"T-t-that can't be right, why would they want to kill me? We were at that cabin for a vacation away from the capital." Clara was on the verge of crying since it sounded inconceivable for her parents to want her dead.
"That is an answer I do not know, my only guess was someone or something corrupted them with dark magic and intended for you to be sacrificed. After I had killed your parents the magic circle disappeared and I decided then to take you in." Himeko wished she had all the answers about Clara's parents, but investigating the demon lands was not worth the investment.
"No that can't be right, say something false so I know this damn contract is working!" Clara was having her doubts and she needed to see what it was like if Himeko said something false.
"I wanted to kill your parents." Himeko said something that was a blatant lie and just as expected a message popped up confirming she was lying.
Clara stared at the message speechless. Everything felt surreal to her, so much so that she couldn't even bring herself to resent Himeko anymore. She may have killed Clara's parents, but if she didn't then Clara wouldn't be where she is now.
It was hard for Clara to suddenly change her view, but at the very least, the anger inside her was no longer directed at Himeko.
"I'm sorry Clara I really did try to look after you as if I was your real mother. I probably shouldn't have let the seal stay, but the selfish part of me really wanted you to be my real daughter. I had never been with anyone in my life so I never got the chance to have my own child." Himeko didn't show it, but she was insecure about how she had never been able to create her own family, so for her Clara was that opportunity to finally have someone important in her life.
"Honestly, that doesn't even matter anymore. I understand why you kept the seal on my memories. I don't think I would have been able to handle it before." Clara started to think about how she would have reacted back then if she knew the truth and her only conclusion was a mental breakdown.
It was hard enough getting all her memories back, so if she knew the truth as well it would be a disaster for her mental health.
"I'm relieved to hear that. Honestly, I truly wanted to let you keep your innocence, if only for a while longer. You were such a bright young girl and I didn't want that to ever change." Himeko could rest easy now that Clara doesn't hate her anymore. It almost brought her to tears remembering how happy Clara was growing up.
"I guess I should say sorry." Clara felt bad for harboring hatred for Himeko and wanted to make it up to her somehow.
"There is no need to, it wasn't your fault, just a shitty situation you were caught up in." Himeko didn't want Clara to apologise as it was completely within reason for her to feel the way she did.
Clara stayed silent for a moment, trying to think of what to say. Himeko saw Clara looking rather restless and was about to move on, but then Clara spoke up.
"Sorry, Mum." Clara got out of her chair and jumped on Himeko giving her a hug and almost spilling her wine.
Himeko was stun–locked by Clara's words and didn't know what to think. It was words that Himeko wanted to hear for a very long time, but never thought she would get to hear them.
"Thank you… My daughter." Himeko hugged Clara back and they both began to cry in each other's arms.
The rest of the group slightly opened the door, peeking to see how things were going. They were almost on top of each other with Elanor and Silver barely balancing on their feet to get a look. It was a sweet scene and they were all quite happy that the relationship between Clara and Himeko was finally repaired.
Especially for Shaman and Elysia who were the most worried since they really liked Himeko. After all, if Clara decided to reject Himeko then they had no choice but to take Clara's side.
Meanwhile, while they were peeking, Silver was trying his best not to touch anyone, being very self-conscious of himself. Elanor however, who was right behind him was trying to get a better look.
She pushed her body up against Silver who was struggling to stay standing.
"Ahh!" Silver fell forward into Elysia who then fell into Shaman, and Elanor who caused the chain of events ended up falling since she was using Silver to support some of her weight.
The door swung open and the group stacked on top of each other. Clara and Himeko looked over at the 4 perverts with unimpressed looks.
"Never knew you guys liked to watch~?" Himeko wiped away the tears and turned back to her teasing self.
"Damn it guys, If you're going to eavesdrop at least don't get yourself caught." Clara didn't mind them listening in, but what annoyed her was the fact they blew their cover.
"Haha sorry, we were just too curious and plus the walls are not exactly thick." Shaman felt bad, but they could hear their conversation from inside so they thought it wouldn't matter.
