there is something utterly heartbreaking about arcos hoping, almost praying, for the person that saved his family and home to be his son while being almost certain that he's not. he wants to believe so badly that his son had stopped destroying himself and harming everyone around him, that his child had been the one that matured and turned into a diligent and responsible person. but he knows it is not. he knows that the person he worries for and trusts without question is not the same one he raised. he knows his child and this person he's come to love as his own is not him.
he doesn't want to believe it because a part of him never stopped hoping lloyd would mature and turn into a decente person. but he cannot let his own selfishness keep stopping him from seeing the truth and recognize that the person that saved them all and that he's come to love so much is not his lloyd. because he's his own person and arcos loves him for who he is, has come to love him as his son and he doesn't deserve to be treated as just a replacement for the son arcos lost without realizing when or why.
and he can't bring himself to say any of this out loud so he just holds lloyd's hand and hopes that's enough to let him know how utterly loved he already is.
I want to tell you everything, Lloyd... But I have no clue as to how I should talk to or ask you about this. I already see you as my precious son. I am grateful for you. Count Frontera raised his gaze to the sky once more. He was at a loss for words. The sky was incredibly dark and blue, filled with light from the moon and stars, clouds, and shooting stars. He sighed as his heart filled with uncertainty and regret. Unable to distract his mind he simply reached out and tightly grabbed Lloyd's hand. He hoped his unspoken feelings and thoughts would be conveyed to his son: Whatever you do, whatever you hide, you are my precious son that I will always be thankful for. In the cold and cozy night, they affectionately held each other's hand. It was a stroll between a father and son or two people who hoped that would become true someday.
