Chapter 81

The next morning, I woke up on a fluffy pillow.

"Hmm..."

A seductive voice came from nearby, and I suddenly realized.

The fluffy pillow I thought I was resting on was actually Leiszlotte's chest.

I was supposed to be sleeping with Amelia in between, but at some point, I had climbed over her and used Leiszlotte as a pillow. What a terrible sleeping posture.

"Quack~?"

Amelia also started to stir.

I silently apologized to Leiszlotte and got up. At that moment, there was a knock on the door.

"Come in!"

I replied cheerfully, and a maid entered the bedroom.

"Good morning, Miss Mel."

"Good morning."

She bowed respectfully, and I awkwardly returned the greeting, not used to such treatment.

The maid had brought a tea set on a cart. It seemed that the noble ladies drank a cup of tea upon waking.

She also made me a fragrant cup of tea. Hmm, it's not bad.

Leiszlotte, who seemed to be weak in the morning, still looked sleepy even after drinking the tea.

After that, we washed our faces with the water in the prepared bucket and got dressed.

Today, I wore a dress in a deep red grape color. It had a large black ribbon at the chest, which was cute.

My hair was braided and gathered at the back of my head, giving it a more mature look.

Amelia, while I was changing, ate a fruit platter and sat by the sunny window, looking satisfied.

Leiszlotte had her long purple hair braided and styled in a half-updo. She wore a cute, light pink pair of glasses made of coral or something, instead of the silver-rimmed ones she usually wore for work. Her outfit was a fluffy white blouse paired with a velvet dress, which looked very ladylike.

After we were all ready, it was time for breakfast.

Since it was a good opportunity, I decided to have breakfast with the Marquis.

When I greeted him, he responded with a frown. He's really scary. Thank you very much.

The servants efficiently arranged the dishes.

The menu included crescent-shaped bread, crispy smoked meat, a vegetable-rich soup, a salad, sliced forest apples, and boiled eggs in egg-shaped containers.

I had never seen a container specifically for boiled eggs before. As I stared at it, a voice came from behind.

"Excuse me."

A servant with a tool that looked like scissors reached for the boiled egg. I wondered what he was going to do, but he cut the top of the egg, including the shell and the yolk. The blade was shaped like a donut, which he inserted into the top of the egg and trimmed with the other blade. I didn't know such a tool existed.

Leiszlotte was eating the yolk with a spoon, while the Marquis dipped the yolk into his bread.

"Mel, the eggs are fresh, picked this morning, so it's fine."

"A, yes. Thank you."

Actually, I was more surprised by the culture of eating eggs without peeling the shell, but I didn't pursue it further.

Apparently, there was a chicken coop behind the Marquis's house, and they could eat fresh eggs every day.

I followed the elegant people and ate a half-boiled egg.

First, I sprinkled some black pepper. I cut a piece of crescent bread and dipped it in the yolk.

I quickly brought it to my mouth so it wouldn't drip.

"---!?"

First, I was surprised by the richness of the egg. It tasted like a sauce that had been carefully prepared.

The crescent bread was also delicious. It had dozens of layers and a light, crispy texture when bitten. There were also breads with chocolate and cream inside, which were rich and sweet, like something you'd find in a bakery. I had never seen such bread before.

The Marquis ate it expressionlessly. He seemed to have a sweet tooth.

The breakfast was a wonderful array of dishes.

However, the Marquis's face was so scary that I decided to decline the adoption in my heart.

After a while, we decided to go out.

Then, something unbelievable happened.

"Quack, quack~"

Amelia had said, "I don't like crowds, so I'll wait here~"

It was understandable.

Amelia was surrounded by the maids, who were brushing her hair carefully. They had even put some nice-smelling essential oil on her.

She was having a very good time, like a queen.

Where was the clingy Amelia who used to say, "I don't want to be without mommy!!"?

"Amelia has grown up, hasn't she?"

I was startled by Leiszlotte's comment.

Yes, she has grown up... I felt a sense of nostalgia.

But, I also felt a bit lonely. I thought, "Am I no longer needed by Amelia?"

