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Intermissi...

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\n\nIntermission 8: And Thus I Slipped Out\n

\nEDITED 05/02/21\n\nTranslated by Eunie\n

Edited/Proofread by Para\n

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“...Arthur.”\n

I heard a voice calling my name, and when I turned to see where that voice was coming from, I saw that it was Clark who called out to me.\n

It might be because I was finally able to say what I wanted to say, but the moment I said my vows to Pryde-sama, it felt like a thorn had slipped out from inside me. I could feel Pryde-sama’s hands slowly slipping out of mine.\n

As they slipped out, the feeling of her fingers seemed to vividly imprint on me. \n

And then I felt Clark’s hand tapping me on the shoulder, and with a much kinder voice than usual, he said, “Let’s go.”\n

...Tsk. That’s why he annoys me.\n

He can always figure out what I’m feeling. He gives off the feeling of an older brother even though he’s around Dad’s age. But then there’s me, who’s been saved from time to time by this side of him.\n

I nodded in agreement, and then I stood up. \n

I’ve already conveyed it. \n

I have already decided.\n

The satisfaction of being able to do surprised even me, it’s as if I’ve already been fulfilled as my head suddenly goes into a daze.\n

I headed to the door while being supported by Clark every step of the way. Speaking of, where did Dad go?\n

“Your Highness, First Princess Pryde.”\n

It was at that moment when I suddenly heard his voice from behind.\n

I reflexively turned my head upon hearing Pryde-sama’s name, and then I heard a loud *GAAAN*\n

A piercing sound echoes inside the room, and I saw how Dad’s head had knocked against the floor as he prostrated in front of Pryde-sama.\n

“For what happened this time....for saving my life….Thank you very much!!”\n

My dad was...crying.\n

It’s such an unbelievable sight that I couldn’t help but doubt what I saw right now.\n

I always saw how Dad gets angry, but I’ve never seen him cry like this.\n

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“...For me to see...my friends...subordinates...and family...once again...I’m glad…!!”\n

(Eunie: To Para: I’m reminded of your comment. This must be the reason why his teardrops were making audible noises. He’s probably never cried for years now so it all accumulated in one go. LOL. XD)\n

(Para: To Eunie: LMAO, man's about to flood the entire palace.)\n

I was so surprised I couldn’t help but immediately stand upright.\n

No matter how many hurtful words I said, or even when he resolved himself to face his death, and during the time when he first returned to the castle grounds...even though there were instances where it wouldn’t have been strange for him to cry.\n

Dad never cried once. \n

But now that Dad of mine is crying in front of me, saying that he’s glad. Glad that he was able to see Clark, his subordinates, and us once more.\n

“And more than anything else...for my...son…...to be able to hear...your words…”\n

Me?\n

I couldn’t help but stare at him. Even though it was only a few minutes ago that I thought of how I failed my dad and how he had long given up on me. \n

Even though he always asked me if it was really alright with me, giving up on becoming a knight. In my heart, I always assumed that he gave up and was fed up with me; and that even if I do say that I want to become a knight, it will just bring nothing but problems for him, and I’ll only cause more shame.\n

But because of Pryde-sama’s words, I was able to realize it. \n

Dad never really gave up on me.\n

And even now…\n

“....Tuuu...I’m so glad….that I’m alive…!!!!”\n

Even now, Dad is crying because of me.\n

Dad is overjoyed right now because I said I want to become a knight and that I’m going to aim to be one, and right now, I feel so stupid for thinking things such as 'I’ll only just bring shame and trouble to him'.\n

Even though he was always thinking so much about someone like me. \n

I could feel my tears pouring out of my eyes once more, even though I already cried a lot.\n

I wonder if it’s okay for me to be this blessed. I have Dad, who always waits for me, and Mom, who constantly worries and scolds me. I have a brother like Clark, who is continuously there to support me. And even meeting Pryde-sama.\n

It’s not just because of Pryde-sama, but the fact that I have already been blessed for having these people in my life before even meeting her.\n

I’m just so happy that I couldn’t help but press down on the overflowing tears with my hands.\n

I’m so glad I was able to realize it.\n

Lately, I’ve been thinking like that a lot. \n

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Before I lost them and before everything became too late, I’m so glad that I was able to realize all these precious things…\n

After I wiped the tears from my eyes with my fist, I looked in front of me, and there I saw my dad, who was kneeling down and seemed a lot smaller than I was, and Pryde-sama was hugging him. \n

She seemed happy as she smiled, but I could see tears forming in her eyes.\n

This was also the first time I saw Pryde-sama cry.\n

Yesterday, when she arrived at the castle and was surrounded by Stayle-sama and Tiara-sama. Even after everything she's been through, she didn’t get mad, nor did she cry like this. The Pryde-sama at that time seemed weird even to me.\n

\n

But today, Pryde-sama got mad. She said that Dad is not someone who should have died back then and that it was impossible to even think of abandoning him.\n

And now Pryde-sama is crying, not for herself, but because my dad said he’s glad to be alive. She seemed so happy upon hearing it from him that she started crying. \n

“I’m glad… …”\n

I heard a slightly hoarse sounding voice say. \n

Seeing Dad, who’s crying right now, and Pryde-sama, who’s consoling him, the image of Pryde-sama seemed like a goddess at this very moment. \n

And I’ll always want to burn this scene into my mind so that I’ll never forget this moment for the rest of my life. \n

… …\n

" … … Shitty Dad. "\n

“I told you to stop calling me that as long as we’re still inside the palace.”\n

After leaving the room, me, dad, Clark, and the other knights were now walking down the palace corridors. \n

