Edna knew she sounded ridiculous — no, worse than ridiculous.
She sounded like a jealous child.
And even a bit possessive.
But even so, she couldn't stop the thought circling in her head like a vulture:
Who was this woman Lillia called Mama before me?
The idea gnawed at her. It wasn't logical. It wasn't imperial.
But her chest twisted painfully at the thought of Azel being so close to another woman that his daughter would grant her that title so easily.
Her arms tightened instinctively around the pink-haired girl sitting in her lap, hugging her close.
Lillia was so warm, so soft, her giggles feather-light against Edna's ear.
The feeling was alien yet intoxicating.
'It's been so long since I felt this way,' Edna thought, almost dazed.
She was feeling… Happiness.
Actual happiness.
She loved her daughters, of course.
