Chapter 139

In life, everyone is bound to encounter at least one or two people they aren’t fond of. Everyone is unique, and there are as many personalities as there are people. There will inevitably be those with whom you just don’t mesh. I—Anisphia Wynn Palettia—knew that struggle only too well. It was understandable, in a way. I’d had a complicated upbringing, and I didn’t share the mindset of most in this country. I reasoned it was best not to get involved in things if I didn’t have to—to keep my distance and avoid conflict. But what if the people you can’t stand are just as important to you as they are annoying? I had no idea what to do. I wanted to improve the situation, but there were so many things both parties refused to compromise on. And so I struggled. How exactly was I supposed to deal with Sylphine Maise Palettia, my mother? “You’re very composed, given you’re facing me directly, Anis.” “Ugh…!” A sharp, metallic clang rang out as I swatted away the spear aimed at my neck. Even after I blocked with the Celestial, my mother raised her spear once more—this time, swinging it in a sideways motion. I leaped backward, but before I could catch my breath, she stepped forward with an unerring thrust. “There!” “Tch…!” Her attack was so exquisite that my tongue clicked in annoyance. Her attack, aimed at my weak spot, rushed toward me like a capricious gust of wind. Yes, I was facing a storm that attacked your vulnerabilities the moment your focus wavered. If I let down my guard, even if only for a second, I would be swept away. “Air Needle.” “Whoa!” “So slow! Air Whip!” Again, I deflected the burst of wind shooting my way with the Celestial. As my stance faltered, the wind wrapped around my mother’s spear, shaping it into a whip. Then, as I stepped back again, the wind whip lashed out. I adjusted the blade of my magic sword into a similar whip, parrying the oncoming strike. “Impressive. I must admit, I admire how skillfully you can transform that Mana Blade of yours.” “Was that praise?! From you?!” “I didn’t know your Mana Blade was so versatile.” “You’d be surprised!” The truth was, my ability to adjust my Mana Blade on the fly ultimately came from my mother’s influence. She was a master of wind magic, effortlessly using it to forge blades or whips while she attacked from a distance. And so, to counter those attacks, I trained myself to manipulate my Mana Blade at will. The farther back she kept herself, the harder it was to predict her next moves, which meant I was forced to stay close to her. But when I stepped forward, her spear came flying toward me without mercy. “That was a mistake!” “This is impossible!” Now that I was within range, my mother was fully poised to intercept me. If I engaged her with any halfhearted attack, I could expect a sharp counter. Get close, and it was like walking into a beehive. Stay back, and you would get caught up in a storm. It wasn’t fair! My mother’s spear was both fast and perfectly aimed. And she always tried to take advantage of gaps in my defense while I fought to catch my breath. She always claimed that wind magic was the only area she excelled in, but if you ask me, every single aspect of her combat strategy was second to none. Fluid and fierce—that was how I would describe it. She could hold her own against practically any opponent. Deep down, I couldn’t deny she exuded a strength that defied her age. After all, she was the legendary woman, the master of wind magic who had once stood alongside Duke Grantz to support my father. If those abilities were directed at anyone but me, I would probably have felt proud of them. But right now, they were nothing short of traumatic. “Part of me thought your skills might have dulled after withdrawing from society, but it appears I needn’t have worried.” “Th-thank you…?” “Yes, yes. Though I was never too concerned. Even if you don’t become queen, Anis, you’ll always be a central member of the royal family. And now that the fruits of your magicology are gaining momentum, you’re more indispensable than ever.” I caught my breath as she repositioned herself, fixing me with a stare so piercing it could have stabbed right through me. “I will admit that you went incognito this time around, and there were several mitigating factors. But what were you thinking, charging ahead to attack a Fenrir?” The moment she mentioned the Fenrir, I felt like whistling to myself and calling it a day. My mother was referring to the monster run-in during the trip I had planned with Euphie to inspect a potential development site. A Fenrir might not be as nasty as a dragon, but it was still quite a handful. Typically, a knightly order would form a band to trap monsters of that caliber and whittle them down until they were defeated. Yet I had faced one alone, taking Euphie with me. Considering her status, that course of action had not been recommended. And now, I was getting a mid-training lecture from my mom…! “I—I was the best equipped to deal with the