Later that night, Fleur was having dinner with Arch and her mother. The table was filled with foods that her father supposedly loved. Her mother had spent the whole day cooking them all up to prepare herself the day father arrived. And while Fleur couldn't deny that they were delicious, everything just felt off for her. Yet her mother and Arch seemed to enjoy them just fine. The nagging feeling built up at the sight of the two so happy, until the dam finally broke.

"I'm finished," Fleur said, slamming her spoon down before rushing out the house.

"F-Fleur! I should chase after her," Fleur's mother stood up but was stopped by Arch.

"Let's let her have some space for now."

"I... I'm a bad mother."

"Where does this come from?"

"Ever since I first mention Fleur's father, she started acting weird. And instead of comforting her, I just got swept up by my own feeling... I really should talk to her."

Arch didn't stop her this time, but just a couple steps away from the table, Liana suddenly coughed and fell to the ground. Arch immediately rushed to her side. "Are you okay?!"

Liana nodded. "Don't worry, this happens when I get too tired."

"Let's get you to your bed, then. Leave Fleur to me."

Unable to even stand on her own, Liana had no choice but agree. "I leave my daughter to you. Tell her that I'm sorry."

Arch nodded before escorting Liana back to her bed. After cleaning the table and putting away the dishes, Arch went to Fleur. He was worried that she had stormed off to a place far from the house, but he was relieved when he saw her laying on the roof. Finding no ladder around, he assumed she had climbed her way there.

"Got time to talk?" Arch asked from his position.

"Go away," she replied, quick and emotionless.

"I have something important to tell you."

"I'm not interested."

Arch jumped onto the roof without breaking a sweat. His landing was also silent. "Your mother said she is sorry."

"... It's not her fault."

She stayed silent when Arch made his way to her and sat beside her. The sky and stars above had her eyes occupied. But the constant presence of Arch beside her eventually forced her to spill everything she had been feeling and thinking the last few days.

"It's my father's fault. He disappeared on me and my mother, you know. No letter. No news. Nothing came from him for years. It was like the ground itself swallowed him whole. Mother tried to look happy in front of me, but I can always see a hint of sadness in her eyes. Now suddenly, he wants to return and expect me to give him a warm welcome? There's no way."

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Arch stayed silent as Fleur poured out her feelings.

"Where was he when mother fell sick? Where was he when we got attacked by bandits?!" Fleur sat up, both of her fists clenched. She could still remember those days vividly as if they happened yesterday. The Fleur at that time was hoping that her father would suddenly appear and solve the problems, but he never came. In the end, she solved them all by herself. Fleur had to brave herself and do things she shouldn't be doing.

"These hands..." Fleur looked down at her palms in pain, as if thousands of needles were being slowly pushed into them. "They are already stained by blood. I don't regret any of it. I would do anything to protect my mom. It's just..."

"It's okay. You don't have to force yourself," Arch said with a gentle voice. He slowly placed his hand on her palms and gently push them down, diverting her eyes from them to himself.

"Even after all that... my mother was so happy when she heard him coming back. She looked happier now than when I got accepted into the academy..."

Tears started pouring out of Fleur's eyes. When she realized she was crying, Fleur hugged her legs and hid her face, embarrassed for showing such a shameful side to Arch.

"Do you hate your father, then?"

Arch sudden question took Fleur by surprise. It took her a moment to consider his question before answering. "I-I don't know," she answered after sobbing, "Somehow... I just can't bring myself to hate him completely. But I also couldn't be excited like you or mother about him coming here after... everything. Why did he leave us? Where has he been all this time? Did he even care about us in the first place?"

"Well... Truth is, I lost my memories."

"E-Eh? What do you mean?"

"Ever since you saved me that day, my memories of the past have been hazy at best. I remember pieces and bits here and there, but it's hard to make the connection between them. Even so, I do remember a time when your father begged on his knees to our superior to be allowed to visit you two. When he was refused, he almost assaulted the superior. That wasn't all, but he did everything he could to get back to you two. However, his duty to the empire forced him to stay. I know it's not much consolation, nor is it a justification for abandoning you two, I just want you two to know that all this time, he always has you two in his mind."

"..." Fleur didn't respond.

"Sometimes, things just... happens. Whether you decide to hate Sir Roerich or welcome him back as your father, it is your choice and I will always honor no matter which one you ended up with."

When Arch was confident that Fleur had stopped crying, he decided that it was his cue to leave. "I have said everything I have to. Best I leave you alone now. Just make sure you don't stay out too long, okay?"

Arch walked to the edge. He was about to jump when he heard a weak voice calling him out from behind.

"... Arch?"

"Yeah?" he turned around to face Fleur. She was still hiding her face behind her legs.

"... Thanks."

"Your welcome."

Arch jumped down, his heart felt infinitely lighter after telling someone about his loss of memory. After glancing at Fleur one last time, he walked in and closed the door behind him.

After she was sure Arch left, Fleur hurriedly wiped her tears and looked at the stars. She decided that she would try to welcome her father back, for her own sake, and for her mother.

Later that night, Arch was awoken from his slumber, sweating all over. His eyes were wide open and his breath was heavy. He didn't have a bad dream, it was something much worse. His memories had returned. After everything he said, he didn't want to imagine Fleur reaction when she found out about the truth. About his mission, about Sir Roerich, and about the danger that came with him to their dimension.