[71.4] The Choice of Lovi

I arrived back at the mountain where I was greeted by all four children. Lene ran over and jumped into my arms, feeling my face as she did, "Mother!"

I held her and allowed her to do so, "Did you miss me?"

She nodded while giggling, "Mother! Let's go play!"

I put her back down, "Not now, I need to have a talk with Lovi first."

Lovi flinched, "What did I do? Am I in trouble?"

I shook my head, "No, you're not in trouble-"

"-It's because I copied Moni's answers on the homework, isn't it?!"

"No-" I paused then frowned once I realized what she said, "You did what?!"

She laughed awkwardly, "O-Oh… You didn't know about that?"

"Lovi! You are-" I took a deep breath to calm myself, "...We will discuss that later. But no, it's not about you cheating on your homework. I have something else to discuss."

I placed the bottle on the table in our courtyard.

She eyed it fearfully then took a few steps back terrified by the potion, "Y-You're going to make me drink poison!?"

"It's not poison-"

Tears burst from her eyes as she collapsed to the ground, "W-Why?! Is it because I haven't been studying enough!? Is it because I've gotten too comfortable?! I'm sorry! I'm really sorry! Please don't make me drink poison! I will do anything! I will be better, I promise-"

I quickly rushed to her and pulled her into a hug, "No, no, no! Lovi! It's not poison!!"

 I felt her body quivering in fear as she sucked in her sobs.

I'm so stupid!

How could I forget about her past trauma!?

I should have handled this better!!!

I knew I would be a terrible parent!

I hugged her closer, "You're a wonderful child, Lovi… I would never poison you."

She hiccuped as she sucked in air, "I-I-I don't u-understand! W-What i-is it?"

I rubbed her back, "It's medicine."

"M-Medicine is-is p-poison t-too!"

"No, no! Not this medicine. I had it specially made to detoxify your body from the poison you are suffering from."

She froze, then slowly raised her head to look at me, "I-It will get rid of p-poison?"

I smiled at her to reassure her, "Yes. I overheard you say that due to the poison in your body, your lifespan is shortened. So I looked everywhere for this flower that is said to be the cure… Thanks to Atta, I finally found it."

She stared at the bottle, "So that… It will save my life? That is the cure?"

"It will." I recalled what the medicine matriarch told me and paused, "However, Lovi… There is something you need to know about the medicine."

Lovi's expression turned darker, "I knew it was poison!!!"

"No, no. It's just that-" I paused and summed it up, "There's a few potential side effects with it."

She cast a nervous eye at me, "Like what?"

I took a deep breath and then started listing them out, "Headaches, nausea, bloating, increased blood pressure, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, belly pain, chest pain, coughing, trouble breathing, difficulty speaking, confusion, blurred vision, or loss of vision, swelling, depression or severe mood swings, yellowish discoloration of the skin and eyes, loss of appetite, too much appetite, weight gain, weight loss, sleepiness, inability to sleep, exhaustion, dry mouth, loss of hair, the sensation of spinning, chills, fever…"

Now it was Lovi's turn for her eyes to swirl from the information dump.

I reached out to rub her head, "Don't worry, Lovi… Even though I want you to live, I won't force you to take this… In the end, it's your choice. I can't make that decision for you."

She glanced nervously at that bottle, her lips quivering in fear.

I stood up in a somber mood but knew I couldn't make her take it.

As soon as I turned my back, her hand jutted out and grabbed the bottle. I heard gulping and spun around in surprise. 

Lovi put down the empty container and wiped her mouth, "It tastes horrible!"

I was overwhelmed by emotion and hugged her tightly, "Oh, Lovi! Don't worry! If you get those side effects, I will be at your side to help you!"

Asmonious came over and placed his hand on her shoulder, "As will I."

Lene jumped up, "Lene will also help!"

Atta nodded in agreement, her eyes full of determination.

I laughed while smiling at Lovi, "Do you understand, Lovi? We will do everything to make sure you will live a very long time."

She looked at me skeptically, "But… Why?"

"Duh!" I flicked her forehead gently, "Because we love you."

Lovi hugged me back, snuggling into my arms. In a soft voice, she added, "...I love you all too."