The Blanchard Family boasted a garden as splendid as any other noble family. A clear, transparent pond sat in the center, surrounded by a beautifully spread flowerbed of various colors.
On a lazy afternoon, I sat facing Artasha in a pavilion on one side of the garden. In a vase on the table, the Abelia flowers I had gifted her were carefully arranged.
It had been a while since I had tea time alone with her. The luxurious pastries, which I never saw at Grandma Miranda’s tavern, emitted a savory aroma, and the elegantly decorated teacups wafted a sweet tea fragrance.
“Are you planning to go back soon?”
Artasha broke the awkward silence first.
“Yes… I have to return at dawn tomorrow.”
“I see.”
When I asked for time off, Grandma Miranda temporarily closed the tavern. She even rented a carriage to bring me here.
Though I wondered if closing the shop was necessary, Grandma Miranda mentioned she had some business in the Empire.
Part of me wanted to stay and rest forever, but the tavern couldn’t stay closed indefinitely.
“I heard you’ve been helping out at the tavern. Is it tough?”
“Not really. It was a bit hard at first… but I’ve adjusted now. I even found something I’m good at.”
“Something you’re good at?”
“Co-cooking is kind of fun…!”
Truthfully, I wanted to cook for Artasha too. Even when regular customers praised my cooking, it made me so happy. If Artasha enjoyed my cooking, how ecstatic would I be?
But I lacked confidence.
The Blanchard Family’s chefs were all highly skilled. Compared to their experienced and professional cooking, mine would seem pitiful.
Though my food was praised on the remote frontlines, in the renowned Empire, it would just be ordinary and common.
“I’d like to try your cooking sometime.”
But Artasha, as always, spoke kindly to me. Even if she didn’t have high expectations, she still cared for me.
“Yes…! If you’re okay with it, I’ll definitely cook for you!”
“…Artasha.”
Artasha gazed at me for a moment. Her narrowed eyes made me wonder if I had made a mistake.
“You don’t call me ‘Mother’ anymore.”
“Huh?”
“I consider you my daughter, but have I not been accepted as your mother yet?”
“N-no, that’s not it…!”
“Then why don’t you call me ‘Mother’ anymore?”
“W-well… because of the mistakes I’ve made towards you…!”
Artasha placed her hand on my head. As she gently stroked my hair, a tender smile bloomed on her face.
It was such a beautiful and radiant smile that I could only stare in awe.
“Daughter. Can you call me ‘Mother’?”
Daughter.
A term parents use for their child. Could there be a word that resonates deeper in the heart?
A term I hadn’t heard since my father left in my past life. Artasha called me that.
Artasha waited quietly for my response, watching me intently. After fidgeting with my lips for a while, I managed to squeak out a tiny voice.
“M-mother…”
Artasha nodded softly, seemingly satisfied.
“Haha, that’s right, daughter. You can call me ‘Mother’ if you want.”
“I-I’ll do that when I feel more comfortable…”
My heart was pounding.
I couldn’t sit still and fidgeted with the teacup. The violently shaking tea surface seemed to reflect my anxious heart.
“Haha, alright.”
Her hand gently stroked my head again.
It was such a warm touch, one I hadn’t felt in so long. Part of me wanted to stay under this warmth and live a spoiled life forever.
But I must not forget.
I am a sinner who must not be happy.
“Then stay over tonight. I’ve been cleaning your room regularly.”
“Really…?”
“Your home is here, after all.”
“……Thank you.”
It was a heartwarming statement.
After that, Mother and I quietly exchanged updates about each other.
Mother was still busy with family affairs.
I was worried. Knowing her personality, once she holed up in the office, she wouldn’t move until sunset.
Sitting in one place for too long isn’t good for health.
In the past, I would visit her and take walks together, but now, even that time was gone, making me concerned for her health.
We also talked about various other things. The latest happenings in the social circle, the Empire’s financial situation, and so on. Even if the conversation lulled, I forced topics to keep talking with Mother.
How much time had passed?
A strange sensation rose from my lower abdomen, making my body twitch.
“Are you okay?”
Mother looked at me with a worried expression.
