Chapter 101: Only for Her (3)

Mahina walked toward her classroom alone.

Countless gazes wrapped around her like vines from all directions. They were no longer the respectful looks of the past; instead, they were a mixture of curiosity, scrutiny, and prying.

Having shed the halo of a Duke’s Daughter and burdened by rumors of being “abandoned by her family” and “hurting Merlin,” Mahina appeared to the crowd as if she were a Flower on a High Peak knocked into the mud.

Mahina had already grown used to this routine. It was the truth, after all, wasn’t it? There was no need to deny it. If anything, the people’s stares helped Mahina remember that reality, forcing her to think about how she should treat Merlin better from now on.

It was the break after the first period.

Mahina sat in a seat by the window, her gaze falling on the slightly withered grass outside. In her mind, she replayed the scene of Little Merlin eating chocolate the day before over and over again.

A slight curve formed on her lips once more.

‘Little Merlin is just so cute,’ she thought. ‘A soft, tiny little thing, especially those cheeks that look like a hamster’s when she eats chocolate.’ Besides, Mahina no longer had a reason to keep her distance, and she had received Little Merlin’s temporary permission.

‘Ah… I want to see Little Merlin so much. Even if Adult Merlin can’t recover for a while, I just want to hold that tiny version of Merlin in my arms. The current Little Merlin is even smaller than when we first met… and she’s even cuter.’

“Um… Mahina?”

People always possess a strange psychology. When an icon falls from their pedestal, besides those who seek to trample them, there is another type of person: those who long to play the role of the savior. They believed that the current Mahina was like a drowning person, desperately trying to grab any piece of driftwood extended toward her.

They thought that by providing just a little bit of cheap kindness at this moment, they could easily capture the heart of this once-unattainable young lady.

However, they were wrong — dead wrong. Thus, they approached with their self-righteous pity and an undisguisable sense of superiority.

As Mahina was lost in thought about Little Merlin, someone broke her concentration. Mahina withdrew her gaze and slowly turned her head. A student stood by her desk, holding a notebook, with a smile on his face that he clearly considered gentle and magnanimous.

“Um… Mahina, regarding the Magic Fireworks segment for the Second Year Section of the Magic Department, we still want to hear your opinion.”

He expected Mahina to show a gentle smile as she had in the past. He expected her to be moved because someone was finally willing to pay attention to her. He even hoped to see a hint of reliance on him in those beautiful eyes.

It was a test. ‘See? I’m very gentle. You need someone to lean on, right?’

He waited for Mahina to show a moved expression or, as she used to do, respond with a thank you and a smile as warm as the spring sun.

But Mahina did not smile. The corners of her mouth did not lift even a single millimeter.

Mahina’s exquisite, beautiful face was as calm as a pool of stagnant water, showing no gratitude or wavering. She simply cast a dull glance at the notebook and then raised her eyes, her gaze as cold and clear as the frozen soil of the Far North.

“Thank you for your kindness,” she said. Her voice was pleasant, but it carried a sense of detachment that kept people thousands of miles away. “However, since I am not participating due to personal reasons, it wouldn’t be right to offer my opinions now, would it? It would be unfair to the students involved. I am sure people like you wouldn’t want someone like me to participate anyway.”

“Ah… I — I see…” The student’s smile froze on his face. “I just thought… well, the old Mahina was always so kind…”

“People change,” Mahina interrupted, her tone remaining polite. “You shouldn’t expect to see those smiles anymore.”

After saying that, Mahina turned back toward the window, leaving him with a cold profile. The boy awkwardly held his notebook and retreated in disgrace amidst the quiet snickering of those around them.

***

During lunch in the cafeteria, Mahina sat alone in a corner, cutting her meal. A few girls walked over with their trays, using the upcoming Star Moon Festival as an excuse to approach.

“Student Council President Mahina… Ah, no, Mahina.” The girl in the lead sat across from her, feigning intimacy. “Everyone is indecisive about the floral arrangements for the Star Moon Festival. Since you were in charge last year, could you give us some advice?”

They expected the helpful Mahina to return. If she agreed to help, they could use it as an opportunity to re-enter her life.

Mahina put down her knife and fork, gently dabbing the corners of her mouth with a napkin.

“Ask Lucia; she should be the one in charge right now.” She looked up, her blue-pink eyes showing no emotion. “I have no intention of interfering with the Student Council’s decisions.”

“But… we just wanted to talk to you…”

“I am… just an ordinary student now. There is nothing to talk about.”

The girls’ faces turned pale instantly. They had never seen such a sharp Mahina. The Mahina who always smiled had vanished, replaced by an iceberg.

Throughout the entire day, whether through chance encounters in the hallways or insincere greetings, Mahina did not smile once.

The students’ fantasies were ruthlessly shattered time and again. They thought Mahina was a drowning person, but in reality, she had already found salvation on her own ark.

To the current Mahina, the goodwill, probing, and pity of those around her were nothing more than noise. She did not need to draw warmth from these people because her heart was already full.

The students whispered behind her back.

“Acting so high and mighty.”

“She’s still like that even after everything.”

But Mahina did not care. Why should she smile to cater to them? Her smiles, her tenderness, and her heart, which was as soft as water, had all been packed away and carefully hidden.

They belonged only to Merlin.

‘If Little Merlin knew I smiled at someone else, would she pout and say she hates me?’ At that thought, Mahina’s expression softened again.

‘I don’t want to make her sad, but when I think of her pouting, I can’t help but want to tease her. Should I tease her? But I already promised not to bully her… Hmm.’

‘Sigh, I’m truly hopeless. My head is full of nothing but Merlin. Today’s classes are almost over, and then I can go see her.’

‘Merlin.’

‘I didn’t smile at anyone today.’

‘The corners of my mouth didn’t lift, my eyes didn’t crinkle, and my gaze didn’t linger on them.’

‘I belong to you — completely and solely to you.’