[Chapter 91] - Mirror
Snow White trembled at the surging sense of self-loathing.
No matter that she had said it to tease Titania, she was truly pathetic and foolish for speaking as if she got along well with Vivian. If it had been her old self, she would never have uttered such stupid words aloud...
‘...In the end, have I admitted it too?’
Snow White raised her head slightly and stared blankly at Titania, who was quietly angry. Titania's restless appearance, afraid of having Vivian taken away from her, truly looked foolish. A pure and cute fool, unlike herself. A snicker escaped at her reaction befitting the age of thirteen.
"It was a joke, so come here and sit."
"...I don't want to. When I look at you, frustration bubbles up inside me."
I'm the same way.
Those words rose to the tip of her tongue, but Snow White couldn't bring herself to say them. She vaguely felt she knew why Titania was annoyed. It was surely similar to the reason she felt irritation rising whenever she looked at Titania.
'I get angry at the way Titania likes Vivian, and Titania gets angry at the way I hate Vivian, don't I?'
Thinking this, Snow White felt that Titania and herself were like reflections in a mirror. Beings with the same face but reflecting different things. It was clear that the reason she and Titania were so different was 'Vivian.'
For the past three years, Snow White had spent much time alone due to 'experiments.' Having much time alone meant having much time to think to herself. And what she thought about most during that time was none other than 'the Vivian of this world.'
At first, it had been terribly hateful. She loathed Vivian, who had done 'that' to her and was living truly happily here. She even loathed the fact that Vivian showed the side of herself as a 'parent' that she had never shown her, without hesitation here.
However, after meeting the Vivian of this world a few times, she could realize that this Vivian was somehow different from the one she knew. At first, she had thought only the 'her' of this world—Titania—was different.
Because Titania knew how to be loved by others unlike herself, she had simply thought that even that Vivian loved Titania. Therefore, she had simply thought that she was killed by Vivian because she didn't know how to be loved by others.
But no matter how much she thought, the one who was different was the Vivian of this world.
Because the Vivian of this world was different, Titania could become so lovely.
Because the Vivian of this world was different, Titania could become so happy.
Because the Vivian of this world was different, Titania could love Vivian so much.
Because the Vivian of this world was different...
Thinking this, Snow White let out a hollow chuckle.
Even realizing that the Vivian of this world was different, still, Vivian was hateful. Truly, truly, truly hateful; she never wanted to see her again. That was why she hadn't attended any ball events for three years. If she occasionally wanted to have fun, she only attended balls that Vivian was unlikely to participate in.
But what coincidence was this?
She had even worn a mask that interfered with recognition because she really didn't want to meet her, yet that woman had found her and approached her somehow. Just because she had the same face as Titania, for such an absurd reason, she had ignored even magic and found her. She looked at her and pretended to know her.
That fact was so absurd it was bewildering and confusing. Because she really hadn't intended to meet her. And what she truly couldn't understand was the emotion she felt once that bewilderment and confusion subsided...
‘I was happy she recognized me...’
That fact was so perplexing that anger soon welled up.
Not anger at Vivian, but anger at herself.
She was furious at the absurdity that she had melted at that smile directed at her and had been a little happy. She was also filled with a terrible sense of self-loathing at the fact that she had been happy to see Vivian. The fact that she had felt joy from none other than Vivian made her angry.
Was that why? The moment she learned that the Great Witch had come, as her wrist was grabbed by Vivian, a terrible sense of betrayal seemed to squeeze her chest.
‘Was the reason you recognized me because of the Great Witch? So that's why you acted so familiar? To sell me to the Great Witch. The fact that you had changed was all my imagination?’
It was clear that this sense of betrayal had made her treat Vivian even more sharply. So the moment she had resolved to leave Vivian's side, never to see her again, never to come here again, Vivian shouted.
To listen to her story.
To talk with her.
...Now that she thought about it, she didn't think she had ever had a proper conversation with Vivian until now. Because she had simply hated her one-sidedly, simply loathed her one-sidedly. Because she had believed that was right, and had acted accordingly.
If it had been the old days, she would have shouted furiously, 'Talking about conversation? Get lost!' but...
‘...It should be fine just once. Because there's something I want to ask too.’
Snow White, resting her chin on her hand and letting out a deep sigh, raised her head slightly and looked at Titania, who was on guard. At her expression like a puppy growling, Snow White snorted and asked Titania.
"Titania."
"What...?"
"I'm not going to steal Vivian, so stop glaring at me like that. I didn't even have any intention of stealing her. So..."
Snow White tapped the seat beside her with her palm and looked at Titania. At the signal to come and sit here quickly, Titania hesitated and inched toward Snow White.
"For now, will you tell me what kind of person Vivian is?"
