Our fl was a terrible mother to her son in her past life; she completely neglected him and spent all her time attending balls or hanging out with friends. When her death was near, she felt immense regret and love for her son, but she never told him even till the end as she was disgusted and ashamed at herself being such a terrible mother. However, she went back three years in time, to the time where her son was 15(I think) and decided that this time, she had to do everything she can to make it up to her son.
Personal opinion(spoilers)
As I'm observing this story from the fl's point of view, I naturally sympathize with her more (wait is this like Stockholm syndrome..?), but I don't blame the son for not being able to accept his mother just...changing like that. Although she regrets her actions deeply and is trying to be kind to him now, it doesn't take away the damaged that already has been done. That much I know, and that much I understand. It is all but natural for him to see this as 'superficial' and not want anything to do with his mother. Heck, I might've done the same thing if I was in the same situation. But, at the same time, I really pity the fl. It was obvious that she was suffering from depression ever since she was pregnant, but problems just kept flinging themselves at her. Her father's death, her husband going to war, her sister's death(pretty sure one of them died, not entirely sure though), all the while when she was pregnant and is emotionally unstable, it was just too much for her to handle. And after her son was born, she still wasn't completely accepted into the duchy, no one would let her know or be involved any internal affairs, her husband started to neglect her (actually, he probably neglected her all the way, but he claims to love her, I'm confused), and because she had a child, she couldn't enjoy her life as a 22 year old anymore. With no one to blame, she blamed it on her child, and neglected him, refusing to see his face. Even so, she loved him, though she only found out when she was on her deathbed. Naturally, she tried to fix everything when she went back in time,but of course, broken things are not so easily fixed, and even if they can be fixed, the cracks remains. When she tries to involve herself in her son's education, her husband told her not to meddle as she never cared for his education before. When she tries to do something for her son, she ends up having to apologize for doing as she please and not minding her own business. In this broken family of three, only she is trying her best to pick up the pieces, and she humbles herself so much that I just... Sigh. I really want to give her a hug, or at least be there for her.
Well, with all that aside, I do think that this a pretty realistic depiction of the relationship between a neglected son and his mother, and I hope they will be able to talk and sort this out soon(plus she has to apologize formally, don't think she did that yet)
Also a side note, I think I would like her to fall ill again like in her previous life, just to see how everyone takes it and how it will turn out in the end
The Flower Dances and the Wind Sings