September 14, 2020
"M-Mikael!"
Alicia was the first to regain her senses. She hurriedly ran to Mikael, shielding him behind her back. Her eyes were filled with nothing but wariness as she glared at Cabelenus.
"I’ll apologize. Just don’t touch him. He’s just a child—he doesn’t know any better."
"I know."
"…."
"You don’t have to be so on guard. I have no intention of hurting him."
Even after he made his intentions clear, her gaze didn’t soften in the slightest.
Cabelenus had started to approach, but seeing Mikael’s small body stiffen in tension, he stopped in place.
"Am I really that terrifying?"
"…."
Alicia didn’t respond. She simply stepped back.
Cabelenus’s brows furrowed.
She was doing everything she could to erase the child from his sight. The way she positioned herself so deliberately, the way she moved with subtle precision—it was almost desperate.
"I swear—I won’t lay a finger on you or your child. You don’t need to be this wary of ."
Cabelenus let out a deep sigh, remaining where he stood.
Alicia glanced at him briefly before turning to her son.
"Go inside, Mikael."
"No. I want to stay with you."
"Don’t argue."
Alicia firmly pushed Mikael away, despite how desperately he clung to her.
Mikael’s face crumpled. It was the first ti his mother had ever rejected him.
"Then promise you’ll co inside soon."
"I will. I won’t be long."
Alicia gently ran her fingers through his hair, soothing him.
Cabelenus silently watched.
Only when Mikael finally retreated into the house did he speak.
"Is he really that precious to you?"
"More than my own life."
There was no hesitation in her answer.
Her unwavering gaze shone with absolute certainty.
Cabelenus could only stare at her.
For a mont, it was like stepping back in ti—to when they had first t.
Even in rags, even in her lowest state, he had never been able to take his eyes off her.
But no… it’s different now.
Those raw, unguarded eyes had been honed over ti.
He regretted not witnessing that transformation.
And at the sa ti, it hurt.
It hurt to realize she had built a life where he had no place.
It hurt to feel like he was the impurity disrupting her perfect world.
That was why, when she pushed him away with those small hands, he had been unable to grab hold of them.
***
"Mom, that scary man is still outside."
"Stop looking out the window and co eat."
"But he’s fixing our fence…"
"Mikael."
"…Okay."
Mikael slumped his shoulders and slid down from the couch.
Whenever his mother used that voice, it ant she was truly upset.
"He’s leaving today. Don’t pay him any mind, alright?"
"You said that yesterday, too."
"…"
"Why does he keep coming to our house? Who is he?"
Alicia gripped her spoon tighter.
Her throat felt dry.
Mikael was still too young—too innocent.
He had never once asked about his father.
He had always acted more mature than his age, so he never openly brought it up.
But Alicia knew.
She knew that whenever a man of a certain age passed by, Mikael would instinctively turn his head to watch.
He never spoke about it, but…
Her son had always longed for a father.
"…Just soone I used to know."
"Then he’s like Uncle Jas, right?"
"No. It’s different."
"Because you don’t like him?"
"Yes. I don’t like him."
Alicia nodded without hesitation.
"Then I don’t like him either."
"…"
"He’s your enemy, so he’s my enemy too. I’m always on your side, Mom."
Mikael had expected praise.
But Alicia said nothing.
Mikael’s large eyes rolled up to search his mother’s face.
She stirred her soup absentmindedly before finally speaking.
"…Just don’t hate him too much."
"…"
"I don’t want you to hate him too much."
"Why?"
Mikael blinked at her, waiting for an answer.
Alicia only spoke once the steam had faded from her soup.
"He was soone important to once. And…"
"And?"
"That’s a secret."
"A secret? Why?"
"Because it’s more fun that way."
Alicia smiled, gently brushing the back of her hand against his cheek.
Maybe, one day, when Mikael was older, she would tell him everything.
But not now.
For now, she wanted him to remain a child—to live without burdens, without overthinking.
She wanted his days to be filled with nothing but laughter.
That was why she had endured these past eight years.
Alicia reached forward and pulled her son into a tight embrace.
Being a parent had never been easy.
Motherhood wasn’t always noble.
There were days when she had been exhausted, when she had wanted to run away.
But she had held on.
Because no matter how overwhelming it was, whenever Mikael smiled at her, all of her exhaustion lted away.
Because despite everything, the warmth of his small body in her arms wasn’t unwelco.
Because over ti, what had started as simple responsibility had grown into an undeniable love.
And only after that love had taken root—after it had beco stronger than anything else—had Alicia truly beco a mother.
She had fought for him, begged for him, worked tirelessly to ensure he had everything he needed.
She had given up her pride just to put a little more food on his plate.
Mikael was her entire world.
She needed nothing else.
Alicia closed her eyes, pressing her cheek against his soft hair.
She had thought she wouldn’t waver.
She had thought she wouldn’t break.
But the mont she saw those familiar eyes looking at her again, she faltered.
Cabelenus had always been able to shake her resolve.
And even now, her thoughts were consud by the man waiting outside.
Because in the end, the thing that had helped her survive these past eight years…
Was the face of her son—the face that carried his blood.
***
"So? Who do you think that scary man is?"
"I don’t know. Mom won’t tell anything."
Mikael rested his chin on his hands, pouting.
"But she said he’s really important."
"How do you know that?"
"I overheard her talking to the neighbor. That man is crazy rich. He has so much gold that he just carries handfuls of coins in his pockets. That’s why everyone in town wants him to stay at their house instead of the village chief’s place."
