The next morning, after breakfast, your mother leans down and kisses your chubby cheek.
"Kael, Mom still has a bit of work to finish today. Pack your things first, alright? I'll be back soon."
You pout. "Why do you still have work? Aren't we leaving tomorrow?"
She strokes your head with a gentle smile.
"It's just the last little bit. It won't take long. And didn't you have a fight with your good friend? Before we leave, you should say goodbye properly."
You freeze. She'd been so busy lately, so how did she know about that?
Seeing your confused expression, she chuckles, finding you adorable, and plants another kiss on your cheek.
"I'm your mom. I know everything about my Kael~ Go find your friend and make up. I'm heading out now."
You grow embarrassed from all the kisses.
Sure, your body is that of a child… but inside, you're an adult.
Being hugged and kissed like this…
It's awkward, and yet warm…
Mostly awkward. But still warm.
And she had a point.
Katarina really was a good friend. Leaving with unresolved tension felt wrong.
You carry Chenxi in your arms and wander through the mansion, calling loudly.
"Katarina! Come out, let's play!"
"It's been days since we talked! I miss you, come out!"
Your little sister hears your shouting and decides to join in with her own babbling.
"Ah… ah… ah…"
"Katarina, see? Even Chenxi is calling you. Aren't you coming out?"
You go for a dramatic blow. "I'm leaving tomorrow. If you don't come out now, I'll forget all about you!"
"Hmph!!!"
A little girl's voice snaps beside your ear.
You spin around, thrilled. "Katarina! You finally came out!"
She stands there with her hands on her hips and an angry little frown on her delicate face.
"We've been together every day! How could you forget me? Are you stupid?"
You laugh and admit it openly. "That was just to lure you out."
You grin at her. "Don't be mad. It's my last day in Snezhnaya. Let's spend it happily."
"You always pranked me too, and I forgave you."
She lifts her chin. "I wasn't pranking you! Kids' bodies are fragile! I just wanted you to stay safe!"
"Right, right. Katarina is the best. So be generous and forgive me. You wouldn't want me to remember you only as an angry face, right?"
She bites her lip. "Then promise me you'll come back when you grow up."
"I promise."
"…Okay. Then I forgive you."
Katarina may have been a ghost for centuries, but she died as a child, and her mind remained there.
Kids get angry fast and forgive even faster.
She's smiling again in no time.
"You said you'd play with me. Today we're playing house. You're the dad, I'm the mom, and Chenxi is our baby."
"…Seriously?"
This was way too childish. What adult could play this...
Her brows knit. "You said you'd play!"
"Okay, okay, we'll play."
You give in immediately.
The three of you sit by the fireplace and play house.
"Honey, you're home. Was work tiring today?"
Your soul leaves your body a little. "Yeah."
"Come sit by the fire. You worked outside all day. Our baby missed you~"
"…Oh."
You barely contribute, but Katarina happily carries the whole performance herself.
The three of you play for the entire morning.
Or more accurately, you are played with for the entire morning.
Only when Katarina grows tired of it do you finally escape.
You glance at the time. Your mother has been gone for nearly five hours.
She said she'd be back soon.
What you don't know is that your mother always took her promises with absolute seriousness. If she said she'd return quickly, she would've done so—unless something prevented her.
A cold weight settles in your chest.
"Katarina, Mom isn't back yet. I want to go look for her."
"Huh? But Auntie said to wait at home."
You frown.
"But… it's been so long. I… I'm worried."
Katarina tries to comfort you. "Look, it's still bright outside. It's early."
She's not wrong, but you can't sit still. The unease is tearing at your nerves.
"No. I have to go."
You ring a bell for a maid and tell her to watch over Chenxi.
Then you grab your coat from the rack, put it on, and head toward the hall.
Just as you reach the living room, the front door swings open.
Snow swirls in from outside, scattering across the carpet.
Several men walk in with grim expressions, carrying a stretcher.
A person lies on it, covered entirely by a white sheet. The stretcher is marked off with a cordon.
One of the men sees you and hesitates. A look of sorrow crosses his face.
"Young master…"
Snowflakes drift inside, landing on your cheeks. The cold spreads downward, freezing your blood.
"Mom…?"