We had just returned to the mansion with Fia in tow, the four of us together.
I expected my mother to be lying in wait to ambush me with a hug as usual, but it seemed even she was curious about Fia—which was only natural. Apparently, even she wasn't going to overlook her son coming home from a day out with a newly purchased slave.
"Eeeeh! Who is this girl?! She’s so cuuuute! ...Wait, who is she, exactly?"
Darn. I thought I could slip this past her since Mom is usually so airheaded.
She had quite a lot to say after that, but in the end, she told me it was fine as long as it was what I wanted. Now that is a model mother.
Immediately after our talk, I called Moore and had her put Fia in the bath.
...What? You’re wondering what happened to "Operation Naked Bond"?
I abandoned that plan. I mean, what kind of twelve-year-old bathes with a little girl? Leave that to the guys who enjoy living their lives on the edge.
I tried asking her age just in case, but she didn't say a word. She was still so small; maybe this was just how slaves usually acted.
Yuka had adjusted to the situation surprisingly quickly, but I had a feeling this girl wouldn't be quite so easy.
"...So that’s how it is, Yuka."
"How what is, exactly?"
"No, well... I feel like Fia is in a more precarious state mentally than I realized."
I’d never had a younger sister, so I wasn't used to handling children younger than myself.
"...That is for you to handle, Luka-sama, as the one who bought her."
Yuka turned her head away with a huff. She seemed to still be annoyed about my "Lost Child RTA." I knew I was in the wrong. Next time, I’d make sure it took at least ten minutes.
Anyway, I wondered what would happen with Fia. By that, I meant her treatment within the household. I intended to plead with my parents to grant her the Noctille name just as I had for Yuka, but would she become a maid like Yuka had?
"Yuka, you're a maid of our house now, right?"
"No. I am Luka-sama’s Personal Maid."
Did she really need to correct me there? Well, if that was the case, I wondered if Fia would end up in a similar position. I didn't really want to make her work, though. Shouldn't a kid just spend their time playing and sleeping?
It was quite a while later when Fia finally emerged from the bath. She came out being carried by Moore. Her body, which had been covered in dust and blood until moments ago, was now pristine. She’d had some minor injuries, but Yuka must have healed them with magic. I’d have to ask her about that later.
More importantly, there was Fia. Her pale pink hair had been meticulously combed, and her skin was a translucent white.
Elves really were a cheat, weren't they? She was the perfect fusion of "adorable" and "beautiful."
"..."
Fia remained silent, her gaze cast downward. She had been dressed in oversized pajamas, and the long sleeves dangled past her hands. So this was what a real "small animal" type looked like. Sorry, Lene, you’ve been dethroned.
"Fia."
I tried calling her name. Her shoulders gave a sharp flinch.
...She was still scared. Well, of course she was. She was surrounded by strangers in a mansion she didn't know. To put it bluntly, she was like a kitten or a puppy whose owner had suddenly changed. There was no way she could feel at ease yet.
"...Let’s go to bed for today. You’re tired, right?"
There was no verbal response, but her ears twitched. It seemed she was listening.
"Do you want to sleep here? Or would a separate room be better?"
I asked this because they say human warmth is vital for children; it definitely wasn't because I’d lost my mind over a little girl.
Silence followed. After hesitating for a moment, Fia trotted over and grabbed the hem of my shirt.
...Ah, I’ve ascended to heaven.
Yuka watched us from the side. "She has completely taken a liking to you."
Ah, that was close. I almost lost consciousness there.
"I wonder. If so, I’m glad," I replied quietly.
Fia was half-hidden behind me. Rather than her being spoiled, it felt more like an act of self-defense. She was looking for a safe zone, and I just happened to be the one she chose.
Late that night, after Fia had fallen asleep, I had a brief talk with my mother.
"We probably shouldn't go public about her being an Elf, right?"
"Well, obviously!"
I thought so.
"But she’s the girl Luka-chan brought home, so we’ll do whatever we can for her here."
Long live the Ducal House!
"What about her name? Will you give her a surname?"
"Yeah. If I’m allowed, I’d like to give her the Noctille name."
"Fufu, you’re so kind."
I thought my parents were the kind ones for indulging my selfishness. This name wasn't meant to bind them; it was simply the easiest way to grant them the protection of a Ducal House.
I returned to my room, moving cautiously so as not to wake Fia. However, I found her sitting quietly on the edge of the bed. It seemed I had woken her after all.
"Sorry, Fia. Did I wake you?"
"..."
"Fia?"
She looked up at me slightly, then looked down at her own wrists. There were red marks there—likely scars from being tied up tightly for a long time. Apparently, even Yuka’s magic couldn't erase old wounds or lingering marks.
It was painful to look at. My chest felt tight.
"Can you go back to sleep?"
I patted the covers. Fia didn't move for a while, but eventually, she slowly lay back down. However, she didn't close her eyes. Her body remained stiff; she was still on guard.
Once again, I gently placed my hand on Fia’s head.
"It’s okay. I’ll stay here and protect you until you fall asleep, Fia. If any weirdos show up, I’ll beat them to a pulp."
I wondered if that was the right thing to say. Talking about beating people up might be bad for her upbringing. But Fia gave a small twitch, and the tension in her body relaxed just a little.
After ten or fifteen minutes, I finally heard the sound of faint, rhythmic breathing.
Finally. Man, actual parenting must be even harder than this.
Yuka spoke in a low voice. "Psychological trauma... isn't it?"
"Probably something like that."
When did you get here, girl? Try a bit harder to make some noise when you enter, okay?
"...Luka-sama, would it be alright if I slept here tonight as well?"
"Sure. Wait, what?"
How rare for Yuka to say something like that. But she’s cute, so I’ll allow it (IQ: 5).
That night, the three of us slept side-by-side. They both smelled so good I could hardly sleep. Honestly, this level of bliss should be illegal.