“Exactly. A simple flower converting light into mana lacks that cognitive 'weight,'” the Archmage said. Then, a sudden, boyish smile broke through his weathered features. “However, we have just made a significant breakthrough recently. We have a working theory on how to open a teleportation door without a dungeon spawn or a human sacrifice!”
anwhile, The Port, Kim City, Kim Island, Kim Dukedom, Ancorna Empire
“I’ve been wanting to ask... Why has Master never married? I an, I understand that she is a Herptian Apostle and can’t help but have multiple lovers,” Marie said, her voice small as she watched the grey waves alongside Alice. “But even so, Lady Aurora married while being an Apostle, didn't she?”
Alice smiled softly and ruffled the girl’s hair, standing tall beside her against the salty breeze. “And how did that marriage turn out? Lady Aurora is a divorcee now, isn't she?” She turned her gaze back toward the horizon, her expression turning slightly lancholy. “Are you afraid, Marie? Now that Ravenna has officially adopted you, are you worried she might marry in the future and have a biological child you’d have to compete with?”
“That... I...” Marie tried to stamr out a denial, but her voice trailed off. She looked down at her boots, unable to hide her insecurity.
Alice adjusted her spectacles, her tone becoming gentle and serious. “It is true that it’s difficult for an Apostle of Herptian to maintain a traditional, monogamous relationship. But that isn't the primary reason she remains unwed. The truth is... Ravenna is unable to conceive a child.”
Marie gasped, her head snapping up. “What?”
Alice patted her shoulder, continuing softly as the realization settled in. “While marriage isn't solely about children, that doesn't an the reality wouldn't be painful. If she were to marry one of her lovers and they could never build a family of their own... it’s a burden she chose not to place on anyone.”
She looked down at the now-quiet, downcast Marie. “You don't ever have to worry about competing for her affection, Marie. You are her choice, not a consolation.”
As the sun began to climb over the horizon, lighting up the silhouette of the city’s buildings, the low, mournful whistle of a steamship echoed across the water. A massive vessel began to erge from the morning mist, its chimneys belching dark smoke.
“It’s quite unfortunate that she had to miss both your birthday and Mina’s because of external factors,” Alice said, her voice brightening to lift the heavy mood. “We should make sure to celebrate her own upcoming birthday with extra grandeur to make up for it.”
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The steamship grew larger as it approached the docks, the churning water signaling the return of the Princess to her island stronghold.
“This is quite the marvel. I rember visiting this island during my travels back when it was still called Jola,” Faldeus remarked, stepping off the gangplank alongside Ravenna. He looked at the towering structures, the plus of soot and steam rising from the industrial sectors, and the lively, purposeful movents of the citizens. He was visibly taken aback. “You really have transford a desolated, barren rock into sothing to be proud of.”
“Who exactly do you think I am, Master?” Ravenna boasted with a triumphant huff. She was acting unusually childlike, but it was clear to everyone that the high praise from her ntor had made her swell with genuine joy.
“Welco back, Ravenna,” Alice said, stepping forward to greet them. Her eyes then widened as they landed on the man beside the Princess. “Ah... it seems Lord Faldeus has accompanied you as a guest.”
“My, my, look at this! Alice, you’re all grown up now, ha!” Faldeus chuckled with a boisterous warmth, looking Alice up and down. Alice offered a sharp, playful remark in return. “As if! It’s been ages since we last t, Lord Faldeus. I’ll have you know I am a mother now!”
The shift in Alice’s deanor was striking. She, too, seed to revert to a more youthful version of herself in Faldeus’s presence. Watching from the sidelines, Marie realized that this man wasn't just a guest; he was the common thread, a father figure to both her master and Alice.
Marie stepped forward, her movents unusually shy and hesitant. She held out a small, vibrant flower she had picked from the castle gardens. “Welco back, Mast—” She paused for a heartbeat, her breath catching in her throat. She looked down at the flower, then up at Ravenna, and finally forced out the word she had spent the entire morning practicing.
“...Mother.”
A sudden, heavy silence fell over the port. The only sounds were the distant crying of gulls and the rhythmic lap of waves against the stone piers. Everyone held their breath, anticipating Ravenna’s reaction, expecting a sharp, witty retort, or perhaps a formal acknowledgnt.
What happened next shocked every person present.
A single drop fell, then another. Tears began to spill from Ravenna’s eyes, trailing down her cheeks before she could even think to wipe them away. She stood frozen for a mont, her usual iron-clad composure shattering in an instant. She reached out with a trembling hand and gently patted Marie’s hair.
“I don’t know why... this...” Ravenna whispered, her voice cracking. She seed genuinely bewildered by her own lack of emotional control.
Seeing the crack in her Master’s armor, Marie didn't hesitate; she lunged forward and wrapped her arms around Ravenna in a tight hug. Faldeus stood back, letting out a soft, knowing chuckle as he patted Ravenna’s back.
“I didn’t realize my best disciple had held onto her tendency to turn into a crybaby during our ti apart,” he teased. “You dare call a crybaby, Master?” Ravenna snapped back, though her voice lacked any real venom as the tears continued to flow.
Alice quickly joined the embrace, burying her face against Ravenna’s shoulder. Faldeus stood at the center of the docks, the rising sun at his back, smiling as he watched the fractured family he helped raise finally co back together.
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