Chapter 105: Chocolate (2)

“I was just trying to ask.”

Mahina looked up and began to adjust her smile.

“As long as I can see Little Merlin, I’m already satisfied… ha.”

Mahina gently placed the bag of chocolates into Little Merlin’s hand, intending to turn and leave.

“I’m sorry… I was being greedy… I’m happy enough just seeing the joyful expression on Little Merlin’s face when she eats chocolate. I won’t say things like that anymore.”

Mahina knew that Little Merlin was still resisting her. She couldn’t allow her own greed to lead to a total failure.

Little Merlin did not speak again. She lowered her head, silently tearing open the beautifully packaged bag in her hand, and took out a piece of chocolate to put in her mouth. The rich, silky texture melted instantly in her mouth. It was a flavor far more sophisticated and sweet than any candy she had ever tasted before.

Yet, she did not feel very happy. She looked at Mahina, who had turned her head away.

At that moment, Mahina was raising her hand, using the back of it to quickly and frantically wipe her face. Immediately after, she took a deep breath. By the time she turned back around, a brilliant, perfect smile was already hanging on her face.

It was because she had promised Merlin, because Merlin liked her smile, and because she didn’t want Little Merlin to see her vulnerable side.

Little Merlin stared quietly at Mahina. Those eyes, reflecting the setting sun, were as clear as if they could see through a person’s heart. She lowered her head and clumsily peeled a chocolate. Instead of putting it in her own mouth, she offered it to Mahina.

She held out one of the chocolates to Mahina. Even though it was just a single piece of chocolate, Mahina’s eyes widened.

Mahina smiled and waved her hand dismissively.

“Since Mahina bought it, it wouldn’t be right for me to eat it all by myself.”

“It’s fine, it’s fine… I’m happy just watching Little Merlin eat.”

Little Merlin tilted her head.

“Hmm… since you’re already happy now, it’s okay to be a little happier, isn’t it? It’s just eating chocolate.” Little Merlin remembered the sweet taste of the chocolate and showed a blissful smile. “It’s sweet and really delicious.”

Mahina watched the chocolate trembling in Little Merlin’s palm. The afterglow of the sunset spilled over that tiny hand, making the chocolate look like a unique pearl found nowhere else in the world, radiating an enticing luster.

“Then, thank you, Little Merlin.”

Mahina reached out with a trembling hand, wanting to take it cautiously. However, just as her fingertips were about to touch the other’s palm, Little Merlin suddenly clenched her small fist with a *snap*, hiding the chocolate away.

“Eh!?”

Mahina let out a cry of surprise. Was Little Merlin trying to tease her? Looking at that tiny fist, Mahina felt no disappointment. Instead, a surge of bittersweetness welled up in her heart. If she was being teased by her, she was more than willing.

Mahina subconsciously wanted to laugh. But in the next moment, Little Merlin held the chocolate between her fingers and brought it to Mahina’s mouth.

Mahina had never imagined such a possibility, and her eyes grew even wider. But she absolutely did not want to miss this opportunity. What if Little Merlin changed her mind? She lowered her head, her movements as gentle as if she were touching fragile foam. She opened her mouth slightly and used her teeth to extremely carefully catch a corner of the chocolate, terrified that her sharp teeth might accidentally scratch Little Merlin’s fair, tender fingertips.

Mahina tasted the sweetness of the chocolate bit by bit with the tip of her tongue.

It was sweet… so truly sweet… a sweetness Mahina thought she would never be able to taste again in this lifetime.

Little Merlin turned her head away and slightly pouted her small lips. “Feed me.”

‘Really… how am I supposed to feed her?’ Little Merlin was so cute, even when she was being difficult. Even so, Mahina took a chocolate out of the bag.

She was certain that even if Merlin had become Little Merlin, she still remembered their life together in the Slums. Just knowing this fact made Mahina want to cry.

It was the same back then… Mahina had kept it a secret from Merlin, using the money she had saved to buy her candy. But when the critical moment came to feed Merlin, the girl’s inexplicable shyness made her face turn bright red, and she froze in place with the candy, not daring to move. Back then, Merlin had used this same indirect method to give her a way out.

When the two of them fed each other the candy, their hearts felt sweet. Yes… that really was a happy time. Those were the moments when two hearts, warming each other in this cruel world, were at their closest.

Yes… although they were poor and life was hard back then, it was truly an incredibly happy time. If… if she had chosen to believe in Merlin until the very end? Even if she had offended the Talane Estate, as long as she had taken Merlin and left, would she have been able to continue living a plain and happy life with her? Even if Merlin eventually reclaimed her identity, she could have stood by her side with dignity, forever having a place in the position closest to her.

Immense regret washed over her like a tide. ‘Regret is useless now…’ What Mahina needed to do now was to work hard to make amends.

At this moment, the light and shadows under the setting sun seemed to overlap the past with the present. Mahina suppressed her tears and carefully delivered the chocolate into Little Merlin’s mouth. Little Merlin’s cherry-red mouth did not mind at all as it closed around the chocolate, even enveloping Mahina’s fingertips along with it.

A warm mouth, a soft tongue, and a completely defenseless suction.

Chu…

The faint sound of moisture was exceptionally clear in the silent dusk. When Mahina withdrew her fingers, those two slender fingers were coated in a layer of crystal-clear moisture under the glow of the sunset, radiating a certain mysterious and oily luster.

Looking at Little Merlin’s adorable appearance as she happily chewed the chocolate with puffed-out cheeks, and then looking at the traces belonging to Merlin on her own fingers, a distorted and burning desire welled up in Mahina’s heart. This finger… was covered in Merlin’s scent.

That’s right, Ophelia was still here; she should leave for now. ‘Hehehe… even if it’s Little Merlin… it’s still Merlin! Yes!’

Mahina and Little Merlin locked eyes, and both of them, under the temptation of the sweetness in their mouths, revealed a smile. One was pure satisfaction, while the other was a tragic beauty that contained far too many heavy emotions.

At least at this moment, Mahina was happy.

Just as Mahina was staring at the shimmering liquid on her finger with a dazed expression, planning to find an excuse to temporarily exit, the sound of hurried footsteps came from the distance. Accompanied by the harsh sound of dry leaves being crushed, the noise grew closer and closer.

A pair of strangers, a man and a woman, called out to Mahina near the secluded small house.

“Mahina!?”

They were Mahina and Merlin’s former companions from the Slums, and also lovers who were about to hold a wedding: John and Li.

Companions not seen for many years had met again.