| Author: Tensei Mikami | Original Source: Syosetu | Word Count: 2269 characters |
| Translator: Jiro | English Source: Re:Library | Word Count: 950 |
| Editor(s): Robinxen | ||
Afterwards, mother and daughter talked.
They talked with their hearts laid bare, seemingly attempting to mend their mother-daughter relationship.
Melia timidly spoke about her previous experiences as a mercenary, a commoner and an orphan, as well as her embarrassment at her first noble gathering, then also apologized for subjecting her daughter to such demanding training.
By the end, the tension that had existed before between the two was nowhere to be found.
Seletina was smiling broadly while listening to Melia’s stories, as if she were talking with an old friend.
She had previously thought it necessary to behave properly in front of her mother. And that if she didn’t do it, she’d be seen as worthless.
Seletina was glad, she deeply loved her mother.
It was the first mother she’d known. Melia had been the person who had taught her what a family and a mother’s warmth were.
She continued to play the role of a lady just so that her mother wouldn’t grow to hate her.
Because of this, she felt as though she was living out a dream at the moment.
She was ecstatic to have her mother speak to her directly and emerge out of the duchess’ shell.
Each statement made by Melia left Seletina speechless in turn.
If Seletina1 had not seen Melia in that silver armor, she most likely would not have believed more than half of Melia’s story.
Hearing about her mother’s past, which seemed so far removed from the duchess shell that Melia was presenting, Seletina could not help but smile.
“You must have gone through a lot of hardship, Mother…”
“Don’t get me started. I was a commoner that didn’t even know what the word ‘Ser’ was. I’m surprised I got this far.”
“Fufufu.”
“Are you disappointed?” Melia asked meekly.
“What?”
“As you now know I was a mercenary. Aren’t you angry that a woman that had never even worn a skirt put you through that…”
“Mother,” Seletina said, her eyes narrowing slightly, “I am your daughter. The daughter of the Aldelight family. There is no greater joy for me than that. There is no way I would be disappointed.”
“Seletina…”
“I’m actually glad that you made me the lady that I am today.”
“Thank you…”
Melia said as she gently caressed Seletina’s cheek.
“There’s one more thing that I need to apologize to you about, Seletina.”
“One more thing?”
“I am sorry for mocking your dream of becoming a knight.”
“Mother…”
“Yennis scolded me, you know. While crying his eyes out he told me just how serious you were about it. And how you’d fled the residence just to prove yourself. And how it had all been his idea and that you weren’t to blame.”
“Brother…”
Melia smiled.
“It is by no means a good thing that you ran away and I won’t praise you for it, however, I now understand that it’s a parent’s duty to accept their child’s dreams. Seletina,” Melia said, “do you really wish to become a knight?”
Melia asked, a serious expression on her face.
Her piercing blue eyes were free of any hidden agendas.
“You should know that you have numerous paths ahead of you. Nearly all of them result in safety, peace, and happiness. You also have a feeble body. The battlefield is no playground.”
Melia spoke.
Her statements bore no trace of mockery because she had lived both the noble life of a duchess and the battlefield life of a mercenary.
Melia merely wished to know.
Seletina, in turn, looked back at her.
“I’m sorry Mother,” she said, bowing her head, “this is nothing more than a selfish wish of mine. As a duke’s daughter, I know that I have heavy burdens placed on my shoulders.”
“Then why?”
“Because I fear for this kingdom.”
“The kingdom?”
Melia asked, completely taken aback.
“Ten years have passed since the disaster. The people of Elugor are still living in fear of the threat of the demons. I want to become the sword that will cast away that fear.”
“And what exactly can you do with that body of yours?”
“It’s not what I can do, but what I must do… I must carry the will to protect, as the spirits of the heroes that put themselves on the battlefield did before me.” Seletina then continued, “I’m sure that even Orth… Ser Orthus did not go to the battlefield because he was strong but rather because he was driven by something greater than him.”
“It’s not what you can do, but what you must do…”
Melia smiled.
It was the smile of a mother proud of her daughter’s growth.
“After you heal you’ll once again resume your lady training. After all, your debut is not that far off.”
“Mother…”
“And, mind that this is only when your body is feeling well, I will personally train you in the way of the sword.”
“REALLY?!”
Seletina exclaimed, her face full of smiles.
In response, Melia shyly fiddled with her hair while her cheeks flushed.
“B-But you must first do your duties as a duke’s daughter. Your dream of becoming a knight comes afterwards.”
“YES! OF COURSE! Thank you, Mother!”
“Good grief. I won’t be able to bear it if you look this happy… But keep this in mind. If I deem that you have not mastered the sword after our sessions, then I will never let you become a knight. Your body is weak the way it is, after all. I won’t be able to bear any more worry…”
The picture of a mother and a kid was perfectly embodied by Seletina, who was beaming broadly, and Melia, who was blushing and tossing her hair back.
