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Maris pumped her fist, silently encouraging herself. I can do this, she thought. She had done her research and prepared meticulously for this meeting. Every detail, from her dress to her hairstyle, and even the way she would speak, had been carefully considered.

She had settled on a modest, pale blue dress that Lucan had once complimented, with her long pink hair neatly braided down her back. Her light blue eyes reflected her nerves as she glanced at her reflection one last time before knocking gently on the door.

"Come in," called a calm, emotionless voice from inside.

Maris took a deep breath and opened the door, stepping into a beautifully decorated sitting room. The walls were adorned with portraits and tapestries, and a large window let in streams of sunlight that bathed the room in a warm glow. Seraphina sat gracefully in an armchair near the window, her posture perfect, her expression as unreadable as ever.

Seraphina\'s appearance was striking—she had Lucan\'s dark hair, but hers was streaked with silver, pulled back into a simple yet elegant style. Her eyes were a deep, penetrating blue, and her face was finely sculpted with high cheekbones and a smooth, pale complexion. Her figure was slender yet strong.

"Lady Seraphina," Maris greeted with a deep bow, trying to keep her voice steady.

"Maris," Seraphina replied, her tone as cool as her expression. "Please, sit."

Maris complied, settling into the chair opposite Seraphina. She clasped her hands in her lap. For a moment, the room was silent, save for the soft ticking of a clock on the mantel.

Seraphina was known to be a woman of few words, but when she did speak, she had a way of cutting to the heart of the matter. Today, she seemed intent on learning more about Maris, and the conversation began with Seraphina asking direct, pointed questions about Maris\'s life with Lucan and her role at the temple.

Maris tried her best to be polite and answer each question thoughtfully, speaking of her duties as a saint, the people she helped, and the teachings she followed. Despite Seraphina\'s inscrutable expression, Maris pressed on, determined to leave a good impression.

As they talked, Seraphina\'s sharp, observant eyes never wavered. She took in every detail—the way Maris\'s eyes brightened when she mentioned Lucan, the warmth in her voice when she spoke of him, and the subtle way her fingers fidgeted with the hem of her dress.

Maris was careful, never outright declaring her love for Lucan, but her feelings seeped through in every word, in every small smile that played on her lips.

Seraphina noticed everything. How Maris\'s cheeks flushed slightly when she spoke of Lucan, how her voice wavered ever so slightly when she mentioned his name. It became increasingly clear to Seraphina that Maris\'s feelings for Lucan were not merely those of a grateful ward or a dutiful follower, but something far deeper.

Yet, Seraphina said nothing, her expression giving away nothing of what she thought.

After an hour of conversation, Seraphina stood up, signaling the end of their meeting. Maris followed suit, feeling a mix of relief and satisfaction that the time had passed without incident.

"Thank you for speaking with me, Lady Seraphina," Maris said, bowing again, her voice filled with gratitude.

Seraphina paused, studying Maris for a moment longer before responding. "You can call me \'Mother,\'" she said, her voice softening ever so slightly. "Lucan raised you, so you\'re already family to us."

Maris\'s eyes widened in surprise. "Huh?" she stammered, caught off guard. Then, realization dawned on her, and she smiled brightly, her face lighting up with joy. "Yes, mo-mother, I\'m truly happy," she said, her voice filled with warmth and excitement. It felt like roses were blooming all around her, and Seraphina noticed, allowing herself a faint smile in return.

After a few more minutes of light conversation, Maris left, feeling a warmth in her chest. She had been so nervous about the meeting, worried about making a good impression, but now she felt a sense of peace. She believed she had done well, and more importantly, she believed that Seraphina had seen the love she held for Lucan—and had accepted it.

Maris stepped out into the hallway, a small smile playing on her lips as if flowers were blooming around her. She was happy—happy that she had spent time with Seraphina and hopeful for the future she would share with Lucan.

---

Later, Seraphina sat quietly in her study, reflecting on her conversation with Maris. Lucan entered, sensing his mother\'s pensive mood.

"Did you know she loves you?" Seraphina asked, her voice calm but laced with curiosity.

Lucan didn\'t look surprised. "How could I not? But I\'m waiting for her to finish her time at the academy."

Seraphina\'s gaze softened slightly. "And what about you? Do you love her?"

Lucan paused, considering the question. "To be honest, I don\'t know... She is beautiful, kind, and a loving woman. I don\'t mind being with her, but…" He hesitated, closing his eyes as he thought about the possibility of Maris leaving him, of not being by his side.

"But you wouldn\'t be sad if she left you, wouldn\'t be jealous if she spent time with another man, and wouldn\'t be angry if someone mistreated her. Right?" Seraphina said, her voice tinged with concern. "I\'m really worried about this. You don\'t have much in the way of emotions or empathy."

Lucan shrugged. "I\'m happy, so I guess that\'s all that matters. But I do feel sad if something happens to my family, angry if they\'re hurt... So I think, given time, I might feel the same for Maris."

Seraphina nodded, though she remained concerned. "By the way… can she not control her power?"

Lucan glanced at the flowers blooming around the house, a sign of Maris\'s unchecked joy. He sighed. "Yes. Her power is increasing rapidly, and it\'s becoming difficult for her to control it when she gets too excited. I haven\'t seen her angry or sad yet, so I don\'t know what would happen then."

"It\'s dangerous," Seraphina said, her voice somber. "If she ever loses control in anger… the consequences could be unimaginable."

"I\'m trying to find a solution, but I haven\'t found anything yet," Lucan admitted, his voice laced with concern.

Seraphina nodded thoughtfully.