since then, it's regular procedure to keep his black leather jacket on whenever he picks his daughter up from school. After parking his bike, he started walking from the parking lot to the entrance. Smiling and waving politely at familiar faces of fellow parents and school personnels.
Upon entering the waiting area Wriothesley leaned his back against a wall silently observing conversations and whispers almost spacing out, waiting for his daughter. Just then he hears familiar taps of giddy footsteps approaching him "Daddy!" a child exclaimed in an enthusiastic tone. Wriothesley chuckled warmly at the sight of the pair of blue rabbit ear like headband wobbling, as she skips to him. He knelt down and opened his arms to greet her. She jumped into his arms into a hug as he effortlessly picked her up from the ground, walking back to his bike.
Sigewinne's her name. She's in second grade and more importantly, she's head warden Wriothesley's infamous adoptive daughter. Even back in the prison, most of the staff members that has affiliated themselves enough with the warden inevitably knows her, well enough to know how cheeky and more importantly, how well meaning and kind she is. Some of the many traits she shares with her father.
"How was school kiddo, good?"
He asks taking her glitter mermaid tail themed bag, carrying it in his unoccupied hand.
Sigewinne nodded "We learned about a lot of different things but, Miss Atilla explained about foods that are good for us and some that are not so good for us, like really bad. Did you know dad? That most foods are actually good for you in different ways! So foods like sweets and candy restores energy, so it's not too bad to eat. But also we can't eat it too much because it's bad for our teetht!"
Wriothesley nodds along, keeping his gaze at her eyes. Ones he always finds it hard to miss the glimmering sparkles whenever she talks about her day in school. And to him, it never once failed to lighten his mood.
"Yeah anyways... I think that it's very important to know these kinds of things, so that was my favorite part of school today." She smiled "How is your time at work dad?"
Wriothesley gave her a shrug as he set her down taking off her headband, replacing it with her helmet that's gradient light pink and baby blue, complete with white floral patterns.
"I didn't burn down my office yet." Sigewinne's taken aback by his joke, frowning her eyebrows as she clicked on her own helmet.
"Uh... I don't think- thinking about destroying your office is a good idea dad..."
Wriothesley let out a short snort after putting on his own, much more simply designed helmet. Shaking his head starting the engine. "I guess not, huh Sige?" he said, lowering both arms so Sigewinne can climb aboard. She climbed on and sat in front of her dad, facilely despite the size of the motorcycle.
"Hold on tight" Wriothesley said as he checked to make sure she's holding on to two handles he installed for her. "Ready?" He asked, tilting his head towards her she nodded with a smile in response and then they took off. After a long moment of peaceful silence accompanied by the noises the rubber burning against the concrete streets, Wriothesley broke the silence at a red light in a forked road. "You want lunch kiddo? Or do you wanna just go home?" Sigewinne whined at his proposal.
Disapproving both "You promised me that I can stay in your office today." Her voice was slightly muffled against the sounds of other engines around them, but it was clear enough to display her disappointment.
Wriothesley was so busy today that he forgot about the promise he made a week ago, he could take her and let her be in his office but again to his main point, he's extremely busy. Even though Sigewinne can behave well enough to be hardly an inconvenience, he's not sure if he can say the same the other way around. Since it's likely that he won't have time to spend with her as he usually does whenever she visits. So, he decided to let her decide for herself.
"Ah... right" Wriothesley managed, looking up to see if the light is still red.
"Well um-" he huffed, crossing his arm
"We can go, but I dont think we'll have loads of time together, Sige."
Wriothesley said as he returned his hands to the handle as soon the light turned yellow and went off at the green light.
"It's okay, I don't have homework for tomorrow anyway I don't need your help today dad." smiling at him eager to keep company.
"So you see me just as your homework machine, then?" he chuckled in a teasing tone.
"No... You're also the best barbecue and stake machine!" She laughed.
