CHAPTER~46
“Y-Yes…?”
Mela asked back in shock, unable to believe what she had just heard.
It was unbelievable that those words had come from none other than Artemene.
She had naturally expected to be scolded.
After all, she was still a thorn in her side.
“Ah.”
Unable to react to the unfamiliar situation, Mela blinked blankly as Artemene’s hand came closer.
Mela instinctively squeezed her eyes shut.
“You have a bump on your forehead.”
Artemene spoke in a gentle voice as she stroked Mela’s reddened forehead.
“Th-Thank you…”
“Lazar has a sharp tongue, even though I’ve warned him several times.”
“Still, try to understand.”
“He isn’t a bad child by nature.”
“……”
Her gaze was unmistakably warm, unlike before.
Just a few days ago, she had been furious at both mother and daughter.
The drastic change left Mela frozen, unsure how to respond.
It wasn’t a look of complete trust, but compared to the Artemene she knew, it was tremendous progress.
Mela fidgeted with her fingers, not knowing how to accept it.
Then, cautiously watching her expression, she spoke.
“I thought you would scold me, Lady Artemene.”
“I caused a disturbance in your residence…”
“If we’re being precise, the one who caused a disturbance was Lazar, not you.”
“Still…”
“……”
“I’m sorry.”
Mela apologized again even though no one had asked her to.
Seeing that, Artemene hardened her expression coldly, displeased.
“Didn’t you say this yourself?”
“That in the Decart family, the strong one is the older brother or sister.”
“Th-That was…”
To think she had heard even that.
Mela wanted to crawl into a mouse hole and hide.
“You were right.”
“Yes?”
“You won, so you are the older one.”
“There’s no need to apologize.”
“You won fairly.”
“……”
“Well done.”
“A Decart never backs down.”
Instead of scolding her, Artemene praised her.
Hearing that, Mela’s pupils shook violently.
Lady Artemene… praised me?
Before long, Mela’s eyes reddened as she struggled to hold back tears.
Her nose stung, but she bit her lip tightly.
She didn’t want to cry over something she believed she had done right.
“……”
Artemene simply stared at Mela.
Tears welled up under her eyes, and she wondered if the child would burst into tears.
Contrary to expectations, Mela did not cry.
She’s enduring it.
Is that her nature, or did she learn it from her mother?
Her body trembled as she forcibly held back her tears.
Rather than something learned, it seemed she clearly knew why she must not cry.
She was different from children her age who cried when sad and raged when angry.
What stood out was her patience.
She was like this when she saved Reia too.
Such a brave child.
Her eyes were so clear they seemed transparent.
As much as Artemene hated to admit it, she looked exactly like her mother.
Artemene straightened up and gestured to Rina.
“Rina.”
“What are you doing?”
“Hurry and treat the child.”
“Yes, Lady Artemene!”
“Miss Mela, let’s treat you first and then go to Miss Reia’s room, okay?”
“H-Huh?”
“I’m fine!”
Mela blinked in panic as Rina pulled her along.
It was just a small bump and didn’t hurt at all.
She didn’t have time for this.
She needed to go see Reia quickly.
“Child.”
Artemene’s gaze and expression were still frighteningly unfamiliar.
Mela stiffened and waited for her words.
“Separate from whether you did well, I do not fully acknowledge you.”
“The same goes for your mother.”
“……”
“I called you only because Reia wanted to see you.”
“Do not misunderstand.”
The warmth from earlier vanished, replaced by her usual cold demeanor.
Of course, a person couldn’t change overnight.
Yet even at those clearly drawn boundaries, Mela was not afraid.
Instead, she realized something.
“I know, Lady Artemene.”
She knew Artemene did not truly hate her.
With that conviction, Mela stepped forward and stood before Artemene.
“What are you—”
Artemene looked flustered as Mela suddenly appeared before her.
The next words left her speechless.
“But one day, my mom and I will earn Aunt Artemene’s recognition.”
“……”
“So when that day comes, please call me by my name.”
