Chapter 1104 – #263_Holiday
#1098
1.
I woke up a little late.
When I see the deep blue leaves outside the window holding their breath, and the yellow and red autumn leaves falling quietly, I realize that autumn has arrived.
“Umm….”
I’ve been a little tired lately.
It’s not like I’ve been spending hot nights with Siwoo, but the softness of the feather pillow and blanket gifts me with a languid drowsiness, so I end up lazing around for quite a while before getting up.
Could it be because I have to sleep for two people by myself?
I gulp down the glass of water I left on the shelf, and as my mind clears, as if shedding a layer of skin, I say hello.
“Did you sleep well too? Sprout?”
When I stroke my bulging belly, Sprout sends a wriggling greeting, as if in reply.
Until recently, I couldn’t believe that I was carrying a new life.
My lower belly wasn’t very bulging, and other than a sudden craving for strawberries, there weren’t any other signs.
But while Siwoo was suffering, my belly became noticeably round, and recently, I even started to feel it moving.
It’s just so lovely, isn’t it?
If it’s anything like me when I was little, wouldn’t it be very active?
When a sweet and sour scent tickles my nose, I look at the shelf and see plump strawberries.
Below them is a note left by Siwoo.
[You were sleeping so soundly that I didn’t wake you. Enjoy them and tell Sprout that I love them too. I’m sorry that I can’t be by your side all the time.]
He’s not here right now, but looking at the strawberries, I can picture the expression Siwoo had when he was in the room.
He probably kissed my forehead lovingly, properly tucked in the slightly rumpled blanket, greeted Sprout gently, and washed the strawberries carefully before putting them there.
He’s such a good person, more than I deserve.
“Did Sprout say hello to Daddy?”
Being a mother is a little scary, but I’m still happy.
It’s like a miracle and amazing that this little life has come to me.
Having a child with the person you love is probably the happiest thing in the world, isn’t it?
I want to be a little lazier, but I have plans today.
I fold the grateful blanket that covered my daughter and me all night and brush my tangled hair.
I’m also going to take a warm, splashing bath.
Ms. Yebin told me to be careful not to use even a little bit of magic, as it’s unprecedented for a witch to have a baby.
A life without magic.
I, Amelia Merigold, haven’t really imagined a life where I’m not a witch, but surprisingly, I don’t feel a sense of loss.
That must be because Sprout is by my side.
-Knock knock
After a quick wash and tying up my hair, I heard a knock.
“Yes, I’m coming.”
“Amelia, good morning! I’ve heard a lot about it, but this cabin is so pretty?”
When I opened the door, Sharon was standing there with a bright smile, ready to help with today’s schedule.
At first, Sharon and I had a few misunderstandings and unnecessary provocations, and we bickered a lot.
But as we cleared up our misunderstandings and got to know each other better, I realized that she was a really good person.
She always makes the people around her laugh, she’s full of charm, and she has a kind of liveliness of the forest, you could say?
Sometimes she makes jokes or says things that I don’t understand, and I have to correct her, but she’s a good friend with many admirable qualities that I want to learn from.
“Thank you, come in. Give me one of the bags. I’ll carry it.”
“Oh, what are you talking about? Can I say hello to Sprout?”
“Of course.”
“Ooo-roo-roo! Peek-a-boo! How’s Sprout doing?”
Sharon put down the bags she was carrying and bent her knees, then excitedly stroked my lower belly.
It was a little ticklish, but I held it in.
“Mwah! Kiss kiss! I want to see you soon, our cute Sprout.”
In the past, I used to hate it when someone invaded my space, but now this level of skinship is nothing.
Sharon and I have even shared a bed before.
I taught her my role-playing know-how, and she seemed grateful for it.
I’m so happy that I can help in this way, as I’ve received so much help from her.
“Okay, then, shall we start preparing quickly?”
“Okay.”
Today’s schedule is a kind of Chuseok preparation.
Chuseok is a holiday in Siwoo’s hometown.
It’s a gathering where Siwoo, Sharon, Duke Eloa, Ms. Ruelle, Ms. Odile Odette, Ms. Dorothy, Ms. Linne, Count Geminai, and everyone else are invited to the cabin.
Sharon came to help.
We unpacked in the kitchen that Siwoo remodeled to make bread and food for the guests.
“Sharon, how’s the academy work going these days?”
“Oh, don’t even ask. I’m a secretary, but I have so much to do. I also have to prepare for the classes I’m in charge of, and I haven’t been able to sleep much lately.”
“You’re really going through a lot. I should be helping you too….”
“Oh, no, what are you talking about! Amelia, you’re playing the biggest role.”
Sharon lined up the ingredients, saying she would show off her cooking skills, and I prepared for baking next to her.
I’m not planning to make anything grand, just simple desserts to eat with tea.
“Sharon.”
