Faced with FrostNova’s proposal, Alina didn’t immediately agree.
She thought for a moment, and after noticing Talulah wink at her, she finally made her choice.
“Then, tonight I’ll leave Little Griseo in your care, Miss Yelena.” “Mm.” FrostNova nodded lightly and gave a faint smile.
“After receiving a child’s gift, helping to look after her is only natural.” With that brief discussion settling Griseo’s arrangements for the night, everyone sat back down and resumed their evening chat.
However, with an extra “clingy little one” added to the mix, FrostNova didn’t linger as usual.
She chose to leave early.
As she carefully carried Griseo toward her own quarters, a gust of cold wind swept past, scattering light snowflakes.
Instinctively, FrostNova used her wide cloak to shield the child in her arms.
The stark contrast between the biting cold brushing her face and the soft warmth in her arms made her pause, stirring a ripple of emotion in her heart.
So… I still crave warmth, huh?
Thinking this, FrostNova tightened her hold on Griseo slightly, her eyes reflecting a trace of complexity.
She had thought she’d grown used to the cold, used to avoiding contact with others, used to her illness… but when warmth touched her again, her self-deception shattered.
She still wanted to embrace someone… to live a normal, healthy life.
She just didn’t want to hurt anyone, didn’t want to worry her family… and simply had no choice.
This world… has never been fair.
But that’s exactly why they’ve all gathered together… … Even though FrostNova realized she still longed for a warm embrace, after bringing the little cutie back to her room, she no longer touched her.
Even when she finished washing up and settled into bed, she used the blanket to separate her cold body from Griseo’s warmth.
Although the child was extraordinary and not afraid of the cold, people were always more vulnerable while asleep.
A brief touch was fine, but FrostNova worried that if she indulged in the warmth, she might inadvertently give Griseo a chill.
That would truly be a sin… With that thought, Miss Yelena relaxed and slowly closed her eyes.
————————— As time passed, even though Talulah had stayed a while, it was eventually time to say goodbye and go rest.
It was already late, and both of them had missions to complete the next day.
After bidding farewell to the Snowpriests, the two didn’t separate immediately but walked together for a short distance.
“Is it really okay for tonight?” Alina asked softly, a bit hesitant, as they walked slightly ahead.
Talulah thought she was concerned about Griseo and gave her a reassuring blink.
“Don’t worry.
With Yelena here, she’s actually very attentive.” “Mm?
I’m not worried about that, Talulah,” Alina said, shaking her head gently.
“I’m just wondering… is it okay for Little Griseo to spend the night with us?” “I actually thought she’d return tonight, but she ended up falling asleep right in Yelena’s arms.” Honestly, after witnessing Griseo’s impressive teleportation ability, Alina never expected the child to stay overnight.
No matter how you looked at it, compared to the shop with its luxury, comfortable temperature, and entertainment facilities, the camp was far too simple… “There’s nothing to worry about.
She’s only staying one night with us.
The fact that no one came to pick her up already says enough.” Talulah smiled and comforted her friend.
“And maybe the little one will go back on her own tomorrow.” “So instead of worrying about that, dear Teacher Alina, why not help me think about what gift to give?
We haven’t solved that question yet, have we?” “…You’re right.” Recalling the tricky gift dilemma, Alina fell silent for a moment before nodding.
It wasn’t really her fault or Talulah’s for feeling stumped.
Even the entire Reunion Movement didn’t have many items suitable as gifts… The main point was that unlike Yelena, who exchanged small tokens casually, this was meant to be a true gesture of gratitude for saving her life.
Even knowing Griseo would gladly accept whatever they gave, they still wanted to offer something good or appropriate.
————————— Late at night— “…” Perhaps because she had gone to sleep earlier, Griseo, a little restless in a strange bed, awoke groggily in the middle of the night.
Rubbing her eyes, she opened her small mouth for a silent yawn.
Accustomed to the dark, she squinted and saw the person beside her.
The yawn nearly went back in, startled.
Mm… spending the night at the Reunion Movement camp was unexpected enough, but why was she sleeping with Yelena?
Griseo had assumed that even if she slept, she’d probably be with Alina… If she remembered correctly, she wasn’t very familiar with FrostNova yet.
Though confused, the thought didn’t last long.
Sleepiness soon returned, making her eyes droop again.
Yet she didn’t immediately fall asleep, remembering something.
The little loli reached toward the space between herself and FrostNova.
Finding no warmth, she frowned.
Then, forcing back her sleepiness, she rolled over to FrostNova’s side, gently hugging her and burying her little face in the cold embrace.
Even if it wouldn’t cause frostbite, Griseo generally disliked sleeping next to a chilly person outside of summer.
But she couldn’t just leave FrostNova cold.
After all, she had eaten FrostNova’s candy… that made her a friend.
Thinking that, Griseo snuggled closer.
Hurry and warm up, “big ice cube”… “…” Unnoticed by the sleeping Griseo, the “big ice cube” in her arms opened her eyes.
FrostNova gazed at her with a complex expression for a long moment before slowly closing them again.
★ ★ ★ T/N: If you spot mistranslation, do tell me!
★ ★ ★ Shilling time!