Mahina stepped out of the classroom. After her eyes met with Oz’s, the other girl silently began walking toward the exit of the building. Having spent a long time with her in the past, Mahina understood what she meant.
But Mahina was no longer part of the Talane Estate, so there was no need to act like a “top student” or a “good child” anymore. Even if the person walking ahead was Oz—the adoptive sister who had once treated her with sincere, though clumsy, kindness—things were different now.
Mahina stopped in her tracks, standing elegantly in place like a cold statue, icily watching the departing figure as it moved further away.
“If you have something to say, please say it, Miss Oz.”
Her cold voice pierced the air of the hallway, yet she did not take a single step forward. The figure ahead stiffened suddenly.
“Mahina…”
Oz, her black hair tied in low twin tails, stopped in her tracks but did not look back.
“Could you give me a moment? This isn’t something that can be discussed in public.”
Mahina knew that Oz, who was one year older than her, likely knew as little as the other family members about many things back then. Even so, Oz was still a Talan and the Heir. The glory of the Talane Estate, including its past transgressions, had to be shouldered by the Heir. Even if she had been a child at the time, and even if Mahina was grateful for the smile Oz had welcomed her with when she first arrived at the Talane Estate.
Back then, they were both just children. While others might have calculated the pros and cons of Mahina’s massive Magic Power, only Oz was sincerely happy about having a younger sister.
However… Mahina still could not forgive the Talane Estate. She would not hate Oz, but she could no longer be close to her.
A sigh from when she had first arrived at the Talane Estate surfaced in Mahina’s mind. Hearing a response, Oz seemed to let out a sigh of relief and moved forward.
“Mhm.”
Since they had once been family, Mahina understood where Oz wanted to go—her club activity room.
Pushing open the spotless door to the club room, Mahina intentionally sat in a seat far away. A long coffee table separated them, forming a distant diagonal line. Even for a seat she had once grown used to, Mahina wanted to keep her distance. After all, she was no longer part of the Talane Estate.
The Oz before her was no longer her sister, but the noble eldest daughter of a Duke’s Family and a senior at Zelion Academy. Observing Oz’s lonely expression, Mahina thought that perhaps simply listening to her was the right choice. After all, she was now just a Peasant. If she were to disobey an order from the Duke’s Daughter, there was no telling what might happen. If she refused like a child, wouldn’t she be acting like a sulking younger sister? At the very least, she had to take the initiative, or else how would she be any different from the sister who used to be looked after?
Mahina stood up with fluid, practiced movements and began to prepare the tea and tea sets.
“I’ll do it…”
Oz instinctively reached out to stop her. Mahina’s fingers paused for a brief moment. She then turned her body to pull further away from her, her tone respectful.
“Having a Peasant brew tea like this? It’s only proper etiquette.”
Those words forced Oz to retract her hand. The silence was finally broken as Oz spoke. “I am deeply sorry for what happened between you and Merlin in the past.”
To Mahina’s surprise, the proud Heir of the Talane Estate bowed deeply, lowering a head that she had never bowed to any of her peers.
“I am sorry, Mahina. I apologize for what the Talane Estate did to you and Merlin.”
Seeing her bow, Mahina immediately glanced toward the door, confirming it was tightly locked before responding.
“What are you doing? You are the Duke’s Daughter and the Heir of the Talane Estate. Why would you bow your head to a Peasant?”
Oz remained in her bowed position, her voice trembling but firm. “Even so, a wrong is a wrong, and I will not deny it. Moreover, because of the Talane Estate, Merlin—a member of the Elven Royal Family—was indirectly harmed.”
“Then go apologize to Merlin. Forget about me.”
“No… this was our fault, and there is no excuse for it. As for Merlinlia, I will certainly go to apologize to her later.”
Oz straightened up, her eyes slightly red, but she forced herself to look directly into Mahina’s eyes.
Mahina picked up her teacup and gently blew on the steam to mask the emotions in her gaze. “According to the Duke, didn’t all of that happen without his knowledge? Why bother apologizing? He is a man who always puts family and loyalty above all else, which is likely why he did those things back then.”
At this, Mahina let out a soft chuckle. “What is there to fear? Are you afraid someone will take me away? Or are you afraid the New Moon Plan won’t proceed smoothly?”
Oz looked troubled. “It seems you already know…”
“After all… I was once considered to be on the front lines of the Talane Estate. I was bound to hear some rumors regardless.”
Mahina set down her teacup, the porcelain clinking sharply against the saucer. “It’s just that… back then, I was only an adopted daughter. No matter which direction the family headed, I was merely an executor. I shouldn’t have been involved in the decision-making.”
“Why would you think that?”
“But now… aren’t I just an outsider?” Mahina asked in return, her tone hauntingly flat. “That shouldn’t matter now.”
“Of course it matters. If I were too deeply involved with the Talane Estate, it would be even harder for me to leave.”
Oz’s voice grew quiet. “Must you really go?”
Mahina brushed back a stray lock of hair from her temple. “Haven’t I already left? I am, for better or worse, a member of the Elf Race now. Since you know the source of my power, you also understand that there is no second choice. I’m lucky enough just to be breathing.”
“Even so… is it necessary to distance yourself from me like this?”
“Of course it is.”
Mahina stood up, looking down at Oz who was seated on the sofa. “I am just Mahina now… a Mahina whose only focus is Merlinlia. Nothing else matters besides that.”
Afterward, Mahina turned to leave. “If this was just to catch up on old times, let’s end it here. I was also at fault back then for my own indecisiveness.”
Oz let out a sigh. “On the last day of the Radiant Festival holidays, could you attend my succession ceremony?”