After finishing work, Noie walks home.
She dashes at full speed from the squad’s standby post to the castle town gate, then switches to a normal pace from there.
At first… when she had just arrived in the capital, she ran all out to the lodgings without knowing any better and ended up scattering carriages everywhere, causing a huge commotion.
Ever since then, she makes sure to run only after passing the gate when heading out, and to walk only after passing it when coming back.
Though she wears armor when slaying dragons, she dresses in casual clothes when walking through the town. She often wears a simple dress with sleeves.
It’s easy to take off and put on by herself.
But today, unusually, she walked with her arms crossed behind her back at her waist.
People passing by on the street stopped in their tracks to stare.
Normally she strides along briskly, giving off an unapproachable air… but today there wasn’t the slightest hint of that.
And for good reason. Noie wasn’t in any hurry at all.
She had learned that even if she rushed home, she would just end up sitting on the bed waiting.
The person she wants to protect won’t be back from work until after the sun has started to set today either.
Sitting there waiting the whole time… makes a sharp little pang deep in her chest that she doesn’t like. So she decided not to rush home. If she walks slowly like this, it’s better, that’s what she figured out.
Once before, she had kept working until sunset, and everyone from the vice-captain on down got mad at her all at once.
『We still have cleanup to do, so please don’t push yourself that hard! I’m begging you, Captain!』 the pale-faced girl had pleaded while nearly in tears, so Noie hasn’t done it since.
Though she did think they didn’t all need to scold her together.
The street is lined with food stalls, filling the air with delicious smells.
Suddenly, she remembers that during today’s break, she barely ate anything.
Normally she can eat just fine, but for some reason today she could only manage a little. Sometimes days like this happen.
Once she becomes aware of it, the emptiness in her stomach starts bothering her more and more…
「No… Noie-sama!」
「……」
She was called out to.
Perhaps for the first time ever, Noie spun around with her whole body.
Behind her stood a woman holding what looked like a bundle.
「Um… could you please hold my child for a moment?」
「……」
My child?
Only then did she finally realize that the “bundle” the woman was carrying was actually a baby.
「Please. I beg you.」
「Yes.」
「…Eh?」
「Yes.」
The woman who had asked was the one left surprised by the straightforward reply.
She honestly never imagined that the hero of the kingdom would grant such a simple request.
「Ah, then…」
「……」
Noie carefully took the “bundle” that was gently handed to her and cradled it in her arms.
For some reason, her head felt all wobbly and unsteady.
「Noie-sama. If possible, not like that… hold it this way instead. Yes, just like that.」
「……」
After the woman adjusted her grip, Noie’s head stopped moving entirely.
Holding a person really is difficult, it seems.
But even as she held the baby, Noie didn’t move an inch, just gazing down at its tiny face.
It’s so small overall, and looks incredibly fragile.
「Thank you so much. I’m sure this child will grow up strong and healthy now.」
「……」
Everything about it is tiny, yet it’s moving so steadily.
Its expressions are rich too. The little mouth that only says “ah～” is curved into a soft, gentle smile.
「Um… Noie-sama?」
「……」
She doesn’t quite understand why, but something deep in her chest tightens with a sweet, sharp ache.
Just from holding a baby, her heart hurts so much.
「Noie-sama?」
「!」
Snapped back by the voice calling her, Noie lifted her face.
「Thank you so, so much.」
「…Yes.」
That’s right. I have to give it back… she thinks, yet at the same time, a part of her doesn’t want to.
With a lingering reluctance tugging at her, she somehow manages to hand the baby back. The moment she does, the warmth that had filled her arms and chest rapidly fades away.
It feels cold.
「Thank you again. Truly…」
As the mother bows over and over, a crowd quickly gathers around her, eager to hear what happened.
Noie turns toward the castle and starts walking.
She feels like she’s forgetting something very important.
And then, everyone present heard it.
A loud grrrrrumble echoed through the air.
The source of the hungry growl was…
「Impossible…」
With one foot still forward… Noie pitched straight ahead and collapsed face-first onto the cobblestones.
-0-
「Arg!」
「What now? If it’s more work, I’m good, thanks.」
「No, it’s bad!」
I really don’t need any more jobs piled on me!
The muscle prince bursts in, completely out of breath.
He’s that panicked… Did the king finally keel over from overexertion or something?
「Noie collapsed in the castle town!」
「Huh?」
「I said she collapsed.」
「Ehhh?!」
-0-
Apparently one of the spies posted around town carried her back.
No external wounds or anything… but she’s kept her eyes closed and won’t open them, according to the report.
Why? How?
「Noie!」
「……Yes.」
「Waaah!」
I rush into our bedroom and drop to my knees the moment I see her.
She’s awake. Where’d that whole mysterious illness story go?
「Are you okay?」
「……」
「Can you hear me?」
「Arg-sama.」
「Yep, correct.」
In a way, this is the usual Noie.
「So, what happened?」
「…Child.」
「Child?」
「Child… want one.」
「……」
A massive request from my wife just hit me square in the face!
Just a little longer, okay? We’re in the middle of moving preparations right now.
I climb onto the bed and sit beside her.
Come to think of it, someone with the blessing 『Healing』 like her couldn’t possibly get sick.
「Child. Warm. Stomach. Empty.」
「……」
I’m afraid I can’t follow that chain of associations at all.
「Are you hungry?」
She gives a tiny nod.
「Somebody～! Bring some food, anything～!」
One of the maids waiting outside the room quickly brings in some fruit.
But Noie doesn’t move.
「Noie?」
「……」
Wait… is this…?
「Could it be… you overused your blessing and completely ran out of stamina?」
She nods again, ever so slightly.
So that’s why she collapsed… Thank goodness.
But how exactly does that connect to wanting a child?
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