Part 723: Ricken (Father) A

Laurent.

More questions, Father? I thought I was quite clear before.

Yes, you were. But today is different. Because today... Coochy coochy coo!

Gah! Ah ha! Ah ha ha ha! S-stop that! F-father, have you gone mad?!

Ah-hah! So you CAN smile!

I beg your pardon?!

You're always so bent on being such a serious, proper grown-up. I worry that you put too much pressure on yourself.

For the last time, I am not a child!

Age has nothing to do with it. It doesn't matter if you're older than Lucina. Or heck, older than me! You're still a child. You're MY child. ...You're my son.

Er, I...

And you're not alone anymore, so stop isolating yourself. You've got friends, and you've got me.

......You're right. All that time, it was...I was so lonely. Year after year, all alone... Wandering an era where I knew no one. Hoping to meet up with the others but knowing how miniscule my chances were... I had no one to help me. No one to lend an ear to my despair. It was...awful. Many nights, I thought I'd die alone. That the pain would kill me, or...

I'm so sorry I didn't find you earlier, Laurent. Please forgive me. And know that I will never leave your side again...