situation…!” I protested. “I understand that. Your decision was no doubt the right one. But that’s one thing, and this is another. While I would like to encourage our knights to take more initiative, you also need to learn when to take a step back and prioritize your own well-being. Don’t you think?” “…You’re one to talk…” “What was that, Anis?” “N-nothing!” “Then shall we continue?” “Eeep?!” Suddenly finding myself on the defensive, I raced to deflect the spear lunging my way. Ah… This training session is turning out to be a good workout, I thought with a heavy sigh. This…this isn’t how it was supposed to be…! I never intended to end up in a sparring match…! As soon as I finished eating dinner, I slumped down over the table. “How did it come to that…?” I muttered under my breath. “…Good work today, Anis,” Euphie said with a wan smile. “I’m exhausted… It’s been so long since my mother put me through the wringer like that…,” I sulked. I was so drained I could barely move. “But how did your conversation turn into a sparring match?” Euphie asked. “I thought you were supposed to be catching each other up on recent events…?” “Ugh…” I moaned with an exhausted shrug. Exactly. I hadn’t wanted to be lectured by her, or to be thrown into an impromptu sparring session… I had reunited with Allie—banished from the royal capital—while out on an inspection with Euphie the other day. That had proven to be a great opportunity for me and my mother to mend our relationship and update each other on recent events. After all, the rift between my brother and me had emerged due to a variety of factors. I was partly at fault, as was he—and then there were the attitudes of the nobles who had engineered the situation, which were frankly terrible. And yet we had managed to overcome everything to bridge that gap. So after mending ties with Allie, why not try the same with my mom? I had great respect for her, though I still had some reservations. I did look up to her as a decent parent, and if circumstances allowed, I would like to have a normal relationship with her. However, considering how things had been between us until now, I couldn’t say we were particularly close. It was one thing to want a closer relationship, but our mutual past made it rather challenging. Still, with Euphie’s ascension to the throne and Allie’s situation, I realized I had to step forward… “Mending a relationship that has soured over the years is no small feat, Lady Euphyllia… That being said, Lady Anisphia was truly something else today.” “D-did you just say what I think you did, Ilia?!” I blurted, and she shot me a cold glance and shook her head in disbelief. Euphie raised a quizzical eyebrow. “Was it really so bad…?” “It’s great to see Lady Anis trying to talk to her mother, but with Lady Sylphine, she can’t keep herself from losing her composure. She comes across as secretive, and she can’t get her words out properly… Given her past behavior, it’s little wonder her mother suspects she’s up to no good again.” “Ugh…” “It would have been better for you to just come clean instead of getting so embarrassed and hiding your true feelings. But as usual, you got another lecture, didn’t you?” “…That sounds terrible…,” Lainie whispered. “Y-you too…?” Euphie and Lainie flashed me looks that were equal parts warm and scathing, forcing me to avert my gaze. “I-it’s not like I went in completely unprepared… But when it came down to it, I couldn’t find the right words…” “…Isn’t that a serious problem?” Lainie asked, worried. “Indeed. Though she can’t be held entirely responsible, given the history between them…,” Ilia said coolly. “…Do you still feel intimidated around her?” Euphie asked with concern. “…Maybe.” “Why are you and your mother on such difficult terms? Is it because she’s always lecturing you?” “That’s part of it… But I know she’s only strict because she worries about me. And all that fighting practice was incredibly useful as an adventurer. Things have changed, and I’ve settled down a bit, so it doesn’t bother me as much as it used to.” “Then why?” Euphie asked. “…I wonder…” I took a moment to sort through my feelings. Sitting up, I squeezed my eyes shut and tried to visualize my previous interactions with my mom. What came to mind wasn’t her usual stern look, but rather… “…I think what it comes down to is…I’m afraid.” “Afraid…?” “Not in a bad way… I’m just scared I might end up hurting her,” I admitted with a heavy heart. “In the past, I was convinced I shouldn’t act like a proper royal. At least, up until Allie was sent off to the frontier. I acted like an eccentric for his sake; I thought if people thought less of me, it might help him become king. Despite all my shortcomings, my mother still tried to love me. But back then, I couldn’t let it stand. If I let her love me like she wanted, the backlash from all the religious nobles would have been too much.” “Anis…” “…There was nothing to be done about it, and that made it worse. I couldn’t afford to be the princess