Ophelia’s fingertips were slightly cool, yet her palms were surprisingly warm.
Merlin gazed into Ophelia’s eyes, feeling that warmth.
“I understand.”
“However, this isn’t a problem that can be solved in a short time. That is why, even though I had guessed the truth, I originally intended to take you back to the Forest of Elves during the long break on Radiant Day to discuss it with Phylia.”
Ophelia released Merlin’s hand and got out of bed to tidy her clothes. She turned her back to Merlin, her voice sounding much more relaxed.
One should be serious when the situation calls for it, and gentle when it is time for tenderness.
“Let’s go have dinner first. It’s not good to go hungry, and we’ve talked about most of the important things.”
Merlin obediently got out of bed.
She began to reflect on the events that had occurred during this time.
The joy of knowing that she and Ophelia were truly family, connected by blood.
The realization that she wasn’t just a penniless orphan, but an elven princess.
The discovery that she hadn’t been born without mana.
Knowing her heritage, and understanding the heavy burden her identity brought with it.
A gentle voice interrupted Merlin’s deep thoughts. She looked up and found that Ophelia had stood before her at some unknown moment.
“What are you thinking about? Your collar is crooked.”
While Merlin was lost in thought, Ophelia had stepped in front of her to adjust her clothing and smooth her messy hair.
Merlin replied softly, her voice carrying a trace of nasality.
“A lot of things.”
At this moment, Ophelia was gently straightening Merlin’s lapels, fixing the stubborn bowtie, and tucking a few stray strands of blue hair behind her ear.
Ophelia skillfully took Merlin’s hand, and Merlin did not resist.
“For the time being, don’t tell anyone about you and Machina. I already explained the reason; things will become very complicated if the news spreads, and I haven’t had the chance to consult with Phylia yet.”
“I don’t plan on saying anything either.”
If Machina found out, what kind of expression would she make? Even Merlin didn’t know.
Would she be exasperated?
Should Merlin play the good person until the very end?
As the two of them, who seemed like mother and daughter yet also like sisters, continued their long conversation, night finally fell.
The last embers of twilight were swallowed by the darkness, and a deep blue curtain descended over the academy. The two of them moved quietly through the school grounds.
As night fell, the campus lost its daytime bustle and became exceptionally quiet. The wind blew through the treetops with a rustling sound, making it the perfect environment to organize one’s tangled thoughts.
Suddenly, Ophelia spoke, breaking the silence.
“Merlinlia.”
“I’m here.”
“Maybe this will be difficult for you.”
Ophelia paused here, as if weighing how to express herself, and even her pace slowed down subconsciously.
“Cecilia didn’t abandon you on purpose. You should have seen that in the memories. I understand that for you, the result is the same, but I still hope you don’t resent her too much.”
It was too heavy.
It was precisely because Cecilia had left Merlin on that rainy night that Merlin had spent a suffering childhood in the slums.
It was what indirectly led to Merlin losing her mana core as an elf due to her own kindness, which then led to Merlin being abandoned by Machina.
If Ophelia hadn’t picked Merlin up on a whim back then, would she have continued to suffer like that for the rest of her life?
“Mm…”
Merlin had also seen that scene from the rainy night: the way Cecilia held her tenderly, the way she kissed her forehead, and the tone of her voice as she softly said goodbye.
“My baby, we will meet again.”
Yes… they would meet again.
Just by confirming this love, Merlin found herself unable to hate the biological mother she had never met.
Merlin tilted her head back to look at the night sky, her voice so calm that it made Ophelia look over.
“I don’t think it’s much of anything. I lived there since I could remember, and as for the mana core… that was my own choice.”
“Hmph, what does a child know? If an elven guardian had been by your side, such a thing would never have been permitted. In the end, it is our responsibility.”
“I’m fine.”
Despite saying she was fine, the strength with which she gripped Ophelia’s palm increased slightly.
Ophelia lowered her gaze to look at their joined hands. Moonlight spilled over them, plating their hands in a hazy silver glow.
An indescribable sense of pity and guilt, mixed with the relief of having found what was lost, melted in her chest like warm honey, yet it left a bitter aftertaste.
Ophelia decided that she would cherish this child even more from now on, properly making up for the love she had missed over the past ten years.
When she first picked Merlin up, even though she had decided to raise him to adulthood, Ophelia had still chosen to maintain a proper distance.
Because… the flow of time for humans and elves is different. Even though she had been mentally prepared when she rescued Merlin, if they became too close, the day of separation would be agonizing.
a mere moment in the eyes of an elf is an entire lifetime for a human.
Elves are beings accustomed to the rotation of the stars and the changing of the world.
Humans, however, are like summer night fireworks—brilliant but fleeting.
When the end arrived, it would surely be very, very painful.
Ophelia feared she wouldn’t even be able to manage a smile while saying goodbye.
Therefore, the two of them had once been neither too close nor too distant.
Ophelia would give Merlin lessons on schedule and teach her knowledge, but outside of instructional hours and fixed mealtimes, she almost never took the initiative to step into Merlin’s personal space.
Interaction was strictly limited to the roles of “guardian” and “ward.”
Because the deeper the feelings, the more painful the day of departure.
Of course, the fact that Merlin was a boy at the time was also one of the reasons. Boys could grow up strong even if they were left to roam wild.
That was why Ophelia had chosen to turn a blind eye to her behavior of sneaking out late at night back then.
Semi-forcing Merlin to go to school was also for this reason. Once Merlin graduated and could support herself with a stable life.
She had planned to continue her travels and keep her distance from Merlin, only writing letters occasionally to report that she was safe.
If she stayed by Merlin’s side forever, witnessing her hair turn frost-white, her clear eyes grow cloudy, and her upright posture become increasingly hunched…
Ophelia didn’t have the courage for that. Just imagining the scene brought her to tears.
But things were different now.
Merlin was an elf, her sister’s daughter, and her own daughter. The speed at which time flowed for mother and daughter was now the same.
Even if she grew closer to her, embraced her, and treated her like a precious treasure, she would never again have to taste the pain brought by different lifespans.
They would have countless years to watch the moon rise and the sun set together, and to witness the changing of the seasons side by side.
That was why Ophelia chose to stay at the school after confirming everything, choosing to stay by Merlin’s side.
She wanted to work hard to close the distance she had intentionally created in the past, putting in all her effort to make amends.
Merlin was also the type of child who… if you took one step closer, she might take two steps back.
Trying to get close to her was truly an exhausting task.
But looking at it now, there were many things that needed to be made up for.
Whether it was the gap between Merlin and Ophelia, or the childhood that Merlinlia had lacked.