Chapter 99
It had been about half a day since I sent Jayce to the Western Sun gathering.
As dinner time drew near, an unexpected guest arrived.
“Mabel?”
The unannounced guest was none other than Mabel.
I worried for a moment that she might have discovered I was the one who had sent Jayce. But instead, Mabel slowly approached me and tugged at the hem of my clothes.
“What is it?”
“…I, I went to the Western Sun today.”
The moment I heard her gloomy voice, I realized this wasn’t about Jayce.
“I see. You want to talk about what happened there?”
“…Yes.”
Whatever it was, this wasn’t the right place for such a conversation.
I guided Mabel to the study.
I sat her down at the reading circle’s seat and told Anna to bring warm milk instead of tea.
When some time had passed and her tension seemed to ease, I asked,
“So, what happened?”
“Mother told me to make friends at the Western Sun gathering.”
Mabel began explaining in a halting manner.
From the reason she joined the Western Sun—which I had already heard from her butler—down to the incidents of her first day, and finally, today’s conflict with Yufina.
Hearing about Yufina’s malicious little trap made me frown, but my mood lightened somewhat at the part about Jayce’s intervention.
Perhaps it was because she saw herself in him—Jayce’s words seemed to give Mabel great courage.
Mabel had demanded an apology from Yufina, proudly and directly.
“No matter your circumstances, I can’t forgive you, sister. My inventions mean everything to me. For me too, there was no other choice.”
At Mabel’s words—that she had no other path—Yufina seemed shocked into silence.
Even Cornel, who was watching, stepped in and apologized on her behalf, leaving Yufina with no choice but to bow her head.
‘No doubt she hasn’t really reflected. People don’t change that easily.’
Even Jayce himself only softened up after returning from the training camp. It was hard to take Yufina’s apology at face value.
But Mabel shook her head, saying it was enough.
“It feels foolish to care about her anymore.”
‘…Such a mature response.’
In other words, she had no expectations left.
In her heart, Yufina was already a closed chapter. Receiving an apology and regaining her honor was enough.
Of course, even if Mabel didn’t lift a finger, Yufina’s future was bound to be rough.
Causing a scandal in a gathering considered a “minor social circle” meant she would now be treated no differently from the very children she once tormented.
By the time she finished her explanation, the sun had already set.
I leaned back in my chair, piecing things together.
‘So that’s why the Western Sun is so closed off. The matchmakers’ doing, huh.’
From what Yufina said, the Western Sun functioned as a place to meet potential partners.
Children without fiancés would be invited with recommendation letters, with the aim of pairing them up.
In name, it was “a gathering for children.” In reality, it was a venue to scout for marriage prospects.
And since the Anette family was rumored to profit off their children, Yufina was surely being pressured into a marriage with some high-ranking noble.
Then Mabel appeared, stirring up her jealousy and anxiety.
‘The kids are one problem, but the parents are hopeless too. No wonder they don’t interfere. Any scandal would ruin their use of the gathering… Wait, then why did Viscount Metokan…?’
As that question clicked into place like a puzzle piece, Mabel—having finished her milk—suddenly asked me,
“Godmother… was it your dream to become the matriarch?”
A childlike, abstract question. But I immediately understood what she meant.
“You’re wondering if I had other paths?”
“Yes.”
“Well…”
This world may have magic, but it was still merciless.
Human rights, love, morality—none of it was like a fairy tale.
Even at the supposedly merit-based Capital Academy, gender and race followed one like a brand.
How could I lightly tell her to dream big, that marriage wasn’t the only answer?
Yufina and the children of the Western Sun had simply learned that fact too early.
And as for Mabel…
“There was one more path. To abandon everything and run away, or to follow the path set for me.”
“Which did you choose?”
“The latter. The other choice didn’t work out.”
“…Did you regret it?”
I had tried. I had attempted to rebuild the family, but all ended in failure.
The only conclusion was that the world was unforgiving.
‘Come to think of it, someone did help me back then…’
I tried to recall, but Mabel was waiting for my answer.
“I regretted it. I still wonder if I could’ve done better, if giving up was really the right choice… That’s why, Mabel, you mustn’t give up.”
“But what if I try and still fail?”
“Then that’s when I’ll say, ‘Oh well, can’t be helped!’ and laugh it off.”
My unexpectedly optimistic answer made her blink.
Her expression was so much like a startled squirrel that I found myself patting her head.
“Mabel, this might be hard for you to grasp now… but when you give something up, you need a justification. To be able to say you’ve done enough, that it’s okay to let go.”
It wasn’t the sort of advice a teacher should give.
But for a child who had already learned about choices, there wasn’t much comfort I could offer.
I could only add a little counsel, so she wouldn’t blame herself too harshly.
“Effort isn’t only for success—it’s also preparation for failure. That way… there’s no need to fear it so much.”
I could guess what she must have felt watching Yufina.
Every child eventually runs into such a wall.
When I withdrew my hand, Mabel clasped hers together and whispered almost like a prayer,
“…But if I fail, will my parents still understand?”
“Yes, of course.”
On this question, I could answer firmly.
Otherwise, why would they scold her with, “I don’t understand you,” instead of simply ignoring her?
Truly indifferent parents—parents unwilling to understand—wouldn’t even say that much.
‘And if not, I’ll make them understand.’
Hiding my true thoughts, I gave Mabel a reassuring smile.
Mabel, comforted, smiled back.
