episode_0144

It was time for everyone to disperse after finishing talking about their plans for the future.

Katlena and Zeros also thought about leaving and returning to the dormitory for the time being.

at that time..

“Katlena. Just a moment..”

“Yes?”

The next moment, they heard Roseveta’s voice in their ears.

At this, Katlena stopped walking with some caution and turned her head.

What was there was Duchess Rosetta looking at her with a completely different expression than usual.

Then, Katlena, realizing that she had something to say, spoke to Zeros next to her.

“Zeros. Sorry, but could you go first? I’m going to talk to my mother for a bit.”

“..Yes. Okay.”

Zeros, too, was aware that she had something to deal with before the current situation arose.

Then, Zeros began to leave first, following Katlena’s orders.

Deep down, I feel a little bit of peace about what will happen next…

So, after sending Zeros away, Katlena and Rosebeta were left alone.

The two of them went into a nearby room without saying a word and sat down.

After that… a heavy silence continued for a while.

However, there was no sound. A variety of thoughts were forming and disappearing in the two people’s heads.

How to bring up the subject first.

And how should we react to this?

If you ask yourself this question, how should you answer it?

So, after thinking about it for a while,

The first person to speak was Duchess Rosetta.

“..Since when.. did you find out?”

“… ”

It was a question that had several meanings.

How did you find out about this and why didn’t you tell me about it all this time?

And how confusing and painful it was during that process.

So, to Roseveta’s question that contained such complex questions…

Katlena remained silent for a moment, then carefully…

She spoke of an appropriate time that she had thought of in advance.

“4 years ago… Not long after my mother was appointed as successor, by chance…”

In fact, this was the biggest crisis in Katlena’s life.

It was a time when stories about the birth of Catlena were circulating among the nobles in relation to the position of successor.

When I mentioned that time, which seemed quite possible, Rosetta also responded with an easy understanding.

“..Yeah.. That’s it.. Since then.. I already knew.. For a whole.. 4 years..”

With those words, Rosebetta carefully holds Katlena’s hand.

At that moment, Katlena could realize that her mother’s hand, which was holding hers, was shaking.

“..Why didn’t you tell me?.. If you had known that fact.. It must have been hard.. Really.. It must have been really painful.. Why..”

Rosebeta speaks with a trembling voice.

Hearing this, Katlena realized that it wasn’t just an excuse for regression.

She began to recall one concern that had always been on her mind.

that..

In order to fully utilize our resources in preparation for unexpected crisis situations like the present..

It was never for any grand reason like that.

It’s for no one else..

A worry that was tied to only Katlena, and that I couldn’t even tell Zero.

And now, at this moment, Katlena felt that she had the opportunity to express her innermost feelings.

I started to realize.

Now that the dice have been cast…

Even if what she fears really happens, it is now clear that there is nothing she can do about it.

“..I was scared..”

“What?…”

“..If I had told you the story..If I had told you the truth..I was afraid that my mother would abandon me..I was afraid that she would gradually distance herself from me, who is not even her daughter..”

Even though, even before his death, Rosebetta had always loved her.

She showed her appearance as a mother.

However, even if she had known her true feelings through this, Katlena could not bring herself to say the truth.

She was afraid.

Just as the flow around her changed, I thought that her mother might have changed as well.

Although he is smiling kindly in front of her right now.

Because of the thought that at some point, for some reason, I might abandon you.

That is why Katlena has remained silent about this matter,

He wore a mask called ignorance, believing that he knew nothing.

Because it would have been better for him to do so.

Even if it is a family that is maintained through false pretense,

Because it was much better than losing my family.

However, the current Katlena can no longer wear such a mask.

The play called Family, which was destined to end someday…

The time has come to finally put an end to this.

To save the person you love.

To protect the person she called mother.

So, while shaking off the worries in my mind…

Katlena couldn’t look at Rosebetta for a long time.

I wonder what kind of expression she’ll make when she sees me…

Now she is no longer a daughter…

He became the son of a woman who opposed her and used violence to take her place.

How would you look at yourself like that?

Because I was so scared.

at that time..

“… Ah..”

The next moment, she felt a warm sensation.

Then, Katlena carefully looked at the man’s face.

He was able to look at her face as she hugged him.

“..Throw it away.. There’s no way.. There’s no way..”

Rosebetta is hugging Katlena’s body with warm hands.

Big tears were flowing from her eyes.

I don’t feel even a single bit of falsehood or rejection.

As always, it is filled with warmth that you can trust and expect.

Such tears.

“Katlena is… her mother’s daughter.. so precious and lovely.. her mother’s daughter..”

“… Oh my..”

Those words that put an end to all the worries I’ve had so far.

As it has always been…

One more time.

At her words calling her daughter.

Katlena began to feel the last qualms in her heart melting away.

“Mother.. Mother.. Emm.. Mom..”

So once again…

Even in a previous life.

And in this life too

In the arms of the person I’ve always wanted

Katlena said, her tears flowing endlessly.

My mom…

That name is so precious…

Originally, it was not permitted for her,

By her grace, which has a warm and kind heart

That name that I can freely call even at this moment.

*

A building located on the outskirts of the academy.

A group of people who had just arrived there began to cautiously observe the surrounding atmosphere.

“Are you sure there is a target here?”

“It is clear. Princess Katlena has decided to bring the woman here. With as little escort as possible.”

Although Duchess Rosetta possessed a power and character that could never be underestimated, it was highly unlikely that she would be able to refuse the request of Catlena, whom she called her daughter, even if it meant someone else.

Above all, there is absolutely nothing to worry about since Katlena has already notified us that things have gone well.

All that remained was to move quickly and dispatch Duchess Rosetta, who was located in the courtyard of this building.

“Yes, but don’t let your guard down. Keep in mind, she is the most powerful witch in the empire and the one who ended the great war. Even if you are alone, if you rush in rashly, you may get hurt.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

Immediately after those words were spoken, they cautiously arrived near the courtyard.

Then they slowly began to search for the figure of the person who was clearly standing alone in the courtyard.

Just before coming here, I had briefly unfurled a circle of magical power to check her location, keeping in mind that I would be defenseless, so if everything went according to plan, the woman would be waiting there.

however..

“… What is it?”

“There’s no one?”

“Huh? That. Of course not. If it’s on time, it should be by now…”

“Are we too early? Or…!”

At that moment, one thing suddenly dawned on me.

At this, everyone there simultaneously turned their gaze out the window.

And there…