episode_0144

[Episode 140] – Mom is 10 years old

Before returning to the palace, Vivian, who had shrunk due to a curse, conducted a simple examination with Veronica to check her physical condition.

Through various tests, they confirmed that there were ‘still’ no abnormalities in her suddenly diminished physical state and no changes in personality due to her reduced body.

After completing the simple examination and receiving the news that there were still no abnormalities, Vivian changed into cute children’s clothes prepared by Bronnie.

A white blouse with frills on the sleeves and a navy blue dress skirt. Moreover, the huge navy blue ribbon attached to the skirt swayed whenever it moved.

As Vivian examined her reflection in the mirror, she involuntarily sighed deeply, slumping her shoulders and bowing her head. The pouting lips were an added touch.

“Sigh… I didn’t expect to be seven years old like this…”

“Actually, you’re ten. You look younger compared to being ten.”

“Do I?”

Veronica sat in a chair, chuckling as she admired Vivian’s appearance. Vivian also looked at her reflection again, contemplating her now younger face. It seemed a bit too young for being ten years old.

Chubby cheeks, wavy golden hair flowing down to her back, and round green eyes. Just looking at these features, she seemed like an ordinary cute child, but of course, this ‘Vivian’ had been extraordinary since childhood.

Perhaps because she was a child, she seemed less sharp than an adult, but Vivian’s distinctive sharp cat-like eyes and striking gaze remained. While adults might not notice, among her peers, her gaze would surely be intimidating.

As Vivian puffed up her chubby cheeks and looked around, Veronica, with a bitter expression, reached out and stroked Vivian’s head.

Feeling treated like a child, Vivian made her already sharp gaze even sharper and turned her head to glare at Veronica. She was on the verge of telling her not to treat her like a child…

“…I’m causing trouble for you again.”

Without saying a word, Vivian bowed her head apologetically at Veronica’s truly sorry expression. In truth, this situation was not Veronica’s fault.

Veronica said she never thought such a situation could happen and that it was her fault for getting too close to the fairy’s egg in the first place.

“It’s not your fault. It’s my problem for getting too close to the egg. I should have been more careful.”

As Veronica still frowned, Vivian sighed as if there was no other choice, raised her hand and gently patted Veronica’s head while sitting on the chair.

“Don’t make that face. You’ve never been a nuisance. So… if you’re uncomfortable with me patting your head, you should lower it, right?!”

Vivian, who was out of breath from patting Veronica’s head, puffed up her cheeks irritably. Despite looking like a child throwing a tantrum, Veronica couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Really… even when you say motherly things in that manner…”

With a wry smile, Veronica put her hand into Vivian’s armpit, lifting her up. Helplessly, Vivian ended up sitting on Veronica’s lap.

“Don’t treat me like a child-”

“Thank you for saying that. Vivian.”

As Veronica embraced Vivian from behind, Vivian made an awkward expression for a moment. She found it difficult to get angry when Veronica acted this way.

As they sat quietly, Vivian shivered as Veronica’s breath tickled her ear. Being held tightly, it felt as though she had become a doll.

Letting out a small sigh, Vivian lightly tapped Veronica’s arms around her waist and changed the subject. Come to think of it, Veronica had something she wanted to ask about the fairy’s egg.

“By the way, what did you want to ask me? You said you needed my opinion on the fairy’s egg.”

“Oh… that?”

After burying her nose in Vivian’s delicate skin and inhaling the fragrance deeply, Veronica smiled brightly before answering.

“…It’s nothing. I don’t think there’s a need to ask about it right now.”

“What? What do you mean…”

“Never mind, just let me hold you like this for a moment. You’re quite different from the dwarves… Is it because of you?”

Veronica chuckled softly and hugged Vivian, who had climbed onto her lap, even tighter. Yes, it was a story that didn’t need to be asked about anymore.

I don’t want to trouble you any further.

Actually, there was something I wanted to ask for. It’s difficult to say, but still something I wanted to request. However, now that Vivian was like this, I didn’t want to cause trouble again.

