Ries guided the mother and son to sit side by side. Once they were settled, silence immediately followed.
He glanced back and forth between them, fidgeting with his fingers.
He’d had no trouble chatting up a storm with Justyn earlier, but here? This was harder.
Understandably so—this was family business. Even if most of his memories from his human days had vanished, he still had enough awareness to know not to butt in at a time like this.
—Justyn.
Thankfully, the awkward silence didn’t last long.
Hillein was the one to speak first. Her expression seemed to change with every passing second, until she finally composed herself and looked up. She gestured toward Justyn, who sat a fair distance away.
—It’s okay. You can come sit closer.
“…But…”
—It’s fine. Really.
Even though he’d decided not to run away anymore, Justyn clearly still worried about his curse. The hesitation in his one visible eye said as much.
But once Hillein reached out and took his hand, pulling him toward her, he had no defense. Before he could resist, he found himself sitting right beside her, shoulders tense.
—I know you’re worried about me. But I’m all right. Truly. That’s why… I’d like to talk with you a bit more. And… I want to apologize.
She added a faint smile.
It had only been the first step that was hard. Everything else after that flowed more easily. It seemed like all they’d needed was the right moment to open up.
Sometimes there were awkward silences as they fumbled to find the right words. But the conversation didn’t break. Ries kept his ears perked up, attentively listening to every word.
To summarize, the exchange between them went something like this:
“…I’m sorry I ran off. You must’ve been just as overwhelmed as I was.”
—Hm? No, no. If I were in your place, I’d have done the same. There’s no need to apologize.
An apology.
—If anyone should be apologizing, it’s me… I shouldn’t have hidden something so important from you. I was selfish. I didn’t think about how you’d feel.
“I… I’m fine. You don’t have to say sorry—”
—You don’t have to put on a brave face for me. I might look young, but I’ve existed for a very long time in this state. I’ve watched you grow all this time, you know? So you don’t have to act like an adult in front of me.
“……”
Another apology.
—When I found out I didn’t have much time left… how did that make you feel? Did you resent me for not telling you? Did you feel betrayed? Or… did you blame yourself? Think it was all your fault?
“…I didn’t resent you. I never felt betrayed. But… as for guilt… that was harder to avoid. If it weren’t for my curse, you wouldn’t be dying.”
—Justyn…
“But more than that…”
Justyn’s eyes flicked briefly to Ries, who had his tiny head poking out from Hillein’s skirts.
The little round face gave a slow, deliberate nod, signaling that it was okay to continue.
Justyn took a breath, then finished.
“…Just the thought that we might not have much time left like this… I hated it.”
He spoke slowly and carefully, as if the words were unfamiliar in his mouth, each syllable pressed out with effort.
When his wavering gaze finally settled, the first thing he saw was Hillein’s beaming smile.
—I see… Thank you. For being honest with me. Truly.
She forced her lips upward, but her face still looked strangely sad. It was proof that she was feeling the same thing Justyn was.
They’d finally shared their true feelings.
—There’s something I’ve always wanted to tell you… but I could never bring myself to say it. It’s about me… and your father.
“……”
Hillein didn’t hold back. She finally broached the subject she’d always avoided. The same story Justyn had once heard from Sefiut.
—I used to think I had no right to stay by your side. Even though I was always hovering near you, like some lost soul… Pathetic, isn’t it?
—If I hadn’t run away from it all… if I’d just tried to talk to you sooner, if I’d stepped in when things started to go wrong, if I’d punished your father myself instead of letting things spiral… maybe none of this would’ve happened. Maybe he wouldn’t have been able to torment you, even after death.
—If not for Ries, if not for our ancestor… I never would’ve found the courage. And this is a secret, but… I’m actually a little proud of myself for working up the nerve to come here.
She grinned, playful. The corners of her eyes crinkled into a smile, dimples blooming on both cheeks as she whispered:
—Thanks to that, I got to see you like this. With someone precious to you, someone you want to hold on to. Someone you love. I’ve never once regretted my choice.
