Sean scratched the back of his head as he said so. "Sparring partner? Is that it? I mumbled the words as the answer I heard wasn't within my expectations. Sitri let out a sigh as she rested her cheek on her hand, "you're really a Florence," she commented on her brother.
Sean and Sitri's words gave me a vague idea about what they meant, but before I could ask, a voice suddenly whispered in my ear. "The House Florence of the south is the only military household from that domain. They are also known for being battle maniacs, so a condition like this was expected."
Turning around, I saw Sophia in pink pajamas. Her dripping hair looked so natural that you wouldn't expect her to be an automaton, and it wasn't just me who looked surprised, but also the twins. "This is my payback for earlier," she said with a cute smile.
Earlier? I pondered for a bit before remembering that I actually did sneak up on her this morning when she was making breakfast. "Well instead of a payback, how about we dry your hair first," I said before grabbing a towel to dry her hair with.
She bowed down so I could reach her hair. As I dried her hair, she did a monotonous sound, similar to what a kid does in front of an electric fan, which honestly sounded adorable.
"Hey, White," Sean's voice caught my attention, "I don't think she's a normal automaton," he said. I observed the twins who looked like they just solved something before asking, "What do you mean?"
Sitri stood up and went to a shelf, grabbing a book. "Here, look at this," Sitri said as she showed a page, "I was trying to find records of world travelers, and apparently, a member from the Hero's party was a world traveler and a puppeteer. It was said that his creations overshadowed the automatons of this world, but he came back to his world after we won the war along with all of his creations."
"A puppet, huh? What's the difference between a puppet and an automaton?" I asked. After all, if you think about it they're both mechanical beings anyways. "Hmm, it isn't stated here, but I think it has to do with different with the difference of world residents," Sitri explained.
Taking in a deep breath, I recalled the general law of worlds according to Velxia. The crux and stigma are only for the residents of this world, while other worlds from different dimensions have a different way to make use of magic. if that's the case, then it's reasonable that they are not bounded by a specific attribute like us, and instead of lumoines, they use other means for puppetry.
"Sophia, do you perhaps remember anything?" I asked. It's not like I need to know, but this being of concern to Sophia made me a bit curious. If she refuses to answer, then I wouldn't force her to. Simple as that.
"Mr. Galliard was the one who said I was an automaton, So I don't have an idea either," She answered. If the old man was the one who stated that she's an automaton, then since she was told so, it's only normal that she would think so as well.
"I think I understand it now," I murmured. The two looked curious about what I was thinking so I explained it to both of them. Sean seemed satisfied with my answer, but Sitri still pondered for a bit. "It seems impossible to control a puppet from another dimension," Sitri states, "but I guess it's possible since..."
Sitri seems to have realized that she was in deep thought and cut off her words. Sean snickered for a while before commenting on Sitri, "Since when did my arrogant sister become a smart ass?" he playfully scoffed. Sitri just glared at the snickering boy, and as soon as Sean noticed it, his back straightened and his skin started to pale.
Sean cleared his throat to recompose himself, "A-anyways, the food's getting cold. Let's eat!" He said, forcefully changing the topic. Sitri just sighed out of exhaustion and proceeded to dine as well.
I pondered for a bit before turning my attention back to Sophia, "Sophia, if you're a puppet, can you eat?" I asked. I am used to maids and butlers watching me eat, but it feels uncomfortable when Sophia is the one doing that.
"I can put it in my mouth and taste it," she answered, "but it doesn't really have anywhere else to go. Also, about being a puppet, I have no memories of knowing what I am either." The old man did say that she has no memories prior to our arrival other than her mission to deliver White to him.
"That's not a problem then! Here, have a taste of my cooking," Sean smirked proudly as he handed a plate to Sophia. The dish seemed familiar, and it wasn't from White's memories but from my own. "Is this spinach and beef casserole?" I asked.
"You know of this dish, White?" Sean asks with a smug on his face, "It was my sister's idea actually. Who knew melting cheese on vegetables and meat would make an exquisite dish." From the way he spoke, he seems to have implied that this was an original dish from Sitri.
"Is that so..." I glanced at Sitri who was happily enjoying her meal. A vague inkling popped in my mind, but I decided to just quiet down and not be hasty with my conclusions. Letting myself relax, I indulged in a delicious dinner with the twins until we were stuffed-- of course, Sophia is an exception as she just spat out the food after drying it of its flavor.
"You better sleep early, okay? I want to test my skills against you tomorrow morning," Sean blurted out. Sitri who was having tea just sighed and waved good night before heading to their own rooms. Sophia and I also arrived at our room and decided to rest for the night.
"That tasted great," Sophia commented, seemingly out of it. "Has it been a while since you tasted something?" I inquired. During my time with the old man and Sophia, she never did join us during our meals. She would just serve the food on the table and continue to do other chores.
"I don't know. The taste was delicious, but it also tasted familiar," she responded. There are a lot of cheese-based dishes, so she might have had some before... before? "Sophia, do you perhaps have no memory, or have you lost memories?" I hurriedly asked.
"I don't know," she replied blankly. Of course, she doesn't. That was a stupid question. I mean who would even know if they lost memories or have none. In the first place, the essence of both is the same: there are no memories that would serve as indicators.
"That sounds tough," my thoughts escaped through my lips. Upon hearing my words, Sophia shook her head in disagreement. "It doesn't change anything," she replied.
For me at least, I think that what she said is indeed true, but what if those memories were precious ones, wouldn't that just be a pity? I glanced at Sophia who was sitting on the sofa, looking like she's starring somewhere far away.
"Sophia, do you want to sleep in the bed?" I asked, "I can sleep on the sofa if you like." I didn't forget that she's an automaton but seeing her look so human-like, and a beautiful lady at that, made me feel guilty having this bed all to myself.
Sophia sprung back up on her feet, "Do you need a hug pillow, White?" Who needs a hug pillow?! I thought in my head, but the way she acted looked like a dog wagging its tail made me unable to say it aloud.
"Well, yeah. sure," I answered deadpan trying to make her drop the idea, but it seems like being a puppet or whatever made her unable to understand my sarcasm as she jumped in the bed.
"Hey, don't make a ruckus-," I warned Sophia after she jumped in the bed, but her sudden embrace unabled me to finish my sentence. "Don't worry, I'll protect you," She whispered above my head, calming me down in the process.
Though more than her words, the sound of a mechanical heartbeat sounded peculiar, yet calming. "Is this your lumoine?" I asked, still being embraced by Sophia under the blanket, but there was no response.
"Sophia?" I turned my head up to check on Sophia who had already slept. I gave out a mental sigh before deciding to scoot over. The bed wasn't that big, but neither was it too small, so I decided to move a few inches away so I can sleep properly.
However, Sophia's arms don't even budge one bit. Even if I tried to infuse my strength with mana, it was no use, and the best that it could do is move her arm a millimeter out. Though I could increase my mana usage, I decided not to. After all, sleeping like this made her look like a delicate maiden.
Thus, I decided to just go along with it and sleep.