It was the first time I saw such a childlike smile from her.
“I’ll try harder. I’ll become a great inventor that Mother can be proud of, I’ll become head of the family… and help her. Because we’re family, and even as an inventor…”
She drew in a deep breath and clenched her fist tightly.
“I’ll prove we can be happy. That the path you chose wasn’t wrong.”
Silently, I nodded.
‘So that’s it after all.’
With Mabel’s resolve, the puzzle was complete.
I finally understood what Viscountess Metokan wanted for her daughter.
She didn’t want Mabel to be just a “good daughter” or a “genius inventor.”
If she had, she would’ve ordered her to study, or to keep inventing.
There was no need to send her to the Western Sun to make friends.
She wanted Mabel to grow up as an ordinary person.
Someone who could live happily, regardless of titles like “genius” or “inventor.”
‘I thought she was rational, but she’s a mother after all.’
Don’t live the way I did.
A common phrase, but one that often leaves deep scars on children. She was living it out with her own hands.
“…Mabel, it’s about time to go back. It’s late. I’ll escort you home.”
“Huh? But I can go alone…”
“No, I want to see you home. Besides, I have something to say to Viscountess Metokan.”
I covered my lips with a finger and grinned.
When Mabel tilted her head in confusion, I called Anna to prepare the carriage.
“Oh, and Mabel. Can you do me a favor? If you still have that thing, could you give it to me once we arrive at your house?”
“That thing…?”
I whispered my request into her ear.
Mabel tilted her head, not understanding why I needed it, but there was no time to explain—Anna had quickly prepared the carriage.
‘Well then, time for a home visit.’
Holding Mabel’s hand, I left the study.
* * *
Lady of House Metokan, Meleona Metokan, was once again holed up in her laboratory.
Any worries or burdens always disappeared once she entered this place.
To forget the nightmare she had the night before, she hadn’t stepped out all day.
But today, the memories clung to her more viciously.
‘Ignoring me again, are you?’
The figure of the man she wished she could erase from her past surfaced.
Her husband—once remembered as handsome, but now appearing with a twisted face.
In her dream, he mocked her as he always did.
‘Sorry I couldn’t understand such simple terminology. Unlike you, I came from nothing and never got an education.’
‘No, that’s not what I meant…’
‘Do you know how I’m treated thanks to your grand presentations? Hah, “poor woman, suffering with her useless husband.” Congratulations on being so brilliant.’
At least this time, in her dream, he hadn’t come too close.
And thankfully, she had woken before seeing herself beg pathetically for his affection.
Once, she had loved him. But that love had destroyed her.
It had robbed her of her pride, her strength—everything.
An inventor praised even by the Emperor, reduced to a groveling wife unloved by her husband—she wanted nothing more than to forget that terrible memory.
“Calsemo—”
With her hair tied back messily by a rubber band, she called her steward.
She had meant to ask for a drink, but someone else walked in.
“My lady, did you call?”
“Ah, right. Calsemo went with Mabel.”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
She had forgotten. Only now did she recall the report that her daughter was attending the Western Sun gathering.
Wiping the cold sweat from her brow, she gestured.
“Bring me a drink. Doesn’t need to be cold.”
“But my lady, you’ve already had today’s allotment…”
“Bring it. Don’t make me repeat myself.”
“…As you command.”
The butler bowed with a troubled look and left.
On any other day, her servants’ worry and loyalty would have comforted her.
But not today.
‘If it were Calsemo, we’d have argued by now.’
Calsemo would have clung to her in tears, begging.
She would have snapped at him, then later regretted it and apologized.
Perhaps it was better that he had gone out.
She didn’t want to wound him anymore.
‘Understanding? Ridiculous. Who could ever understand a freak like you?’
“…Damn it.”
The voice of that man returned, souring her mood again.
She pressed her hands over her ears and sat down, closing her eyes.
If she endured like this, her feelings usually settled.
‘You’re the one ruining my reputation. Swallow your pride—apologize! Do you think I’m asking too much?’
‘Stop it…’
‘That pride of yours is more important than me? In the end, what’s an inventor worth, if even the Emperor—’
As the thought of tearing her ears off overwhelmed her, the lab door opened.
Her butler stood there, holding a tray with a large bottle and an empty glass.
“My lady, forgive me, but…”
“Give it here.”
She leapt from her chair, snatching the bottle from his hands.
At least pouring into a glass was the last shred of restraint she kept.
Like a traveler finding an oasis, she filled her glass with the amber liquid and drained it in one gulp.
Gulp—
The burning sensation spread through her, and the phantom voices began to fade.
“M-My lady. Outside, right now…”
The butler tried to explain, but she was already clutching bottle and glass, turning away.
She meant to head back to her desk, silently commanding him to shut the door.
But then—
“Stop right there.”
“…?”
A calm, commanding voice cut through her confusion.
Startled, Meleona turned her head.
At that moment, someone snatched the drink from her hand.
“…Godmother?”
The one who had taken her bottle—her liquor—was none other than Wilhelmina.
Her voice was laced with exasperation as she spoke.
“Good heavens, this is worse than I imagined… That’s it, this is confiscated.”
“W-Wait, why is the godmother here? That’s mine—”
“I don’t listen to alcoholics. Sit down. Have a glass of cold water instead. Don’t bother resisting—right now, the head butler is on my side.”
What was this? Some kind of thug barging in?
Meleona stared at Wilhelmina in blank dismay.
