THE FORGOTTEN HEIRESS-Chapter 89: Am I a Bastard?

"Really? Steffan stepped back and stared at his niece, his arms folded over each other. "Why do I feel as if you are keeping something from me?"

Sophia pressed her lips together in a pout, "How can you say that uncle? I am not keeping anything from you." She felt wronged as she didn’t understand why her uncle was interrogating her like a thief.

"Seriously, they didn’t tell me where they were going."

Steffan scrutinized his niece’s beautiful face for any telltale signs of lying, but her eyes met his without wavering.

"Ok, let’s believe you are saying the truth this time. Who are they, especially the boy that just ran away?"

"He is...," she trailed off as she remembered Elvis asking her not to reveal their identity.

"I- I..." Sophia looked down, her lashes flickering uncontrollably while she twisted her hands nervously.

As she was thinking about what to say, her mind zeroed in on something.

’Could it be that her uncle was the one Elvis was running away from?’

’If that’s true, then why were they running from him? Is my uncle a bad guy? ’

’But wait, if he is the one, that means they wouldn’t have left if he didn’t show up.’

All of a sudden, Sophia did not want to have anything to do with her uncle. He was the one that made her friends leave, especially Elvis.

Who knows when she will get to have him all to herself again. They would definitely meet in school but he might not pay attention to her like he did today.

She looked up with an aggrieved face, not bothering to answer the question again.

Just like that Steffan ended up being a bad uncle in Sophia’s mind.

Steffan, who had his eyes trained on Sophia as he waited for her confession doubtless noticed all the different emotions displayed on her face. He was however taken aback when all of a sudden she glared at him as if he was her worst enemy.

"What happened to you sweetheart?"

"Humph," she snorted. "I don’t want to talk to you again."

"Why sweetheart? Is that a plan of yours to avoid answering my question?" the corners of his mouth lifted in a slight smile.

’I know that trick very well and can’t be fooled by you, little girl,’ he thought, as he chuckled to himself

Sophia refuted immediately. "Who said I can’t answer your question?"

"Then why are you suddenly pretending to be angry?" he probed, still smiling.

"I’m not pretending. I’m mad at you uncle," exploded Sophia, stamping her feet on the ground.

Steffan was speechless. He couldn’t remember offending her in anyway. "What did I do wrong?"

"You chased them away and I don’t want to talk to you ever again." She wailed, tears almost rolling down her flushed cheeks.

How can he belittle her temper like that, even saying that she was pretending after chasing her friends away. She crossed her arms over her chest and turned away, facing the opposite direction.

"My sweetie pie, I’m sorry." Steffan had no choice but to put aside his quest on the boy’s identity in the meantime and coax the angry birthday girl.

He will find a way to get her to talk, but apparently not in her current state.

He held her in his embrace and whispered in her ears.

"Remember today is your special day and everyone is paying attention to you." He felt her soft body stiffen in his embrace and knew he was gradually getting to her, so continued.

"Do you want them to see a crying princess? All your good image will be ruined in their eyes. Is that what you really want?"

Sophia’s struggling ceased the moment she understood the meaning behind her uncle’s words.

If she was seen crying by anyone, they will all laugh at her, then, she would no longer be the beautiful princess everyone knew her to be.

After successfully coaxing his niece, Steffan made a puppy eye and asked, "Are you still angry with your only uncle?"

"A little," Sophia suppressed the giggle that threatened to spill out when she saw her Uncle’s funny face.

"That means uncle may never get the answers he seeks. Poor me," he wailed.

Sophia decided to budge a bit.

"I will answer your questions uncle but before I do, can you sincerely answer the questions I have for you?"

Steffan wondered what she was up to. But if answering her will lead him to the answers he sought, why not?

"Go ahead, shoot."

Sophia placed her two hands on her hips and asked, "Why do you want to know who they are?"

"I’m more interested in the boy’s identity because I find him familiar and want to know who his parents are."

"What would you think of someone who breaks a promise that he solemnly swore to keep?"

"That person is worse than a bastard," Steffan declared without thinking too much before realizing that he had fallen deep into his niece’s trap.

Words were like eggs, once spoken, they can no longer be retrieved. He could only berate himself for falling foolishly into a trap set by a six year old child.

Sophia’s next question was light a lightening bolt that shook him out of his pool of regret.

Satisfied, sophia released the next question. "Am I a bastard?"

"How can you ask such a question? You are a legitimate princess of our family. You are definitely no bastard."

"But you clearly want me to be a bastard."

Steffan, "...."

"Why would you say that, dear? I l want nothing of the sort."

"But you asked me to break the promise I made to my friends."

A slight crease appeared on Steffan’s forehand. "What did you promise?"

"I promised them not to reveal their identity."

Realization dawned on Steffan and he couldn’t help but break out in a laugh. On the other hand he was highly impressed by his niece’s wisdom and loyalty at such a young age.

You don’t need to tell me their identity since you’ve promised."

Sophia’s eyes shone in joy. "Thanks uncle. You are the best."