A man worth loving

Found this meaningful quote (source unknown) the other day:

When a guy can handle your flaws, love you on your moody days, kiss you when you don’t look great, and say you’re beautiful no matter what happens, he’s worth loving.

So the Magic Spell scene in the Candy Candy manga flashed across my mind, which I have already shared part of it. Some people didn’t like this part in the story because Candy was too easily tricked by Neil. Although she escaped from his trap successfully, she ended up being stranded in the middle of nowhere. Feeling regretful, scared and humiliated, Albert came to her rescue just after Candy prayed to God for deliverance.

Like Reeka, I also wonder how Albert could figure out where Candy could be. He probably knew where Neil’s family villa was, and yet how did Albert figure it was a setup by Neil? My guess is that Albert was aware of Neil’s recent activities because Candy must have told Albert that she had got fired by the hospital because of Neil, and that Neil had been trying to “date” her but failed. 🙁

At any rate, Candy was foolish by following a stranger simply because he said Terry had sent him to fetch her. She was lucky that Neil didn’t get his way (he had the room locked after all… and she was essentially stuck with him). However, Albert didn’t lecture Candy or speak any harsh word to her when he found her. She was distraught enough, and he could tell she had learned a lesson already. Her safety was all that mattered to him.

Then he kissed her on the forehead. That was a very loving action. He genuinely accepted her as she was, not as she should be. Aww…

As Agnès said, Candy’s mood change right after that was evident. She calmed down significantly, and that was also when Albert saw his own badge dangling around her neck. In response, Candy blushed profusely, saying that it was her amulet (lucky charm, the same word Albert used to cast his spell) to avoid monsters (like ghosts, spirits, goblins, etc.) Judging from her reaction, I think it was the first time she let him see her precious badge, which means it was the first time Albert saw it again since he had last seen it (after rescuing Candy from near drowning). I wonder how he felt at that very instant, but he had no problem pretending he knew nothing about it. 😉 He just remarked that by carrying such an amazing (powerful) item with her, she could have peace of mind all the time.

In the manga, that was the only moment Albert saw his own badge, but in Candy Candy Final Story (CCFS), it was the “opposite”. 😛 In Candy’s letter to Albert, she complained in the middle of her recollection of his important confession. She said she had cried tears of happiness after knowing his yet another identity, but:

それにしても，王子さまはひどいわ！
わたし、マグノリヤ荘でも宝物のバッジを見せて何度も〝丘の上の王子さま”　の話もしましたね―　確か〝アルバートさん”　てひとが、黙って聞いていたような……。

With my direct translation, she said

Even so (at any rate), (my) prince is awful (terrible)! 
In the House of Magnolia, I have shown (him) my treasured badge and told the story of “Prince on the Hill” many times. If I’m not mistaken (if I remember correctly), someone called “Albert-san” seemed to be silently listening (to me)…

With hindsight, Candy realized that Albert had been quietly listening to “her rambling of himself being a teenager”. By the way, other than Anthony and Albert, nobody else knew about the Prince on the Hill. Have you ever wondered why she had talked about her prince so many times while living together with Albert in the apartment? What else had she related to him? Like she had met him the day Annie had been adopted?

In any case, Albert was fully aware Candy had never forgotten about her prince, and the memory was still very special to her. On the other hand, she must be immensely embarrassed now that she gathered her prince might have regained his memory already back then. No wonder she said he was ‘terrible’! 😉 😛

Back to the manga scene mentioned above, I figure Albert didn’t ask for help when he found out that Candy had been missing. It wasn’t his intention to spend the night by the lake with Candy, but no doubt his poor old car had been pushed to the limit, which only shows how anxious he must have felt when he tried to search everywhere for her.

Last but not the least, when Albert sneezed, Candy immediately said sorry and wanted to return half of his long coat back to him. Imagine if he had agreed, they would have cuddled each other for warmth, sharing the same coat for the entire night! Once again, this reminds me of how much Candy trusted Albert. Being a gentleman, Albert declined her offer and apologized for the messy situation. He possibly didn’t want to take advantage of her, or he was afraid the temptation was too difficult to resist? 😉 With a smile on her face, she pointed to her forehead and said she was happy that he had come, and his spell earlier worked effectively.

He was relieved to hear that, and sitting side-by-side under the star-studded sky, she consciously leaned against him, feeling grateful about him being there for her whenever she was troubled. Note that she was drowsy but still awake. Perhaps the night breeze was cold, and she wanted him to get some body warmth from her? 😉 After thanking him for the coat that kept her warm, she fell asleep beside him without any hesitation. Apparently, she was no longer frightened even though she was alone with him in a remote place. This is a perfect example that his presence indeed gave her a marvelous sense of security. Do you think Albert was able to sleep that night…? 🙄 For your interest, this is one of my old drawings of my imagination of this scene.

I hope you like my coloring. I colored the last panel showing that the morning came, but where was Albert? 😆

Have a wonderful weekend!

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