Chapter 172: Chirp!

Merlin really just wanted to act spoiled. After all, leaning against Ophelia’s chest, wanting to rely on her warmth was only natural, right?

But Merlin panicked. She only wanted to be spoiled, not to make Ophelia cry. And ever since she was adopted by Ophelia, Ophelia had never shown a vulnerable side in front of Merlin. But today…

Merlin turned around and wiped Ophelia’s eyes with her hand. Though she didn’t know if it was the steam from the bathroom or Ophelia’s tears. But seeing Ophelia’s red-rimmed eyes, Merlin had to do something.

“I’m sorry…”

Ophelia didn’t say anything more, just let Merlin wipe away her tears.

“What are you sorry for?”

“For making Mom worry.”

Splash— Water splattered everywhere. Ophelia stood up directly, slipped her hands under Merlin’s armpits, and lifted her out of the bathtub with ease, as if carrying a trembling kitten that had gotten into trouble.

Merlin obediently let her limbs hang limp, without any struggle. Glossy water droplets dripped from her pale toes onto the floor, making crisp sounds. She let Ophelia place her on the floor covered with a non-slip mat. After all, she was the one who had made Ophelia sad.

An immense wave of guilt washed over Merlin, drowning all her tsundere pride and stubbornness. At this moment, she was like a cat that knew it was in the wrong, not even daring to let out her signature “ow” sound, just lowering her head and staring blankly at her toes.

Then, a loud sound of water came from behind, and Ophelia also stepped out of the bathtub. Ophelia crouched down, spread out a towel, and wrapped Merlin in it.

Then she began to dry her. From the still-dripping hair tips, to the round shoulders, to every finger and every inch of skin. Ophelia dried her slowly and carefully, absorbing every drop of moisture from Merlin’s body.

Normally, Merlin would dry herself. She might not know how to wash her long hair, but she could certainly dry her own body, right? But… Merlin thought back to Ophelia’s reddened eyes. If Mom wanted to take care of her, she would go along with it today. No more backtalk, no more acting spoiled. Merlin… really didn’t mean to make Ophelia angry.

After drying Merlin and changing her into a comfortable pure white nightgown that smelled of sunshine, Ophelia also quickly took care of herself, put on the same style nightgown, and took Merlin’s hand.

“Let’s go to sleep.”

The two figures, one big and one small, walked through the hallway and returned to the bedroom. Merlin obediently climbed onto the bed, sat on the edge, and nervously twisted the hem of her nightgown with her hands. Ophelia sat down beside her, the bed sinking slightly under their combined weight.

Merlin carefully broke the silence. “Mom…”

“I told you, I’m not angry.”

“I’m sorry…”

“I’m not angry.”

Merlin bit her lower lip. She turned around, her freshly bathed body still carrying the warm steam and milky scent of body wash. She hugged Ophelia’s arm recklessly, pressing her hot little face against Ophelia’s cool skin and nuzzling it.

Feeling the soft touch and attachment on her arm, Ophelia sighed, reached out, and gently stroked Merlin’s silver hair that wasn’t completely dry yet.

She really wasn’t angry. She was just surprised at suddenly losing control of her emotions, and had been calming herself down. But… her concern for Merlin was also real.

“Why… won’t you even rely on me? When you weren’t feeling well, couldn’t you just tell me? Do you think I would hit you or scold you?”

Merlin quickly shook her head, her blue hair flying in the air. Merlin knew Ophelia was very gentle; even the only time she hit her was when Merlin had gotten into big trouble. “No…”

“Then why won’t you rely on Mom? You should have told me when you woke up this morning.” Ophelia wasn’t going to let this topic go easily.

Merlin shrank her neck, her eyes wandering. “At that time I felt unwell but didn’t realize what was happening.”

“Then why, after I finished my class, did you still want to hide it?”

“I was… embarrassed.”

Ophelia didn’t even have the energy to be angry, and she didn’t want to be angry. She knew Merlin had always been a child who responded to gentleness, not harshness. She might look like she was willing to take whatever punishment came her way, but… if Ophelia actually hit or scolded her, she would throw a tantrum.

Having been with Merlin for so long, Ophelia gradually understood Merlin’s sense of distance. Ophelia still patiently taught her. “But… this was really dangerous. You already had a low-grade fever at that time. If it became infected and inflamed, it would have been terrible for you, and you might have gone from a low fever to a high fever.”

“I know.”

“If you won’t even rely on Mom, who in this world can you rely on?”

Just now, Ophelia’s eyes suddenly turned red because of that sentence.

Because even though she had worked so hard to raise this daughter, she still hadn’t gained full trust. Ophelia also knew it was because Merlin had been hurt as a child, becoming reluctant to give her heart completely to anyone, wanting to solve everything on her own.

But… Ophelia was still sad. She had given her daughter unreserved love, and although the situation had improved… it still ended up like this.

Merlin continued to nuzzle softly against her mother. “I understand. From now on, I’ll come to you with everything.”

Ophelia didn’t say anything, just let that blue-haired little elf rub against her chest. The fluffy sensation and warm body temperature were like a good medicine, slowly soothing the last trace of displeasure in her heart.

“You always say that, but you never trust me in the end.”

“I’ll try.”

Forget it, Ophelia thought of Merlin’s panicked expression because of her, and felt much better. At least her daughter cared about her.

Ophelia turned around and took out a delicate small paper box from the bedside table drawer. “Since you said you’d try, start by learning to take care of your current body.”

It was a sanitary pad she had specially prepared for Merlin. It was made of highly absorbent cotton and specially treated breathable fabric, with a small amount of adhesive on the back.

Seeing that thing, Merlin’s face instantly turned red. She might not have eaten pork, but she had seen pigs run. Of course she knew what that was!

Merlin instinctively shrank back, waving her hands in front of her chest. “That… I don’t need it, right? I already drank the potion and my stomach doesn’t hurt much anymore, and… and I’m not bleeding right now…”

“No.” Ophelia’s refusal was firm, leaving no room for negotiation. She looked at this cat on the bed. “Merlinlia, do you think this is a faucet? That you can just turn it off whenever you want?”