“Vivian, actually… while investigating the fairy egg, I found ‘another method’ to fix my body. It’s a bit difficult, but if someone helps me, I’m sure I can fix this body.”

If possible, she simply wanted to receive that help from Vivian, not from anyone else. If she could, she wanted to ask Vivian for help. But…

“I don’t want to cause trouble for Vivian anymore.”

Veronica smiled bitterly, buried her head in Vivian’s neck, and swallowed her emotions. She buried the boiling desire and the “forbidden knowledge” she had discovered deep within her chest, along with Vivian’s scent.

No longer allowing such dangerous thoughts to surface.

Deep and dark places.

*

“Mother, I’ve been thinking… until your body returns, would it be okay for you to stay with me in the palace?”

Not long after arriving at the Star Palace. As Vivian was getting ready for bed, Titania pleaded with her, as if asking for a favor.

“No matter how I think about it, leaving Mother alone here… Besides, if you come to the palace, you can move around freely. There’s no one here who knows Mother in her current state. So, I mean…”

“…Alright. Let’s do that.”

“Uh, really? Really?”

As if surprised by Vivian’s quick approval, Titania stumbled over her words and then broke into a wide smile. Vivian looked at Titania and let out a chuckle. Was it really such a good thing?

Vivian blinked her eyes and became lost in thought. Frankly, there was no point in staying here, and as Titania said, nobody would recognize her in this form. She thought it would be okay if she were recognized as Vivian’s niece.

When Vivian gave her permission, Titania smiled broadly and said she would come to pick her up tomorrow morning. Vivian nodded and stifled a yawn, feeling sleepy.

“Mother, are you already sleepy? It’s only 9 o’clock…”

“Is it because I’m feeling unwell…? I’m so sleepy…”

With heavy eyelids, Vivian couldn’t keep blinking and succumbed to the overwhelming drowsiness, falling into a deep sleep.

Titania chuckled softly at her mother who had fallen asleep with gentle breathing. It seemed like she couldn’t bear to stay awake, perhaps due to her illness.

Wouldn’t it be better if she slept now? Titania quietly climbed onto the bed and lay down beside Vivian. Folding her hands gently on her stomach, her sleeping mother looked incredibly lovely.

Titania gazed down at her mother’s sleeping figure, smiling as if she were happy. She felt overwhelmed with happiness at this moment.

In truth, Titania was relieved that Vivian had become unwell. Now that she was unwell, she wouldn’t be able to run away anywhere. If there was anything uncomfortable, she could always rely on her daughter.

At this difficult time, at this moment, she would always be by her side. Just knowing that fact made Titania extremely happy. She was delighted that she didn’t have to be separated anymore.

“We’ll sleep in the same room and in the same bed as we used to. It’s the opposite of the past, but… nothing will change.”

Honestly, she wished the curse on her mother would be lifted. She even thought it would be okay to wait until her mother became an adult again as time passed.

If her mother is 10 years old now, there are exactly 10 years left until she reaches the same age as herself, 20.

For 10 years, I wanted to support my mother until she grew again and became an adult.

“Just like my mother did for me. I will raise my mother. For 10 years. No, for a lifetime.”

Titania smiled bitterly and gently tidied her sleeping mother’s bangs. It wasn’t that she wanted the curse to be lifted. Of course, she naturally wished her mother could return if the curse was lifted. Just…

“If the way to lift the curse is to be with me… I would undoubtedly be incredibly happy.”

If she was the destined one for her mother, she could convey this tender feeling as it is. Titania sighed softly and gazed at her mother’s slightly parted lips.

“You said we’ll do it later.”

Right now, she didn’t feel forced or inclined to do so.

She didn’t want to hurt her mother.

She didn’t want to make mistakes driven by emotions anymore.

Titania got up from the bed and looked down at Vivian. Satisfied just by being able to spend time with her mother again from tomorrow, Titania smiled happily with her eyes crinkled.

She then pulled the blanket up to her mother’s shoulders and cheerfully bid her sleeping mother farewell with a lovely face.

“Good night. Mother.”