Volume 6 Chapter 27 Dad's Secret Story
When I woke up, I saw a strange place and for a moment, I didn't know where I was.
This isn't Lobelia, this is──
"Sir Roxas's house..."
I poked Eir-Eir and Ms. Famine, who were sleeping soundly, while lying on the fluffy bed.
My finger sank into Eir-Eir's body, and when I pulled it away, it bounced back, which I found funny, so I did it a few more times.
I took Ms. Famine's small, defenseless hand and squished her pink paw.
Both of them smelled nice, like the fancy bath products from the Girard family.
I was playing around for a while, but then I realized Dad was missing, so I slowly got up.
"Good morning, Dad. You're up early."
"I slept well."
"What's wrong? Are you worried about something?"
"...Well, yeah."
Dad was standing in front of a big window that led to the balcony, looking outside.
The clock showed it was 10 AM, and the bright sunlight was shining on Dad's small white body and the white snow piled up on the balcony, making everything sparkle.
I put on the slippers next to the bed and went over to Dad.
I pulled my nightgown back into place, which was slipping off my shoulder, and looked out the window.
New snow had fallen during the night, piling up nicely.
The sight of the bright white world with sunlight pouring down felt somehow sacred.
My breath fogged up the window.
I wondered if everyone was already awake or still sleeping.
I felt like I was worried about something before I went to sleep, but after a good night's rest, I felt lighter.
"I've been thinking about whether to talk about my things."
"About you, Dad?"
"Yeah. It's something I've kept secret for a long time. Talking to you about what I know might just be a burden for you. That's what I thought."
"I think you said it's not good to tell me what you know."
I don't know much about Dad.
He showed up when I was little, a holy beast, and he's immortal.
He looks like a fluffy puppy because I wished for something cute.
He's super confident about being cute and likes to drink.
But really, he looks like a handsome adult man. And he has a lot of secrets. That's about all I know.
"It's not good. Yeah, it's not good. But being with you, Lydia, and seeing everything around you, I realized something. Lydia, you are very kind."
"That's not true. I get angry, cry, and complain. I'm not a good person."
Since Dad praised me, I shook my head.
Sometimes I get compliments lately, but if I can help someone, it's not just my own strength.
I couldn't do anything by myself.
After Sir Ciel forced me out of the shop where I was hiding, I met everyone and they encouraged me.
Because they supported me, I'm here now.
"The true essence of your heart is kind. People have many sides. Even when you complain and grumble, you can't push away a hand reaching out for help. That's your kindness. Your kindness changes the world around you."
"...That's not true. Everyone who is with me is kind because they are naturally kind."
"No matter what happens or what you see, you probably give forgiveness. Just like you forgive and love Eiris and Famine."
"Love...!"
I think I was worried about love and relationships before I went to sleep.
But when Dad casually mentioned love, I was surprised.
"Pumpkin pudding!"
"Tarte Tatin..."
Maybe they heard my voice, Eir-Eir and Ms. Famine bounced over to me.
I hugged both of them tightly and repeated the word 'love' in my heart.
I really like them.
They're fluffy and cute, and they try to protect me with their small bodies, always staying by my side.
I feel like I have to protect them.
Their memories were filled with the feeling of wanting to be loved by Mother.
Sylphina couldn't take care of them properly.
But maybe, just like Lady Irfimia, I just made a mistake.
"Your love changed both of us. It turned us from being filled with hate, sadness, and pain into innocent kids again. I always thought you were born with the power of Alexandria, but your life is yours to live."
"Um, what do you mean?"
"Your life is yours. You get to choose what to do. Whether you want to marry someone you love and live quietly, or open a restaurant and share happiness with everyone through your cooking, it's all your choice."
"Freedom..."
"You are kind and good. So, my story might be a burden for you, Lydia. I didn't want to put a heavy load on you."
"I can carry a heavy load just fine. I could even carry a big octopus like the one Sir Roxas painted."
"Better to forget about that."
"Isn't an octopus something that wraps around women? I got wrapped up too."
"Better to forget that too."
That's true. This isn't the time to talk about octopuses.
"What I mean is, I can handle a heavy load, so I don't think I'll crumble if I hear what Dad has to say."
"You've become strong, Lydia."
"...Maybe it's because I'm not alone. ...Sir Ciel said he would look into the immortals and the witch's daughter. Sir Ciel isn't here, and... I think it's because of me that he has more work now."
"He is Gem's People. Smart, strong, but also fragile. That's what Gem's People are like."
"You know about Gem's People too, Dad. Please tell me what you know... even if it's a heavy load, I don't plan to carry it all by myself. I believe I have people who will help me carry it."
If it were the old me, I wouldn't have thought that way.
But now it's different.
When I said I wanted to help Mr. Lucian, everyone helped me.
It was the same with Sir Stefan.
And when Sir Rail said he wanted to save Sir Roxas, everyone came together to help.
"You once told me that friends multiply the fun and divide the pain. I have friends now."
"That's right. Your friends also struggle and fight, but... they are all living their lives to the fullest. Trying to walk the right path. Lydia, I──."
Just as Dad was about to say something, there was a hurried knock on the door.
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Donate me
Support Me with USDC
(ERC20)
Support Me with XLM
(Stellar Lumens)