Wriothesley jokingly gasped "Sigewinne, how could you-" he shook his head laughing afterwards, eyes still on the road.
Though prison is nowhere near a good place to raise a child, Sigewinne is a different case. As the prison starts to become more and more visible Sigewinne has gotten so used to it's eerie and ominous look to the point where she doesn't fonder at the sight of it, but rather she feels a sense of familiarity. They reached the parking lot and Wriothesley parked his motorcycle swiftly.
He pointed his hand to the floor as a signal for her to go down, and so she complied by hopping off the seat as she let both of her legs reach the concrete floor. Wriothesley kicked his boot at the side stand balancing his idle motorcycle. He let himself off as he took off both, his own and Sigewinne's helmet placing it in its respective bags. Then moved to the button and zipper on his jacket stripping it off from him alongside his gloves, revealing his crips and clean uniform. Offering his hand for Sigewinne, who grabbed it immediately after slipping her arms into her backpack straps.
"Oh, almost forgot..." Wriothesley breaks his hand from her to dig into a storage box installed on his motorcycle revealing her headband, placing it on her head then returning his hand to her's. "Now we're complete. Let's go" he smiled, Sigewinne replied by nodding her head, wobbling her headband.
They walked to the entrance of the prison, Wriothesley is confident enough in his own skills to ensure that nothing out or in these walls will ever go near to harm Sigewinne, not while he's still breathing, not over his dead body. That he can ensure.
He kept her hand in his swinging them lightly as he listens to Sigewinne continue talking about how school was for her lately. Keeping them company as they walked to the office part of the prison, and once Wriothesley opened all the codes and biometric locks the door opened to all of the staff immediately gushing at her.
Wriothesley simply chuckled at the sight of Sigewinne getting treated like a celebrity, getting greeted by every single person she comes across. As they made it to his office, Wriothesley opened the door with his keycard with Sigewinne tailing him in, her face slightly pink, slightly embarrassed as the door closed behind them. "You ok, Sige?" He teased bending down cupping her cheeks, and patting her head before he got back up to return to the stacks of paperwork all over his desk. Sigewinne took a look around his desk as her dad sat on the seat, loosening his tie.
"Dad..." Wriothesley looked up after signing the paperwork earlier only to see a face frowning, tapping her toes.
"Sige?" he winced.
Sigewinne pointed at the tray of cigarettes on his desk with a half finished dead cigarette lying on it. Wriothesley felt guilty and sighed at it
"I'm really sorry kiddo... no more smoking today, promise."
He apologized offering her a pinky to seal the promise, she huffed angrily wrapping her own pinky with his.
"It's bad for you, dad."
Wriothesley shook their intertwined pinky fingers
"I'm sorry Sige, I know I know…"
"No more smoking today, ok?" She said in a more forgiving manner, wagging her finger to go along with it.
"Promise." Wriothesley said as he spun his chair to her.
"Okay good." Sigewinne said as she smiles at him as she goes off to a corner in the back, setting down her bag.
After having a daughter Wriothesley managed to turn his office's ambience to become even more similar to that of an everyday corporate office rather than what the outside world imagine a prison warden's quarters would look like, even though not much has changed apart from a very decorated corner that Sigewinne decorated herself.
Which is why Sigewinne feels comfortable enough to spend a lot of her time in his office. Having her own corner also means that Sigewinne made sure to ask Wriothesley to install several bookshelves in her corner, and in those bookshelves she filled them with biology and human anatomy related children's books that Wriothesley got for her over the years. It's always been noticeably one of her greatest interests, hence the nickname 'head nurse' from Wriothesley. Her corner wouldn't be complete without a wooden storage space filled with neatly organized a variety of toys and dolls.
After reading for a while, Sigewinne closed her book to eat strawberry sandwiches her dad got for her as lunch. Before returning to work Wriothesley also made sure that she stays hydrated. Giving her a bottle of water and made warm tea, pouring a cup for him and another for her to enjoy with the sandwiches. After serving her cup he gave her a pat on the head he returned to his desk.
