The Abandoned White Magician’s Tea Life - Chapter 85 : Congratulations to you (2)
Translator: Sunnyshies
[unedited]
Chapter 85 : Congratulations to you (2)
It was a slightly more forceful gesture than usual, but she had no intention of complaining to him. Because what he had just said was weighing heavily on her heart.
‘Leonardo was…abandoned by his mother when he was eight years old and taken in by an orphanage.’
Amalia was sixteen at the time, but she still remembers that day well.
A very well-dressed woman came with Leonardo, pulling him by hand with his tattered clothes. She then quickly ran away, leaving behind Leonardo, muttering, “This is an obstacle to our marriage,” “I didn’t really want to give birth to him,” and “He looks so much like him, so I get angry just by looking at him.”
Leonardo, who had been told by his mother that he was “not a good thing,” was frightened from start to finish. When he saw his mother running away with the nuns chasing her, he almost cried out, “Mama,” but he bit his lips as his small fist trembled.
Every child at the orphanage was supposed to have an adult who would be “in charge” of them, and Amalia was assigned to Leonardo. Amalia, who was assigned a child for the first time, could not help but be very fond of Leonardo.
He understands words and can take care of himself. He was more mature for his age, was never selfish, he never complained, and never cried when he was sad. However, when Amalia tried to leave the room, he stopped her, saying, “Wait…” looking loney, as he would squeeze her skirt as she hung out the laundry to dry.
At the orphanage, there were many children in the same situation as Leonardo. To these children, Amalia and the others would say, “It was my good fortune to meet you. I am happy to have met you,” with all their hearts. He was not an unwanted child. He was an irreplaceable child that she was “in charge” of.
As he grew older, Leonardo adjusted to children his own age and grew up like a normal child. However, even as an adult, he probably still harbored a vague sense of uneasiness about whether or not it was alright for him to be born. Perhaps the “I didn’t really want to give birth to him,” which was hurled at him by his mother more than ten years ago, has been like a curse that admonished him.
Amalia swallowed, feeling a little tight. She twisted around, the turn to hug Leonardo’s neck tightly.
“…I’ve been telling you all along, haven’t I? I’m glad I met you.”
“…yes.”
“Still…are you still anxious?”
“…yes, I was. I received a lot of love from you and the director, but still――I couldn’t forget the image of my mother cursing me and shouting, ‘Why were you born?'”
Leonardo’s arms went around Amalia’s back and he embraced her back.
“I had my birthday celebrated at the orphanage, but didn’t everyone have it together at the beginning of the month? Of course, it was fun and lively, and I was happy to be able to celebrate it, but to have you, of all people, celebrate it just for me, like this…made me very, very happy…I’m so happy…”
“Leonardo…”
“I didn’t understand when we celebrated your birthday last winter. It’s such a…blessing to be able to thank you for being born.”
Leonardo’s voice, his arms, are trembling. Is he confused or does he want to cry?
In his 24 years of life, this was probably the first time he had ever celebrated a birthday like this. Amalia put her hand on his cheek and made him look up at her.
――He looked at Amalia, the rim of his eyes were red, making him look much younger than usual.
Amalia giggled and gently pressed her lips on Leonardo’s. Not just touching, but making a little effort enough to produce light lip noise.
‘I think this might be the first time I took the initiative to kiss you.’
When she pulled her face away, Leonardo looked at her lovingly. But then he blushed and covered his mouth the next second.
“Eh?! Oh, um, Amalia, -san…?”
“I’m…glad you were born. I don’t care what anyone else says, I’m glad you were born.”
“…”
“I want to continue to celebrate the day you were born every year…I know your life has never been all that pleasant. But I want to thank you―― every year, for not falling apart, for living your life and coming to see me.”
“…continue to celebrate?”
“Yes. Next year, and the year after that, and the year after that.”
She takes Leonardo’s hand and intertwines their fingers together. At first Leonardo was reserved, holding and opening his hand, but soon his fingers were stroking the line of Amalia’s fingers, tracing the base of them, and gently playing with them as if enjoying the feel of them.
He called Amalia’s name in a hoarse voice, and his heated gray eyes slowly approached.
This time, Leonardo kissed her.
It was a deeper, sweeter, and numbing adult kiss than usual.
“…I’m glad you could make it, Amalia-san.”
“You’re welcome. Happy…birthday. I love you, Leonardo.”
“Yes…love you too, Amalia-san.”
With both their hands tightly clasped together, their bodies snuggled together, and they did not separate for some time after that.
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