Chapter 104: Chocolate (1)

Arriving at the Little Log Cabin, Mahina saw the intense interaction between Little Merlin and her mother before she even entered the house.

” Awoo. “
“You brat!”
” Hmph. “
” Awoo, awoo~~”

Ophelia was firmly squeezing both of Little Merlin’s cheeks, while Little Merlin stubbornly pursed her small mouth and furrowed her brows.

“I think you need a beating. Don’t think I won’t hit you just because you’re little!”
” Awoo, awoo, awoo~~~”
“Stubborn, are we? Mama is going to teach you a lesson right now!”

Ophelia pulled her daughter tightly into her arms, her strength locking the small figure into her ample embrace. The young girl with deep blue hair struggled constantly in her mother’s arms, looking like a kitten fallen into a trap. But how could 5-year-old Little Merlin possibly win a contest of strength against her mother? She couldn’t even win at 15 years old; back then, she had been given a harsh lesson by her mother in the bathroom.

Ophelia paid no mind to the struggling Little Merlin. While holding her daughter, she occasionally rubbed her own cheek against Little Merlin’s tiny face.

“Stop it, Mama! I can’t breathe!” Little Merlin’s voice came out in short bursts as she was squeezed, her small hands patting helplessly at her mother’s arms.

“Then do you still dare to make those strange sounds?” Instead of letting go, Ophelia mischievously held her even tighter, as if trying to merge her daughter into her own body.

“No… I told you, it was just subconscious.”
“What did I tell you last night?”

Little Merlin pouted aggrievedly, her voice growing smaller and smaller. “I know, it was just subconscious…”

“Since it’s subconscious, then Mama will also subconsciously cuddle you. My baby is so cute, the cutest! I love my baby the most!”

Merlin felt the soft sensation against her mother’s chest. “I know~ I know~ I won’t bark like that anymore.”

“Honestly… even with Mama here, you still make such lonely sounds. It’s Little Merlin’s fault. Do you dare do it again?”
“I don’t dare. Little Merlin isn’t lonely at all with Mama.”

Hearing this satisfactory answer, Ophelia finally let go with a content expression. The moment her feet touched the ground, Little Merlin launched herself backward like an arrow from a bow, instantly creating a safe distance. Panting, she ran to the Rocking Chair not far away and climbed onto it with both hands and feet, curling up inside like a frightened kitten.

Ophelia watched her fleeing daughter. She didn’t chase her back, but simply looked at her. “Remember, if you dare do it again, Mama will continue to punish Little Merlin like this until you understand just how much Mama loves you.”
“I know!”

At that moment, a voice rang out, so soft it seemed afraid of disturbing the wind. “Good afternoon, Little Merlin.”

Lying on the Rocking Chair, Little Merlin looked up at Mahina, who now occupied her field of vision. She was standing there, silhouetted against the light. Mahina was looking at the small blue figure on the Rocking Chair with a gaze as gentle as water. Just looking at her made Mahina feel as if her heart was being healed.

For Mahina, simply witnessing this scene felt as if her long-shattered heart was being redeemed. A warm current of happiness and past regrets intertwined and collided violently in her chest, eventually turning into a mixture of bitterness and sweetness that filled her heart.

At this moment, the desire for the happiness before her eyes overwhelmed everything else. There was no longer a need to hide—not her gaze, nor the love overflowing from the corners of her mouth. That kind of gentle, “maiden in love” smile had once captivated countless students, let alone now when Mahina’s love was fully unleashed.

Even if the one before her was only Little Merlin, Mahina wanted to give her everything.

The current Little Merlin couldn’t understand. She blinked her large, moist eyes, and only a single, simple thought remained in her mind: ‘It looks pretty good.’

Mahina’s hair was meticulously styled, simple and elegant, yet one could feel the care put into it. ‘This hairstyle must take quite a lot of time to manage every day, right?’ Her makeup was also exquisite—beautiful without being gaudy or artificial, perfectly highlighting her clear and elegant features. Why was it that even though she wore the same uniform as everyone else, Mahina possessed an indescribable sense of nobility?

Merlin, who had become Little Merlin, could not yet comprehend these emotions. Little Merlin slightly opened her pink mouth, her eyes rounding as she stared straight at the girl who was radiating the aura of being in love.

Mahina had guessed correctly; this was exactly Merlin’s preference, which remained unchanged even after becoming Little Merlin. She liked this kind of pure, gentle girl. It was quite simple… Mahina’s own life belonged to Merlin. She could give everything she had to Merlin, and if it was just gentleness, she would give as much as was required.

Seeing Little Merlin dazed by her appearance, Mahina’s heart settled slightly. Although she had firmly believed while grooming herself this morning that this look was Merlin’s “type,” she had become anxious again at the final moment. All the students who had talked to her today combined had not stirred her heartstrings as much as this single moment.

‘Thank goodness…’

The corners of Mahina’s mouth curled up slightly. The tenderness in her eyes was like a cup filled too high with water; with the slightest shake, love would spill out uncontrollably.

Seeing Little Merlin staring at her blankly, Mahina did not hold back her affection at all, letting it envelop the child. Every joy and every bit of anger she felt was tied to Merlin. If Little Merlin looked at her, she was happy; if Merlin didn’t look at her, she was afraid.

“Good afternoon, Mahina.”

Little Merlin snapped back to reality. She had originally prepared several harsh remarks like “I hate you” or “Don’t come over” to attack Mahina. But when that smile as gentle as water entered her sight, those sharp words melted away like snow under a warm sun, and she couldn’t utter a single syllable.

Finally, seeing Little Merlin’s dazed and cute reaction, Mahina gracefully crouched down beside the Rocking Chair, her line of sight level with the child’s. She lightly shook the beautifully wrapped bag in her hand, causing a slight *rustle*.

Mahina’s voice carried a hint of coaxing, like a witch from a fairy tale holding candy, yet she looked as holy as an angel. “I brought Chocolate to see you.”

Little Merlin’s eyes instantly lit up, and she subconsciously swallowed. “Chocolate!”

Looking at the small face that had become lively with anticipation, Mahina reached out her hand as if possessed. “Can… I feed you?”

Mahina asked cautiously, her voice so light it seemed a breeze could blow it away. There was no trace of the coldness she had shown when rejecting her classmates’ advances during the day, nor the chill and killing intent from the earlier confrontation. Even though she clearly didn’t have the right to do this now, she couldn’t help but be greedy.

The air went silent for a moment. Little Merlin was stunned and didn’t answer immediately, only blinking her eyes as she looked at her.

Seeing that Little Merlin didn’t respond, Mahina immediately gritted her teeth, tensing her facial muscles to keep her tears from falling. She couldn’t repeat yesterday’s mistake of crying so miserably; she had to show her best side to Little Merlin.

‘Don’t cry, Mahina. What right do you have to cry? What right do you have to ask Merlin to forgive you?’