she wanted me to be. That’s what I thought. Maybe it wasn’t true, but the thought always lingered in the back of my mind…” …By putting my thoughts into words, they began to take on a clear, recognizable shape. “I’m scared to hear what she really thinks. I’m not sure I can handle it.” “…I think that’s just what you’ve convinced yourself,” Euphie insisted. “I know… But I can’t stop thinking it!” I answered in a pathetic whisper. In the end, I was just assuming. And to be honest, I doubted it was true. But I couldn’t say for sure, which was why I was still scared. It always made me freeze up. “I was a burden to her. And I’m worried I’ll end up being a burden to her again…,” I mumbled, dropping my gaze. For a long time, no one said anything in response. It was Euphie who broke the silence. “You’re worried, Anis. You think you might end up hurting her.” “…Yeah.” “But you’re worried about something that only exists in your own head. You don’t really understand her, do you?” “I suppose that’s true…” “Then you should talk.” “Talk?” I repeated, looking up. Euphie nodded. “Yes. To someone who knows her well. And I think I know just the person.” “I see… So that’s why you summoned me.” “Yes. Thank you for coming, Father-in-law.” Euphie and I, joined by my father, were in her office in the royal castle. If I was going to consult anyone about my mother, my father was the best choice, no doubt about it. But while this meeting made perfect sense, I still felt awkward about it. “I think it would be great if Anis and her mother could get along better. So I thought it would help if Anis had a better understanding of her,” Euphie explained. After hearing Euphie out, my father breathed a deep sigh and rubbed his forehead with his fingertips. “Hmm… I see. That will be quite a challenge.” “Do you think so…?” “Sylphine is something of a klutz.” ““A klutz…?”” Euphie and I repeated in unison, our heads tilted to one side. My father flashed us a nervous smile. I never really got the impression she was particularly clumsy… “I’ve known her for a long time, so I understand her deep down,” my father continued. “Let me ask you something, Anis. I promise I won’t be angry if you answer honestly. You find your mother difficult to deal with, don’t you?” “Ugh… Well…” “It’s my fault you feel that way… No apology will ever be enough.” “…Father?” “Like I said, she can be awfully clumsy at times. She has a strong core when it comes to serving as a warrior or as queen, but once she strays outside those roles…” “…Uh… You mean she has a hard time showing her true self?” I asked. Father nodded, his shoulders slumping. “Sylphine was born a marquis’s daughter. Due to her high status, she received a rigorous education and constantly disciplined herself to act every part the proud noblewoman. But that meant she had very few opportunities to reveal her true self. She was strict with others, but she was equally hard on herself. Lowering her guard is something she has always found difficult.” “She’s certainly serious…,” I admitted. “Though it isn’t surprising, Sylphine has a bad habit of bottling herself up. She grew up in a strict household, and her family was involved in the coup d’etat. The days she spent serving me, even when it meant turning her back on her family, made it hard for her to relax around others.” “That’s…understandable, from what I’ve heard.” My father’s ascension to the throne was precipitated by a coup d’etat, during which my mother turned her back on her family to fight alongside her husband and eventually become queen. After going through something like that, it was little wonder she was constantly on guard. After all, carelessness could have meant death, or worse. My father, however, shook his head, visibly anguished. “In some ways, relaxing could bring the trauma flooding back again… She suffered greatly in the past.” “…Trauma?” “It bothered you, too, I’m sure, Anis. I’m not saying it’s your fault, but when it became clear you couldn’t use magic, it weighed on Sylphine so much she couldn’t bear to look at you,” he said, staring at the floor. “…Ah.” I gulped. I still remembered my mother apologizing to me as a child; her eyes had been full of so much pain and anguish, the moment had left a lasting impression on me. Had that caused her to suffer as well…? “Being a mother helped her loosen up somewhat,” my father continued. “You might not remember, but she was perhaps a little too attentive to you as a child.” “Sh-she was…?” I asked, confused. I had no memory of it at all. It felt too unreal… “When you were born, it was like she broke free of all the pressure she had been under. As a mother, as a young woman, she finally brought herself to relax. I was genuinely happy for her. I always felt guilty about her having to serve a half-baked royal like me. She was content…” “…But then she learned Anis couldn’t use magic,” Euphie said. “That’s right. Anis was branded a failure, and Sylphine’s qualifications as a mother were called into question… She