Merlin instinctively wanted to say something to comfort Ophelia, but as she opened her mouth, her mind couldn’t find the right words. In the end, she managed to squeeze out a dry response.
“Uh.”
“Of course, you could say other people’s problems aren’t your business, but I think that’s dangerous. The effects of Love’s absence are gradually appearing. If you’re indifferent to others’ pain today, one day you might become numb to your own pain, just like this heart of yours that’s numb to love—maybe you won’t even notice death approaching.”
Merlin nodded obediently, as casually as if she were just agreeing on what to eat for dinner.
“Okay.”
Those two words instantly ignited Ophelia’s anger, and her voice rose a few notches.
“‘Okay’? This isn’t something that can be brushed off with an ‘Okay’! Do you have any idea how dangerous it is for a person to become numb to pain and life? You’ve always been reckless, always making people worry! Merlinlia!”
Suddenly called by her full name, Merlin shrank her neck like a frightened rabbit, answering timidly.
“I’m sorry…”
Ophelia was furious. No matter how much she scolded Merlin now, she would just apologize without any temper—it was impossible to deal with her.
It felt like punching a cotton ball.
Ophelia rubbed her throbbing temples.
“You’re sorry? Then why don’t you choose to regain love?”
Merlin let out a confused hum.
“Hm?”
Seeing Merlin’s bewildered little head, Ophelia inexplicably felt a surge of irritation.
“Don’t think I don’t know. You saw Diliya at the end, didn’t you? If you could change back without any warning, then she must have either softened or made up some excuse to reward you.”
Ah… that’s right.
Diliya had said she’d sensed Ophelia’s presence when she was helping Merlin change clothes.
“Um… In the end, I met Diliya alone. Who exactly is that Diliya?”
Ophelia sighed, as if she didn’t want to delve into this topic on the street.
“She’s our goddess. It’s a long story—we’ll talk about it when we get back to the Elven Forest. For now, just know she’s a goddess.”
“Ooh.”
Mother and daughter had unknowingly walked back to the schoolyard.
As the sun set, the two walked side by side along the tree-lined path. Today’s landmine outfit on Merlin stood out conspicuously among the students. Countless curious and unusual glances were cast their way, along with whispers rising and falling. But Merlin, weighed down by Ophelia’s scolding, no longer had the energy to care about those looks.
“Haa…”
Ophelia looked at her daughter beside her, her tone softening.
“Even if you need to be a baby who needs care for a while longer, Mama doesn’t mind. Honestly… But I’ll let it be. At this point, what else can I do?”
Sensing the disappointment in Ophelia’s words, Merlin stopped.
She turned around, reached out, and wrapped her arms tightly around Ophelia’s waist.
The soft young body pressed close, carrying a faint fragrance.
“I’m sorry, Mama.”
Merlin buried her face in Ophelia’s chest, her voice muffled.
Ophelia felt the warmth in her arms and was silent for a moment. She lifted her hand, gently stroking Merlin’s back, and gazed at the stars gradually lighting up in the distance, her expression complicated.
“You helped me use Time Rewind, right? Shouldn’t things get better soon?”
“I don’t know.”
Silence stretched for a moment.
“But actually, I’m not too sure either. Your soul—after all that tossing and turning—is a complete mess now.”
“I’m sorry…”
Merlin’s voice grew even softer.
“If you’re only going to say sorry, then don’t say it at all.”
Ophelia gently patted her back, then gave her a firm pinch.
“That time with Cecilia, that time with Mahina, and that time in the Underground Labyrinth… Your soul is like a house repeatedly ravaged—broken and repaired, repaired and broken, over and over. The problem is it never fully recovers before getting torn apart again.”
Ophelia’s voice dropped.
“If it were just the first damage, I could still hold hope that you’d recover quickly. But now… even I can’t say for sure.”
“Mm…”
“Alright, stop acting spoiled.”
Ophelia pushed Merlin away and took her hand again.
“For now, I haven’t seen any other abnormalities. Let’s end this topic here. I’ll also reinforce you regularly. Besides, Orino and I can help you anytime. If you cause trouble again, I’ll be there to fix it right away.”
“Don’t talk as if I’m always causing trouble.”
This time, even Ophelia’s voice turned cold.
“You have the nerve to say that? I’ve been keeping a close eye on you, and you’ve still caused so much trouble. Even though the first stage of house arrest is lifted and you can wander around the city, don’t go stirring up trouble.”
Merlin stuck out her little tongue.
“Got it.”
In the distance, Orino, waiting for the two to return, was already at the entrance. Seeing Merlin and Ophelia come back, she waved her hands vigorously.
“Princess Merlinlia, Princess Ophelia, you’re finally back! Dinner’s ready, and tonight I also have my orange ice cream as dessert.”
Mother and daughter exchanged a smile, took each other’s hands, and walked toward home. But on the way, as they passed through the shaded path under the trees, Ophelia’s expression gradually darkened.
“Merlin… is this really okay?”
“What?”
“If you truly hate Mahina, you should do it while being complete.”
“Isn’t it the same? I don’t like her now either. I have no interest in lovey-dovey stuff.”
Merlin stared quietly ahead.
“Love… can’t a person live freely alone? People need food, water, sleep to survive. But love?”
Ophelia was silent for a moment.
“Mm… but you’ve lost love now, so saying that sounds like sour grapes.”
“I don’t want to be hurt anymore.”
Even without love, the scars from past wounds wouldn’t disappear. Instead, they made Merlin more composed.
“Hmph. Say that after you’ve regained it.”
Merlin recalled what Diliya had told her in that space about Ophelia’s past.
“Mama… do you still think love is better?”
Ophelia didn’t hesitate, nodding.
“Mm… even though it’s painful, at least the journey was beautiful.”
If it’s so beautiful, why do you have to wear such a pained expression?
Merlin decided not to ask further. At this rate, it would turn into a mother-daughter mutual wound-opening session.
That would be too awkward.
“Alright, let’s eat, Mama! At least I’m by your side.”
Merlin took a step forward, pulling Ophelia home.
Ophelia couldn’t help but smile, infected by Merlin’s expression.
“Yeah… if only you weren’t so stubborn.”