The guild was still buzzing the air thick with laughter, the scent of spilled beer, and the distant echo of a self-playing banjo. The chaos of Gildarts' arrival had settled into a warm hum and the roulette wheels never seemed to stop spinning, but Lucky's mind was elsewhere.
But at the far end of the bar, Makarov sat with Gildarts, speaking quietly while the red-haired S-Class mage downed a massive mug of ale. Lucky walked toward them, Cana close at his side.
Cana stood stiff, hands clenched into fists at her sides, eyes darting toward the bar where Makarov and Gildarts sat, deep in conversation.
Lucky glanced at her.
She was fidgeting biting her lip, shifting her weight, looking like she was about to bolt.
He gently placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Hey."
She flinched.
"You don't have to run," he said softly. "You came this far. Go through with it."
Cana swallowed hard. "I… I don't know if I can."
"You can," Lucky said, giving her a small, encouraging smile
Cana froze. She looked at him nervous, hesitant. Lucky's smile wasn't his usual smug grin. It was calm, steady.
With a small nod, Cana pushed forward.
Cana's steps grew smaller with each pace. She was fidgeting even more, hands clutched to her stomach, eyes darting everywhere except forward. When they were halfway across the room, she almost turned on her heel to retreat.
"if you don't Go i will " Lucky said with slight provocation in his tone . "Cana we are half way there let's finish what we stated"
She looked at him the fear in her eyes wavered. Replaced by something else.
Determination.
With a small nod, Cana pushed forward.
"Okay," she whispered. "Let's go."
Lucky nodded and led the way.
As they approached, Makarov noticed them first. His eyes flickered from Lucky to Cana, then to Gildarts, who was mid-sentence about a collapsed mountain he'd accidentally erased from the map.
Makarov hopped off the barrel a rare sight and walked over, his usual playful demeanor replaced with something deeper.
He leaned in and whispered to Lucky, "Now?"
Lucky leaned in, answering just as quietly. "Better late than sorry."
Gildarts blinked, scratching his head. "Huh? What's all this whispering? Did I miss something?"
Makarov didn't answer. Instead, he gestured with his cane toward the back. "Follow me. All of you."
Confused, Gildarts rose to his feet, his massive frame towering over them. "Alright… if you say so."
The four of them moved through the guild, ignoring the chatter and laughter, and slipped into one of the private rooms at the back. Lucky was holding the foor for everyone After everyone entered.
The air grew still.
Then The door clicked shut.
Makarov stepped aside, placing a hand on Lucky's shoulder. "This isn't our story to tell."
The air grew heavy.
Makarov leaned against the wall, Lucky at his side. Cana stood in the center, trembling under the weight of both men's gazes. Even Gildarts, usually so carefree, could sense something was off.
He rubbed the back of his neck. "So… what's this about? Some secret job? Did I Destroy Someone's house again?"
Cana swallowed. Her hands clenched into fists. Her voice came out quiet, trembling.
"The reason I came to Fairy Tail… wasn't just to Learn magic, or to find a place to belong."
Gildarts tilted his head, listening.
Cana took a shaky breath.
Then, in a voice barely above a whisper "The reason I came to Fairy Tail… was because I was looking… for my… father."
Her last word was almost a whisper.
But every ear in the room heard it.
Lucky's mana perception caught the sharp spike in her heartbeat. Makarov's eyes softened, but he stayed silent, letting her continue.
For a moment, Gildarts simply smiled. "Your father, huh? First time I'm hearing of this. So… did you manage to find him?"
Cana's eyes were wide, filled with anticipation. "Yes," she said, voice trembling. "I… I found him."
Gildarts smiled, patting her shoulder warmly. "Good for you, kid, I'm happy for you."
Her lip trembled.
Lucky slapped his own forehead.
And then...
WHAM!
Makarov's mustache bristled. His arm suddenly expanded with magic, swelling into a massive giant's limb. With a swift motion, he slammed his Fist down on Gildarts' head smashing him against the wall.
"YOU BIG IDIOT!" Makarov roared. "She's telling you and YOU STILL don't get it!"
Gildarts peeled himself off the wall, rubbing his skull, stunned. "What was that for?!"
Makarov pointed at Cana. "She just said it, and you still don't get it?!"
Lucky sweatdropped, eyebrow twitching. "Is he really this dense…?"
Makarov turned to Cana, his voice gentler. "Child. Speak clearly."
Cana's throat tightened. Her eyes blurred with tears. But Lucky caught her gaze, gave her a small thumbs-up.
Cana took a deep breath.
Her eyes locked onto Gildarts.
And then, with tears welling up
"My father… it's you, Gildarts."
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Gildarts stared.
His face went blank.
Then
"WHAAAAAAAAAT?!"