"Really? Well, that's good to know." Himeko didn't realise they were thin and that was probably for the best she found out since she had been rather indulgent the last few nights.
"Is everything good now?" Elysia wasn't sure if they should leave or if things were all done.
"I think so." Clara had nothing else to say as she found out everything she wanted to know. There were still some lingering questions about the artifact, but she didn't really care anymore.
"Well, I have some questions for you all. I have been stuck in this cave for a while so I need some updates on what's going on." Himeko had been living under a rock for the last month, so she wanted any news the girls had.
"Oh sure, but we don't have much in terms of news since we have just been doing Freja's bidding." Shaman didn't have much to tell other than their adventures.
"I still want to know everything, especially how you picked up an elf princess." Himeko was really curious about Elanor's story, especially as it involves the state of Elfhiem and it seems like a lot had happened.
"I-it really isn't that special." Elanor felt embarrassed about it and didn't think it was that big of a deal.
"Doesn't hurt to talk about it, also is Silver alright there?" Clara saw no harm bringing it up, but what she was really concerned about was Silver who was stuck under Elanor's legs.
"I'm fine, just being lazy." Silver could easily get out, but he just hasn't bothered with it. Elanor hadn't even realised he was there, but seeing that he was fine she didn't bother to move her legs.
"Okay well let me get you all chairs so we can talk." Himeko drew the same magic circle and chairs appeared next to Clara's.
Everyone got up from the ground and took a seat around Himeko. They then began talking about what happened after Ebonscale and how they met Freja.
"Oh that clumsy cheetah. Did you know one time she was passing me tea, but somehow she stepped on her own tail and fell over? It was a great scene to watch. Honestly I'm surprised she hasn't had any such blunders in front of you." Himeko recalled some of the times when she saw Kiruya which consisted of a lot of tripping over.
"There were times she almost did, but it seemed like she was being extra careful." Shaman saw Kiruya almost fall a few times but never had she stumbled like that.
"Ah she must have gotten better at catching herself, that's good." Himeko was proud of Kiruya since Himeko couldn't imagine the horror of tripping in a professional setting.
*
Continuing on, they talked about their journey to Elfhiem and how they met Elanor.
"Damn Silver! didn't know you were already into picking up girls." Himeko was impressed and caused him to blush since it wasn't his intention at all. Elanor also blushed as now the thought was stuck in her head.
"Haha well, that wasn't the only thing that happened. Freja had a surprise visit and helped Elysia with her… explosive personality." Shaman wasn't sure if Himeko knew that Clara was part of the relationship, but it was better to explain now rather than later.
"How so?" Himeko definitely noticed the change but wondered how it happened.
"It may come as a surprise, but Clara is actually a part of the relationship now." Shaman and Elysia sandwiched Clara who sat between them and held her hand.
"WHAT!?" Himeko was shocked! Although it did seem weird that Elysia and Shaman sat apart, she didn't think it was because Clara was also in the mix.
"Haha yeah, Freja sort of forced them to make out and things sort of developed from there. They of course talked to each other before then, but this was the nail in the coffin." Shaman realised how absurd it sounded especially since it was Elysia.
"The world is too cruel! Even my foster daughter is more successful than I am… Maybe I should try to date a woman rather than a man." Himeko was now having a midlife crisis and was extremely envious of Shaman.
"It's okay, I'm sure there is someone." Clara felt bad for Himeko and tried to comfort her.
"Thank you sweetie." Clara's words softened the pain, but the fact that Shaman now had two people in her pocket made Himeko feel worse about her situation.
"Maybe we should let her calm down before continuing." Elanor figured it would take a while for Himeko to calm down.
"Yeah, let's grab something to eat." Elysia, seeing that they may have caused a mental breakdown, saw this as a time to have a break.
"Clara, watch over her while we go prepare some food." Shaman tried to run off to the kitchen, but Elysia grabbed her by the collar since there was no way she was letting Shaman go anywhere near the kitchen.
"You stay here as well! I'll cook." Elysia sat Shaman on the chair preventing a disaster from occurring.
"Hmph fine."
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