Truth to be told, It's hard for me to be upfront in a kid.
Especially If it's someone like Aria.
She was staring at me with such... sorrowful eyes.
When you look at her closely, You can see her pure white face clearly.
Her platinum blonde hair that was somehow disheveled made her look distressed.
It's rare for such a girl to exist in the countryside. Her appearance makes it look like she was a noble yet.. It was also different.
She didn't look particularly weak like a princess yet her aura exudes a very charming atmosphere.
She would look more dignified as she grew up.
If it weren't for her shy nature, She would have been definitely the village's favorite child.
But right now, she's something more like a daughter to me.
"Aria, can we talk inside?"
I casually said those words at her.
I don't want to be presumptuous but...
At first she hesitated seemingly closing the door.
After a while, she opened the door again and looked at me.
"I-If it's big brother then... I suppose it's alright."
She then opened the door completely.
I took the chance and entered the room without hesitation.
"Excuse my rudeness."
I then saw her dimly lit room. It was already dusk when I had arrived at her house.
When I looked around, Her room was very normal.
It had a bed and a table with a lamp that's currently off. Aside from that, her drawer of clothes which is actually more similar to a basket then the wood flooring. She also had a window which she fairly uses whenever she wants to see the beautiful view of the mountains.
Yep, in this world such luxury of a modern room back when I was in Earth is only limited to those of nobles.
We commoners are actually fairly happy with this set-up.
And as technology here is primitive, we only used lamps fueled by magic stones as a light source.
I didn't look at her now.
I brushed past her to light the lamp. It was already going to be dark.
She just stood there and said nothing while I lit the lamp.
From there, I just stood right in front of her and knelt.
"Aria, how do you feel today?"
"I-i'm fine...."
Liar. Your face tells a different story.
"You don't need to push yourself."
"B-but!"
I knew from the very start that Aria would hesitate to accept this offer. But I also knew that she would think on this matter seriously.
Because she's a very earnest child.
"T-the village is counting on me! They said that I would save the world and bring happiness to my family!"
And there she goes...
"Then why are you crying then?"
"--!"
As I knelt there, I looked at her seriously.
"Then let me ask this, Do you really want to do it?"
She hesitated once again, this time it looks like she doesn't have an answer.
"Look here kid, I had a time once where I regretted not following a path which I really wanted. But knowing you, I know that you would still choose this because you're a very kind person."
She stopped crying and suddenly looked at me with her mellow eyes.
"However, I do believe that you have the right to refuse them if you really wanted to."
"Uncle, I can't really follow what your saying right now."
"Argh! I'm still 30 you know!"
We both giggled momentarily before I continued. At least now, were not that tense anymore.
"Aria, what I'm trying to say is that your decision is ultimately your decision. Especially now that you're faced with this dilemma, What you need to do is to follow what you really want. You shouldn't let other people influence your feelings."
She responded back with a light nod.
"Then, do you really want to be a Hero, who would go into countless trials in order to defeat the Demon King and save the world?"
She again hesitated, but this time-
"Yes!"
She gave off a loud affirmation.
"Then why?"
This is not a method in order to make her lose her motivation. But I just want her to realize what she truly wants. In order to have your purpose in this world, you need a reason to do so.
But this time she did not think twice.
"Because I want to protect my friends and family and... you Uncle!"
I was surprised by her words.
Honestly! What an earnest child you are!
"If that's what you want then do it. But here's a little advice from your Uncle."
I stood up and hugged her immediately.
She was taken aback but I immediately said to her:
"You shouldn't take the burden all to yourself especially if you're still young."
She cried.
She held tight into my shirt and her tears weren't stopping
And of course, I calmed her down.
After that, she fell asleep probably due to being tired all-day and I laid her into her bed and laid a blanket over her.
I proceeded to leave her room until she grabbed the end of my shirt.
"?"
Of course I made a puzzled look.
But she looked more puzzled than me.
After some silence, she started to speak up.
"Will you stay by side a little longer?"
Ah, I kind of overthinked there a little bit.
I kind of forgot that she's still a child.
But even someone like her has this "side" huh?
There's no need to hesitate for the answer-
"Of course."
I pulled the chair on the nearby table and sat down beside her bed.
"Would you like me to read you a bedtime story?"
"I'm too old for bedtime stories already!"
I abruptly laughed at her remark.
I really like teasing this child.
"I want you to... pat me."
I flinched back at what she requested.
She tries to act mature but in the inside she's still very much a child.
So at least then before I realized it, I started patting her head.
And she held my hand onto her head.
Her hair was really soft.
Before I knew it-
"She's already asleep..."
And so, It was truly the time to leave.
The night sky from the window had illuminated her room and so I had turn off the lamp.
"Goodnight, Aria"