Magi Craft Meister

Chapter 703: 21-13: Father and Daughter

21:14 Father and Daughter

As the sun set and night fell, Marcia continued to sleep soundly in a room of the guesthouse while Rodrigo watched over her.

Suddenly, Marcia stirred in her sleep.

“Ugh…n…”

Rodrigo quickly leaned closer, his eyes fixed on his daughter’s face.

“Ha…ah…”

Marcia’s eyes slowly opened and a sigh escaped her lips. Her gaze, however, remained unfocused.

“W-where…am I…?”

She blinked a few times, and finally her eyes settled and her vision cleared.

“…Marcia.”

Rodrigo called her name softly.

“…Huh?”

Marcia slowly tilted her head, her eyes fixed on the voice. Her eyes widened in disbelief.

“…Father?”

Rodrigo nodded solemnly. Marcia closed her eyes again.

“Hah… haha… I see… it’s just a dream.”

Her tone was self-mocking as she murmured.

“… I guess I still can’t stand on my own…”

“Marcia.”

Rodrigo called her name again. Marcia opened her eyes.

Just then the door opened.

“Ah, Marcia, you’re awake.”

“Jin?”

Marcia looked at the young man who had entered, her eyes widening again in surprise.

“Marcia, how are you feeling?”

“…Elsa?”

“Oh, thank God you’re awake.”

“…Reinhardt… I see, it really is just a dream…”

Seeing Jin, Elsa and Reinhardt, Marcia seemed to think she was still dreaming.

“Marcia, you’ve been saved.”

“What? Reiko?”

Hearing the familiar voice and noticing Reiko standing by her bed, Marcia’s consciousness finally cleared completely.

“Then… are you all… really here…?”

Slowly, Marcia sat up in bed.

“Marcia.”

Rodrigo, moving to help her, held out his hand.

But…

Smack!

A sharp sound echoed as Marcia slapped Rodrigo’s hand away.

“What are you doing? Why are you coming back now, after all this time!?”

“Marcia…”

Marcia turned her back on Rodrigo, her shoulders shaking.

“…I’m sorry. I know an apology can’t make up for anything. I’ve done terrible things to you and your mother. But please, at least let me apologize.”

Marcia said nothing.

“Marcia, your father has turned his life around. He stopped drinking and gambling, and now he’s a skilled shipwright,” Jin interjected, unable to keep silent.

“That’s right. He helped build Shouro Kingdom’s new ship, the Bernstein, and even went on its maiden voyage to Portrock,” Reinhardt added.

“He was sick, but he’s well now. He came here because he wanted to see you,” Elsa said in her straightforward, awkward way.

Even with her words, Marcia didn’t lift her head.

“…”

A heavy silence filled the room. Finally, Rodrigo sighed deeply.

“…I’m glad I got to see you alive. I know you must hate a father like me.”

With that he turned to leave the room.

But a voice stopped him.

“…Wait.”

Rodrigo froze.

Marcia raised her head, her voice shaking with emotion as she cried out:

“Hate you? Of course I hate you!”

Her eyes were filled with tears.

“I hate you! How could I not hate you? You abandoned me and Mom! You left us when we needed you the most!”

“…”

Rodrigo closed his eyes and listened to his daughter’s angry words in silence.

“You idiot…”

Her voice, once filled with anger, now broke into sobs.

“Marcia… I’m sorry.”

Rodrigo turned around, staggering slightly as he approached her bed. He placed his hands on the edge of the bed and bowed his head deeply.

“An apology won’t fix anything…”

Marcia, her voice cracking with sobs, looked directly at her father.

“You idiot… idiot… idiot! Why didn’t you come back before?”

“I’m sorry…”

She pounded her fists weakly against Rodrigo’s chest.

“…But…welcome back…Father.”

Tears streaming down her face, Marcia managed a faint smile.

“…I’m back, Marcia…”

Rodrigo, his own tears falling freely, gently held his daughter, cradling her head as he hugged her.

Jin and the others quietly left the room, careful not to make any noise.

“I’m glad.”

Elsa exhaled deeply, her voice soft as she spoke her thoughts.

“Yeah, me too,” Jin agreed with a nod.

“They are definitely father and daughter. Just like Elsa said,” Reinhardt added, his tone thoughtful.

“We should bring them some light food soon,” Reiko remarked, stating the obvious. Her matter-of-fact comment made Jin and the others exchange small, bittersweet smiles.

“Yes, you’re right. Elsa, what do you think would be good?”

“Hmm… persimmon juice and barley porridge should be fine.”

The group exchanged warm smiles.

Above them, the moon shone brightly in the sky, as if blessing the newly reconciled father and daughter.

Meanwhile, in Marcia’s workshop:

“So Marcia is safe!”

“That’s such a relief. Hearing that puts my mind at ease.”

Jeremy and Bacchus also sighed with relief after hearing Arrow’s report upon his return.