The Reborn Witch Princess

Mom and Dad

Queen Lustia had just stepped out of the grand doors leading to the pond patio when her eyes fell upon an unexpected sight: a red-haired girl reclining casually in a chair, her back turned toward the queen.

The sun cast long shadows across the lush garden, its golden rays dappling the ornate stone pathway. The scent of blooming jasmine mingled with the crisp, fresh air. The serene beauty of the pond, with its gently rippling water and vibrant lilies, contrasted starkly with the unsettling scene before Queen Lustia.

Gulping audibly, Queen Lustia silently withdrew her foot and retreated into the hallway, her heart pounding in her chest. She had been anticipating a peaceful moment of solitude, not an encounter with someone so brazenly disregarding her presence.

"Your Highness, the fish food is here," came the sudden, nervous voice of a maidservant, breaking the queen's reverie.

Startled by the intrusion, Queen Lustia spun around and glared sharply at the maidservant who stood there. The maidservant's face a portrait of confusion and trepidation. The maidservant's eyes widened, her body trembling slightly under the weight of the queen's piercing gaze.

'My God! What on earth happened while I was gone?' The maidservant's thoughts raced, trying to reconcile the serene morning with the tense atmosphere. 'Her Highness was in such high spirits just a moment ago...'

Realizing the gravity of the situation, Queen Lustia waved the maidservant to follow her, indicating they should leave the area discreetly.

"Mom! You're here!" Rara's exuberant voice rang out, piercing the silence and drawing the queen's attention. Rara leaped from her chair and rushed toward Queen Lustia, her face glowing with unrestrained enthusiasm. "I've been waiting for you since morning and even skipped breakfast just to see you."

Queen Lustia froze in place, her eyes widening with disbelief and frustration. She clenched her jaw, biting her lip to control her rising temper. Every muscle in her body tensed as she fought the urge to reprimand the girl. She turned slowly to face Rara, feeling an overwhelming desire to slam her head into the nearby wall.

Since their return from the Fogs of Punishment, Rara's presence had been a constant and irritating thorn in Queen Lustia's side. The previous morning, when the queen had awoken in her opulent room, she had found Rara sitting beside her bed, peeling an apple with an overly cheerful expression.

"Ah! Your Highness, you're awake. Wait here! I'll call the doctor!" Rara had exclaimed, her voice full of urgency as she dashed out of the room.

The doctor, who had examined the queen and reassured her that there were no serious health concerns, had left with a curt but professional nod. As soon as he was gone, Rara had reappeared, eagerly sitting beside the queen and offering to help with everything.

"Your Highness, no need to call them. What do you need? I'll take care of it," Rara had insisted, her hands already making their way to Queen Lustia's arms, beginning a massage with an almost overzealous tenderness.

Queen Lustia had been rendered speechless. What on earth was this girl doing? Why was she here, and what did she want?

"Why are you here? What do you want to do?" she had asked, her voice strained with frustration.

"Hehehe... Your Highness, I'm just here to take care of you. There's nothing else..." Rara had replied, her awkward smile failing to mask the sweat on her forehead.

"No need! Call the servants!" Queen Lustia had snapped, shivering under the weight of Rara's hopeful gaze. The girl's complete disregard for proper manners was becoming unbearable.

Despite the queen's clear dismissal, Rara had persisted. The next morning, as Queen Lustia entered the dining hall, she had been greeted by Rara, who was waiting at the door with an enthusiastic grin. The grand dining hall, with its elaborate tapestries and polished mahogany tables, felt like an arena of unspoken tension.

With a flourish, Rara had taken the queen's arm and helped her to her seat—choosing to sit down beside her as well. The king, seated at the head of the table, had glared at the audacious intruder, his discontent evident.

As Rara leaned in with a coquettish tone, "Mom, just let me stay here today and serve you..." the entire table had gone silent, eyes widening in astonishment.

The audacity of Rara sitting in Prince Xavier's chair and speaking to Queen Lustia so intimately had shocked everyone.

Queen Lustia, feeling helpless, had reluctantly acquiesced to Rara's presence. Throughout the meal, Rara's smile had been radiant, almost blinding in its intensity. She had hovered around the queen like an overly attentive daughter, filling her plate and refilling her glass with an excessive display of devotion.

The king's frustration had grown palpable. He had attempted to divert the queen's attention several times, but Rara had stubbornly remained by the queen's side, her constant presence an intentional usurpation of the king's focus.

"Mom...? Mooooommm!!" Rara's voice cut through Queen Lustia's thoughts, her hand waving in front of the queen's face with exaggerated gestures.

Shaking herself free from her reverie, Queen Lustia glared at Rara with irritation. "What do you want?"

Rara's face lit up with a mixture of hope and apprehension. She guided the queen to the pond patio, where the tranquil setting of the water and surrounding foliage contrasted sharply with the tension of their conversation. Gently, Rara urged Queen Lustia into a chair, then sat beside her with a pouty, affectionate expression.

"Mom..." Rara's voice was soft, her eyes glimmering with feigned innocence.

Queen Lustia, unable to resist Rara's pleading expression, crossed her arms and closed her eyes in resignation. "Fine, fine. Stop calling me that. I'm not your mother. Just tell me what you want."

"I... I want to learn how to communicate with the... with the fairies..." Rara's voice trembled slightly as she peered up at the queen with hopeful eyes.

The queen's face paled as shock and dismay etched themselves across her features. She stood up abruptly, her movements sharp and decisive. "No!"

"Mom—"

"Don't call me that!" Queen Lustia's voice was a sharp command, her patience finally frayed.

Rara's head drooped in disappointment, her expression a mix of vulnerability and longing. The queen felt a pang of guilt, her heart softened by the sight. She had harbored a secret wish for a daughter, and Rara's insistence, despite being annoying, struck a chord within her.

"Your... Your Highness, please let me learn. Just this once! After this, I won't bother you anymore..." Rara pleaded, her eyes shining with earnest desperation.

"No!" Queen Lustia turned away, determined to end the conversation.

"Your Highness, please..." Rara hurried after her, trying to catch her attention.

At that moment, the king's voice boomed from behind them. "What's going on here?"

Rara turned, her eyes wide with surprise. "Your Majesty, I..." she started, biting her lip as she struggled to formulate an excuse.

<Why don't you try asking the king?>

'Old man, I won't fall for your tricks anymore!'

(Fine. I'll see how you manage to complete the mission on your own...)

With a deep breath, Rara looked up at the king and, with renewed determination, said, "Dad!"

The king and queen stared in shock as Rara abruptly pounced on the king, linking her arm with his and guiding him to the pond patio. "Dad, the weather today is perfect..." she chattered excitedly, making sure to grab the fish food from the astonished maid.

The king, feeling as if he were dreaming, marveled at the sudden shift. The girl who had called the queen "mom" just days ago was now addressing him as "dad." A sense of triumph filled him as he observed the queen's bemused and slightly frustrated expression.

With a proud smirk, the king followed his newfound 'daughter' to the pond patio, savoring the moment and enjoying the subtle revenge on his queen for ignoring him for the last few days.