After being stopped on his way back from work, Watt found himself suddenly face-to-face with his real daughter whom he’d never seen before.
This is flat-out nuts!
Watt couldn’t have been more confused. He didn’t have a clue what was going on. His good mood and dinner deliberations had already flown far from his mind to the edge of the world. Now it was all he could do to rack his brain trying to figure out just how he should make sense of the situation.
“So, erm... I beg your pardon, miss—and I do apologize—but I was hoping you wouldn’t mind sharing your age with me for reference?”
“I’ll be sixteen this year,” the girl answered.
“Ngggh!”
Bingo! Jackpot! It had indeed been seventeen years since “Cullina” Turris had been with Watt. While there’d been a number of reasons—a slew of them, really—that had forced them apart, who would’ve thought that what they’d done back then had turned into something?! At any rate, Watt had no shortage of occasions with her that sprung to mind.
I kind of feel like bursting out crying right now, you know! There’s no way an old man my age could even start to talk about all that in front of a young lady, though!
Never once for any soul out there had it ever paid off to be a man. There were times when a man had put on a bold front even though he knew he was on the losing end—not that that would keep his legs from shaking, though.
“Hah. Ha ha! Is Cullina doing well?”
“She is,” the girl answered. “Exceedingly well.”
“Wonderful to hear,” Watt replied. “Now, this is the last point I’d like to confirm, but...do you know the name of Cullina’s current husband?”
In response, Anna looked down, showing an expression other than a smile for the first time.
She paused. “Of course I do. My adoptive father’s name is Lezamer Ogdenn.”
“No changes there, huh...?” Watt replied. “My apologies for doubting you.”
Watt looked up at the starry sky, as a long—excessively long—sigh flowed out through his lips. The sigh was so heavy that it sounded like his lungs were being squeezed out, as if all the needless feelings in his chest were flowing out alongside it.
Think she’s the real deal? Just listen to yourself—you knew she was right from the start.
It was immediately clear to Watt and Watt alone, and looking into those same jade-colored eyes from seventeen years ago—eyes like polished gemstones—there was no room for him to doubt it. He’d only wanted a little bit of time to come to terms with it, that was all.
“That’s right, Lezamer Ogdenn...” Watt said. “The bastard who stole Cullina away from me is none other than His Highness...this kingdom’s oh-so-esteemed first prince. So that’d make you a member of the royal family too.”
“Indeed.”
Watt didn’t feel like trying to conceal it from Anna at all, although he didn’t know whether it was simply because he was a terrible liar, or because she was just like her mother and so straightforward that he couldn’t.
A new question had emerged in his mind alongside it.
“Why’re you here?” Watt demanded. “I might be your father, but what reason could you have to come looking for me now?”
Even Anna found herself somewhat hesitant to answer. But with her characteristic straightforward nature, she regained her composure before soundly staring back at him.
“Legalisbelm—the war for succession—has begun.”
Watt took a breath, his expression growing firm. “Did something happen to His Majesty?”
“He has fallen ill in his old age... His physician says he doesn’t have much time left.”
“I...see,” Watt replied. “Still, His Majesty...” He looked up into the sky and sighed, as all sorts of feelings dashed back and forth through his heart.
Legalisbelm was a custom that had been carried out in the Kingdom of Ogdenn since ages past. It was a competition among candidates with a right to the throne, determined by the votes of the Selecting Nobles so that the current ruler might step down and the next ruler be established. It was a bloodless battle...on the surface, at least.
Watt stared off into the air for a moment before returning his gaze to Anna. “They make out like it’s a bloodless battle, but underneath, it’s all scheming and tricks—anything goes. Since there’s no way that royal bastard Lezamer wouldn’t throw his hat in the ring...does that mean you’re being hunted too?”
Anna paused. “That’s likely the case. Mother didn’t explain in much detail. She had me escape when no one was watching and told me to count on you for the rest—that was all.”
Watt’s mind was full of all sorts of complaints and grievances toward Cullina, despite her absence. Even if she were going to do something like this, there had to be any number of wiser ways to go about it.
“Mister...” Anna started. “No, father...you’re still mother’s trump card, even now. Please, might I implore you to come to my aid?”
Watt lifted both his hands into the air without so much as a pause.
“All right, you win! You’ve got my complete surrender,” he said. “They weren’t kiddin’ when they said karma comes back for you, were they? Still, it’s a man’s place to take accountability when all the mischief he got into in the past comes knocking. So with that in mind...as your father, I’ll do everything in my power to help you. You just leave it to me.”
“Wha...? Huh?”
Watt’s answer came so quickly that Anna could only stand frozen in place, her mouth agape. After a moment, however, a look of confusion emerged on her face.
“What’s wrong?” Watt asked. “You still not satisfied?”
“No, that’s not it!” Anna replied. “Far from it! It’s just... I wasn’t expecting you to agree so quickly.”
Watt couldn’t hold back a chuckle. “Sorry ’bout that—I’m not the best when it comes to thinking. I’m all action, you know? And besides, when you get some years under your belt, you wanna help youngsters out however you can.”
That wasn’t the only reason he’d agreed, but he didn’t venture to tell Anna that. So long as he knew it in the depths of his own heart, that was all that mattered.
Watt turned around, as if to say the conversation had come to an end. That was the last part that went as planned, however.
“Well then, I think that’s enough chatting in the streets,” he said. “Is that your only bag? For now, why don’t I carry it to the inn for you and—”
“No, that’s all right...” Anna replied. “Um, I’m ashamed to say I don’t have much in the way of funds for the road, so I haven’t gotten a room anywhere.”
“Oh?”
“That’s why I was hoping to join you at your home, father.”
Uh-oh. Watt felt a bead of cold sweat steal down his spine right away. “Well, uh... It’s just, my place is...”
“Yes, it’s right this way, isn’t it? I know. Now, let’s be on our way.”
And with that, Watt hurried off after Anna as she briskly walked away.