"Yeah, he did look like a rich guy. The clothes he was wearing were the softest I’ve ever felt."
Mikael narrowed his eyes.
Thinking back on it, not only were his clothes expensive, but his jewelry had also looked valuable.
"You touched his clothes?"
"I even rode a horse with him."
"Ugh… You’re seriously amazing. Weren’t you scared? I can’t even look him in the eyes. Just seeing him from far away makes my legs shake."
"Honestly, I’m not scared of him."
"Then what?"
Mikael buried his face against his knees and let out a deep sigh.
"It’s Mom. She’s different now. I hate it."
Lately, whenever he thought about his mother, all he felt was frustration.
His friend looked puzzled.
"Your mom? But she’s great. She’s the nicest, prettiest person in town. I love the peanut cookies she makes."
"That’s exactly the problem."
Mikael rubbed his forehead against his knee in frustration.
Ever since that scary man had arrived, everything felt wrong.
His mother had beco distracted, her hands fumbling more often.
She had almost burned the cookies she used to bake with her eyes closed.
And worst of all…
"What’s the problem?"
"You wouldn’t understand. You’re just a kid."
"You’re the sa age as !"
"No… I…"
Mikael let out another sigh.
At first, he had only hated the man because his mother hated him.
His mother’s enemy was his enemy too.
That was all it had been.
But now…
"Mom was crying."
Mikael’s small hands clenched into tight fists.
Last night, his mother had silently wept while staring at the brooch he had given her.
"Mom doesn’t cry often."
The only tis he had ever seen her cry were when he had been sick.
"What if that man takes Mom away?"
"Huh? Why would that guy take your mom?"
He had wanted to comfort her, but he didn’t know how.
The sight of his mother crying alone in the dark was strange—unnerving.
It felt like so unfamiliar woman had stolen his mother’s skin and was pretending to be her.
"When she’s with him… she doesn’t feel like my mom."
"What are you talking about? If she’s not your mom, then who is she?"
"…"
"Mikael?"
"No. I can’t just stand by."
Mikael shot to his feet, his fists trembling with determination.
Startled, Chris quickly called after him, but it was no use.
Once Mikael made up his mind, nothing could stop him.
***
"Hey, mister."
"…"
"Mister!"
"…"
"Can’t you hear ? Mister!"
Mikael waved his arms wildly, trying to catch the man’s attention.
But no matter how many tis he called, the indifferent man didn’t so much as glance in his direction.
"Ah. Oh no—Mom’s coming!"
"…"
"See? You can hear ! You were just ignoring !"
Mikael scowled as Cabelenus finally turned his head.
But just as quickly, the man looked away again.
"Ugh! You’re ignoring again!"
"…"
"Talk to !"
"…"
"MOM!"
"…"
"See?! You only look when it’s about Mom!"
Mikael stomped his foot in frustration.
But Cabelenus’s reaction remained the sa—unchanged, indifferent.
After glancing around to confirm Alicia was nowhere in sight, he simply turned back to his work, hamring away at the shed.
Mikael glared at the man’s strong, precise movents before finally plopping down in defeat.
No matter how much reinforcent his mother had added over the years, their shed always seed ready to collapse.
Yet sohow, under this man’s hands, it was quickly becoming sothing solid.
"Are you a carpenter or sothing?"
"…"
"Isn’t that hamr heavy? I can’t even lift it, and Mom struggles with it too. But you’re using it with one hand like it’s nothing."
"…Your father doesn’t do this kind of work for you?"
"I don’t have a d—Wait, you spoke!"
Mikael jumped up in shock.
His hands clapped together in delight at finally getting a reaction.
"What do you an, you don’t have a father?"
"Whoa! You really talked!"
"Kid."
"I’m not a kid—I’m Mikael. Mikael Nus."
Mikael puffed out his chest, his hands on his hips.
The fact that this man was finally paying attention to him made him feel proud beyond words.
"I don’t care about your na—"
"What’s your na?"
"…"
"Mom says it’s polite to introduce yourself when soone tells you their na."
"…Cabelenus."
Cabelenus let out a long sigh, clearly exasperated.
But Mikael didn’t care in the slightest.
If anything, the boy took a step closer, his eyes gleaming with curiosity.
"That’s it? What about your last na?"
"Von Schwarhan Blanche."
"Von Schwar… what?"
The na sounded smooth when spoken in his deep voice, but Mikael’s tongue tripped over the pronunciation.
He scrunched up his face, trying to repeat it, only to give up with a frustrated groan.
"Say it again."
"Cabelenus von Schwarhan Blanche."
"Cabelen… Ugh, why is it so long? Are you lying so I can’t say it properly?"
"Think whatever you want. Anyway—"
"I knew it! You’re lying!"
Mikael grinned triumphantly and squatted in front of him, staring up with wide, expectant eyes.
Cabelenus considered telling him off but fell silent.
There was sothing in the boy’s expression that was all too familiar.
His eyes, his hair—the resemblance to Alicia was undeniable.
"Then what’s your real na?"
"…"
"Are you ignoring again?"
"…"
"Mister!"
"Your mother wouldn’t like it if she saw us talking."
"So you’re only ignoring because of Mom?"
Mikael frowned in disbelief.
"She’s my mom."
"I know."
"If you know that, then why do you care so much about her?"
Mikael narrowed his eyes.
His face twisted in obvious displeasure.
"Hey, mister… Do you like my mom?"
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