Chapter 20

20

"Phew!"

"Miss, you're awake?"

"Ow!"

I raised one hand and greeted with all my might, then froze on the spot.

Did I just make a sound like a kid?

Maybe because my body is young, my mind feels young too.

But I feel like I was doing something important yesterday...

"Miss, where did you get such a doll?"

Gah!

The maid, Vera, held out the straw doll that I had spent a whole week and four days making.

My eyes widened, and I immediately felt a sting.

Ugh, is this dry eye?

I quickly crawled over and stretched out my arms.

"Pooh! Ow!"

Give it back!

My week!

"Oh, my, you startled me. I'll make you a prettier teddy bear than this."

"Boo!"

Not knowing what to do, I flopped down and flailed my arms and legs.

It's so direct, sometimes it's embarrassing, but what can I do?

Do kids throw tantrums like this? Maybe I should pretend to cry?

"Waaah!"

As I pretended to cry, wiping fake tears and flailing my limbs, Vera crouched down in surprise.

She even placed the doll in my arms.

Up close, her crimson hair on her freckled face was even more captivating.

"Oh, why is our little miss crying? Is it because I took the doll?"

Vera hugged me and gently swayed, patting my back.

Every time, it feels strange.

In my previous life, I never remembered being held by someone.

So, this feeling of skin-to-skin contact is strange. Being treated like a child is also strange.

I don't like people.

Becoming close is a useless act.

Giving affection is creating a weakness. Even though I know this, I don't feel like pushing Vera away.

Anyway, since I got back what I wanted, I remained silent.

'It's warm.'

The sound of my heart beating echoed in my ears.

As I leaned my head on her shoulder, I felt drowsy.

However, I had the duty to carry this around today and infuse it with magic whenever I could.

"Even with the pacifier, you seem to have a strange attachment to things."

I blinked, pretending not to hear the worried voice.

Anyway, it was Vera's idea to make the pacifier into a necklace.

"Is our little miss feeling too lonely?"

Vera said with a worried expression.

What is she talking about?

I looked at Vera with a cold, indifferent gaze.

"Meow?"

"Don't worry too much. Everyone will surely recognize Miss's loveliness."

No, I don't want anyone to recognize it.

I shivered at the creepy words.

"Shall we go for a walk?"

"Ugh!"

To the incinerator! The fireplace is good too! As my eyes sparkled, Vera had a wistful smile.

I have no complaints, so why is she saying this?

"Okay, Miss! Let's go for a walk!"

Vera said brightly.

I smiled.

Finally, an opportunity.

* * *

"Huh? Baby."

"..."

"Baby, what's wrong?"

What is this annoying thing.

Clank.

And what is this awkward situation.

I thought as I propped myself up with my arms and legs.

Why am I on the grass in some strange place...

"Tsk tsk, how can a child be so unsociable."

I should be the one being evaluated for sociability.

As I tilted my head and blinked, Deschar Clown appeared under the sun.

I saw him sitting at a set of artisanal teacups and a tea table, which required a reservation at least half a year in advance.

'I wanted one of those before...'

I bought it to learn how to drink tea since I only ever drank water or juice.

The situation had improved a bit, so I made a reservation, but I died before I could receive it.

'Come to think of it, I never got it either.'

It was probably my turn to receive it, but someone else must have taken it.

"Come here."

Deschar Clown bent down and extended his hand to me, calling me as if he were calling a dog.

I stared at it blankly and then turned around.

'Where should I hide it?'

Deschar Clown had seen it all.

He would probably notice that this straw doll was not ordinary, even if it wasn't black magic.

If he started investigating this, he would soon realize it was black magic.

At least it's not Sharant Clown.

Sharant Clown is quick-witted and hard to read, making him difficult to deal with.

"...Lina."

Where should I hide it?

"Ahem. S-Sherina."

A weak, almost inaudible voice came with a cough.

Where can I hide it...

'There's nowhere, so I'll just push it into the bushes for now.'

Fortunately, Vera was far enough away that she didn't notice.

"Sherina, come here."

Deschar Clown called me, but instead of answering, I flopped down and rolled over.

Sharant Clown's son, who had crouched down next to me, lifted his face.

"Grandpa! The baby's name is Serina, right?"

"Sherina, Kaiyan."

"Serina!"

Deschar Clown was silently looking at me.

I stared back at Deschar Clown and then turned my head away first.

We can't be involved anyway.

I'm leaving, and we'll just pass by each other.

So, I shouldn't let any affection develop.

This is for his sake as well as mine. As a mage, I and as a knight, he can never overlap.

"Serina!"

So, stop calling my name.

I'll get attached.

I pushed Sharant Clown's son's face away with my palm.

His face crumpled.

"Is Serina your sister?"

Sharant Clown's son asked, but Deschar Clown didn't answer.

I didn't really expect an answer either.

In the silence, Deschar Clown didn't call me again, and Sharant Clown's son just stared at me without saying a word.

I...

'When should I throw this into the fire?'

I pondered.

In the late night, as darkness descended, I ran through the early morning again.

Thanks to the improved clothes with soft padding, I'm no longer afraid of crawling.

I've become an expert at opening doors.

I can open them just by glaring, without having to use awkward positions.

I crawled out of the door and found the straw doll I had hidden during the day.

The incinerator was still running at night, but I couldn't open its lid, so I chose the fireplace.

I crawled back inside with the straw doll in my arms.

I was moving through the darkness, searching for the fireplace.

"Mmm...? Serina?"

"Ugh."

I stopped in my tracks in front of the fireplace at the sound of a voice near my ear.

I turned my head slightly and saw Sharant Clown's son, wearing pajamas and even a hat, hugging a pillow and looking at me with teary eyes.