"Why me...?"
"If you don't want to, don't. There are plenty of others I can hear it from. For example... the mirror hanging around your neck."
-Me...?
"What can I do? Titania says she doesn't want to. Then I have to ask you. Besides, don't you have something you want to ask me? Like the story of how I stole your original body."
-Th-that's.... but...
Snow White looked at Titania as if to say 'See this?' and let out a short laugh.
Titania, feeling choked up at the sneering laugh that seemed to say there were many others who could tell her, strode up to Snow White and then plopped down in the seat beside her, pouting her lips.
"You're going to tell me?"
"Yes. You don't seem to know, so I'll let you know one by one, step by step. What kind of person Mother is."
She almost burst out laughing at Titania speaking clearly and deliberately, but Snow White bit her lower lip to hold back her laughter and looked at Titania sitting beside her.
"So, when I was six years old—"
Titania's eyes sparkled as she was about to speak of Vivian, and soon she began to unfold her life story. Goodness, she was really going to start from their first meeting.
Snow White looked at such a Titania and recalled her own childhood.
Her gloomy and depressing past. Unlike herself who had forced a smile just to survive, the sight of wearing a truly happy smile and speaking of someone she loved.
At the sight of Titania, who was completely different from herself, Snow White could only smile bitterly.
*
"-In the old days, there weren't many witches, so the coven was small too. There weren't many talented children. Four hundred years ago, when the coven's very existence was in crisis—"
I feel like I'm going to die.
No, I'm really going to die. The story of the coven's history and the witches' history that had been going on for nearly several hours now. And the story of Morgan's history—it really felt like I was going to die.
I understood why Ainsel had evaluated Morgan as a nosy old lady. Because whenever I seemed to lose focus during the story, Morgan would ask with pinpoint accuracy, 'What are you doing...? Are you listening...?' It was horror itself.
Really, this old lady didn't seem to get tired of talking; the sun had already set and night had fallen, yet she didn't stop babbling. At this point, I was worried whether her mouth might hurt.
And I had never imagined that listening to a story would be such a difficult task. I had to react occasionally, and maintaining a forced smile already had the corners of my mouth cramping. In the middle of inwardly shouting 'Please stop...!'—
Dong— Dong—
"Hm? What is this sound?"
"...It seems the ball has ended. It's the bell telling everyone to go home now."
The bell announcing the end of the ball rang out.
Surely, she hadn't planned to talk until the ball ended...
Should I be thankful that it was a children's ball, so it ended early? If it had been an adult masquerade ball, it would only be starting now. Then I wouldn't have been able to go home either. I would have had to listen to Morgan's history stories until dawn.
"I see... It's a pity, but I suppose this is where we must stop. You should be going home soon too, child."
"Indeed...! It's such a shame...! It was so fun...! I'm at the point where I'm sad it's ending...!!"
"Child... kuhuhu... It has been a long time since a child listened so attentively to my story."
When I forced admiration, Morgan smiled sheepishly as if truly moved, and I felt sorry for no reason. Just how little had the other witches cared about her for her to act this way even toward me?
"I too should return now. I have been here longer than I thought."
"You're leaving already?"
"Kuhuhu, no matter how disappointed you are, it cannot be helped. I, the Great Witch, have so very much to do..."
As I looked at Morgan with a bitter expression, Morgan stood up from the sofa, stretching and moving her stiff body. The moment I thought she was finally leaving and was about to see her off, Morgan turned toward me and spread her arms wide.
At the sight of Morgan spreading her arms wide as if to suggest a hug before parting, I let out a small sigh as if I had no choice and gently embraced Morgan.
Because she was a little shorter than me, Morgan rested her chin on my shoulder and patted my back. As we hugged like that for a moment, Morgan began to praise me.
"Child, I am quite fond of you. You are the first child who has listened to my story with such focus."
"Haha..."
"Therefore..."
While I was laughing sheepishly, Morgan stood on her tiptoes, brought her lips to my ear, and whispered in a very small voice.
"For today, I shall pretend not to see that child in the third-floor lounge. But there will not be a next time."
Having whispered so, Morgan stepped back a pace, then looked at me and smiled brightly. That smile gave me goosebumps, and I unknowingly shuddered.
Meaning, she knew everything, right? The fact that I was hiding the princess, the fact that the princess was there. All of it.
Though goosebumps rose, I could only laugh awkwardly. It felt like if I said anything more, the chance Morgan had given me would disappear. I merely bowed my head in gratitude.
"Then, let us meet again, child."
"Yes... until next time..."
Morgan, grasping the door handle, looked at me, smiled brightly, and gently waved her hand. I too waved at Morgan, bidding farewell. I kept waving until Morgan walked out the door.