Deep bonds, if not cherished, will eventually fade until they can no longer be seen, let alone touched.
“Otherwise… I’ll definitely break. It was Merlin who betrayed me, so it’s not my fault. I’ve been happy since becoming the adopted daughter of the Talane Estate. I’ve worked so hard… not just to prove my value to the Talane Estate, but to tell myself this choice was right.”
Mahina covered her face with her palm, the corners of her mouth twisting.
“By imagining Merlin’s regretful expression, by thinking about how my life and status have far surpassed hers, and by imagining her living a life of poverty with some other woman… only then could I feel a bit of comfort. It was only through hatred that I found the motivation to survive in the Talane Estate.”
Mahina took a deep breath, but in the end, she did nothing.
“So I kept going like that, striving to live in the Talane Estate and trying my best to be happy. Although not everyone welcomed me at first, I worked hard to gain recognition through my strength and communication.”
Mahina lowered her hand and looked at her slender, pale palms, letting out a self-deprecating laugh.
“Heh… To outsiders, I must seem very happy. I don’t want to say much more about the titles I once held; saying it myself just feels like bragging. But I… I really did work hard.”
“During the years we were apart, whenever I thought of Merlin, I would study, practice Magic, and fight. It was both a way to distract myself and a desperate effort to prove I was right.”
Mahina suddenly stood up and assumed a perfect posture, a mask she had long since mastered for the outside world. She displayed a perfect movement and a perfect smile, even wearing an expression of happiness.
“I’ve become a famous figure throughout the country, you know. What about you? You scumbag, you must regret your unfaithfulness by now, hmph.”
In that moment, Mahina’s tone was sharp and biting, as if the Merlin she once hated to her core were standing right before her eyes. However, a second later, her momentum deflated like a balloon pricked by a needle.
“I… I often fantasized like that in my heart. Like a fool.”
Mahina slumped back into the Rocking Chair, the previous emotional outburst seemingly draining all her strength. As the conversation progressed, Li stopped speaking. She simply sat there quietly as the evening breeze rustled through the treetops. The night wind was slightly cool, blowing through their hair.
Mahina hugged her knees, resting her chin on them as her gaze became hollow.
“But… the more I became entangled with the Talane Estate, the more praise I received. Even though the Head of House Taran promised he wouldn’t interfere in my love life… it seems that was a lie too. In reality, it was just like boiling a frog in lukewarm water. If he really didn’t intend to interfere, he wouldn’t have let his subordinates use such despicable means to tear Merlin and me apart back then.”
She extended one finger, tracing an invisible cage in the air.
“However, the label of ‘Genius Girl of House Taran’ grew as my social activities increased. Even if the Head of the Family didn’t intervene, my every word and action would affect the Talane Estate.”
Mahina closed her eyes in pain. Two lines of crystal-clear tears rolled down her cheeks, dripping onto the hem of her Academy skirt and leaving small, dark spots.
“Even if the Head of the Family doesn’t step in, my every move is tied to the interests of the Talane Estate. Even if I could truly reconcile with Merlin, what about those members of the Nobility who covet me? What about the Talane Estate? What if they used Merlin to threaten me? At least back then… that problem was unsolvable.”
Mahina’s vacant eyes began to refocus, regaining their luster.
“And so… in the midst of my dull, day-to-day life, I met Merlin once again at the Academy.”
Just as Mahina was about to take another deep breath and continue, the sound of footsteps on soft earth and fallen leaves echoed from a distance, calming her emotions. After confirming it was only the Academy’s mail carrier, she began to tidy her appearance and compose herself.
“Honestly… lately, whenever it involves Merlin, I end up crying like a mess. I can’t control my emotions.”
The mail carrier, who was just an ordinary person, obviously hadn’t heard the distant conversation. She broke the silence with a soft voice. Upon hearing the mail carrier, a small figure with deep blue hair ran out from the Little Log Cabin. The child’s careless strength caused the wooden door to slam loudly.
Little Merlin hurried toward the mail carrier with small steps, while Ophelia’s voice drifted out from behind her.
“Slow down! Don’t trip! If you fall flat on your face, you’re washing yourself tonight!”
Little Merlin replied energetically, “Okay!”
The scent of tea from inside the cabin slowly drifted outside as Ophelia followed her daughter out alone. By this time, Little Merlin had already impatiently opened the letter: several documents, two seeds, and one Orange Crystal.
Ophelia took the documents embossed with gold patterns from Little Merlin’s hands and examined them closely. As expected, they were sent by Philia. But why was the recipient addressed to Merlinlia instead of herself? She looked at Little Merlin playing with the gemstone and sighed. ‘I suppose it’s fine, even if it differs slightly from my original plan.’
John quickly walked out of the house and glanced at Li, who was sitting quietly on the ground. “Since we’ve confirmed Merlin is fine, let’s head back.”
“Oh, alright. It was just a whim after dinner anyway.” Li rose from the grass and brushed off the debris from her clothes.
She looked at Mahina again, wanting to say something, but ultimately remained silent. Even though Li hadn’t really done anything yet, Mahina had already broken down emotionally. Li called out softly, “Mahina.”
“I’m here.” By now, Mahina had restored her composure and appearance, looking once again like a young lady of the Nobility.
Even though she had left the Talane Estate… the refined aura she had cultivated wouldn’t disappear. And… this… her outfit… and the atmosphere she exuded… her every gesture was exactly like something out of a novel.
‘It’s intentional.’ Being a woman herself, Li understood in an instant.
The makeup, the expression, the behavior, the hairstyle, the clothes—everything was aimed directly at Merlin’s preferences. As an old friend of Merlin, Li had a vague idea of what her type was, but she hadn’t expected Mahina to go this far.
The length of the skirt revealed her slender legs without being overly suggestive, striking a balance between being dignified and sexy. Her shirt wasn’t like those of the Academy girls seen on the street who left the top button open; instead, she wore it in a standard fashion with every single button fastened tight.
And… I didn’t notice it earlier because things happened so suddenly. That tenderness radiating from Mahina, eyes so gentle they seemed to drip with honey… she was completely like a young girl deep in love. She wasn’t hiding her love and tenderness for Merlin at all; she was going all out.
Li asked herself if she could do the same. ‘No… I can’t.’ Even John, who was about to walk away, was captivated by Mahina’s radiance and stared blankly, which annoyed Li enough to elbow him.