This had to be a dream. The word 'please' was never in his father's dictionary when he was speaking to him. Today had been full of surprises. He wouldn't be shocked if his father decided to kneel before him and apologise. That would be quite a scene. However, Robert doubted that would less likely happen.

While he was busy trying to understand what happened to his father, Captain Asher ran in their direction, his brown eyes full of urgency. Behind him, Robert spotted Helen, Juliet, Ella's mother, Arthur in his crutches, The Duchess and Grace. Everyone was here.

"How come they're all here?" Robert asked.

"I called a meeting to let them all know what was happening. None of them agreed to stay back. They wanted to make sure you and Miss Featherington were fine," The Duke explained.

"My Goodness, Ella," Captain Asher said as he arrived. He lifted Ella from the shore and she held his arm for support. "You look pale. Have you eaten?"

She shook her head.

"Don't worry dear, your mother came with some food," He replied. He walked over to Robert with Ella still clinging to him for support. Robert and him shook hands. "It's all over, Your Lordship."

Robert smiled. "It's all over."

"When you were taken, I went to report back to your father. When he revealed his espionage that had been going on for a month, I was glad."

"Oh, Ella!" Mrs Featherington said cupping her daughter's cheeks. "What did that cow piss do to you? Oh dear, you look like you've not eaten."

"That's quite right," Ella said with a half smile.

"Ellie," Jules said embracing Ella with a light hug. Her blue eyes were tearing up and so were Mrs Featherington's dark eyes. They were all glad their beloved Ella was safe. And so was Robert.

There was a picnic basket hanging down from Mrs Featherington's shoulders. She put her hand inside and brought out a loaf of bread. She handed it to Ella and the young lady didn't waste any time feasting on it.

"Here," Arthur said, covering his sister with a dark blanket. It was necessary considering she was soaked to her bones.

"That is your brother, Arthur," Captain Asher said. "And that's your sister, Helen."

Helen held Ella's hand and kissed it. "You're the bravest woman I know."

"Oh, you flatter me," Ella said, eating her bread while blushing. Apparently, it was possible to do.

Helen spoke the truth. Ella was the bravest woman Robert ever knew. She had begun this journey by being brave. And she ended it by being brave too. He was lucky to have her.

"Robert!" Grace and his mother were the last to arrive. Mostly because they were dressed in heels and crinoline gowns. A Duchess never travelled without fashion. They both embraced him in a tight hug and he ran his hand over his sister's golden hair. His near-death experience had taught him to appreciate the little things in life and live his life to the fullest.

"Are you alright, dear?" The Duchess asked, inspecting Robert's face.

"I'm fine, mother. You need not worry yourself."

"Robert I was so scared when I heard what happened to you," Grace added sobbing and sniffing in mucus that drooled down her nose.

"I'm fine now, Grace. I'll never leave you."

She frowned and punched his shoulders, her blue eyes still wet with tears. "Well, you better not."

He chuckled. His sister was the most adorable person ever. He wouldn't dream of leaving her in this world. She would be devastated.

Juliet rushed over to him and held his hand. She looked up at him with pure sincerity and said, "Thank you for saving my friend. I truly appreciate it."

"We do too," Helen and Arthur joined.

"Me too." Mrs Featherington appeared from behind Juliet. Robert was surprised she wasn't holding any glass cups to toss at him. "And I hope you can forgive me for how I acted earlier. You must understand I was just blinded by rage."

He didn't care if she was blinded or not. Her apology was the most important thing of all. He wanted to make sure he was on good terms with Ella's family since he saw a future with her.

"I understand, Mrs Featherington. And you're forgiven."

She smiled and walked away. Arthur, Juliet and Helen left too. The Duke cleared his throat, signalling to Robert that they haven't had their tete-a-tete yet. Robert kissed his mother and sister's foreheads. Then he bent over to pick up his metal.

"Father and I need to talk. I'll come to find you both when we are done," he said, realising now odd that sounded. Usually, in instances like these he would be panicked because he knew whenever his father wanted to talk, it was to scold him. But this time it felt different. There was a certain easiness he couldn't comprehend in him.

And his father's blue eyes weren't cold and hard like icicles. Rather, they were calm like the blue sea. Robert knew the discussion they were about to have now would answer the surprising turn of events.

They walked further from the throng of people. There was a large boulder on shore and his father sat on it. He tapped next to him for Robert to join him. What was happening? His father had never asked him to sit next to him before. He was always distancing himself.

Unsure of what was transpiring, he sat next to his father and they both stared at the sea. He ran his fingers over the metal nervously. The texture was as smooth as a glass surface. Robert couldn't believe he was holding the metal in his hands finally. He had spent millions of pounds on the treasure hunt and the true hero turned out to be Ella who saved it by nearly drowning herself.

