episode_0120

[Episode 120] – A harsh winter day

A month has passed since Titania’s seclusion ended. The seasons also went by, spring was coming to an end and summer was coming, and it felt muggy in the room unless I opened the window.

Wangseong began to buzz as if he had regained his vitality. Titania, who cried a lot, continued taking classes with the ministers to receive education to become queen in the future, and began to focus on her studies.

And Veronica and Ainsel-

“…Where on earth have you gone? “I don’t see any traces at all?”

-I can’t feel Vivian’s magic at all. First of all, I’m sure there aren’t any around the capital. Vivian’s magical power is a bit unique, so I thought I would find it quickly…

In order to keep his promise to Titania, he was busy looking for Vivian, who had left the castle. Even with the help of the dwarves in the hut, they could not find it even though Ainsel had turned the entire capital’s mirrors into powder.

As if someone was intentionally hiding Vivian.

“It’s been three months since Vivian left the royal castle… no, you said it’s been four months now, right? Then maybe it went to another country? Why… Vivian here is the type of person who does it for sure if she says something, right? “If you decided to move to another country to get away from Titania…”

-…I can’t say no.

Veronica and Ainsel sighed at the same time.

Even though so much time had passed since Vivian left the royal castle, I never thought there would be so much trace of her. Veronica, who thought she would at least find out where she lived, was really in trouble. Lately, Titania’s eyes have been unusual as she asks, ‘Are we there yet?’

“…Did I really never tell you where I was going?”

-I kept saying it, but there isn’t one. I never said where I was going or where I was going. I just thought Vivian had no idea…

“It’s poignant…”

Veronica burst into laughter at Heinsel’s harsh tone of calling Vivian stupid. In a situation where all she could do was sigh, Veronica stretched out her arms high in the sky. I thought that if things continued like this, Titania’s patience would reach its limit.

At that moment, there was a knock on the door and Titania entered the room. It was a little better than when she was secluded in her room, but she still looked haggard, as if studying, which she had started after deciding to become queen, was difficult. It was natural that I was haggard after being shot by ministers every day.

After entering the room, Titania sighed, placed the books and documents on the desk, and looked at Veronica and Ainsel. Titania’s lips pursed as if she had something she wanted to say, but she just sighed again, held it back and brought up another topic.

“Sister, my grandmother called me, so I’ll come.”

“…Okay, come back.”

Seeing Titania leaving the room in a drooping state, Veronica and Ainsel began searching for Vivian once again. Targeting the next city, Ainsel searches the surrounding area through the mirror. Veronica began looking for Vivian with the help of the dwarves.

*

“Grandma, did you call me?”

“okay. “Come closer, Titania.”

Titania entered the room and walked gently to the Queen Mother, who was sitting on the head of the bed. Even though I came here every day, I felt like the room was becoming more desolate with each passing day.

Titania smiled bitterly at the sight of the grandmother whose physical strength was declining day by day. It was the day after the seclusion ended that Titania realized that the Queen Mother was sick.

Binchot, who could no longer bear it, eventually told Titania about the Queen Mother’s health condition, which she had kept hidden until now, and as soon as Titania found out, she blushed at the foolishness she had caused.

With her mother leaving and her grandmother sick, Titania thought it was not the time for her to be foolish. Titania tried to forget Vivian, saying that she had to focus on her grandmother now.

‘If grandma leaves me now…’

Titania shook her head to shake off the bad thoughts, smiled and stroked the Queen Mother’s bony knuckles. ‘I don’t want to break up now.’ ‘I don’t want anyone to go away from my side.’ With that in mind, Titania gently squeezed the Queen Mother’s hand.

The Queen Mother, looking at Titania who was holding her hand tightly, let out a small breath and continued speaking.

“Titania. “Do you hate Vivian very much?”

“…I do not know.”

When asked if she hated her mother, Titania did not know how to answer. I hated my mother. I really hated my mother, who left me without saying a word and only leaving a letter. I really hated it to death.

However, even so, I was confident that I loved my mother. I was confident that I wanted to see my mother, touch my mother, and meet my mother. If even that was greedy, I wish I had just stayed by your side.

“…don’t hate me too much. That child just kept his promise to me. “Do you know how ugly Vivian was when she said she didn’t want to leave your side?”

“…What did you say?”

“They said they would give up everything, including being queen, if only I could be your mother. “How ugly she looked… It was truly such servility that I couldn’t believe it came out of Vivian’s mouth.”

Titania’s eyes widened at the sight of the Queen Mother smiling and talking.

Because her mother had never told her such a story. But, if he thought of me so much, why did he leave without saying anything? If you had at least told me…

“…That kid is more servile than I thought. Should I say I have no self-esteem or lack confidence? “She was closer to a small citizen than a queen of a country.”

Titania smiled at the story that seemed to know something. Certainly, unlike other nobles with high self-esteem, my mother was timid and simple. It looked like a small animal.

“The only time that such a petty citizen looked like a queen was when it was for you.”

“…When it’s for me…?”

“Yes, for you, my daughter. At times like that, he took on a strong and dignified appearance as if it had never happened before. Although she sometimes stumbled, she always showed her ‘motherly’ side when she thought of you.”

Even I couldn’t show it to my child.

