I adopt the male lead

chapter 12

Karina was dumbfounded for a moment and immediately came to her senses.

Roland was much more delicate than he looks.

Dozens of serious worries will pass through that cute little head while he's dazed.

"Do I look sick?"

"...It's hard. Because of us..."

"If I were the type who got sick from these things, I would have died a few years ago in agony. Before I even met you guys."

"...!"

Seeing Roland's eyes widen, those words worked.

"Don't think Lord Lenque was the only one with you. And Lord Lenque himself... What a mess he was. Ugh."

Karina hated it.

The flour dough was nothing compared to what she had swept and polished in that house over the past decade or so

"Did mom learn magic like us when you were young?"

"...No."

Karina hesitated for a moment but spoke frankly.

"Lord Lenque never tried to teach me, even though he knew I had a talent for magic. Rather, he was very wary of my interest in magic. I learned this instead."

Karina smiled and lifted the mop.

"Thanks to you, I can clean up this mess that you guys created. Isn't it okay?"

"I tried to use magic to clean it up. I was going to clean it up, but..."

Roland's eyes are teary.

"The more I use magic, the more I mess it up..."

It was a confession that explained the reason for the water droplets and bubbles seen everywhere.

"Aigoo."

Karina left the mop and approached Roland.

Roland was still covered in flour dough, but Karina didn't mind and hugged him.

Her clothes were dirty because she was cleaning anyway.

"Roland, if there's anything wrong with you is that you're trying to figure out everything on your own. Instead of waiting for me to come."

"I-Isn't it my fault that I didn't do well?"

The way he looked up at Karina in bewilderment was heartbreaking. His eyes hurt her heart. Karina shook her head trying not to bite her lips.

"No, the two of you aren't alone anymore."

"...We always had to do it together even at the orphanage."

"Not now."

Karina spoke with strength.

"You can always ask me for help."

"Mom... it's hard."

"Yeah, Roland is right. I'd be lying if I said it wasn't hard."

Karina hugged Roland even tightly.

"But there are things you can do on your own, and there are things I can do on my own."

"Mom..."

"You guys have to ask me for help if you think you're having a hard time on your own. Don't just rely on each other. Okay?

"Yes...!"

A muffled answer came out from Roland's throat. Karina let out a sigh and comforted Roland. Soon after, Melissa burst into tears as well.