Volume 3 Chapter 33 Gift On A Snowy Day
After playing in the snow, I was told by Sir Ciel to go back inside the house.
Usually, we eat together at the restaurant table or in the kitchen, but after playing in the snow, both Eir-Eir and I were cold, so we headed to the living room on the second floor.
Sir Ciel lit the fire in the magic stone fireplace and added some magic power to it.
In front of the warm fireplace, my dad, Ms. Famine, and Eir-Eir were all lying on a fluffy rug.
Ms. Famine and Eir-Eir were cuddled up together, while my dad was lying a bit farther away.
I told Sir Ciel that I wanted to change out of my pajamas, so I went to my room to get dressed.
My pajamas were a little damp from playing in the snow.
I hung them on the indoor drying rack by the window.
Then, I rummaged through my closet and changed into a long-sleeved white dress that covered my legs and some warm, cute bloomers underneath.
I tied my hair loosely with a red ribbon just below my ears.
I can't do fancy hairstyles, but I can manage a simple one.
I checked myself in the mirror and nodded. I didn't think there was anything weird about how I looked.
I felt embarrassed that Sir Ciel saw me in my pajamas, especially since I had been playing in the snow like that.
Sir Ciel always looks neat and pretty, no matter what.
He feels like the top mage.
I wonder if he looks lazy when he just wakes up, like I do.
I'd like to see that lazy side of Sir Ciel.
As I fixed my hair, I imagined what a sleepy Sir Ciel would be like.
Maybe he'd be curled up in bed saying, "...I'm cold, sleepy, and don't want to work." That seems unlikely.
Sir Ciel doesn't seem like the type to sleep much.
I can't really picture him sleeping in bed.
He probably stays up late doing research or reading difficult books that I wouldn't understand.
I hope he gets enough sleep.
I started to worry about the Sir Ciel in my head and imagined putting him to bed.
I placed his favorite round things──Eir-Eir's big stuffed animals──around him to make it cozy. It looked kind of cute.
Once I was ready, I headed to the living room.
On the table, Sir Ciel had prepared drinks for us.
There was coffee with lots of milk and small, round egg tarts.
The yellow tops were slightly burnt, giving off a nice vanilla smell.
"I made coffee, but would you have preferred tea?"
"I like coffee, but I can't drink it without milk. Thank you, Sir Ciel."
"No problem. I bought these treats from a shop on the way. I'm not very good with food, so I just asked for the most popular item."
"These are egg tarts. They're like custard pies made with lots of eggs, and they're delicious. Thank you for thinking of me!"
"I'm glad you like it. I thought Ms. Eiris and the others would want some too, but they're all sleeping."
"They played a lot in the snow earlier... Animals sleep a lot, I guess. My dad also seems to have had a tough time with Ms. Famine, and she looked like she was struggling too... I hope they can sleep well, eat a lot, and relax."
"Ms. Lydia, you should too."
"Me?"
"I've made you push yourself too much, so please take it easy."
"Okay, I will. I just slept until noon today, then played in the snow. It was fun! A long time ago, I didn't like snow because it was cold."
"Yeah, I think I felt the same way."
"Looks like we're the same. But now, when I see snow, it makes me happy. Playing in the snow was fun. I guess it's because I know I have a warm home to come back to."
Sir Ciel listened to me quietly and nodded.
I think Sir Ciel and I might have had somewhat similar upbringings.
But Sir Ciel has probably gone through a lot more pain and struggles than I have.
Neither of us has to freeze on snowy days anymore.
It's nice to be able to talk like this in a warm room.
The living room is cozy and warm thanks to the magic stone fireplace, and outside the window, snow is gently falling, making it feel like a different world.
Because of the temperature difference, the window is all foggy, and it feels like this room is floating in some faraway, unknown place.
Like a secret base.
It feels fun, like I'm hiding in a secret base with animals, snacks, and drinks with Sir Ciel.
"Hehe..."
"Ms. Lydia, you seem happy today."
"Mx. Margaret told me the other day that it's okay to take a break sometimes. I felt like I had to do something because I have the power of Goddess Alexandria, and it made me restless. But hearing that I can just be myself made me feel a lot better."
"Of course. Your worth isn't tied to your position or power. ...I met you because you had the power of a goddess, but right now, I feel a bit troubled by that."
"Troubled? Are you in pain?"
"No, ...I've been relying on your power and wishing to understand it, and I feel like I can't be your savior like Mx. Margaret. I'm sorry, I didn't come here to talk about this."
"Sir Ciel has helped me a lot. Because of Sir Ciel, I feel like I can keep trying. Even now, with Sir Ciel and everyone around, I'm not sure what I should do, but I'm not scared. So..."
"...I'm always encouraged by you. It's actually the other way around. I'm older than you."
"Sir Ciel is an adult and reliable, and I depend on you too. So, it goes both ways. We're friends, so when we're in trouble, we share it. Age doesn't matter. I'd be really happy if I could help you too, Sir Ciel."
"Yes, that's true... thank you."
Sir Ciel smiled, then remembered something and took a big red shawl out of a large paper bag he had.
He draped the shawl over my shoulders.
The shawl was big enough to cover my arms, and it had a clasp to keep it from slipping off.
It was fluffy, warm, and cute.
"This is... since it's gotten cold, it's a gift. I heard it's made from the wool of round sheep. It's supposed to be warm."
"Um... I'm happy, but it's not my birthday or anything..."
"Leavis said you don't need a reason to give a gift. Leavis often makes hats and scarves for Ms. Eiris, right? He asked me to give this to you today."
"Thank you! Mr. Leavis's handmade little clothes are always so cute. The dolls are cute too."
"I can't do things like that, so I looked for something that would suit you and bought it."
"But, um, I feel bad for always receiving things..."
"I've received countless things from you. So, this is my way of giving back."
"I haven't given you anything, Sir Ciel."
"I've received a lot from you, really."
As Sir Ciel said this, he gently took my hair, which was buried in the shawl, and fixed it nicely.
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