TMKWPL CH 18

Chapter 18

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Kindergarten Interview

The kindergarten attached to Eldarion Academy was located on the south of the imperial palace grounds, facing the plaza.

Among the massive crowd of carriages parked out front, a black-haired mother and daughter duo were turning heads. Lucia wore a cream-colored silk blouse with a navy skirt, while Nia was in a matching silk dress and navy sandals—they looked like a pair of coordinated dolls. They gave off a warm, close-knit vibe, clearly dressed to make the best possible impression for the interview.

Of course, this idea hadn’t come from Lucia, who usually doesn’t care about what people think. It was the result of her squad members' forceful intervention after she’d insisted that a knight's proper etiquette was to wear their uniform.

Thanks to the makeover, nobody recognized her, which made things easier. However, the skirt and high heels made her walk feel awkward. Nia seemed to feel the same way, though her discomfort likely came from the unfamiliar environment rather than the clothes.

If Nia were an ordinary child, this would’ve been her first time out in the wider world, and her eyes would’ve sparkled with curiosity. Instead, she kept her head down, clutching Lucia’s hand and staring at the floor all the way to the academy entrance.

Is it because this is her first time in a place like this?

Before Lucia could sort out her worries, a staff member approached them.

“Are you here for today’s interview?”

He checked off a list and handed them a numbered ticket. They followed him into the waiting lounge inside the academy, where many families were already seated on sofas. As soon as they sat down, a voice rang out from the entrance.

“Parents of number 128? We need to verify your identity in another room. Just one parent, please.”

Lucia glanced at the slip in her hand.

133… so that’s why they gave this to me.

There were so many people, but the staff didn’t explain much, assuming parents already knew the drill. There were five families ahead of them and at this pace, they’d probably be called within an hour. Whenever a number was announced, one of the parents stood up and went to the other room.

They used numbers instead of names to avoid the usual complications that came with revealing family names. It was an unexpected blessing for Lucia, whose identity had been carefully concealed by her squad members. If names and houses were announced, the place would have turned into a madhouse instantly.

But Lucia didn’t have the mental space to think about that because her attention was solely on Nia. The child was still clinging tightly to her arm, her face stiff with an anxious face. She had been nervous from the moment they got in the carriage until they arrived here.

This was clearly Nia’s first time in such a crowded, lively place. For a child who’d lived shut away in a small-town orphanage and a warehouse, adapting wouldn’t be easy, even to the oblivious Lucia.

Still, Lucia believed a life shared with others was better than solitude. And if Nia was going to live a normal life someday, she’d have to adapt eventually.

So, even though Nia was born a saintess, Lucia intended for Nia to give her a normal life once she awakened and fulfil her role. But seeing the child shake made her doubt herself.

But what if this is just my selfish desire to make up for my own regrets??

Was forcing Nia into a place she didn’t want to be, all in the name of being ordinary really for her sake?

“Parent of number 133? Where are you?”

The staff member called out.

Let’s cancel the interview.

Lucia stood up and Nia was still trembling with anxiety.

“You don't have to attend kindergarten. I’ll cancel the interview. Let’s just go home.”

As Lucia stepped away, Nia froze. She was relieved to hear that she didn't have to go, but...

…Is it because of Nia?

When an anxious child sees an adult suddenly change their mind, their first instinct is often self-blame. Watching Lucia’s back, Nia recalled what Vernon had told her last night.

“You’ll make lots of friends there and learn many good things.”

But Nia didn’t care about any of that because all she wanted was to stay by Lucia’s side. Being somewhere without her mother meant nothing to her.

And the curious looks from the other children that she briefly met were glances she knew all too well. Nia had a unique black hair and gloomy atmosphere. To her, all those stares meant she was an easy target for bullying.

In truth, it was probably just innocent curiosity. But having known kindness only from Ivonne, Nia still saw other children as something to fear.

Still… Heath had said she needed to get along with kids her age. She looked at the crowd of children and felt terrified.

How could she? There’s a lot of children. Her little world didn’t want to grow any bigger, so she tried to tell herself,

Mommy said Nia don’t have to go…

Just then, she overheard two mothers nearby.

“Oh, I can finally breathe now that kindergarten is staring. My kid is so energetic.”

“Tell me about it. I’ve got three boys, if they run around too much, the floor might collapse! If I didn’t send them here, I wouldn’t be able to raise them at all. Hahaha!”

“…!!!”

Nia’s eyes went wide. Her pupils shook as she spotted Lucia approaching from afar, looking exhausted and walking back toward her.

…Is it true?!

To Nia’s ears, "I wouldn't be able to raise them" meant "I would give up on them". If she didn't go to this school, she feared her mother wouldn't be able to keep her.

“Sigh. The cancellation is a bit complicated. Let’s just sit through it for a minute and then leave. We’ll go home right after, so don’t worry—”

“Nia wants to go!!! Kindergarten!!!”

Compared to the fear of losing Lucia, the fear of the school was nothing. The timid child’s desperate courage echoed through the entire waiting room. Even kids preparing for their interviews dropped their papers in shock.

