Chapter 119: The Unchanged Daughter

“Take this.”

A small pouch was placed in front of me. I tilted my head curiously, wondering what it was. For a moment, I thought it might be a new ingredient.

“What’s this?”

“What else would it be? It’s your pay.”

“Yes…?”

Carefully opening the pouch, I found it filled with silvery coins. A quick count suggested there were at least fifty of them.

“Did you think you were here for volunteer work or something? I even included last month’s pay.”

To be honest, part of me had come here with that mindset.

“I thought you’d quit in less than a month, but you’ve got some grit after all.”

A gentle smile appeared on Grandma Miranda’s face. It wasn’t her usual mischievous grin or mocking laugh. It was a warm smile, reminiscent of the one Artasha used to give me.

“……”

For the first time in my life, I held money I had earned myself.

My heart pounded. With my chest heaving from excitement, I kept fiddling with the small pouch of coins for a long time.

What was this feeling?

Fifty silver coins. By commoner standards, it wasn’t a small amount, but to a noble, it was mere pocket change.

Frankly, compared to the value of the gifts I had received in high society just for smiling a few times, it was nothing.

But this money, held in my hands, felt heavier than any expensive jewel. These seemingly insignificant silver coins shone brighter to me than the dazzling jewels decorating my room.

Simply holding them filled my chest with pride. A sense of freedom wrapped around me as if I could do anything.

“What will you use it for?”

Grandma Miranda’s question sent me into deep thought. While I was happy to receive the money, I couldn’t immediately decide what to spend it on.

Should I buy some sweet treats I had long missed out on? This money could buy enough to indulge myself ten times over.

Or should I visit the clothing store nearby to get a dress? While a fancy dress might be too expensive, I could afford a slightly outdated one.

Buying an accessory wasn’t a bad idea either. After all, the only thing resembling an ornament on me was the jewel embedded in the collar around my neck.

Luxury items for myself. Normally, that’s what I would have spent the money on.

But it didn’t feel right.

‘…I don’t want to spend it on that.’

Even if I bought a dress or an accessory, I had no occasion to wear them, and sweets would vanish after a single bite.

This was the first money I earned through my effort and hard work. I didn’t want to waste it on luxury items.

In the end, the question circled back to the beginning. What should I spend this money on?

The deliberation wasn’t long. As soon as I thought about how to use the money, a person immediately came to mind.

With a firm resolution, I clutched the pouch of coins tightly.

“Grandma Miranda.”

“Yes?”

“Could I… take some time off?”

***

Artasha’s daily life hadn’t changed much.

Of course, a few months ago, she had been bedridden and slowly wasting away. But after reuniting with Tina, she gradually regained her vitality.

Now that she had found a new reason to live, lying around helplessly no longer suited her character.

She rose with the dawn without fail and had a simple breakfast of vegetables. After eating, she strolled around the mansion, greeting the busy servants.

Once she took the tea Laniel had prepared and entered the study, she wouldn’t leave until the sun had set.

Although the family’s financial situation had improved significantly, there was still a mountain of work that needed her attention.

Yet she never grew weary. That child’s shy smile always awaited her.

“Name…”

The sound of a pen tapping lightly on the desk echoed through the study.

She had promised to personally give that child a name. Thankfully, the child had expressed genuine gratitude and willingly accepted the idea.

After hearing that, Artasha had spent countless days and nights pondering. Numerous names had passed through her mind.

But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t think of a name that suited her better than Tina.

It wasn’t because she wanted to replace the memory of her biological daughter. She had no intention of projecting her lost daughter’s image onto that child.

Even if, by some miracle, her daughter returned one day, she wouldn’t let Tina go. And if Tina ever disappeared, she would chase her to the ends of hell to hold her in her arms.

That child was her daughter. She had made up her mind long ago.

Even so, there was a reason Artasha wanted to keep calling her Tina.

Despite telling herself otherwise, Artasha had spent four years with her as mother and daughter.

Four years.

The happiest and most beautiful years of Artasha’s life. And the one who had been by her side during that time was undeniably Tina—that child.

If she gave Tina a new name, it felt like she would be burying those four years of happy memories.

“Name…”

At that moment, as Artasha was deep in thought, a knock came from the door of the office.

“Excuse me, Master.”

The head butler opened the door politely, bowing as he greeted.

“What is it?”

“There is a guest here to see you, Master.”

“A guest?”

“Well…”

The butler hesitated, unable to respond immediately, and from his demeanor, Artasha could sense that the visitor was no ordinary person.

‘I don’t recall scheduling any meetings today.’

Even so, there were those who would often visit unannounced, so Artasha assumed it was one of them this time as well.

The Blanc family was still considered one of the weaker households, and most people felt no need to show them proper respect.

