novelraw Chapter 73.5 : A Mother’s Smile
Chapter 73.5 : A Mother’s Smile
Selene’s POV
The night wind stirred through the borderlands, carrying the scent of damp earth and new grass. I stood with Iris at my side, both of us watching as my little boy pressed his hands against Maori’s trunk.
Light swelled.
The Aqua Bloom burst forth again, radiant and overflowing, its glow bathing Rooga’s small frame in hues of blue and green. Droplets rained down like stars, soaking into the soil, feeding the goddess’s roots. The tree hummed, its leaves quivering in joy, wisps circling as though they were dancers in an endless waltz.
And Rooga laughed. A boy’s innocent laugh. Bright. Pure.
My throat tightened.
“…You see, Iris?” My voice was softer than I intended. “This is why I no longer gasp at his power.”
Iris only whispered, “It’s beyond us.”
But I barely heard her.
Because I remembered my own first bloom. Not Aqua Bloom, no… my first magic was flame. The flicker of a spark that scorched instead of warmed. By the time I could wield power like Rooga’s, my hands were red with blood. Villages burned. Soldiers screamed. People cursed my name as they fled.
I was never allowed to create. Only destroy.
And yet… here stood my son, with tiny hands and childish giggles, making life.
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Not a weapon. Not a monster.
A miracle.
Tears blurred my vision, unbidden. My lips trembled — then curved into something I thought I’d forgotten how to make. A smile. Not the hollow mask I wore for years, but a real one.
“Rooga,” I whispered, though he couldn’t hear me over his laughter. “You’re already more than I ever was.”
For the first time, my heart felt lighter. My son was not chained to my fate. He was already walking a new path — one I could never tread.
And for that… I could finally smile.
Rooga’s POV
“Hah!”
I pressed both hands to Maori’s bark, puffing out my cheeks. The mana swirled, tickling my chest, then surged into my palms.
Aqua Bloom!
The big glowing ball of water spun into existence, even bigger than before. It shimmered blue and green, almost singing in my hands. I laughed, swaying side to side as I hurled it up toward the branches.
Whoosh!
Water rained down, scattering into sparkles. Maori’s leaves shivered and glowed, wisps darting around us like little fireflies.
I clapped my hands. “Yayyy! Did you see that, Maori? That one was huge!”
The little goddess hopped down beside me, her bare feet patting the damp grass. She tilted her head, eyes gleaming. “Fuuhhh, not bad! Bigger than yesterday, hm? You’re getting spoiled, Tree!”
Her giggle was like bells.
I grinned, tipping another bloom into existence. Then another. My chest ached a little from the mana drain, but the sight of Maori spinning beneath the glow made me forget.
“Look, it’s like rain! Pretty rain!” I spread my arms wide, letting the droplets fall on my face. “Now our home looks alive!”
Maori twirled, arms flaring. “Keep it up, Rooga! Spoil me more! Spoil me every day!”
I puffed proudly. “Of course! That’s my job!”
Mama’s voice echoed faintly behind me, soft but firm. “Rooga, don’t overdo it.”
I just stuck my tongue out and shot another bloom into the air. This one burst so bright the wisps scattered in surprise. My heart leapt at the sight.
Heh. So what if it made me tired? Watching the land sparkle, hearing Maori laugh, and knowing Mama and Iris were watching with warm eyes—
That was happiness.
That was my joy.