Father, I Won’t Do Anything

“We have an outfit perfectly suited for the little lady. Shall I show you?”

Thus, Hilvenzia too ended up donning a pristine white dress. The peculiar aspect was that from the waist down to the ankles, the skirt’s hem was exceptionally narrow, slit open from the knees downward to allow ease of movement.

“It truly suits you well, Hilvenzia.”

Jaina had to admit it was an exceptionally fitting ensemble. Hilvenzia’s silver tresses complemented the dress in a strikingly beautiful way.

Even with her already exceptional beauty, coupled with her distinctive aura, Hilvenzia now radiated an astonishingly dazzling presence.

“My, you look absolutely marvelous!”

The employee exuded sincere admiration before glancing around, as if eager to have Hilvenzia try on additional outfits.

Swiftly perceiving this, Jaina nimbly blocked the employee’s path.

“One set is sufficient. Any more would be too cumbersome to carry.”

“Jaina, need I remind you I’m here? Carrying them won’t be an issue.”

With a playfully pouty expression, as if her pride had been injured, Hilvenzia prompted the employee to beam before fetching another ensemble.

“How about this one? It’s newly released to commemorate the upcoming festival and has been extremely popular.”

Selecting one outfit, the employee presented it to Jaina.

“I believe this would be perfect for our little customer. What do you think?”

Upon seeing the outfit, Jaina and Hilvenzia could only exchange glances.

* * *

How many outfits could one possibly need for the Whimsical Festival?

Jaina’s query was lightly dismissed by Hilvenzia.

“Why agonize over limiting yourself? We’ll simply purchase them all.”

“But I can’t wear them all today.”

“Then you can wear them back at the Magic Tower, right?”

As expected, Jaina, who lived as a small citizen, and the world’s greatest alchemist held differing notions of indulgence.

Thus, Jaina received multiple whimsical costumes as gifts from Hilvenzia.

The two first emerged wearing snow fairy and snow goddess attire before changing partway through.

“Perhaps we should try these instead?”

The employee had recommended an animal costume series to Jaina.

With rabbit, bear, cat, dog, squirrel and various other options, one particular set piqued their shared interest.

The outfit that made Jaina and Hilvenzia’s eyes sparkle with delight was…

“Roaaaar.”

A dragon.

Jaina menacingly opened her jaws wide toward Hilvenzia.

“Princess, I shall kidnap you.”

The hood Jaina had pulled over bore a fierce dragon face complete with horns, while scaly wings protruded adorably from the back, fluttering with her every movement.

“Roaar.”

Of course, Jaina’s fluffy white appearance rendered any attempt at appearing threatening utterly adorable instead.

But Hilvenzia played along with the Whimsical Festival spirit, feigning dread.

“Oh, fearsome dragon. I beg you, spare my life.”

Hilvenzia’s role was that of the princess being abducted by the dragon.

Rarely seen in anything but neutral tones, she now wore a dress swaying prettily in pastel green hues.

‘Has it truly been fifty years since I last wore such a pastel gown?’

Naturally, she had readily accepted since it was Jaina’s selection.

Yet Jaina remained unsatisfied.

“Hilvenzia, I feel something is still missing. It’s too similar to before.”

“Then what would Jaina suggest?”

“In my opinion…”

Jaina approached Hilvenzia from behind as she spoke.

“…!”

In that moment, Hilvenzia’s expression froze icily.

Exposing one’s back to an enemy was a fatal mistake. Moreover, having endured numerous life-threatening situations, she reacted hypersensitively whenever someone neared her from behind.

However, the oblivious Jaina merely blinked innocently as she trailed a soft, plush tail behind her.

“Hilvenzia, what if we tried braiding your hair?”

“…”

“Your silver locks are so lovely, any style would suit you wonderfully. If you’ll permit me, I’d like to try.”

As Hilvenzia nodded her assent, Jaina’s dainty hands began deftly weaving through her silken tresses without the need for a comb.

Before long, an unusually chipper voice piped up.

“This is the first time I’ve ever touched someone else’s hair.”

Jaina’s utter concentration was evident, despite her lack of outward focus.

Gradually relaxing the tense alertness from exposing her back, Hilvenzia calmly closed her eyes.

“It has been an extraordinarily long time since anyone has touched my hair as well.”

“Really?”

“No, perhaps this is the first time, now that I think about it.”

Among even the most perceptive alchemists, Hilvenzia was exceptionally keen – an asset in combat and research.

Yet when obliged to receive grooming from maids out of etiquette, she had always made an exception for her hair, disliking anyone’s touch upon it.

“Somehow, I feel sleepy…”

“You mustn’t doze off, Hilvenzia.”

Yet the gentle caress upon her now was soothing. Jaina’s soft, small hands prompted Hilvenzia to envision cotton candy.

“Jaina, do you perhaps want to eat something sweet?”

* * *

Unfortunately, the cotton candy stalls seemed to open a bit later.

