?Raevender Mansion, Viscountess Mylene Raevender''s Office.


    A woman at her prime is currently checking the contents of the paper she was reading. With her firm buttocks on the wooden chair, the light-brown haired beauty slithered her pen on the paper, indicating she approves what written on it.


    "Phew. Thest workload for today." She muttered to herself as she stretched out her body from today''s paperwork.


    On the stylish wooden table, lies two piles of white paper of her hard work. The taller pile was the ones she approved and signed and opposite for the other side. Most of the papers in front of her were the projects and suggestions for the year.


    Knock, knock.


    As she was about to stood up from her chair, which she seated for hours, a pair of knock suddenly echoed through her silent office. But before she give her response, she straighten her exhausted spine first.


    "Come in."


    "Pardon my intrusion."


    After she gave herposed and gentle response, the door open with a slight creaking noise. Then a girl came into the office and and closed back the door with a clicking sound. The girl picked the hems of her knee-length skirt and elegantly bobbed her body.


    "Good afternoon, Mother."


    "Good afternoon to you, too, Louise."


    The girl, Louise Raevender, respectfully greeted one of her mother, Mylene Raevender, as she entered the room. The woman smiled professionally at the girl as she greeted her back.


    Although Mylene was Louise''s mother, she''s still the Lady not only of the mansion, but also of the territory. That''s why Louise behaved formally and properly in front of the viscountess.


    "My work just finished a while ago. So, Poof. I am your mother now. You can now behave like usual, Louise."


    "Thank you, Mother." She thanked as she approached the table.


    Mylene finally stood up from her seat to meet her eldest. The twovender-eyed females embraced each other as they cross paths.


    They wagged each other''s hairs as they put their arms against each other''s back. Having the opportunity, Louise buried her face between the valley of her mother''s mountain ranges.


    "Ara. You''re quite bold today. What''s up?"


    "Nothing in particr, Mother. I just want to embrace you as much as I can. I only have a few days left to stay here, you know?"


    "I know, Louise."


    Mylene''s coiling tightened and so do Louise. In just a few days, her daughter, who had turned fifteen years old, will attend the academy in the Imperial Capital to study.


    ? The mother and daughter continue to wrap each other for a couple of seconds. Not long before Louise let her arms off of her mother then stepped back with her arms at her rear.


    "Thank you, Mother. That''s help things progress a lot."


    "? You''re wee?"


    Mylene tilted her head as she felt puzzled upon hearing her daughter''s sudden sweet appreciation.


    "That''s all for today. See youter, Mother."


    "See you." Mylene responded seeing her daughter walked out of the room, still baffled by her daughter''s strange behavior just now.


    ◆◇◆◇◆◇


    After we gave task to each other, we separated as soon as we got out of the workshop, fulfilling our sample gathering duties. Sister went to Mother''s office on the second floor while I descend down the first.


    I am going to see Mom after me and Sister separated to aplish our tasked mission. Waltzing through the hallway, I am on my way to where Mom is, the living area.


    I ambted myself for several dozens of meters before passing the arc opening to the living area. Inside the chamber, I saw the voluptuous figure of Mom sipping a cup of tea, alone.


    "Good afternoon, Mom."


    "Good afternoon, Raphael."


    As soon as we finished exchanging greetings, I took a sit besides Mom. Even though there are many empty couch in this chamber, I filled the vacancy of the couch which Mom is sitting. I sit besides her because I have to.


    "What can I do for you, Raphael?"


    In order to get a specimen of Mom, I decided to pluck a strand of her long ck hair. For me to have it, I need to get closer to her, physically. Hug is the best and easiest way to pluck a piece of hair.


    I umte all of my inner courage and ignite it will the zing will of all my ancestors, from this world and the other side, to express an embarrassing phrase. Fixed my gaze at her, I told her my true feelings.


    "I love you, Mom."


    I opened my arms in attempt to wrap it around Mom. But before my fingers touch her pure white dress, Mom raised her right hand which stopped me from what I am doing.


    "What do you think you are doing to your mother, Raphael?"


    "I am going to show how much I love you, Mom."


    I hastily made an excuse to cover what I am suppose to do. The sun is still raising and still too early to give up. I haven''t got caught yet so I''m gonna go with the flow for now.


    "You can''t just embrace your mother out of nowhere. Besides, you''re too old for this kind of thing."


    "It means my love for you never fades."


    Upon confession, I ced the slightly sweaty palm of my right hand on her porcin-white left hand. Mom turned her gaze upon our hands with difort in her eyes before looking at my eyes sternly.


    "I noticed that you''ve been treating me with keen intimacy and affection since you were just a child. Answer me straight, Raphael. Do you see me as your mother… or a member of opposite gender?"


    "…"


    Damn! That''s a hard question to answer. I didn''t expect Mom to ask me that topic. If I were asked by that question, my answer would be…


    "Silence means thetter, right?"


    "No, Mom. I see you as my mother and a—"


    As I am honestly conveying for her, Mom suddenly put a finger on my lips that made me stopped from finishing my words.


    "Why me?"


    "You are kind, gentle, caring and beautiful. Mom, you are my first love."


    "…"


    "Are you disappointed of having such a son?"


    "…That was what your Mother told me before." She replied as she averted her blushful face.


    "Let me hug you, Mom."


    Seizing the opportunity, I attempt to embrace my embarrassed mother to pluck a hair of her. Same as before, she stopped me again but grabbing my shoulders.


    "I cannot have you hug me. Instead, I''m giving you this…"


    Mom peeled off her hands out of my shoulders and ce it against my cheeks. She leaned forward and did something out of my expectations.


    "Mom?"


    Smooch.


    She nted a quick kiss on my lips.


    "That was the first and thest, okay?"


    I am too dazed to respond. Upon recovery, I put a hand on my lips. I smiled as I realized it made things proceed further.


    "Thank you very much, Mom. That''s more than enough."


    "Keep it a secret from your Mother."


    "I understand, Mom. See youter."


    I stood up from the couch and rushed out of the living area with smile on my face.