Kaj had never considered the burden of his title to be oppressive. He had flourished for many years beneath its shadow, happy to serve his herd and and his family. That was until he'd built a real family of his own, until the lack of time kept him from their sides. He despaired over how quickly Aleta grew, the way she flourished and grew into her skin without him being there at all moments like he desired to be. He loved her as he loved no other being on the earth, and where the women of the past had broken and defiled his heart, Aleta was the balm that soothed and restored it. He had never known or experienced the deep, unwavering love he held for his daughter. Beneath the golden light her presence brought into his life, the shadow of his title grew ever longer. No longer did he have to sleep alone at night, as he had since he'd left the old herdlands when he was barely three years old. He had Aleta to return to instead of a sad empty coven of trees, and sometimes Sohalia as well. With all the good the pair brought into his miserable, lonely life, Kaj began to doubt.

A soft, childish voice rang out, a whining cry for attention. Kaj gave a brief, apologetic smile towards Resplendence and turned to exit her little cavern. Aleta's voice was unmistakable, and perhaps all fathers felt that way, but Kaj would not ignore her beckoning. Muscular frame pushed forward faster into the underbrush, long trot carrying him towards the distant sound of her voice. Where is Sohalia? It crossed his mind briefly, for Aleta was not the only observant force of their family. He knew she had been regularly disappearing, but had no power to stop her nor any desire to confront her about it. They were friends, good friends, but he would not chain her to him. He only despaired over how it affected Aleta, not wanting her to ever doubt the love her parents had for her or the lengths they would go on her behalf. And if running to her every beck and call helped assure her that she was not lone, that she was loved beyond her imagination...it was no contest or hardship for Kaj. He would drop everything for his baby girl. 

"I'm here, engeltje," he called out in response as he drew nearer, shoving a blossoming branch out of his way and watching with amusement as Aleta wandered around calling out for him in a long string of consonants. Trotting closer he paused, used to not touching her skin now, and blew a puff of air towards her face in his trademark 'kiss' for her. He always let her come to him, deciding her limits of touch and when she desired it to happen. "How are you my dear?" Clearly bored in some way if her adorable whining was any indication, but he would allow her to ramble her answer on her own. 

Engeltje means little angel

His little angel had been such a hard first child to have, and objectively Kaj knew that. However he practiced the trust exemplified in Maren, and he believed with an utterly unshakeable faith that the Gods had planned for Kaj to be Aleta's father. He would protect her from the elements as stubbornly as he would defend her from the misunderstanding of her peers and age-mates. To him, there was nothing wrong with her. Maybe her skin was like one giant exposed nerve, it did not make her less than anybody else. She was beautiful, and precious, and so endearingly resilient and kind in the face of such unfair amounts of pain. If he could wrap her in the down of his feathers and cocoon her until she was ready to face the world unharmed, he would. But Kaj knew she felt the wind and the earth the way her mother did, yearning for adventure and freedom that he would allow her, even when his skin prickled with constant nervous energy. He tried not to be an overbearing father, tried not to check in on her every hour in a way that would surely choke her. In some ways his duties as a Czar helped in that aspect, in others they could sometimes make him sloppy.

Nevertheless he believed he was meant for fatherhood. He doted on Aleta, tried to be fair and just when she required correction or punishment. And through it all he adored her above all else. So what she asked for, if benign, she generally received. 

His heart soared as it did every time she ever called him daddy, her own air-kiss tickling pleasantly against his pale whiskers. This was paradise. This was worth every heartbreak, every ounce of pain. 

"Well then we'd better get started!" he gasped, wings arcing at his sides as he danced in place. With a grin he turned and beckoned Aleta to his side. "What Czar duties would you like to help me with today, engeltje?" If she knew of any he would certainly entertain her foremost notion, but he had a few ideas he could utilize if she was unsure. 

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