Fluxy Village
Rian walked with a little assistance from Lyra.
"Didn't I tell you, my dear, that I can already walk?" Rian gazed at the young girl beside him and couldn't help but feel a bit overwhelmed.
"It's all right, Father!"
"It's possible that you haven't fully recovered, and I won't allow you to suddenly stumble!" Lyra playfully blinked her eyes and affectionately embraced Rian's arm.
How could she let this moment slip away?
It had been ages since she yearned for a cherished moment alone with the father figure she deeply missed.
Her mother had regaled her with tales of her father, portraying him as a mighty, heroic figure in her mother's eyes.
This ignited a strong sense of curiosity within her, yet whenever she inquired about her father's whereabouts, her mother would evade the question, diverting the conversation to another topic.
Her surroundings only fueled her curiosity further, intensifying her longing for her father.
And now, with her father by her side, she couldn't resist making amends for all the regrets of her childhood!
Observing Lyra, who clung to him and refused to let go, Rian couldn't help but smile, tenderly caressing her head.
To be honest, he still harbored doubts about whether he deserved such forgiveness and the affection of his daughter.
The sins he had committed were immense, particularly against his wife.
However, the past was behind him, and there was no undoing it.
The path he had to tread was one of redemption, striving to make up for all his regrets and provide the best for his wife and daughter.
"Hey~" Recalling his wife's expression of disbelief and sadness from earlier, Rian let out a sigh.
Lyra, quick to pick up on his emotions, comprehended the turmoil within her father's heart and offered gentle encouragement.
"Don't worry, Dad!"
"I'm certain Mom will forgive you!" Her eyes brimmed with unwavering confidence, as if her words held undeniable truth.
Indeed, Lyra herself possessed immense assurance, having frequently witnessed her mother lost in daydreams and witnessing her genuine excitement whenever her father was mentioned.
How could Lyra overlook this? Her faith in her mother was unshakeable!
Upon hearing her words, Rian locked eyes with Lyra, her conviction so resolute that it compelled him to chuckle.
"You're right... I hope it turns out that way..." He uttered the words with a smile.
Soon, the two of them strolled toward a small lake nestled amidst trees, situated on the outskirts of the village.
The surroundings were remarkably serene, punctuated by the presence of small animals and birds flitting about, infusing the place with a touch of vitality.
If one were to put it into words, Rian believed this to be an immensely tranquil and soothing spot.
Rian's gaze traversed the trees and the expanse of the lake, yet his wife remained elusive.
"Where is she?" Rian inquired, his curiosity piqued, turning to Lyra for answers.
Lyra offered a faint smile before stepping back, causing Rian to grow perplexed.
"Lyra?" he questioned once more, his uncertainty surfacing.
However, Lyra remained silent, instead pointing towards the largest tree in the vicinity.
Noticing her gesture, Rian swiftly redirected his focus to the tree, searching for any sign of his wife, but to no avail.
Before Rian could delve deeper into his inquiries, Lyra interjected, stating, "Mom always retreats behind that tree when she desires solitude, and you, Dad, must find her on your own."
"Do you understand?" Lyra mischievously grinned, her hands resting on her hips.
Upon hearing this and witnessing his daughter's playful smile, Rian shook his head in helpless amusement.
"You're absolutely right, my dear."
"I must confront this situation personally," he uttered in a calm tone, his gaze fixed upon the tree.
Soon, he looked back at Lyra, a smile gracing his face, and spoke, "Very well... I will resolve all matters between us and..." He paused briefly before continuing, "Our entire family will be reunited."
Lyra eagerly nodded in agreement, exclaiming, "Exactly! Hehe! Cheers, Dad!"
With that said, she swiftly darted off, finding refuge in a nearby tree.
Rian took a deep breath, steeling himself, and turned to make his way toward the towering tree where his wife awaited.
Her heart raced with a mix of anxiety and fear.
Not even the battles against the members of the Light-Eater organization had prepared him for this moment.
Previously, he had always had a chance to escape, but now he found himself faced with only two options.
To be forgiven or not!
"Damn, this is truly nerve-wracking!" Rian clenched his teeth tightly as he circled around the tree.
Before long, he heard the sound of a woman sobbing.
