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“THANK you so much, Heroic Chicken Father!”
The shopkeeper was overjoyed by Father’s intervention.
He’d handed the robber over to a passing vigilante committee, and the knights would probably be there to take over soon. Though I feared Father would have to reveal his true identity once they arrived.
I just hoped they didn’t care who he was. He’d done a good thing, after all…
“That man stole something very valuable from me. But I’d like to thank you, so please choose something from my inventory! I sell all sorts of things!”
He showed off his inventory to Father, holding up various expensive-looking accessories for him to choose from. I could tell he wasn’t lying when he said the robber took something valuable.
“I have a proposition for you instead…” Father changed subjects with the grateful shopkeeper.
“What is it? I’d be glad to help if it’s within my power.”
“Your square-shaped glasses caught my eye. As long as you have a spare pair on hand, would you mind giving me those?”
I gasped and looked at the shopkeeper. I noticed for the first time that he was wearing square-shaped glasses. Don’t tell me… Is that why he chased down the robber?
“I don’t mind, of course. But you really don’t want more than a used pair of glasses?”
“No, that’s perfect! I’d do anything for those frames!”
Once Father had the glasses, we hurried away before the knights could show up and ask questions.
“That all happened so fast,” I said. “I’m just glad you’re a skilled horseback rider. I was worried you might get hurt…”
I came clean about my fears on the way back to our carriage. I really cared about Father, and I couldn’t bear to see him injured.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize I’d scared you like that.” He stroked my back, which helped me calm down a bit.
He was Cynthia’s father, but he was also mine now. I wanted to look after him properly, and it felt sort of strange to care so deeply for someone who wasn’t Cynthia. As much as I enjoyed being alone with her, I wanted to spend more time as an entire family, too.
I could feel my heart being rebuilt from the ground up. It was a pleasant, warm sensation.
“I actually recognized that shopkeeper, you see. I don’t think he saw through my disguise, but I already knew his horse was used to being ridden. It doesn’t just pull the cart around all day.”
“I see. So that’s why…”
His red hair was still visible with this disguise. I’d thought it would stand out too much, but I’d also heard that many members of the Rhuddlan family lived throughout this territory. It seemed that red hair on its own wasn’t all that identifiable after all.
“Still, I’m just glad I got some square-shaped frames.” Pleased, Father removed his mask and his circular frames, replacing them with his new pair of glasses… But then he groaned and quickly brought them back down. “I guess I shouldn’t have expected the lenses to be the right strength. I’ll need to get them replaced at once.”
“We can leave the frames with a lens shop and head home for today. You should get some sleep as soon as possible.”
“You’re right. I’ve been far too reckless for one day.”
We boarded the carriage, packed full of our purchases. As soon as we set off, Father was instantly out cold.
I could only imagine that he’d been pushing his limits all day, yet he went as far as to chase down a criminal—all so that his beloved wife would think better of him, if only a little.
The more I saw of him, the more I wanted to become a father and a husband like him someday. I was incredibly lucky to be surrounded by so many people I aspired to imitate.
✦ ✦ ✦
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“HEAVENS, dear! Where in the world did you go? I thought I told you to rest!”
“I know, I’m sorry… There was just something I desperately needed…”
Mother rushed out to greet us when we returned to the inn. Father covered his glasses with one hand and hung his head, like he was too embarrassed to let her see he was wearing round frames.
He’d left the square frames at a lens shop on the way back, but was told it would take a while to replace them. Of course, it was still much faster than sending word back to the Rhuddlan manor and having them ship him a new pair.
“What’s wrong with your face? Let me see.”
His attempts at hiding it had the opposite effect. “It’s nothing,” he insisted, though he was unable to refuse his worried wife. Father raised his head for her to see.
“You don’t look injured. Oh my! Those aren’t your usual glasses.”
Father’s shoulders stiffened. But Mother’s eyes sparkled with love for her husband just like always.
“You look so cute with round frames. I love it!” she gushed.
“You like round glasses, too?!”
“Whatever do you mean? I’d like any glasses as long as you’re the one wearing them, of course.”
“I see… Haha…”
Father sounded shocked for a moment, but then he pulled Mother into his arms and told her he loved her. Why hadn’t either of us predicted that outcome? Why did we think Mother would say anything else? She loved Father with all her heart. Of course, she didn’t care what shape his glasses were.
I quietly slipped away, not wanting to intrude on their special moment, and headed for Cynthia’s room.
“You and Father went out to town?” she asked me.
“Yes, and we got lots of presents for you. Let’s open them together later.”
“Really? All right. I’m looking forward to it.” Cynthia smiled at me. I took a seat beside her and felt her large wings envelop me. “Was that your first outing alone with Father? How did it go?”
“It was, now that you mention it. I had lots of fun… It made me realize how nice it is to have a loving family. I like being alone with you, too, but I can’t wait for us to all go out to places together as a group.”
When I said that, Cynthia began to mutter under her breath. “He’s back on the right track…! How did that happen…?”
“Cynthia, if I had to start wearing glasses, would you like how they looked on me, no matter what shape I chose?”
“Of course! I already love you as a person, so it’s impossible for me not to love your appearance, whatever it may be.”
“Thank you… I love you, too, Cynthia.”
Cynthia’s loving words made me even more confident that we could be a couple like Mother and Father someday.
I couldn’t wait until the two of us became a blissful husband and wife just like them.