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Warm sunlight shone through the windows¹.

A single chair was positioned in the room right next to a single bed, and the side table adjacent to it was adorned with vibrant flowers arranged in a vase, infusing the space with a lovely scent.

Melia, who had been reading a book on the bed, instantly lit up the moment she saw Seletina and Yennis.

“Seletina! You’re awake!”
“I am. You seem to be doing well Mother… Or rather, I’m really relieved that you escaped with your life.”

As Seletina said, her face softened.

Melia’s body was covered in bandages all over with her both legs hung up. She was evidently far from healthy. Nonetheless, she was still alive and her face was brimming with life.

Yennis walked forward and carefully set Seletina down on the chair after which he let out a heavy sigh.

“I’m honestly envious of how resilient the women of the Aldelight are!”
“Oh my, are we supposed to take that as a compliment, Yennis?”

Melia said with a mischievous smile and shivers ran down Yennis’ back.

Melia then closed her book and spoke.

“Seletina,”
“What is it, Mother?”

As Seletina asked, Melia spread her arms wide open and wrapped them around Seletina’s body, hugging her tightly. Responding to her mother, Seletina placed her arms on her mother’s back and hugged her back.

After which a peaceful few moments followed. Mother and daughter hugged one another, as if trying to feel each other’s warmth and heartbeat. The two of them stayed like that for a while.

“Mother, please do not put your life at risk anymore…”
“Fufu… Like you’re one to speak, Seletina.”
“You got me there. I’m sorry.”

Seletina said with a slight chuckle.

I suppose my body isn’t just mine anymore.

“But, I guess I’ll follow your advice. It’s not like I have the strength to put my life at risk anymore. That’s why I won’t do anything like that ever again.”
“What?”

Seletina couldn’t understand the meaning behind her mother’s words. Melia, in turn, smiled as she saw the look on her daughter’s face. Her smile was like that of a child whose prank had just been exposed.

“Are you implying that…”
“That’s right. I can’t wield a sword anymore. Due to the effects of the Strengthening Potion my body got quite messed up. Fufu. I guess the head maid has one less thing to worry about now. She doesn’t know about my days as a mercenary so whenever I picked up the sword she’d go into a panic.”

Seletina’s head went completely blank. She couldn’t say anything. The words weren’t coming to her.

In order to protect me, Mother threw away her sword… No, she threw away her healthy body…

A shock, like being hit by a powerful blow, and a sense of guilt formed a whirlpool inside of Seletina.

As Seletina was tormented by that, Melia gently stroked her head. Her thin, delicate fingers moved through Seletina’s golden hair. Melia’s eyes were overflowing with love as they looked at Seletina.

“There is nothing to worry about. I did what I had to do. There is no need for you to feel guilty.”
“… Mother.”
“You’ll become a mother too one day. And when you do and there comes a time that you must do what I did, then you will surely make the same choice. That is what being a mother is.”
“MOTHER²!”
“Well, although I make it sound good and all, I ended up doing nothing. If only I had talent for the sword like you do.”
“Mother!”
“Yes, yes, no crying now. You’ll ruin your pretty face. A smile suits you the best. So smile.”

Seletina cried. She cried with her face in her mother’s chest. Cursing her powerlessness, her mother’s kindness, her thirst for power, and her foolishness. The knight’s justice wailed as the lady’s fragility sobbed. Teardrops fell from Seletina’s deep blue eyes.

Yennis, who knew everything, couldn’t help but bite his lip.

Melia smiled and continued stroking Seletina’s back.

“Seletina, this is what it means going out on the battlefield and becoming a knight. No matter which battle you go to, people will die and someone will mourn. To sacrifice yourself for another is a truly admirable thing. But that is all it is, admirable. You are left to bear the feelings of those who have left before you while continuing to protect that which you wish to protect. If throwing my sword away and having my body become like this is the price for helping my daughter grow, then I’d gladly do it all over again.”
　
Melia said as she stroked the crying Seletina’s head.

Seletina knew all of that. To her, to Orthus who’d been part of countless battlefields and had threaded the rope of life and death this was plain as day. Yet, despite this, this was her own very first family. An existence that she wanted to protect even if it meant giving up on everything.

Seletina wasn’t able to bear the pain of having failed to do so. Orthus’ weak heart, which had been buried deep inside him, was being scooped out and brought to the surface with the help of the vessel known as Seletina.

Seletina’s fear of losing her family and her helplessness to prevent it caused her to tremble for a while like a little girl in her mother’s chest.

1. Robinxen: Just like me now for real!
2. Robinxen: That must be so awkward to hear…