“Evelyn, wake up, please. It’s already noon.”
I woke up to gentle taps on my shoulder on the morning of my third day camping—wait, no, it was noon. As I sat up in the hammock, I met Lady Mamaropa’s gaze, and my cheeks flushed red.
“U-Um...”
My plan had been to offer a normal greeting, but the words just wouldn’t come out. After last night, I was feeling terribly embarrassed.
I’m twenty-eight! I can’t believe I just clung to her and bawled like that!
What’s more, Lady Mamaropa had gently rocked the hammock and sung a lullaby to soothe me as I cried myself to sleep. Thanks to that, I’d slept so soundly I hadn’t woken until noon.
What do I do? Should I ask her to forget about yesterday?
Lady Mamaropa smiled gently as she watched me fidget. “Oh my. Where did the sweet girl from last night go?”
My heart skipped a beat at her teasing. I could no longer suppress this throbbing urge.
As if seeing through me, Lady Mamaropa poked my cheek. “You can call me anything you like, you know.”
“L-Lady...Mommyropa?”
She chuckled. “Come now. You can do better than that.”
After a pause, I finally gave in. “Mommy! ♡”
I climbed down from the hammock with open arms. I was about to hug Lady Mamaropa when something struck my back.
“Evelyn! Snap out of it!”
“Ah!”
I came back to my senses.
Oh no. It would’ve been very bad if Kira hadn’t slapped me. I would’ve surrendered to Lady Mamaropa’s maternal presence, forever unable to stand on my own two feet, literally regressing to a baby’s mindset.
From behind me, Kira whispered, “Evelyn, I think she’s dangerous. Even more dangerous than the weirdo lady.”
My eyes widened. The “weirdo lady” was Lady Europa. But Kira was right—Lady Mamaropa was far too dangerous.
Anyone exhausted by modern life would be unable to resist the warmth radiating from her. In fact, even with Kira’s intervention, I still felt myself being drawn to her.
“Come now,” she whispered. “Mommy’s here. You’re such a good girl. Let me give you your morning hug and a kiss.”
“Ah... Ahh... Augh...”
Nooo! I can feel myself turning into a baby! A baby!
If I crossed this line, my future was clear—I would be reduced to sucking on a pacifier while Lady Mamaropa coddled me!
Which sounds wonderful. Wait, no! That’d be terrible, actually!
I couldn’t take it anymore. Sensing that I was at my limit, I spun around and reached for Kira, who was standing there worriedly.
“Yah!”
“Waugh!”
Kira let out an odd yelp as I threw myself at him. I crushed him into a bear hug, and he flailed his arms and legs trying to escape. But no! If he pushed me away now, I’d be reduced to pacifiers, diapers, and baby bottles!
“I’m sorry, Kira! I need to hug you to suppress these impulses!”
“I-I get that, but my face’s in your—”
“Just bear with me!”
I squeezed and squeezed and squeezed, hugging Kira with all my might. That filled me with blissful happiness, somehow helping me overcome the urge to become Lady Mamaropa’s beloved baby.
“Hee hee. You two are such good friends,” Lady Mamaropa murmured with amusement.
That pulled me back to reality, and I looked down to see Kira’s eyes spinning.
“Wah! K-Kira, I’m so sorry!”
“Phew...”
When I finally released him, Kira staggered out of the tent.
I’m sorry, Kira. And thank you...
After that, I washed my face, got ready, and the three of us ate the meal Lady Mamaropa had made. The sky was dim, with thick gray clouds hanging low. It looked like it would rain soon, which was unfortunate. But today’s food was delicious as well; therefore, this was an excellent day.
“Evelyn, you have something on your cheek.”
“Oh, thank you, mommy...er, Lady Mamaropa.”
“Would you like more sauce, Kira?”
“Thanks, mo—Mamaropa.”
For breakfast today we were having mushroom-stuffed omelets and curry fried rice. Kira had apparently woken up early to forage for mushrooms, and I...had been sleeping again. How embarrassing.
But mommy, um, Lady Mamaropa said I don’t need to put myself down.
I’d hated myself for being unable to do anything. I’d felt pathetic, really. But Lord Theodore had never once resented me for it. It hadn’t made any sense to me.
I really should’ve taken the time to talk things out...
I’d given up on dialogue entirely because of one failed conversation, when I should’ve just tried to explain as many times as it took for me to get it across. Lord Theodore always listened intently to whatever I had to say, so my feelings should’ve gotten through. I mean...his attentiveness was one of the reasons I loved him.
“Now then, what shall we do today? The weather isn’t great, but we could try fishing again, or perhaps...”
Lady Mamaropa suggested various activities for today so we wouldn’t be bored. As I listened to her speak, I made a decision—I had to leave the comfort of this lake.
“Lady Mamaropa, I think I’ll go home.”
She stopped talking and stared at me in surprise for a few moments before her expression softened gradually, fractionally. It was so subtle one would miss it without paying close attention.
“I see,” she said finally.
“I’m sorry. I know it’s very sudden.”
“Not at all. I’m truly glad you feel ready to go home, Evelyn.”
Oh...
I felt, with my whole heart, that she really was like my mother. Though I could barely remember my mother’s warmth, Lady Mamaropa had offered me her affection freely. Our time together had been like a wonderful dream.
But that was precisely why I couldn’t stay here forever. I had people waiting for me.
“Kira, is that okay with you?” I asked.
“Yeah,” he said, nodding.
Kira had just been following along with whatever I wanted this whole time. He hadn’t rushed me at all, just waiting for me to decide to return.
I’m really blessed to have people like him around me.
When I got back, I had to apologize properly to Lord Theodore, Karin, and everyone else. I was so sorry for making them all worry.
“I’m telling you, baaa. Theodore and Karin don’t want you baaack.”
That voice again!
“You have nowhere to return to anymore, baaa. Just give up on everything and jump into the lake, baaa!”
“Ngh...”
Kira frowned as he watched me cover my ears. “Evelyn, what’s wrong?”
“I hear it again, Kira. That weird voice...”
Kira and Lady Mamaropa exchanged glances.
“You said that before,” Kira said. “That you could hear a voice.”
“I don’t hear anything myself,” Lady Mamaropa pointed out.
So neither of them could hear this suspicious voice. I hadn’t wanted to consider the possibility, but...
C-Could this be the curse?
Goose bumps rose all over my body. The bathhouse attendant had warned us that the lake was cursed. Was that why no one came to such a beautiful place? If so, had camping here cursed us?!
But then why am I the only one who’s affected?! Only I could hear the eerie voice, after all. Did I inadvertently make someone angry with me...?
I trembled with anxiety.
Lady Mamaropa suddenly exclaimed, “Ah! That’s right! I’ve been meaning to ask you two something. Do either of you know anything about Lady Evelyn, the former saint?”
Kira and I looked at each other.
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“You see, yesterday, while you two were at the village, Theodore from Semme and Prince Igna came by.”
“Whaaat?!”
Lord Theodore and Prince Igna had come to the lake? I was so shocked at the news that I bumped my knee on the underside of the table. Lady Mamaropa took the time to soothe me before continuing.
“They said Lady Evelyn left behind a letter lamenting her existence and went missing alongside a boy named Kira. They were quite troubled, having found no leads...” Lady Mamaropa explained, her expression growing sad.
The color drained from my face. They think I’m a missing person?!
Not only that, but even Prince Igna had joined the search! If they’d gotten the royal palace involved, things had to be very serious!