“Ah, well…”
I bit my lip under her expectant gaze. My face flushed with embarrassment as I hesitated to speak.
But I couldn’t delay any longer.
“Um… can I go to the restroom…?”
My waist twitched, and my legs kept clenching.
A clear signal of a physiological need.
I had needed to go for a while, but I held it in to talk with Mother a bit longer. But now, my body was sending constant signals that I couldn’t hold it any longer.
“Didn’t you just go a while ago?”
“W-well… you see…”
“I know. Don’t be embarrassed.”
“Huh?”
“I heard about the inscription the Saintess placed on you. And what she did to you. It’s not your fault. I must have been inconsiderate to keep you here so long.”
Mother stood up and extended her hand to me. I cautiously took her hand and stood up.
As I rose, the signals from my lower abdomen grew stronger. My legs trembled under the intense stimulation.
I had held it in until it became this urgent. I must have really wanted to talk with Mother more.
“It seems urgent.”
Though it was a situation that could have been met with disdain, Mother simply smiled softly, understanding everything.
“I’ll take you there. Follow me slowly.”
“Ah, um… that’s…”
“Don’t refuse. I’m happy to do this for my daughter.”
“……”
Afraid of making a mistake if I went alone, I decided to accept her help.
Holding Mother’s hand, I slowly walked towards the mansion’s interior. With each step, the signals from my lower abdomen grew stronger.
But after enduring the patience-testing walk, I finally reached the restroom. Mother let go of my hand and quietly stepped back.
“Haha, can my daughter handle this alone?”
“M-mother!”
My face burned hot. Sometimes, Mother played these mischievous pranks.
Overwhelmed by shame, I hurried into the restroom and slammed the door shut.
“Ugh, ah…”
Leaning against the door, I let out a suppressed groan. My trembling legs protested as if they couldn’t hold it any longer.
But I knew.
Despite the urgency, it wouldn’t be fully relieved.
For the past few months, I hadn’t been able to properly relieve myself. Even after going, a lingering sensation often remained.
It was because of Lillian’s successful conditioning.
Now, unless someone pressed on my lower abdomen, I couldn’t properly relieve myself. I had become a pitiful body.
I could never ask Grandma Miranda. She would surely look down on me, saying she couldn’t even relieve herself properly.
But with Artasha, I thought she might kindly help even with such shameful matters.
I hated having to make such a request, but if I didn’t, I’d have to endure this discomfort for months.
‘Just once… if I could just properly relieve myself once…’
It was really embarrassing, but just once…
Artasha might help, just once…
As my body grew more anxious, my rationality faded. Logical judgment blurred, and my body’s instinct to relieve itself took over.
Finally, I opened the restroom door. On the other side, Mother’s eyes met mine, filled with curiosity.
“Tina? Are you done?”
“Ah, no… well, my body’s not feeling well…”
“What?!”
Mother rushed to me in a panic. Her frantic hands, full of worry, caressed my body.
“Wh-where does it hurt? Did you get hurt? Or are you feeling sick?”
“M-mother… well…”
“Don’t hesitate, tell me, daughter.”
Seeing her eyes filled with love and devotion, I felt certain.
Mother might help me with this.
I grabbed Mother’s pinky and slowly pulled her.
Despite her larger frame, she was easily led into the restroom by my hand.
I gently closed the restroom door and looked up at Mother.
“Um… can you help me…?”
“I’ll help with anything. Tell me.”
“W-well… it’s not usually like this… but my body can’t relieve itself on its own…”
“Huh?”
Mother looked at me in confusion.
I gently took her hand and lifted my skirt, placing her middle finger just below my navel.
“Can you press here…?”
“Uh…?”
Mother’s finger traced a circle. Her pale finger rubbed against my even paler lower abdomen.
“Ah…”
“D-daughter…”
Just that sensation alone made the accumulated itchiness feel like it would burst.
“Here… can you press with your hand…?”
My face, reflected in Mother’s transparent eyes, was bright red.
Of course, it was natural. I had ended up making such a request to Mother.
Yes, so it was natural for my face to be red.
“Here… press here…?”
But strangely enough.
Mother’s face was also turning red.
Why was that?
