I Was Reincarnated as a Duke as a Matter of Course, So I Bought a Slave on a Whim and Now There’s No Turning Back - 32

Chapter 32: Welcome, Our Youngest Child

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It had been a few days since then. The atmosphere in the mansion had changed, just a little. When I walked down the hallway, small footsteps followed behind me. When I turned around, Fia was always there.

“…Master.”

A quiet voice echoed. She had begun to clearly call out to me. At first she called me Luka, but Yuka told her otherwise and it changed. Personally, I did not really mind either way. By the way, it was not like I forced her to call me Master. She often stuck close to Moore, so apparently her way of addressing me drifted in that direction.

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Right now, Fia was sticking closely behind Yuka.

“First, you just need to line up the dishes.”

“…Okay.”

She had broken free from the complete silence from before. Her voice was quiet, but she answered. I had asked various things, but the only thing I learned was that she was eight years old. I still did not really understand her moods, and I had not seen her smile yet. But the fear was gone, and things like this should be taken slowly without rushing.

Yuka placed one dish. Fia imitated her and placed one as well. Carefully, very carefully, she focused on even the smallest task. The look on her face was adorable.

“Very good.”

“…Really?”

“Yes.”

Just a little. Just a little, the corner of her mouth loosened.

Isn’t that destructive power way too high?

Fia continued working smoothly, but a few minutes later.

–Clack.

“Ah.”

A cup tilted and fell.

…But it stopped just before touching the floor. A film of water supported the cup. Thin, transparent water wrapped around it. It floated softly, and Fia caught it and placed it back on the table. Fia exhaled calmly, as if it were only natural for that phenomenon to happen.

“…Y-Yuka. Fia just…”

Yuka narrowed her eyes.

“Yes, she used magic.”

I stood up from my chair.

“…Does that mean she has a water attribute?”

Fia’s shoulders twitched. Did she think she would get scolded? I was about to praise her to death. (mysterious outrage)

“That’s amazing, Fia! That’s amazing!”

I lifted her up and praised her over and over.

“…Eh?”

“Catching the cup before it fell… wow, our kid is way too much of a genius…!”

Several seconds of silence. Then…

“…Did I just do something amazing?”

She looked puzzled. If she really did it unconsciously, I might cry from both emotion and my own uselessness. Sure enough, it did not seem like she had intentionally controlled it. She had not even chanted. But was that really magic? What counted as beginner level again? It came out reflexively, like simply reaching out with her hand. Did that mean an elf’s natural talent was really that high?

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In the afternoon, I came to the garden with Fia. Fia sat quietly on the grass. Sunlight. It was probably good for her to get some sun after all. At first she did not even want to go outside, but now it seemed she was fine as long as she stayed within the house grounds beside me.

“…It’s bright.”

“This much is just right.”

“…Is it?”

The fact that we could hold a small conversation like this made me quietly happy. But every now and then, glimpses of Fia’s past showed through, and it tightened my chest.

“Master.”

“Hm?”

“…Is it okay for me to be here?”

What kind of question was that? The answer was obvious. I pretended to think for a moment.

“Fia is already a Noctire. Fia Noctire.”

“…Okay.”

“Then that makes you our family, right?”

Fia said nothing and tightly grabbed the sleeve of my clothes.

…I never really knew what to do at times like this. I slowly kept patting Fia’s head as she looked down. Whenever I did that, she usually fell asleep.

“…”

It still was not enough. For Fia to become happy, I had to work harder too.

Night came, long past my usual bedtime. As if it were the most natural thing in the world, Fia came to my bed. Honestly, I was more than happy when she willingly did things like this, so as long as Fia came, I would sleep together with her. Her feelings mattered most, after all.

Plop, Fia slipped in beside me.

“…Master.”

“What is it?”

“…Good night.”

My reverence level was skyrocketing. This was beyond a lethal dose, enough to revive a dead person. Since I trained every day, I only felt like I was lightly dying.

“Good night, Fia.”

A faint warmth came from beside me. The distance between us was much closer than it had been a few days ago. I respected that she was beside me of her own will. That part was important. Beside me, quiet breathing could be heard. It seemed no nightmares would come tonight.

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The next morning. Yuka said one thing.

“You have gotten quite used to things.”

“Yeah.”

“…Are you perhaps spoiling her a little too much?”

“Children have the right to be spoiled.”

“Both Luka-sama and I are children as well.”

“I’m already twelve.”

“Your mental age is lower than that.”

Isn’t that awful?

Fia let out a small laugh. Just for an instant… I saw it for the first time. No sound came out, but she definitely smiled. Yuka and I froze at the same time.

“…Fia, did you just smile?”

Fia hurriedly covered her face. Her ears were red.

Celebration! First! Smile!!!

This was a huge event. I should cook red rice, pound mochi, and throw beans! 

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