A hug so tight
Ever heard of the following quote?
“One day someone is going to hug you so tight that all your broken pieces will stick back together.” — Unknown
I think that’s what happened to Candy as described in her letter to Albert in the epilogue of Candy Candy Final Story (CCFS). I have already explained in my previous post, A memorable embrace, that while being in Lakewood with him, she had the courage to revisit that dreadful place, the forest where Anthony had had his fatal accident.
She recapitulated that particular visit as follows (from CCFS spoilers):
If only there wasn’t that fox hunting held for my introduction as an adopted daughter, Anthony hadn’t died that young.
“Because of me … Because of me Anthony was …”
I began to cry, then you tenderly took me in your arms.
“… It was me who adopted you … it’s also me who ordered the fox hunting.”
Your painful voice penetrated to my heart.
I learnt — you have been keeping the same anguish to yourself.
I’m sorry I cried so hard on your chest. I made a mess of your fine shirt.
It’s obvious that the guilty feeling had been deeply rooted in her heart for years, but after being comforted by Albert, the weight of the guilt was lifted from her. Candy felt that she had been given a new life since then, and she no longer blamed herself for the horse accident. I read somewhere that “a tight hug can do so much for someone who’s hurting”. That’s so true, isn’t it? I have a feeling that Candy and Albert wouldn’t mind returning to that forest again, even when they became old one day like this cute elderly couple. 🙂
In any case, I like this scene so much that I have described it in detail in the second chapter of my story “The Diary”, and since my friend Antlay is currently translating this chapter to French, I felt like drawing this scene again. Some of you know that I have drawn one last year, but this time, I attempted to draw the moment when Albert spoke those painful words to Candy. Besides, I drew the background myself. I’ve been quite busy lately that I haven’t drawn since September! Even this one has taken me a long time because I could only do a little bit every day. I know I could have done even more, but I decided not to. 😛
Anyway, my new drawing is dedicated to a bunch of people listed below:
First, I have to thank my anonymous friend for providing me a snapshot of CCFS so that I can read a part of Candy’s letter to Albert in Japanese. It was indeed beautifully written! Other than my friend, to those who have given me feedback here on my blog (2 comments or more), Facebook (top 5 based on number of likes and/or comments) or Twitter, during the period from November 1 to 16, I would like to give you all my heartfelt gratitude for your continued support! Here are the names:
Blog:
Antlay (6 comments)
QuevivaCandy (2 comments)
Olenka Vértiz (7 likes 4 comments)
Hana Ramos (6 likes 2 comments)
Delia Golds (4 likes 2 comments)
Susan Adam (5 likes)
Gelmi Porras Castellon (4 likes)
sarina abarca (5 favorites)
I hope I haven’t missed anyone (please let me know otherwise), and I hope you like my gift. 😀 I will upload this fanart to Facebook so that you can tag yourself or download it. I’ll also give each of you a variant of this drawing later on Facebook with your names. Please wait for me. Thank you for your patience! 🙂
To those who have sent me your feedback but not enough to be listed: Thanks for your understanding that I have to shortlist the people. I will try to draw another one in the near future. 🙂 I don’t guarantee anything at this moment, and it really depends on my schedule. 😉
Candy said Albert wore a ‘fine quality’ shirt , so I imagine him wearing a black silk shirt (like the one he wore in the manga when Candy discovered his true identity in Lakewood). I also gave Candy a new dress (different from the one I drew before). Note that I typed the Japanese words myself (the equivalent is shown in bold above), and if any of you find that I have made any mistake, please kindly inform me. Thanks in advance! 🙂
Albert and Candy in Lakewood forest
Hehehehe yes, she must hold him so tight and cried hard on his chest. Imagining it made my heart warm. That moment must be so memorable for both of them. I mean, how often we girls, hugs a man so tight that made it crumbled :D. And Candy was petite, the position of Albert comforted her in his strong arms should be really intimate.
Like you said, something must happened at that moment. With her face on his chest, I can safely say that Albert would put his chin on her top of head. Mmm maybe he kissed it? Or even he kissed her forehead? It wouldn’t be their first, anyway. 🙂 & as a woman myself, hugging a man, so handsome& so masculine like Albert, I can’t believe anyone that say they’re not affected. At least we know Candy enjoy it because if not, she wouldn’t embrace him that long. Hehehehe.
And the way she recalled that time on her letters, … It was indeed a truly special moment for her.
Btw, the drawing made me smile. The surrounding is wonderfully beautiful and Candy’s really beautiful here. I’m glad you didn’t draw her with the pigtails. Hehehhee.
Anyway, why had I always thought they’re hugging while sitting? I don’t know, but I always thought Candy and Albert rode the same horse to the forest and she cried on his chest while both sitting on the horse.
In the manga Candy didn’t wear pigtails on special occasions, if you have noticed… She was slowly growing out of that hairstyle, lol. To me, she might want to look more mature and feminine for Albert too, and men in general have a thing for women letting their long hair down, you know. 😉
Thank you for your compliments!! Riding a horse was my idea in “The Diary”, and I want to stick with CCFS when drawing this scene such that nobody can say that I have made this up! 😛
Exactly, Reeka! It was indeed a poignant but the most beautiful scene in CCFS, I dare say! I don’t think either of them would be able to forget that afternoon in the forest.. Sigh.
As you said, how could Candy be unaffected afterwards, especially Albert was so caring, tender and understanding? No other male character in CC could measure up to Albert. I mean he wasn’t just handsome and rich! I can’t believe the Terry fans have been so blind to see that Candy had developed romantic feelings for the man who had always cared for her.
Yeah… Candy was just a girl, and hugging a man for so long really means a lot. The fact that she wrote it all down in detail in a letter to Albert also implies something (just like writing her feelings truthfully in her old diary). 😉 At least she would never forget that special day… and neither would Albert. 😛
This is beautifully done! The background is like I imagined it would be, beautiful. But more importantly, the expression and emotion on their faces reflect their feelings in this particular scene.
I love it 🙂
Hello CKati!! So happy to hear from you, and I’m very glad to know that you found this beautiful, and you also liked their facial expressions. Thank you very much for your encouragement!! 😀
Waow Ms Puddle ! Votre dessin est fantastique ! C’est exactement ce que je m’imaginais quand je lisais la lettre de Candy à Albert, la forêt, les fleurs et cette étreinte pleine de tendresse…
Merci beaucoup, Antlay! 😀 Yes, Candy’s letter was written beautifully, and the scene was just romantic and full of tenderness!
I actually have a slightly different version in my mind, and I’ll draw that for chapter 2 of Le Journal :D. No rush though. Take as much time as you need. 🙂
Me gusta todos tus trabajos
Muchas gracias!!! 😀