"So, you're saying Damien's healing made you younger?" Emilia narrowed her eyes, scrutinizing her mother, who appeared significantly more youthful while claiming that the acupuncture techniques had not only brought her out of the coma but had also rejuvenated her.
Doubt filled Emilia's expression as she sat at the table with her hands folded, her gaze fixed on her mother, skepticism evident in every line of her face.
"Yes, something like that," Visana replied, scratching her chin in realization that Emilia most likely didn't believe her. After all, it seemed impossible for anyone to actually become younger through any method.
Sure, it was feasible for someone to improve their skin texture, but Visana had physically reverted to her appearance from nine years ago—a feat far beyond any artificial means.
"I believe you," Emilia said slowly, eyeing the woman sitting before her with an intensity that wavered between disbelief and curiosity.
She closed her eyes for a moment, almost as if to shut out the absurdity of it all, before reopening them and looking straight at her mother.
"Oh, really—" Visana began, preparing to commend Emilia for her sudden willingness to accept her story. But she was quickly interrupted.
"Where is my mother?!" Emilia yelled, springing up from the table. She reached out, grabbing the cheeks of the woman before her and pulling at them playfully.
Deep down, she knew that this young-looking woman was indeed her mother, yet she couldn't resist the urge to tease her.
The sight of her old mother transformed into someone so youthful sparked a familiar sense of mischief, all while she continued her usual banter and lighthearted taunts.
"Ouch, Ouch, Emilia! I am your mother!" Visana winced as her daughter pinched her cheeks playfully. Although she felt that Emilia was doing it on purpose, today was one of those rare days when Visana felt a bit of joy.
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The brief moment of feeling youthful satisfied her enough that she chose not to reprimand her daughter.
"How can I believe you?" Emilia seized the opportunity, narrowing her gaze at her mother and raising an eyebrow.
"T-Tell me, how can I prove it?" Visana asked, acutely aware of the swelling in her cheeks after Emilia had released her grip. She noticed her daughter heading toward the handbag she had brought with her.
"Sign this," Emilia said, extending her hand to present a pink document along with a pen. She smiled at Visana, which caused a slight twitch at the corners of her mother's mouth.
"What is this?" Visana asked, her eyes darting over the bold text that read "Marriage Certificate." It seemed outrageous to her that her daughter would bring this up so soon after she had just recovered from an accident.
"I need my guardian's permission," Emilia replied. She met her mother's gaze, clearly indicating the requirements she had learned from the marriage office while trying to secure a certificate to marry Damien.
Deep down, she also knew that he had a tendency to switch sides and could easily abandon her. So, she thought it wise to tie him into a marital commitment.
Even if he decided to run away, she could still stake a claim to half of his wealth.
Emilia understood that Damien was probably using her for her money, but she wasn't naive enough to let him have free rein over her life. She was determined to have him sign these papers as a form of leverage.
If he tried to leave her after taking advantage of her, she could use these agreements to imprison him and secure half of what he owned—all while being prepared for any legal battles that could arise.
To be precise, this document represented a form of blackmail, a safety net she was preparing just in case Damien entertained thoughts of abandoning her.
"W-What?! But why on Earth do you want to marry Damien?!" Visana gasped, her eyes widening in disbelief as she shot to her feet, staring at her daughter.
She felt as if her very soul was being grasped by confusion, struggling to understand how Emilia could make such a reckless decision to marry someone like him.
"We love each other," Emilia asserted, keeping her expression blank and stoic. Deep inside, she was aware that her feelings for him were genuine, even if he didn't reciprocate them.
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"....Do you even believe your own words?" Visana asked, looking at her daughter with a blank stare.
She rubbed her forehead in frustration, feeling overwhelmed by the realization that her daughter seemed determined to ruin her own life by marrying an utterly selfish man—a decision that could destroy her future.
What shocked Visana even more was how she could tell from Emilia's expression that her daughter was also conscious of the fact that Damien did not genuinely love her.
"....."
*Sigh,* "Do you really love him that much?" Visana asked, looking at her daughter with a mix of confusion and a desire to support her decision.
She had never rejected anything Emilia had ever asked for, but this was the first time her daughter was demanding something so significant, prompting her to inquire further.
"....yes," Emilia replied in a very low tone, her gaze averted as embarrassment washed over her.
It was difficult to admit that she had fallen for that idiot who seemed intent on flirting and having relationships with several women, all without a thought for her feelings.
"Fine, just tell me where to sign." Visana finally accepted her defeat, seeing how desperately Emilia wanted to marry that damn fool. She couldn't help but stretch out her hand for the pen, then sat down and opened the document where Emilia had already signed, leaving space for Damien's signature.
Below their names was a blank section for their guardian's signatures.
"Here!" Emilia exclaimed, sensing her mother's acceptance and bubbling with excitement.
She pointed to the guardian sections for both her and Damien, clearly aware that there was no guardian for him, given how he had been abandoned by Raphael's family.