Subliminal Wayfarer

As the fireworks splendidly embroidered the sky, everyone’s gaze was simultaneously drawn upwards.

There was quite a commotion, but even that was drowned out by the sound of the fireworks.

Yet, despite that,

“I like that you’re reflecting on your actions, Father.”

Strangely, Rosetta’s voice rang clear and distinctly in the ears.

“I appreciate that you are someone who not only regrets but knows how to reflect.”

“……”

“And that you are striving to improve.”

Every sentence deeply resonated from her heart.

“The truth is, I had already forgiven you a long time ago. From the moment you wanted to change, I unknowingly opened my heart to you. Still, to be quite honest with you, I wasn’t sure.”

Rosetta let out a self-deprecating laugh through her teeth.

The moment she met Cassion on the cruise, she might have unknowingly harbored some resentment towards her father.

That made her reflect on the other emotions she had.

She believed she had forgiven her father. She thought any lingering resentment had long since disappeared.

But was that really the case?

Could all those emotions accumulated over such a long time truly be forgotten just because they’re not as fresh in memory?

What if they were merely dormant inside her, slowly growing until one day they might reveal themselves?

So, she continued to ponder.

“Whether I’ve truly forgiven you, Father, and whether I can fully understand and accept you—that’s what I wasn’t sure of. That’s why…”

Right. That’s why—

“I hope you continue to reflect from time to time. Not out of regret, guilt, or atonement, but reflection. I wish that you can continue on not as a sinner but as a father who reflects. To live like that, until one day we all feel ‘this is enough’.”

It might seem like a harsh answer, but it was sincere.

She had already forgiven her father, but this approach seemed best to resolve the occasional doubts that arose.

What she wanted was not regret, guilt, or atonement.

Not to flounder in retrospection for a lifetime, nor to be consumed by it every day.

Just from time to time, or perhaps often.

To not forget the past, to not forget one’s faults, and to continue living without neglecting the stepping stones of improvement.

That was enough.

Rosetta carefully reached out and grasped the duke’s hand on the table.

“This isn’t because I resent you, Father. You know that, right?”

“Yes. I know that well.”

The duke slowly nodded.

Boom! 

In an instant, a large burst of light illuminated faces hidden in the darkness before they vanished again.

The face that was momentarily revealed looked somewhat relieved.

Tears had welled up in his eyes, but he looked more comforted and at ease than ever before.

“You really do take after Lillian.”

“Hearing that makes me happy. But, don’t most people say that I resemble you, Father?”

As Rosetta shrugged, and the duke let out a hearty laugh.

“Sister! Over here, here!”

Alicia, who had been hanging on the deck watching the fireworks, called out to the two loudly.

Damian also stood beside her, arms crossed, looking at the two with affection.

Rosetta waved back and started walking towards them.

Glancing back, Rosetta reached out her hand to the duke.

“Let’s go, Father.”

Rosetta, you are mistaken. 

No matter what anyone says, you are the spitting image of Lillian. 

Her wisdom, courage, strength of heart, and kindness. 

You astonishingly resemble Lillian. 

It’s really fortunate—that you are not cowardly like me, that you take after Lillian. 

After wiping the moisture from his eyes, the duke grasped the hand in front of him and stood up.

Thus, the entire Valentine family lined up side by side on the deck.

The endlessly bursting fireworks were incredibly beautiful.

Like a midsummer night’s dream.

As the splendid fireworks display gradually came to an end,

“Rosetta.”

The duke, who had been silent the whole time, softly called Rosetta’s name.

Automatically, the three of them turned their gazes to the duke. His gaze was still fixed on the sky.

With each flash of light, the duke’s profile appeared and disappeared in the darkness.

“Congratulations on your marriage. Live happily. And if, by any chance, that juvenile duke gives you trouble, remember that you can always come back home. Valentine will forever be a place for you to return.”

It was something he had always wanted to say but never dared to.

Rosetta looked at him pensively and then nodded.

“Yes. I will. Even if that juvenile duke doesn’t give me trouble, I’ll visit often. Valentine is my home, after all.”

At her firm response, the corners of everyone’s lips lifted slightly.

Alicia sneakily wrapped her arm around Rosetta.

Damian also raised his hand to lightly pat Rosetta’s head.

The duke slightly reached out to grasp her hand.

It was the perfect end to a perfect family trip.

 

* * *

 

Cassion, watching the fireworks alone in his room, briefly smiled at the sight of Rosetta from afar.

The four of them looked awkward and stiff, yet blissfully content together.

The regret of not being able to watch the fireworks alone with Rosetta melted away at that sight.

After the fireworks had all ended, and as darkness and silence settled over the ship, Rosetta returned to the room.

“It’s a little late. Did you have a good time with your family?”

“Yeah. I had a good time. And now, I plan to spend some good time with you.”

“With me?”

Pointing at himself and tilting his head to the side in confusion, Cassion watched as Rosetta grinned and snagged his hand.

“Let’s go out.”

“Out?”

“Yes. We’re going to the highest point on this ship.”

Before Cassion could respond, Rosetta had already started walking.

Silently following her, the two snuck out and headed to the fourth floor, arriving at a deserted deck.

“Now, hold on to me.”

“…I can go by myself.”

“Holding on to me would be faster, wouldn’t it? Let’s live efficiently.”

Cassion sighed and nodded at her straightforward tone, devoid of any subtlety.

Right, this wasn’t the first or second time he had been carried by her.

Pretending to be cool now would just be ridiculous. As she said, it’s best to live efficiently.

Rosetta, with a chuckle, easily lifted Cassion into her arms as he approached.

Soon, Rosetta lightly stepped on the emergency ladder on the side of the ship, sprinting up the hull.

The speed was so great that the chilly night sea air fiercely whipped their faces.

It took less than a minute to reach the highest point of the cruise ship.

Only upon reaching their destination did Rosetta carefully put Cassion down.

Strangely enough, their arrival point was akin to the rooftop of the cruise ship.

Supposedly off-limits and expected to be barren, it was oddly decorated lavishly.

Lanterns placed here and there.

Flowers scattered around.

Two slices of what seemed like delicious cake and champagne in an ice bucket.

Even two crystal glasses.

“Did you prepare this?”

Asking perplexedly, Cassion realized from Rosetta’s disbelieving expression that this wasn’t her doing.

Then, who had prepared all this?

Ah, could it be.

“Blanca…?”

At the suddenly mentioned name, Rosetta nodded.

“Right. Blanca must have decorated the place. I gave her a piece of my mind earlier when I met her.”

“You met Blanca?”

“Yup, I did.”

Towards the end of the fireworks display.

Rosetta, while watching the sky lit by fireworks, felt a gaze on the back of her head and spontaneously turned around.

And at that moment.

Her eyes locked with someone standing at the highest point of the ship. Well, it’s not quite right to say their eyes met.

The other was veiling their face, after all.

Blanca. 

The mastermind behind all this. She waved at Rosetta conspicuously.

That playfully fluttering hand was unbearably irritating.

Rosetta excused herself from her family and stepped away for a moment.

She turned around, not taking a breath, and sprinted up just as she had carried Cassion.

Jumping to arrive, Blanca, upon spotting her, whistled sharply.

“Wow, you’re really fast, aren’t you?”

“Is that all you have to say?”

“Haha, no. My bad.”

Quick to read the room as always, Blanca soon raised her hands in surrender.

Hah. Seriously. Can’t catch a break here.