Chapter 37

37

They say the affairs of the world are impermanent and insubstantial.

A baby's time really flows by idly.

When they close their eyes, sleep comes; when they eat, sleep comes; even during walking practice, sleep comes.

They say the heaviest thing in the world is the eyelid, do you know that?

For a baby, the heaviest thing is the head.

When sleep comes, it's not the eyelids that close, but the head that tilts forward.

Or sometimes backward.

'I never thought there would come a day when I would become aware of a baby's discomfort.'

A sigh escaped me involuntarily.

Two weeks have passed since the Sharent Clown's ominous, heavy words.

Since then, the Sharent Clown has come to me from time to time and taken away the things Vera was doing.

For example, feeding me, feeding me, and feeding me.

Well, what's the point of hiding it? This damn Sharent Clown keeps taking my spoon.

It's really dirty and despicable, so recently I've been practicing eating on my own.

With a deep sigh, I took out the spoon I had hidden under my pillow. The small, silver spoon is just the right size for me to hold.

I had secretly taken one, and it seems Vera thinks she has lost the spoon.

I looked down at my hands with a serious expression, hands that refuse to let go no matter what.

No matter how hard I try, my fingers won't spread.

When I try to spread them, they do, but to hold the spoon properly, it should be placed between the index and middle fingers...

"Ugh!"

Annoyed, I let out a sound without realizing it.

But didn't my pronunciation become a bit more emphatic?

Since my fingers won't spread, it's a difficult task to hold the spoon properly. But how can I hold the spoon like a fist and hurt my pride?

'Right, I have the pride of the great Hela.'

Don't you think so, Sherina? Actually, I think so too.

Out of pride, I must hold the spoon properly. Why can't a baby hold a spoon?

With determination in my eyes and a spirited heart, I moved my fingers more deliberately.

"Miss, it's time for your meal."

Huh, it's Vera.

"Peena!"

I quickly slid the spoon I was holding into my bottom and smiled widely as the door opened.

If I get caught stealing, I might be treated as a thief and chased away.

I mustn't be disliked by Vera.

By the way, Vera is so cute every time I see her. Especially when she runs up to me with a smile every time I call her name.

"Yes, you called me?"

"Shi?"

Even if I don't say it, she understands so well.

"Yes, it's mealtime. Today, we also have strawberries for dessert. And do you know? The menu has changed a bit from today."

"U?"

I turned my head to look at the large tray Vera was holding.

Come to think of it, there are several plates today.

With wide eyes, I tried to stretch my neck to peek, putting all my strength into my legs on the bed.

Vera watched me struggle, then, as if realizing something, put the tray aside and brought me the baby's table.

This baby's table is a chair with a table attached. It's good that it holds me firmly so I don't fall, but it's a bit suffocating.

I fidgeted and then turned my head.

The meal in front of me was a bit different from the usual thick soup.

'There are chunks?'

And there are a lot more than usual.

It looks like mashed potatoes with finely chopped broccoli or vegetables mixed in.

'At least, there will be a texture to chew.'

I reached out confidently and grabbed the spoon.

"Oh my, in the world. Miss, you already know how to use a spoon? You even call my name... Our Miss must be a genius?"

Yes, I like this exaggerating Vera too.

My nose was held high.

Even as my body twisted in the Sharent family due to my shrinking form, Vera's praise would straighten me out as if nothing had happened.

"Would you like to try it this way?"

"U!"

I scooped up the food boldly with the spoon I was holding in my fist.

The food fell to the floor in small drops from my trembling arm. Just a little.

When I brought the spoon to my nose and opened my mouth to bite it, a savory taste filled my mouth.

Now that my teeth have grown in, chewing food is not a big problem.

The food in my mouth disappeared in an instant.

Hmm, did I scoop too little?

I reached out again and scooped up the food with the spoon. This time, I scooped as much as possible.

'Why are my hands trembling so much?'

The table was quite dirty.

Vera's gaze seemed to be filled with pity. She seemed to be unsure whether to reach out or not.

I put the second spoonful in my mouth again.

I couldn't taste anything.

The empty spoon seemed to mock me.

Damn.

* * *

"Miss."

"..."

"Miss, Vera has brought pudding. Please come out just once."

"Apu!"

How can I live like this, so pitifully? How can I live as a fool who can't even eat by myself!

Huh, I'm so sad.

Burying my face in the blanket, I recalled the moment earlier when I spilled half the food on the table.

'If I had spilled it by accident, I wouldn't have said anything.'

The problem was that I thought I had scooped it up properly until I put it in my mouth.

I, who was praised for my concentration and reflexes, couldn't have become this dull.

How could I not realize that I had spilled the food while bringing it to my mouth!

"The custard pudding is generously drizzled with caramel syrup."

'...That sounds delicious.'

Come to think of it, when was the last time I had pudding?

I know it's a sweet, soft, and creamy dessert.

If this is the only chance I have, should I go out and eat it...

'But I'm getting dumber.'

I don't want to get dumber.

There's nothing worse than being dumb and weak. If you're dumb, weak, and have no outstanding qualities, you deserve to be disposed of.

That's the type of existence I hate the most.

"Miss!"

Am I really a pig?

Even though the pudding doesn't smell, I found myself already peeking out from under the blanket.

Vera, as if waiting for this, scooped up a spoonful of pudding and offered it to me.

"Here, eat it quickly. Ah~!"

Plop, the spoon I was holding dangled from my mouth.

I quickly bit the spoon that entered my mouth.

The pudding melted in my mouth.

The sweetness relaxed my stiffened head. I chewed and sucked the spoon a few times, then ate the pudding again.

To be honest, the pudding was delicious.

I want to scout the chef and bring them with me if I ever return to Silophia.

They say the Clowns are gourmets, and it's not a lie.

"His Excellency the Duke said to bring you to him after you finish your meal."

"Mm."

"Shall we go now?"

Just as I was about to hide my head under the blanket and run away, Vera quickly hugged me.

To be honest, if we're talking about the satisfaction of being held, Sharent Clown holds me the most comfortably.

Of course!

Although I'm very dissatisfied, he is the most comfortable because he has raised children.

Next is the butler, Kant, then Desar Clown, and finally Vera.

Vera, well, she's not ready to raise a baby yet.

I was forcibly carried to Desar Clown's office in Vera's uncomfortable embrace...

'Huh? This isn't the office?'

This direction was toward the dining room or the reception room.

Vera seemed more nervous than usual.

The atmosphere of the mansion was also unusual. It seemed both chaotic and tense.

Vera knocked and immediately entered the reception room.

"I have brought the Miss."

"Leave her there."

Am I an object? He always tells me to leave or stay.

I lifted my face from Vera's shoulder and glared at Sharent Clown in dissatisfaction.

Then I quietly buried my face in Vera's shoulder again.

'Why are there so many people?'

It's fine for Desar Clown and Sharent Clown, but who are the other two?