"Mother Silja, thank you for creating such beautiful clothes! Everyone loved it, hehe, Zack also loved it," Nat said happily, hugging Mother Silja's arm tightly and smiling joyfully, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Ah! It's because everyone worked hard; I just helped them a little," Mother Silja smiled warmly, slightly embarrassed by the praise, a faint blush coloring her cheeks.
"Mother Silja is truly talented. It's fascinating to see the clothes come to life," Maren observed appreciatively, sitting beside Oliver. "Did you also take help from that tool guy on the battle outfit?" she asked curiously, leaning forward with interest.
"Hmm, yes, Mr. Stein helped us a lot. He is very talented; I learned so much from him," Mother Silja nodded in affirmation, her expression brightening at the mention of their collaboration.
"What about you, Oliver? Are your preparations done? When is your first ride to the wild? Give me a free ticket, okay?" Maren playfully poked his bicep, her finger prodding his firm muscle.
"My work isn't much. I've done all the basic necessities. I just need a good word of mouth, then it will be a hit," Oliver said confidently, his voice filled with certainty. "Oh, and of course, you can get a free ticket since you will be working with me. So, congrats on the free seat." Oliver smirked mischievously and flicked his fingers lightly on her forehead.
TAK!
"OUCH! Oliverrrrr! Why are you making me work so much? I don't wanna work more, wwaahhh! I will not move when I reach your house," Maren pouted in feigned anger and started hitting Oliver's shoulder repeatedly but gently with her fists, like a child throwing a tantrum.
TWITCH! TWITCH!
Maid Emmy's eyes twitched noticeably in annoyance as she spoke frustratingly, her jaw clenching, "Oye, Maren, sit down properly! Don't jump around in the carriage!"
"Hmm, oh, Emmy, you are also here? Sorry, I didn't see you. Your presence is so low that I ignore you subconsciously," Maren smirked wickedly and stood up in front of her, deliberately blocking her view.
"Oh, it would be 'Big Sister' for you, little Maren. And your loud mouth is hurting my ears, so keep it down, otherwise, I will throw you out of the carriage," Big Sister Emmy smiled dangerously, though her posture remained perfectly straight and professional, her voice dripping with warning.
"Hehe, it seems I haven't shown my power and am letting people assume I am just a bum, hehe! BEHOLDDD MYY MIGGHHTTYYY—"
TAKK!
"Don't create a scene, Maren, and sit down." Oliver stood up swiftly, delivered a precise chop to her head, and pulled her back down firmly by her shoulders.
"GAAA! LEAVE ME, OLIVER! TODAY, ONLY ONE OF US WILL LIVE! GRR! YOUR ARROGANT ATTITUDE, I WILL CHOP IT OFF!" Maren tried desperately to stand again, thrashing in his grip, but Oliver grabbed her by the waist and effectively locked her down in place. Maren could now only use her arms and legs to threaten Maid Emmy wildly, flailing like a trapped animal, who, seeing this chaotic display, simply ignored her completely and maintained her perfect posture with dignified composure.
TYYRRRRRRR!
Tyra shook his head slowly in disappointment at the familiar scene, clearly used to this kind of behavior.
"Oh, we are here," Nat announced as the carriage began to descend. "Mother Silja, I will drop you off here. Emmy, go with her for a while. There is still time for me to get ready, so do the work and come back to the palace." Nat smiled gently and released Mother Silja's arm as she got down gracefully.
Maid Emmy also nodded professionally and went down after her, giving Maren a sharp, piercing glance. "Don't jump around like a monkey, you fat ass."
"GRRR! YOU BITCH!" Maren was about to leap off as well when Oliver quickly closed the door with a firm pull and spoke with a playful wink, "Miss Emmy, bye-bye! Don't miss me, okay?"
Maid Emmy didn't respond, instead watching the carriage fly away into the distance. "Humph, what miss? Why would I miss a womanizer man, humph!" Miss Emmy grumbled to herself as she started walking side by side with Mother Silja, her steps crisp and measured. Both of them walked for a moment without saying anything, the silence stretching between them like an invisible wall.