As he did he immediately forcing himself back to tend to the declining stack of papers. The sight of it made him huff in relief, and so he got working again. But unlike earlier when he was working alone, aside from the company of the literal stick of toxin between his lips, releasing chemicals in the air, and stale flavor of caffeine in his throat, he is instead accompanied by the sounds of munching and soft humming behind him and a warm pleasant taste of one of his favorite blends of tea. Unconsciously, it made Wriothesley work faster, and simply kept him in a bright mood.
The hours passed he glanced up at the clock on the wall, '17.43' it reads. Seeing it's nearing the time for him to clock out. He then checked at the amount that he still has to do, he ended the count by surprising himself at how fast he's been working apparently. Since he only had a couple left to do. Wriothesley rubbed his eyes for a short while and quickly redirected his focus to finish the remaining ones. After less than an hour he's finally finished with all the paperwork, his desk looks so much clearer now, as the sight of it brought him great ease.
"Hey kid-" He stopped himself after turning his chair to the sight of the pale blue head of hair sound asleep on his couch with a layer of blanket covering her from nose to toe. He gave a sigh and rose from his chair, walking to her. He knelt down to caress her cheek and patted headband-less head giving her a soft chuckle. "Sorry to keep you waiting, head nurse." He quietly chuckled, pressing a soft kiss on top of her head to gently bring her consciousness back, as he picked her up off the couch.
Sigewinne replied with a groan, tucking herself back to her half sleeping state in his arms.
"Are we going home?" She asked in a half conscious manner.
"Yep, all done for today." Wriothesley whispered
Then he picked up her school bag and headband, carrying it in his off-hand once more. He also bent down picking up a book to return it back to it's shelf, pushing it into it's place.
"All thanks to you kiddo." He continued, walking them out of the office, swiping his key card to the exit door with a sleeping Sigewinne in his arms as her backpack's hanging down his arm.
After he carried Sigewinne all the way to the parking lot without a problem he then slowly woke her up to put on the helmet on her. After he did, Wriothesley immediately started driving them home. Despite having ridden the motorcycle more than often, Sigewinne still stood up the entire journey back home. She does this for two reasons; one, enjoying the cold breeze against her warm cheek, and two, that same wind prevents her from having a peaceful sleep in the first place.
As the gates of their house complex became very visible so does the sight of well taken care of trees shadowing behind the perfectly lined up lampposts. As they kept on going the houses too became visible lining up on both sides of the road, all with the backdrop of a pink sky dressed with clouds. Sigewinne's eyes lit up once more, her heart felt at ease and her mind thought of nothing but the view.
Wriothesley noticed, even only taking his eyes off the road for a fraction of a second. To him, the light in Sigewinne's worth more than anything in his life, and if simple times like these are can be apart of the reason why those lights shine then he's more than happy to oblige.
Once they've made it to their home Wriothesley parked his motorcycle for the last time in the long day he had. Noticing Sigewinne's slow blinks he picked her up taking off the helmet for her. "We have dinner, then it's immediately to bed with you, little lady." He said as he take off his own helmet, picking up Sigewinne's bag before forgetting it. Even though it's a handful, he's basically used to it about now.
He then walked them into their home, unlocking the door and as he entered he slipped off his boots, without the help from his hand and then Sigewinne's slippers as well. Placing them in the rack beside the door, before stepping off from the slightly higher platform. Their noses greated with the familiar smell of a blend of jasmine and black tea leaves.
The house is simple and neat, without anything too extraordinary. Except from the terrace, that's the real keeper. It has a couple of chairs and a coffee table, and a stunning view to their spacious backyard-garden, the railings wrapped with fairy lights.
