"Marie... do you think I cry a lot?" (N)

A cute, muffled sequel sounded as Marie suddenly started to tenderly clean and massage her lady's tail.

'Ah, I guess she's still thinking about that'

Sitting in the bath, Marie carefully thought up an answer. It made sense her lady would ask this; after all, it had only been a few days since her lady's latest little outburst. A few more moments of thought passed by until a suitable answer was found.

"Hmm, does my lady think she cries a lot?" (M)

Marie knew, better than most, just how sensitive her lady was. The best answer was the answer that wouldn't hurt her lady's feelings. So, following that logic, the best answer was none at all.

"Marie, please answer my question... A-And, be honest, please!" (N)

'Heh... I might've been too obvious'

If one were to ask Marie for her honest opinion on his matter, her answer would be simple. It was perfectly normal for babies to cry a lot. In fact, it was expected, but Marie doubted her lady knew or would even accept such an answer. Her little lady was incredibly young and inexperienced. From what Marie could gather, this was her first time experiencing the outside world. She wasn't aware of such common norms. To her, it might seem like she cries too much, especially considering she has yet seen anyone else do it as frequent.

'Now, how do I tell her that without upsetting her?'

A true dilemma.

Swiftly arranging her response, Marie spoke,

"W-Well, my lady, if you want my honest answer, it is perfectly normal for babies... for young people to cry." (M)

'Oh, no'

Marie messed up.

She had used the "B" word.

Silence filled the baths.

'Maybe she didn't hear-'

"Mawwrie, I told you! I'm not a baby!" (N)

Water splashed around as Marie's little lady turned and faced her. A sad pout drew on her face as she struggled to find her words.

"I-I can walk and talk! Babies can't do that, right? So... so, I can't be a baby!" (N)

Marie winced slightly. Although the points made were valid and the logic was solid, it still felt fundamentally wrong. Alternatives to the word 'baby', such as 'child', still sometimes felt a little too grown up for her lady.

"Sorry, my bad. I will try to remember it next time!" (M)

Seeing her lady's pout deepen, Marie started massaging her smooth cheeks.

"Could you forgive me one more time?" (M)

As her lady stared at her, Marie felt her mood slowly shift.

"Fine... but I won't forgive you again, okay?" (N)

"Okay, okay." (M)

Deciding enough time had been spent, Marie clapped her hands.

"Now, let's finish you up then!" (M)

"Agh, okay..." (N)

"Did you sleep well last night?" (M)

Marie gently brushed her lady's hair while she sat on her lap. With all other necessary cleaning completed and her lady clothed, this was the last step in her routine. The step Marie enjoyed the most.

'Gosh, she's too precious!'

A contemplative expression surfaced on her lady's face. The freshly dressed girl hesitated to answer before finally starting to share her thoughts.

"It was..." (N)

Marie continued to brush her lady's hair as she took her time.

"I-I had that same dream again." (N)

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

A subtle frustration lined her lady's words. The dream in question was one that had been troubling her lady of late. Marie lacked the full details of the dream, but the little she did know clued her into the problem. Her lady was lonely, or, more accurately, missing Vultur. Small pangs of guilt ate Marie at this thought. Vultur was the only playmate her lady reliably had. It made sense she would feel lone without him.

"Would you consider... telling the mistress?" (M)

Despite Marie's best attempts to soften the question, a frown still made way of her lady's face. In a voice quieter than a whisper, her lady spoke,

"I CAN'T TELL HER ABOUT SOMETHING LIKE THAT..." (N)

In Marie's eyes, there was only one real way to resolve this issue. Bringing Vultur back. Something that could only possibly happen if her lady made a move. Unfortunately, knowing her lady, such a reality would be difficult to grasp. The embarrassment her lady felt was a regrettable consequence of her prideful nature. She lacked an honesty with herself common in the young. Marie could only help guide her in the right direction, for such discoveries were better made by oneself.

Coming to the conclusion, a change of topic was needed. Marie spoke again,

"So, what's the plan for today?" (M)

If there was one thing that would cheer her lady, it was the possibility of freeing herself from her aunt's teasing. And, as if on cue, Marie could feel her excitement rapidly bubble up. She must have something special in mind today.

"Well, I was thinking... The only reason she keeps doing this every morning is just to get a reaction out of me, right?" (N)

A brief pause descended upon them.

"Sure..." (M)

"So-so, if I act like it doesn't bother me, she'll eventually leave me alone!" (N)

Marie hid reservations as her lady beamed. For all intents and purposes, this wouldn't be a bad plan if her lady's previous words were true.

'At least it's better than her last'

The aptly named pillow shield had met quite the tragic end.

"Let's go! Today is my win!" (N)

"No reaction, huh? Not even when I do... this!" (C)

"Ekk!!" (N)

A familiar squeal sounded as Marie appeared in the room carrying the usual assortments of food. Mistress Cura was currently cradling a dishevelled little girl.

