Mireyna's voice quivered as she tried to hold back tears. "But… what Uncle Marco said… it's true, right? He even said it himself, that I take after Papa. I'm Tokushiro's blood, not Lyssander's. But Uncle Marco still doesn't accept me. So what does it matter if I come from a royal lineage? I'm not welcome there. The only people who truly accepted me were Obāchan and Ojīchan. They loved me for who I am, not for some family name. They saw me as a person, not something to be revered because of where I come from…"
A small sob escaped her, but she quickly tried to control it. "I'm not like Isabella… I'm not like my other cousins… I've always been different. From the start, my cousins have looked down on me because I look more Japanese than they do. Isabella was the only one who ever tried to befriend me. But deep down, Mama… I know you wanted me to be like Isabella, didn't you? You wanted me to be accepted into the family like her, right? Yeah… I know. It's my fault I was born this way. You… you were the family's hope. But I've ruined it all. I've embarrassed you, Mama. I'm so sorry."
On the other end of the call, Mama's voice cracked as she struggled to hold back her own tears. "Sweetheart… my little Nana… I've never been ashamed of you. I love you more than anything. I don't care about titles or the Lyssander name… What matters is you. Your integrity, your heart. I don't want you to be like our family, filled with arrogance. I want you to be kind, like your father. Forgive me, darling. I didn't know you heard our conversation… I'm so sorry. You're the best child, not Isabella. You're the one I'm proud of."
Mireyna tightened her grip on the phone, her voice trembling as tears slipped silently down her cheeks.
"This is the only place where I ever felt true love from a family, Mama… If anything ever happens to obāchan or ojīchan, I'll be the first to help them. And no one—no one will stop me."
On the other end of the line, her mother went quiet for a second, caught off guard by the weight of her daughter's words. Then, gently, she spoke.
"Little Nana… you must remember that fate has already been written. You were born the way you are for a reason, and your life is unfolding as it should. Never blame yourself for anything that's happened, alright, my love? After summer break, we'll go to Bali together, okay? Papa and I already booked the tickets."
Mireyna's throat tightened. No matter how much pain she carried, no matter what harsh things she'd said in her anger… her mother never once hated her. Never once blamed her.
Not even once.
She never said, "You've hurt me."
She never said, "I'm ashamed of you."
She never said, "You shouldn't have been born this way."
Instead, Mama's voice remained gentle, even through the static of the phone call, like a warm breeze brushing against Mireyna's wounded heart. Her love didn't falter. It didn't waver. It didn't break under the weight of Mireyna's sorrow.
It embraced her. Silently. Completely.
Because Mama's love was not something that could be shattered by hurtful words. It wasn't tied to appearances, names, or noble bloodlines. It was quiet but steadfast—soft, but stronger than anything Mireyna had ever known.
Even when Mireyna thought she had disappointed her, even when she believed she had ruined everything, Mama still whispered with all the love in her soul:
"Mama always loves Little Nana… always."
As she held the phone to her ear, Mireyna paused—her words caught somewhere between her heart and mouth.
She couldn't explain it, but she could feel it.
It wasn't outright hatred, no… but more like discomfort.
Maybe it wasn't about them at all.
Maybe it was the pressure of Zio Marco, the rest of the family…
Maybe.. Mama don't even hate them…the thought lingered, quiet and bitter.
"Little Nana?"
Mireyna flinched ever so slightly, startled by the gentle voice through the phone.
"I love you too, Mama," she replied quickly, her voice soft but sincere.
She glanced down at the koi pond beneath her feet. The water shimmered in hues of orange and gold as the fish glided gracefully beneath the wooden bridge.
"Oh—by the way," she added, trying to sound casual, "I made a new friend here in the village. She's… really beautiful. Like the kind of beautiful that just pulls your eyes in without even trying. I guess… I felt a little insecure next to her."
Her Mama didn't hesitate.
"Little Nana, dear… don't ever let that kind of thought take root inside you," she said, her tone firm but full of affection.
"You're already beautiful in Mama's eyes. But more than that—you have to remember, everyone carries their own kind of beauty. The world isn't meant to be filled with copies. If everyone looked the same, how dull would life be?"
Mireyna listened in silence, the wind brushing softly past her cheeks.
"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder," Mama continued. "What one person sees as ordinary, another may see as breathtaking. It's all a matter of perspective. And you, Little Nana—you've always had something that shines in your own way."
She paused, "Besides, everywhere you go, people always compliment you, don't they? No one's ever said you were ugly. So why let one moment of comparison make you question what's already there?"
There was a tenderness in her words now, quiet and steady.
"Insecurity is human. Mama understands that. Even I've felt that way. But what can we do? Your face, your soul—it's already more than enough. Even Zio Marco, who may not favour you, once admitted it too, didn't he? That you're beautiful."
A breath, as soft as a lullaby.
"So don't let that little spark inside you dim, honey. You're more radiant than you know."
"Yes, Mama…" Mireyna replied softly, her voice calm. "I just want to get some fresh air. The village is so beautiful."
"Make sure Kai and Kae are with you, alright?"
"I will, Mama," Mireyna answered, her tone lighter now. "I can't wait for our vacation together with you and Papa."
With that, the call ended. Mireyna tucked her phone away and took a deep breath, the cool air filling her lungs. She closed her eyes briefly, enjoying the stillness around her, before setting off to wander through the village.
Standing on the wooden bridge above the koi pond, the sun warmed her face, casting a golden glow over her features. Her bob-cut hair, dark chestnut in color, caught the light, bouncing with every movement. Her kimono—decorated with delicate lavender and ivory blossoms—flowed gently in the breeze.
Unbeknownst to her, someone was watching from across the street.
Isao had just stepped out of the ramen shop, the steam still rising behind him, and his eyes instinctively shifted toward Mireyna. The sight of her stopped him in his tracks. There was something about the way the sunlight caught her hair, making it shimmer like a cascade of soft waves. The wind teased her bob cut, framing her face in such a way that it felt almost surreal—like she was a living portrait painted by the gods themselves.
Her delicate features were lit with a glow that seemed to come from within, her eyes distant yet somehow full of a quiet strength. The kimono she wore, soft shades of lavender and ivory, fluttered in the breeze, the flowers on it adding to her ethereal beauty. Isao had seen her before, of course, but never like this—not bathed in sunlight, not with the soft winds making her look so… perfect. He didn't even realize he was staring, captivated by how effortlessly beautiful she seemed.
It was a moment before he shook himself out of it, realizing he had been frozen in place. Just then, he noticed Kae, Mireyna's bodyguard, looking his way. He quickly averted his gaze, turning away and walking briskly alongside Shion and Mio, his mind still lingering on the image of her.