“Quack!”

Though a duck doll, it moves and has a personality, and even intelligence. Therefore, the people of the Holy Kingdom treat Poppin as a unique doll and show respect.

“Oh, you like being praised that much?”

Because she understands words well, even now, at a single word of praise, she jumps up and laughs like a fool.

“Now that we’ve found the princess, tell all the soldiers to withdraw.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Afterward, Hecate instructed the green-haired maid for a situation briefing. Soon, the surrounding commotion stopped, and Hecate turned back and approached me again.

“Oh.”

“?”

Seeing her reaction, I thought, why is she acting like that? Did she catch a cold and lose her taste?

“Mom has something for you.”

“A present?”

“That’s right.”

After rummaging in her arms, she pulled out something.

“I originally planned to give it to you in the morning, but giving it in advance should be fine.”

Feathers adorned with jewels resembling pearls, beads, flowers, and several decorations were attached to the ornament, and feathers sparkling in aurora colors caught my eyes repeatedly, so I touched them several times.

The feathers were not slippery due to oiling, but simply gathered soft fur, allowing them to be swept down with fingers like water flowing. Hecate was delighted when my reaction wasn’t bad.

“If you hang it in your bedroom, it’s said to bring peaceful sleep.”

When Hecate heard my scream, she initially grabbed her sword and later took this mysterious ornament along. She had picked it up in advance because she thought I might be sweating in the bedroom, and she wanted to give it as a morning gift during breakfast.

“Since you couldn’t sleep now, it’s better to give it to you.”

During the last expedition, Hecate had mentioned to the chief of the tribe who gave her a present that this ornament was a very precious item.

“It doesn’t look cheap.”

Nodding in understanding, I handed the ornament to Poppin. To be precise, I had it gripped tightly in its beak. Since it hung well on the unicorn horn earlier, it seemed safe to entrust it to Poppin, and I found it troublesome to carry.

“Shall we go back now?”

Expressing concern that I might catch a cold if I stayed longer, Hecate put her hand on my head and comforted me several times.

It was nothing special as I experienced this every day, but when Hecate took her hand off my head, a long yawn came out frighteningly. It was funny to hear the sound when her mouth opened widely like a hammock.

“You seem very sleepy.”

Since there was nothing I could do about it, Hecate said she found my yawning cute and suggested that we go to bed quickly.

“After a long time, Mom will carry you to the bedroom.”

Bending over with a posture to lift me up next time, she still showed her hand that was wrapped in bandages. It seemed that her injury had not completely healed yet, as she hesitated to move her wrist to firmly hold me when I got off the chair.
“Umji-.”

Oh, dear, she’s worried about me instead of taking care of herself. I grabbed Hecate’s shoulders tightly with both hands, inwardly clicking my tongue.

“Is your hand still hurting?”

As I grumbled inwardly about what to do with her, Hecate, when asked, showed an exaggerated behavior with a forced smile that always popped up when she lied, saying, “Oh, no. It’s all healed.”

If someone says they’re completely healed, does it make sense for their bound hand to ache as if in pain? I considered scolding her for the blatantly visible lie but decided against it. My body was gradually getting heavier, making it challenging to spend leisurely time. It was just fatigue.

“Today, Mom will sing a lullaby for you.”

“There’s no need for that.”

Shortly after, on the way back to the bedroom with Hecate carrying me, out of nowhere, she said she would sing a song, and sleepiness quickly disappeared.

Because, memories of Jeff and me singing discordant songs hand in hand in the past, almost losing our hearing, suddenly came to mind. It was a terrifying memory, and I thought I would sing better even with my nasal hair. The singing skills of those two were terrible.

“I’m more used to being alone.”

“Even so.”

It’s better to have a music box to listen to. I flatly refused because I didn’t want to experience the chilling sensation that lasted over an hour when I sang in their presence, even though it was just to humor them. Even if Hecate felt upset, disappointed, or sad, I couldn’t help it.

Surviving was the most important thing for me now.

“Phew, do as you wish.”

I pretended to listen here, but when we reached the bedroom, I would turn them down again, letting them understand that there was no possibility.

‘That stubbornness never changes, no matter how old he gets.’

I sighed inwardly as I watched Hecate, who wanted to sing a lullaby, repeatedly.

The next morning.

“Yawn~.”

Hecate woke me up last night and talked about a lullaby. I woke up and immediately dozed off, clearly remembering that I was drowsy.