had been so happy raising you and your brother, and then…” “Father…” “If only I were stronger, perhaps she wouldn’t have been driven to that point. Some people even suggested I divorce her.” “That’s…” “She became a diplomat to escape the scrutiny. She’s always been a powerful woman, on par with Grantz in that regard, and she received a top-notch education. With her handling foreign affairs, I could focus on matters at home. And there was always a certain possibility at the back of our minds…” “And what was that?” Euphie asked. “Of marrying Anis off to someone beyond the kingdom’s borders.” “…When did that come up?” I startled. Thinking about it, though, the idea wasn’t all that farfetched. In the Kingdom of Palettia, I was seen as a defective royal incapable of wielding magic. In terms of political value, then, marriage was probably the most likely option—especially if the suitor hailed from a foreign land. “Well, after you abandoned your claim to the throne and started acting so bizarre, we concluded we couldn’t risk sending you abroad… Though I suppose your mother wanted to keep that option open out of consideration for your future happiness.” “This is the first I’ve heard of it…” “…We couldn’t tell you… No, that’s just an excuse. I’m sorry we didn’t involve you more in these discussions, Anis.” “…I suppose we all made mistakes, despite all caring for each other. That’s why I think we need to talk more.” “No doubt about it.” My father and I exchanged awkward smiles. Perhaps I was the reason my mother poured so much of herself into her diplomatic work. But in the end, that was something I would have to check with her to know for sure. Ultimately, I needed to speak with her directly. “Getting back to the point, your mother has been struggling with showing her true self ever since those previous traumas. It was especially tough when you were the source of that trauma. Of course, I also feel like lecturing you sometimes when you make a mess of things…” “Was that last part really necessary…?” “If you care to explain yourself, I’m all ears.” I looked away, and my father let out a tired sigh. “Ahem… In any event, your mother has a tendency to take too much upon herself. If I say something, there’s a risk it will backfire, and then she’ll feel like she’s burdening me.” “That sounds difficult… It’s like she’s constantly fighting something.” “I suppose the battlefield and diplomatic missions aren’t so different to her. That’s what makes her so reliable, but it’s an unhealthy mindset to be trapped in…” My father bowed his head, resting his elbows on his knees and clasping his hands together in prayer, before raising them to his forehead. “I wish I could do something to help,” he said at last. “…Me too,” I said. “…Indeed. Did meeting Algard shift your mindset, Anis?” “Yes. I don’t want to leave things alone when we have a rare opportunity to see eye to eye. I want to see her loosen up and smile more.” If I had caused her hardship, I wanted to make it up to her. Despite everything, my mother had never abandoned me. She showered me with unconditional love. I owed it to her to return it, and more. “…Perhaps I can offer a suggestion,” Euphie, silent all this time, murmured as she placed a thoughtful finger on her lips. “Euphie? You have an idea?” “It just might help your mother to relax, and improve your relationship with her at the same time.” “What do you have in mind?” my father asked. “I want to know, too,” I added. The two of us looked up, surprised and hopeful. “I don’t think it should be too difficult. Essentially…” A few days later, my mother paid a visit to the detached palace. “I was told you wanted to see me… What’s going on, Euphyllia? Has Anis gotten herself into trouble again?” she began, before fixing me with a sharp glare. We were all seated around a table, enjoying a pot of tea prepared by Ilia. Why did everyone immediately jump to the wrong conclusion…? Still, I knew what they would say—what goes around comes around. “There’s something important I want to discuss, ma’am. How about you spend some time here at the detached palace to relax and focus on yourself? Surely a few days wouldn’t hurt?” “What?” She startled, looking back and forth between Euphie and me. Yes, Euphie’s idea was to have my mother stay with us at the detached palace. “Me? Here…?” “I should be frank,” Euphie continued. “I’m hoping you and Anis can come to better terms.” “…And what is that supposed to mean?” “This is just the selfish wish of your stepdaughter, wanting to see her adoptive family have a healthier mother-and-child relationship,” Euphie said with a smile. My mother knitted her brow in confusion. She stole a glance my way, but her eyes lacked their usual strength. “I’m grateful for how sternly you’ve overseen Anis’s education, but I’ve noticed she tends to feel somewhat nervous around you. I believe her behavior may be causing you some anxiety.” “…So you want me to spend some time here to improve my relationship with Anis?” “I