Chapter 815
Chapter 815
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 815
Chapter Title: Amelia's Dream (2)
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1.
A strange tension hung in the air as Siu introduced himself.
"I'm Shin Siu, and I've been dating Lady Amelia for just over a year. I was originally a public slave from Gehenna, but by a stroke of chance, I became a witch. Ah, back in the present world, I earned a master's degree from a top engineering school and was pursuing my PhD."
It was his first time meeting his mother-in-law.
He had no real sense of how these things went, since it was his first rodeo...
But his top priority was to prove his worth to Malika Merigold, Amelia's master.
Credentials, salary, abilities—he wanted her to recognize him first and foremost as a capable son-in-law.
How often did moments this important come along?
"That's right, Master. Siu is truly amazing. He reached a power worthy of an archwitch in just a few years."
"Is that so? A male witch, just like I'd heard?"
"Yes, that's correct."
Especially since he was the only man to achieve the status of archwitch.
What had once been shackles or penalties throwing him into all sorts of dangers was now a merit no other man could claim.
So he had some confidence on that front.
Every witch except her master had been stunned to learn Siu was a male witch.
Whether overt or subtle, most looked at him with the curious gaze of someone who'd discovered a rare research specimen.
"Really? That's impressive."
But contrary to Siu's expectations, Malika just smiled faintly.
Surprisingly, there was no shock or the signature witch's thirst for knowledge in that smile.
"So, how did you two meet?"
Instead, she leaned forward slightly, asking with clear curiosity.
She didn't seem all that interested in how capable Siu was; she just wanted to hear the love story.
Siu, who was usually modest but had geared up for some full American-style self-promotion today, felt a bit thrown off.
Was this how it usually went?
"If it wouldn't be rude, I'd love to hear your story."
"Not at all. No rudeness there."
And Amelia seemed just as flustered as Siu.
Their first meeting wasn't sweet or particularly ideal.
It was old history to them now, but who knew how a third party would take it.
Siu pondered for a moment before speaking up.
"Truth be told, we didn't start off on great terms."
"Oh?"
"Lady Amelia was an associate professor back then... and she gave slave-me absolute hell. Right?"
"That's mean, Siu..."
She'd suddenly demanded he attend her at night, then boiled him alive with scoldings the moment he refused.
It was a maddening collab born from Amelia and Siu's clumsiness plus the power imbalance.
Back then, he never imagined it'd evolve into this.
"My daughter does have her awkward sides, doesn't she?"
Just as he'd hoped, the mood lightened up cheerfully.
Malika burst into lively laughter, covering her mouth, while Amelia looked downright miserable.
Siu went on to spill all of Associate Professor Amelia's wild injustices in rapid fire.
The bare-handed deer-catching challenge. Assigning him to clean the research building just so they'd be alone.
The masturbation lessons... were a bit too awkward to mention.
Amelia's expression shifted from pouty to on the verge of tears.
Still, it really hit home how far their relationship had come.
They'd accepted each other's faults, forgiven, understood—so now they could tease about it.
If it'd been back at their first reunion, Amelia might've already wailed pitifully and bolted from the cabin.
"Amelia's one thing, but you're pretty oblivious yourself, aren't you, Siu?"
"Exactly!"
Amelia perked up at her master's rare vote of support.
"Still, you were in the wrong, Amelia. How can you torment someone you like like that?"
"Even you, Master...?"
"I might be oblivious, but there was no way I could've picked up on it."
He subtly took Amelia's hand under the table, now that she'd lost her ally.
A reassuring interlocking of fingers.
"Who could've imagined such a beautiful witch liked me? No way."
Amelia bloomed into a full smile at Siu's playful words, while Malika laughed uproariously, thinking 'You're even more of a sap than me.'
"I hate you, Siu."
Flustered by her master's booming laughter again, Amelia soon shyly twisted her body and leaned her head on Siu's shoulder.
"Well, what matters most is how things are now, right?"
"True that."
The story after that jumped ahead a bit.
That time had probably made this possible, but it didn't feel right for such a nice gathering, and Amelia probably wouldn't want it brought up anyway.
"So... Ah! I almost forgot. How old are you, Siu?"
It was a somewhat abrupt segue, but of course she noticed...
This was the wise, insightful master from Amelia's memories, knowingly letting it slide.
"Twenty-eight in Korean age."
"Amelia, you're in for it now! My daughter's a thief, a total thief."
Mother-in-law.
She was having a blast.
Meanwhile, he'd never seen strong-willed Amelia so flustered and speechless.
It must be because she trusted and revered her that much.
As coffee cups emptied and refilled, questions and answers flew back and forth.
Mostly innocent stuff like what they liked about each other—no tricky questions, but the inevitable one arrived.
"So, how far have you two gone?"
"Cough...!"
"Sorry, I didn't catch that?"