As they came closer to their destination, Mother Silja scratched her cheek awkwardly and spoke hesitantly, "Umm, Emmy, if you have something to say, then please say it. Your glare is poking me a lot." Mother Silja asked with an embarrassed laugh, feeling the weight of Emmy's gaze on her.
"Ah! Sorry, I didn't mean to, Mother Silja," Emmy replied, her voice slightly strained, the tension evident in her tone. "I just... couldn't fathom you to be such a harsh person. You were so nice with everyone." Emmy paused, collecting her thoughts carefully before continuing. "Truthfully, I haven't really forgiven you, but since everyone has accepted you, I have to, but what you have done to Gloomy is..." She trailed off, the unspoken words hanging heavy in the air.
"I know it's unforgivable," Mother Silja interrupted her words softly, her voice barely above a whisper. She just smiled sadly as she continued walking and spoke with raw honesty. "I have committed a grave sin as a mother, and I don't even know if I would not beat him if I were left alone. Someday, I have to pay the price of committing this sin; I am painfully aware of it." She paused, her shoulders sagging slightly under the weight of her guilt. "I just hope I could become like Veny and Ariana, even a little bit would be fine. That's why I will do my best to help everyone. If someday everyone can truly forgive me, then I would be happy, heheh. For now, please bear with this poor woman, dear Emmy." Mother Silja walked ahead without waiting for a reply, her steps steady despite the emotional burden she carried.
Maid Emmy kept looking at her retreating back, watching the woman who carried such heavy regret, and muttered quietly, "I would wait for that, Mother Silja." She smiled slightly, the tiniest hint of understanding softening her features, and continued following her.
.
"GRR! OLIVER, I DON'T LIKE HER! DIVORCE HER NOW, RIGHT NOW!!" Maren roared furiously, sticking her face close to the carriage window, trying to pierce Maid Emmy with a ferocious gaze from above, her breath fogging up the glass.
"Haha, calm down, Maren, sit here," Nat said gently, pulling Maren to her side with a firm but caring grip and making her sit down. "You just fight with everyone. If you keep being like this, how will Oliver get married in the future? Fifty percent of the women run away from him because of you."
"Huh! Those women! TSK! Just trying to have fun with him, and it's not like he was interested," Maren spoke in slight anger, her voice defensive. "He has become like this because he wanted to please everyone, and the mothers gave him weird teachings and made him like that. Stupid Oliver, running around with his handsome face, bringing trouble to me! Humph!" Maren glared piercingly at Oliver, who hid his handsome face behind his hands, trying desperately to ignore her intense gaze.
"Geez, if you keep fuming like that, then your cute face will get wrinkles before you even reach old age," Nat teased lightly, affectionately patting Maren's head with gentle strokes. "Leave that Oliver alone; he has his own problems to take care of. You have done good keeping an eye on him over the years."
"Of course! It's because of me he hasn't been devoured by any random lustful women! Tsk tsk! If you marry that Emmy, I will become a cruel sister-in-law! HOHOHOHO!" Maren laughed wickedly, her voice rising with theatrical menace.
"Hmm, wait a second. Emmy is older than you, Oliver, and Nat, you are also older than Zack. What's with boys choosing older women? Is this the new style in this city or what? I am missing out on something?" Maren asked suddenly in the middle of her evil laugh, her expression turning genuinely confused.
"GA! Don't make me remember that I am older! GRR! I am still sweet sixteen, you know!" Nat pouted in frustration, her cheeks puffing out adorably.
"Haha, no, Nat, you are an older woman now," Oliver smirked wickedly, teasing her mercilessly.
"Yes, you will become an Auntie soon in the eyes of kids," Maren added gleefully, compounding the pain.
TYR TYR!
Tyra also chimed in with his own form of insult, chirping mockingly.
"MOOO! Say what you want! I made Zack head over heels for me; now he can't live a day without me! HUMPH! So what if I am slightly older than him? We are both at a marriageable age. I just have to say the word then he will marry me tomorrow, HUMPH!" Nat pouted stubbornly and crossed her arms defensively, looking outside the window with determination.
