After lunch, the afternoon continued with the cheerful hustle and bustle of snowy fun.
However, I wasn’t able to join in much or watch what was going on. Some tasks had come up that I needed to deal with.
It all started with something Ji Liz had said.
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「When I was flying earlier, I got a good look at the sky. It’s probably going to snow again tonight. It won’t be as heavy as today’s, but the spots where the snow’s been trampled will get covered again.」
At the time, the sky was clear, so I found it a little surprising. But dragons have a broad view of the sky, and they’re skilled at predicting the weather. His forecast would probably be right.
「Oh, that means more snow play tomorrow, huh?」
「Chocola and Mint are both full of energy. Ah, to be young.」
「Well, I’m about the same age as Chocola, you know.」
In fact, Chocola was technically older than me.
「That’s right, I forgot. You’re so calm, I tend to forget your age.」
「Then again, to someone like you, everyone here probably seems like children.」
「Hah, if we’re going by age, the Fairy King-dono here wins. I haven’t lived two thousand years like him.」
「Well, we’ve mostly just been hiding away. Nothing to boast about.」
As we sat in a circle in the snow, chatting, Ji Liz slowly raised his head and gazed toward the northern sky.
「It’s about time for me to head back. I’ve left my wife alone, and I wouldn’t want her to feel lonely. But before I go, Sui, I have a proposal for you.」
「What is it?」
「Could you let my dragonlings stay the night?」
Ji Liz smiled, revealing his sharp teeth, as he explained his reasoning.
He said it was about time for his children to experience the world outside.
They were old enough to be sensible and not act recklessly.
While the deep parts of the forest were dangerous, today, with the snow deep and most beasts scarce, seemed like a good opportunity.
And more than anything, he couldn’t help but be touched by how much fun Mine Ork and Ji Ness were having.
「Watching their faces, I just thought… I’d like to let them enjoy this a little longer.」
「Sure, I’ll take responsibility for them.」
And so, with Ji Liz’s blessing, his two young dragons, ecstatic at the chance for a sleepover, continued playing while Ji Liz took his leave.
Of course, before departing, he didn’t forget to give them a firm warning: ‘Don’t fly too high!’
「Parents worrying about their children… it’s the same, whether human, dragon, or fairy. I’d almost forgotten how universal that feeling is.」
Four Seasons-san muttered, gazing up at the sky where Ji Liz had disappeared.
Ji Liz’s weather forecast spurred me into action.
If it was going to snow tonight and stay that way through tomorrow, then Mint and the others could use another toy or two to play with. Just running around might get boring after a while.
With that thought in mind, I headed to the backyard beside the stables where we kept our materials.
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「Ahh, that felt so good!」
「Yeah, the warm rain was amazing…」
By the time the afternoon had passed and the sun started to set, everyone was showing signs of fatigue. We called an end to the snow games, and the fairies returned to Tir na Nog. As for the two young dragons, we had them take a shower with Mint before calling it a day.
「I’m glad Mine Ork and Ji Ness didn’t mind the water. Chocola, you should learn from them.」
「Grrr…」
Chocola let out a dissatisfied growl. He had just been thoroughly washed, and it was no surprise he wasn’t thrilled about it. But it was the price to pay for having so much fun. It wasn’t just snow he’d been playing in—he’d dug all the way down to the dirt, getting so dirty that he couldn’t even be let into the house.
「Hot water falls from above, it stays bright at night, and the air is warm… Human homes are amazing!」
「Ji Ness… I think it’s probably just Sui-san’s house that’s special like this.」
「Mint, are you all fresh and clean?」
「Uuuu! Cute, clean!」
Mint said with a big smile, still wrapped in a bath towel. Being an alraune, a plant monster, Mint didn’t really need to bathe since her body didn’t produce waste the way animals’ do. However, today had been an exception after all the running around. She seemed to enjoy the bath, too. After all, the warmth of water feels good no matter who you are.
「Sui, I’ve finished bringing the futons downstairs.」
「Thank you.」
Karen said, walking down from the second floor. Then, she knelt beside Chocola, gently patting him and saying, ‘You’re so clean now’. But Chocola still lay there with a dissatisfied expression, clearly not happy.
「Sorry for the trouble, Karen.」
「Hmm. It’s going to be fun staying with Grandma tonight.」
The guest room was reserved for the young dragons, so Grandma Seralinde would be sleeping in Karen’s room.
It’s funny—when we first moved here, I thought a guest room would go unused in a house this deep in the forest. But now, with so many guests, we were actually running out of space. It made me happy to have so many people here.
「I’ve finished setting the table. Let’s eat. Mine Ork, Ji Ness, if you want seconds, don’t hesitate to ask.」
Mother called from the dining room.
Dinner was a bit simpler than usual since we were all worn out from the day. The main dish was smoked wild waterfowl, some salad, tofu, and a root vegetable stir-fry. We also had a light soup with floating green onions. For Chocola, Mine Ork, and Ji Ness, we prepared some tusk-boar shoulder. Boiled for Chocola and lightly salted raw meat for the young dragons.
「Itadakimasu!」
Everyone said in unison as we began the meal.
Since the table was a bit crowded, Mint sat on mother’s lap, happily kicking her legs as she sipped the broth.
Mine Ork and Ji Ness picked at their meat directly from the plate, which I had cut into bite-sized pieces beforehand.
「This is delicious! The magic power in it is strong, as expected from deep forest meat!」
「Father sometimes brings home meat like this… Thank you very much for always being so kind to us.」
「Mother! Mint try, thin thingy!」
「That’s kinpira. Here, open wide.」
Seeing everyone so happy, I couldn’t help but smile. Karen, seated diagonally from me, caught my gaze and gave me a nod, as if sharing in the warmth of the moment.
「Chocola, you must be tired today. Eat up—you’ll need the energy to play again tomorrow.」
「Bark! Nom!」
「…It’s started snowing.」
Grandma remarked, pausing with her spoon in hand as she looked toward the sliding glass door.
Sure enough, when I squinted into the darkness, I could see white flakes gently drifting down.
「Ji Liz said it would snow tonight but clear up after. The snow will probably melt pretty quickly once it stops.」
「Then we’ll have to play as much as we can tomorrow! Sui-kun seemed to be making something earlier—I’m excited to see what it is.」
「Mint, super curious! But didn’t peek, Karen said, more exciting that way!」
「Hmmm. It’ll be fun….Chocola’s fun too so look forward to it.」
「Bark?」
「Karen, phrasing…」
As the lively chatter continued around the table, the lights seemed a bit brighter than usual, casting a warm glow over the scene.
Later, as the night deepened, Mint dozed off while chatting with the young dragons in the living room. The joyful night carried on until we eventually carried her out to the garden for a last bit of fresh air before bedtime.
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