While Wriothesley's grilling station is also present for any occasion, alongside with a box of Sigewinne's outdoor toys near the stairs. Filled with water balloons, water guns, hula hoops, you name them. The doors leading to the terrace are clear sliding doors, connecting it with the living room. Inside, after the doorway it leads immediately to the living room. It's open and cozy, with broken white colored walls.
It also has one three seat couch, with a couple of blankets and pillows on it. One of the blankets is a dark maroon knitted blanket, while the other is a fluffy, pink and blue blanket. Next to it is another couch, it's two seats this time. With a rocking chair near the stairs completing the set. Also a spacious table's present between the seats and the TV, with a shelf underneath carrying several books both belonging to Wriothesley and Sigewinne and some old vinyls, hanging above the storage space under the TV. All set against a dark wooden floor, underneath a simple chandelier.
Wriothesley sometimes gets caught sleeping to the sound of whatever movie Sigewinne decides on, getting wrestled by her afterwards as the consequence. Wriothesley chuckled to himself at the passing thought.
Wanting to keep the natural light in, there are two big double curtained dark sacramento green windows placed around the first floor of the house, one near the seating area, and another beside the kitchen. Which is the most impressive part of the house in his opinion, it's a fully furnished kitchen. Filled with all the fancy tools for them to cook and bake with. Since both of them share a hobby of spending leisure time with the ingredients, cooking or baking in the kitchen.
It's completed with very high quality smooth wooden cupboards and cabinets. Most of the kitchenware are sitting alongside the dark colored granite countertops attached to the half wall that's separating the kitchen form the living room.
On top of the half wall that's separating the kitchen from the living room, lays a few pictures of Sigewinne, one when she was a toddler and another picture of her first day of school, and one of her birthday, all framed with colorful pastel colors and stickers, tucked in a corner.
In front of the same half wall, there's a set of dining table and chairs, with the addition of Sigewinne's old toddler chair tucked away in a corner. It's a simple and elegant wooden set, consisting of a medium sized but spacious enough table and four chairs, all sharing a dark wooden color perfectly complementing the walls and floor. Usually Sigewinne helps with setting it every meal, so right now it's quite clean and uncluttered, apart from a newspaper and a single pink flower pot lying on top of the table.
Wriothesley carried the very sleepy Sigewinne to the dining room, setting her down gently.
"Can you set the table for me, Sige? I'll go get your things upstairs."
Sigewinne nods, regaining her balance and the remains of her energy. "Got it.." She said as she starts hopping to the kitchen drawer to grab some cutlery, bringing them over to the table.
Wriothesley then went up the stairs beside the sitting area, across the sliding door. As he gets to the second floor he heads to her room opening the door. He walked in and set her school bag beside her blue and white desk, a shelf above it cluttered with sea creature figures and mythical creatures. He took a second look at them and even adjusted the position of an otter figure he remembered getting for her, patting it.
He headed to the laundry room downstairs, taking off his tie, chucking it into a basket filled with socks and ties alike. He then started to take pins off his collar as his other hand move to his buttons, unbuttoning the first button of his uniform, then taking it off as if it's a t-shirt. Leaving his torso covered only by his sleeveless undershirt, revealing more of his well built muscular body that's oh so devastatingly scared. He left the room and the laundry alone for now, promising himself he'll deal with it later, needing to prioritize dinner as he heads to the kitchen.
After a short sequence of chopping and sizzling noises from the kitchen Sigewinne, who's been doodling on the coffee table started to become bored, and of all her options she chose to bother her dad.
Lifting her head from the paper scanning the kitchen through the window of the half wall.
"Is it ready yet?"
Sigewinne bounced off the table walking towards him.
Wriothesley looked down to see her arms wrapped around his thigh, rolling his eyes at the sight.
"Two minutes." He said with a wolfy smile.
"Can I help?"
She said as her eyes are locked, salivating at the seemingly buttery-well seasoned baked cheesy baby potatoes, as well as sauteed onions, greenbeans, and carrots displayed on one half of a white dish, the other reserved for the pan fried salmon that's still half raw, sizzling on a pan held by Wriothesley.
