Chapter 68: Festival with Vivienne (IV).
Kein's POV
"How are you liking the goggles?!" I yelled through the air as Vivienne holds down Vanilla's white mane looking at the distance with no fear at all. She was nodding her head steadily while I made sure she was buckled up properly into the saddle, fearing that she might fall.
I'm a bit surprised, usually kids her age would cry when seeing high places but she's just enjoying every bit of the ride.
"You are one brave kid that's for sure!" I told her, I couldn't stop myself from patting her head right for a bit before holding onto the leash tightly. "Hold on tight for a bit! Hyah!"
Vanilla neighs getting my command to fly a bit faster, but not so much that it'll fling us away. Vivienne was enjoying everything, being able to look left and right without hurting her eyes seemed to have made her love flying.
There were so many magical birds flying with us as well, from colorful peaceful ones that don't attack humans and if there were any Vanilla would make sure to take the safer route avoiding them.
Soon, we arrived at the academy that was built near the capital and the orphanage. You could say it was in the middle of between those two, if students could take a public carriage ride it would only cost about fifteen minutes of their time and about three silver coins of fee.
I have made Peter make a small runway for anyone that would be coming here using a Pegasus as their ride, it really helped making a smooth landing and Vanilla managed to land without making any rough movements.
"Vanilla, good girl." I told her and she neighs happily, looking in our direction.
Vivienne seeing that we've finally landed she takes off her goggles with a little sound of struggling before she could take it off, "Puh!" when she did she looks around the runway that had a huge space for playing around in.
"Gwood girl! Vwanilla the best!" She hugs the neck and Vanilla wags her tail looking happy because right after the little girl's compliment, she reaches her head out to Vivienne and licks her face. "Hehehe! Gwood girl!" (Vivienne) holds on her hand and cups Vanilla's face.
"Ah! Vanilla! No, I don't have any spare clothes for Vivienne! Take it easy on the licking..." I quickly got down from the saddle and pushed Vanilla's smiling head away from Vivienne. She neighs angrily in retort but we just got here and I don't want her covered up in Pegasus saliva.
I took out a clean handkerchief from my [Storage Ring] and wiped all the saliva out of her face. Jeez, I have told this Pegasus several times that her saliva doesn't wash out as easily as other animals do. "But I guess this is better than wyvern saliva back then..."
I remembered being inside the wyvern's stomach when we accompanied Rose to the [Winshern Kingdom] to meet that crossdressing prince of a fiancé who turned out to be a woman. It was my first time fighting a low based dragon but thankfully that hero came around to help and just sliced that thing in half.
The Hero Avery really took me by surprise seeing that she can use some OP skill called [Scan]. Every title that came with it was horrible on me! I would argue that some of it was not even true.
I still have the wyvern flame stored over at my cursed sword, I could sell that for a hefty price.
Speaking of which, I told her she can visit me any time in my estate, hopefully she doesn't visit now to speak about my concern of needing to hire her right now when I'm out of the estate.
"Uwahhh nwo more! Mama!" (Vivienne) tries pushing my hand away that was wiping her right cheek.
She wasn't willing to hold still so I used a little force the next time I wiped, "Hold still I'm not done yet..." I ordered but as expected from a child she tried dodging my hand.
I was so busy wiping her face that I was late to realize someone's presence was already behind me. "We have been expecting you, milady." a familiar voice called out to me and my ears perked up from it.
Why is he here?
"Ellis Regan? Well I'll be... and hearing you call me milady feels weird after a while of not seeing each other." I turned around to see the smiling expression of Ellis Regan. His black ivory hair stood out and his purple eyes welcomed me unexpectedly.
This is my cousin Lenard Yulien's lover. From when we were children when I left the estate he's the one who took care of my elder cousin when I wasn't around and I was grateful for it. Being dragged by Lenard's escapade from sending me books monthly and visiting me in person he was there.
I smiled at him waving but I noticed something peculiar. Why is he in the new academy and wearing casual commoner clothing, he's not in his usual servant uniform assigned by the Yulien House.
A servant from the Yulien family should be back at the estate and not here-
"What are you doing here Ellis? And why are you not in your uniform- aren't you helping my elder cousin back home at Aunt Haren's?" I laughed remembering my aunt and her horrible shitty attitude. If I even step back inside there I would have my head chewed out before I get home.
I did think about going there to ask about Vivienne but it won't be needed anymore.
Ellis smiles sadly at me which made me raise my eyebrows. "Did you and Lenard fight again? Don't tell me you borrowed his favorite book and forgot to return it-"
"Milady... I think it's better if your cousin explains everything that has happened, in the past few weeks at least." He cut me off, he was still smiling but now that I look at his figure more closely he looks tired and Ellis seemed to have lost some weight under those clothes.
"What happened, Ellis? Is Lenard okay?! Where is he? I need to see him." I quickly took Vivienne into my arms seeing that she still have no shoes and the ground will be dirty for her to walk on.
She looked confused as to why I grabbed her so suddenly but I made sure I was gentle and didn't hurt the girl.
"Oh! Who's this- hold on she's really adorable. Has anyone told you she looks exactly like you?" (Ellis) turns to Vivienne and waves his hand saying hi. Vivienne waves back a little shy at first but after a few side glances she started getting comfortable with Ellis' presence.
"About a hundred times already. Father, you, Alfred, Lord Ein and the whole royal family at this point." I complained, remembering that everyone I came in contact with had to at least point out that Vivienne is my daughter.
"Hmm... Is this a secret love child you made with one of your flings in [Sprivanto] using that ritual to produce babies-" (Ellis) assumed and I immediately stopped him.
"I swear if that's how the rumors will go I will not be safe. I rescued Vivienne in one of the ruined villages on my trip back home." I placed a hand to my waist feeling the weight of the rumors.
At this point I have a reputation for being interested in only women and clearly someone is taking advantage of that by just telling people I'm playing with women. Well I am not!
"Oh! Your name is Vivienne! Delighted to meet you, young miss. My name is Ellis Regan, you're quite lovely." (Ellis) tried buttering up to Vivienne and this little blonde headed girl was falling for it."
"Hehe... Hewwo!" (Vivienne) waves energetically once more and Ellis seemed to be enjoying talking with her.
He takes a fruit from his [Storage Ring] and presents it to Vivienne. "It's not much but its a gift of welcome."
"Wahhh-" her eyes shimmered when Ellis presented the fruit. Her lips made a little sound and wanted to reach for it but she held back her arms to look at me. "What's wrong Vivienne?"
"Mama... Okay to twake?" (Vivienne) asks me, looking at Ellis and the fruit again. So she was asking me if it was okay to take the fruit from Ellis?!
I bite my lip proudly of Vivienne being aware of not taking things from strangers, and asking me first. I gave her head a little pat before nodding that it was okay to take the fruit from Ellis. "Y-Yes, it's safe to take the treat. You can go ahead and say thank you to Uncle Ellis over here."
Vivienne smiles widely snatching the fruit out of Ellis' hands before giggling happily that she got the fruit. "Hehehe! Thank you, Uncle!"
Ellis blinks for a moment before smiling and reaching out to pat Vivienne with flowers floating all over his face. "Mm... Milady, you have a smart little one here. Indeed you're right young miss, it's best not to take anything from strangers and you have to make sure mommy approves of them first you take anything from them."
"Also- Eh- did she just call you Mama?" he asks me and I look away a little embarrassed. Right, it seems that it would be time to break it down to my friends and acquaintances that I'll be having a daughter from now on.
"Yes… I'm this kid's mom now."