Mahina still had the relaxed look of having finished a task. After all, she was working for Merlin, not someone else. But when her gaze met Merlin being held in Ophelia’s arms, she also froze.
Mahina’s light blue eyes widened slightly as she looked at Merlin’s face, flushed with shame, unable to resist, only leaning in Ophelia’s arms. She couldn’t help but exclaim, “So cute.”
“Enough!” Merlin, feeling unwell, didn’t even have the strength to scold Mahina, only replying softly.
Ophelia gently placed Merlin on the bed and carefully covered her with the blanket.
“Alright, I’ll leave you be. I’ve placed the pain-relieving potion for menstrual cramps by the bedside. Don’t forget to drink it. Everyone, I’ll leave Merlin in your care.” Ophelia gave the visitors time to chat while she went to make a new potion for Merlin.
And there was also that bedsheet of Merlin’s. Even if washed clean, Ophelia couldn’t possibly use it again. She planned to dry it and keep it as a souvenir. Of course, Merlin must never know, or else she would get anxious and try to destroy it.
Honestly… what’s there to be shy about? Every girl goes through these things. She hurried to clean up while Merlin was still unable to get out of bed.
Finally, Ophelia gently closed the door, taking one last look at Merlin, whose eyes were vacant from her first time as a girl.
Merlin lay on the pillow, looking as if she had no will to live, her eyes shifting among the three. Lucia and Mahina were already acquaintances, so even if embarrassed, at least Merlin felt it wasn’t a big deal for them to know about shameful things. Especially Mia… losing love didn’t mean losing all heart, she didn’t want to make Merlin avoid her too much.
Mahina looked at Merlin, walked to the bedside, and sat down gently and gracefully, the bed sinking slightly. ‘She wished she could keep touching… gentle and comfortable.’
Merlin had to use the blanket to cover her flushed face, but Mahina sternly stopped her: “No! As a patient, you need to breathe fresh air! Don’t cover your head!”
“Okay.”
At this moment, Mahina really was like a gentle but strict mother, like Ophelia 2.0. If Mahina became a mother in the future, she would probably treat her child this way. Merlin’s little head was already dizzy from the low-grade fever brought on by her first period, and she started thinking about irrelevant things. ‘Mmm… although Mahina is petty, she should be a gentle mother to children.’
Mahina leaned forward slightly, emitting a faint citrus scent, completely different from Ophelia’s rich fragrance. Merlin perked up at the refreshing citrus smell and looked at the three: “How are you all here?”
Mahina looked at Merlin, who was as fragile as paper at the moment, afraid that a louder voice would shatter her. She deliberately softened her tone: “I… actually didn’t plan to bother you this morning, but I saw Orino hopping around at the door, and I was worried something had happened to you, so I came anyway…”
As she spoke, tears welled up in Mahina’s eyes. Even as numb as Merlin was, she knew she shouldn’t provoke Mahina further. She didn’t want to make Mahina cry, after all, she was worried about her.
‘Thank goodness, by the time they changed the sheets, Orino had already put away the blanket, right?’
“I see. Thank you for helping me change the sheets.”
‘If these three people, who I see every day, had witnessed that bright red map on my blanket, I wouldn’t need to show my face for the next few days and might as well bury myself in this room.’
Just then, a sharp pain struck again. “Hiss…”
Her whole body’s bones ached dully from the persistent low-grade fever, as if being gnawed by countless ants. And her lower abdomen was the worst hit, feeling as if someone had shoved a red-hot iron inside and kept stirring it. Although it wouldn’t kill her immediately, this dull, knife-like torture constantly tested the limits of her endurance. Merlin’s brows furrowed tightly, and cold sweat instantly oozed from her forehead.
Mia stepped forward, gently slipped her hand under the blanket, grasped Merlin’s wrist, and cast a light magic to relieve the pain.
As the girl chanted softly like a ballad, a soft golden light glowed in her palm. Like the warm winter sun, the gentle light magic flowed through the wrist into Merlin’s limbs and bones. The raging aches seemed to meet their nemesis, gradually being soothed and dissolved.
Lucia was not idle either. She picked up the clean towel placed by the bedside and quickly yet gently wiped the cold sweat oozing from Merlin’s forehead and neck.
Under the soothing effect of the light magic, the excruciating pain that had been churning in her abdomen finally got a chance to ease. Merlin’s clenched jaw slowly relaxed, and the furrow between her brows smoothed a little. It was too painful.
This was Merlin’s first menstruation. Whether because the first time was too intense, or because it came too late, Merlin’s side effects were also particularly severe. Fever all over, persistent low-grade fever, bone pain without warning… The worst was the unending pain in the lower abdomen, as if draining her life force. Like being constantly stirred by a red-hot iron rod, the pain never stopped.
During the worst few minutes, Merlin even felt like a dying fish on the shore, only able to open her mouth and let out small groans. ‘I’m really going to die, really going to die. Is this what menstruation is for girls? If I have to go through this hellish torment every month from now on, I’ll really break down. Or maybe… it’s only the first time that the reaction is this strong? As the body gradually adapts over time, it should get better after several times, right? I’m really going to die… Merlin can’t stand this torment anymore…’
“Ugh…”
Mia maintained the flow of light magic while freeing her other hand to gently stroke Merlin’s burning forehead and cheeks. Her palm was slightly cool, feeling extremely comfortable against the skin, as if she was trying to share her own vitality and warmth with Merlin.
When Merlin, having caught her breath a little, looked up, she happened to meet Mia’s gaze. That usually somewhat shy girl was now showing Merlin an incredibly gentle smile. The smile had no impurities, pure enough to embrace all the sufferings of the world.
‘Merlin didn’t know how to describe this feeling, but it was so warm, a sense of security like being wrapped in an angel’s wings. A warmth that seemed to embrace everything—was this the smile of a saintess?’
At this moment, Lucia spoke: “Mia and I have plans tonight, and I heard you were sick…” Lucia smiled. “I didn’t expect it to be this, but many girls have strong reactions their first time. It’s fine.”
Merlin was already too exhausted to speak and just nodded obediently.