"Nope. I'm almost done just go sit-" he chuckled, squatting down squishing her cheeks, moving her face to his.
Sigewinne whined but still compiled, sitting at the dining table, as Wriothesley stayed true to his word, finishing the salmon in less than two minutes. Her eyes sparkled at the sight of her dad with two white dishes approaching the dining table.
After a while the sounds of munching and light banter ended with Wriothesley hovering over the sink, finishing the washing up, as Sigewinne fixes the chairs back in their place.
"Sige?" He called out
She hummed as a response walking to him
"Go up stairs and wash up, yeah? I'll tuck you in after I finish down here."
"Mmm, okay. My hair please-" she said as she turned her back on him.
Wriothesley bent down and started to untie her pigtails "aaand done, there you go, look at you." He smiled.
She gave him a twirl with her hair loose and a chuckle afterwards heading up the stairs into her own bathroom washing herself up. As Wriothesley finishes putting the dishes back into the drawers, going upstairs, entering his own bathroom, quickly taking a shower so he won't make her wait too long. After a short while he went to his dresser near his bed, grabbing a pair of boxers and shorts and a white t-shirt.
After throwing everything on himself he then moved out his room and knocked at Sigewinne's.
"Sige, you done? Can I come in?" he talked at the closed door.
"a minute!" she exclaimed, still fixing her nightgown.
Wriothesley leaned against the frame of the door whistling a classical piece that has been stuck in his head, waiting for her to open the door. After a little bit Sigewinne opened her door grabbing Wirothesly's hand to her bed, climbing up to it. As he lifted her blanket covering her with it, turning on her sea projector night lamp on. Flipping the light switches off, dimming the room.
He returned to her side and gave her some head pats.
"you comfy?" he smiled.
“Mhm mhm" she hummed, rubbing her eyes
"Good, it's your bedtime kiddo. Have some rest."
"Thank you for your help today, head nurse."
"Love you too dad." She gently chuckled, closing her eyes.
"You have no idea how much I love you, Sige. Good night."
He smiled, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead. Leaving her room, closing the door behind him. Heading to his own room laying himself on his bed shutting his eyes, resting his guard finally, after such a hectic day.
But not ten minutes after tossing side to side in an attempt to finally doze off, Wriothesley's door squeaked open followed by some footsteps. Sigewinne walked into the completely dark room, and climbed to his bed, kneeling beside him.
"Dad-" she whispered, shaking his arm as an attempt to wake him.
Wriothesley groaned as a response.
"I can't sleep..." squeezing his arm even tighter now.
These rise major signs, he knows that she's always had to deal with traumatic flashbacks, so frequently and intensely, that she became diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. The most intense moments come in her nightmares. Where she'd have the most vivid and horrid memories returning to her at an instant, catching his beloved daughter off guard in her sleep.
Wriothesley woke up regaining all of his consciousness. Wiping the tear threatening to fall from her eyes.
"I'm here Sige, I'm right here..." he held her hand, pulling her into a hug, resting his chin on her head.
"Wanna sleep here tonight kiddo?" He offered, patting her back.
"Sorry-" Sigewinne sobbed
"I know you're tired dad and you also need to rest. I'm not helping, I'm sorry..." she said amongst tears falling to his t-shirt.
"No no no, don't you do that. Don't apologize, please don't say that Sigewinne." he said in a firm and sincere manner, as he tucked her under his blanket, covering them both.
"I'm always here for you, and you, you have helped me more than anyone else ever had, okay?"
He whispered, reassuring her. Stopping her tears, as she finally forfeit to the tiredness, immediately sleeping soundly in Wriothesley's arms, with a small smile upon her lips.
"Archon knows what I did to deserve you, kiddo." he whispered, before the two fell soundly asleep through the night.