NOVEL WEB Ch39 - Reply to Father
39 Reply to Father
In the morning, I finished breakfast and soaked in the hot springs. The warmth in my body, the beautiful white snowfield, and the morning sunlight all filled me with a sense of peace and contentment.
“El.”
Fenrir called out to me.
“What is it?”
The beautiful silver beast sat down beside the hot spring. Its fur shimmered, and the ice crystals clinging to it sparkled in the sunlight, captivating me once again.
“El, have you replied to your father yet?”
His question snapped me out of my daze, leaving me speechless for a moment.
“No… I haven’t,” I responded in a small, almost inaudible voice.
Fenrir didn’t scold me, though. Instead, his tail gently brushed against my cheek.
“Can you manage to contact him?”
“I’ve been meaning to,” I replied, though guilt weighed heavily in my chest. My heart ached painfully. Yes, I know I’ve worried him and I need to reply, but both my job and my parents still trigger my trauma, and despite my body feeling warm, I trembled.
“If I were a parent,” Fenrir continued, “I’d think of you as my beloved daughter, just as your father does.”
He chuckled softly.
“And as a parent, I’d definitely want to hear from my daughter. If there hasn’t been any contact for a while, I’d constantly worry—wondering if she’s safe or happy. It’s because I love you.”
“Fenrir…”
Tears welled up, and I felt a lump in my throat. Just then, Levi hugged me from behind and asked, “Is that really how it is?” I nodded slowly, replying in broken words, “It… seems so. And it makes me… happy.”
“Yes, I’m happy to be cared for. But I just don’t know what to say in my reply. I can’t find the words.”
“That’s exactly what Christopher told me recently,” Fenrir said, surprising me.
“I told him it’s okay to tell his parents that he doesn’t know what to say. It’s not bad to take some time to figure it out. Even a vague response will bring comfort to a parent because they’ll feel connected with their child.”
That made perfect sense to me. It’s like sending a work message: “We’re still considering the matter, so please wait a little longer.” I just need to convey that.
“Thank you. I’m really glad I talked to you.”
Fenrir gave me a soft smile in response.
I should reply now, while I still feel brave. If I put it off, I’ll get scared again and delay it even further. While still soaking in the hot spring, I reached out and pulled my phone from the side to draft my message.
I opened my inbox and reread my father’s email. It had been a while since I’d last looked at it, and the mention of a “three-year obligation” weighed heavily on me… but Fenrir’s words—that parents care about their children—gave me courage.
“Dad, thank you for reaching out. I’m doing well. But…”
My fingers trembled as I typed.
“I changed jobs.”
I wrote that much.
“I’ve been really busy, so I’ll send more details later. I’ll email you again soon.”
…and sent it!
How do I even explain that my new job is as Fenrir’s successor? I’ll think about that later. For now, I just wanted to let him know that I’m doing well.
“You did great,” Fenrir said, and I smiled through my tears.
As I stepped out of the hot spring, I hugged Fenrir, feeling my fears and sadness melt away.
“Thank you for always thinking of me, for always accepting me. I love you.”
“The same goes for me, El. I’d say those exact words to you.”
As the sun slowly climbed higher, we shared a smile.
With a playful shake of my head to dry my hair, I changed from my swimsuit into a dress.
“Alright, it’s time to visit the fairy springs!”
Glea arrived, right on cue!
“Glea, have you been eavesdropping on us this whole time?”
“What do you mean? Of course, as Fenrir-sama’s assistant, it’s only natural for me to stay by his side. Is there a problem?”
It seemed Glea was going to pretend she hadn’t overheard my vulnerability. I appreciated that, but there was something I wanted to say to her too.
“Glea, thank you for always supporting me. I think you’re amazing, and I really like you.”
The unicorn’s ears twitched in surprise. How cute! Was she blushing too?
“Your kind words are an honor, thank you.”
“Oh, staying cool, huh? But are you embarrassed?”
“What are you talking about?”
Glea turned away, and I decided to leave it at that. She crouched down slightly so I could climb onto her back.
“Alright, time to shift gears! Let’s give it our best today!”
As I stretched and said that, Fenrir offered, “For a change of pace, how about riding on my back today? If Glea in human form holds you from behind, you won’t fall.”
“Fah!?!”
Glea and I yelped in unison.
Fenrir’s back was wide like an elephant’s, so I’d probably need some sort of magical saddle to ride him… but the idea sounded fun.
“Riding on Fenrir-sama’s back? Me? No way… but that would be… incredible. Is this a dream? I must be in heaven… This is unreal! But it’s happening… this is real. I’m alive… and this is happening…”
Glea, calm down! We can hear everything you’re muttering!
“Let’s ride together! Glea, take us up!”
“Guh…”
Glea, now in human form, grudgingly let me cling to her back. “Don’t strangle me!” she complained, but still, Fenrir gently lifted us both onto his soft, icy back.
“Wow…”
The snowy landscape looked even more beautiful from this high perspective. The breath I exhaled turned white, like the winter we had called upon.
“Let’s continue walking together, my dear El.”
“Yes!”
I found myself responding without even thinking.
I felt Glea breathe a sigh of relief behind me. But before I could dwell on it, Fenrir dashed forward, light and agile.
“I feel so good that I’m sure I can cast amazing magic today!”
He leapt, racing across a bridge of ice toward the first fairy spring. The thrill was so much that laughter bubbled out of me.