Launi held her just as tightly.
"My child…" she whispered softly.
Mirha clung to her, her shoulders shaking as she cried into her.
For a moment, nothing else existed.
Just them.
When Mirha finally pulled back slightly, her hands instinctively moved to her mother's arms… her clothes.
Her brows furrowed through her tears.
The fabric was soft.
New.
Her eyes scanned her mother again—necklace, bracelets… even the faint scent of flowers instead of the familiar smell of grain and soil.
Confusion mixed with emotion.
"What… what…" Mirha struggled to form the words.
Then she noticed the blindfold.
"Why are you wearing this?"
Launi chuckled lightly.
"Because I'm blind, silly."
Mirha let out a small, broken laugh through her tears.
Of course.
But then—
Launi reached up and slowly removed the blindfold.
Mirha stilled.
Her mother's eyes…
They were beautiful.
Still.
Clear in shape, soft in color—but unfocused.
Lost.
They didn't settle on Mirha properly, only catching blurred light and movement.
When Launi looked toward her, seeing only a faint outline of a girl in red…
She smiled.
"My precious Mirha."
She reached forward, finding Mirha's hands and lifting them gently.
Then she kissed them.
Mirha's chest tightened painfully.
Without thinking, she lowered herself, resting her head on her mother's lap like she used to as a child.
Launi didn't hesitate.
Her fingers slipped into Mirha's hair, stroking it slowly, gently—just like before.
The same rhythm.
The same comfort.
"How come my beautiful daughter is sad?" Launi asked softly.
Mirha shook her head against her lap.
"I'm not sad…"
Her voice was small.
"I'm happy… happy to see you again."
Launi hummed softly, as if she understood more than Mirha was saying.
"Is that so?" she said gently.
"Then tell me… how is life at court?"
Mirha took a small breath, still resting against her.
"It's… beautiful," she said quietly.
"The ladies are kind. I am friends with all of them."
She smiled faintly.
"Mama Gina is now a Duchess."
Launi chuckled.
"Oh?"
"And Kiara… she married Lord Tando," Mirha continued. "They're in Kamaya now… expecting their first child."
Launi smiled warmly.
"Life moves quickly."
Then she asked softly,
"And the Emperor?"
Mirha went quiet.
Just for a moment.
Then she said,
"He is the kindest of them all."
Her voice softened.
"After Nailah had me sent to his chambers… he was nothing but kind to me."
Launi paused at that.
Then nodded slowly.
"I am glad."
Silence settled between them again, but it wasn't uncomfortable.
Mirha shifted slightly before speaking again.
"You should come with me," she said softly.
"To Taico… I have an estate there. We can stay together… from now on."
Launi smiled faintly.
"That would be lovely… wouldn't it?"
Mirha lifted her head slightly.
"Yes… it would."
Launi tapped her lightly on the head.
"Mirha," she said gently.
"You need to get up from the floor and freshen up."
Mirha immediately shook her head.
"No."
Launi laughed softly.
"What do I do with you now?"
"They will come asking for you soon."
Mirha tightened her hold slightly.
"I have the right to dismiss them."
Launi raised a brow playfully.
"If that is so… then perhaps I should leave the presence of Her Imperial Highness?"
Mirha quickly sat up.
"No—no. You can do whatever you want to me."
Launi smiled.
"Is that so?"
Mirha nodded eagerly.
"Then I order you… to go take a bath and change."
Mirha immediately stood.
"Okay."
Then she paused, suddenly unsure.
"You'll be here… right?"
Launi tilted her head slightly.
"Who else would I go to?"
Mirha smiled softly.
"Okay."
She turned and walked toward the bathing chamber.
As soon as she disappeared inside, Launi stood slowly.
Her hand brushed over the bed until she found a gown—soft, pale pink.
She ran her fingers over the fabric, feeling its quality, then carefully placed it neatly on the bed for her daughter.
After a moment, she stepped outside.
Standing near the doorway was Lord Vharin.
Even without clear sight, Launi recognized him immediately.
By his presence.
By his scent.
She turned her face toward him.
"I came to check on her Highness," Vharin said respectfully.
Launi nodded.
"She is freshening up."
There was a brief pause.
Then Launi added calmly,
"I would like to know where her attendants are… and her luggage."
Vharin answered without hesitation.
"Her belongings have been placed in the Imperial chambers."
Launi's brows lifted slightly.
A small, knowing expression crossed her face.
"I see."
She nodded slowly.
And though her eyes could not fully see…
She understood far more than anyone realized.
