Chapter 124: Home
The reunion with the Collins ladies took place in a flash. The fact that my mother is in the living room means that Mrs. Kearney is with her, and Mrs. Kearneys voice is good enough to permeate into Julias secret space under the stairs.
I expected the baptism of questions to begin as soon as we met, but we only shared urgent and deep hugs.
I think it was a pretty dramatic scene even now. Mrs. Kearney, Julia, and finally my mother burst into tears and therefore I couldnt have been an exception.
After the uproar, it was still a little early for dinner. The Collins ladies and I sat down at the old table.
After the story of Florins summer and autumn that passed without a hitch (though, of course, the social world was buzzing with it), the story that the royal family sent letters twice because of me, and the story of my great-aunts funeral, there was only one topic left.
So
Finally, the time has come for a barrage of questions.
You gave up studying abroad because of someone you met in the Principality, and so far, youve been with him at his house.
Yes, thats right.
Oh, my God.
Mrs. Kearney blinked again and again in shock, unlike the person who joked that she wanted a Lunoian son-in-law.
Well, that was to be expected. My past days were nothing but an escape from love, not studying abroad. Its even the kingdom of Sorne and Im Melissa, the only daughter and unmarried lady, who never knew a single man.
There was such a heavy silence that the sound of Julia biting her nails could be heard clearly.
Who is he?
It was my mother who broke the silence.
If he had taken care of you, I guess he would have a lot of money. Is he a low-ranking nobleman?
Not a noble
My mothers eyes narrowed further at my answer.
Then what is he? What kind of man is he that you Sigh.
.
My mother couldnt speak anymore. She was probably writing the worst-case scenario in her head, but Mrs. Kerney wouldnt be able to bring it up further, even if she was listening to Julia.
Miss! Hes a Lunoian, right?
Then Julias bright voice rang out.
Then did you fall in love at first sight? Where did you meet him?
Oh, thats On board the ship to the Principality.
Such a romantic thing! Im sure he must have asked you to marry him?
Well
As I blurred my words, Julia widened her round eyes as if urging an answer. Did she not notice at all that everyone except her was giving off unusual energy? I envied that innocence in a sense.
Julia.
At that moment, my mother opened her mouth.
Will you help to prepare the meal?
Ah! Thats right, Julia. Can you help me? Lets see.
Mrs. Kerney jumped to her feet and winked at Julia urgently. Julia, with a surprised look, rose up following her.
Melissa.
Yes, Mom.
Follow me.
And I followed my mother to the room, too. The old table was empty before I knew it.
* * *
My mother lit a candle half melted in the dark. As soon as the bright light spread, a low-voiced question flew in.
So, are you here to get permission to marry?
.
Come to think of it, my mother, who once shouted for marriage and pounded her chest, has stopped yelling and nagging at me.
Even though it was a change as if she had become a different person, I thought it was only for health reasons. Otherwise, my mother has finally begun to respect my dreams.
But now I know. The influence of my fathers incident on my mothers change may not be insignificant.
Is that so, Melissa? Hm?
My mother who asked that question seemed a little distressed. Her barely squeezing voice trembled.
But it was equally painful for me, who couldnt just say that the man was Alan Leopold.
I dont know about marriage yet.
Melissa, you
Mom.
It is difficult to tell a story that is not certain. But I didnt want to show my mother my hesitation now.
Even on the ship heading to the kingdom, in the carriage running here, I pondered the words for this moment.
Love is something you never know.
.
But Im sure hes in love with me right now. So do I.
I had a fleeting thought of how it would have been if Alan had been here with me, holding his hand and saying,
I know that you will feel anxious because these are the only words after returning. I am a young daughter who has just passed the coming of age.
You know it well.
But I actually knew this, too. Even before I went to the Principality, you didnt feel comfortable.
What do you mean?
And now it was really time to tell the story of the mother and daughter that had been postponed.
Mom, I heard about father.
What?
At that moment, my mothers face was filled with shock and sorrow. I looked at the amplification of emotions that spread like drops of ink in the water with stunned eyes. I felt more miserable than I thought.
