Part 1
I woke up to an unfamiliar ceiling.
A beautiful white room with extravagant designs.
"Suu~ Suu~"(Aya)
Looking to my left, there is a little girl with strangely colored hair, sleeping peacefully.
Must... not... pinch... cheeks...
Concentrating hard, I sat up to prepare for the day.
It was only then that I realized the child was clinging to my side as if I was her actual mother.
A wry smile appears on my face. Well, I'll have to bear with it for today, it might be our last day together.
While thinking that, I begin imagining what her parents might look like and how they could leave a child behind in a forest like that.
"Irresponsible..."(Alice)
While unconsciously muttering that, the idea of not returning Aya to her parents also existed.
...She didn't have a name, neither. Urgh... It's all too strange.
With a little bit of effort, I gently undid her grip on my arm.
rustle... rustle...
"...Owwie~"(Alice)
As I struggled to get out of bed, I felt a numbing pain on my stomach.
Darn... Men will never be able to understand this... this horror.
I entered the comfort room and washed my face.
...I'm pretty, aren't I?
...Does Nide like me?
...I don't have any spare clothes, maybe he'll think I'm cheap.
Oh gods, I spent all day in the forest yesterday, I hope I didn't smell...
While thinking strange things in front of a mirror, I held my cheeks with my fingers, my blemishless figure making a silly face.
Realizing that it had been a good few minutes that I spent looking in the mirror, I thought about what I had been doing.
How embarrassing...
Thinking that I might as well take a bath, I went back to the room to go fetch a towel.
"...Mama? Where did you go...?"(Aya)
I saw Aya in tears, quietly sobbing while covered with the white sheets, her face covered by her hands.
"Aya? What's the matter?"
I called out to her.
When she heard me, she immediately removed the sheets and rushed straight towards me.
Unf~! That h-hurts...
"Mama... Aya thought... Aya thought mama left Aya...Uwehhh!"
Aya's quiet sobbing immediately turned into wailing as she cried.
I didn't understand it myself, but a feeling welling up inside of me made me hug her before I could notice.
Did she think I would leave her?
As Aya was crying in my arms, I spoke to her gently.
"Don't be silly, Aya. I would never leave you."
Speaking words that even I wasn't entirely sure of, I assured her.
"...Promise...?"
Hearing her insecure voice right beside my ear, I rub her back while holding her tight.
"Promise."
After a while, Aya settled down and her sniffling sobs turned into light hiccups.
"Aya, let's go take a bath."
I told her with a smile as I patted her head.
Darn, too cute~
"...O-Okay..."
She nodded lightly while taking my hand again.
I'm not going anywhere~ Children are so...
Geez... I have no time to worry about myself.
Aya needs help the most.
Part 2 - Nide's point of view
Yesterday, because of Niana's harsh taunting, the small city of Perton almosted vanished without a trace.
Well, except maybe ash, ash would definitely be left behind.
This is no exaggeration, the amazing magical power of Alice Icelance was simply that terrifying.
If a forest that was magically enchanted by the Goddess of the Moon, her Majesty Lady Lunalin was burned down in a few hours, a puny city like ours would crumble in minutes.
Niana had decided to bite her tongue and apologize to Lady Alice today when they meet again in headquarters.
And so, I was in charge of retrieving Lady Alice from her lodgings.
I had gotten up early and dressed up quite nicely.
I also prepared a change of clothes for Lady Alice and the little girl following her, Aya.
After entering the high class inn, I greeted the beautiful female receptionist before asking her which room Lady Alice was staying in.
She looked at me strangely before asking, "Are you together?" while blushing.
I scratched my head awkwardly before replying, "Er... Milady is... milady, I guess."
At my words, the receptionist lady raised her eyebrow at me in disbelief.
I left after thanking her, avoiding her gaze.
Reaching Lady Alice's room's front door, I stopped.
Wait, wait, wait. What do I say? "Good morning, milady." or maybe "Did you sleep well, lady Alice?" No, no. That sounds creepy...
