Lucia once loved such beautiful stories. Whenever she curled up in pain due to her rampaging magic power, the beautiful love story of her parents became the only solace for the girl hiding in her room. The tragic and moving pure love story of the two was spread throughout the country, sounding just like a fairy tale.
But reality is not a fairy tale. Fairy tales can stop at the most perfect moment; as long as you close the book, the prince and princess remain happy forever. Reality is fluid, however, and time is cruel. The mundane chores of life and the crushing weight of power are enough to make any strong fortress rot and collapse from within.
Even Ophelia, who was well aware of this story, felt puzzled. “Is this something that can be spoken of so casually?”
When the final act ended, even from inside the private box, one could hear the thunderous, long-lasting applause filling the theater.
“There’s nothing that can’t be said. From the moment my illness could not be cured, and from the moment Helena gradually stopped visiting me, the relationship between the two grew worse and worse. Whether it was because of me or for other reasons, I don’t know anymore.” Lucia sighed. “It’s just that this story has spread too widely and is considered too beautiful, so the two still maintain an affectionate facade to the outside world to avoid shaking public morale. Therefore, only a few nobles and members of the royal family know about this.”
“But now we know, too,” Mahina said. Even though she had already left the Talane Estate, she had recently heard a succession of secret pieces of information.
“So what? You wouldn’t go around spreading it, and ordinary people wouldn’t necessarily believe it anyway. After all… the touching pure love story of my father and mother is believed even by farmers who don’t know a single character.”
“Well, thank you for that.”
Lucia leaned back, sinking into the soft sofa. It was as if she had shed some burden or had finally given up on a certain struggle. Lucia watched as the curtain slowly fell, until finally, only a sea of scarlet velvet remained in her field of vision.
“In the end, Mother adopted a daughter from outside and focused her life on the Holy Kingdom, while Father immersed himself in official duties. I’ve also heard rumors that he is obsessed with women, though I don’t know if it’s true or not. …Perhaps Mia is actually Mother’s biological daughter as well; at least she seems closer to her than I am.”
Lucia stared at that red curtain, as if she could see the reality of the ruined landscape through the fabric. “That is why I say… so-called love is all fake. There is no such thing as destined fate.”
Afterward, the private box fell into silence. After all, no one dared to comment lightly on such a secret.
*
In the illuminated private box, Ophelia leaned down slightly and gently took her daughter’s soft, little hand. The temperature radiating from the palm was faint yet real, like holding a newly hatched fledgling.
Little Merlin sat on the edge of the chair, her short legs, wrapped in black tights, swinging lightly in the air. She tilted her head, her index finger tapping her lower lip.
“It really is a beautiful story. What do you think, baby?”
A hint of pure confusion flashed through those ice-blue eyes. “The part where they fought monsters was interesting, but why did the main characters smile so happily at the end? Hmm… love… I don’t really understand it.”
It was not a denial, but a statement. The current Little Merlin could not understand “love,” whether it was the warmth of a positive emotion or the heaviness of a negative one. It was as if a person had lost their sense of touch; they would not feel comfortable if massaged, nor would they feel pain if scratched. Her heart had become calm and waveless.
However… ironically, even after losing the ability to feel love, the painful memories born from love remained like stubborn silt at the bottom of a lake, never vanishing.
Ophelia looked at her daughter’s ignorant gaze and felt a slight pang in her heart, but she maintained her calm elegance on the surface. Ophelia had known about Little Merlin’s current condition for a while; she had only asked casually to see if Little Merlin had improved. However, Ophelia was not anxious. There was nothing wrong with living life with Little Merlin day by day like this. She would take her back to the Elven Forest to take a look after some time; after all, she would change back sooner or later, and it was not an incurable disease.
Or rather, Ophelia even hoped that time would move a little slower. That way, she could spoil Baby Merlin to her heart’s content, filling the gray childhood that Merlin had once missed with the candy and hugs of the present. Since she would retain her memories even after turning back into Adult Merlin, pampering Little Merlin during this period would make her understand the warmth of maternal love. Every bit of affection given now would turn into medicine to heal her heart in the future.
Even if it was just bolting the stable door after the horse has bolted… Ophelia still wanted to do her best to soothe the emotional trauma and childhood regrets in Merlin’s heart.
“Alright, it’s okay if you don’t understand.”
Hearing her mother say this, Little Merlin jumped off the chair, bounced lightly on the spot, and then opened her arms toward Ophelia, her movement as natural as breathing.
“Mom, Little Merlin wants a hug.”
“Of course you can. It’s just a hug, I can give you one anytime.”
Ophelia’s eyes were full of doting affection. She bent down effortlessly and held the small bundle in her arms. The light weight resting in her arms made her heart feel incredibly steady.
“Let’s head out first.”
As she spoke, Ophelia couldn’t help but lower her head, affectionately rubbing her cheek against Little Merlin’s smooth, supple little face. The touch of their skin against each other was warm, delicate, and carried a faint milky scent.
Little Merlin had also completely gotten used to the feeling of being loved by her mother these days. She acted like a lazy little cat, curling up in her mother’s arms, burying her face in the crook of Ophelia’s neck, and greedily drawing in the comforting body heat. Surrounded by warmth, she couldn’t help but lift the corners of her mouth, revealing a sweet and happy smile.
“Awoo.”
“Merlinlia, I have told you not to make that strange sound.” Ophelia couldn’t help but laugh, her finger gently tapping the tip of her nose.
Little Merlin defended herself with righteous confidence. “This time it was a happy sound! Little Merlin isn’t lonely at all; Little Merlin has Mom.”
“How come you just can’t kick that habit? ‘Awoo-ing’ all day long… you must pay attention to your demeanor as a princess.”
“Hmph hmph.”
Ever since she became Little Merlin, through Ophelia’s care, Little Merlin had actively come to understand the feeling of being loved. The Adult Merlin who once raised her sharp thorns had disappeared. Little Merlin began to actively understand and ask for things. As long as Ophelia was free, she would praise Little Merlin, pat her head, and hug her, letting Little Merlin understand what it felt like to be loved.
After this period of education, Little Merlin finally learned to proactively act spoiled toward her mother, asking for hugs or snacks. Ophelia naturally accepted all of Little Merlin’s spoiled behavior; who could hate the soft and cute Little Merlin acting spoiled toward them?
“Mom, your hair is making me itchy.”
“Where is it itchy? You’re just being too sensitive, my adorable baby.”
“That’s not it~”
The others followed behind, watching the warm back of the mother and daughter, and could not help but slow their pace.
Being like this for now is enough.