River's expression was a little dazed.

“...... I thought about telling her. Finally he said, "At an appropriate time, as a surprise, a gift, a ......"

A compensation.

But he never seemed to find the right time, and now, Vala is buried in the ground.

He looked at his son and knew in his heart why he was asking this question, and he hated him for using his dead mother as an excuse to justify his betrayal.

"I know, you feel like I'm sorry for your mother. He hung his head, his fingers unconsciously rubbing the rim of his glass. Unlike the utensils in Fort Criesers, the various things used in the Cloud Castle are elaborate and ornate...... It wasn't Valla's style, but it was what he did.

He knew he lacked taste, but he was such a person.

"I love your mother...... Maybe you won't believe it anymore. "The moment she appeared at my door on that drizzly night more than 20 years ago was the happiest and proudest moment of my life...... Such a noble and intelligent woman is willing to give up everything for me, I must be the luckiest guy in the world...... I once swore that I would give her the best of everything...... Give her a better life than before. I did everything I could for it, and I thought I had done it...... But it didn't come without a price. ”

Vala was pregnant when he first went to sea, and when he finally returned, two-year-old Ed didn't know his father at all. Having survived the toughest period alone, Valla, who had a more determined personality, didn't seem to need him so much, even if he brought his incredible fortune to her...... And he didn't get what he wanted.

But what did he want? Sometimes even he couldn't tell.

Heather's mother, Dalena, appeared before him when he was at his most confused. It was just the daughter of a Brie sailor he had hired to come to him for help with her father's ill illness...... She was no more beautiful than Vala, and was very favored because she was an only child, and had the gentleness that was rare among the Brie people with a straightforward and bright personality.

He failed to save her father. The sailor was dead when he arrived with the priest, and it was not known because of this...... Or something else, he couldn't leave this girl behind.

She relied on him wholeheartedly, but he was also absent from her when she gave birth to Heather. She didn't complain about it, and her eyes were still full of adoration when she looked at him. When she died unexpectedly when Heather was five years old, he poured all his guilt and love out on his daughter, and he did spend more time with Heather than with Ed.

With the drunkenness of half a bottle of wine, many things seem to become less unspeakable.

"Your mother, she doesn't need me. He told Ed, "She needed just a reason to leave the family that was suffocating her...... All she needs is freedom. ”

Ed didn't know how to answer.

"But she chose you......" he muttered.

Perhaps Vala did need a reason...... Maybe her love is not so deep, but if the break with the whole family is not supported by a little love, how can she persevere.

"Anyway, she's never done anything to be sorry for you. At least he was sure of that, "She doesn't need that much wealth." If only I could spend more time with you...... When you come back to her, she's always a little more energetic, even if there are all kinds of arguments. ”

“...... But the first time I went to sea was because of her insistence......"

"Because she knows what you want to go. Ed replied in a low voice, "She doesn't want you to regret it." ”

"Your father loved to do business. Vala told him, "It's not just because of the big payoffs...... He loves the process of working for it. But you don't like it, Ed, I don't have to force you to be a knight or anything, but you have to find something you're willing to fight for. ”

The room was so quiet that only River's heavy breathing could be heard. He hung his head, Ed couldn't see his face, but he knew he was crying.

There really is no such thing as a life without regrets and regrets, Ed thought blankly.

And most of the time, there is no way to make amends.

No matter what happened in the past, the living must continue to live. After considering all the possibilities, Ed suggested that his father take Heather back to Neo City temporarily.

Cloud castle is not that safe. It was built very strongly, but it hung alone in the sea, and if it was under siege, there was basically no way to escape if it was too late to teleport. And River's mansion in Neo City, although it is much smaller than Cloud Castle, is near the ** Master Tower, if something happens, even for the sake of their own face, the mages who are obliged to protect the city cannot turn a blind eye.

"I still have a house east of town near the docks," River told Ed, "if you ...... If you think it's more convenient there......"

Ed had actually thought of finding another place to live, but what was the point? all the money he had in his hand was also earned by River, and he couldn't live in the temple of the god of water, even though he was still nominally the saint of the god of water.

Bertram decided to send the Unicorn to Neo City for repairs, just in time to drop everyone off. Ada, the housekeeper, would leave some of the people in Cloud Castle with her, and it took a moment for Ed to realize that Iss was upset about it.

“...... That's Leda. Iss replied to his question, "Leda of Christasburg, Scott's maid-in-waiting, the one who has taken care of me since I was a child. ”

It dawned on Ed.

"She can come with us. He said.

Isis shook his head: "I asked...... She disagreed. ”

And he didn't have anything to do about it.

"Okay...... But why is she here?" Ed wondered, "Ah! I forgot to thank her, the amulet she gave me......"

He paused and looked thoughtfully at his empty chest.

"I think that's Scott. He whispered, "The one who fished me out of the deep sea and sent me to Cloud Island." ”

"So what?" Iss sneered, "he doesn't even dare to show his face in front of us now, do you still believe the nonsense he says?"

Ed stopped talking. He knew that Is's still had the same trust in his heart, something that almost went deep into his bones, and perhaps even a true betrayal could not break it. What he hated was that Scott didn't give them reciprocal trust.

The man was still too stubborn to take it all upon himself...... But if that was the case, why on earth did he tell Ed what he had told Ed in the first place? Even if he had stumbled upon some secrets, he could have covered up the past with some specious lies......

Or was what he told him to be a lie at all?