I did nearly have another heart attack... all these palpitations can't be good for me. I start to vaguely understand why those wimpy anime harem protagonists are in a perpetual state of terror. To a certain extent at least. They still need to grow a pair, though. I will face my death like a man.

Fortunately, just as I was grasped by the throat by Kiku's dad, she screamed "PAPA!! Y-YOU'VE GOT IT WRONG!! I'LL HATE YOU FOREVER IF YOU HURT ELIJAH!!"

His grip deflated instantly at this. I'm still on dangerous ground though... and still held by the collar, but at least I can breathe now.

"Gu-Greetings, Ser Arnas. I am the Etranger Elijah. Y-your daughter has been taking care of me." I manage to eek out, partially coughing in the process.

He glares into my eyes dangerously, but lets me go. I fall on my ass as usual.

"She does that." His voice is still without mirth as he looks to Kiku. But then...

"Kiku! W-why are you crying?! Dad is worried!! What happened?!"

The tonal switch to urgent panic is enough to make me blink. Is he a big softie for his little girl? I guess so.

"Um... I was... very happy." She snivels, her nose still dripping.

"Huh?" He stops. I can understand his confusion... she didn't sound very convincing just now.

Gradually, the situation is explained. By the end, her Dad has a hand behind his head, scratching.

"I-I had no idea you didn't like it, Ki..." He says. "Y-you used to look so happy when the guys would tell you stories of battles, and put flower crowns on you..."

Kiku is shaking again, and face-palms. Her tears and snot are gone now... but she still looks about to cry for a different reason.

"Daaaad! Um... I'm not five anymore. I'm thirteen!" She whines.

"Hnnngh... girls grow up so quickly..." He seems morose.

"Fucking hell Dad!! You even told me I needed to grow up and find a party to go with!!!!" She retorts, going rowdy.

"T-that was... for your... development as a mercenary... Ka was..."

"And d-don't you d-dare compare me to nee-chan!" She shouts.

Wow. She... she's really gone more assertive, even if she is clearly quivering in her boots as she does so. I have to say that I'm nearly as surprised as her father.

Whatever brought on this change? Gulp... Is it really me that transformed this meek girl with rough edges into this? Should I even be witnessing this?

Her father looks shocked... but then appears to think a bit, and sighs, before smiling a surprisingly gentle smile.

It's a strange look on his battle scarred face, but it seems familiar... it's the face of a father.

"I'm proud of you, Ki." He says.

"Eh?" She goes.

"I was always a bit worried, to be honest..." He continues. "You always looked so scared and depressed in fights... that I wondered if I really did the right thing, teaching you the sword..."

"Eh? Eh?" She repeats.

"...but it seems these last few days... you've found something to fight for? So much, that you'll even think about going against everything you used to know." He grasps her hand, which is currently bereft of gauntlet.

"Your hands aren't shaking, Ki. You can finally protect something. And that's what it means to be real fighter, whether a Knight, or a Mercenary." He nods and smiles again.

Kiku's eyes swim and her mouth works like an industrial press.

"I... um... I..."

Time to push her over the precipice.

"Like your father said. Like I've been trying to tell you for a while. I would be dead already if not for you, Kiku. So would Aria, I'm sure. And Seria. Maybe even Kaede."

Kaede gives me the stink-eye, but doesn't contradict me at least. I'm sure she understands what I'm up to. Seria certainly seems to, and is nodding with crossed arms and closed eyes.

Kiku looks around... and then something clicks inside her, nay, breaks. And she smiles the most gloriously beautiful smile I have ever seen on her. It’s enough to make my heart race furiously.

I really am surrounded by troublesome girls.

"There... remember that feeling, Ki. I'm glad you found it, like I found it with your mother and you girls." Her father says, and ruffles her head. She chitters happily. Kaede gains a wry expression.

Crap... I was doing something her dad also did? That might have been creepy.

He lets go of her fringe, and glares in my direction again.

I feel a bit of bloodlust and it puts me on edge, but it disappears. He nods slightly.

"You've given my daughter something to protect, it seems. I've never seen her this happy about anything except cooking before." He states.

"It... it's my pleasure. I didn't lie; even in just these few days, I think Kiku has become important to both me and Her Majesty Aria." I reply.

Holy shit. I think that was the first time I ever called Aria Her Majesty... Kiku looks wide eyed again. I swear she forgets Aria is a royal quite often!

"Doubtlessly so, Etranger. I will trust you to continue being her guide." He says... but suddenly, between breaths, he is in my face. His look could freeze hell over. "HOWEVER. Guiding her up the stairs of adulthood could be... a mite... ~detrimental~ to your health. Clear?" He whispers in my ear.

"As crystal." I gulp.

"Good, good." He says, patting me fiercely on the shoulder as he steps away. Yikes. Dads are scary.

Seria has looked away and is shaking in mirth again. Kaede has also crooked a tiny smile on her doll like face. Kiku is mostly just blissfully unaware of the threat I just got, going by her blank, innocent facade.

These bloody girls will be the death of me for sure...