So in the meantime, Hilvenzia decided to explore elsewhere with Jaina first.

“Hilvenzia, wait a moment. There’s something I wish to purchase.”

And Jaina gifted Hilvenzia a floral crown. Reasoning that since she lacked a proper crown, a flower wreath would have to suffice as the princess’s adornment.

“A crown completes the princess’s glory.”

Jaina’s personal wealth paled in comparison to Hilvenzia’s assets.

Though Hilvenzia would have preferred Jaina not spend her money, she didn’t deliberately dissuade the floral crown’s purchase.

‘For I understand all too well the sentiment behind this gift.’

The endearing sight of Jaina meticulously counting out coins from her little purse filled Hilvenzia with warmth.

The two then daintily savored shaved ice topped with syrup and fruit, as well as neatly carved steak portions.

“Delicious!”

Of course, Jaina’s petite stomach could hardly be sated by a small steak and single shaved ice serving alone.

Nearby, they purchased chicken skewers drizzled in a spicy red sauce.

Despite the tingling heat prompting coughing fits, Jaina seemed to relish the flavor, devouring skewer after skewer on the spot.

She even adeptly procured fresh fruit juices from a neighboring stall.

“Five more, please.”

And a short while later.

“Five more, please.”

Followed by:

“No, make that ten.”

The bewildered stall owner finally asked:

“Are you truly human?”

Such a reaction was expected.

However, having freely indulged at the Magic Tower, Jaina saw no need for restraint in this common marketplace setting.

“Well, this is simply part of Jaina’s inherent adorableness.”

It was an utterly doting response.

While Jaina remained singularly focused on eating, Hilvenzia ensured the necessary follow-up wasn’t neglected.

Keep your mouth shut if you wish to live.

As Hilvenzia stealthily cast a lethal glare towards the stall owner, he responded in a terrified squeak:

“…Ah, haha. Yes, of course. Truly an adorably inhuman customer.”

Once the owner resumed preparing more food for Jaina, Hilvenzia turned her gaze back towards the girl.

Munch munch.

Observing those plump, rosy cheeks busily working, Hilvenzia was struck by a thought:

‘With those chubby cheeks, she resembles a baby hamster.’

From a shorty to a squirrel, calf, tadpole, chick and various other juvenile animal monikers, Jaina had sequentially acquired an array of cute nicknames.

“It brings me joy to treat you so.”

“But this is a secret…”

Though disliking disruptions, this time Jaina leaned in with a solemn air, as if insisting she absolutely had to say something.

Seeing her sincere expression, Hilvenzia too turned serious, prompting Jaina to softly whisper in her ear:

“Even so, the food you make tastes the best.”

With her usually inexpressive face, the faint blush dusting her pale cheeks was subtle yet unmistakable.

“Of course the flavors themselves are delicious, but I can sense how considerate you are of me in every dish.”

“…And so?”

“Truly, even a simple omelet is made with my favorite ingredients as the base… Uh!”

Finding the sight utterly endearing, Hilvenzia let out a small laugh before carefully pulling Jaina into an embrace.

“Hilvenzia? I can’t breathe!”

Her petite frame, disproportionately tiny for her age, radiated a warm, comforting warmth from the nape of her neck.

“Saying such words fills me with gratitude for my culinary efforts.”

Beaming brightly at Jaina, Hilvenzia grasped her hand and began walking, mindfully shortening her strides to accommodate the girl’s diminutive height.

Pitter-patter.

As she trailed behind, Jaina asked with a sullen pout:

“Hilvenzia, why am I not growing taller?”

Squeezing Jaina’s hand reassuringly, Hilvenzia replied:

“I’ll strive to prepare even more delicious and nourishing foods to help you grow.”

Jaina then playfully swished the plush dragon tail attached to her back using her free hand – a gesture of gratitude.

“Shall I pluck off one of these tails for you?”

“If I’m to receive anything, I’d prefer the whole package.”

Hilvenzia shot her a coy, tempting glance before pinching and stretching Jaina’s chubby cheeks.

“Our Jaina is so adorable, I could just eat her up.”

“Oooh, bite the wrong dragon and you’ll need dentures.”

Releasing Jaina’s cheeks, Hilvenzia gave one a final playful poke.

“At my age, even dentures wouldn’t be out of place, would they?”

After sufficiently exploring the area, Hilvenzia suggested Jaina change into another outfit.

“Jaina. No, addressing you so plainly may not be proper.”

Then, taking in Jaina’s new attire, Hilvenzia let out an exclamation:

“Miss Tomato, how does it feel to be in the human realm?”

This time, Jaina wore a tomato-themed costume.

Donning a tomato-red beret with a green stem on top, her hair was parted into two short tails.

Too short to fall neatly, the strands stuck out adorably on either side.

Below, she wore a round, reddish tomato skirt.

Bobbing up and down as she walked, the skirt’s swaying motions formed amusing tomato shapes.