After Grandolf allowed Flora to return to her room, Flora carried Ellie, who was eyeing the food on the table with regret because she hadn't had enough to eat.
"I'm sorry, you had to missed out the delicious food."
Flora said this after she brought Ellie back to the room.
She noticed Ellie's disappointment, but she was too tired to be there anymore second.
She didn't want the little one to be alone among the three adults who were discussing uncomfortable topics. It wouldn't be good if they changed the subject and pressured the little child.
"Um, it's okay. Don't worry."
Ellie shook her head and hugged Flora after noticing Flora's tired demeanor.
Flora held Ellie tightly and sat her down on the bed.
"How about we go to bed early today?"
"Yes..."
Flora coaxed Ellie to sleep. Once the little one was asleep, she left the room and headed straight to her father's room.
Knock, knock.
"Who is it?"
"It's me. Flora."
"Come in."
Flora opened the door and saw her father drinking red wine alone in the room.
"What's the matter?"
"...The wedding."
"The Marquess and I have already agreed. The wedding will be in five days."
Flora clenched her fists tightly and bit her lip until it bled.
"Is there really no way to postpone it?"
Grandolf was silent for a while before speaking.
"...No."
"They're pushing so hard that they're even planning to use the Soteria temple for the ceremony."
Hearing this, Flora felt truly hopeless. Soteria temple is the one of the most powerful temples in the Lumindoria.
If they went as far as choosing to hold the wedding in a Soteria temple like this, there's probably no other option left.
Although she had sent a letter to Eleanora a few days ago about coming to Astassec family, the letter wouldn't be able to reach her in time.
Even if it did reach Eleanora, it didn't mention what happening here.
"If that's the case, I'll excuse myself."
Flora bowed slightly and immediately left the room.
'If I can't delay it, then there's nothing I can do.'
Flora mumbled to herself, as she walked back to her room, her mind drifting.
She knew that a political marriage was something she couldn't avoid.
But it had come too quickly for her to prepare herself.
She walked in a daze until she reached her bedroom.
She patted Ellie, who was sleeping soundly, before lying down herself.
'Since there's nothing I can do, I might as well let it go.'
She thought before closing her eyes to sleep.
[The next morning]
Ellie woke up earlier than usual, probably because she wasn't used to the place. She sat up groggily before waking Flora.
Flora, still asleep, slowly opened her eyes, then hugged Ellie, who was sitting beside her, and fall back to sleep.
Ellie, suddenly being hugged, let out a surprised cry.
"Hey, wake up~ Sister~"
She struggled against Flora's arm, which was resting on her stomach.
With her little strength, she couldn't move Flora's arm at all.
Flora, half-awake, looked at Ellie struggling under her arm. She chuckled softly before pulling Ellie closer and sniffing the little one's hair.
"Let's stay in bed a bit longer today."
"I don't want to get up."
Flora said with a smile, feeling so exhausted, she didn't want to do anything at all today.
"Yes... yes..."
Ellie replied while looking at Flora's face. At that moment, she clearly noticed Flora's unusual mood.
She immediately realized that Flora was feeling down.
She wanted to comfort Flora, but didn't know how.
Ellie decided to sit up and sit beside Flora's head.
"Um... You can play with my tail if you want..."
Ellie brought her tail to Flora's face.
When she was a child, she used to chase her tail or hug it when she was bored or feeling down.
Doing that helped lift her mood, so she thought maybe playing with her tail would help Flora feel better.
"Thank you."
Flora said, hugging Ellie's tail before closing her eyes again.
Ellie let Flora hold her tail like that before lying down on the pillow above Flora's head.
Time passed slowly until late morning when a maid knocked on the door.
"Miss Flora and Miss Ellie, is there a problem?"
The maid knocked but didn't open the door.
Ellie, lying on top of Flora's head, perked up her ears before quietly running to the door without making a sound.
"Shh! She's still sleeping!"
Ellie made a shushing gesture to the maid, opening the door just enough for the maid to see her.
"Ah, understood."
The maid responded awkwardly, then cleared her throat.
"Is there something wrong with Ellie today?"
The maid asked, reaching to pat Ellie's head. But as soon as her hand got close, Ellie pulled away.
"No!"
"Alright... Then would you like me to prepare some food for you?"
The maid asked. Ellie thought for a moment, glancing at Flora who was still asleep, before replying.
"Yes... Something delicious and cold, please."
"Understood."
The maid bowed before leaving. Once the maid was gone, Ellie closed the door and went straight back to Flora, who was still asleep, ignoring everything else around her.
"Are you really not gonna wake up..."
Ellie shook Flora, who was still sleeping, causing the her to slowly open her eyes.
"What is it? Ellie?"
Flora asked as she stretched her arms out.
"Are you feeling unwell?"
"No, I just want to rest..."
Flora replied with a small smile. When she saw Ellie coming to her with her tail drooping, she thought
'It seems, I'm making Ellie worried...'
She got out of bed and picked Ellie up.
"I'm sorry for making you worry, Ellie."
She said, nuzzling against the little one's cheek.
"Y-yes... As long as sis... as long as 'Mom' okay, that's enough..."
"Hmm? Ellie calls me 'Mom'?"
Flora smiled widely. Although she had adopted Ellie, the child still not called her 'Mom' before.
This made her feel a bit sad, but she understood that it took time for a child to adjust to calling her that.
Even though, for her, a few days felt like months, she was willing to wait.
And finally, the little one had called her 'Mom.'
"Um... No!"
Ellie said, pushing Flora's face away, but her tail continued to wag uncontrollably.
"Can you call me 'Mom' again, Ellie?"
Flora, who was pushed away, asked again, wanting to hear Ellie call her 'Mom' once more.
"No, I don't want to~"
"Call me 'Mom' again~ Please~"
Flora said sweetly, and eventually, the little one sighed.
"Mm... Mom..."
"Yes, yes..."
Flora smiled widely, feeling all the burdens in her heart lift.
It felt as though she could overcome any hardship that came her way.
"I love you, my daughter~"
She kissed Ellie's cheek several times before looking at her face, waiting for the child replies with hope.
"Y-yes... I love you, M-Mom..."
Ellie said hesitantly. After finishing her words, the little one was pulled into a tight hug by Flora.
"I'm the happiest in the world to have Ellie as my daughter."
Flora smiled broadly.
Seeing Flora's face no longer sad, Ellie smiled too.
Ellie kissed Flora's cheek before snuggling close to her mom's cheek.
Her tail wagged wildly.
Ellie and Flora spent a pleasant time together before the food Ellie had ordered arrived.
Flora was quite surprised.
She hadn't expected the food to be delivered to the room given the important matter discussed the previous night. She thought that the Marquess and her father wouldn't allow her to eat in her room.
They would likely call her to the dining hall. That's what she thought.
But since it wasn't the case, there was no point in worrying about it.
She wanted to spend as much time as possible with Ellie, her daughter.
Because after four days from now, she wasn't sure what the future would hold.
When Ellie saw the food arrive, her eyes lit up, and she ran over immediately.
Flora laughed softly and followed the little one.
She slowly fed Ellie the food that had been brought before a knock on the door was heard.
Knock, knock.
"It's me."