Chapter 27: Hold Me
Slowly raising her head, Erika met Kassie’s gaze, and she noticed that the little girl in front of her seemed to know something as well.
“Mm.”
Without denying it, Erika nodded. “In any case, it was my fault for ruining tonight’s cooking contest. I’m sorry.”
“What did you hear…” Kassie continued to ask, her eyes beginning to glisten.
“Nothing.”
Not wanting to say more, Erika turned to leave.
But just as she turned, a small hand grabbed her arm.
“Don’t… don’t go…”
Turning slightly, Erika saw that Kassie had suddenly burst into tears, her delicate and adorable face already soaked with tears.
“Please, be my friend for one night…”
“Huh?”
“No… just ten minutes… I want to bring a friend to see my mom…”
Kassie sobbed as she spoke. Her grip on Erika’s wrist was soft—if Erika wanted, she could have easily pulled away, but she didn’t.
“My mom… she’s going to leave me…
Wahh—!”
She finally couldn’t hold it in any longer. Kassie had already known about Caroline’s condition. She started wailing, completely unlike the fierce girl she had been during the cooking contest.
“Hey… don’t cry.”
“Please help me!”
There was pleading in her voice. Kassie’s tearful tone made Erika feel uncomfortable.
“Just for a few minutes… please.”
“…Alright.”
Erika eventually agreed. Even though she didn’t understand why she said yes—maybe… it was just because of the guilt from earlier.
Kassie wiped away her tears and brought Erika to Caroline’s room. To make the lie more believable, Kassie even took the initiative to hold Erika’s hand.
Erika didn’t refuse and simply followed her to Caroline’s bedside.
“Mama…” Kassie called out first.
Apparently not expecting her daughter to return, Caroline immediately shook her face slightly, trying to bring some color back to her pale complexion.
At the same time, she discreetly hid the blood-stained towel under the pillow.
Of course, Erika noticed the gesture.
“Kassie, why are you back? And this little girl…”
“Hello, Auntie, I came to apologize to you.”
Erika bowed obediently. “It was my fault. I ruined the contest and had a conflict with Kassie.”
“No… oh~ it’s okay, little girl, as long as you’re not angry.”
“No, Auntie, I came specifically to apologize to you both. Kassie forgave me, and she’s even willing to be my friend.”
It seemed Erika had already thought out her words. She bowed again sincerely, which made Caroline feel a bit incredulous.
She looked at Erika, then turned to her daughter.
The next second, her gaze revealed both comfort and sorrow.
At that moment, the elderly man standing by smiled bitterly and shook his head. He quietly got up and left the room. He knew it wasn’t his place to be there anymore.
After he left, Caroline’s trembling hands gently hugged Kassie.
Holding her daughter softly, Caroline closed her eyes, feeling the warmth in her arms.
In that moment, she forgot the pain, forgot her dwindling life.
“Kassie…”
Her dry lips whispered in Kassie’s ear.
“I’m sorry… Mommy hit you earlier.”
“It’s okay, Mommy. I don’t mind… really… I don’t.”
“Kassie… Mommy isn’t perfect. Sometimes I can’t help but yell at you, even hit you. But… no one… no one loves you more than I do.
Do you know… the moment you were born… Mommy silently prayed to God… I hoped your life would be safe… healthy… and filled with many, many friends…
I’m sorry… it’s my first time being a mom… If I didn’t do well enough… can you forgive me?”
“Mommy…”
Kassie’s voice finally turned into sobs.
Though her back faced Erika, Erika could tell Kassie was crying uncontrollably.
Deciding not to disturb the mother and daughter any further, Erika prepared to leave.
As she did, she saw Kassie take out a skinned apple from her pocket.
“Mommy, let me peel this for you.”
“No need, Kassie. You don’t have to do anything.”
“It’s okay, Mommy. You’re tired. Just lie down and rest. I’ll peel it for you…
Actually, Mommy, I was wrong to run out earlier and make you angry.
I know you’re not well. Sometimes, I wish I could take your pain for you…
I can cook and wash dishes. I can do all the chores. Even if Daddy’s not around, you don’t have to be so tired all by yourself…”
Kassie chatted sensibly beside her mother.
