A burst of wild laughter echoed through the air.
Matilda's heart gave a violent tremor as she lifted her head in disbelief—only to see a face that was both familiar and strange.
Familiar, of course—how could she ever be unfamiliar with her own husband?
Strange, because Roselle's complexion was visibly darker, and his once neatly trimmed beard now grew a little wild. He looked almost like a vagabond—different, somehow, in a way she couldn't quite describe.
"Hahaha! Why did you stop screaming? The more you scream, the more excited I get!"
Roselle clearly intended to play some kind of "role-playing" game, but Matilda instead looped her arms around his neck, looked into his eyes, and said softly, "Welcome home."
"..."
The grin on Roselle's face slowly faded. He turned his gaze aside, suddenly awkward.
"Uh, well…I'm back."
After a brief silence, he coughed lightly and set her down. Truth was, he just couldn't handle overly sentimental reunions—hence the little "performance" earlier.
But with just that one line and one look from Matilda, all his bravado collapsed.
He cleared his throat. "Ahem, where's my angel? Where's my sweet little girl?"
Glancing around, he called loudly, "Bernadette! Your most beloved father is back!"
Matilda hesitated for a few seconds. She bit back the rather unkind line—'Whether she still loves you most, I wouldn't be so sure'—and instead said mildly, "Bernadette went to visit Mr. Sparrow early this morning."
"Mr. Sparrow? Who's that?" Roselle frowned.
"..."
"Klein Sparrow," she explained helplessly. "The man who risked his life to save Bernadette at that banquet."
"Oh~~ you mean Klein! I completely forgot what his surname was." Roselle's brows furrowed.
"But why would Bernadette go to his place?"
"Well…that's a long story."
——
Only the Kingdom of the Evernight Goddess remained unvisited in Edward's astral wanderings.
Because of that, he wasn't in any hurry—well, truth be told, he was simply a little intimidated by that "scheming lady."
He decided to take a day off first, and visit that domain of Evernight tomorrow.
At the moment, he sat cross-legged in the garden, waiting for Bernadette to finish changing her clothes before they went out for a picnic and barbecue in the countryside—her idea, of course. She said that since he always took her out to play, today it was her turn to take him out instead.
Dubois had already made all the arrangements: the carriage stood ready by the gate, he himself dressed in a perfectly tailored suit and, somehow, had even found a pair of gold-rimmed spectacles. He looked so refined and proper that he could've passed for the master of the house instead of Edward.
"Women are such trouble—no matter the age."
Edward yawned lazily, his gaze wandering idly around.
Then, a familiar figure appeared at the gate.
He blinked, sat upright at once. "Roselle?"
According to his earlier estimate, the man shouldn't have been back for at least another two or three days—but apparently, he'd made it early.
Compared to the rugged sailor he'd seen at sea, Roselle had now fully restored his usual noble demeanour. His golden hair was neatly slicked back, his signature moustache carefully groomed. His skin was a shade darker than before, and his physique leaner and stronger—he'd definitely become the kind of man who could once again charm noble ladies into throwing themselves at him.
As soon as Edward spotted him, Roselle naturally noticed Edward as well. Their eyes met for half a second before Roselle looked away and began scanning the area—
Until his gaze met Dubois's.
Both men opened their mouths simultaneously, but neither spoke. Their eyes, however, flickered with the same unmistakable spark of hostility—as though each was silently preparing to unleash a storm of sarcasm at the other.
"I'm ready!"
Bernadette's bright voice cut through the tension. She emerged wearing a simple, practical outfit suited for running and jumping, her beret tilted at a jaunty angle. She looked like a lively young boy, smiling happily as she walked out.
Roselle's eyes lit up instantly. "Bernadette!" he called joyfully.
"???"
Bernadette glanced in his direction.
And just as Roselle spread his arms, expecting his beloved daughter to burst into tears of joy and fly into his embrace—
She calmly turned her head away, sprinted toward that damned bastard Klein, grabbed his hand affectionately, and said, "Let's go."
"..."
In that instant—
Roselle felt as though the sky itself had collapsed upon him.
His heart clenched violently, shrinking as if it were being wrung dry, and a sharp, unbearable pain shot through his chest.
Pain!
It hurts!
It hurts so damn much!
He had pushed everyone day and night, racing across sea and land without pause, all so he could see Bernadette even one day sooner.
But now…she had merely glanced at him with casual indifference—then turned to another man?
No…NO!!!
"Hahahahahahaha!"
Dubois immediately slapped his thigh and burst out laughing, utterly unrestrained. "Hahahahaha! Roselle, so even you have your day, huh?"
Edward, meanwhile, was a little dumbfounded.
He admitted that after spending this time together, his relationship with Bernadette had grown close—but he'd never imagined it could rival the bond between father and daughter. Yet here she was, faced with the father she'd longed for all this time and with him, her "Uncle Sparrow"…and she'd chosen him without a moment's hesitation.
Well—
He couldn't help but feel a spark of glee deep inside.
The corners of Edward's lips curved upward into a small, pleased smirk.
"Mr. Sparrow, your smile looks…kinda weird," Bernadette said, shrinking her neck slightly.
