I was staring at the ceiling, lying motionless on the bed while my mind wandered through countless thoughts.
Beside , the girl had fallen into a deep sleep. Her small chest rose and fell with peaceful rhythms.
A voice drifted from across the room. "Isn’t she a bit too adorable?"
I turned my gaze toward Alia, who sat comfortably in the armchair with her legs crossed.
"All children look that way," I replied flatly. "Until they grow up. Or until they open their mouths."
Alia stretched her arms above her head with a knowing smile. "You sure hate kids. Noted."
She let her arms fall and leaned forward slightly. "But what now? What do you plan ahead for her?"
I didn’t have an answer.
After Alia had made the girl comfortable enough to speak, we had learned about her past. Her na. Her ho. Her family.
And every single answer had been as good as nothing.
She didn’t have a na. Nobody had ever given her one.
She didn’t have a place. She had no idea where she originally ca from.
And her family? She knew nothing about them either.
She told us she had been raised in so forest by spirits. Ethereal beings or so high summons who cared for her until one day they simply vanished without explanation.
After wandering alone, she eventually stumbled upon a human settlent. So people showed her kindness and took her to an orphanage. But she later discovered they were anything but kind. She overheard them discussing deals and prices for her.
Before she could run, she was caught. Sold off a month ago to those auction bastards.
I kept my eyes fixed on the ceiling. "I don’t know. I don’t know if I should send her to so better orphanage or back to my mother."
I paused, considering both options.
"In either case, I don’t think she would agree. She barely trusts from what I can see."
I let out a slow breath.
"So maybe I should just let her stay by my side. At least until she understands I an her no harm."
Alia tilted her head curiously. "So you an you’ll raise her? And how exactly will you manage that?"
"I do have so money left. It should be enough to last for a while." I shifted slightly on the bed. "And tomorrow the results will be declared for the academy entrance examination. I’m confident I’ll place sowhere on the podium."
A smirk crossed my face.
"aning I could receive special perks. A huge dormitory. Servants and maids who will handle most daily matters. Just like in those fantasy stories."
I gestured vaguely.
"It would be easy for both of us there. And even if I don’t secure those privileges, I’ve heard the academy provides basic allowances and housing for all admitted students."
Alia’s expression turned thoughtful. "So you’ll raise her. Teach her your own ways." Her smile grew mischievous. "Which will one hundred percent shatter the innocence of that poor child."
"On that matter, I won’t be the one babysitting her," I said firmly. "That will be your responsibility. And as your master, you cannot refuse my command."
I t her gaze with equal stubbornness.
"As for the innocence part, I refuse to acknowledge any child as truly innocent."
I expected Alia to curse or launch into another argunt. Instead, she simply smiled sweetly.
"Rest well, Master. I hope you have the sweetest of dreams." Her voice dropped to sothing honeyed and dangerous. "And a truly wonderful morning."
That smile carried mischief so thick I could taste it. As if she were silently threatening to murder in my sleep.
"Why are you sitting over there?" I asked, suddenly uncomfortable.
She tilted her head with exaggerated innocence. "Do you want to sleep beside you instead? How perverted of you, Eren."
"I an shouldn’t you go back and rest as well?"
She waved off my concern. "I’m perfectly fine here. I’ll make sure no one dares to disturb your sleep. I’ll watch over both of you throughout the night."
She smiled again. "It’s not like I require sleep or food anyway."
I muttered under my breath, "You’re the one who’s disturbing my sleep."
There was no way I could rest peacefully knowing she was staring at from that chair. And her words from before, that thinly veiled threat, kept echoing in my mind.
I was definitely overthinking this.
Probably.
[NEXT MORNING]
We departed early for the academy outskirts where the results would be announced.
Before leaving, I had purchased a cute mask for the girl. It was small and delicate, covering only her nose and part of her cheeks. Just enough to hide the telltale features of her race from curious eyes.
I had also bought her a simple but pretty dress. She seed quite happy about that, her glowing eyes brightening as she examined the fabric.
But beside her walked soone even more childish about the whole shopping experience.
Alia.
She practically skipped alongside the girl, radiating joy over every small purchase as if she were the child receiving gifts. The two of them walked together with matching energy, and I couldn’t help but notice how naturally they seed to connect.
It was common to walk the streets accompanied by summons. They appeared no different from ordinary mortals at first glance. Only when soone drew close enough to sense the different pressure surrounding them could they distinguish a summon from a human.
Alia had been a calamity in a past era. In this age, I doubted anyone here possessed the ability to recognize her. Certainly not in this place. Not right now.
After we reached our destination, I found a massive crowd had already gathered for the results.
I looked toward the magical projections hovering above the square. Text scrolled across them indicating that results would update in five minutes.
Because of this, people had been pushing and shoving each other near the projection, forming a chaotic horde of anxious examinees and their families.
Then a familiar voice called out. "Eren!"
I turned to see Celestine running toward at full speed. Behind her, Freya walked with her usual elegant composure, accompanied by a man who carried himself like a bodyguard.
Celestine reached us first, bending over to catch her breath before launching into a barrage of questions.
"I was waiting for you! Oh, and how was your little adventure?" She straightened up, eyes scanning my face. "You look nervous. Are you worried about the results?"
Before I could respond, her attention shifted downward. "And who is this adorable little child?"
After bombarding with her interrogation, she turned and reached out to hold the girl’s hand with motherly enthusiasm.
Freya arrived monts later, standing beside us with quiet dignity.
I addressed Celestine’s avalanche of questions with minimal effort. "I’m not nervous about the results. I already know where I’ll stand."
I gestured toward the girl. "As for the child, why don’t you ask her yourself?"
Celestine didn’t hesitate for even a second. She crouched down to the girl’s eye level with the warst smile imaginable.
"What’s your na, dear?"
The girl looked at Celestine with those impossible glowing eyes. Her small lips parted as she searched for words.
"Na... my na is..."
She paused, seeming to recall sothing.
"None of your business."
Silence.
Celestine froze as if she had just suffered a direct blow to the heart. Her expression crumbled into pure shock.
Freya’s jaw dropped, her carefully maintained composure shattering completely.
Alia imdiately covered her face with both hands, shoulders trembling with secondhand embarrassnt.
And ?
I stood there feeling nothing but imnse pride.
The girl had insulted Celestine so perfectly, so cutely, without even realizing what she had done.
Because just last night, when she had asked for my na, I had responded with those exact words.
"None of your business."
And this precious child had taken it as her actual na.
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