"..." Seeing Tia being this curious, Davis blinked twice before he nodded.
"Love has different contexts for men and women. I have so many women. Do you think I love them? Do you think I'm faithful?"
Tia's expression changed, "Ugh... the answer is... no...? Ah! But it's clear big brother loves them with all your heart. That's why I asked this, as I can't understand how it's possible to love multiple people when it is also considered insincere and even disgusting at times..."
She took back her hands and placed them before her abundant bosoms, appearing a bit scared to act this bold.
However, Davis couldn't help but chuckle.
"You're correct. I'm not faithful, but I'm loyal. Unless they betray me, I'll stay by their side and give my time, love, attention, resources, and even my life to them if the need arises. I can still wag my tail to them like a loyal dog without being completely faithful. However, it isn't the same for women, at least the majority of women I've seen. Once women make a choice to betray their one and only partner, it is rarely done out of foolishness. Sometimes, it may be of necessity or survival, but most often, it is for gaining status or wealth they lacked before, which is the most disgusting thing of all when it comes to love."
Tia furrowed her brows, seemingly deep in thought, as she absorbed his words.
"Don't men look for high-status women while leaving behind their poor wives as well? I remember lowly married men pining for young mistresses that are way above their level outside the Alstreim Family and even sometimes in it...?"
Davis's brows raised. He couldn't believe this teenager, that had just become an adult, had been paying attention to such things, causing him to smile once again.
"Again, you're correct. Such men are just opportunists, in my opinion. Some of them have the heart to care about the women they attained through wanting status and wealth, but most of such men do not care. They're a deplorable bunch who see the world through the eyes of benefits- no, only benefits. It is a sad reality, and I condone them as much as you do. However, I stand when I say it is different for women."
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"If you were to betray your future husband, consider that loyalty, love, faith, trust, and everything has shattered apart into pieces that you can't piece together unless the other party is truly forgiving, which most powerful men and I are not."
"Ah!" Tia flicked her sleeves, "I wouldn't even think of that!"
'Says the woman who imagined a scenario where I robbed her mother from her father in her Heart Demon Tribulation...' Davis almost rolled his eyes but still smiled.
"Of course, this is just my personal understanding and could be wrong for others. Betraying your partner is extremely wrong and hurtful. I understand what you're saying, so to protect the women of my family in the future, including you and my sweet Eterna and Celestia, I'm thinking of creating a commandment to punish that grave sin in our family unless, of course, they have consent like me from their first wife or wives, which isn't betrayal or cheating in the first place."
Tia nodded, agreeing with him as she possessed a solemn expression while continuing to listen.
"You've also become an adult, Tia. Since you're a woman, you naturally walk a completely different path than me, so search your answers by yourself, and when you feel like this is it... grasp onto it before it's too late. Like treasures, the opportunity only knocks a few times before you end up feeling lonely. Love is truly a unique thing. It's absolutely adorable but also incredibly hurtful if things go the wrong way, so be careful if someone got your fancy."
"..." Tia's purple eyes shone as she gazed at him, "I understand. I will etch these words into my heart, big brother."
"Good. I absolutely don't want to see my little aunt suffer in the hands of a rogue similar to me."
"Huh?" Tia gave a sound of disbelief as her expression trembled, "Wha- What do you mean similar to you?"
Davis looked away, "Well, many powerful men, even weak ones, would like to take many women, but the majority of them are ones that do not take any responsibility and cast faithful women away like they are playthings, only to make use of their self worth whenever possible. Although we have a lot of women, I can say with a clear conscience that I'm not one of them. I like what I like and am willing to have them forever while treating them equally and better than they could live single-handedly. There's no in-between."
Seeing Davis boast by the end of his sentence, Tia's expression relaxed. However, she made a smug expression and curled her lips.
"Such a huge heart big brother has. It might explode one day if you keep adding more women to it and makes one wonder how much its magnificence can fit."
"Hoho?" Davis raised his brows, "My little aunt knows how to be sarcastic? You're getting bolder by the day."
"Hehe~" Tia giggled upon being praised. She couldn't help but grin and move her mouth again.
"I will get even bolder and tattle about your unseen adventures to Eterna and Celestia after they grow up."
"..."
Davis's expression twitched. Would his daughters be disgusted by his actions after they gain more understanding of the world?
He didn't know, but he certainly didn't want them to feel that way, nor did he feel like they would feel that way since it would become clear after they understood the natural way of human nature. Otherwise, princesses and empresses wouldn't tolerate him having other women.
Widening his eyes at Tia, he leaned towards her face, "You dare?"
"...!"
Tia became stiff at his cold voice. Having never been the recipient of his aggressive gaze, her lips trembled and even felt like crying if he were to keep it up.
"I... I was just kidding..."
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmLooking at Tia's reaction, Davis blinked as he saw that she took it seriously and pulled his scary face back, reaching out his hand to pat her shoulder.
"Don't be scared. You can tell them anything you want unless you're intent on manipulating them or feeding them lies, at which point, I would have to take offense for that, or I'm not a father to them. I, for one, allow freedom to exist as long as you don't go overboard or act in a stupid way that brings danger or shame to everyone, understand?"
Tia nodded her head multiple times until Davis gave the nod and smiled, pinching her face as he chuckled.
"Little aunt, I might have been wrong as I see that you're still a little girl who's easily scared."
He took his hand back and turned back to leave.
"I'm not easily scared, and I may lack understanding of many things, but I'm not a little girl anymore, so don't treat me like one...!"
Tia screamed as she clenched her fists, but her voice was meek, causing Davis to stop. He had his hands back, raising his head to look at the empty ceiling.
"Then you might have to be careful of that baddie or else risk chancing upon another scene that will give you headaches, perhaps even nightmares."
"Mhm~ I will be careful a hundred or even a thousand times!"
Davis stared at the ceiling and closed his eyes. That certainly didn't sound like the words from someone who was being careful. Nevertheless, he gently shook his head and exited the formation tent, leaving behind a woman who lowered her head, and she pulled back her arms to her bosoms.
"... and even then... I can't seem to... erase these feelings... that keeps swelling in my heart without my permission..."
Tia's voice was emotional yet so low that it could only be interpreted as squeaks.