The Queen Mother smiled bitterly and spoke in a whisper. Then he raised his bony arm and stroked Titania’s face. When the rough palm touched her face, Titania’s eyes became watery due to the overwhelming emotion.

“So, please think that the reason Vivian left you was ‘for you.’ Everything bad is me. They couldn’t find even the slightest compromise and were just busy kicking Vivian out. Honestly, I regret it. Was there really no other way? Should I have been unreasonable to the ministers? “I have such regrets.”

“Oh, no. really…”

Titania lowered her head and could not raise it. Titania felt like she was going to cry again if she continued like this, so she forced a smile and looked at the Queen Mother.

“Well, more than that, please tell me about your mother in the past. “I want to hear how servile my grandmother was that made her say that.”

“Hehe, yes. Let me tell you. So, that time…”

So slowly, Titania and the Queen Mother talked. Just like a granddaughter and a grandmother, they blossomed with stories that had never been told before. From the story of Vivian that Titania doesn’t know, to the story of Titania’s academy. And, we constantly talked about my grandmother’s childhood.

“…It’s a bit difficult.”

How long has it been like that? Since we had been talking without realizing that the sun was setting, the Queen Mother let out a long sigh and leaned back on the bed. Seeing the grandmother who already looked tired, Titania became restless and slowly supported the Queen Mother.

“…Shall I call the maid?”

“…No, I think I need to rest a bit.”

The Queen Mother, whose eyelashes were neatly closed, must have been very tired, whispered softly. Titania supported the Queen Mother and slowly laid her on the bed. She then arranged the pillows and cushions and placed the Queen Mother on the bed.

The Queen Mother’s thin bones and dry skin that touched her fingertips every time she supported her made Titania feel various emotions. I hated myself for being so rude to an old woman who didn’t mind if she collapsed right away.

The Queen Mother, lying on the bed, let out a tired sigh and caught her breath. The moment Titania was about to stand up so as not to disturb her grandmother’s rest, the Queen Mother placed her hand on the back of Titania’s hand.

“…Titania.”

“Yes…Grandma.”

Immediately afterwards, the Queen Mother closed her eyes and spoke in a voice so low that it almost sounded like she was talking to herself.

“…If it goes as promised, the day we will meet will come soon.”

“yes…? “What is that…”

“…I’m tired. “I need to get some rest.”

The Queen Mother said nothing more. I quietly closed my eyes, breathed evenly, and fell into sleep. What does it mean that the day to meet my grandmother will come? Titania tilted her head as if she had no idea, but the Queen Mother did not answer.

After confirming that the queen was asleep in bed, Titania stood up and smiled brightly as she looked at the queen lying on her bed. Please, I hope that grandma lives a long life. I desperately hoped that he would get better quickly, and I put my hands together and made a wish.

“…Good night, Grandma.”

*

Time passes and passes again.

Beyond the seasons, on a harsh winter day.

That’s when Titania woke up from her deep sleep.

The news that the maid rushed to deliver once again destroyed the pillar that supported Titania. Feeling as if her heart was falling to the floor, Titania got up from her seat and ran to where the maid was leading her.

It was a really sudden incident. The grandmother, who had smiled and greeted me normally without any signs until yesterday, suddenly passed away. Really, suddenly.

Titania managed to walk with trembling legs, but her legs gave out midway and she collapsed down the hallway. The maid somehow took Titania to where the queen was sleeping.

At the place of the Queen Mother’s death, Bangchot and the ministers who came first were sobbing and shedding tears. The atmosphere seemed to indicate that all of this was true, and Titania shed tears once again.

Titania, supported by a maid, slowly approached the place where the Queen Mother was lying.

Although the grandmother had already passed away, her face was so peaceful that it was difficult to believe that she was dead, as if she was just sleeping. It really looked like he was about to open his eyes at any moment.

The grandmother, whose eyes were closed, was smiling a little. It’s as if he comforts those who remain rather than his own sorrow at leaving. It was a warm smile that seemed to comfort everyone who stayed here.

Titania once again shed tears over the death of her family. He wanted to collapse on the floor and sob in tears, but that was not polite to his grandmother, who smiled at him until the end.

Titania held onto her grandmother’s cold hand with a trembling hand and brought it to her lips and prayed. I prayed as a farewell saying that I was truly happy to be born as my grandmother’s granddaughter.

When the prayer was over, Vinchot called Titania.

“princess…”

“…ah.”

Titania put down the Queen Mother’s hand and turned her head to look around.

The colors of the people around me felt like cold gray. The gaze of the people around me felt like a cold snowstorm falling from the gray sky on a harsh winter day.

Titania felt something she had vaguely felt since she was young touch her heart. I knew this day would come someday, but when it actually came, I couldn’t be more scared.

I see

There is no one here to call ‘family’ to support you anymore.

My grandmother and mother, who were always by my side, are no longer here.

Vinchot, who was wiping away tears, said in a hoarse voice that he would prepare the funeral. Titania raised her head and looked out the window. It was a terrible winter with continuous snowstorms and no sun.

The sky, which was colored a dark and cloudy dark gray, was busy scattering pure white snowstorms without stopping. The sound of the wind coming through the window was like the sound of a woman sobbing.

Titania felt that the voice sounded like her own sobbing. It was like the sound of a banshee (crying woman) mourning the death of her grandmother and pitying herself for being left alone in the future.