IITYVA 03

Chapter 3

The child moved his lips a few times before finally answering, averting his gaze.

“…As.”

“As?”

“Yes, you can call me that.”

He answered curtly, as if drawing a line.

Smiling gently as if coaxing a proud cat, I nodded.

“All right, As. That’s a very pretty name.”

“…”

Suddenly, As’s ears turned red.

He covered his face with the back of his hand and lowered his head halfway.

The tense atmosphere relaxed for a moment.

I seized the opportunity and asked in a soft tone.

“As, when we go buy new clothes, I can take you home afterwards. If you tell me where you live, I’ll make sure you get there safely. Or if that’s hard to say, I could just take you nearby.”

The once gentle atmosphere suddenly turned stiff again.

As met my eyes slowly and answered in a low voice.

“…I don’t remember.”

“Huh?”

“I don’t remember where my home is.”

It sounded suspiciously like a lie, but instead of pointing that out and possibly upsetting him, I just laughed and nodded.

“Ah, I see. That can happen. Then if you do remember, promise to tell me right away, okay?”

“…”

As didn’t answer—he just looked away.

I kept smiling, but I felt like I might cry. I wiped at the corners of my eyes.

What should I do with this child…?

Maybe I should ask Harnen about it.

As I was lost in thought—

Growl.

I blinked in surprise.

As did too—his clear ruby-like eyes widened in shock.

His face flushed bright red.

He turned away so fast it made a whooshing sound.

I bit my lip as I watched him.

Don’t laugh, Einra. He’ll be embarrassed.

“Ahem. Are you hungry? I’ve got baguette and chicken stew for lunch. Want some, As?”

“…Can I?”

As asked quietly.

I tilted my head, then nodded.

“Of course! Absolutely.”

“Then… yes, please.”

He mumbled.

Smiling, I went to the kitchen and brought out the food and dishes.

Just like a noble’s child, As ate even the simple meal with elegance and poise.

Unlike me—who had breadcrumbs everywhere—his place was completely clean. Not a single crumb. It was kind of impressive.

“As, did you like the food?”

I asked as I placed the dishes in the sink after the meal.

As paused while tidying up his own dish, then nodded slowly.

“I’m glad it suited your taste.”

I smiled brightly, and As quietly turned his head away as he placed his dish in the sink.

“…Please don’t smile at me.”

He said as he withdrew his hand from the sink.

Puzzled by his words, I turned to him with wide eyes.

“Huh? Why?”

“Because… it makes me think things are okay…”

As bit his lip after blurting it out, then turned his back to me.

I tilted my head, watching him walk toward the living room.

Don’t smile at him…?

Does he have some kind of painful memory?

I pondered for a moment, then started the dishes using spirit magic.

After finishing the dishes, I took As outside to buy him new clothes.

“As, stay close to me. You mustn’t wander away, okay?”

“…That’s the one thing I’m best at in the world.”

He murmured, trailing a few steps behind me.

He spoke so softly I barely heard him.

I tilted my head.

“Hm? What was that?”

As looked away and muttered again.

“…It’s nothing.”

The Haila County in the southern part of the empire was known for its warm climate and safety.

People moved at a leisurely pace, and the white-flowered ipap trees bloomed abundantly along the streets.

“As, doesn’t the flower scent smell nice?”

“…”

“Look at those flowers. Don’t they look like cotton candy snowing down from the trees?”

“…”

“The weather’s so nice! Should we go on a picnic after we buy your clothes?”

“…”

On the way to the clothing shop, I tried to make small talk, but As remained silent.

Maybe he didn’t respond because I misheard him earlier…

Eventually, we arrived without much success.

Swallowing my frustration, I opened the door.

Ding, the bell above the door chimed cheerfully.

“Hello, Auntie Cecile!”

“Oh, welcome… Oh my, Einra again? Didn’t you just buy clothes earlier? Are you here to make an exchange?”

Auntie Cecile tilted her head as she approached, then spotted As behind me and her eyes widened.

“Oh my, what a darling little girl!”

At that, As’s face instantly froze. I even thought I heard his teeth grinding.

Oh no! Teeth are for life!

I couldn’t let a child ruin his future over this!

Before Auntie Cecile could gush any more about the “adorable little girl,” I quickly stepped forward.

“Ah, Auntie! As is actually a darling little gentleman!”

“Oh? A boy?”

“Yes! I made a mistake earlier… We’re here to look at boy’s clothes that suit As.”

“Oh goodness, I see. Sorry about that, As.”

She said she assumed he was a girl because of what he was wearing.

The innocent bomb Auntie dropped was followed by her curious tone.

“Einra, you’re still single, right? Is he your cousin? Or maybe your nephew? Wow, I didn’t know you had such a cute relative!”

“Ha ha, relative? As and I don’t even look—”

“We’re not related.”

Before I could finish, As cut in sharply through clenched teeth.

For a second, his red eyes even looked threatening. I felt a little deflated.

Yeah… we’re not family.

But it still hurts when he says it like that…

Even Auntie Cecile seemed startled and glanced at me awkwardly before quickly brightening her voice.

“R-right! You’re here for boy’s clothes, right? Come, come this way.”

She led us to the boys’ section.

As looked unimpressed by the wide selection, but I was excited to dress him up.

With a face like that, he’d look good in anything!

“As, how about trying this one—”

“I’m fine with this.”

He picked up a simple, comfortable-looking shirt and pants.

I blinked, then glanced at the fancy frock coat I’d picked out.

Don’t most people prefer something flashier than plain clothes…?

“I’ll get you that too. But since we don’t know when your memory will return, it’s best to have a few changes of clothes, right?”

Without hesitation, As nodded.

I grinned so widely I had to cover my mouth with both hands.

Those pale chubby cheeks, those red lips, that cool expression—too cute!

My heart fluttered at the thought of dressing him up.

“Auntie!”

“Yes, Einra?”

“Show me all your best-selling outfits—from here to there!”

“…”

As went pale as he looked at the row I pointed to, but I just hummed innocently.

I make plenty as an imperial spiritist.

This is nothing.

After a wild fashion show fueled by Auntie Cecile’s enthusiasm and my wallet, I took out my pocket dimension wallet and paid for the clothes.

As she totaled the price, Cecile couldn’t stop giggling. Then she suddenly remembered something and called out.

“Oh, Einra.”

“Yes, Auntie?”

“What about that Millen I mentioned last time? Still not thinking of meeting him?”