Julia dragged her tired and sluggish body to work.
Even after waking up, her head still throbbed and felt dizzy.
It was a sensation similar to the day before her period, but since it had already ended three days ago, that couldn’t be the case.
The only similar sensation she could think of was a cold from overexertion, but even that was baseless, considering the Holy Maiden’s recovery abilities.
If there was no physical problem, there was only one place where a problem could lie.
It was psychological factors.
“Huff…”
Julia rubbed her achy shoulders and closed her eyes.
The events of yesterday began to vividly resurface in her mind.
“This is a no-smoking area.”
“…”
It was just after mealtime.
Julia discovered the hero Leopard smoking in the back garden and gave him a chastisement.
However, the hero merely glared at Julia with a face full of discontent and continued to smoke his cigarette openly.
Julia approached him slowly, wearing a sour expression.
It seemed as if the hero had something to say.
“If you throw away a cigarette butt, I won’t let it slide.”
“I’ve finally come to a realization today.”
“What realization?”
“You’re not Aerial. I can’t find even a shred of the wise and noble Holy Maiden in you.”
“What are you talking about…”
Leopard pressed the cigarette out on his palm and swallowed the butt whole.
Then, he unleashed a torrent of words that left Julia quite taken aback.
Every single word he uttered was laced with thorns.
It was as if someone betrayed was lamenting.
“No, it’s not that. I didn’t expect wisdom and dignity. I at least thought you’d know how to fulfill your role as a mother.”
“So what the hell does that mean?”
“You’re the worst as a mom. That’s what I’m saying.”
“…”
To think that she never wanted to be a mother, you bastard.
That thought lingered on the tip of Julia’s tongue.
But for some reason, she didn’t feel like arguing and simply listened with a strained expression.
“What have you been doing, not telling Tia yet? At the very least, she should know whose child she is and what her lineage is. When are you planning on telling her?”
“Soon… I just judged that it was not the right time now.”
“Soon? Tia will be going to school soon. Do you think there are only a couple of demon kin there? Once she gets to the school, she’ll realize she’s not one of them in no time. If she approaches those who are the same demon kin and gets rejected because you tell her she’s not one of them, how do you think that will feel? Think about the shock, the sense of betrayal, the loss she will feel!”
“…”
Julia hung her head low.
Imagine. She hadn’t.
She never expected there would be demon kin at the school.
She also didn’t think about how to handle it when Tia would eventually come to realize her own identity.
After all, she didn’t think Tia would grow up this fast.
Caught up in the busy grind of making a living, Tia had grown up before she knew it.
But of course, that didn’t excuse her.
Julia knew that very well.
“I haven’t thought about it.”
“Finally admitting it. Why…”
“Why, you ask? Because I only thought about myself. I didn’t think even a little about Tia. I just didn’t say anything because it was easier this way. I didn’t want to think about it either. I didn’t want to give birth to the child of a dragon. But how do I tell her that? That she’s a child I didn’t want. A child whose father is unknown.”
“…”
Leopard fell silent.
There was sorrow and anger in Julia’s voice.
Tears began to fill her eyes as she glared fiercely at Leopard.
What filled her gaze was deep self-hatred.
Self-hatred for her own weakness and ignorance that had pushed herself and Tia into such a situation.
“Yeah. I’m a selfish bitch. I’m an idiot who didn’t think about how to explain to Tia. I’m also unworthy of being a mom. Is that enough? Are you satisfied?”
Tears were about to spill from Julia’s eyes as she vented her frustration.
It was an attack aimed at herself, yet strangely, it pained Leopard’s heart.
It felt as if the brilliant mind and powerful strength of the hero were interrogating her about what he had been doing until she was driven to this hell.
I have no right to criticize Julia.
Leopard realized this and bit his lips.
He felt a little sorry.
“You probably… think you’re doing well. For raising such a unique child as Tia, you’re doing pretty well…”
“Oh really. After criticizing me to no end, now you’re giving me compliments?”
“Sorry. I think I overreacted. I didn’t consider your position at all…”
“If you really feel sorry, express it with substance.”
“You’re really obsessed with money, huh?”
“Pfft.”
The two of them, facing each other, couldn’t help but burst into laughter simultaneously.
Seeing Julia making such jokes, it seemed like she hadn’t been hurt too severely, allowing Leopard to breathe a sigh of relief.
