"Open it for... Talulah to see."
Without rushing to answer Talulah's doubts, Griseo first handed the painting in her hand to her.
"Okay, thank you."
Although still a bit confused, Talulah took the painting from Griseo and thanked her.
"The reason I asked Sister Alina to go out just now was because I was afraid this painting would affect her."
After Talulah took the painting, Griseo slowly explained.
"So, this is the magical painting that Alina mentioned?"
After listening to the little girl's explanation, Talulah suddenly remembered the information Alina had revealed to her and Patriot earlier that night.
"..."
Griseo just nodded lightly and then continued to watch Talulah's actions in silence. She wasn't surprised at all that Alina had told others about her abilities and characteristics; she didn't mind.
In fact, if she had cared, Griseo wouldn't have told anyone in the first place. Since she had shared it, it meant she didn't mind it spreading.
Then, under Griseo's serious gaze, Talulah completely uncovered the canvas and took in the painting below.
"...It is indeed a very good painting, and the painting skills are impeccable. But...I feel like you're hinting at something strongly. Besides, nothing happened."
After observing it carefully, Talulah raised her eyebrows slightly and gave her evaluation.
"So, did Alina tell you about his existence?"
After a simple evaluation, Talulah fixed her eyes on the black snake in the painting, pointed gently, and then looked at Griseo and asked.
"...?"
Griseo tilted her head slightly, and a strong doubt flashed across her purple eyes as she looked at Talulah.
At this moment, she wasn't puzzled by Talulah's question but by why nothing had happened.
'How did nothing happen? No... I need to see...'
"You little one, why are you still looking at me with such a puzzled look?" Seeing Griseo's cute expression, Talulah slowly leaned down, pinched her delicate little face, and spoke helplessly.
Although Talulah felt a bit of resentment towards Alina for revealing her secret to such a young child, she couldn't bring herself to blame the adorable girl in front of her.
"Well...really...so strange..."
Griseo, her face pinched, spoke incoherently.
"What's so strange? Speaking of which, can we call Alina in? We still have something to tell you." After kneading Griseo's little face again, Talulah let go and spoke helplessly.
After gently massaging her little face, now a bit red from being pinched, Griseo said, "Put the painting away, and then you can call Sister Alina in."
Although she didn't know why the painting had no effect, Griseo still planned to be cautious... after all, she trusted her intuition when painting.
"Well, then go and call Alina in, I'll put the painting away."
Although Talulah began to doubt the truth of the matter since she couldn't witness the "magic of the painting" firsthand, she still listened to Griseo's words, covered the work in her hand, and then carefully put it aside for the time being.
For Talulah, regardless of the truth, the painting was a gift. Since it was a gift, it should be treated well.
——————————————
"Sister Alina, Talulah called you in..."
Griseo lifted the tent's curtain and walked outside, seeing Alina waiting nearby.
"So soon? What happened?"
After Griseo called out, Alina turned around and asked with some confusion.
"Nothing happened, but my paintings usually don't lose their effects... It's strange, how can I draw the world?"
Facing Alina's question, Griseo shook her head gently, her big eyes filled with doubt.
"You mean Talulah saw the painting, but nothing happened?" Alina summarized Griseo's words.
"Well... But it is not ruled out that something happened, but I didn't see it." Griseo nodded, then added as if she remembered something.
"So, can I sleep with Talulah tonight?"
"You have to ask Talulah. Well, since there's nothing urgent, let's go in quickly." Alina reached out and gently touched Griseo's head.
...
After following Alina back into the tent, Griseo wondered what they had to say to her.
However, the two sat together, exchanged glances for a long time, but neither spoke first.
"Ah~"
Time passed, and soon it was close to bedtime. Griseo yawned slowly, little crystals appearing in the corners of her eyes.
At this moment, Alina seemed to make up her mind and suddenly said, "Little Griseo... do you want to leave here and return to normal life?"
"!"
Hearing Alina's sudden words, Griseo's sleepiness vanished. She raised her head and looked at the two people sitting nearby with her big violet eyes, and asked, "Sister Alina, you don't want me..."
"No... No, how could I not want little Griseo."
Being looked at by Griseo's big eyes, Alina felt guilty and quickly stood up to explain.
Seeing her flustered, Talulah took over the conversation and explained, "No, it's not that we don't want you anymore."
"It's just that Patriot talked to us tonight. We think what he said makes sense. After all, you are not infected, and it may be unsafe to stay in the infected camp."
"And the nature of our organization leads to an uncertain life. So we want to ask for your opinion."
After Talulah finished speaking, she and Alina looked at Griseo quietly, waiting for her answer.
"I... won't leave here."