Case 7: On an outing with the little heroine.

''Whew...''

I barely made it home.

After investing in Quasar's smartphone endeavor, I visited several more businesses that were safe to put money in and came back home. With my abysmal stamina, I was nearly dead the moment I managed to crawl in from the window, but that was inevitable.

My pale, exhausted face was reflected in the mirror.

I really shouldn't do this often.

[Told ya.]

''...''

[Being stubborn won't get you far.]

Regretfully, Lucy's remarks were likely true. However, I had my principles, and I was going to go through the story while adhering to them.

''I don't want to stop calling myself a human, you see,'' I replied tiredly.

[Human, eh? What intriguing thoughts.]

Ignoring the annoying Lucy, I closed my eyes to get some rest for real this time... but someone knocked on the door before I could fall asleep. Well? What was I thinking? It was close to five in the afternoon, so someone must inevitably come by to check on me.

''My lady.''

''Albert?''

Surprisingly, it was the butler, not my maid, who dared to disturb my slumber. Either way, I owed him a favor, so I displayed a welcoming attitude.

''A heater?''

''Yes, my lady.''

With his dark circles as bad as usual, Albert suddenly suggested that he would install a heater in my room after noticing that I was sensitive to the cold. A heater was much more expensive to get and manage than a typical fireplace, which was present in every room of the mansion, but it was also convenient for the user, so this was a significant gesture.

''Why, thank you...''

I was genuinely impressed. It hadn't been long since I came here, and he cared for me this much... what a nice gentleman. If only someone like him could be Lyra's parent.

However, when I expressed my gratitude, he quickly shook his head.

''It was actually Lady Lyra who told me about this.'' He said.''Lady Lyra and your maid, Mary.''

''Huh?''

For a moment, my thinking froze. Now that I think about it, Albert was so busy he wouldn't have noticed my condition, and it would only have made sense if someone had told him about it.

My chest tightened when I thought about the little Lyra trying to appeal to the butler when she was just that introverted. Really, why did a child this sweet need to be put in such a horrible environment?

I didn't expect Mary to make an effort, too, though. It might have been a scheme for her to get closer to me, but I was thankful regardless.

Albert told me that the installation would begin as soon as I was comfortable with it. Rubbing my shoulders, I realized that it had gotten cold quite quickly.

''Then... can I entrust you to install it right away?''

''Of course! Please enjoy your dinner in the meantime. It will be over once you finish it.''

''Alright.''

I had been eating with Lyra as of late. She always ate alone, and I didn't like that.

Bringing my meal to Lyra's room, I gently knocked on the door a few times. A few seconds later, it creaked open, revealing the petite figure holding the doorknob that was slightly higher than her.

I brought my meal closer to my face and mustered a bright smile.

''...Come in.''

''Pardon me~!''

I had done this quite frequently ever since I came here. At first, Lyra was justifiably on guard, but when she realized I did nothing except eat and play with the cat while she was studying, she paid little attention to my presence.

Lyra liked to eat while studying. That was how diligent she was.

Right after I closed the door after stepping in, I saw her walking over to the table by the window and sitting down, basking in the late sunlight.

''Put on the light. Don't ruin your eyes, hm?''

''...''

Without saying a word, she nodded. Unable to resist this cuteness, I reached out and stroked her head.

''And... thank you for telling Albert. I have indeed received your sincerity.''

''Mhm...''

Lyra, her slightly plump cheeks blushing, only let out a small noise.

Afterward, we continued like usual. Lyra concentrated wholly on her books, occasionally reaching out for her pancakes. I sat at the end of the table, making the most out of my time by reading news articles as I ate.

From what I heard, this mansion would soon get televisions installed so I could watch them on air later. However, since only the powerful nobles possessed televisions at the moment, the news that aired on them would inevitably be skewed.

For a few years, I should still rely on newspapers.

''Whew...''

Letting out an inaudible sigh so as not to disturb Lyra, I silently turned my tired eyes to her bed. Every time I saw Amethyst, she was asleep. Even if she seemed a bit silly at times, a dragon was something incredible in this world.

Having a dragon as a Soul Guardian alone elevated one's status by many folds, and since Lyra was the heroine who would save the world from the demon queen later, her little pet would grow to be a formidable powerhouse as well.

However, seeing her curling up so comfortably as she slept, I started to become a bit drowsy. I seriously lacked sleep, and I just exerted myself heavily by running, so I was quite tired.

With Lyra's quiet scribble sounds filling my ears, my consciousness slowly... slowly... faded.

''Hgn...''

When I opened my eyes again, I found myself sleeping in my bed, overlooking a new day. According to Mary, Lyra helped bring me back to my room yesterday.

''She even turned on the heater herself,'' Mary said, giggling.

''That's... cute.''

I mean, Mary probably carried me by herself. What could a small child like Lyra do? The sight I imagined was cute, though.

Since I had refreshed myself with a long sleep, I thought I could go out a bit today. Fortunately, I spotted Lyra wandering inside the garden again, which was perfect.

After ordering the kitchen to make a few plates of desserts, some of which I knew Lyra would love, I approached her.

''Hi, Lyra.''

''...Hello.''

''Would you like some dessert?''

We started hanging out in the garden. There was a table underneath the big tree, on which we found Charcoal Jr. napping, so we sat there for a while. Lyra wasn't used to chatting with people, but I tried my best to take the initiative and make her comfortable with it. I figured she would need communication skills for her growth since she didn't have the player to do the talking for her.

''Woah... the gardener must have put a lot of effort into taking care of these flowers,'' I remarked. ''They are so beautiful.''

''Mhm.''

''I don't know much about flowers, though. Are you familiar with them?''

After running her brain for a bit, Lyra suddenly pointed toward a section of light blue flowers swaying in the wind.

''Blue lilies. They're... like you.'' She muttered.

''My, is that so? I'm flattered.''

''...''

This was a good sign. I could see Lyra slowly opening up with me, even if, fundamentally, she didn't quite trust me yet. I just needed to keep this up... and it would hopefully be fine.

''Ah, right, Lyra.''

''...?''

''Since... our mothers' wedding is coming up, do you want to go?''

At my question, the little girl appeared lost. She furrowed her brows, hugging her dragon pet tighter. Normally, this wasn't a question I should ask, but because Lyra and her mother's relationship was so distant, I figured I should offer her a way out if she weren't comfortable.

I added, "If you don't want to be there, tell me. I can get you out."

''But...''

''I can take care of it. Believe me.''

The girl's face distorted even further. In her round eyes reflected a certain fear—a certain spite toward her own mother, even if it was so faintly.

''I... I'll go.'' She said. ''I need to face her...''

''That also works. I'll accompany you, so don't worry.''

Hearing my reassuring words, Lyra finally turned to me with a puzzled face.

''Why... are you being so kind to me?''

She looked like she had just released something she had been keeping for a while. It must have taken a lot of courage to ask that directly, seeing that she had a trust issue.

''Well? I don't think I can call myself a human otherwise.'' I replied.

''Human...''

''And, you're too cute to ignore~!''

''...''

The wedding would soon take place.