HNMCEH~29

CHAPTER~29

“Mela, so you really won’t tell me what happened yesterday?”

“Mm. It’s a secret!”

I was persistently questioning Mela about what had happened in the study room since yesterday.

When I had hurried to the study room after talking with Loren yesterday, it seemed unusually peaceful, contrary to my worries.

So I thought it was just my imagination, but when I asked the maid outside why she was avoiding my gaze, she simply said, “Something happened to Mela.”

Yet, for some reason, Mela didn’t tell me what had happened at all.

Even when I carefully asked if she had been bullied, she denied it firmly.

I was endlessly worried about what Mela was thinking. Who knew what was festering inside her even as she smiled so brightly?

“Sister, look at this. So many pretty flowers have bloomed! It’s warm and lovely.”

Whether aware of my worry or not, Mela was smiling like sunshine as usual.

Today, I decided to spend some time alone with Mela. We had a simple tea time in the glass greenhouse garden she had been curious about.

“Do you like it that much?”

“Yes! Even though my room gets sunlight, it’s always cold and chilly. Every day it snows, so the days are dim and the nights are long… But here it’s always warm, like being inside sunlight.”

Of course, my main purpose was to question her about yesterday, but seeing her enjoy it, it wasn’t bad to just have fun.

It had been four days since we came to the North. So many things had happened in such a short time that it still didn’t feel real.

Mela adapted surprisingly quickly, contrary to my expectations. Well, even in our family, she hadn’t stayed long.

I sat there with my chin in my hands, quietly watching Mela enjoy the flowers.

At first, I was worried and helpless about the female protagonist with no memories.

Suddenly dropped into a life far from the original, it was confusing.

…Is it lucky she has no memories?

The confusion was the same as always, but there was one difference…

She wasn’t abused like in the original, and she hadn’t grown up alone. That was fortunate.

If someday all of Mela’s memories returned, what would happen then? Could she become a great mage as in the original?

Since the Lopenter family had disowned her, the path to becoming a mage was practically blocked.

So what about Mela’s future? And naturally, my thoughts went to…

…the conclusion of my own future.

Returning to the North had been completely unexpected.

“Well, whatever happens, happens.”

For now, I should focus only on Mela.

I brushed off the chain of gloomy thoughts and turned my gaze back to her. Yet, somehow, Mela’s usually bright face had sunk.

She stared blankly at the flower bed.

Among the multicolored blooms, she reached out to touch a red flower.

I watched silently, feeling an inexplicable unease as she gently touched it, when Loren spoke up.

“Oh my, that’s a canna flower! The one Miss Mela is looking at.”

“…Canna flower?”

“I’m not sure, but if I’m right… It’s amazing. It’s impossible she planted and grew all the flowers here herself. This space feels very special, completely isolated from outside…”

“There’s only one answer: magic. That’s why it feels isolated.”

It was amazing that the flower she touched was a canna flower, even if by coincidence.

In fact, the original female protagonist’s name, “Canna,” was derived from this flower.

Her mother had named her, wishing her to live like a flower: cherished and happy.

But unfortunately, her mother didn’t know the flower’s meaning: “a happy ending.”

In the original story, the protagonist died at the hands of her beloved emperor at her happiest moment. Could “end” and “happiness” coexist? It was ironic.

But perhaps, just as I had forced a divorce to twist the original story, maybe I could change Mela’s ending if I stayed with her.

“…”

I must have stared deeply without realizing it.

Noticing my gaze, Mela suddenly smiled at me, waving her hand as if nothing had happened.

Her bright smile warmed the surroundings like a gentle breeze carrying flower petals. I thought…

Even if I can’t guarantee her ending, I want her to smile while she’s with me.

* * *

A child’s stamina should not be underestimated.

Mela kept running around tirelessly. The peacefulness was lovely, but my body grew heavier with boredom. The greenhouse was especially warm, making me sweat.

“Haaah.”

Yawning from boredom, Mela approached and handed me something.

“Mom, here. Mela made this especially for you!”

It was a pink flower crown.

It was a bit uneven and clumsy, probably because it was her first attempt, but still pretty.

“You made this for me?”

“Yes! It’s boring when I’m with you, Mom. So I made this as an apology. Here, I’ll put it on you!”

“…Hahaha. I’m never bored because of you, Mela.”

“Liar.”

But I couldn’t fool her eyes. I apologized and placed the crown on my head more eagerly than before.

“Mom, it’s so pretty! I made it with fallen flowers since we can’t pick them. Hehe, I did well, right?”

“Yes, very well. Thank you for this precious gift.”

Seeing her make a crown meant many flowers had fallen.

…Could that be?

Apparently, the glass greenhouse in the Decart family had special magic. The garden was cherished through generations, with plants carefully tended, possibly enchanted subtly.

Anyway, fallen flowers meant some had withered.

At the same time, a strange unease began creeping over me.

“Mela, can you tell me what flowers you used? I want to make one for you too later.”

“Yes! Of course, I’ll tell you.”

Mela eagerly took my hand and led me to the greenhouse.

I didn’t know this part of the greenhouse even existed.

The section we approached had rare purple vines everywhere, and I could hear water flowing—likely a man-made pond nearby.

It surely wasn’t here five years ago. The place was unusually warm and fragrant.

Later, I’d like to rest here, maybe read a book. Thanks to Mela, I discovered this wonderful spot and smiled.

“Here, Mom!”

Mela tugged my sleeve. Hurrying to where she led, I noticed some flowers had withered amidst the beautiful garden.

Curious, I moved closer to the withered flowers and noticed something odd.