“I understand.”
Merlin couldn’t muster any words of resistance anymore.
Ophelia made a “come here” gesture, but Merlin still curled up at the edge of the bed, tightly hugging her knees, her little face scrunched up like a bitter gourd.
She seemed to still be reeling from the sharp pain Ophelia had inflicted on her new ears just moments ago.
“Don’t be like this, I won’t pinch you again, come over here.”
“……”
“Come on… Mama won’t pinch you anymore.”
Who would’ve thought Merlin’s ears were so delicate? Was it because she was still not used to being an elf?
“Come here.”
Trembling, Merlin returned to Ophelia’s side. Ophelia, in front of everyone, let Merlin lie down on her lap.
Gently, ever so gently, she ran her fingers through Merlin’s gradient-colored hair once more.
“I told you I won’t pinch you again, right? But you can’t make a fuss like that anymore. You’re the only child we have, after all.”
“The only child?”
“That’s right… You could say you’re a princess—no problem there. Yes, a princess. The current queen has no children, and neither do I, so of course you’re the only one.”
I’m actually an elven princess? But I’ve never even been to the Elven Forest.
“Are you going to send me back?”
Merlin recalled Ophelia’s earlier complaints.
“If I were going to send you back, I wouldn’t have bargained with you. If I’d found your original body when you were around eight, I might really have sent you back. But now you’re already used to human society, and just started school. We’ll put this matter aside for now.”
“Alright.”
“Really… Whether you’re a princess or not, you scared me to death this time. Don’t ever do that again.”
“Mmm…”
Suddenly, the hand combing her hair paused.
“But, since you’re a princess, I have to protect you even more. You’re the only one—we can’t let you get into danger again. If anything happens to you, it’ll be a huge mess… I really don’t know how the clan would handle it.”
“Can’t I just keep living like before?”
“You are a princess… Only strict discipline can make you into an outstanding lady. I’ve realized this time that I can’t be so lax with you. Maybe your childhood was too wild—I’ll have to change my way of educating you.”
“Alright, then.”
“Elven common sense… princess etiquette… a girl’s awareness… there’s so much you need to learn. Even if your confinement is lifted, I can’t let you run wild.”
Ophelia seemed to remember something suddenly.
“Oh, right… Even after a month, when you can move freely in the city, you still have to return to the academy before nine o’clock.”
“But that’s…”
“No discussion. Your safety is the top priority. The past is the past, now is now. If anything happens to you, the Queen will never forgive me. No… Even now, I…”
“But, but—”
“You are a princess.”
“Oh.”
“Then…”
Ophelia shifted her gaze to Machina, suppressing the disgust buried at the corners of her eyes, though she intentionally let a little show.
Looking at Machina’s bluish hair, the anger and loathing she tried to conceal instantly flared, nearly spilling out uncontrollably.
She looked at Merlin, quietly nestled on her lap, and at the now fully elf Merlin, then sighed.
Ophelia gently cupped Merlin’s head and softly set it on a pillow, stroking her hair with care.
The affectionate display with Merlin was both genuine fondness and a way to show outsiders their relationship.
Even if Merlin weren’t an elf, even if she weren’t a princess, she was still the child Ophelia had picked up and vowed to protect as her own.
Having witnessed the tears Merlin shed that night, and having felt the same pain, Ophelia didn’t want to see her cry ever again.
Back then, it was really just that simple a thought that made her bring Merlin home.
My own sister actually had a child?
Who would’ve thought that the joke from a while ago would actually come true.
Why was Merlin abandoned there? Why was her soul damaged? So many questions piled up.
These could wait—she’d contact Philia later.
…Philia.
If there weren’t absolutely necessary matters, Ophelia actually didn’t want to contact her… her little sister.
But for now, the most important thing was to announce Merlinlia’s identity to outsiders and demonstrate the closeness between mother and daughter.
Merlinlia was the princess of the elves, a being who should be cherished above all, and harming her would mean making an enemy of the elven race.
Only that could act as a deterrent, so no one would dare harbor ill intent towards Merlinlia again.
Ophelia stood up, walking with grace to Machina, and bowed slightly.
“Lady Duke, thank you for saving my child.”
Machina returned the gesture with flawless etiquette.
“It was simply my duty. I’m not that heartless.”
“Even so, you did save her life. I’ll return ‘Tears of the Spring’ to you—twice the amount. You have my word.”
Even though Machina had saved Merlin, Ophelia still didn’t want to owe her a favor, nor did she want Merlin to get further entangled with her for now.
“If you need any other assistance, just let me know.”
“No need. It was nothing.”
That was for the best.
“Merlin.”
“What is it?”
“I know all of this happened so suddenly, but it’s true. I hope you can stay calm and sort out your thoughts. I’ll do my best to help you adapt to your new status. I’m going to handle your paperwork with Jack.”
Ophelia gently pulled down the handle and left the ward with Jack.
After her mother left, the room returned to silence.
For now… she had to say something.
She looked at Mary, the one currently closest to her.
“Please apologize to Her Highness for me. That medicine will probably be delayed a few more days.”
“It’s alright. Her Highness was already informed of your situation last night. I was just sent to check on you this morning, and now that I see you’re fine, I’ll take my leave.”
“Did my candies help at all?”
Mary nodded.
“…At least the sleep lasted a bit longer. If you count yesterday evening’s nap, it wasn’t bad. But who knows how effective it’ll be in the future.”
“I’ll try to finish it as soon as I can.”
“Please don’t push yourself. Princess Lucia has said, we’ll prepare the materials for you in advance as well.”
After Merlin listed the necessary ingredients, Mary nodded.
“Well then, I’ll be going now.”
She turned and quietly slipped out of the room.
“Um…”
“Don’t worry. I’ll keep what happened today a secret from everyone else.”
“Thank you.”
“No need for thanks, Princess.”
On her way out, Mary even thoughtfully closed the door.
Now, only Machina and her maid Ruby remained in the room.
Machina had been sitting in the corner ever since Merlin regained consciousness, keeping that distance between them.
“Thank you for saving me, Lady Duke.”
“I already told you, this place isn’t for you. I suggested you withdraw from school, and yet?”
“I’ll be more careful next time. Withdrawing is out of the question—my mother would be furious.”
Machina glanced at the impression Ophelia had left on the bed.
“That violet-haired woman really is your mother, huh.”
“What else could she be? I’m entitled to be adopted, am I not?”