The sun had set, and night had fallen.
Inside a room at the Guest House, Marcia remained in a deep slumber, while Rodrigo sat watching over her.
Suddenly, Marcia stirred in her sleep.
"Ugh, mmm..."
Startled, Rodrigo stared intently at his daughter's face.
"Hah, ah..."
Marcia's eyes fluttered open, and a sigh escaped her lips. However, her gaze was still unfocused.
"W-where... am I...?"
She blinked several times until her eyes finally seemed to focus, her vision turning clear.
"...Marcia," Rodrigo called her name in a whisper.
"...Eh?"
Marcia slowly tilted her head to look at the owner of the voice. Her eyes went wide.
"...Dad?"
Rodrigo gave a small nod. Marcia closed her eyes again.
"Ha, hahaha... I see, so it's a dream."
She spoke in a mumble, her tone self-deprecating.
"...I guess I haven't really become independent yet..."
"Marcia."
Rodrigo spoke to his daughter once more. Marcia opened her eyes.
At that moment, the door opened.
"...Ah, Marcia, you're awake."
"...Jin?"
Seeing the young man who entered, Marcia's eyes widened in surprise once more.
"Marcia-san, how are you feeling?"
"...Elsa...?"
"Ah, thank goodness, she's conscious."
"...Reinhard... What? I really am dreaming, then..."
Seeing the faces of Jin, Elsa, and Reinhard, Marcia seemed convinced that this wasn't reality.
"Marcia-san, you have been rescued."
"...Eh? Reiko-chan?"
Seeing Reiko standing right beside the bed, Marcia's consciousness finally became fully clear.
"Then, the person over there... is really...?"
Marcia slowly pushed her upper body up from the bed.
"Marcia."
Hoping to help her, Rodrigo reached out his hand.
But.
A sharp slap echoed through the room. Marcia had struck Rodrigo's hand away.
"What are you doing here?! Why did you come back now, after all this time?!"
"Marcia..."
Marcia turned her back to Rodrigo and hung her head; her shoulders were trembling.
"...I'm sorry. I know that apologizing won't make things right. I did terrible things to you and your mother. But please, let me apologize."
Marcia offered no reply.
"Marcia, your father has already quit drinking and gambling. He's working as a fine shipwright now," Jin interjected, unable to just stand by.
"It's true. He was one of the shipwrights who built the Shouro Empire's new vessel, the Bernstein, and he came to Port Rock as a member of its crew for the maiden voyage," Reinhard added, lending his support.
"His health was failing him before. But he's healthy now. Because he wanted to see you."
Elsa provided backup in her own quiet way. Even so, Marcia did not raise her head.
"..."
A long silence followed. Eventually, Rodrigo let out a heavy sigh.
"...I'm just glad I could see that you're safe. You must hate a father like me."
Saying only that, he turned to leave the room.
A voice called out to his retreating back.
"...Wait."
Rodrigo stopped in his tracks.
Marcia raised her head and shouted, her voice sounding as if it were being wrung from the depths of her heart.
"If I hate you? Of course I do!"
Her eyes were brimming with tears.
"I hate you! There's no way I wouldn't!...You ran away and abandoned me and Mom! Right when I... when I needed you most!!"
"..."
Rodrigo closed his eyes, listening to Marcia's grievances with his back still turned.
"You idiot..."
Her angry shouts eventually dissolved into tearful sobs.
"Marcia... I'm sorry."
Rodrigo turned around and staggered toward her. He placed his hands on the edge of Marcia's bed and bowed his head low.
"It's too late for apologies..."
At the sound of Marcia's sobbing, Rodrigo raised his head to face his daughter directly.
"You idiot! You big idiot! Why couldn't you have come back sooner?!"
"I'm sorry..."
Marcia weakly beat her fists against Rodrigo's chest.
"...But... welcome home... Dad."
With a face messy from tears, Marcia managed a small, fragile smile.
"...I'm home, Marcia..."
Rodrigo, also shedding tears, reached out and gently pulled Marcia into an embrace.
Jin and the others quietly left the room, taking care not to make a sound and leaving the two of them alone.
"...I'm so glad."
Elsa let out a long breath and murmured the words.
"Yeah, I'm glad too," Jin agreed with a nod.
"They really are father and daughter. It was just as Elsa said," Reinhard remarked with deep emotion.
"In a little while, it would be best to bring her some light food," Reiko said, stating a practical necessity that made Jin and the others break into warm, slightly wry smiles.
"Ah, you're right. Elsa, what would be good?"
"Mm. I think Persica juice and barley porridge would be best."
The group smiled at each other.
The moon shone brightly in the sky, as if wishing happiness upon the father and daughter who had finally reconciled.
＊ ＊ ＊
Meanwhile, back at Marcia's workshop.
"I see, so Marcia-san is safe!"
"That's wonderful news. I'm so relieved to hear it."
Jeremy and Baccus were also breathing sighs of relief after hearing the report from the returned Arrow.