A woman in red clothing, resembling Polena right in front of me.
At that moment, as I was feeling a heavy sense of mystery,
“Mom…?”
“Yeah?”
Polena suddenly uttered an unexpected phrase.
I could only feel instant shock.
‘Huh… Mom? Not sister, but mom? What the…’
There was no doubt that her appearance confirmed she was related to Polena.
However, seeing her as if time had frozen at Polena’s age made me feel quite strange.
‘Could she also be a mage or something? That must be it… after all, Polena was quite knowledgeable about magic…’
With those thoughts in mind, I looked at “Mom” in front of me and the flustered Polena who appeared bewildered.
“It’s been a while, my baby. Have you been well?”
“Uh… no… how… how are you here…?”
Polena spoke with disbelief as she looked at the woman in front of her.
The woman gently held Polena’s hand and placed her finger over her daughter’s lips.
“Shhh… Calm down, sweetheart. I have something I want to talk about, so could you stay quiet for a moment?”
“Uh?… O… okay.”
The mother calmed down a flustered Polena, and observing this, I realized for certain that the woman before me was indeed Polena’s mother…
Then, her mother addressed me in a polite tone.
“Nice to meet you, Santana Andreas. I am Mina, Polena’s mother.”
“Ah… n-nice to meet you, Mom.”
Much like Polena, she didn’t mention her surname.
I began to think it seemed like having a single name was a characteristic of her family.
“I’ve heard that my daughter has been a burden in various ways. Thank you so much for taking care of this imperfect child.”
“Ah… no, really, I want to thank you. I’ve received much help from your wonderful daughter.”
My words weren’t just polite; they came from the heart.
Although I had become a maid as a result of our contract, honestly, she offered me far more help in my life than I did for her.
If I could, I would want to hold onto her somehow as she was trying to leave.
Polena had played an enormous role in my day-to-day life.
At my words, Polena’s mother smiled warmly at me.
“Thank you for saying that.”
Her words carried an unmistakable elegance; she seemed anything but ordinary.
Just like Polena, I began to feel that this woman before me was not an ordinary person either.
Then…
“Well then, Santana. In that sense, I wish to ask if you could continue to take care of my daughter, if that’s alright?”
“Uh?”
“Uh… Mom? W-what do you mean…”
I felt a sudden wave of perplexity, and Polena displayed an astonished expression.
However, her mother merely maintained her warm smile as she looked at us.
“Even though she looks like this, she has quite a sense of responsibility. Often, she’ll make choices she doesn’t want to because of obligation. She mentioned wanting to return home due to family matters.”
“Ah…”
Hearing her words, I began to vaguely understand why Polena wanted to leave me.
It was clear she didn’t want to choose to leave this life by my side.
But despite that, she still seemed ready to make that choice, even showing reluctance.
I believed it held some significant sense of duty—to continue her family’s legacy or to dedicate herself to her lineage… some serious obligation I couldn’t comprehend.
However, at that moment, Polena’s mother spoke with warmth but also a hint of strong will.
“However, I wish for my child to live as she wants instead of making choices driven by such obligations. Under that view, I think my child would be happier staying with you than returning home.”
With those words, she looked directly at Polena.
Polena began to show a deep conflict on her face…
And then she lowered her head, speaking in a trembling voice.
“But Mom, if that happens, you could end up in difficult situations… it might really get tough…”
Polena spoke with hesitation, carrying a hint of guilt.
She had hopes but seemed unable to make that choice.
Then suddenly…
“…!.”
In the next moment, her mother gently embraced Polena.
Surprise flickered across Polena’s face…
And her mother spoke with deep affection.
“Sweetheart… do you remember what I always say? Everything I do is ultimately for my children… for you to live happily…”
“…Mom…”
At her words, thick tears began to stream down Polena’s face.
Holding her daughter tight, her mother spoke with profound joy.
“Don’t worry about anything else. Just live for your happiness, for the life you wish to live. Unlike me, who is bound by obligation… at least let you live that way.”
“Ugh… sniff…”
From my perspective, I couldn’t fully understand, but there was a weighty sense of duty and earnest desire in her words.
At that moment, Polena began to sob for the first time in front of me.
Like she was shedding something she had carried for so long.
A heartfelt joy… along with feelings of regret towards her mother…
“…Are you leaving already?.. I know it’s been a while since we met, but could you stay a bit longer?”
“I wish I could, but there are urgent matters I’ve postponed, so that’s impossible. Once things settle down, I will come back.”
Polena spoke with regret, and her mother replied soothingly, as if comforting her.
Then, she mounted the dark red horse in front of her and turned to me.
“Then, please take good care of my daughter from now on, son-in-law.”
“Uh… Mom!”
Her mother spoke with a smile full of warmth.
Polena’s face flushed in an instant as she displayed a look of fluster, but in response to her mother’s words, I replied with determination.
“Yes! Mother-in-law. From now on, I will make sure to keep your daughter happy.”
“Fufufu…”
With that, her mother… no, my mother-in-law rode away swiftly.
Polena stood there for a moment, still blushing as she gazed where her mother had disappeared.
Then…
As I looked at her, I spoke gently.
“…Polena.”
“…Ah… y-yes?”
As she turned to face me, it felt like time had resumed.
With that, I carefully began to act on what I had been thinking about since her mother’s approval.
“Mas… Master?”
Seeing me kneeling before her, Polena spoke with a slightly trembling voice.
As she continued to show that uncharacteristic behavior, I addressed her with sincerity and formality.
“I formally wish to ask you…”
As I knelt and held her hand, Polena’s cheeks began to redden.
With a beautiful mix of shyness and excitement, I spoke with earnestness.
“Polena… will you marry me?”
“!…”
The feelings that had taken root in my heart for quite some time were finally expressed through my mouth in what I believed was the perfect moment.
And in response to my words,
Polena…
With tears welling in her eyes and a trembling voice, replied,
“…Y-yes… yes… I would… gladly… I gladly accept. My Master… my Master!”
