"..."
After calming down her emotions, a trace of helplessness flashed in her eyes as she looked at W. Then, the little girl suddenly stood up, took a step forward, opened her arms, and gently hugged her who was in a state of autism.
This sudden action of Griseo made Ines who wanted to say something to shut her mouth and stop her actions. Even Hedley raised his eyebrows slightly, with a hint of surprise on his face.
This couldn't be blamed on him—the "Griseo" from earlier had left a deep impression on him. As a result, he was not used to seeing this innocent and kind little girl now.
Finally, the two looked at each other, stood up in unison, and left the bonfire. While leaving, they temporarily dispersed other nearby mercenaries.
However, Ines and Hedley did not go too far away. While leaving space for W, they also paid attention to the situation and her safety.
"..."
Faced with the sudden hug, W's body trembled slightly, but she did not respond and remained immersed in her emotions.
"What is W sad about?" Griseo didn't care about W's silence. She stretched out her little hand, gently stroked her silver hair, and asked softly.
"..."
But this time, W still didn't respond. She was used to keeping everything in her heart and not talking. Besides, W didn't like to expose her vulnerable side to others.
"Don't be so sad, W. If you keep like this, the people who are still protecting you will also be sad." Facing W's continued silence, Griseo's eyes flashed with helplessness and guilt. She then tried a different way to comfort her.
It could only be said that the little girl didn't expect... the effect of this action to be so good that she even felt guilty.
"...?"
This time, W finally moved. She put down her hands and slowly raised her head, staring at the delicate face of Griseo, who was close at hand, and the eyes that seemed to contain the bright stars.
W suddenly didn't quite understand what the little girl had just said. Still? Wasn't the painting destroyed by her? Finally, she thought of the last words of "Griseo" before...
Then a hidden rise of hope flashed in her golden eyes.
"Hmm... ꒪꒫꒪)?"
Griseo was initially caught off guard by W's actions, then noticed the doubt in her eyes and became confused. To be honest, the little girl couldn't keep up with W's thoughts since she became autistic a while ago.
"That's right, what you just said was..."
W looked at Griseo, who was still holding her and looking confused, and explained softly in a calm tone and hoarse voice.
Now she had completely lost her temper when facing Griseo, not only because she was a little afraid of the person from before, but also because... this little girl in front of her might really turn things around.
"So that's what you're talking about... That person should like you very much and has been protecting you. Even your color has changed." Hearing this, Griseo was slightly stunned, then looked behind W again and explained.
At this moment, the little girl realized she seemed to know why she couldn't keep up with W's thoughts earlier. From the beginning, it seemed she had misunderstood something...
"... But didn't I destroy the painting?"
After listening to Griseo's explanation, W was slightly stunned, then asked with a dry voice.
Before, she had heard the words of "Griseo" and Griseo's confirmation and thought that Theresa had disappeared forever with her destruction of the painting...
But now, after hearing what Griseo said, she suddenly realized... it was not as she had thought before.
"꒪꒫꒪)"
As soon as W asked the question, Griseo completely confirmed her previous guess. Sure enough, there was indeed a misunderstanding...
But thinking carefully, the little girl felt that she couldn't blame W. After all, she had said very general things earlier to deceive others... It seemed understandable that she was misunderstood.
"Not really. Although my paintings do have magic... they can't create such a magical bond. That is... unique to you, W..." At this point, Griseo's expression couldn't help but become serious.
To be honest, this was the first time the little girl saw W in this situation. Although she didn't know if it was unique to W, it didn't prevent her from sighing at the power of the princess in her heart.
"I may see you again..."
After listening to Griseo's explanation, W subconsciously asked... But she gradually fell silent after only saying half of the words, then stared at the eyes of the person in front of her in a daze.
Because at this moment, W saw... She saw her own reflection and a warm color that was out of tune with her but very familiar in Griseo's beautiful purple eyes.
Without thinking, she knew what it was...
"Hmph~ Your Highness is really cunning."
With a barely audible hum, W slowly closed her eyes and lowered her head again, letting herself shrink in Griseo's arms. But unlike before, at this moment, a slight arc appeared at the corner of her mouth.
"... ꒪꒫꒪)?"
Griseo looked at W, who was quietly shrinking in her arms at this moment, and a big question mark slowly appeared on her little head.
She hadn't said anything yet and hadn't comforted her, so why did she suddenly get better?
"Hmm..."
Finally, Griseo stopped struggling, stretched out her little hand, and gently patted W's back, silently comforting her.
"Heh~"
However, this time, facing Griseo's comfort, W was no longer indifferent as before. After she completely adjusted her emotions, she put on the familiar smile again and raised her head.
"!"
When she saw the smile on W's face, Griseo's heart skipped a beat and she subconsciously wanted to run... but she was still a step too late. The little girl's petite body was directly pulled into W's arms and hugged.
"Hmm!"
"...?"
Griseo, who was suddenly hugged, subconsciously wanted to struggle, but... she soon stopped her actions. Because the imagined "revenge" did not come, but a warm hand fell on her head and caressed it.
"Oh, I remember it very clearly, little guy. You just touched my head. Anyway, you have to let me touch you back~"