Launi stepped back into the chamber quietly.
The room still carried the warmth of Mirha's presence—the faint scent of oils, fresh water, and something softer… something familiar. She moved slowly, feeling her way to the edge of the bed before sitting down.
For a moment, she said nothing.
Her hands rested gently in her lap.
Her thoughts… far away.
The sound of water faded.
Then soft footsteps followed.
Mirha stepped out from the bathing chamber, her hair still slightly damp, her skin glowing from the warmth of the bath. She paused when she saw her mother sitting so still.
Something about it felt… heavy.
She walked closer.
"What is it, ma?" she asked softly, switching into Madish without thinking.
Launi lifted her head slightly.
Her voice, when she replied in the same tongue, was calm—too calm.
"It will get dark soon," she said.
"I will have to head back to the mountain… to our home."
Mirha froze.
"What?"
Her eyes widened in disbelief.
"What do you mean?"
She stepped closer.
"Don't you live here?"
Launi smiled faintly, tilting her head.
"Why would you think that?"
Mirha stared at her.
"Because you are the mother of the Imperial concubine," she said, her voice tightening.
"Don't tell me you haven't received any compensation."
Launi's smile didn't fade.
"Of course I did."
Mirha waited.
Launi continued simply,
"My daughter is happy. What else do I need?"
Something inside Mirha snapped.
"What is wrong with you?" she burst out.
Her voice rose—something she rarely allowed.
"For all the services we have done for this kingdom, you can't even accept compensation?"
Launi didn't flinch.
She only sighed softly.
"It is not their fault," she said gently.
"I was the one who rejected their gifts."
Mirha's anger only grew.
"Why?"
"I did not like the idea of taking things in exchange for my daughter."
Mirha's chest rose and fell quickly.
"And what about you?" she demanded.
"What about your life?"
Launi's voice sharpened suddenly.
"If it makes you feel better," she said, a little louder now, "I took the gowns and jewelry."
Mirha let out a hollow laugh.
"Let me guess," she said bitterly.
"So you don't embarrass me when you walk into the palace as the Imperial concubine's mother."
Launi fell silent.
That silence only fueled Mirha more.
"You are the most selfish person I have ever known," she said, her voice trembling.
Launi's head lifted slightly.
Mirha continued, the words pouring out now.
"You think you are doing me a favor—but did you ever think to ask what I want?"
Her eyes burned with emotion.
"Do you think I am happy knowing all you do is live for me?"
That struck something.
Launi snapped.
"You are all I have!" she said, her voice rising.
"I cannot think any other way!"
Mirha shook her head, tears threatening again.
"It never had to be this way," she said, softer but just as intense.
"If you could only think about yourself for once…"
She took a shaky breath.
"You would realize… you have yourself too."
Launi said nothing.
The room fell into a heavy silence.
Then—
A knock.
Both of them stilled.
Mirha closed her eyes briefly, steadying herself.
"Come in."
The door opened.
Lord Vharin stepped inside, bowing respectfully.
"Lady Launi has been requested to remain for the banquet days," he announced.
"This is a request from the Emperor."
Mirha exhaled in quiet relief.
Then she turned quickly to her mother.
"Please," she said, regaining her composure.
"Lord Vharin, have them bring new—and expensive—gowns for Lady Launi. Orders from the imperial concubine."
Her tone carried authority now.
Not anger.
Not emotion.
Command.
Vharin bowed.
"Of course."
Mirha turned back toward the door.
"I am going to see the Emperor," she said.
Then, softer—
"I will come back, mother."
Without waiting for a response, she walked out.
The door closed behind her.
For a moment, Vharin remained.
He glanced once at Launi, who still sat on the bed, unmoving.
Then, silently, he followed after Mirha.
Leaving Launi alone in the quiet room—
with thoughts she could no longer avoid.
The room fell quiet again after the door closed.
Launi remained seated on the edge of the bed, her hands resting where Mirha had last been. For a moment, she didn't move.
The silence felt… full.
Slowly, her fingers brushed against the soft fabric beside her—finding the place where her daughter had sat just moments ago. She lingered there, as if trying to hold onto the warmth that hadn't yet faded.
A small smile touched her lips.
Not a grand one.
Just soft… tender… knowing.
Her head tilted slightly, as though she could still feel Mirha's presence in the room.
All the sharp words.
All the anger.
None of it stayed in her heart.
Only her daughter did.
Launi let out a quiet breath.
Then, almost to herself—so soft it barely disturbed the air—
"The imperial concubine orders huh?, that was more like a daughter's rage…"