Moreover, with rumors spreading that the daughter of the Blanc family had assassinated a saint, people’s attitudes had grown even more dismissive.

Even though the saint had blamed the incident on demonic forces and defended the Blanc family, it was impossible to stop the whispers spreading through the social undercurrents.

“Let them in.”

Artasha slowly tidied her seat. A moment later, when the butler returned, there was someone standing behind him, their large hood pulled deeply over their head.

Judging by the small stature, it didn’t seem to be a man. Even compared to women, the figure was exceptionally petite.

The mysterious visitor slowly removed their hood. As the hidden face was revealed, Artasha’s eyes widened in astonishment.

“T-Tina?!”

Between the pure white hair identical to her own, bright blue eyes shone vividly. Her skin, pale as porcelain, remained the same, though a faint blush of vitality now adorned her cheeks compared to the last time they met.

“Hello, Artasha,” Tina greeted shyly, bowing her head.

“How did you…”

Tina resided at the empire’s farthest frontier, a half-day’s journey away. It wasn’t a place she could easily visit.

“I just wanted to see you, Artasha.”

Artasha received reports about Tina at least three times a week from Viviana. Otherwise, she could not feel at ease.

The empire’s frontier—though the war had ended, leaving no immediate danger, Artasha hated the idea of Tina being alone in such a harsh place.

In her heart, she wanted to keep Tina by her side. But in the end, she had decided to trust the young lady who loved Tina as deeply as she did.

When the day came that the demon fell and the saint herself resolved all the rumors, Artasha could only hope for that day to arrive soon.

“Am… am I interrupting you?”

Tina’s cautious voice filled the room, snapping Artasha out of her thoughts.

“Of course not. I’ve missed you very much. It’s already been two months.”

In truth, Artasha secretly visited the shop where Tina worked once or twice a week, but she decided to keep that to herself.

“I… I missed you a lot too.”

At Tina’s hesitant confession, Artasha looked at her with curious eyes. Tina’s lips trembled nervously, and her shy demeanor was evident.

Upon closer inspection, her cheeks were lightly flushed, and both hands were hidden behind her back.

Concerned that Tina might have been injured, Artasha furrowed her brows slightly and asked urgently,

“I heard you’ve been working. Are you feeling alright?”

“Yes! I’m healthier than ever, really.”

Even Viviana’s reports indicated that Tina’s condition had improved.

Though reluctant to admit it, perhaps things were progressing smoothly, just as Viviana had planned.

“Um… Artasha…”

Tina’s voice was still timid.

“Don’t worry. Speak freely.”

Encouraged by Artasha’s gentle tone, Tina hesitated briefly before speaking again.

“I have something for you…”

Tina slowly brought her hands, previously hidden behind her back, forward.

“…Flowers?”

In her small, pale hands was a bouquet. The petals were as white as snow, and the center held a deep blue hue reminiscent of the ocean.

“They’re called abelias… When I saw them, I immediately thought of you, Artasha.”

Tina carefully held out the bouquet.

Artasha stared at the flowers in a daze. Their sweet fragrance was neither overpowering nor faint, filling her heart with an indescribable peace.

“Y-You see, I got my paycheck yesterday. The first person I thought of was you, Artasha, so I wanted to give you a gift. That’s why… I chose flowers as beautiful as you.”

Artasha silently gazed at Tina’s face.

“They’re not expensive. I didn’t have enough money for anything fancy… but someday, when I save up more, I’ll give you a truly valuable gift!”

It wasn’t necessary. Even the most precious jewels in the world would pale in comparison to these flowers.

“I chose them carefully… Do you like them? If you don’t like flowers, then…”

Tina’s blue eyes wavered anxiously.

“No, I love them. It’s more than enough. Just the fact that you chose them for me is enough.”

The word ‘love’ hardly felt sufficient. Just looking at the flowers filled her heart with an overwhelming sense of joy.

Had she ever received such a gift from anyone before? Especially from someone like Tina, who was practically a daughter to her.

Had her heart ever raced so much upon receiving a present?

Artasha’s gaze shifted from the flowers to Tina. She was slightly bowing her head, her cheeks faintly flushed.

The delicate pink hue on Tina’s pale cheeks made her look even more endearing than the flowers themselves.

“You know… I really like you, Artasha.”

“…What?”

“I-I really like you… I’m so glad you accepted me again…”

It was an earnest confession so heartfelt that it left her dizzy.

‘What… what is this?’

The sultry undertone in Tina’s voice made Artasha’s face flush deeply.

A wave of bewilderment surged through her.

She had always known Tina to be an incredibly endearing child, but never like this.

Was it just her imagination?

In the span of two months, Tina had changed, dramatically so.

And, it seemed, dangerously so.