Makarov slapped a sound-canceling seal on the wall before entering expecting something like this . If he hadn't, the entire city of Magnolia would've heard that scream.
Cana wiped her tears and pressed forward. "It's true. You're my father."
Gildarts' jaw hung open. Then, instead of responding, he muttered to himself. "No way… wait… okay, who was her mother then?"
And he started counting on his fingers.
"Sara? Naomi? Clair? Feena? Marly? No, the hair doesn't match… Emma? Laila? Jean? Sidney? ..."
the list kept going.
Cana's bright eyes dimmed.
Lucky's eyebrow twitched.
Makarov crossed his arms, muttering, with a slight admiration in his tone "How many women has this man been with…?"
"STOP!" Cana's voice cracked like a whip. Her eyes burned with tears, anger trembling in every word.
"How many women have you been with after my mom died?!"
The list on Gildarts' lips stopped dead. His mouth opened and closed, his usual confident grin nowhere to be found.
Cana shook, her tears streaming down. "How many, Gildarts?! How many women have you been with?!"
She turned, ready to bolt out of the room.
"Cana!" Lucky called, but she didn't stop.
But before she could touch the door, a large shadow appeared behind her.
"Wait."
Gildarts' voice was softer. Shaky.
He knelt down, crouching so his massive frame could meet her eyes. For once, he didn't look like the unshakable S-Class mage who crushed mountains. He looked small. Vulnerable.
"You're Cornelia's girl." His voice cracked. "I'm sure of it."
Cana's shoulders trembled. "Let go of me…"
But he didn't. His eyes watered his voice cracked. "Why… why didn't you say anything?"
Cana sobbed. "It was hard! How was I supposed to just… come out and say it? You're so strong. I didn't know if you'd accept me…"
Tears welled in Gildarts' eyes now. His voice broke.
The words hung in the air.
Tears in his eyes.
"Cornelia was the only woman I ever loved. The only woman I ever married. I never remarried after her. Not once."
Cana gasped, staring up at him.
"She left me… because all I ever did was work, work, work. I wasn't there for her enough. I only heard later… through rumors… that she passed away." His voice shook. "I never knew… never even dreamed we had a child together."
His voice shattered.
"Forgive me, Cana…"
He pulled her into his chest, clutching her like she was the most precious thing in the world. His body shook with sobs. "Forgive me, Cana. Forgive me… I never realized… my daughter was right here."
this was not a warrior's embrace.
Not a S-Class mage's grip.
A father's hold.
Cana stiffened at first.
Then, slowly, her arms wrapped around him.
And they cried.
Together.
Cana while warrping her arms around him. Tears poured freely down her face. "I'm happy… to have met you, father…"
The dam broke.
Father and daughter wept together, loudly, unashamed. Minutes passed as they clung to one another, letting years of silence, regret, and longing pour out at once.
Gildarts let out a choked laugh. "I remember now… the first time I saw you. You were so small. Had a dog. You kept looking at me… but I never realized…"
He hugged her tighter. "CANA!" he bellowed, sobbing. "I'll never leave you again! I'll make sure you're never lonely! I'm here now! I'm your father!"
Cana cried harder, but she was smiling.
The silence lingered, warm and heavy.
Finally, Makarov cleared his throat, breaking the moment. "Gildarts."
The S-Class mage lifted his head, eyes still wet.
"Raising a child is not easy. You must be responsible. It is not just about blood. It is about presence. About care."
Gildarts nodded solemnly. "I know. And I'll do it. I'll be there for her."
"Good." Makarov's tone softened. "Then you have my approval."
Gildarts smiled through his tears, ruffling Cana's hair. "Guess you're stuck with me now, huh?"
Cana let out a watery laugh. "Idiot… I wanted that all along."
Makarov straightened his tiny body. "Come. Let's return. An announcement must be made."
Gildarts stood, sweeping Cana into his arms before she could protest.
"H-Hey! Put me down!" she stammered, cheeks blazing red "I'm not a kid!"
But he only laughed, carrying her like a treasure.
They stepped out into the guild hall. The noise quieted immediately as everyone turned to see the sight Gildarts, carrying Cana, with Lucky and Makarov behind them.
Confused murmurs rippled. Some guild members gawked. A few gave Gildarts questioning, even suspicious looks.
He felt it. The judgment.
And so, without hesitation, Gildarts raised his voice.
"Listen up, everyone!"
The guild fell silent.
He grinned proudly, holding Cana tighter.
"Cana is my daughter! Got that?! She's family! Anyone who so much as thinks about bullying her you'll answer to me!"
The room went dead quiet.
Then...
"HUUUUUUUUUUUUH?!"
The guild's collective shock echoed through the hall.
Cana's face buried into her father's chest in embarrassment. Lucky smiled and Makarov just chuckled.
And for the first time in a while
Cana Alberona didn't feel alone.