Chapter 35 - Breaking the Ice

Heading down to the basement storage, Rhema roughly recalled the dolls he had ever seen. It seemed the teddy bear was the most common. It must be the best to go with the most common shape since he did not know Azriel’s taste. He searched the basement storage. Among the random piles of fabrics in the corner, there were ones that could make someone who knew their values drop his jaw. Rhema picked up one of the precious fabrics purely based on color and texture. It was an extremely high-priced civet fox fur that was used for noble women’s scarves because of its vanilla scent. He picked it because its light brown color resembling a well-baked cookie seemed to be a common teddy bear color and it had a soft texture.

One was bound to learn miscellaneous skills when living a long life alone. He cut the fur proficiently, drew a design, and enchanted a needle. In an instant, quite a huge shape of a teddy bear was formed. He filled it with cotton and made its eyes and nose with black diamonds that he found after rummaging through a box on one side of the storage. After doing so, it looked like a decent teddy bear.

Compared to the unimaginable cost of its materials, its appearance was quite normal. At a feeling of something missing, Rhema looked into the bear and took out some red silk. He put a bow on the bear’s neck with it. Following that, he cast a few magic spells that were simple according to his standards. Lastly, he embroidered a name on the bear’s foot.

He placed the bear, which had just been made, in Azriel’s arms, who had just fallen asleep. The teddy bear that had a suitable temperature by magic smelled like vanilla due to the fur material that he used. Azriel hugged the bear tightly as she tossed around in her sleep. The child’s fingernails above the bear were clean and pretty pink. The trace of bleeding after being distorted and cracked was nowhere to be seen. It was a peaceful and lovely sight. With a satisfactory feeling, he stroked the girl’s hair and left the room.

*

The sweet scent of vanilla repeatedly tickled the tip of Azriel’s nose. She opened her eyes even before the cats came in. She was surprised to find a teddy bear, which she had never seen, in her arms.

“Huh?” She sat up and lifted up the bear. It was a little big for her to hug. “What is this…?”

Some words were embroidered on the bear’s foot. She read it slowly. ‘To Azriel Esthera, From Rhema Reshith’ Something lumpy rose within her and filled her whole heart. Her swollen heart was light as a butterfly. Azriel hugged the bear tightly. Laughter automatically burst out and filled her whole body.

*

The next day, Rhema unusually showed up for breakfast. He, who was focusing only on his food as usual, suddenly noticed that Azriel’s eyes were looking at the floating spirit. It was cleaning the kitchen.

“Is there anything you want to know about the spirit?”

Azriel was startled. Their mealtimes had always been quiet. It was the first time that a conversation took place. She hesitated for a little and pulled up some courage to ask a question. “Well, does the spirit not have a name? Everyone has a name… a, and… is it a boy or girl?”

It was a question Rhema had not expected. He was preparing to talk about how to create spirits, the origin of spirits and definition, or the purpose of spirits. He, whose eyes were widened at an unexpected question, let out a low laugh. When he laughed, Azriel lowered her blushed face. “Spirits don’t have a gender by nature. As for the name, I didn’t name it, so it doesn’t have a name.”

“Why doesn’t it have a name?”

“That is not a spirit born in nature, but an artificial spirit that I created. So, it doesn’t have a proper personality at the moment. I didn’t name it because it will bear personality if I name it.”

“Is it a bad thing to have a personality?”

“No, it’ll just be bothersome.”

Azriel vacantly opened her mouth. Rhema continued his meal and spoke as if he just thought of an idea. “I’m going to visit the city after the meal since I have something to buy.”

“Oh, uhhh, have a nice trip.” It was also his first time to tell her about his schedule. It felt like living together at last. Looking at the girl who responded to him shyly, Rhema asked a sudden question. “Do you want to come with me by any chance?”

She lifted her head so quickly that he could hear her movement. Her round eyes sparkled with curiosity. He loved those eyes so much that he regretted not asking her sooner.“Well, can I do that?”

“Of course. Come to think of it, you’ve never gone out of the fence since you came to this house.”

“Can, can I go outside…?”

“Don’t go outside alone. There are no monsters in the woods, but it’s dangerous. You can go out as much as you want if you take any one of Largo, Noir, or Blanchet with you.”

Azriel’s face was filled with thrill. Her small head nodded in a rush. “Okay! Okay! I won’t go alone! Thank you… Rhe, Rhema.”

“Very well. Go change and come out after the meal.” Rhema, who finished his meal early, stroked the girl’s head gently as he stood up. To him, it was an involuntary action. However, to Azriel, it was the first tenderness she felt from an adult. Her cheeks were reddened. “Eat slowly. I’ll be waiting.” Rhema left the kitchen. Azriel tried to touch her head that he stroked and ended up hitting a cup with her elbow. The cup, which was tipping over, was fortunately stopped by the spirit that was going around nearby.