“Thank you for caring, Ekaterina, there is no one in the world who I can think of who could love someone as sincere as you do. How lucky I am to have a sister as wonderful as you. It is hard not having you by my side, but I will bear your absence, knowing that you cared for me even in my dreams. Please travel safely with a happy heart and come home soon.”
“Big Brother, I love Big Brother because he is the nicest person I know, and if Big Brother wants me to return soon, I will do as you ask. If Big Brother wants to come back soon, I will do as he asks, so please wait for him, and be healthy and well.”
Putting her arms around her brother, Ekaterina returned the embrace.
Ekaterina responded to her brother’s wish for a safe journey by saying that she would do exactly as he asked.
She had no way of knowing at the time that she would have to do well on that promise.
***
Next morning.
Ekaterina woke up pleasantly, and as Mina helped her get dressed, she told her that she had given the blue rose hair ornament as a gift last night. She also mentioned that the other party was the Maiden of Death and the God of Death.
She wondered whether to tell Mina, since it was a rather toned-down story, but she had to explain to Mina why the hair ornament was missing. And with Mina on the other end of the line, there was no way she could cover it up.
I decided that the best thing to do was being honest about it. Of course, I kept the details to a minimum, and did not mention the Creator God or reincarnation.
“I was supposed to wear it when I went to the mountain temple to pray, but somehow excuse me.”
As expected, Mina was crestfallen for a while.
“Young Lady… I can’t believe I wasn’t by your side when you met such a dangerous being.”
She seemed so angry at herself for being put to sleep and not being able to deal with the intruder that a pale flame could almost be seen.
“They were wonderful people. It was a divine summon, and Mina couldn’t have done anything.”
“Young Lady seems to be in somewhat of a good mood this morning.”
At Mina’s words, Ekaterina smiled quickly.
“Yes, I was given a pleasant dream after that, I met Big Brother!”
Later, before breakfast, Aurora gave me time to tell her about my meeting with Selene, the Maiden of Death. She said she was delighted to have spoken to the gentle woman.
Aurora was left speechless often, but she seemed to believe me. She then nodded when I told her that Selene was sad that she could not touch the flowers and that she would be pleased if the Forest People carved flowers and offered them as wood carvings, which they were good at.
“If they were pleased with the offering, it would lessen their regrets. I will tell everyone about it.”
After breakfast together, Aurora gave us many souvenirs. Elegant wooden tableware, beautifully dyed cloths made from plants and trees, and even a smelling bag sachet that smelled as fresh as lemon grass.
“We, too, have to buy some things from outside, such as knives and salt. If these things can be used to make money, we would be truly grateful.”
“I would be happy to be of service. Even if it becomes a business, we will consult Aurora-sama and Forli-sama to ensure that it does not disturb the livelihood of the forest people.
Aurora smiled at Ekaterina’s words.
“Thank you. I am very impressed with such thoughtfulness at such a young age.”
Ahhhh.
Sorry for being a fraud~.
The Forest People, who had been friendly to Ekaterina during the night she stayed, though they did not speak to her, all waved farewell to her at the end of the stay.