Meanwhile, Julia looked closely at Leopard’s slightly embarrassed face.
She never expected that someone would care for and think about Tia as much as she did.
To think that someone who cared enough to get angry and lash out for Tia was nearby.
Perhaps when it comes to Tia, she could trust this person.
“But I really have to tell Tia…”
“If it’s hard, you could tell her gradually. Bit by bit. How about starting with the fact that Tia isn’t demon kin?”
“That sounds good…”
It truly seemed like a good idea, and Julia slowly nodded her head.
After all, it was a lie that would eventually be uncovered.
Like it or not, Tia would learn all the truth.
For Tia’s sake, and for her own, she had to tell her.
In that case, starting with what Tia can accept and gradually breaking it down into smaller pieces would be the correct answer.
Although it seemed like an obvious conclusion, she likely wouldn’t have arrived at it alone.
Julia felt a slight, tiny, pinprick of gratitude.
“Now that I think about it, when Tia goes to school, I’ll have some free time in the morning? On a snowy day later, we could go somewhere together…”
“Ha, I’m leaving.”
“Hey! Hey! I’m not done talking yet! Where are you going!”
Yet again, at the wrong time, the cooldown for flirting returned, and her gratitude was shattered.
Just as a hint of fondness was forming, Leopard quickly reverted to her crazy psycho lesbian persona.
By the way, the idea of going out on a snowy day tempted her a bit.
She had always thought of snow as white trash, but for some reason, she was looking forward to the first snow this year.
Of course, even so, she wouldn’t be seeing the first snow with Leopard.
Julia clicked her tongue and turned, pondering such thoughts.
“Huff…”
Finishing her reflections, Julia opened her eyes and let out a breath.
Through her conversation with Leopard yesterday, she had come to a conclusion.
It was necessary to have a serious conversation with Tia.
However, the contemplation of whether to tell her everything at once or gradually was still ongoing.
“What does the Master think?”
“Um?”
“Is it better to tell Tia all at once about the secret of her birth, or should I start with what Tia can accept and share it gradually? What do you think, Master?”
“Um? Uhm…?”
Julia lifted her head and met the eyes of the bewildered Duke, who looked slightly flustered.
The Duke was frozen, holding a teacup, unable to hide his embarrassment.
Julia tilted her head, wondering why he was like this.
“Why are you acting like that? Is there something on my face?”
“No. I’m just surprised. Isn’t this the first time you’ve brought up something personal to me, Miss Julia?”
“Ah.”
She couldn’t help but be flustered.
Julia had only spoken necessary words during work all this while.
Even when the Duke tried to continue the conversation, she had always responded with short answers.
For Julia to casually bring up small talk on her own was surprising.
The Duke was curious about what had changed in Julia.
“Uh, um…”
It was then that Julia realized her mistake and flushed red as she stammered.
It was only because she had relaxed after getting used to work that she had made the mistake.
It was clear how this would be interpreted over there.
The misunderstanding must be cleared before it escalated.
I’m not interested in the Master.
I don’t want to develop into a relationship where we can casually share small talk.
Julia was contemplating whether to make this clear when…
“In any case, to answer your question, I think it’s better to reveal it gradually. I don’t know the details, but if you judged that it’s information Tia would find hard to accept, then it’s certainly the right call. Because it’s the diagnosis of someone who loves and cherishes Tia more than anyone else.”
“Uh… thank you… that helps…”
As Julia received an unexpectedly serious answer, she bowed her head in surprise.
She had anticipated that the Duke would crack some indiscriminate joke, as was his habit, regardless of the time and place.
Perhaps she had looked at the Duke too much through a lens of prejudice.
“I… I’ll clear the dishes if you’re done.”
“I haven’t finished yet…”
“I’ll be back quickly!”
Julia, feeling embarrassed, picked up the teacup with a little tea left and hurriedly fled the office.
She herself couldn’t understand why.
What was this heating up of her face and the wildly beating heart?
She had an inkling, but didn’t want to admit it.
It was at this moment, leaning against the office door, trying to catch her breath.
“Hah. I was pretty cool there. I must have scored some points. It feels like it’s about time to make a move. That expression earlier definitely looked like she was falling for me, right? If I push a little more…”
“…”
Horrified by the words she overheard through the door, Julia’s expression crumpled.
She decided to cover back up the prejudice she had just peeled away from the Duke that day.