believe you both need to communicate more. Maybe we should have addressed the issue back when I became queen, though I suspect it would still need further discussion.” “…That may be true.” “Part of the reason for your anxiety may be because you don’t know Anis as well as I suspect you might like. So I thought having you live together would be a great opportunity for you both.” “…I…” “I’m not going to force either of you. But I think it would be good for you both if you took a moment to observe, listen, and feel. If, after that, you still have something to say, that’s perfectly fine. Ideally, I’d like you to share those thoughts with Anis. And the same goes for her—Anis, you should tell your mother how you’re feeling.” I had steeled myself for this ever since Euphie had first proposed the idea. I’m sure it was my own trauma that made me want to turn and flee. I wasn’t the only one unable to respond; my mother remained deep in thought, eyes closed. There was a long silence—until at last, she opened her eyes and looked straight at Euphie. “…I understand. I’ll take you up on your offer, Euphyllia.” With that, it was decided she would be staying with us at the detached palace. My mother stayed the night after that discussion, and so a new day dawned. I woke up and started getting ready as usual. Typically, Ilia would help with my morning routine, but today, she was busy with my mother. “So we don’t need to do anything special, huh?” That was what Euphie said—that we needn’t do anything out of the ordinary. Rather, she insisted it was important for my mother to see the real me, and what life was like for us here at the detached palace. “Hmm… It’s been a while since I’ve had to do everything myself.” Ever since Lainie had joined us, I had always had either her or Ilia to look after me. Though of course, I had taken care of myself back during my adventuring days, and again when Euphie had first arrived at the detached palace. Reminded of all the changes we had been through, I checked in the mirror to make sure there was nothing amiss with my appearance before leaving my room. As I headed to the dining room, I bumped into my mother, accompanied by Ilia. “G-good morning.” I greeted her with a nervous voice. “…Good morning,” she answered, her expression unreadable. For whatever reason, an awkward silence fell over us, and both of us were frozen in place. “…Did you get ready all by yourself?” my mother asked at last. “Y-yes! That’s right…” “…I see.” “…Yes.” With that, the conversation trailed off once more. I knew this silence wasn’t good for either of us, but it was like my mouth was glued shut. Ilia feigned a cough to catch our attention, then said, “Well, breakfast will be getting cold…” “R-r-right! L-let’s go, Mother!” “Y-yes…” It seemed my mom felt just as awkward as I did. Flashing each other awkward smiles, we made our way to the dining room. Once we were seated, Ilia served up the breakfast she had prepared. “…Is this what you always eat?” my mother murmured. “Um, yes. It’s usually something like this.” “It looks elaborate, but it’s actually rather close to what the common folk cook.” “H-huh?! I-it’s not good enough for you…?” I stammered. “I didn’t say it was bad…,” she answered with a sharp glare. I froze, like a frog caught in a snake’s sights. “It occurred to me you must be used to this type of food, what with how often you’re going on your adventures,” she said, turning away and letting out a soft sigh. “It was just a thought.” “O-oh. I see what you mean…” “Plus, I’ve traveled quite a bit myself, you know? The meals weren’t always extravagant. If you ask me, a breakfast like this can be much more relaxing… It reminds me of the old days.” “What old days…?” I said. She smiled softly. “I’ve told you how I used to travel a lot with Orphans and Grantz before your father became king, yes?” “Ah. You mean like when you went looking for Lumi?” Lumi was a spirit covenantor, and a distant ancestor of the royal family. She was supposedly staying here in the royal capital, but she was so elusive it was hard to say for sure. “I can still remember my first trip to visit her. It was tough, but it was a rewarding experience. We were right in the middle of the coup d’etat, so we couldn’t reveal our true identities. We had to blend in with the common folk.” “…That must not have been easy.” “It most certainly wasn’t. But it was that journey that brought us together. Until then, I wasn’t particularly fond of Orphans or Grantz—in fact, I could hardly stand them.” “Huh?! R-really?!” “Does that surprise you?” “Um… Well, the three of you are so close now…” “All thanks to Orphans. You know, none of us had a good first impression of each other. Back then, I was too caught up in my family’s honor and pride, while he was a down-and-out royal lacking in ambition, and Grantz was an annoying genius capable of handling just about anything with ease. Of course we clashed.” “…It’s kind of hard to picture… But at the same time, it isn’t…” I