"Ow~n, Amelia~"

When I suddenly hugged her with teary eyes, she looked surprised. I understand.

It was lonely, but there was nothing I could do. This time, I had to let go of my child.

"So, Amelia, I'm going now."

"Quack, quack, quack~"

"Goodbye, have fun~" I was casually seen off.

However, it was practically impossible to take Amelia, who had grown so large, into the city. Even with the protection of the幻獣保护局 (Phantom Beast Protection Bureau), people would be shocked to see a griffin.

I had to be grateful to my grown child.

We moved to the central district by carriage from the Marquis's house.

We headed to a commercial street used by the citizens of the capital, not a street lined with shops for the nobility.

"I've never been to this area before."

"Of course not. If you turn down that street, you'll find the usual cafeteria."

"Is that so?"

First, we went to a jewelry store.

A maid accompanying Leiszlotte opened the door for us. The bell on the door jingled.

"Welcome."

We were greeted by a well-dressed lady, who smiled at Leiszlotte.

"I'm not the one shopping."

"Oh, my apologies."

I was probably thought to be one of the ladies accompanying the young mistress.

The store was filled with jewelry cases.

"What are you looking for today?"

"Um, earrings."

"Are they a gift?"

"Yes, do you have any for men?"

"Of course."

While talking, I was nervous about whether I had enough money.

The reward from the Phantom Beast Protection Bureau had warmed my pocket, but considering my future life with Amelia, I couldn't spend too much.

The shop assistant brought several earrings.

There were many flashy ones, such as drop-shaped and flower-patterned ones with gemstones, and a wide variety.

However, I thought I should choose a simple one, as large ones might be in the way.

"Mel, how about this one?"

Leiszlotte pointed to a sapphire earring. It was a simple design with only a cut on the surface.

"This one costs six gold coins."

Six months' salary... No way, no way, rejected!

"Excuse me, can I see a few small gemstone earrings, even for women?"

"Of course, please wait a moment."

After hearing the price, my heart was pounding.

I wanted to make a quick decision and leave.

"Here they are."

Among the recommended items, one immediately caught my eye.

A round earring made of deep blue stone.

The deep blue reminded me of Zara's eye color.

"I'll take this one."

I decided immediately without asking the price. If I couldn't afford it, I would pay in installments.

"This is a lapis lazuli earring, and it costs half a silver coin."

"A, yes."

I was trembling, thinking it might cost three gold coins, but it was surprisingly affordable. That's good.

I paid and had it wrapped.

Leiszlotte and her maid were also browsing and bought a necklace.

"Mel, when will you give it to him?"

"Hmm, I wonder."

Maybe tomorrow. But, I wasn't sure if I should give it to him at the Marquis's house.

"Zara's house is nearby. Should I go there now?"

"Yes, that's fine."

"Are you going back, Leiszlotte?"

"I'll come with you."

Then, I suddenly remembered. I had promised to make meatball stew for Zara. While I was there, I could buy the ingredients and drop by.

"That would be too presumptuous, wouldn't it?"

"If you suddenly showed up and made a meal for me, I would be happy."

"Hmm."

Since I rarely had a three-day break, I decided to go to Zara's house and make the stew.

If I was refused, I would make the stew at the Marquis's house.

We bought the ingredients at the market and headed to Zara's house.

This was my third visit. We passed through the commercial street and arrived at the colorful house.

I knocked on the door.

"Meow~"

Only the meowing of Zara's cat, Blanche, could be heard.

"That's a mountain cat!"

Leiszlotte, who loved phantoms, reacted.

I knocked again, but there was no response from Zara. Was she out?

"Meow, meow!"

Instead, Blanche was meowing, but it sounded different from usual.

"Is she trying to tell us something?"

"I think so too."

What if something happened to Zara?

Was there a place to peek into the room?

As I was thinking, the door creaked open.

I thought it was Zara, but it was Blanche who peeked out.

"Meow."

She showed her face slightly, put one paw out of the door, and waved it to invite us in.

I thought, "This is a real beckoning cat."

※Beckoning cat... The mascot character of a popular hamburger shop in the capital. A wooden beckoning cat statue sits at the entrance, welcoming customers.