Chapter 26: Madame Veronica

"I think I have fallen in love, mother."

When Cynthia, Malaya's older sister, began speaking, she was still embroidering. 'I still have the right to ignore these talks as a fourteen-year-old kid, right?' Cynthia was always falling in love with someone new whenever Malaya spent time with them.

Cynthia had the mind of a brilliant mage but her heart was that of a frail young maiden. She was easily taken in by anyone. 'That is also why she tends to suffer from many heartbreaks and she still hasn't learned anything.'

Malaya returned to Marina Household a day after Taleba's revolution ended. Madame Veronica, her mother, and her eldest sister Cynthia were having morning tea in Marina's garden gazebo.

Their mother, Madam Veronica, smiled as she heard her oldest daughter's remarks. "And who is the fortunate man who has managed to win your heart this time?"

"It's Jack. The baker of those delectable pastries near the harbor." Cynthia said this with a dreamy expression on her face.

'This time it's a baker. The last time was, hmm. I believe it is the newly hired guard at our mansion's front gate. When Cynthia boldly declared her love for him, the guard's troubled expression was priceless. And I think Darren has already transferred that guard to the city guard post.' Malaya reflected as she continued to stitch.

"And what made you fall in love with him?" Madame Veronica inquired.

"His delicious, well-made pastries."

Veronica smiled at her daughter's remarks. "Then it's possible that you don't feel love for him, but rather an admiration."

"Admiration?"

"Yes. Does seeing the individual make your heart flutter?"

"Hmm." Cynthia stroked her chin as if contemplating something. "Not exactly, but when I had a taste of his pastries, particularly the strawberry cakes, my heart began to flutter."

'Perhaps some love potion was mixed in there.' Malaya wanted to say but kept it to herself since she didn't want to participate in the discussion.

"Then you just admire his pastries, almost as if that's what you love about Jack." Their mother made a comment before sipping her tea.

"Eh. Really?" Cynthia's eyes lit up when she stated this.

"Yes."

Then Cynthia clutched her hands together. "As one would expect from a mother, you are the most knowledgeable about these issues."

'And just as expected. Cynthia is best handled by mother. But I'm curious, why am I engaged but Cynthia, despite her age, is not?" Malaya pondered. She didn't notice Cynthia gaze went at her since she was still looking at the cloth she was stitching and silently listening to them. Malaya was trying to stitch a puppy character on the cloth.

"Malaya!"

Malaya's finger almost got pricked with a needle when Cynthia abruptly called her with a loud, almost screamed voice.

"What is it, dear sister?" Malaya inquired. She set down the cloth she was embroidering and glanced softly at Cynthia.

"Why are you being silent? Are you so keen about avoiding talking to your sister? It's been a long time since your last visit here." Cynthia stated, her eyes narrowed.

"I was just there last week, dear sister. It's actually not that lengthy."

'And there's really nothing I can say on such subjects.' Malaya averted her gaze as she concentrated on her thoughts once again.

"Ah. That's correct." Malaya's eyes glowed brightly. "Rein learned something new with his magic. You coul..."

"Really!?" Cynthia abruptly jumped up and banged both of her fists on the table. Her eyes were filled with excitement. "Then, mum, pardon me for the time being!" She stated this as she began to run.

Since Rein magic is classed as Generis, it has always piqued the interest of magic nerds like Cynthia. 'Well, Rein, just cope with her for a time.'

"Running like that... When is she going to act like a real lady and stop being so careless and reckless at times?" Malaya's mother lets out a sigh.

"Well, that makes sister, sister." Malaya chuckled.

"And I wish you could be more like her. It's only natural for girls like you to be more like that. Happy and free of the concerns of the world. At least if you're inside the household." Madam Veronica was concerned as she glanced at her daughter.

'Since the Florescence ceremony, her youngest daughter has been less active, and when the accident with her husband occurred, she felt that Malaya began to grow more away from her. She began to maintain masking all her emotions with her usually serene look on her face.

Malaya paused her hand midair, which was clutching a cup of tea, then carefully dropped it on the table. 'In a feudal world like this, females are expected to be prim and polite. But to think mum would utter such things...' Malaya's face broke into a genuine smile. "Right now, I'm also happy, mother. It brings me great delight to be able to spend time with you like this."

'I couldn't act like a young girl because, first and foremost, I'm already mentally twenty-eight years old. Well if it comes to those talks from Cynthia, I could act innocent. But, I suppose, that made mother even more concerned.'

Madame Veronica simply gazed at her daughter. Then she took up the cloth Malaya had been embroidering since they began drinking tea.

"It's a lovely duck." Madame Veronica stated as she brushed her fingertips over Malaya's embroidered figure.

'It's a puppy mother,' Malaya wanted to reply, but instead merely sighed inwardly while keeping her expression. 'I guess I'll never be excellent at needlework, no matter what I do.'

"So, what did you want to talk about? For you to send your sister away, like that?" Madame Veronica returned the cloth to Malaya upon further examination.

"Nothing re..."

"You seldom come here, and when you do, it's always because you need something. Furthermore, this is the first time you have invited us to tea in this manner. And your brother is still in the house."

Malaya was taken aback by her mother's response. 'I suppose she won't be the Marina Duchess for anything?' But then she felt a sense of remorse. 'I've been so preoccupied with everything that I've neglected my family. Hmm. And she also said almost the same things as Hyun Jae. But there are just a few weeks left...'

"I'll spend the rest of my days here before I embark on my journey, mother. " Malaya stood up and bowed her head towards her mother. "I apologize for being such an unfilial daughter."