But Erika didn’t listen any further. She knew the rest of the time belonged to the mother and daughter, and she left quietly.
Back in her own room, Gladys had been waiting for her.
The two exchanged a glance, but said nothing.
In the end, Erika bathed herself and, as always, fell asleep in Gladys’ arms.
……
……
The next day.
Feeling much better, Gladys was preparing to take Erika to the Imperial Capital.
Since it was daytime, she didn’t plan to fly but instead intended to hire a carriage from the station. After all, Palo Village was already very close to the capital.
“Kassie, step aside…”
Just as Erika and Gladys came out from the stairway, she heard a hoarse voice.
It was the old man from last night—likely Kassie’s grandfather or maternal grandfather.
Beside him were a few men, who looked like tavern staff. But right now, their expressions were grim. They said nothing, just waited as the old man spoke to Kassie.
“No.”
Kassie stood by the door, using her small body to block the entrance. Her face was stubborn. “Don’t disturb my mom’s rest.”
“Kassie, move.”
The old man repeated, his face full of helplessness.
“No!”
Kassie raised her voice. She wouldn’t let anyone near the door. “Mommy’s tired, very tired! She’s sleeping soundly! I won’t let you disturb her!”
Seeing this, the old man could only shake his head and instruct the staff to forcibly move Kassie aside.
“Ah—!”
Of course, Kassie couldn’t resist the grown men and started screaming.
“No!—Ah! Don’t take my mommy away!!”
Kassie’s heart-wrenching cries echoed through the tavern.
Except for the staff who entered the room, everyone else stopped what they were doing, their eyes turning toward the source of the cries.
Inside the room, the staff carried Caroline out—her body now covered with a cloth. Clearly, she had passed away.
The tavern, once lively, was now silent.
At that moment, the tavern fell into complete stillness. Only Kassie’s sobbing cries could be heard.
Everyone silently bowed their heads, as if mourning Caroline.
Gladys and Erika naturally witnessed everything.
Erika looked especially dazed. Her red eyes stared blankly at the weeping Kassie, her heart heavy.
“Let’s go, Erika.”
Gladys gently tugged her small hand and said softly.
“Wait, Gladys.”
Saying that, Erika let go of her hand and ran toward Caroline’s body.
The staff carrying the body looked confused… until Erika took the four-leaf clover from her pocket and placed it beside Caroline’s body.
“Thank you, beautiful lady,” the old man said hoarsely to Erika.
Erika just gave a bitter smile and shook her head. She gave a slight bow to Caroline’s body.
The reason for the bow was simple.
This great mother deserved her respect.
……
Returning to Gladys’ side, Erika quietly walked out of the tavern with her.
Caroline and Kassie, this mother and daughter, had deeply moved her.
In her previous life, he had a mother too. He had cried terribly when she passed.
No matter what world it is, the love of family is always great.
She understood that even though Caroline had left, everything she had done in life would ensure Kassie always remembered this great mother.
After all, sometimes we show our worst tempers to the ones we’re closest to—but it’s also for those closest to us that we strive to be stronger.
As for Kassie, the little girl who was crying yesterday saying she wanted to be friends, even just for a few minutes…
She wondered if they’d ever meet again…
……
They walked out of the tavern together. The morning sunlight wasn’t too harsh, and the weather was clear.
But in this perfect weather for a walk, Erika suddenly stopped.
She broke free from Gladys’ hand.
Gladys didn’t understand what was happening, only seeing Erika staring at her with those big eyes.
Their gazes locked.
For a long moment, their eyes remained fixed on each other…
……
……
Erika tugged gently at the hem of Gladys’ skirt with her fingers.
Her large red eyes blinked as she looked at her.
“Gladys.”
“Mm?”
“Hold me.”
When she said those words, Erika’s face turned a familiar shade of red. She stretched out her arms, fingers spread, too shy to look directly at her.
“Alright.”
Gladys didn’t refuse. Instead, she smiled softly, then extended her pale arms and wrapped them around Erika’s waist, lifting her like a child into her embrace.
Who would’ve thought, just yesterday, this little girl said she didn’t like being held.
And today, she was being so affectionate.