couldn’t see my mother fighting with them now, but considering her temperament, perhaps she was much more intense back in her youth. Her youth… There must have been a time when she, too, was young and carefree. “But when we had to travel incognito as commoners, it was Orphans who really came through.” “Father did?” “Without my noble status, I was just a young girl with some fighting skills, while Grantz was just a spoiled, cocky brat. Orphans was so good-natured, taking care of everything we needed. Like cooking, for example.” “Father can cook?!” “I wouldn’t call him a chef… But back then, Grantz and I struggled with all the basics. It tasted pretty good, you know? He always wanted to study horticulture, and he had a wealth of knowledge about wild plants. So Grantz and I did the hunting, while your father cooked whatever we caught.” She chuckled, smiling warmly. There was no doubt about it—she was genuinely fond of those memories. “Grantz didn’t care so long as it filled his stomach, but I couldn’t bring myself to eat anything that wasn’t good. I don’t think I’ll ever forget the taste of that burnt meat I cooked—it made me want to throw up. Ever since that disaster, Orphans took over cooking duties for us.” “I see…” For the life of me, I couldn’t imagine Duke Grantz cooking. And if my mother was raised as a highborn noble lady, she had probably never needed to cook before, either. It made sense that my father had filled the gap, though I still couldn’t exactly picture him cooking… “Are you surprised?” “Yes… But maybe…?” “Anis?” “No, um…” I hesitated, unsure if I should really speak my mind. But then I remembered what Euphie said—that we should both share our inner thoughts. So I decided to try it. “I, um… I suppose I don’t know much about your private lives…” “…Anis.” “B-but that’s just because I’ve been holed up here in the detached palace for so long! I never really had the chance to talk to you or Father! So I’m happy to hear about your lives.” Her eyes widened slightly at this. I instantly regretted saying it, racking my brain for some way to recover. I knew it. In the end, Euphie was right. We just didn’t have the words. We had never really had a successful chat before, so perhaps this outcome was inevitable. I just didn’t want her to worry. That was why I hesitated to tell her. Because I was sure she would end up being stressed. “…Huh?” I startled. “Speaking of which, where’s Euphie?” I had been so caught up with my mother that I only just realized Euphie and Lainie weren’t with us. “Lady Euphyllia and Lainie have already gone up to the royal castle,” Ilia explained. “I’m told they’ll be working late today.” “Huh? Really?” “Yes. They’ll be spending the night in the royal castle.” “So we’re the only ones in the detached palace…?” I asked, taken aback. “That’s correct,” Ilia answered, before turning her attention to my mother. “I have a message for you from Lady Euphyllia. She wishes to leave Lady Anis in your care today.” “…I see,” my mother said, her lips curling in a smile. Euphie wanted to leave me with my mother? Did that mean I would be spending the whole day with her? In other words, we would be alone together once Ilia stepped out? All I could do was stand there in shock, unsure how to react. “Anis.” “Y-yes?!” “If you don’t mind, might I take a look at your workshop?” “You want to see the workshop…?” “Yes. I’ve never been in there before.” “Indeed.” When I saw my mother, it was usually at the royal castle. Even on the rare occasions when she came to the detached palace, I usually saw her in the drawing room. It was a little surprising to think about, but she had never been into my workshop. “I’m familiar with your magical tools, but I’d like to see where they’re made. Would you mind showing me how you do it?” “I… Sure, I don’t mind.” It felt so strange. My mind was a mess, and I couldn’t make heads or tails of my own emotions. All I could do was answer my mother with a nod. And so, after finishing breakfast, we made our way to my workshop. Nervous, I opened the door and showed her in. “This is it.” “…So this is where you made those things.” My mother cautiously stepped inside and looked around the room. She approached my desk and bookshelves in silence. The longer she remained quiet, the more my tension kept rising. “…This book…” “Y-yes?” “…Ah, it brings back memories. I didn’t know you still had it.” The tome she had pulled from the shelf was a textbook on the basics of magic usage. It had been in my possession for years, and I remembered reading it time and again. It meant a lot to me. After all— “You gave me that one, Mother…” Yes, she had given it to me back when I all but begged her to learn magic. Her eyes narrowed in fond remembrance as she handled the cover. “You really went for it, didn’t you?” “…Mother?” “…I should have come here years ago.” After placing the book back on its shelf, she turned to me. Her expression was so calm I felt my chest tightening. “Euphyllia was right. I thought I