The empty metal cup,
It's a fitting metaphor for Rozer.
His character, shaped by Zerenia and Tania over time, has made him fearless, strong, and kind. However, he lacks the experience to navigate life beyond the forest.
After a few days in the capital, Rozer gained new knowledge, like collecting drops of water into his cup. Regardless of the type of water he collects, he accepts each experience. He never rejects them due to his limited knowledge, only knowing to embrace every drop of experience.
Like now, he doesn't refuse his new friend's invitation to come here and stay. Without knowing what will happen, he's ready to face it as a new clear drop.
Every experience has its own weight as it enters the cup. Knowledge feels dense and heavy, love and happiness are warm and sweet, relationships feel clear, hatred is bitter, anger is hot, and there are many drops he has yet to recognize.
Someone hugs Rozer from behind, not Poetica's petite body but that of an adult woman. Her soft chest presses against the back of Rozer's head.
Rozer's heart races, recalling a similar experience when Tania worried about his choice to enter the academy. It felt heavy, warm, and sweet, like a mother's love.
However, could it be Tania coming to the academy to see him? Impossible, parents are forbidden unless in emergencies. This is someone else.
Rozer asks, "Who?" as he closes the book he was reading.
"It's me," the woman replies softly, releasing her embrace. Her voice is familiar to Rozer.
Turning around, Rozer is shocked by the sight of the woman in a beautiful sparkling red dress, a stunning face with clear and smooth skin, long flowing red hair, and a small crown with a sparkling gem on her head, radiating an elegance he has never seen.
"Aren't you the queen who spoke earlier?" Rozer says. No wonder he recognized her voice; she was the one who Make a speech earlier.
Sierra falls silent for a moment, taken aback by the unexpected encounter. She wonders if Zerenia informed Rozer about her true identity. This is not going according to her current expectations; it seems Rozer is unaware.
Rozer stands, bows to show respect, and asks, "Why are you here, queen?" he inquires.
Sierra wants to reveal the truth but fears Rozer may resent her for leaving him in the forest. Shaking her head, she replies, "No, I thought you were my child studying in this academy."
Rozer's mind was filled with many speculations such as who his child might be or whether she was unaware of his own child, and so on. Unconsciously, he tilted his head and said, "I don't know who, but I am the child of Zerenia and Tania."
Sierra, certain of the truth, tightly seals her red and soft lips, avoiding any words. She contemplates the right words to reveal her true identity as his biological mother, envisioning Rozer's reactions like,
"I am your biological mother, Rozer."
"Why did you abandon me, mother? I hate you!"
Or
"Why didn't you visit me in the forest, my home, if you are my mother?"
Or
"I don't care about you anymore; I am happy with my family. Don't disturb me again."
Just imagining it, Sierra feels overwhelmed. If she continues, she might faint. Trying to remain calm despite her heavy breathing, she looks unwell.
Seeing Sierra pale and weak, Rozer asks, "Why do you look unwell? What if I help you find your child?" he offers.
Each sentence adds more pressure, and Sierra decides to surrender. She can't bear it any longer.
"It's not necessary; I apologize for bothering you. I'll go," says Sierra, then starts to leave.
"Rozer,"
His name is called through the flowing red hair. Rozer is startled, contemplating all the thoughts rushing through his mind.
"How many people know that name?
How does she know my name?
Why did she come here?
Why is she looking for her child here?
Who is her child?
Am I really—"
Rozer searches his memory hard for his biological mother's name. It's at the end of the letter given by Zerenia last summer. But did she actually have sent that letter?
No time to think about it; the woman is walking out, where two guards stand by the open door.
Even though it might not be true, Rozer will try to say it before she leaves. If it's wrong, he'll only bear embarrassment; it wouldn't be equal if the woman truly leaves. This is his last chance.
The warmth the woman gave him earlier was real.
"Sierra and Dunkent!" Rozer shouts. "Are you Sierra?" he exclaims.
His steps and heart seemed to stop when he heard his name called. Not for the guards, who boil with indignation at the student addressing their queen by her real name.
No one besides those closest to the royal family knows that Rozer is Sierra's child. This is a reasonable reaction.
"Disrespectful!"
"Let me teach that kid a lesson!"
The queen extends her right arm to stop the guards from entering the library and orders, "Wait outside and close the door. Let me talk to him."
"But..."
"This is an order," says Sierra.
"I understand," says the guard, then exits and closes the door tightly.
Sierra turns to face Rozer with a hopeful expression, trembling as he approaches—the woman he thought was his mother.
"Mother?" Rozer exclaims.
Just a single word spoken, yet it's enough to shatter the emotional walls she had built all this time. Tears flow down Sierra's red cheeks.
"Yes, Rozer, I am your mother," Sierra says with a smile.
A warm energy envelops Rozer, an unprecedented feeling. He cries for someone he just met. His heart urges him to run. Warm drops flow down his cheeks, accompanying his steps toward Sierra.
"Mother!"
"Rozer!"
Sierra runs toward him, lifting her skirt to move more freely.
Rozer rushes directly into the embrace of his biological mother, whom he has never met.
"Forgive me, Rozer. I never intended to abandon you or leave you in the forest with Zerenia. Don't hate me, Rozer, my child," Sierra confesses.
Rozer wants to respond, but his emotions overwhelm him, and he can only cry like a baby.
This is embarrassing, truly embarrassing. Sierra turns a simple moment into a complex one, making it more difficult.
What she wanted to convey today is finally spoken by her own child. She swallows it while taking a deep breath.
Bittersweet.
Sierra occasionally longed for this warmth in her subconscious. However, she couldn't explain why.
Whenever she alone, Sierra start wanting to meet her child, the one she holds in her embrace.
Just one word, "Rozer," but she can't convey this feeling.
She can't express this feeling. She hopes Rozer realizes it sooner.
The earlier imagination only disturbed her judgment of Rozer.
Self loathing and regret,
The words, "I'm sorry," that she buried for so long, make her chest tight.
A raindrop on her cheek, Sierra hides everything from her family.
"Show me that less cute face of yours."
She always thought of her child,
She searched occasionally,
That smile,
"Turns out, you're my biological mother."
###
The guards hear the loud cries from inside.
"What did the queen say to make the kid cry like that?"
"I don't know."
"Could the queen have hit him?"
"That's impossible; she is
friendly and gentle."
"I thought so too. Why, then..."
"Let it go, we're only here to guard the queen. Don't think too much, stay vigilant."
"I understand."