Diana carried Arthas under her arm, darting through the dense forest like a gust of wind.
Each stride of her long legs covered great distances, the surrounding trees rapidly receding behind her.
Originally, she had intended to rush straight to the white palace towering at the island’s highest point, to report this “trouble that fell from the sky” to her mother Hippolyta.
However, the restless little thing in her arms had no intention of cooperating with her plan.
Arthas’s two small hands clung tightly to the bracers on Diana’s arms, his head wriggling back and forth under her arm before finally managing to poke out with great effort.
He blinked his large, watery eyes, looking up pitifully at Diana’s tense jawline.
“Mommy…” He let out an extremely faint sound, like that of a starving kitten.
“I’m really so hungry…” “My tummy’s rumbling, listen…” As he spoke, he deliberately pressed his flat little belly against Diana’s arm.
“Grrrrumble—” That uncooperative stomach very fittingly emitted a long growl, the sound reverberating in Diana’s ears, making the hairs on her arms stand on end.
Diana’s sprinting steps came to an abrupt halt.
She lowered her head, looking at the little fellow in her arms.
Arthas was currently looking up at her, his face full of expectation, his eyes brimming with a longing for food and a kind of unreserved dependence.
Just like a stray puppy that had finally found its owner.
Diana felt as if her heart had been struck hard by something; that emotion called “maternal love” or “protective instinct” surged forth like a broken dam.
Though she was a battle-hardened warrior, though she was the proud Amazon Princess.
But first and foremost, she was a woman.
Faced with such an adorable, exquisitely crafted, well-behaved, soft little cutie who called her Mommy, who could harden their heart?
At any rate, Diana couldn’t.
She took a deep breath; her previously resolute intention to dump Arthas on her mother for handling instantly wavered.
“Sigh…” Diana let out a long sigh, the helplessness practically overflowing.
She changed direction, her pace also slowing down, no longer in that forced-march posture but becoming much steadier.
“I really owe you one.” She reached out and gently tapped Arthas’s little nose, the movement incredibly soft.
“Don’t call me Mommy.” Though there was still a hint of protest in her tone, anyone could hear the affection within.
“I’ve told you so many times, I’m still young, I haven’t…
ahem, anyway, you’re not allowed to call me that.” “I’ll take you to get something to eat first.” “If you starve, I won’t be able to explain it when Mother holds me accountable later.” She had found herself the perfect excuse.
Hearing there was food, Arthas’s eyes instantly lit up like two little stars.
He nodded vigorously, his head bobbing like a chicken pecking at rice.
“Got it!” He chirped in agreement.
“Mommy is so nice!” This “Mommy” was uttered even more smoothly and sweetly than before.
Diana’s hand trembled, almost dropping Arthas.
She widened her eyes, looking down at this unrepentant little fellow.
“Didn’t I just say you’re not allowed to call me that?!” Arthas blinked his eyes innocently.
“Huh?
But…
but I’m used to it.” He tilted his head, stating matter-of-factly.
“And if you give me food, that means you’re raising me like a child, and that makes you Mommy.” The logic was simply flawless.
Diana opened her mouth, only to find she couldn’t refute it.
She could only sigh helplessly again, hoisting Arthas up a bit to let him sit more comfortably.
Forget it, feed him first, then talk.
Maybe his mind will clear up once he’s full.
The two of them thus made their way towards Diana’s Private Chambers.
Along the way, to correct Arthas’s form of address, Diana exhausted her ingenuity.
As she walked, she patiently coaxed and persuaded, like a kindergarten teacher.
“Look, I seem very young, right?” Diana pointed to her own face, which had no wrinkles to speak of.
“Someone this young and pretty should generally be called ‘Big Sister’.” “Calling me Big Sister sounds so nice, it shows we’re close and makes me seem young.” Arthas lay on her shoulder, playing with a strand of her hair, listening absentmindedly.
“Mhm mhm, young.” He nodded perfunctorily.
“Then, young and pretty Mommy.” A vein bulged on Diana’s forehead.
“Drop the ‘Mommy’ part!” “Then…
young and pretty…” Arthas drew out his words, seemingly pondering.
“Young and pretty Mother?” Diana nearly stumbled.
Was this kid doing it on purpose?
He absolutely was, right?!
With the door to her Private Chambers now in sight, the address issue remained unresolved.
Diana stopped, setting Arthas down.
She crouched, placing both hands on Arthas’s little shoulders, bringing her gaze level with his.
This time, she put on a stern face, adopting a serious expression.
Though there was still no real menace in her eyes, at least it looked somewhat convincing.
“Listen, kid.” Diana raised a finger, wagging it in front of Arthas.
“This is my turf.” “If you dare call me ‘Mommy’ one more time, I’ll immediately have all the food taken away.” “No roasted meat, no fruit, not even a sip of water.” “You’ll just have to go hungry and watch me eat.” This was the trump card.
For a little foodie whose stomach was growling with hunger, there was no threat more terrifying than “no food”.
Sure enough, hearing this, Arthas’s perpetually grinning little face instantly froze.
He stood there dumbfounded, his two eyes wide open, seemingly unable to believe that this seemingly so gentle big sister could be so “cruel”.
No food?
That wouldn’t do!
In Asgard, even when he was punished by Father for misbehaving and made to stand in the corner, Mommy Frigga would secretly slip him snacks.
This threat was too deadly.
Arthas pursed his lips, his eyes darting around twice.
A wise man knows better than to fight when the odds are against him.
For the sake of his stomach, he’d endure!
After all, a name is just a label.
He took a deep breath, adjusting his expression.
The next second, that previously stunned little face transformed as if by magic, instantly blooming into a smile brighter than sunshine.
Arthas took a step forward, stretched out his two little arms, and hugged Diana’s neck.
He rubbed his cheek against Diana’s face, calling out in a soft, sweet voice: “Big Sister~” “Pretty Big Sister~” “The most beautiful Diana Big Sister in the whole universe~” The voice was so sweet it could practically drip honey.
Coupled with that proactive hug, that adorable cheek-rubbing gesture.
Diana felt a jolt of electricity shoot from the top of her head straight down to her feet.
Her heart instantly melted into a puddle.
That feigned stern expression didn’t even last a second, instantly crumbling.
The corners of her tightly pressed mouth curved upwards uncontrollably, and finally, unable to hold back, she broke into a wide, beaming smile.
“Hahahaha!” The laughter was hearty and joyful, brimming with genuine delight.
“That’s more like it!” “Is your little mouth coated in honey?
How do you know just what to say?” She scooped Arthas up in her arms and gave his cheek a big kiss.
“Come on!
Big Sister will take you for a feast!”