Amelia choked perfectly on cue, and Siu was thoroughly flustered.
Did these questions really come up like this?
"Look at you squirming. You heard me fine."
It felt like a joke masking real intent, yet somehow sloppy too.
She had a sneaky playful side he hadn't noticed.
"No comment."
As Siu tried to dodge politely.
Amelia, like the model student hearing "Hands up if you didn't do your homework," blurted it out.
"...We've done it all, Master."
"Lady Amelia?"
"But Siu did nothing wrong! I... I seduced him first... And we're dating with marriage in mind, so..."
"Lady Amelia...!"
Malika, who hadn't expected her tease to blow up like this, stared at Amelia with saucer eyes.
Siu was trying to get the suddenly standing Amelia to sit back down.
But Amelia barreled on, oblivious, at full speed with no brakes.
"You told me to be cautious about intimacy for three years after marriage, Master, but after seeing the present world, people don't do that anymore. That was centuries ago. For a deep, serious love, instead..."
"...Lady Amelia, Lady Amelia...! Please!"
Please stop!
I get you're excited, but don't preach the virtues of premarital sex in front of my mother-in-law!
He'd thought their hearts synced pretty well by now.
Tragically, Siu's telepathy didn't reach Amelia.
"It's better to aim for a proper relationship than cover it up later!"
"Ah..."
"Anyway, it's absolutely nothing shameful or disrespectful!"
She said it with such conviction, but her face was beet red.
Siu looked at Malika in despair.
And felt a little relieved.
Malika was biting her lower lip hard.
Her cheeks were puffed like volleyballs full of air.
She was holding back laughter.
"Hoo... haaah..."
After a deep breath to compose herself, Malika spoke.
"Good job. I'm so relieved, Amelia."
"Yes, just as you said, Master. I'm loving him with all my heart, no regrets."
Amelia rushed through most of it, but lingered clearly on the last line.
2.
The meeting with Malika ended more anticlimactically than expected.
Not in a disappointing way, just outside his predictions—and far from wasted time.
After tea time wrapped up, they dove into a full cabin cleanup.
"Magic's convenient, sure. But moving your body has its own rewards."
At Malika's insistence, all three rolled up their sleeves.
They wiped dust from every nook and cranny, washed baking dishes.
Changed bedsheets and duvets, even stuffed feather pillows by hand.
He'd thought it before, but sharing housework really made him feel like a true family member.
Amelia, who rarely smiled so much, was beaming the whole time.
Chatting idly with her master, giggling, occasionally pranking—it showed their bond went beyond master-disciple or mother-daughter, more like sisters.
Siu smiled watching them.
He chimed in now and then.
By the time they'd bustled through the cleaning, night had fallen.
Siu and Amelia had changed into pajamas, while Malika...
Was already packed to leave.
A large suitcase and thick shawl.
His heart sank.
It felt like a play ending abruptly due to an unexpected mishap.
"Lady Malika? Where are you going?"
Malika didn't answer.
Instead, Amelia sidled up, gripping Siu's hand tightly.
Her fingertips trembled faintly.
"Amelia."
"Yes, Master."
"Did you know?"
"Yes. You're off on another long journey, aren't you?"
"Yeah, it's a shame. I wanted to stay with you... Amelia."
"If you apologize, I'll get mad. No need to worry."
The homunculus-crafted dream painted an ideal paradise.
This—her long-absent master leaving again—wasn't the ideal Amelia would've dreamed up unknowingly.
So then...
Turning in surprise, he saw Amelia's profile.
A resolute facade masking a babyish face about to burst into tears.
"Because now Siu's here in this cabin."
In the cabin holding her happiest memories, Amelia prepared to see her off, holding Siu's hand.
"Right? Yeah, that settles it."
Malika sighed in relief, looking at Amelia.
"I'm happy. And from now on, I'll be even happier than this. Happier than anyone."
Amelia didn't shed tears.
Instead, she steadfastly tugged her lips into a smile.
"Good, Mom believes in her girl."
As Malika nodded, space rippled.
Like stage lights dimming, the moonlit scene outside faded to darkness.
"Time for me to go."
"Mom."
"Yeah?"
"I love you."
"Why say it like that, you're embarrassing me. I love you tons too."
After a deep hug and a kiss to Amelia's forehead, Malika turned away.
She walked off without looking back, like an actor exiting stage.
When Malika's silhouette shrank to a dot and vanished.
Siu, who'd held his breath watching, asked worriedly.
"Did you know from the start...?"
Amelia shook her head firmly.
"I realized when I took your hand."
Tears beaded on her rosy cheeks, but hearing her answer, he knew no "You okay?" was needed.
Her voice held an unwavering resolve stronger than ever.
"Thank you, Siu."
Amelia's little head thunked onto Siu's shoulder.