"Ahem, Bernie, why don't you take a closer look at that suspicious-looking man standing by the door?"
"Huh?"
She turned curiously—and saw the utterly devastated Roselle. After a moment of confusion, realisation dawned on her face, and her expression changed in rapid succession: shock, disbelief, wonder, hesitation, delight, joy—
"Daddy!!!"
The little girl bolted forward, hurling herself into Roselle's arms with such force that it nearly knocked him over, tears streaming down her face.
"Daddy!"
At that moment, the withered heart within Roselle came back to life.
The man who claimed to hate "sentimental scenes" now wept openly, tears flowing down his weathered cheeks.
——
In Edward's living room.
Roselle sat on the sofa, clutching Bernadette protectively in his arms like a mother hen shielding her chick. Edward sat opposite them, while Dubois, taking over the butler's duties, poured tea at the side with exaggerated politeness.
"I had no idea my precious daughter had gotten so close to you," Roselle said acidly, eyes narrowed. "Tell me, did you drug her? No, no, don't tell me—you're one of those creepy uncles with…special tastes, are you, Klein…Sparrow sir?"
His tone was dripping with sarcasm, each word soaked in mockery.
Dubois exchanged a knowing glance with his master, then fired back with the same venomous irony, "Mr. Sparrow merely helped fill the void left by some irresponsible idiot who abandoned his wife and child for some nonsense like 'pursuing the sea of stars.' Someone had to give the child a bit of the fatherly love she was missing."
"Bullshit!"
Roselle shot up, furious. "When was I ever irresponsible?! Bernadette doesn't need anyone to fill in for me!"
"Oh?" Dubois sneered. "Then please, our most honourable Son of Steam, great Captain of the Seas...Tell us where you were during those two long months—When Bernadette missed her father?"
"When she was lonely and afraid?"
"When she was bullied and had to swallow her tears?"
"When she watched other children being embraced by their fathers—Where were you?"
"..."
Roselle's eyelid twitched violently. "You son of a—"
"Daddy, no swearing!" Bernadette cut in sharply.
Dubois smirked. "See? Even your precious daughter can't stand watching you dig your own grave. Roselle, Roselle—you've truly failed as a man and a father!"
Veins bulged on Roselle's forehead, but feeling Bernadette's soft little hand in his, he forced himself to calm down.
"Sweetheart, don't listen to that dog—uh, that filthy liar. Everything he said is nonsense."
"Oh."
Bernadette nodded obediently, but after a moment of hesitation, she tilted her head. "Still…I think some of what Mr. Dubois said might be true. I only started playing with Mr. Sparrow because Daddy wasn't around."
Stab!
A metaphorical dagger plunged straight into Roselle's heart. His breath caught for several seconds before he managed to force a trembling smile.
"Sweetheart, Daddy went to sea to prepare the way for you. Next time, I'll take you with me, I promise."
"Really?"
"Really!"
Dubois clapped mockingly. "Oh, bravo, Roselle! I swear, not even the gods could beat you when it comes to lying to kids without blinking."
"..."
Edward folded his arms, leaning back in his chair, clearly enjoying the show. Schadenfreude was written all over his face.
"Klein!" Roselle suddenly barked. "Before I left, didn't you say you were going to fire that guy? How can you still keep someone like him around? Aren't you afraid he'll seduce one of your women someday?"
Edward gave a polite, dry cough. "Eh…but I'm still single. And I haven't exactly been getting close to any women lately."
Roselle froze—then looked at Edward with sudden wariness.
"Wait. Don't tell me the rumours are true…You don't actually have some peculiar preferences, do you? If so, keep your distance from me!"
His expression twisted awkwardly, haunted by memories of that night with the two burly sailors.
"???"
Edward was utterly bewildered. "What the hell are you talking about?"
"That's what Matilda told me the moment I got home!" Roselle shot back. "And she never leaves the house—so if even she's heard the rumour, it must've spread everywhere!"
Edward turned his glare to Dubois. "What the hell have you been saying about me out there?! Didn't I specifically warn you last time?"
"I swear I didn't!" Dubois raised both hands defensively. "It's just that some noble ladies were asking about you lately—wanted me to introduce them. I politely declined, as per your instructions. Then those spoiled women, angry at being turned down, started gossiping. That's how the rumours started!"
He pointed straight at Roselle. "So really, it's his fault!"
Roselle spluttered. "How the hell is it my fault? I wasn't even in Trier!"
"In the eyes of others, you and Mr. Roselle are close friends," Dubois said righteously. "And since Roselle has a certain reputation for philandering, they assumed you were the same kind of man. When you rejected them, they got mad and started spreading lies. So yes—it's all Roselle's fault!"
Roselle shot to his feet, rolling up his sleeves. "Oh, for the love of—! What am I, Tōsaka Tokiomi now? Everything's my fault, huh?!"
Bernadette looked between them, confused. "Daddy, Mr. Sparrow, what are you two talking about?"
Roselle & Edward, in perfect unison: "Children shouldn't ask too many questions!" ×2
———
[Note]: Don't forget to VOTE. It keeps me motivated.