“My name isn’t ‘child.’”
“It’s Mela.”
Mela spoke bravely, never averting her gaze or faltering.
“Then I’ll see you again someday, Lady Artemene.”
“Please remember what I said.”
After saying her piece, Mela grabbed Rina’s hand and left the corridor.
Her retreating figure was truly fearless.
“Hah… honestly.”
“Mother and daughter alike are audacious.”
Artemene let out a dry laugh and watched until Mela disappeared from sight.
I’m scared, Grandmother.
I’m afraid that tomorrow I won’t be able to see the sun I’ve seen every day.
What are you saying?
That will never happen.
Just trust your grandmother.
I will make sure you recover.
Then please promise me one thing, Grandmother.
You always keep your promises.
“……”
A voice she had buried deep in her memories resurfaced faintly.
A blurred face from long ago flickered before her eyes.
I’ll see you again someday, Aunt.
Please remember me then.
At Mela’s seemingly casual words—
If someday I can no longer feel the sunlight, Grandmother.
Please look up at the sky on a sunny day, even if only sometimes.
Please remember me.
She recalled the face of a grandson she would never see again.
Artemene lowered her head, holding back the tears about to spill.
“I will remember.”
* * *
“Reia, hello.”
After receiving first aid from Rina, Mela headed straight to Reia’s room.
Calling it first aid was generous—she only had a bandage wrapped around her head.
Mela still didn’t understand why such a tiny injury needed bandaging.
In any case, it had delayed her far longer than expected.
Evlyen will worry…
Well, I’ll explain later.
Mela hurried to Reia, shaking off her thoughts.
Reia noticed her presence and waved, forming words silently with her lips.
Her cheeks were faintly flushed, as if greeting someone was still awkward for her.
“Wow.”
“Thank you for greeting me.”
“You recognize me, right?”
“That’s a relief.”
Reia looked much better than a few days ago.
It was probably thanks to Evlyen’s stabilizer.
Still, she wasn’t fully recovered and needed observation.
Mela sat on the bed and opened the pie box.
“I heard you wanted to see me.”
“I’m happy we can play together like this.”
“Oh, I brought honey pie too.”
“Do you want to eat it together?”
Reia fidgeted with her fingers, turning her head as if trying to speak.
Then she picked up some paper from the table and wrote.
[Is it okay?]
“Of course.”
“My mom made it specially.”
“I’m sure you’ll like it, Reia.”
At Mela’s cheerful offer, Reia’s face brightened like spring.
She had been crying the last time they met, so Mela hadn’t noticed.
But now she saw how cute Reia was.
She looks exactly like Lady Artemene though.
“Alright, let’s eat.”
“I’ll feed you the first bite.”
“……”
Mela took out the pie and split it in half.
At the same time, Reia’s hands moved quickly.
[I’m the older sister.]
“Huh?”
[So I should be the one feeding you.]
“Pfft—!”
Mela burst into laughter at the unexpected insistence.
Well, Reia was right.
She was her older sister by three years.
“Then since you’re the older sister, I’ll feed you as your little sister.”
“Here, say ah.”
Reia puffed up her cheeks in dissatisfaction.
She clearly disliked being treated like a child.
After hesitating, Reia opened her mouth slightly.
The two shared the pie together.
Their puffed cheeks made them look like chipmunks.
The sweet yet bittersweet aroma spread, tinting their cheeks pink.
By the time they finished laughing and eating, the pie was gone.
After a brief silence, Reia’s hands moved again.
[I’m sorry you got scolded because of me last time.]
[And thank you.]
Mela, sitting on the bed swinging her legs, tilted her head.
“Hmm?”
“Oh, that?”
“It’s okay.”
“I’m just glad you weren’t hurt.”
“……”
“I think Aun—no, Aunt Artemene was just worried.”
“That’s why she got angry.”
“I know it.”
For some reason, Reia’s expression darkened at those words.
She lowered her head and wrote again.
[No.]
[Grandmother hates me.]
[Because I killed my brother.]
