Rosaria was delighted to learn that I was sick due to growing pains.
But for me, it wasn't that joyous of a news.
"Miss Irene, you can eat three snacks a day."
"Pii?"
"When you grow up, you have to eat healthy food instead of candy. Young children, especially those who are about to humanize, should pay special attention to eating."
"Pii, Pii······."
...because snacks have decreased.
At the news that came like a bolt, I held the candy box containing star candies, dearly. Rosaria gave me one every day after each meal, and Star candy was my favorite because I couldn't eat bulky things yet.
It was the only snack that a baby bird could eat without any burden!
"Shall we put the candy box over there for a while?"
"Pii!"
"I'll get you another type of snack."
Rosaria showed no signs of backing down. After several turns of persuasion that weakened my mind, I turned my eyes away.
It's my star candy!
When I didn't let go of the box, Rosaria put her hand on her chest as if she was heartbroken.
"I'm heartbroken, too. You're upset that you can't eat it even though you've already arranged the colors evenly, right?"
"Pii."
"Because Irene loves the candies right?"
"Pii."
I worked hard to save and collect the colors.
Inside the snack box were white, yellow, and pink star candies shining evenly. Rosaria came up to my side and sat down when I didn't easily give up the box.
"It's not that you can't see it completely. You're only saying goodbye for a little while."
"Pii Pii Pii······."
"Yes, you just need to hold on for a while. We're going to open it and eat it together when we eat snacks next time. I'm going to put it over there."
Rosaria pointed to a crystal shelf installed on the wall. It was a location where you could easily check if the star candy was in good shape at any given time.
Well, if that's the case······.
"Pii Pii."
Rosaria smiled happily as I gently handed over the candy box I was holding.
"Miss Irene, I'm so proud of you!"
"Pii!"
"I'll ask the chef to prepare a delicious snack."
"Pii!"
I felt better when I was praised.
Yeah, as Rosaria said, too much sugar wouldn't be good for me.
Instead, the chef will give me a delicious snack!
I shot up from the table to the bed. This is because it was time for Rosaria to read a children's book.
It was nap time.
"Pii Pii Pii."
"Yes, Miss Irene. Shall I read you a book?"
"Pii!"
When I called Rosaria, the woman who was watering the flowerpot by the window put down the sprayer and came over. The bookshelf that had been built a few days ago was filled with children's books.
Even when Rosario has been busy because of my growing pains, Rosaria brought a surprise gift.
"Come here, Miss Irene!"
"Pii!"
Rosaria sat on the sofa and I leaned over her lap. I really liked the fairy tale book. She changed her voice to make the content realistic and fun to listen to.
When she opened the first page of the children's book, a cute picture appeared.
"Once upon a time, there lived a family of baby birds in the forest."
"Pii."
"Then one day, the baby bird wanted to see the forest alone."
"Pii."
"The brave baby bird decided to go on an adventure!"
I nodded my head at Rosaria's words, but inside I was worried.
It's my second day with storytime.
So far, the experience has been a piece of cake.
"But then, the baby bird got lost!"
"Pii!"
"It turned out that it was a realm with a horde of fearsome lions."
"Pii!"
This must have been the ultimate children's book. Whoever the author was, it was a tremendous story that made me sweat.
I hid in Rosaria's arms.
"Don't worry, Miss Irene. As long as you don't go outside the family's territory, you're safe."
"Pii······."
"Are you scared?"
"Pii."
I groaned as I closed my eyes. The baby bird must have survived and returned to her family's arms.
When I was ready for a nap, Rosaria closed the book and patted me in a pleasing way.
After hearing the news that humanization was imminent, Rosaria wanted to teach me a lot of things. She especially emphasized the importance of the territories several times.
But I was afraid of that.
...if the territory is something far too important, everyone will fight.
I didn't want to go through that again.
However, I decided to study hard about what Rosaria taught me.
For me, who only knew a little bit about the world, Rosaria was the only one who could tell me various things. Besides, now, I will have to live my life as a baby bird.
If I'm not careful, I might come across a lion like the baby bird in a book.
My hair stood still in my sleep from instinctive fear. With a loud yawn, I closed my eyes, and Rosaria blocked the sunlight with her hand.
"Have a nice dream, Miss Irene. Even if you meet a lion, he will die······."
Hmm. What does she mean?
I pricked up my ears, trying to catch the words that were drifting away.
"The moment one steps on our territory, we will wipe it all away before Miss Irene notices······."
I fell asleep as it was.
───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────
Hestia was walking down the hallway with a more excited expression than ever. Inside the basket she was holding was a miniature bathtub and fluffy towels.
Baon, who was heading to the office, found Hestia and talked to her.
"I think something good is happening, Hestia."
"Oh, Sir Baon?"
"What is that?"
"It's a present for Miss Irene."
"Is it a toy?"
Baon looked at the basket and asked curiously. If it was a toy, Rosaria would have already provided enough.
However, unexpected words came out of Hestia's mouth.
"No way. This is a massage tub."
"Massage?"
"The lady is going through growing pains these days. It's a secret, but I think she'll be able to humanize sooner or later."
There were only the two of them in the quiet hallway, but Hestia lowered her voice in case anyone could hear. Baon's eyes widened when he heard the great news.
"By now, it's time to wake up from her nap, so I'm on my way to give her a massage."
Hestia walked away as if every minute and every second was extremely important and Baon, who was dazed, hurried to the office.
To inform a certain someone who is showing great interest in the status of the baby bird, while pretending not to be curious.
───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────
"Lady, how are you?"
"Pii-."
"Are you comfortable taking a half-bath?"
Her body fluttered as she swept her wings to the back.
Hestia, who came to see her for the first time ever, kept coming after her first visit. This is because her growing pains, which she thought would end soon, were getting worse.
If she didn't give her a massage every day, her joints would soon hurt.
"Okay, this time it's the feet."
"Pii."
"You're giving it to me right away? You are so obedient."
Hestia smiled bashfully and pointed to my feet. In fact, I was still skeptical. Somehow, it seems that she hasn't given up on my footprints.
I stood still for a while, then wiggled and got up.
"What's wrong? Should we stop now?"
"Pii."
As I took off the headband made of towel, Hestia withdrew her hand. And as I stepped out of the bathtub, Rosaria held up the towel as if she had been waiting for me.
While I shook the water out and stretched myself, I heard a familiar and unfamiliar voice.
"Huh, it looks like the massage is already over."
"Sir Baon?"
"Pii?"
"It's been a long time, Miss Irene."
"Pii."
"Yes, the Lord has also come."
The Landlord?
I looked behind Baon, and the Landlord was really standing there.
I think we see each other often these days. Is it just me?
When I waved my hand, the Landlord's lips rose subtly.
"You're going through a growth spurt, right?"
"Pii!"
"Come here."
The landlord reached out his hand. It was the biggest hand I've seen until now.
I took a step closer, pondering.