The Saintess... Isn't She Just Too Adorable?

“Here you go, open wiiide!”

With a beaming smile, I offered Ai a spoonful of pudding. It was a wonderfully soft, jiggly pudding.

With a little nom, the spoon disappeared into Ai’s mouth.

Instantly, her eyes sparkled with delight.

A blissful little sigh escaped her lips, and I found myself sighing contentedly as I watched her.

I wondered why. When I’d fed my younger sisters, I’d never once thought, How adorable!

Was Ai just exceptionally cute, or had I grown older and mellowed out? …Though I was still only twenty years old, you know.

I scooped up another spoonful of pudding.

Just watching the pudding jiggle made Ai’s eyes light up, and her expression practically screamed that she wanted to eat it as soon as possible. Yet she didn’t say a word, simply waiting patiently for me. The sight was so endearing.

When I offered her the spoon, her mouth opened with a little “Ah,” as though she’d been eagerly awaiting that very moment. The pudding slipped smoothly into her mouth, and Ai narrowed her eyes in blissful satisfaction.

Oh, she really was just too adorable…! Seeing her enjoy it so much made all the effort of preparing it worthwhile!

I trembled with emotion.

At this point, I almost wanted this moment to last forever…

Just as I was thinking that, the door suddenly opened.

His Majesty Yuri appeared.

“Ederine, how is the Saintess doing?”

At the sound of his voice, Ai flinched and hunched her shoulders.

Aaah! Her face had gone pale! Well, of course it had! When a grown man spoke with such a stern expression and deep voice, naturally she’d be frightened!

“Your Majesty, you’re frightening Ai. Could we please discuss this later!?”

“V-very well. I’ll come back later.”

Looking bewildered, His Majesty hurriedly left the room. …Perhaps I’d been a little rude? But Ai was my top priority right now, wasn’t she?

“It’s all right now, Ai. What would you like to eat next? Or are you already full?”

When I asked as though nothing had happened, Ai timidly glanced at the white bread. Yes, yes, you want this one next, don’t you?

I deliberately handed her the entire piece of bread.

Strictly speaking, proper etiquette for a lady dictated that she should tear off small pieces before eating, but right now, I wanted her to discover the joy of eating more than anything else.

Ai grasped the soft, fluffy white bread, her eyes sparkling once again.

…For some reason, little children could find immense enjoyment in simply holding things like this. My youngest sister had once carried an apple around until it became completely shriveled.

Apparently having enjoyed the bread’s fluffiness to her heart’s content, Ai opened her tiny mouth and took a little bite.

Just then, the door clicked open.

“Forgive me, but there’s something I absolutely must tell you—”

His Majesty appeared again, and Ai nearly choked on the bread.

KYAAAA!!! THIS IS TERRIBLE!!!

I hurriedly patted her back to help her spit it out, then gave her some water.

Once the danger had passed, I let out a tremendous sigh of relief. Then I stood up and marched straight toward His Majesty.

“Your. Ma. Jes. Ty!? Could you at least knock before entering!?”

I kept my voice low so as not to frighten Ai, but poured every ounce of intimidation I could muster into my glare. I was fairly certain a vein was bulging at my temple.

“I-I’m terribly sorry…”

“…Well, fortunately, nothing happened. Now, what was it you wanted to discuss?”

Although she must have been desperate to continue eating, Ai was dutifully waiting behind me. I glanced at her as I asked.

His Majesty’s expression grew serious.

“…Ederine, as you know, this summoning did not go as expected. She’s only five years old. She cannot speak our language, and we don’t even know whether she’s truly the Saintess.”

I listened silently.

“We’re continuing to investigate what went wrong with the summoning, but in the meantime, I’d like you to observe the Saintess closely. We need to determine whether she really is the Saintess or merely an unfortunate child who was accidentally caught up in the summoning.”

I sighed softly.

That was true… For better or worse, Ai had been summoned here as the Saintess.

I really didn’t want to burden such a young child with the tremendous responsibility of being a “Saintess,” but when I considered His Majesty, the High Priest and the other priests, and above all, the people of this kingdom, I couldn’t simply say it wasn’t my concern.

“…Understood. If I discover anything, I’ll report it immediately.”

“Yes, I’m counting on you. …And there’s one more thing, if I may?”

His Majesty asked somewhat hesitantly. I wanted to return to Ai as quickly as possible, but I figured it wouldn’t do to behave too disrespectfully, so I nodded.

“What is it?”

“All the clothing we prepared for the Saintess was made for an adult. We’ll need to have new clothes tailored specifically for her.”

At those words, my eyes immediately lit up.

—Have clothes tailored for Ai?

In other words, I’d get to dress Ai in all sorts of adorable outfits…!?

I answered enthusiastically, practically snorting with excitement.

“I WOULD BE DELIGHTED!!!”