understood, but I didn’t. I knew you’d achieved great things, but I didn’t realize how hard you had worked to achieve them.” “Mother…” “…I was afraid of getting hurt. I was scared of confronting my own inadequacies. I thought you would blame me, so I made excuses and ran away from you and Algard. I realize now how badly I neglected you both…” “I mean, I understand why you did.” “…Anis?” “I know how much it hurt you when it became clear I couldn’t use magic. And how other people’s heartless comments affected you. That’s why I didn’t want to let you down. I wanted you to think I was fine… But in the end, I took on too much and made a mess of things anyway…,” I said with an awkward smile. With that off my chest, I felt a sense of calm, like my feet had finally found solid ground. I looked her straight in the eye. “It’s okay, Mother.” “…What is?” “Even if you ran away, the work you accomplished while you were gone was incredibly important. Father always told me how you made your presence felt as queen, and ensured the Kingdom of Palettia wasn’t taken advantage of in the aftermath of the coup.” “…But I failed you as a mother.” “Says who? You’re the only one who says that.” “Huh? B-but…” “As your daughter, I think you’re a wonderful mother. I respect you. I love you. Sure, you can be a bit demanding at times, and scary, and overwhelming, even when you’re right—but you’re still my mother. You’ll always be.” Yes, I could say that now with pride. I wanted her to know what I felt—to share these feelings welling up in my heart. “And now you’ve praised me. You don’t know how happy that makes me.” Her approval, her acknowledgment, was enough. I knew that she loved me. And that was all I needed. “…Anis?” “Yes?” “…Can I give you a hug?” “Of course.” She wrapped her arms around me in a warm embrace. I leaned into her, holding her in my arms. “…You’ve grown so much,” she whispered. “I know…” “…I wish I could have held you more.” “From now on, you can. You can hold me as much as you want.” “I wanted so badly to watch over you, to see you grow…” “Maybe I was a little too dependent on you all.” “What are you talking about? You’re awful at acting dependent.” “We’re pretty similar in that way, aren’t we?” “…Ah. I hate to admit it. I really do.” She patted me on the back—a rhythm I remembered from deep in the past. Yes. Somehow, I knew—she had patted me the same way when I was little. “Anis… My daughter…” “Yes.” “You never needed magic. So long as you were in good health, that was enough for me. That’s how I felt, personally—but we were royalty. With everything that was expected of us all, I treated you harshly. I’ve never considered myself a good mother. And I was afraid you would accuse me of being a bad parent…” “I’m hardly any different. You’re so amazing, and I never thought of myself as anything special. I didn’t know what to do. I just didn’t want you to abandon me…” “…Yes, we are the same. I thought I understood, but I was wrong, wasn’t I…?” She let out a forced laugh, gently pulling away, and met my gaze. Then, she flashed me a smile, gentle and full of love. Ah. Yes, I remembered this look. I used to love seeing her like this. I loved her, too. Her smile meant so much to me—which was why I couldn’t forgive myself for taking it away from her. “Father called you clumsy when it comes to emotions, you know…” “…Orphans did? I’ll be sure to ask him about that.” “Go easy on him. I guess I’m the same.” “…That may be true.” “It is.” “But there are still some things I can teach you, like how to patch things up.” “Please. And tell me more about your experiences in other countries.” “…Yes. Though I’m sure one day won’t be nearly enough.” “…And no more lectures, please.” “That depends on you. Shall we ask Ilia to make us some tea?” “I can brew a pot.” “…You can? In that case, please. An offer like that doesn’t come every day,” she said with a gentle smile. I felt my cheeks relaxing. Just being able to engage in a simple exchange like this put my heart at ease. “…It is a little unfortunate,” my mother said under her breath. “What is?” “Euphyllia. We finally have a chance to talk, but it wouldn’t be right for me to keep you all to myself.” “Huh? Wh-what…?” “Ilia’s message. Euphyllia said she’ll let me have you today. In other words, she considers you her own, wouldn’t you say?” Hearing that, I lifted my hands to my face in an effort to hide my blushing cheeks. My mother broke out into laughter, wiping away her tears with a finger. “She loves you, Anis.” Not knowing what else to say, all I could do was let out a low groan. “Yes…” Honestly, Euphie…! “I’d love to hear that story from you,” my mother joked. “…Then why don’t you tell me what you liked about Father?” “Oh? That’s a long tale.” “I don’t mind. I want to hear it.” “Very well. Then which should we start with?” The two of us discussed many different topics—making up for all the time we had spent apart. And so I said a prayer in my heart—that this warmth, this happiness—would last forever.