"Huh! First of all, the mothers will not allow it. In their eyes, you have to wait at least seven more years if you want to marry Zack. And second, you never made Zack head over heels for you," Maren spoke casually, waving her palms dismissively at Nat's thought, her tone matter-of-fact.
"What do you mean? Zack loves me very much! He is head over heels for me!" Nat glared at Maren intensely, seeking confirmation, her voice rising defensively.
"Haha, it's true, Nat. You didn't make Zack head over heels," Oliver teased her even further, his grin widening.
"Both of you! You are bullying me!" Nat turned around sharply, refusing to talk to them anymore, her back stiff with indignation.
"Hey, hey, joking aside," Maren started, her voice softening considerably, the teasing tone disappearing. "Tell me, what's the maximum gap you got without seeing Zack after school hours in all these years of you knowing each other?" Maren asked, smiling knowingly from ear to ear.
"Hmmmmm, maybe I think probably two or three days, I guess," Nat replied after thinking for a bit, her brow furrowing as she counted mentally.
"Hehe, if you ask any of us, then one week was common for us not seeing him after school hours. Even Fia and Big Guy, who live right next to him, don't see him as much as you do," Maren explained, her smile wide, showing her teeth. "So, don't you think Zack gave you special attention from the start?"
"Huh! What!" Nat tried to comprehend this new information with a frown, her mind racing to process what this meant.
"Nat, do you really think Big Sister Sasha would allow you to be with Zack so easily?" Oliver chimed in, smiling broadly with understanding. "Hahaha, it probably took her years to finally accept you taking Zack away. Hehe, she is not an easy mother-in-law, you know."
"Huh, does that mean Zack always..." Nat trailed off, and finally realizing the depth of the truth, her eyes began to glisten as she started shedding some happy tears, her heart swelling with emotion.
"Yes, Big Sister Nat," Maren said gently, grabbing her hands warmly and squeezing them reassuringly. "Zack was always attracted to you before you even tried to make him head over heels. You didn't realize because Zack was always present in your eyesight, but for us, Zack was always running towards you." Maren paused, giving her a reassuring squeeze, her voice tender. "Of course, he is good to everyone and always takes care of others, but he always took special care of you. Don't ever think Zack's love is less than yours; he also loves you like you do to him. He will not say it, as most men are not like this stupid Oliver, so cherish each other in the future."
"HEHE, you know I will," Nat said, smiling through the tears streaming down her cheeks, her heart feeling painfully full.
She eagerly asked more questions about Zack—small moments she had never noticed before, subtle patterns she had missed, gestures she had once taken for granted. With each new detail, a strange feeling stirred in her chest, something unfamiliar and unsettling. She didn't quite understand it, so she shook her head lightly and forced a smile.
As the carriage drew closer to Oliver's house, every revelation sent her thoughts racing backward, sifting through memories, trying to recall the moments she might have overlooked without ever realizing their importance.
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END OF CHAPTER
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AUTHOR BLABBERING
I think I've talked about realization before, right? That idea that you have to realize things yourself before they actually change your life. You can listen to a hundred people give advice, read books, watch videos—but all of that only fills your head. You won't act on it until you truly realize it on your own.
And even realization is not the end. It's just the beginning.
The next step is experience. You have to walk the road. You have to live through it, struggle with it, fail a little, continue again. Realizing something gives you direction, but experiencing it gives you proof.
For example, if you truly realize that you want a fit body, only then will you start taking action. But even that action doesn't immediately give you belief. What builds belief is experiencing the process—showing up, getting tired, seeing small improvements, falling off, getting back up again. Slowly, without you noticing, confidence starts to form.
That's why I think it works like this:
REALIZATION + EXPERIENCE = CONFIDENCE
And only after confidence comes BELIEF.
When you hear athletes say, "I believe I can win," or "This will be my best season," that belief didn't appear out of nowhere. It came from years of realizing what they want, experiencing the grind, failing, learning, and proving things to themselves again and again.
Belief is not magic.
It's earned.
So if you're struggling to believe in yourself right now, maybe you're not weak—maybe you're just still in the realization or experience stage. And that's okay. Every strong belief you admire in others was built step by step.
Just keep walking.
Your confidence will catch up.
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