"Ellie, would you be willing to become my adopted daughter?"
Flora stared into Ellie's eyes with a determined gaze.
"...What?"
Ellie paused for a moment before asking, unsure if she had heard correctly.
"Would you let me adopt you as my daughter?"
Flora repeated, holding Ellie's hands tightly.
Hearing such a difficult request, Ellie remained silent, unsure how to respond.
Seeing her hesitation, Flora realized it wasn't a decision to be made lightly.
She slowly loosened her grip.
"You can take your time to think about it"
"If you don't want me to be your adoptive mother, that's okay too."
Flora sat down next to Ellie, who remained silent.
She gently hugged the girl, holding her close.
Flora held her for a long time until Ellie finally moved.
"Flora sis, if you adopt me, does that mean you'll be my mom?"
Ellie asked, her voice filled with uncertain.
"Yes... I would become your adoptive mother"
Flora said softly, her voice tender yet firm.
"If you can accept me, I promise to love and take care of you with all my heart."
"But if you're not comfortable, I won't bring it up again"
Flora said, nuzzling her cheek against Ellie's.
"Can you promise me? That you won't abandon me?"
Ellie whispered.
"I promise"
Flora replied, her voice unwavering.
"Can you promise you'll always be there for me?"
"I promise."
"Can you promise I'll always be the most important to you?"
"I promise."
Ellie asked several questions before finally turning to face Flora.
"Then... you can't leave me. Don't leave me like I've been alone without parents all my life..."
Ellie spoke softly, tears welling up in her eyes.
Hearing this, Flora couldn't help but feel overjoyed.
"I swear on the goddess Aphrodite," she declared.
Ellie, hearing Flora swear by her goddess, lowered her head.
"O-okay, I agree."
Flora immediately pulled Ellie into a hug, falling back onto the bed without letting go for a second.
"Thank you, Ellie, for trusting me"
Flora said with a wide smile, laughing joyfully.
Seeing Flora's happiness, Ellie closed her eyes, savoring the warmth she felt. Her tail wagged happily, clearly expressing her emotions.
Before long, Flora, still caught up in the joy of Ellie's acceptance
"You can call me 'mom' now if you want."
She spoke with a hopeful tone, not having imagined that she would one day become a mother, even if not by blood.
"N-no..."
Ellie shook her head.
"Eh? Why don't you want to call me 'mom'?"
Flora asked in a high-pitched voice, surprised by Ellie's refusal.
"I-it's embarrassing..."
Ellie replied, her face turning red like a tomato as she lowered her gaze.
"Aww~ Ellie, you're so cute. I never thought I'd have such an adorable daughter"
Flora said joyfully, showering Ellie with kisses on her cheeks.
"S-stop it~"
Ellie protested weakly, trying to push Flora's face away, but a smile tugged at her lips.
"Whenever you feel like calling me 'mom' just go ahead."
Flora said with determination, holding Ellie close.
"I'll wait and make sure you feel comfortable calling me 'mom' someday."
"Okay" Ellie replied softly.
"Ellie..." Flora called.
"Yes?" Ellie tilted her head curiously.
"I love you."
Ellie responded with a shy sound in her throat, lowering her blushing face. Flora smiled, gently stroking Ellie's head.
Ellie looked up at Flora with a mix of emotions in her eyes.
Seeing Ellie's expression, Flora tightened her embrace, and in that hug, Ellie felt a strange warmth she'd never known before.
Slowly, she closed her eyes, losing herself in the comfort of her new mothers' arms.
"It's getting late now..."
Flora murmured as she noticed Ellie's breathing calm and steady, indicating she was falling asleep. Gently, she adjusted Ellie's sleeping position.
Ellie peeked at Flora as she was being repositioned.
Once Flora was satisfied, she softly said.
"Sweet dreams, my daughter."
After Ellie had been asleep for a while, Flora quietly got up and looked at her new 'daughter' sleeping peacefully.
The sight of Ellie's smile in her sleep melted Flora's heart.
"Thank you, Ellie"
she murmurs to herself, brushing the hair from Ellie's forehead.
She kissed the girl's forehead before leaving the bed.
Flora walked over to her shelf, taking out a blank piece of paper.
She wrote on it for a while before opening the window.
As soon as she did, a white pigeon landed on the balcony railing.
She tied the paper securely to the bird's leg, making sure it was fastened tightly before pulling out a golden coin.
This golden coin was a symbol that the pigeons were trained to recognize, ensuring they delivered the letter to the correct destination.
"Deliver this to the Montreuil family"
she instructed, and the pigeon immediately flew off.
"I hope Eleanora replies soon" Flora mused.
"I don't know what the Astassec family is planning"
"And also, the legal process for adopting Ellie will take some time. There's so much to do."
She sighed, rubbing her chin before eventually returning to the room.
Gently, she stroked Ellie's head because while she was away Ellie's hands instinctively searching for her embrace until she found Flora's touch on her head, she calms down immediately.
"Adorable..."
Flora murmured with a smile.
Her heart felt so full it was as if it could burst at any moment.
Ellie's cuteness, her demeanor, and her expressions—all of it made Flora's heart swell with affection.
Flora laid down beside the girl, pulling her close.
She inhaled the scent of Ellie's hair, finding an unexpected comfort in it, and slowly let herself drift into sleep.