“…Ah.”
—Hurt by your curse? Fading away because of it? No. Not at all. I was so happy every time I saw you that there was no room for pain.
“……”
—And… I won’t disappear. I was always planning to return when my body could no longer hold on. I just… kept putting it off. Because every moment I spent laughing and talking with you like this felt too precious to let go of.
Hillein moved slowly. One hand reached out to stroke Ries, still in cat form, while the other took Justyn’s hand.
Her bare hand—smooth and warm—traced light circles over the back of his with her thumb.
As always, she didn’t want this peaceful moment to end.
Longing rose from deep in her chest. She was sure Justyn felt the same. She smiled, making no show of it.
—All I’m doing is going back to where I was supposed to go. But… if you don’t mind, I’d like to stay by your side just a little longer. Even if that means returning sooner, it’s okay.
Let me watch over you a bit more—now that you finally know how to feel happiness. Let me cherish this miraculous moment we’re sharing together.
If she were alive, her dress would be crumpled from her grip, her palms damp with nervous sweat.
That’s how badly she wanted this.
Even knowing her son could never fully rid himself of guilt, she selfishly clung to the last remaining lifeline.
And in that moment, when those red eyes—warmer than her husband’s ever were—looked into hers…
“…Is there anything you want to do?”
—Huh? Something I want to do?
Justyn, who’d been silent until now, finally spoke again.
At first, it sounded almost random. Hillein tilted her head, puzzled, and Justyn looked away, a little flustered.
“Anything you wanted to do together. I don’t care what it is. If there’s not much time left… I think we should live without regrets. That’s what I’d do.”
—Ah…
Hillein froze in place. The hand that had been gently stroking Ries’s fur stiffened.
Then she suddenly began to move, fidgeting in place.
She looked down, then up at him again. Touched her ear in disbelief. Bent her finger back as if to check if this was all a dream.
Of course, she felt no pain. Her body had no sense of it anymore. But even without it, that was all the confirmation she needed.
—There are so many things I want to do. Way too many. I might end up annoying you… Is that okay?
“Yes. I promised.”
—Haha… You’ve grown up so well. You’re amazing, my son.
She was right. Justyn had grown.
He had people he cared about now, desires he dared to express, the capacity to love.
And because of that, he understood her.
He understood the desire to stay with the one you love, even when your body is falling apart, your breath slipping away.
Because now, he had someone like that too.
—Ah… this is strange. Why do I keep…
“It’s all right.”
—Ugh… sniff…
That’s why he stayed by her side.
Even when she bowed her head, unable to hold back her tears.
His hand awkwardly patted her shoulder.
His eyes, however, found their way quickly.
And there, nestled in the folds of her dress, was Ries—softly kneading his little paws.
“Mrrr. Nyaa.”
And Ries cried.
His small, triangular mouth opened, showing off tiny grain-sized fangs.
A short, gentle mewl escaped.
Justyn didn’t understand cat language—but somehow, he understood this.
You did good.
The way Ries’s lips curled up at the ends, the slow, deliberate blinks—it all said the same thing.
A deep breath slipped between Justyn’s teeth. And with it came a strange, soothing sense of relief.
***
Ries tilted his eyes up at Hillein.
Her face was buried in her hands, but he could still tell—she was crying.
Tears welled between her fingers, catching the sunlight spilling through the window.
Droplets fell now and then, but vanished almost instantly, dissolving into the air.
As if to say her tears, too, had no real substance.
“Meow.”
But so what if they didn’t?
Ries stretched his front paws and patted at the fabric below. The soft folds of her dress wrinkled and flattened with each motion.
Even if her body had no true form, this moment she spent with her son—this was real.
That was enough.
As expected of my master. I knew he’d handle it.
He’d been so anxious when Sefiut bailed on them, but now he bobbed his little head proudly, smug and satisfied.
Everything he’d been worried about had resolved itself. His mood brightened, and a humming purr slipped out from his slightly parted mouth.
He had a feeling things were going to get busy again tomorrow.
