Baldwin could only sigh at the human's upbeat personality.
"Hmph. I'm glad that you shared with me those truths."
"Don't know why you are so happy. It might do you more harm than good to know about them," warned Gillian.
"Rest assured. I'm not one to fall so easily," smirked a cheeky Marquess.
"If I was, I wouldn't have grasp the chance to be an Marquess. I was an Earl by birth but a leader by choice."
Just then, a spying Mavislin hopped down from the stairs. More like, dropped down from the flight of stairs. Mainly because the Old Chapel had made them disappear. The small child let out a cry before landing on a pillow right behind the Marquess.
The child hugged her little eye patch bunny, wanting to get away from the conversation. But alas, she couldn't get away from Marquess's eyes. Or the rest of the beings in the room. Especially after that loud fall.
"Why hello there, little girl," asked Minwoo, extending a hand to her.
The child of Valokia backed away in fear. Tears were brimming as she could not recognize this person as friendly.
"It's alright. We're here," cooed Ysabeau as Mavislin looked at her for confirmation.
The small child's eyes were indeed beautiful as Minwoo looked at her with awe.
"Aww...Don't be afraid. I won't bite," said Minwoo, gingerly patting the child's head.
"Yea, but she will. If you touch her without telling her..."
CHOMP!
The loud yell that the Marquess gave out shook the entire Old Chapel. Ysabeau could only try her best to ask Mavislin to let go before Minwoo's arm breaks. Meanwhile, Baldwin and Gillian had failed to stop their laughter from taking over. Even the Old Chapel had to stifle her laughter.
After a few bandages and one harsh scolding, it was due for lunchtime. Mavislin sat by the table, waiting for food as if nothing had happened. The Marquess grew weary of the small but strong child. As lunch was served, Mavislin dived head-first into the mashed potatoes.
"Don't worry, Minwoo. We've prepared a separate meal for you," said Baldwin, giving the Marquess some normal food.
Never in his life Minwoo would be so happy to receive rice with chicken. And plain water sounded nice right about now.
"Why? So that I won't have to get sick?" asked the Marquess, digging in.
"Nope, so that you won't upset the little Mavislin," rep[lied Baldwin.
"She doesn't like sharing, eh? Not to worry, I won't be taking any of those foods either. A win-win situation."
"True but..."
Ysabeau sounded unsure of how to describe the child's appetite to a human. The Angry Man, however, had a crystal-clear explanation.
"See that entire thing there?" asked Baldwin, pointing at the freshly caught stag.
"Yea, what of it?" asked the Marquess, mouth full.
"There'll be none of it after she finishes the mashed potatoes."
The Marquess nearly choked on his rice as he witnessed the poor stag get devoured by the hands of a small child. It was like looking at a monster dine on small prey. Minwoo looked horrified as little Mavislin giggled happily. She let out a small burp, shyly covering her mouth afterwards.
"Excuse me," giggled the little girl of terror.
"My, my... You have to watch how you eat in front of the guests. Look, you've got a lil' stain 'ere," said Ysabeau, using a cloth to rub away the blood around the Valkyrie's mouth.
As if it was normal for this family to have such a hungry child. Then again, no one in this building is normal. Hell, not even the building is ordinary.
"Now you get why? Get in the way of her eating and she'll devour you like that stag," said Gillian, giving no attention to Minwoo's feelings.
"Does she eat her plushies?" asked a very concerned Marquess.
"Nope. But she did eat some humans a few times."
"A few times?!"
"By accident, of course."
"That doesn't help at all. And how can you eat humans by accident?!"
"Ask her yourself," replied the unfazed Gillian.
"Part of me wants to, but the other knows better," mumbled the Marquess, trying to finish his meal in peace.
The Marquess looked even more terrified as the little child came towards him. The words, 'Don't eat me' hurled through his brain.
"Sowwy," said the guilty child as she gave the rattled Marquess a little plushie of a puppy dog.
Minwoo took it with caution and smiled at the small child.
"May I?" asked Minwoo, the hand just above the girl's head.
The child gave a small nod as she giggled. Her smile beamed throughout Minwoo's heart as he ruffled her hair. She looked up to Minwoo, fascinated at how this human could only survive on such a small portion of food.