Dad might return to the knights' training grounds. \n

“Then do something about that Captain.”\n

While rubbing my swollen eyes, I tilt my head up as I pointed at the knights in front of us who were mumbling all sorts of things.\n

“....Uuuh, my tears won't stop…”\n

“I’m so glad...Captain.”\n

“Pryde-sama...she’s such a wonderful person.”\n

Such mutterings were echoing throughout the hallway. It seemed like the door was left ajar so they could see and somewhat hear what we were talking about, and it was only when I left the room with Dad when I realized this.\n

To be honest, I feel so damn embarrassed that I wanna die.\n

And even if I can’t see Clark’s face right now since he’s leading the knights in front, I know damn well how he’s probably grinning and smiling stupidly right now. \n

“....So, what do you plan on doing now.”\n

“I’ll go back home. ...Mom is also waiting.”\n

“... ...Don’t tell your mother.”\n

“...Keh, you don’t even have to ask. As if I’d tell her.”\n

After saying that, I turned my head the other way, but I know that Dad wants to say something.\n

But...there’s just no way I’ll do it first.\n

“...I’m good any time. As long as Dad...as long as you have some free time, ….umm...that.... …”\n

I felt so embarrassed saying this, so I tried to speak the last part in a quiet whisper. “.... … … … … ….please train me once again.”\n

I tried to be as quiet as possible, and I couldn’t help but wonder if it suddenly became too low for him to hear. \n

While I was still looking away, I waited for his reply. But after a while, there was still no response from him. I wonder if it was because he didn’t hear me, and so I turned to look his way only to see him also looking at me.\n

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For some reason, his hand was covering his mouth as if to stop the corners from lifting upwards, his shoulders trembling slightly.\n

(To Para: I’m hopeless, I don’t know how to word these. It’s like he placed his hand on the corner of his mouth to stop himself from smiling?? That’s why his shoulder is trembling. Something like that.)\n

(Para: Honestly idek what he's trying to do??? The only thing I can compare it to is when someone covers their mouth to hide their smile.)\n

I wonder if he really didn't hear me, and as I was thinking of that, I started shouting, “Oi! Dad!” \n

But the moment I did, Dad already smacked me on the head.\n

It’s not like I’m boasting about this, but this was the first time since I was born that Dad smacked me like this, and rather than having complaints, I am much more surprised by his sudden action that I couldn't help but widen my eyes as I looked at him, touching the part where he smacked me.\n

(Para: O.o No one said you were boasting, Arthur. But I guess yay for having a loving dad that doesn't smack you? I think he's just trying to point out that not once in his life did his dad hit him like that i.e harshly/violently.)\n

“...Of course I will."\n

After saying that, I saw him smile, and for the first time in a long while, I saw Dad smiling gently.\n

“Tomorrow... I’ll be back early in the morning. So you should properly prepare in advance.” \n

“...Un.”\n

There was silence between us as we walked towards the exit, and then by the time we arrived at the door leading outside, I saw some palace guards respectfully opening the door.\n

One last thing before we part ways, I thought of just voicing my thoughts. Since it’s frustrating knowing that Dad thinks of me as a kid, I decided to speak what's on my mind. \n

“...I’m sure there must be a lot of other instances where you almost died that Mom and I don't know about.” \n

“Wha-?! N-no...that’s….”\n

Seeing how flustered he reacted just reaffirmed my suspicions. \n

“I knew it, and just because you don’t want Mom to scold you, you do all sorts of stuff to cover it up. Aren’t you just like a kid?”\n

After saying that, Dad started saying all sorts of excuses. As we passed through the door and exited the palace, all I have to do is pass through the gate, and then I’ll be out of here. \n

“I’m already saying this now, but there’s no way you can hide these sorts of things from me again."\n

I know that the reason he hides it is that he doesn’t want to make me and Mom worry, but...\n

“Because the next time something happens, I’ll make sure to be beside Dad on the battlefield.”\n

Dad’s eyes widened in surprise. His eyes that looked at me were so funny that even I couldn’t help but flash a childish smile at him. Even I was surprised that I could still laugh like this.\n

After that, I stomped my feet and started running as fast as I could. I even passed by the knights who went ahead of us, and before overtaking Clark who’s at the very front, I lightly struck him. \n

And then I said in a loud voice, “Until then, don’t go dying on me, shitty Dad!!” I added, “And you as well Clark!”. After that, I immediately sped up to the gate before Dad could even scold me.\n

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Run. Run.\n

(Para: As fast as you can. You can't catch me, I'm the gingerbread man. xD I'm sorry, that's what immediately came up in my head after reading that line.)\n

Just run straight ahead.\n

(_______end of Arthur’s POV______)\n

“Wahaha, ….Roderick, you still alive~?”\n

While looking at the running Arthur, Clark called out to Roderick, who was at the rear. \n

Seeing that there was no response from the latter, the Vice-Captain immediately called out to the other knights and said, “You guys, don’t ever look back.” \n

__________\n

(Clark’s POV:)\n

Just how many years has it been since I last saw Arthur smile like that? \n

Me, and even Roderick... \n

(_____end of Clark’s POV___)\n

While thinking that, Clark smiled. He sneakily peeked at the man at the very end of the line as he thought of his friend, who was probably trying his best to stop himself from grinning from the sheer happiness of being a Father.\n

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Para: omg, I can't handle Clark and Roderick's bromance. It's honestly too much and too wholesome. ;w;\n

Eunie: Saaaame. Like they're so sus!! I even had weird ideas about it being unrequited but then Clark is actually married. ---OOOFFF.\n\n\n\n