Determinedly, he pressed on, his gaze fixed on the woman huddled with her knees drawn to her chest, her face etched with anguish.
Witnessing this scene, Rian felt as if his heart was being pierced by a knife.
Unable to resist any longer, he hoarsely called out to the woman, "Misa..."
Suddenly, the woman's sobbing ceased, and her body froze in an instant.
Rian continued his approach until he stood in front of her, his head slightly bowed.
"Misa, can we talk?" Rian's voice quivered as he bit his lip.
Upon hearing this, the woman slowly raised her face, revealing a weary countenance.
"What more do you want?"
"Haven't you always pursued your own ambitions?" She retorted sarcastically.
"Why do you have to come back now?" Her tone carried a solemnity tinged with hidden sorrow.
Rian himself felt helpless upon hearing her words; his hands clenched tightly.
"Misa... I know I was wrong, and I won't simply beg for your forgiveness," Rian expressed in distress.
Taking a deep breath, he locked eyes with his wife, Misa, displaying unwavering determination.
"If it means offering my life in exchange for your pain, I am willing to do so, Misa."
"However, I implore you... just this once... could you find it in your heart to forgive me, even if just a little?" His voice emanated with pleading and helplessness.
To be honest, he had grown exceedingly weary of it all.
The weight of his grave sins, the betrayal of his subordinates, and the multitude of other misfortunes had taken his sobriety.
If it weren't for meeting Arthur and making a promise to support him until his last breath, Rian might have opted to end his life early, fleeing from the burden of his troubles.
Yet he couldn't bring himself to do so because an unexpected opportunity had presented itself.
It was the only flickering ember of hope to atone for his sins!
Hearing this, Misa couldn't help but weep, torn between the love she held for her husband and the unforgivable sin he had committed by abandoning her and their young daughter due to his own ambition.
How should she make her choice?
Observing Misa, who remained silent in response to his words, Rian drew a deep breath, a wry smile gracing his lips.
"I understand that you won't grant me forgiveness, Misa."
"Indeed, you are not mistaken, for this is precisely what I deserve." His voice carried profound sadness, yet his expression held a resolute determination.
He gazed slowly at the captivating woman before him, reminiscing about their shared moments from the past.
A rush of beautiful memories inundated his mind, causing an involuntary smile to grace his face.
"From now on, I won't intrude upon your life any longer." Rian's smile softened, as if he wished to preserve the dignity of the woman he loved dearly.
Perhaps, in the future, he would seek to repay his sins through his own demise, but he still held a debt of life to the one who had rescued him from the depths of darkness—Arthur Asvold.
He would see this debt through to the end, and his ultimate demise would serve as atonement for his transgressions.
Slowly, he turned around, proceeding with deliberate steps in the direction from which he had come.
Gazing upon his solitary departure, Misa couldn't hold back her tears.
She sensed that this might be her last opportunity to see her husband, and if she didn't stop him now, she would undoubtedly live with regret!
"Wait!" She cried out with tear-filled eyes, causing Rian to halt in his tracks.
"Misa?" He turned his head in confusion, only to feel her embrace him tightly from behind.
Overwhelmed by her emotions, she longed to ask more questions, but Misa cut her off.
"I beg your forgiveness... I'm sorry..." She sobbed, expressing her inability to forgive her husband.
In her heart, she loved him deeply, but due to her own selfishness, she had continuously convinced herself not to grant him forgiveness.
Now, she deeply regretted her choices and didn't want to lose her husband for a second time.
Witnessing this, tears welled up in Rian's eyes, and he immediately turned his body, embracing Misa tightly.
"No...don't apologize; all of this is my fault," Rian said in a husky voice.
Soon, the two of them held each other tightly, releasing years of longing and yearning.
Unbeknownst to both of them, at the culmination of their heartfelt reunion, Lyra bore witness to the scene, unable to contain her emotions and smiling through her tears.
"Finally..."
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I must admit, crafting chapters like this isn't my forte, and it tends to frustrate me.
I apologize to you, dear readers, for any shortcomings in creating dramatic scenes.
Please bear with me as I strive to make the story come alive cough!
The source of this c𝐨ntent is freewe(b)nov𝒆l