CHAPTER 18
I still had more to say, but the words wouldn’t quite come out.
It felt awkward to say things like this—it wasn’t something I was used to.
But I had to say it.
For Aslan, to ease her anxiety.
I looked into her eyes and spoke with all my heart.
“Mommy will always love you, Aslan. Even if you don’t go to the academy, even if you’re not super strong, even if you don’t grow really, really tall—you’re still my one and only precious daughter.”
“…Really?”
“Of course. Really.”
I gave Aslan a soft kiss on the cheek.
Now that she was human, Aslan understood what a kiss meant, and she smiled shyly.
Had her mood improved? I wondered, but Aslan still looked conflicted and muttered,
“But I have to protect Mommy. So I have to be strong… and tall…”
She pressed her lips together, as if determined not to cry anymore, then stood tall and thumped her chest.
“Mommy protected me all this time, so now it’s my turn to protect her!”
Her effort to look dependable was so adorable it made me chuckle, but at the same time, my chest tightened with emotion.
It was touching that she wanted to protect me—but Aslan was still just a child.
I gently reminded her of a very important truth.
“Aslan, I really appreciate how you feel, but you’re still a baby who needs Mommy’s care.”
“But I’m already grown up! I’m over one year old!”
“In human years, adulthood starts at twenty.”
“No way…”
Aslan’s eyes widened in disbelief, her mouth opening and closing in shock upon realizing how far she had to go.
Although I spoke firmly, I didn’t intend to stubbornly oppose everything Aslan wanted to do like before.
Now that she had become human, Aslan would live much longer than me.
Would clinging to her and crying really be what’s best for her? If I were to die—peacefully of old age or not—Aslan wouldn’t be able to stand on her own.
‘I need to teach Aslan how to live as a person. I’m her mom, after all.’
A mom who wants her daughter to be happy.
If it meant Aslan could live a happy, long life, I’d do anything.
I sat next to her and wrapped my arms around her small shoulders.
Aslan always radiated warmth. Holding her always felt like being embraced by a gentle heat.
I softly patted her shoulder as I comforted her in a quiet voice.
“Aslan. It’s okay to grow tall or become strong after you grow up.”
She quietly leaned into me, but then looked up with a worried expression.
“…But then how do I protect you?”
“Humans study.”
“Study?”
Aslan tilted her head in confusion.
She knew far more as a cat than she did as a person, so she didn’t understand what studying was.
I explained it in the simplest way I could.
“If you study hard, you become smart. And if you’re smart, you can stay safe without even having to fight. The academy is a place where you learn things like that. That’s why parents feel at ease when their children go to a good academy.”
Aslan’s eyes grew wide with excitement the more I explained, and as soon as I finished, she shouted,
“Then I wanna go to the academy too!”
“You can’t.”
I refused immediately, and Aslan looked heartbroken.
Before she could burst into tears again, I calmly explained why.
“I told you before, didn’t I? You have to be at least seven to enter the academy. And Mommy can’t go with you.”
“Ugh… ughhh…”
She understood, but clearly wasn’t satisfied.
So I made her a suggestion.
“Instead, Mommy will teach you.”
“…You?”
“Of course. Mommy may not look it, but I’m actually pretty smart. Let’s invite Ayla to our house and study together. And when study time’s over, you can play with Ayla as much as you want. Doesn’t that sound fun?”
“With Ayla…”
Aslan’s blank expression slowly brightened.
Her arms and legs started flailing in excitement.
“Yeah! I wanna do it! Sounds fun!”
She beamed brightly.
“I’m gonna get super smart before I grow up! That way I can grow up fast and protect Mommy!”
Her face lit up with anticipation.
There were many days when I felt anxious because of the original story.
But now I was starting to think—maybe the reason I know the original is so I can change Aslan’s future.
If I know the worst outcome, I can avoid it.
And if it’s to protect Aslan’s bright smile—I can do anything.
The next day, a letter arrived at the blue-roofed mansion.
Lloyd, seeing who it was from, quickly opened it.
[Dear Sir Menthe,
I’ve given your suggestion plenty of thought.
I, too, hope Ayla can be friends with Aslan.]
“Yes!”
A smile formed at Lloyd’s lips.
But the letter didn’t end there.
[However,]
“However…?”
Just that single word made Lloyd’s throat tighten.
Come to think of it, Minerva hadn’t seemed too pleased with the idea of Aslan and Ayla becoming close.
Was there a catch?
He hurriedly read the next part.
[However, I plan to begin teaching Aslan myself.
I believe Ayla’s participation would motivate her more.
I’m sure Ayla already has a tutor, but if you’re alright with it,
I’d like your permission to include Ayla in the lessons.
Of course, I won’t be too strict—they’re both still young.
I’ll make sure they have plenty of time to play, too.]
Lloyd stared in a daze.
He had been bracing for some difficult condition—but she was just asking to teach Ayla as well?
He thought Minerva was wary of Ayla, but apparently that was a misunderstanding.
And this was no ordinary tutor.
She’s a royal princess.
Who would say no?
Ayla would need higher-level education anyway for her future.
Not wanting to miss the opportunity, Lloyd immediately pulled out his stationery.
There was nothing to consider—it was an easy yes.
A reply arrived from Yid.
They would visit in a week, with Ayla.
“Perfect.”
I pumped my fist in triumph.
To be honest, I’d wanted to avoid getting too involved with Ayla.
But if the girls grew up as friends, the chance of them growing apart like in the original story would drop drastically.
“Aslan only became a villainess because I died—if I stay alive, there’s no problem.”
I always valued my life, but now I’d have to treasure it even more.
For Aslan!
“Alright. Time for me to get ready, too.”
Before starting lessons with Ayla, there was something I had to do.
Teach Aslan how to read.
You can’t study if you don’t know the alphabet. It would be useless.
Most noble children her age could already scribble letters, even if a bit messy.
But Aslan, having only just become human, didn’t know any of it.
That was fine—I’d just teach her.
But knowing Aslan, her mood could shift at any time, so I needed to strike while her motivation was high.
“Let’s do this.”
It was two in the afternoon.
I headed to the playroom.
At this time, Aslan would be there.
As expected, she was curled up on the top of the cat tower, peacefully napping.
I called to her softly.
“Aslan.”
“Mmm… Mommy…?”
With her sharp hearing, she woke up even at my quiet voice.
Stretching like a cat, she extended her limbs, then climbed down step by step on all fours until we were eye-level.
“Whew… I really wish she’d come down like a person already.”
I’d need to give her a firm reminder before Ayla visited.
Aslan purred and nudged her head against me, and I instinctively petted her to help shake off her sleep.
“Come on, time to get up. Starting today, we study at this hour.”
“Study? Starting today?”
“Yep.”
“Wooooow…!”
Aslan’s sleepy eyes sparkled with excitement.
She jumped down from the cat tower and stood in front of me.
Then she grabbed my hand and bounced in place.
“Let’s go! I’m ready! I’m gonna work really hard!”
“Then I’ll do my best to teach you, too!”
Fueled by Aslan’s enthusiasm, I felt fired up as well.
Within a week, she’d be writing full sentences!
With hearts full of excitement, we headed to the study room.
