We’ve successfully defeated the Ancient Dragon and returned to the Royal Capital.
Since defeating the Ancient Dragon was not a mission, there was no reward or honor for doing so.
As for myself, I have no problem with that.
Originally, I didn’t pursue him for money or honor.
I wanted to get rid of the regret that was smoldering in my heart.
Besides……
By defeating him, we could have prevented more victims like the people in my daughters’ home village from being killed.
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But……
The words of the Ancient Dragon at the his final moment.
……I attacked that village to kill them. It was my duty. They should never have been born.
Those words stuck in my head like soot and I couldn’t get rid of them.
Who exactly are my daughters?
A few nights after returning to Royal Capital
I resolved to tell Elsa and Meryl the truth.
「Elsa, Meryl. Can I have a word with both of you?」
The living room at home.
I called them over and sat down facing them.
Anna, who was standing a short distance away, are watching the scene.
「What it is, father?」
「Do you want me to sleep with you?」
「Both of you, listen.」
I said.
「I want to talk to you about something that I haven’t talked about before.」
「「…………?」」
They must have sensed that something was not right.
They took their seats obediently.
They waits patiently for me to open my mouth and start talking.
「As you both know, you don’t have a mother. You’ve never asked me to my face why that is.」
Perhaps I were concerned about the girls’ well being.
I took advantage of that and didn’t talk to them again either.
I’ve come this far as it is.
「That’s why I want to talk to you now. The truth.」
I stared into their eyes.
Elsa and Meryl seemed to be confused by the suddenness of the situation.
Perhaps this is what they were both thinking.
Why are you telling us this now?
I’ve been trying to lay low for 17 years.
However, they did not speak of these questions.
Elsa nodded as she looked prepared.
「Father. Please tell us.」
「We’ll listen properly」
「……Yes.」
When I was ready to go again, I began to speak slowly.
My daughters and I are not related by blood.
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That I went on a mission and failed to defeat the Ancient Dragon, which led to the burning of my daughters’ home village.
In a land of burnt houses and nothing but ashes and death, I picked up three babies. I decided to raise them, the only survivors.
Those babies are my daughters now.
I told them everything in full and polite detail.
They both looked stunned.
It’s understandable.
There was no way they could just swallow something like this out of the blue.
「I’m sorry I’ve been so quiet about this.」
I bowed my head toward them.
「Father kept this from us…… because you were was thinking of us, right? If you’ve told us, we would have been upset.」
「That’s right. But that’s not all.」
I told them the truth.
「I was afraid to tell the truth myself. If it turned out that we weren’t a real parent and child, your hearts might fall apart. I thought that our relationship, which had been a family until now, might cease to be a family if you knew the truth.」
「Then…… why telling us this now?」
「As I spent time with all of you, I thought to myself. Even if we are not related by blood, we can still be a family. I love you three so much. Elsa, Anna and Meryl are my pride and joy. I can say with all my heart that I love all of you more than anyone else in the world. I’m willing to risk my own life to protect your happiness. I am sure that we can become a family that is as good as, if not better than, a family that is related by blood. That’s why I chose to tell you.」
I said, looking into the eyes of my daughters.
「I…… think of you guys as more than just my real family.」
I told them my deepest and most honest feelings.
At first, it may have been a form of atonement.
I couldn’t protect the people of the village from the Ancient Dragon, so I thought I would at least try to raise their daughters well.
However, the longer we spent together, the more I began to feel for them.
I began to feel affection for them.
I now think of them as more than my own daughters. I truly want to make them happy even if it costs me my life.
「Father. Thank you for telling us this. I’m sure it was very hard for you to hold on to those feelings for so long……」
Elsa had a arduous look on her face.
Neither angry nor sad.
She was full of compassion…… and love for me.
「Father and I may not be related by blood. However, you’ve taught me many things through the sword. It is definitely alive in me. I am truly blessed to have grown up as your daughter.」
「Elsa……」
「I feel the same way as you do, Elsa. If papa weren’t my papa, I wouldn’t have been able to enjoy every day like this.」
「Meryl……」
「Father. We are, without a doubt, father’s daughters.」
Elsa said, and both Meryl and Anna smiled and nodded.
When I hear that, my eyes get hot.
I felt like I was going to cry.
The Ancient Dragon had said at his last moment.
……That it was a mistake for these girls to have been born.
That’s not true.
I can say with all my heart that I am glad that my daughters were born.
It doesn’t matter who they are.
Elsa, Anna, and Meryl are my beloved and precious daughters.
That’s fine.
I’ll protect the happiness of my daughters even if it costs me my life. I promise.
In front of the girls, I promised myself that.
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