Mommy's Kiss and Elania's Cold Welcome
A perfectly chaste kiss, devoid of any particular emotion.
"Mommy. How's your body? You okay? Are you still hurting anywhere—"
"I told you I'm fine. The wounds have all healed, and the poison's completely gone. So stop clinging to me already."
"You're not just saying that to keep me from worrying, are you...?"
"...I said no."
Ever since that incident where she suffered a major injury, Kael's attitude had subtly shifted. Up until now, he'd just been throwing tantrums or acting spoiled without a care for who was watching. But lately, he'd stick to her out of the blue, pouring out his worries, then suddenly wrap his arms around her waist and burrow into her like he was hanging on for dear life. And at other moments, he'd fidget restlessly as if chased by anxiety, repeating actions he wouldn't normally do.
Even during meals, he'd plaster himself right next to Aurelia, cutting her meat into tiny pieces and feeding it to her.
It was endearing and impressive in equal measure.
...But it also felt like grasping a thread so fragile it might snap at any moment.
—Peek peek...
It was the same now. After a brief greeting to the servants and a short chat with Adelaide, just as she was heading to the greenhouse she often visited, Kael had been trailing diligently behind her from some point, like a chick following its mother bird. It was almost admirable, the way he was so determined to keep up.
...What's gotten into him all of a sudden.
She'd be leaving the North soon. Instead of chatting more with the Grand Duke he adored so much or exploring the area further, he kept chasing after her heels. From a mother's perspective, the sight stirred an odd unease—like watching a time bomb that could go off at any second, tightening her chest for no reason.
"......"
—Plop plop plop...
Upon arriving at the greenhouse, Aurelia let out a quiet sigh. It was a space she sought whenever she was badly hurt or her mind was in turmoil. Part of it was because she hated spending money on potions, but it was also perfect since the most powerful and reliable of her former comrades ran the place.
She swept her gaze around once, then headed deep into the foliage. There were chairs set aside and things to look at, after all.
But more than anything...
"Kael."
"Eek...!"
"Come here."
This place had only one entrance and exit. In other words, a single doorway. No escape.
A structure where she could catch Kael if he tried to run from her.
Leaning back in her chair, she called his name, and Kael—who'd frozen in surprise—stiffened up completely. Like a kid who'd thought he'd hidden perfectly, only to get caught.
But after following her all this way, how could she not notice?
Kael rolled his eyes this way and that, his face flushing bright red as he hung his head and shuffled over.
"Sit beside me."
"O-okay..."
She patted the seat next to her lightly. Kael hesitated for a moment before cautiously scooting over and perching on the edge.
Looking down at him, Aurelia silently reached out and gently stroked his hair.
"Still worried?"
"...Y-yeah... What if Mommy gets hurt..."
"Kael. I'm a hero. Normal poisons don't faze me, and even fatal wounds heal on their own if left alone. You know that, right?"
"B-but... I still worry..."
"What's so worrisome? The wounds are all healed, and that was two days ago already."
She narrowed her eyes slightly.
"You don't have some secret you can't tell me, do you?"
"...It feels like... everything bad that happens to Mommy is my fault... And all the times she's been hurt so far... it seems like it's because of me..."
Kael fidgeted, pressing his two index fingers together. His every word dripped with raw anxiety, plain as day.
She'd told him several times already. It wasn't his fault. No need to apologize.
Yet here he was, fidgeting and repeating the same things.
Looking down at him, Aurelia finally let out a long sigh.
—Grab!
"Eek?!"
She couldn't just watch anymore. She'd held back long enough—it was time to act.
She grabbed the waist of Kael, who was squirming beside her, and lifted him right up. Then, as if it were the most natural thing, she settled him carefully on her lap.
"E-eek...?"
"...Well, you're my son and all, but I guess I do have looks that draw the eye."
"Huh...? Mmph..."
She cupped both his cheeks in one hand, squishing them until his lips puffed out like a crucian carp's. His sparkling eyes blinked rapidly in confusion.
He never cared about stares usually, but up close like this, he floundered adorably, and it made her want to chuckle.
"...Son, do you love me?"
"Huh...? W-what's that all of a sudden...?"
"Just what I asked. Do you love me?"
Her voice was calm as she repeated it, leaving no room for retreat.
Kael's face, caught off guard by the sudden question, began to flush pink. Heat radiated through her fingertips on his cheeks.
"...I love you... I love you so, so much..."
"...I see."
Aurelia's gaze settled softly.
"Then no problem. I love you, and you love me."
"Huh...? What do you—"
Before he could finish, her face drew near. Her breath warmed his skin. His soft, sweet lips glistened as they parted slightly. Sweet breath brushed his nose, and his breath hitched.
Kael's eyes went wide.
She tilted his chin up gently, ensuring no escape, and pressed her lips to his—tenderly, slowly, carefully.
—Mwah...
Finally parting their lips, Aurelia quickly averted her eyes and covered her mouth with the back of her hand.
"...Whew. This is... more embarrassing than I thought... Don't get any weird ideas. A mother can do this much for her son..."
She added it casually, as if it were nothing. But she couldn't stop her own face from heating up pink.