"I look forward to that." Madame Veronica's grin grew wider, looking more please.

Malaya then raised her head then looked at her mother with many serious eyes. "The thing is...Mother, I wanted to ask what you think about uncle?" Malaya asked.

"Your uncle? Hmm. He is a very hardworking man and a great aid to Darren."

"I'm not talking to Uncle Ruiz, mother, but to my uncle on your side," Malaya said with being extra careful with her words. She saw how her mother became stiff but then composed herself once more.

"What do you want to talk about him?" Although her mother asked this in a calm manner, Malaya saw how her mother's eyes rippled with a sad emotion.

"Would it be okay with you if anything awful occurred to him?" She persevered in her inquiry.

"Not in the least." Malaya's mother gave a clear response. "After all, he is my younger brother. But if anything bad happens to him, it's due to his own deeds. And, besides..." she heaved a deep sigh.

"There's something he did that I'll never forgive him for. If something bad happened to him, it might be retribution." Madame Veronica's eyes were filled with rage and hurt, but it didn't escape Malaya since she was focused on her.

"That should be enough for him for the time being. Why are you even inquiring about someone you've never met?"

'the fault in his actions...that answer would suffice.' Mother was my final concern before I completed my final act for the Duke. Because, as much as it upsets me, that awful man is still my mother's brother.'

Madame Veronica is the eldest daughter of the late Duke of Taleba. That is clearly reflected on her fiery red hair and pinkish eyes, a trait that belongs clearly to the Talebas. In her time, she was a great swordswoman and loves hunting. During one of her hunting, that was where he met Malaya's father, the duke of Marina at that time. And that was where their development started.

"However, on his deathbed, my father informed me..."

Malaya returned her gaze to her mother, who began speaking.

"Family disputes are one of the most vexing things. It will inflict pain on everyone in the family, not only on you. That is exactly what happened to me and your uncle, as well as my whole birth family. I wish I could have been a better elder sister to him, a better daughter. Things might have turned out differently."

Madam Veronica fixed her gaze on her daughter's solemn expression. "When the time comes, Malaya, I hope you and Darren will already get along when you still have time."

Malaya glanced high above the clear blue skies and sigh. "I will keep your words in mind, mother..."

*Swoosh!*

When Malaya ran towards her mother and hugged her, the petals from the flowers that had fallen on the ground fluttered in the air. "However, Mother, you've done nothing wrong. You can't always control other people's decisions or behaviors. But, despite this, you continue to unconditionally nurture us. And I know you did everything for your family too."

Madame Veronica smiled as her daughter's words touched her heart warmly. She returned her daughter's hug. "With each passing day, you got better and better at pleasing other people with your words."

"I only pleased people that I care," Malaya responded as she gently broke away from her mother's hug. "Thank you for everything, mother."

---⚓⚓⚓---

After a few hours, the sun started to set. The sky was already filled with magnificent red and orange colors with birds soaring. The sea breeze is softly blowing, making everyone feel rejuvenated.

"Are you really certain you don't want to remain any longer?" Rein inquired with a frown on his face as he gazed at Malaya. "I could continue to be Lady Cynthia's guinea pig while you relax here."

They were now back at the cliff where they had first arrived. The blue sea, the fishermen and ships going back to shore, they could completely see it here.

Malaya just tilted her head and looked at Rein innocently. "Do you want that? Well, having only Dorris with me would be fine, and Cynthia will undoubtedly be pleased to hear your words." She grinned.

"Yes! Lady Malaya could also be well taken care of by me." Dorris exclaimed merrily. Her cheeks became plump as she smiled. It reminded Malaya of some chipmunks. Her magical array was already glowing too.

"Never mind what I asked." Rein said as he shifted his gaze away from Malaya. "Is everything with Madame Veronica settled now?"

'He really looked like pissed.' Malaya chuckled.

"Yes. We could now wholeheartedly congratulate the duke, who even organized a magnificent feast in celebration of his triumph." Malaya remarked as she moved through the center of the array. Dorris and Rein trailed behind her.

Malaya glanced that had the second ring but this time, it had a red gemstone.

"I will not ask what happened to your ring, but you should be more careful." Madame Veronica gave a new ring of protection to her daughter.

Malaya touched the ring as she felt a warmth inside. 'I'm so blessed having a great and loving family here. Your such a lucky person, Malaya.'

The magic array finally absorbed them and disappeared.

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Extra Scene:

"Rein!!!" Rein, the unsuspecting prey was walking quietly in the hallways of the mansion was caught by a menacing beast. He just arrived after finishing a task ordered by Malaya.

He was pulled to some room with lots of potions of different colors, books, and papers scattered everywhere. But what frightened him the most was the beast, or rather, Cynthia who was now wearing a white lab gown holding a small knife in her left hand and a notebook on the right.

"Why do you bring me here, Lady Cynthia?" Rein nervously asked.

"I heard you've learned something new with your tattoo magic, is that true?"

"It's nothing Lady Cynthia, I just expanded the field of the smoke of illusions my tattoo produced..."

'Where in the world, Lady Cynthia learned this, don't tell me Lady Malaya, sold me out...Aish, I shouldn't have told her this...' Rein glanced towards Cynthia who was now inching closer to him.

"Then show it to me, hehehe..."

'They are really sisters, they both are crazy!'

(A/N: Don't worry nothing grotesque happened here, Cynthia just interrogates Rein with questions. And the knife was used for cutting some pears for them to eat as they talk ⊙▽⊙.)

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