I heard it from my great-aunt when I went to ArchHill. She probably thought I had known.
.
Even if you told me the truth, I would have tried to cheer you up. Im your only daughter..
Unintentionally, an upset voice went out.
Mother and daughter are not used to having deep conversations, so sometimes I felt more comfortable with Mrs. Kerney. However, this disappointment clearly stems from my affection for my mother.
I quickly added a sincere word. I had to try to keep my voice from shaking.
I know you must have had a hard time, but I know you hid it because you thought of me who was weak-hearted. Thank you very much.
Even if it was meant to keep me from feeling skeptical about marriage, so that I could eventually find a decent husband and help the family, my gratitude remains the same.
Even though the marriage was pushed for a living, my mother tried to find happiness in it. Thanks to this, I grew up in a cozy peace without noticing anything that happened between my parents until I became an adult.
It may not be enough to simply describe it in terms of effort.
Mrs. Collinss small fence-like happiness, which she has kept despite my familys decline due to my fathers sudden fraud. It must have been shattered the moment her husband left home and started a family with another woman.
People like me cant even imagine what its like to hide that trembling frustration without sharing it with your one and only blood.
Im sorry.
But my mother apologized to me.
Because I couldnt keep this family perfectly.
Why, why are you apologizing?
If I had been a better wife, I wouldnt have given you a half-family.
Mom, its not your fault.
I hate the way women think here. Even more so when I realize that Ive already been mixed in here undeniably.
Even my stubborn great-aunt told me not to trust men. Men are a race that cannot be satisfied with one woman. So even if I marry in pursuit of love, I will only be hurt if I trust a man.
.
My mother sighed shallowly with a complex face. She also seemed to be recalling the cruel Viscountess Josephine, who did not say that in her lifetime.
After hearing that, and knowing about me and your father, didnt it hurt you to love that man?
I.
You must have been surprised, too. You never dreamed that your father would be that kind of person.
My mother who said so looked sad and seemed a little shy, but the voice that followed was endlessly friendly.
I must say, Melissa, love cannot exist without faith.
Mom is right. Maybe one day, hell change, because hes a man. Im not sure Ill marry him, but Im sure theres nothing more sad about it. However.
I suppressed my trembling heart and added in a clear tone.
Nevertheless, I love him. Hes more precious to me than any miracle.
.
Dont worry too much, Mom. I wont turn down my dream just because I love him. Even if Im alone again.
Its really, I dont want to imagine.
So that I can stand up without falling down, Mom.
Just like you who did it brilliantly.
Whoo.
The mother, who sighed deeply with her dry lips, said,
Its hard to find a good marriage partner since youve been with a stranger for several months.
Mom
Im not scolding you. It means you dont have to come back. Arent you trying to say youre going back to the Principality?
My mother brought up the topic that I had never thought of.
Since I heard of your disappearance, I keep praying that you have left my oppression and gone to find your freedom. Id rather you hate this house.
Ah
If my daughter can be safe like that. So I prayed every day with tears.
I took out a handkerchief from the inside of my arms and handed it over, biting my lip tightly in a sense of guilt that spread to my toes. My mother said, pressing down her tears.
I wont stop you no matter what you do now. This was the first thing I wanted to say when you came back...
.
Dont compromise because of your family or because of your ugly mothers shadow, and pursue your happiness. By your choice. Do you understand?
There was a skinny hand that touched my cheek as she asked me.
Before I could say this, my mother would have walked on an endless thorny path. Thinking about it, my eyes gradually turned sour.
Mom, I actually only think about him who will be waiting for me in the Principality even now.. Oh, Im a fool, and Im afraid that this love may end in failure, but.
Its all right, Mel. You can come back home then.
Home. I hugged my mothers thin body tightly with the magical word. I have a house to come back to. When I reflected on the fact, my dark mind seemed to be colored with a bright light.
In my mothers laid-back arms, I found relief that I had never felt anywhere. It was an endless and longing warmth that seemed to have regained what was lost a long time ago throughout my life.
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