"Resume the story and your explanation, sweetie." Menadion said.
A wave of Solus’ hand and the sand castle reappeared, along with all the puppets still in the same spot as when she had banished them a few seconds ago.
"As I was saying, the friends I’ve retained from my old life are either people like Aunt Loka and Malyshka, who wouldn’t have abandoned me even if I turned into a crazy Lich, or those who stuck around long enough to see Elphyn the party girl become Elphyn the super competitive workaholic.
"I’m not proud of either of them, but at least Elphyn the workaholic was a respectable person. She was still mean and narrow-minded, but at least she put her energy into something more meaningful than short-term pleasure." Solus blushed at the recollection of her past-self stunts.
"I understand that for the current you Elphyn’s actions are questionable, but she was a good person." Menadion replied. "Maybe a few people questioned her judgment, but no one ever doubted her character."
"No one ever doubted her talent and potential as your daughter and only heir, you mean." Solus snorted, double-checking the Hush zone around the toddlers. "My character was weighed, measured, and found wanting.
"Otherwise, at least one person would have questioned your story about Elphyn getting her head straight after ’getting pregnant’ out of wedlock. Instead, all the most ancient and wise creatures of Mogar who have met the old me didn’t doubt for a second that I could have been so reckless."
Menadion cleared her throat in embarrassment, but said nothing, knowing that Solus was right.
’I’d better not tell Epphy that everyone believed me so easily about the hidden pregnancy because it was an ongoing rumor back when we were still alive.’ She thought.
As the two women talked, the battle between the puppets became more and more frantic. The knight’s armor was damaged and his sword cracked, while the Dragon had lost a few scales and his castle was badly damaged.
"What pains me the most, however, is the comparison between the three Elphyn I know." Solus said.
"Three?" Menadion asked, putting Surin down now that she was asleep again.
"Baby Elphyn was a sweet, curious, and loving child." Solus felt weird talking so highly about herself.
Yet as she looked at Elysia, she could see the baby girl growing into such a person. Her heart swelled with motherly pride and a warm smile appeared on her face.
"Her heart was pure and full of joy. Her love for magic, you, and Dad gave her the potential to become not only a Forgemaster as good as you, Mom, but also a good person who would have changed Mogar for the better.
"Dad’s death, however, broke her heart and filled it with poison." Solus sighed, her expression turning sour. "Elphyn the workaholic was an improvement on Elphyn the party girl, but they were still the same person.
"The same broken person full of grief who kept running away from her pain because she didn’t know how to face it." The Dragon puppet roared, blocking the knight’s death blow with his tail and countering it with sand flames.
"I don’t like it when you call me with my old name because I’m afraid of turning into that person again, Mom." Solus said as the puppet knight crumbled and the children cheered. "I never overcame my grief, Mom. I never learned my lesson.
"I just lost my memory. I forgot about my pain and got a fresh start. Whenever you call me Elphyn, I’m forced to face how hypocritical my words back when I criticized Lith for his cynicism were.
"I gave him plenty of speeches about forgiveness, yet I never forgave my own mother. I told him that he should accept death and treasure every moment he spends with those he loves, yet I did the exact opposite.


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