Craaap! I'm already here and I didn't think of what to say!
Just say good morning, Naito. You got this! You got this!
I place my hand on the doorknob.
...
...
...
For some strange reason, I couldn't stop shivering.
No, it's not strange at all--
I'm scared. In this situation, a single mistake could kill me. I can't possibly displease her!
Eltra! I can't open it! What if she's still asleep and doesn't answer? What if she doesn't notice? What if she does notice but doesn't answer?
My hand was shaking, but I needed to do this. I needed to call out this VIP and bring her back to base.
Come on... Come on--!
Crrtak- Crreeaaaak
The door opened.
"...?"
Before me was the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.
It seems she had just gotten out of the bath as her still-wet silver hair was sticking to her skin.
Her beautiful, moist lips gasped lightly as she was probably surprised to see me.
The reason that a certain part of me was feeling exuberant was because--
She was naked.
Well, not really. I guess you could call it bathrobe naked? Guess not.
That is a towel. A plain, white towel.
Either way, it's the pretty much the same as I saw the outline of her body.
Why did she go outside? Doesn't she know other people will see her? Is Lady Alice actually defenseless?
It was then that I noticed my mistake--
In Lady Alice's hand was the white dress she wore just yesterday.
...It probably still smells of her sweat--
W-What am I thinking?!
...Er... and just outside of the door was the laundry basket.
"...W-What..."
gulp
Her delicate shoulders shook. I don't know who spoke and who gulped, but I was certain--
I will be buried on the morrow.
Thinking that I've had a wonderful life, I closed my eyes.
But contrary to my expectations--
"Nide, could you please move aside?"
Lady Alice spoke to me calmly.
...Huh?
Doing as she says, I moved back a bit.
After which, she balled up her white dress and threw it towards the laundry basket.
Whoosh
"Yay~"
After it landed perfectly, she jumped lightly while clapping her hands like a child.
When she landed, she immediately grasped her stomach bending her upper body forward, as if in pain.
Her treasures from heaven bounced as she moved.
...I quickly averted my eyes.
...Lady Alice? Is she... Is she alright?
Immediately right after that, she turned around, went back inside the room and closed the door.
Er... l-lady Alice?
The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
I quickly opened the door to follow her inside.
"Naaaaiiiide~ I'm not feeling well today. Can we delay the report or something? Forever would be lovely."(Alice)
Lady Alice didn't even look at me as she spoke while drying Aya's hair as they both sat on the bed.
...They looked like a real mother and daughter.
"O-Of course, milady. There is no real problem if you're really not feeling well."(Nide)
Oh, that's right.
Before I forgot, I added,
"Ah, lady Alice. I have also brought a change of clothes for you and lady Aya."
At my words, lady Alice momentarily glanced at the paper bag I was holding before looking me in the eyes again.
...For some reason, it's difficult to look her in the eye.
And so, I cowardly looked at the ground.
She stood up and slowly walked towards me.
I gulp.
Oh gods oh gods oh gods
Not knowing where to look, I keep staring at the floor. When her dazzling legs came into view, I couldn't help but stiffen.
"Well? Are you just going to stand there or are you going to give it to me?"
Lady Alice looked at me with her head tilted.
I dazedly handed her the paper bag.
There was a light rustling noise as she checked the contents before nodding to herself.
"...Nide, aren't you leaving yet?"
Lady Alice said rather awkwardly.
I just couldn't accept this--
"L-Lady Alice!"
I spoke out with a loud voice,
"Are you not aware that you shouldn't be wearing such... clothing when in front of a man?"
At my words, lady Alice looked down and examined herself.
It was then that I heard a sharp gasp.
I probingly looked at lady Alice's face.
It was an apple.
She charged straight towards me--
N-No! They're bouncing!
I began to panic as lady Alice was already in front of me--
Fast!
She, then--
Hammered her tiny fists on my chest.
...
It was actually quite ticklish.
"Out, out, out ,ouuuut!"
Lady Alice boomed as she pushed me out of the door with strength oddly unequal to the one she used to punch me.
