What's There to Be Shy About Between Us?

Father could only stare at me with his mouth open, unable to say a word.

He merely gazed at me for a long while, his face frozen.

He let out a string of awkward coughs.

Father turned his head and looked out the window.

It seemed like a clumsy, hurried gesture meant to hide his reddened eyes.

His lips, visible in profile, were trembling faintly.

"……You foolish boy. You must be the first person ever to refuse a knighthood from His Majesty."

Though it took the form of a scolding, there wasn't the slightest hint of anger or reproach in it.

His faintly trembling voice was suffused with emotions he could no longer suppress.

I had craved my father's recognition more than His Majesty's favor...