“Yes?”
While we were busy cooking, I hesitated for a moment before opening my mouth.
I now know what Amelia Merigold lacks.
That’s interpersonal skills.
I’ve put in a lot of effort to overcome this weakness.
I brought in precious books that I found in the modern world and memorized them, and I trained myself to lead rich conversations by having back-and-forths in my head.
But it didn’t work out as well as I wanted.
It’s like how your feet hurt when you wear shoes that you’re not used to.
I soon found the problem.
It was that I didn’t have anyone to test the theory on.
Any witch would know that theoretical magic and practical magic are completely different fields.
Sharon is my friend, but in a way, she’s my role model.
She has a friendly personality that makes everyone like her, and she has excellent communication skills.
If I practice with her consistently, I can become a ‘popular’ mom that Sprout won’t be ashamed of, to borrow Sharon’s expression.
Okay, let’s check.
What Sharon has that Amelia doesn’t.
I’ve decided that it’s small talk.
Easing the awkward atmosphere caused by a lack of conversation, and making trivial jokes that aren’t important is what I’m worst at.
Here, small talk needs to be adjusted based on the relationship and psychological intimacy with the other person.
You can’t talk to someone you’re not close to as if they’re your best friend.
Sharon and I are really close friends, beyond being simple rivals.
To be more specific, you could say that we’re close enough to know each other’s expressions and suggestive sounds in bed, right?
So that means that this level of joke is acceptable.
“Sharon, are you bowling these days?”
“Bowling? No? I used to bowl often when I lived with Siwoo. There’s no bowling alley in Gehenna.”
When I saw Sharon tilting her head, not understanding, I was already half-expecting success.
That’s because jokes start with catching the other person off guard.
“I’m sorry. I was mistaken.”
“What were you mistaken about?”
The important thing here is to be as natural and unawkward as possible.
You should never give off the nuance that you’ve prepared in advance or that you’re trying to make the other person laugh.
That would become, to borrow Sharon’s expression, an ‘outsider’ way of speaking.
The pinnacle of small talk is a joke that comes from pure spontaneity, as if you’re throwing it out there, with a touch of nonchalance, like, ‘Huh? I didn’t say it to make you laugh?’
“I thought you had bowling balls in your chest.”
Sharon, who was cutting tofu into squares, stopped as if she had been hit by a paralysis spell.
“…Ah! That’s what you meant? Ahaha! Amelia, you’re so….”
And then she laughs belatedly.
Was it because it was too metaphorical?
It’s true that if it takes time to understand the humor, the freshness is somewhat diminished.
Even considering that Sharon has a tendency to miss the point.
But I’m still proud of myself.
“Amelia, where did you learn that?”
“From a book I bought when I went to the modern world.”
“I think… well… that book… no, never mind.”
Sharon hesitated.
This is a new reaction.
The fact that she mentioned the book means that Sharon is pretending not to be interested, but she’s actually interested in my precious book, right?
It’s my secret weapon, but I’m willing to share it with Sharon.
“Do you want to borrow it?”
“No! Really, more than that… what should I say… it should be burned….”
“Huh?”
“Never mind….”
Anyway, as we chatted and prepared diligently.
The time came.
“No, how can that be?”
“It’s right here.”
“In my opinion, Odile is right this time.”
“You always take your sister’s side!”
I could hear the voices of Ms. Odile, Ms. Odette, and Ms. Ruelle coming from afar.
The three of them are very loud, and they become boisterous when they’re together, so you can hear them from far away, even in the forest thick with cork trees.
When I opened the door and went out to greet them, I saw familiar faces.
“Vice Professor! Hello!”
“Wow! This is the cabin I’ve only heard about! The Master will be here a little later!”
The tomboyish Ms. Odile and Ms. Odette, jumping up and down as they greeted me.
“Amelia, you look good. Have you been well?”
The ever-dignified Duke Eloa.
“Blondie! Take this housewarming gift!”
Ms. Ruelle, who came with a bunch of gifts in her arms.
“It’s so peaceful, isn’t it? It’s just Linne’s style, right?”
Ms. Dorothy, with a sly smile.
“…….”
Even Ms. Linne, who is taciturn but surprisingly thoughtful.
They’re all my precious friends.
“But what is Chuseok?”
“Ugh, didn’t you do any research? It’s the Assistant’s hometown holiday.”
“We’re going to make songpyeon together and play games, it’ll be fun.”
“…Amelia. I’d like you to tell me more about pregnancy exercises.”
The once-quiet cabin is now filled with a bustling liveliness that makes it feel cramped.
So please don’t worry too much, Master.
As you said, I’m loving with all my might.
I’ve also made such wonderful friends and rivals.
I’m not lonely anymore.
I’ll write to you again next time.
One day when the leaves are beautiful, from Amelia to her beloved Master.