“Oh my, look at that little girl. How brave! My son is throwing a fit because he doesn't want to go, but look at her!”

“I know! I love kids with that kind of spirit. Her parents must be so proud!”

The two ladies who had accidentally sparked Nia’s passion began praising her.

• ───────── ☽༓☾ ───────── •

“Such a lovely outing outfit for a mother and daughter. As someone with only sons, I’m quite jealous. Hoho.”

Headmistress Norcia said with a bright and cheerful voice. Unlike the headmistress, Lucia felt uneasy, especially because of the strange woman standing behind her, hiding her face and sweating nervously.

They said the teacher’s the same age as me and an academy graduate…

Lucia couldn’t see the woman's face, but even if she did, she probably wouldn't remember her. Lucia’s academy days were a blur, she’d only gone because her family insisted. She just hoped that if Nia got in, this weird woman wouldn’t be her teacher.

Norcia noticed the tension and smiled.

“Ms. Emily, if you have something urgent to attend to, you may step out.”

“Y-yes! Thank you, headmistress!!”

Emily practically bolted out the door, dropping half her handouts in the process. Lucia narrowed her eyes.

The headmistress seems nice but…is this place more authoritarian than it looks? I need to keep an eye on this.

If this place didn’t suit Nia, Lucia wouldn’t hesitate to pull her out—no matter how much Nia said she wanted to go.

“Nia, you said you wanted to come here. Is there a reason why?” Norcia asked.

Nia shrunk back. Despite her big declaration earlier, being questioned by a stranger made her grip her dress tight. She thought hard, but all she could think of was wanting to stay with her mother. So she stayed silent.

Norcia watched her calmly.

I guess she really is the author of that book.

The book she read last night hadn't just been about graceful parenting—it covered the messy stuff: bathroom issues, how to handle a sick stomach, and regional skin rashes. It was a book for parents struggling under the surface, which made the headmistress a very down-to-earth person.

But she was confused. Giliana had warned her that this interview was notoriously difficult and that passing was unlikely. Yet Norcia was just making small talk.

Then, Norcia gave a playful smile.

“Nia, you don’t actually want to be here, do you?”

Nia shook her head instinctively, but the headmistress was firm. Lucia was surprised, Nia’s expression made it obvious that the headmistress was able to see through her.

But why did she insisted to go?

Before Lucia could ask, Norcia continued.

“Nia, do you have any friends?”

“...Ivonne.”

Norzia burst into laughter, as if she already knew all about the Ivonne the little wild boar.

“I see. That’s good, then. Even if you don’t come here, you can still give your mother gifts every day.”

“…Gifts?”

Nia, who had been sullen, looked up and met the headmistress in the eye.

“Yes. You see, there’s exactly one person in the world who treasures your stories like treasures.”

“…?”

“That is, your mum.”

Nia glanced at Lucia to see if it was true. Lucia gave a small nod at the perfect moment. Only then did Nia relaxed and leaned in to listen.

“If you tell her what you ate, what you played, what you learned every single day, it’ll make her just as happy as receiving a gift.”

“…Really? Really, I can tell very day?”

“Of course. No mother dislikes her daughter’s stories. So you can tell her as much as you want.”

It was a line from the book:

[An introverted child isn't silent because they have nothing to say; they are overflowing with things they want to share. You just have to give them the courage to speak.]

Maybe Nia was that kind of child. Was she torn between wanting to go while being afraid? Lucia was finally understanding the complexity of the child's heart. As Nia’s face lit up with a huge smile, there was a genuine affection in the headmistress’ eyes.

If Nia happened to be struggling, she could quit anytime.

Fitting it wasn’t the only way to live normally. But if this place could make Nia smile like that, maybe passing wouldn’t be so bad.

• ───────── ☽༓☾ ───────── •

As the interview ended and they headed for the door, Norcia spoke.

“Nia has passed.”

Lucia turned around, confused.

“…Aren’t results announced in a month?”

“If a child this lovely doesn’t attend, who would? Hohoho.”

Norcia smiled and patted Nia’s head.

“I’m sorry for sounding like I'm joking. Actually, I have my personal reasons.”

“…Excuse me?”

“Oh, it’s not unfair or anything. Ms. Emily is... busy, so I had to decide on my own. And...”

She paused and Lucia waited.

“I heard my foolish son has been causing you some trouble.”

Ah. So that’s what this was about, it’s about Leon. Did she also know about the gifts? I guess she’s sensible enough to know that Leon’s actions were a bit too much.

“I may not have seen him in years… but I always support my son’s choices. I hope you and my son could form a good bond. You’ll be seeing each other daily now, feel free to treat me like family. Hohoho!”

“…?”

Lucia blinked.

Treat her like family? But my relationship with Leon was more like rivals. Why is the headmistress talking about forming a good bond?... She sure is a strange woman.

Lucia concluded, having no idea she was dealing with a doting mother who was fully prepared to help her son’s love life.

Chapter 17

Chapter List

Chapter 19