Bloom offered her Kika a tub of pine needles ice cream. It was her favourite and since she insisted on eating some on her way back from pre-school, she decided to buy some for her Mum too.
Kika's hands were shaking when she took it. She tried to steady herself, feeling Bloom's perusal. Rhea served her some nuts to go with it. Kika declined.
Now Bloom was sure that something was wrong. Kika noticed that with Bloom's stare while she licked her spoon. Rhea had finished sweeping and joined them too, standing in the corner and awaiting their empty dishes with the same look. With the censure of two pairs of eyes, Kika felt herself withering inside.
She chewed on her lip and looked at the little girl and older woman. She sighed, slapped her hands on her thighs and stood.
"Where are you going, mummy?"
Kika flinched and turned to face the brown-haired girl with doe-like eyes. She was hard to lie to. Hard to deceive. Hard to manipulate. Hard to convince. Hard to—Er...Kika couldn't think of a suitable lie to bail her out of this situation.
"I um...er..."
"You're sad. Did you have a fight with daddy again?"
This was the reason Kika made sure she attempted what she did earlier while Bloom was not at home. She'll be leaving soon for a playdate with Dodolea and Daze Altman so she should be able to endure until—
"Your silence means that I'm right mummy. I'll be graduating from pre-school in a few weeks and the summer holidays are going to start. Do you have any magic academia picked for me to go to when it's over, mummy?"
Kika blinked. Where does she even come up with this stuff? When she looked at Bloom, her nerves felt raw. The kid could read her like an open book. It was obvious she took after her father, the only renowned genius in the family.
She didn't think of any academia yet and that was really irresponsible for her as a mum. She sighed and used her fingers to rub her eyes. The only other sound in the room was the ticking of the clock, Bloom's loud slurping sound while drinking the rest of the melted ice cream and probably the sound of her loud breathing.
"Um ...do you have anywhere you want to go to? Probably with your friends from school?"
Kika took some steps to cover the distance between them and bent down to her level and pulled her pillowy cheeks with a glare. Bloom got the memo and swallowed less noisily. She was still proud of herself for momentarily getting her mum's attention off her father.
"Hex academia and the applications start next week Monday."
"Oh, then tell Ezmae to help you get the requirements for—"
Bloom briskly gave her a list and Kika couldn't help but smile.
"Why do you want to go there? Are Dodolea and Daze going there?"
Bloom drank the rest of the ice cream earning her a foamy moustache.
"No, they want to go Castle falls academia but I'm a princess. I want to go to her highness, princess Skipper's school."
Hex academia is Skipper's school for female witchlets, thaumaturges or any other creature with an affinity for magic. After Tirhanna, Melody's daughter, Bloom would be the first royal to get enrolled at Skipper's new academy.
Kika tilted her head while thinking about the idea. It had the best facilities a female magic wielder could ask for and since affiliated with the royal family the probability of Bloom working for the courthouse as a representative of the magic council is very high.
Kika was about to speak but Bloom intercepted her.
"The Altmans are trying to curry favour with us, wouldn't this be a good way to test them and see where their loyalty actually lies, Mummy? Castle falls academia is run by the song dukedom if they still decide to go there after I apply for Hex academia then it means they'll likely betray you in the future too... once they find someone with better benefits mummy."
Bloom puffed her cheeks after she finished talking. Was her mum thinking about declining the school she chose? She added that phrase to prove that sending her there will be in favour of both of them.
Kika blinked again, mouth agape and clearly stunned. She knew Bloom was a little genius but sometimes she blows her away with how calculating she could be at a young age. That's not even why Kika's saying yes, she's actually sending Bloom there so she won't have to witness her father's ludicrous behaviour at home.
"Okay, baby. Let's test them."
***
KIKA
Two years later I had the divorce papers ready but... I kept hesitating to give it to him after I signed it.
I tried to seduce Luke several times after that and after everything, I still got rejected.
I sighed and scrolled through my business phone. After winning some awards a lot more unaffiliated authors have been applying for their books to be reviewed to see if they could land contracts with us.
Great, my hard work is paying off but I'm far from happy. Why can't I just have both? A successful career and a happy family? I don't want to choose one.
"But right now... I'm not going to fall for him anymore because... I feel too small. I keep noticing him, I step into the room and he's the first person I look for. Unfortunately, it's only one-sided. I notice him but he doesn't see me at all. There's no room in my heart for that kind of love and I can't be selfish forever... I have a daughter to take care of now..."
I spoke my mind to Melody while signing my signature on the divorce papers.
"Good."
She smiled like she was proud of me for finally coming to my senses.
"Five years... took you long enough but... I'm glad you're doing this for your daughter."
We continued walking silently under the bright streetlights. The street was secluded and titans were stationed everywhere to ensure our safety. Grannie had called last night, I hadn't spoken to her at all since I relocated to the capital. She must be so worried, she must be so angry but above all, I wondered how she found out I was in Octens and I was married.
I glanced at Melody and she smiled softly at me. You're the one who told her that I was here and what I've been up to, didn't you? What exactly did you tell her, does she know about Bl—