The moment she heard I’d returned to the sanctuary, she immediately got on a carriage to see me.
Her pristine, elegant figure appeared, and I couldn’t help but call out warmly, “Mother!”
Or should I say “Madam”...?
I hesitated for a moment, realizing what I had just said.
Catching my uncertainty, Rearwin gave a faint, bittersweet smile.
“Thank you for coming back safely from the Demon Realm. I never imagined you’d be caught up in Magi. I thought you were simply delayed from coming home for other reasons. How difficult must it have been for you?”
“....”
Mother.
Her words caused a lump to form in my throat, and my vision blurred with tears.
“How difficult must it have been?”
That simple question broke me apart.
She had unknowingly touched the most fragile part of me.
“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry....”
Drip.
I lowered my head as tears fell against my will.
I didn’t deserve comfort from her. Yet, just seeing her and hearing her gentle voice brought tears to my eyes.
If Meteor were to see me like this, he’d surely think I was mocking his mother further.
But I couldn’t help it.
My father was so far away, and sometimes, I just needed a bit of warmth like this.
Though I was deceiving her, I selfishly sought solace in her kindness.
“Centi.”
Rearwin softly called my name and gently pulled me into her arms.
She wrapped her delicate frame around me, patting my back with a light touch.
Pat, pat.
Her small hands cradled me as my tears flowed endlessly, like a spring that refused to dry.
Why was I crying like this?
I didn’t want to cry, so why were the tears falling so uncontrollably?
After a while, I pulled away from her embrace and hastily wiped my tears with my sleeves.
“I’m sorry. It’s just... I was so happy to see you.”
“....”
Rearwin gazed at me for a moment, her expression full of tender concern.
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“Are you feeling alright? You’re not hurt, are you?”
I nodded once.
“Yes, I’m fine. Thankfully, nothing happened. I’m sorry for worrying you.”
“Centi.”
She called my name again with such kindness, holding one of my hands in hers. Her touch was soothing, almost like a balm for my soul.
“You never have to apologize to me. Nothing in this world is your fault. I believe that with all my heart.”
“....”
“Coming back from the Demon Realm unharmed—it’s just like our Centi.”
She smiled brightly, as if trying to lighten the mood.
I struggled to hold back my tears.
If I started crying again, I might not be able to stop.
“Nothing in this world is your fault. I believe that with all my heart.”
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She wasn’t even my real mother, yet she comforted me as if she knew everything about me.
Despite my efforts, tears rolled down my cheeks again.
Before they could fall any further, Rearwin took out a handkerchief and wiped my face.
“Oh dear, it feels like I’m the one doing something wrong. I’ve turned our Centi into a crybaby.”
“No, it’s okay. I’m fine now.”
I alternated between wiping my tears with my sleeves and forcing a smile to reassure her.
Rearwin gave me a gentle, sympathetic smile and stroked my hand.
“Meteor told me what happened before you went to the Demon Realm. You must’ve been so shocked.”
“....”
I hesitated, unsure of what to say.
It was a lie, after all.
The thought of deceiving her yet again left me tongue-tied.
When I didn’t respond, she continued.
“I would’ve been just as shocked. It’s something I never could’ve imagined. I like to think I’m perceptive, but I had no idea. Neither did Father or Miles. We’ve all been so uneasy since.”
Of course they were.
Hearing that their biological son had feelings for an adopted daughter must’ve been earth-shattering.
Even if she spoke lightly, I could tell the family had suffered greatly.
“We felt so sorry for you and Meteor. It’s our fault for not being more attentive. We focused too much on adult matters and not enough on you two.”
“That’s not true. You’ve been so kind to me. I don’t even know how to express my gratitude. I’m the one who should be apologizing for causing such trouble.”
“....”
Rearwin said nothing for a while, simply stroking my hand.
Her touch was warm and soft, and I selfishly wished it would last forever.
Eventually, she spoke, her voice heavy with hesitation.
“Centi.”
“....”
“Meteor said you’ve never thought of him that way. Is that true?”
“...Yes.”
I answered briefly, unable to meet her eyes.
“I care about Meteor. I care about him a lot. But I’ve never thought of him in that way.”
Meteor was genuinely a good person.
I truly thought the world of him.
But I was also being honest—I had never considered him in a romantic light.
Besides, I had no room in my life for such emotions, even if it weren’t about him.
Rearwin gave a faint, bittersweet smile.
“I see. I just wanted to ask. It’s only natural for Meteor to have feelings for you. Who wouldn’t love someone as wonderful as you?”
No, Mother.
Meteor doesn’t have feelings for me.
If anything, he despises me now. He probably sees me as nothing more than a demon.
Pretending to like me must’ve been unbearable for him.
I wished I could tell her the truth, but I couldn’t.
“Still, he shouldn’t have felt that way. But I suppose you can’t control how someone feels. I couldn’t even scold him for it. All I feel is how sorry I am for you, Centi. But if it’s alright with you, could you continue living in our household as part of the family?”
“...What?”
Her question caught me completely off guard, and I looked up at her.
Her violet eyes were filled with earnestness.
“If you don’t want to see Meteor, I understand. I can make sure you don’t cross paths with him. I just want to keep you as my daughter, to protect you like this. I know it’s selfish of me, but if it’s even remotely possible, would you consider it? If not now, maybe in the future?”
“....”
“Of course, if you wish to leave, I won’t stop you. I’ll support whatever path you choose.”
My head felt foggy.
Though her words said I could leave, her eyes told a different story.
Her gaze was so desperate and full of longing—it was too much for me.
She wanted to keep me by her side.
“Mother....”
I don’t deserve your care.
Once again, I had to lower my head.
“I’m sorry. If I stay in the Pluto household, it won’t be good for Meteor. He’s going to get engaged soon, and it wouldn’t be fair to his fiancée either. I never wanted things to turn out like this, but... I think it would be best if you disowned me.”
Stagger.
Rearwin’s slender frame swayed for a moment.
I looked up at her, alarmed, and moved to steady her, but she quickly regained her balance.
I could see her struggling to keep herself composed.
“I... I see....”
“....”
“Disowned....”
Tears welled up in her eyes.
I lowered my head further, tears falling freely.
Wouldn’t it be better to just tell her the truth—that I’m the Demon King’s daughter?
At least then, she wouldn’t feel this betrayed.
Revealing my true identity seemed less cruel than asking her to let me go.
“If that’s truly what you want... I suppose I have no choice. But... is this really what you want? Do you truly wish to be disowned?”
“...Yes.”
I couldn’t tell her everything now, but one day she would know the truth.
If I had known how hard this would be, I never would’ve approached her in the first place.
“...I see. I understand your wishes. But Centi, if it’s alright to ask... if, by any chance, you ever feel differently about Meteor, would you let me know?”
“What?”
“If I can’t be your mother, I’d at least like to be your mother-in-law....”
“......What?”