That's right. That's the correct reaction!
The door shut with a bang behind me and I sighed in relief.
I leave the hotel while remembering lady Alice's visage.
Part 3
What have I done?! What happened?! I showed Kidnapper this appearance?!
Did he reach level 36?! No, no, it was I who gave him the evolution stone--
I wasn't thinking! It's not fair!
Gimme a redo! I'll make a contract with you, you damn rabbit-dog whatever, so turn me into a magical girl!
I shouted in my head as I rolled around in the bed like an idiot, tears streaming down my face.
Now he definitely thinks I'm weird...
It's all your fault for going out like that in the first place. Are you an idiot?
Who you calling an idiot!? It was his fault for barging in here in the first place!
You acted like it was nothing at all, didn't you?!
Well yeah, but-- but...!!
Quit arguing with me, me!! Whose side are you on?!
Without noticing how irritable I have become, I groan while on the bed as pain assaulted my abdomen.
It hurts. It hurts. Nide, please come back! I'm lonely... It's hot! I want icecreaaaam! Give me more melo-melo whatevers!
But gods I hate you so much! ...Please don't leave me...
I laugh a little as I remember what happened yesterday, a small smile returning to my face.
Urgh...
But it was quickly replaced with a frown, accompanied by tears.
"...Now he definitely thinks I'm weird."
I had already forgotten what I was crying about: the intense, sense-numbing pain or the fact that a man had seen me naked.
It was probably both, as I had suddenly wanted to bury myself down a hole and die.
Quietly comforting me was Aya, rubbing my back while whispering,
"...Nai-te is stupid..."
Part 4
After that, I spent the entire day in bed, depressed.
The maids brought me food every few hours, though. ...High-class hotels are so convenient.
Or maybe I'm too lavish? I don't know, I received 800 gold coins yesterday. How much is that, exactly?
...I've been eating a lot lately, will I get fat? N-No way, right?
Urgh... the creaks of the foodcarts are so disturbing.
Was I missing a detail?
Oh yeah. Currently, my body can be described as Satan's kiddie pool.
Why? Don't ask. Just know that I'm dying, m'kay mister narrator?
...Hello?
Okay, fine. Be that way.
Not wanting to move, I let time pass by while patting Aya's head.
Urgh Aya, you're my only salvation from this...
Every move I make opens the floodgates of hell-- Literally!
I was quietly sitting, minding my own bidness, when suddenly, right outta nowhere--
"Achoo~"
An adorable sounding sneeze--
Along with the amount of blood trickling down quintupling.
Son of a bearpeanut, it was just a sneeze why are the gods so cruel to me ugh life sucks I want to die! Why are my neighbors so noisy?! Please be quiet already! I'm trying to concentrate on not dying here can you please be silent for a second, seriously?! Please, please please please please! All of you are @#$%&^--
-rest ommited-
...Whew, I started cursing there for a second. I am alright. I am calm. I am ok--
"Milady, your food has arrived."
I verbally let the servant come inside before I quietly eyed the door.
The servant moved the foodcart next to my bed, she asked me if I wanted anything else.
I told her I wanted icecream, but of course, she had no idea what that was.
Ughh. So useless~ I waaaaant icecream, dammiiiiit!
Once she saw my annoyed expression, the servant apologized to me, thinking I was angry.
After she left, Aya asked me, "Is mama mad...?"
To which I replied, "Not even. Just lightly salted."
Without question, it was the worst week of my life.
----------------------------------------
Just in case some of you don't understand, I will make it clear.
I. Am. Mimulus.
I even purposefully picked the name "Flower" here.
Why? Because it is a flower! Mimulus is a flower!
Sorry if it seems like I'm angry.
I'm not, but it kind of peeves me when "ey b0ss u be plagiarizing your own work don't do that :^)"
pls leave I'll rek u
Okay, okay. I'm done. On to the chapter.
Just in case you're wondering, this will be the disclaimer. Periods are in fact as bad as I depict them.
Some are even worse as how I state.