"...Hic... gulp..."
Kael, who'd been staring blankly as he processed it all, swallowed hard. The shock short-circuited his brain.
"Why are you staring like that... Say something."
"...M-Mommy... I... I love you so much... So, so much..."
"No need to say it like it's new... I love you tons too."
"...So..."
Kael hesitated, then spoke up.
"Can you... do it one more time...? Kiss..."
"......"
Aurelia's gaze paused. Kael wriggled deeper into her embrace. His face, flushed and dazed from a kiss he'd never received before, floated dreamily. He lifted his head, gazing at her.
The dangerously sweet rose scent brushing his nose. The soft sensation that now felt somewhat familiar.
Looking down at it all, Aurelia quietly pressed her lips together. She gently cupped his small chin again, pulled the child on her lap close, and slowly tilted her head.
"Already leaving? You usually stay a week. That's way faster than I expected."
"No real reason to stick around. The founding festival's coming up soon, and there's lots to prepare. We'll see each other then."
"Hmm~ So the engagement's off for good, huh."
"...Yeah. Absolutely."
"Too bad."
Lady Adelaide shrugged with a smirk. Her neatly tailored uniform and flowing sky-blue hair matched perfectly with the vast white snowfields stretching behind her.
After a bit more chat, she glanced down at me and stepped closer, casually ruffling my hair.
"Come visit again sometime. Don't come alone though—it'd be too much. Bring your mom next time."
"Hehe~ Okay! I definitely will, Your Grace!"
"If no one's watching, you could call me auntie. It'd be nice to see your face again."
The Northern Grand Duke in person was way softer and more emotional than I'd imagined. She'd give me snacks when I dropped by bored, or even hand over her favorite jewels sometimes. What a great person... My ultimate fave for sure! Nothing wrong with picking an idol even in real life.
My idol is none other than Lady Adelaide...
"...Ahem."
Mommy, who'd been watching the head-patting quietly, cleared her throat. I flinched, pulled away from the hand, and grabbed Mommy's hand tightly with both of mine.
...My real idol is Mommy, not the Grand Duke...
"Oh my. You two looked awkward yesterday, but what happened to make you so close? Hmm, Aurelia?"
"...What are you imagining between a mother and son? We just talked a bit."
"Sure. Says the woman who wouldn't even hug her own daughters."
"...Quiet."
"Pfft... Never thought I'd see the stoic Aurelia like this. Even when her whole body was soaked in deadly poison, she just calmly pulled out the antidote."
Lady Adelaide giggled, reminiscing about the past. Mommy, uncharacteristically, blushed and looked embarrassed.
"Don't tease Mommy!"
"Oh, alright. I'll stop. How could I tease when her adorable son says not to? Us mothers gotta stick together."
"...I'll definitely come back next time! Hehe."
She opened her mouth at my words, then smiled and waved.
Behind her, Prelia peeked out from behind a wall, giving a tiny wave. Ever since I'd fallen asleep in her arms last time, she'd been freezing up and trembling whenever she saw Mommy. Probably because she's the hero? No need to be that scared though. My mom is super kind and gentle.
I waved lightly to Prelia too, saying goodbye.
With that, we boarded the carriage. Insulated with warming magic, the outer chill didn't touch us.
"Hug me, Mommy!"
"...Come here."
I bounced toward her open arms, and after blinking a few times, she pulled me straight into her embrace. Warm... soft... fragrant... Being held always made me melt into a fluffy daze.
"Mommy, one more... kiss please."
"...Didn't I give you several this morning?"
"Yeah... But I love Mommy so much? I'm gonna marry you when I grow up? You did it at breakfast, so do it for lunch too..."
"...Just this once."
"Hehe, Mommy's the best..."
"Have you arrived, Lady? We've prepared your quarters. Let us know if you need anything."
"Good. Thanks."
And so we returned home. The Dullahan housekeeper, who'd come out to greet us, guided us inside.
"Oh, little bro's back! You look even cuter after so long~"
"Ugu... Don't pull my cheeks..."
"Feels even bouncier after all this time~"
"Pbuu..."
Serdi sis, whom I hadn't seen in ages. As usual, she snuck up without warning and stretched my cheeks like mochi. I flailed my arms in protest.
Why does she always grab my cheeks? My face isn't dough...
"Oh yeah, Kael. Got some good news. Wanna hear?"
"Huh? What?"
"The academy's end-of-term ceremony is soon."
"And?"
"What else? Our sis is coming home! She's just a year older, so no early graduation yet. Time to see her face after so long."
"!"
Third sis... That'd be Elania, right? The kindest one in my memories, the one I spent the most time with. The source of my fondest recollections.
My heart pounded fiercely.
And so, on the day itself. In the pre-dawn darkness, I slipped out first, relying on my sharp hearing to greet her before anyone else. No one would notice I'd gone out in the early morning.
A faint silhouette appeared in the distance. I waved and called out loudly.
"Elania sis~! Welcome back~!"
"...Shut your trap. Too damn loud. Screaming your head off at dawn? Where does a puny boy like you get off staring at a girl like that? Scram."
"...Huh...?"
Tears welled up instantly.