Lately, during my brother’s dinner time, I’ve often been allowed to play in the dining hall, which has led to more interactions with everyone in the household.
With Mother showing signs of recovery, the time I can spend with her after dinner has grown longer, and I’ve been able to enjoy more moments nestled in her arms.
Nothing compares to being held by Mother—it’s truly something special.
I feel a little sorry for my brother and Bettina, but the comfort is, by far, second to none.
I sincerely hope these moments continue to increase from now on.
One evening during dinner, Bettina suggested we should consider better heating for Rudolf’s Room.
The dining hall and Mother’s Room both have fireplaces which were kept burning gently throughout the day but in other rooms, it seems you have to bring in brazier-like heaters as needed.
Still, this household is so destitute that even I, a mere baby, can feel it in my bones.
We need to keep heating costs as low as possible.
Knowing this, Bettina still argued that it was too sad to put a baby into a cold bed.
“If that’s the case, why not have Rudolf sleep in my room with me?” my brother suggested offhandedly.
Everyone’s eyes widened at his proposal.
It was quite a bold idea, overturning the common notion that noble children should each have their own room.
That was one reason for the surprise.
The other—
“Wolf-sama, your attitude toward Rudolf-sama has completely turned around, hasn’t it?” Bettina remarked bluntly, voicing what everyone was surely thinking.
After all, not even half a month ago, he hadn’t wanted to be in the same room as me.
“I’m just thinking about saving on heating costs,” my brother grumbled, snorting.
The staff exchanged fond smiles and made no objection.
Here, frugality outweighs noble customs.
Of course, we do consider appearances to outsiders, but things like children’s sleeping arrangements are hardly a concern in that regard.
When I met with Mother, my brother joined us once and the proposal was approved by her as well.
And so, when Bettina came out of Mother’s Room and was handing me off to my brother in the dining hall, Westa came in from the back entrance, looking troubled.
“I’m sorry, Wolf-sama.”
“What is it?”
“While I was locking up the back door, Zam slipped outside.”
“I see.” He pondered a moment, then glanced down at me on his knee.
I gave a small nod, and my brother nodded in return.
“Well, he was a wild animal to begin with, so it shouldn’t be an issue. If he wants to, he’ll come back, and I doubt he’ll freeze outside. You can just lock up as usual.”
“Understood.”
The only worry is if Zam sneaks into the Village and causes a commotion, but I doubt he’d break a rule once it’s been explained to him.
Besides, by this time, all the villagers should be asleep, and it’s highly unlikely anyone would be out so late.
That night, for the third time—including the night we first met—I slept snuggled up in my brother’s bed.
It felt a little embarrassing for some reason, but there was no denying it was warm and I slept soundly.
In the morning, Bettina came to wake us both, and I changed clothes right there.
Since the dining hall is the warmest room, it’s become a routine to go down with my brother afterward.
As soon as we arrived, Westa reported, “Zam has come back.”
“I was relieved to find him sitting just outside the back door when I woke up this morning, but I was shocked—his mouth and chest were all bloody. He wasn’t injured, so I was relieved, but still…”
“So, he must’ve eaten a rabbit or some other animal,” my brother replied.
“That’s what I think, too.”
“I see. So his reason for going out at night was to hunt in the Forest.”
For the past two days, we’d learned that Zam would eat Goroimo as well as rabbit innards, so both had become part of his meals.
Since innards are limited, even just the potatoes seemed fine by him—he showed no sign of complaint.
If I interpret it kindly, it’s as if he’s saying, “I’ll get meat myself, so just give me potatoes on regular days.”
From the back of the manor, there’s a bit of a slope down to a wide river, with the Forest on the other side.
Because of the river and the lack of a proper path, no one from here goes into the Forest, and wild rabbits don’t come in either.
But Zam can cross it, apparently.
It seems far more practical for him than climbing over the protective fences.
Westa wiped off the blood for him, and now he’s curled up, content, in his bed in the Martial Arts Room.
“If he wants to go out again, I suppose it’s fine to just let him,” my brother concluded.
Everyone agreed.
Just to be safe, we checked later, and there were no signs of trouble in the Village.
That was a relief.
That day, as planned, things proceeded on a different schedule than usual.
The manor was abuzz with preparations for the Doctor’s scheduled house-call, expected before noon.
Henrik headed to the Village for a Forest survey.
Vessel-sensei’s tutoring was canceled for the day.
Since the Martial Arts Room would be used for the villagers’ examinations, Zam was moved upstairs to my room.
A bit after the ninth hour in the morning, the Doctor arrived with his young assistant.
They’d left at dawn, since it was a six-hour carriage ride from the neighboring domain.
First, the Doctor examined Mother in her bedroom.
Then, I was brought in for my own checkup.
Mother was told that her anemia had improved considerably, which brightened her spirits and made me happy to see.
Afterward, it was time for the villagers’ examinations, with a break for lunch in between.
Since both my brother, Isberga, and Bettina were busy helping with arrangements, I spent the time waiting in Mother’s room, nestled against her chest.
It was an unexpected, blissful moment.
Intent on savoring the comfort to my heart’s content, I ended up so relaxed that I enjoyed a rare midday nap.
Honestly, it’s a bit frustrating.
In the evening, we saw off the Doctor and his assistant.
Around the time my brother’s dinner began, Henrik returned home.
To hear today’s reports all together, Mother called my brother and Henrik to her room after dinner.
She also told my brother to bring me along.
Mother was sitting on the long couch, and she smiled happily as she took me from my brother’s arms.
“Until recently, just holding Rudolf for a bit would exhaust me, but now I can do it without worry. It’s thanks to you, Wolf, Henrik, and everyone else.”
“Nearly all of this is the result of Wolf-sama’s efforts these past weeks. The staff and villagers have become so much brighter, too,” Henrik added.
“Yes. Wolf, you’ve really done well. Mother is truly proud of you.”
“Thank you,” my brother replied, looking a bit embarrassed as he bowed his head.
He glanced at me for a moment—no doubt thinking of me.
But as far as rewards go, this is enough for me.
I don’t need praise.
Even if they offered money or food as a reward, it wouldn’t mean anything to me now.
Nothing could ever compare to the comfort of Mother’s embrace.
Is there a happiness greater than this?
No, there isn’t.
As I was about to drift off into dreamland, the reports from the two of them began.