She was so selfless and it made his heart tug whenever he thought of it.

"The Sergeant must've told you everything, I'm sure."

"Aye." Robert nodded, staring off into the distance. The wind had become the orchestral conductor of the sea and it sending soft waves towards the shore. Enveloping the milieu was the perfume of the salty water and the freshness of the breeze. It was as if the sea air could whisk Robert's soul into a shared divine space and lift what would otherwise remain earthbound toward heavenly skies.

The Duke sighed deeply. "When I was a child, I was the closest of all my siblings to my father. And since I was the firstborn and first son, it was a plus. He was my other half. However, he died while we went hunting and it felt like a big part of my life had been removed. All the responsibilities of being Duke and as transferred to me at just the age of twenty. I was so young and inexperienced. I had to shoulder the burden of the family while I suffered and mourned my father in pain."

Robert slid his gaze to his Father and his eyes widened at the sight before him. Duke Philip Stark was shedding tears! If there was an award for the most surprising day, today would have won it.

He knew about his grandfather's death. But he didn't know it affected his father to this extent. He felt pity for the old man. He had father problems too, but in a different way. But Robert didn't know how this story related to anything that happened today.

"Father, are you crying?"

"Nonsense." The Duke wiped his tears with the heel of his palm. "I'm a Duke. I don't cry."

You were just crying.

"So," his father continued, "for months after this death, my heart didn't stop bleeding and till now it doesn't. So I swore I would never make my child experience the pain I went through when my father died." He interlocked his hands. "And I did that by doing the opposite of what my late father did. Instead of being close, I became distant. Instead of being kind, I became cold. Instead of being a good father, I became a bad one."

"I did all these so you would never be close to me. That way if I died, you would never feel the pain I felt. But you should know I love you and have always did since you were brought into this world."

Robert blinked.

Then blinked again.

"Y-you love me?"

"Yes, I do."

Robert rubbed his eyes to make sure he was not dreaming. Surely he understood his father's reasons for doing what he did. He was trying to prevent the past from happening. But Robert deserved the chance to have a life with his father despite what he went through as a child. His father should've known that Robert would've loved to experience those happy moments he spent with his late father.

"When I saw how far you were willing to go to prove to be you were good enough, the walls I raised to prevent you from coming close to my heart broke down." He held the bridge of his nose and shook his head. "Imagine it wasn't Victor pulling the trigger, I would've lost you. I know it won't be possible for you to forgive me, but I want you to know that I've always been proud of you as a father, despite you having some unacceptable habits."

It was a good thing Robert forgave his father when he was close to being killed. With all he heard now, he could understand his father's intentions were pure. But his execution affected Robert's childhood. He spent most of his life thinking his father never loved him. Being told otherwise was something he never saw coming.

"When Victor pointed that gun at my head, it made me realise how short life was and how I shouldn't have wasted my time trying to seek your validation for so long. I thought to myself, I should've spent my life living it to the fullest." Robert leaned back and watched the sun slowly setting at the horizon, hues of orange and red painting the sky. "Life shouldn't be spent holding grudges. Life should be spent in peace and tranquillity. And it most definitely should be spent with family by your side. At gunpoint, I forgave you, father. I forgave you because it seemed to be the right thing to do."

Robert side-eyed his father who stared at the sandy shore in bewilderment. "After all I did to you?"

"Yes. After hearing your story, it's clear I had made the right decision."

Robert couldn't believe he would ever have this moment with his father. The both of them watched the beautiful sunset as the sea washed over the shore and flowed back again. Robert had already given up his chase for his father's validation. But having his father plead for forgiveness made him see hope. Maybe, there was a chance at building a relationship with him.

"You were always a better man than I was." Duke Philip pursed his lips. "Thank you, Robert. I don't know what to say."

None of them spoke for a minute. The silence was getting pressing and Robert had to say something to ease the mood.

He chuckled. "Captain Asher would go nuts if he ever found out he didn't win that boxing match fairly."

Duke Philip smiled. "It's a known fact that Captains have huge egos."

"Aye. Let's keep him thinking he's the big man."

They both laughed and threw their arms over their shoulders. Robert froze. His father's hand was over his shoulder! This was certainly going to take some time to get used to. He breathed deeply, trying to lessen his tension.

"Robert."

"Yes, Father."

They were both looking at the horizon, silhouettes of birds in the evening sky.

"I know this is too much for you to comprehend. Trust me, it's overwhelming for me too. But I promise I would put in the work necessary to build our bond."

Robert patted his father's ageing hand. "I appreciate that, Father."

"By the way, what are your intentions with Miss Featherington?"

What are my intentions? He knew what his father meant. And it had come across his mind. But he was going to give it time to naturally manifest.

"Good intentions, Father. I have nothing but good intentions."

*****