Pilgrimage of Dreams 12

"I heard that little Ruru is so busy at her lab work that she forget about meals and bed time"

"…"

Mina, that snitcher!

What I research was important!… that was what I want to say but looking at my mother beautiful face that has a gentle smile, I dare not say that out loud.

I wilted.

I kept my silent and look down at the tea cup.

The tea cup suddenly becomes very interesting.

I am in my mother office because I want to request something again.

The scribbling noise of the paper man who was signing paperwork and the thumping noise of the paper man stamping an important paper rang a bit louder in the silence.

"Meir, children job is to take good care of their body. Maintaining a balance diet and be healthy"

She start.

"I don't force you to socialize and unhealthily let you coop inside the duke manor. I never let you do things against your will. I respect your choice even though you are a child, I know that I am not a qualified mother as I was not able to spend much time with you as a mother and child should, playing together… Sometimes, I have to put the bonding time of once every month on hold because of business. I make up for it by giving you whatever you want as much as I can although that is an unhealthy way of raising a child. But my child is sensible, not spoiled rotten… I am thankful for that"

The guilt-trip.

A sigh rang out…

"Little Ruru, can you take care of your body health? Maintaining a healthy diet and sleep? Mother don't request much, only that"

She changes the topic smartly after sighing ruefully, getting to the main point. The topic she clearly aims for.

My mother is very scheming…

She is not a duchess for nothing.

"I will…"

I replied, not looking up.

Even though I know that mother guilt trip me, even though I know her scheme, I still fall for it. Mother power!

TAT

*shedding silent bitter tears*

I cannot beat the power of mother guilt-trip.

Mothers are powerful!

-clap

The sound of a clap, mother was clapping her hand. Finally raising the topic I came here for

"So, does little Ruru has anything she want? Mother will try her best to fulfill it"

She said, clasping her hand.

I sigh internally.

I finally made my request.

Sometimes, interacting with mother is laborious.

Mentally exhausting.

***

I am in a barren land.

Knights are stationed near me.

Mother allowed me to venture out but my personal safety is the first priority.

I let the servants setting up a target.

I took out my gun.

Enhanced version gun!

I took a breath, positioned myself and then, BAM!

I give a shot.

The bullet flew swiftly cutting the air it does hit the target but not the vital parts. My aiming skills are not that proficient.

The bullet exploded, the target was blown to pieces.

Even if it didn't hit the vital part, it does not matter.

"Young miss!"

Lina hurried towards me.

She started inspecting me, panicking.

She looks at my hand, touching me here and there.

After confirming that I don't sustain any injuries, she heaves a sigh of relief.

"Young miss, what is this?"

Lina asked, curiosity written on her face.

"A gun, it uses a bullet…"

I started explaining.

I have an audience and since I successfully created it, I have the face to confidently show them off, the labor of my hard work.

I point out how it was used, how it functioned…

The more I describe, the more silent Lina became. At the beginning, she gave me a reply but at the latter part, there was no longer a reply but silence.

I look up in question "Lina?"

After a long silence, Lina opens her mouth.

She looks at me, her gaze complicated.

"Young miss, have I ever told you this before?"

"Hmm…?"

"You are amazing"

"You never told me before" I nod my head "but I also feel I am somewhat amazing"

"Young miss…" She stretch, Mina open and close her mouth as if having a lot to say but in the end decided not to do so.

"Let's go back to the manor and show it to the Duchess"

"Hmm… I thought of doing so"

It's a child instinct to show-off and seeks for compliment from their parents when they achieve something they thought is great. I still retain that too, I'd like to change it though.

I make my way towards the carriage.

The gun still in my hand, the guards I walk past would furtively take a peek at the gun in my hand. I move my hand and the guards that took a peek at the gun in my hand flinch.

I was only going to put the gun inside my storage bag.

'Tch weaklings'

I became a bit smug.

Fear it, lowly mortals!

The great me has made a gun from scratch, fear the destruction I created muahahahahahah…

I got inside the carriage, Mina close the door and came in last.

I felt refreshed at my success so I open the curtain a bit wider, wanting to be whip by the fresh air.

The barren land is on the outskirt of the capital city.

This is a land I request of mother to test my gun.

The duchy estates also have a large compound but I just feel that weapons should be test in a barren, no man place.

The bazooka was on its way too so a barren land is a must. It should not alert or disturb people either.

While going back, I notice an orphanage.

An orphanage built near the outskirt of the capital.

While coming here, my mind was only on the gun I was about to test so I didn't notice what is on the roadside.

Noticing the orphanage, a memory of my past life resurfaced. A time when I still retain my child-like innocence, I thought, after I grow up, I will help the orphans.

Making the world a better place…

That little heroic desire was whet away by the brutal society and reality.

I could barely take care of myself much less an orphanage.

I no longer have the heroic ideals.

I close the curtains as if putting a closure to my innocence. I tuck the cloak a bit tighter, winter is approaching. The weather turns a bit colder.