"Y-You can't target my only weakness... that's, that's not fair..." (N)

"Only?" (C)

Mistress Cura placed the ruffled-up Navy back down on Marie's Mistress.

Seeing the typical action conclude, Marie made way to the dining table. She laid out the plates containing the exotic food. Food personally sourced by her Mistress. After setting down the food, Marie reached into her outfit's pouch and pulled out a bib. She wrapped it around her lady, who, despite bearing reluctant eyes, accepted it.

"Today you will tell me, my little one. How did you find the hero? What did you talk about?" (G.Q)

A grin suddenly bloomed on Mistress' Cura's face.

"Eh? Do you really need to ask such questions, sister? Aren't the answers obvious!" (C)

An excusatory finger was pointed at Navy.

"That cute little thing loveees heroes. I bet, the only thing they talked about was heroes." (C)

Standing a short distance, Marie made a silent plea.

'Please don't fall for it, my lady'

"I-I wouldn't do something so...! I wouldn't do something like that!!" (N)

'Sigh'

It was hard to watch her lady dig her own grave.

"Hah? Really?" (C)

Sitting up a little straighter than usual, Navy proclaimed,

"Yes! We, we talked about very serious, mature things!" (N)

She received a wide smirk as a response. As Navy was about to make an effort to stand, a chilling voice took over,

"Calm down... both of you." (G.Q)

Marie's Mistress eyed the two. A gesture that met with obedience and the rolling of eyes.

"Noise to these levels triggers my pains." (G.Q)

Pain. The sensation of torment afflicted by illness and injury. Marie was intimately familiar with the concept. Mortal and all. It was, for that reason, she had been completely bewildered when her Mistress first suddenly came down with it. Not once, not ever, had her Mistress expressed such a notion in all of Marie's years serving her. Pain was the furthest thing a creature would associate alongside a Yalery unless they were the direct cause of it. Merely the day after the mortals left did her Mistress mention word of this. This pain.

"I need my aid." (G.Q)

Marie watched as Navy shifted awkwardly.

"DO YOU THINK YOU CAN WAIT A LITTLE? NOW IS NOT REALLY THE BEST TIME-" (N)

"Ah, the pain. It's so unbearable." (G.Q)

With bland words, the Queen stared at Navy.

"IS IT REALLY SO UNBEARABLE?" (N)

The Queen continued staring at Navy.

"AH, ALRIGHT." (N)

Marie watched her lady turn her head and meet her gaze. Sensing the desire of her lady, Marie averted her gaze long enough until she was certain her lady was looking back at her mother.

A scene shortly unfolded.

Marie's lady made a gesture with her hand that caused her mother to lower. In a soft, melodic tone, a voice sang,

"~PAIN, PAIN GO AWAY,

COME AGAIN ANOTHER DAY.

MOMMY WANTS YOU AT BAY,

PAIN, PAIN GO AWAY! ~"

The song concluded with a quick kiss on the cheek and a bright smile that disappeared as quickly as it came.

Marie watched the whole scene with rampant attention.

She should've known better when her Mistress first claimed to be affected by these "Pains". What Marie had the pleasure of just witnessing was the cure to said "Pains". When her Mistress first expressed these "Pains", she stated that Navy would have to pay the favour owed to her. The favour being helping her with the "Pains". Upon hearing such news, her lady had been most excited, likely due to finally being able to prove herself. This excitement lasted until she heard what she needed to do.

"Ah! Navy, I'm experiencing great pains!" (C)

"D-Don't try and pretend! This is a serious matter... Don't make fun of it." (N)

Marie doubted her lady didn't know her mother was also pretending, especially after all the complaining she aired with her, but, despite that, she dutifully always answered. Stating that a hero doesn't go back on their word in front of their admirers.

Marie smiled at the memory.

"Good, it appears the pains have greatly reduced." (G.Q)

Even if it meant her own embarrassment.

"Let us eat." (G.Q)

Marie's Mistress lifted her spoon and scooped a spoonful of food.

"Um, before we start... I was going to make a request. May I chew my own food by myself?" (N)

Navy shifted in place once more.

"I-I won't cry... again, if it doesn't work. Promise." (N)

Marie's eyebrows creased. It was still quite clear she hadn't gotten over her last attempt. And, as much as she did try to hide it, Marie knew it greatly bothered her. Her lady's reoccurring dream only did start after it. It was likely there was some connection. It wouldn't be good to put her lady in such a situation so soon again.

Marie observed her Mistress lightly shaking her head in disagreement.

It was a good thing she understood.

"Oh, ah, that's okay! I didn't even really want to do it." (N)

With a quick smile, her lady opened her mouth to intake the prechewed food.