"Samael, I helped watch the shop today and sold thirteen bouquets! Grandma gave me a flower crown and even made me butter cake!"
"And Tabad's grandson let me hold him! He was so adorable!"
"And, and, I completed all seven of Sister Siduri's requests!"
Inside the flower shop, Anna, her little face brimming with a sweet smile, eagerly showed off the fruits of her labor from the past few days to Samael.
The eyes that had once been filled with guilt and gloom now sparkled brightly. The timidity that had kept her from daring to meet anyone's gaze had completely vanished as well.
"Mhm, no wonder I heard the whole street was praising you."
Samael nodded with a soft laugh, and the sight of that silky purple hair made his fingers itch.
A snake! This was a snake!
Recalling the origin legend of this Young Goddess Form, he silently reminded himself to cut off that increasingly excessive urge to give her a pet.
Yet, faced with Anna's expression that practically screamed, "Praise me," that hand finally could not resist reaching out, gently stroking the purple-haired little girl's soft head.
So what if she was a snake? I'd pet her anyway! I learned this from Ereshkigal, her owner!
If Ereshkigal could pet her, why couldn't I?
Yielding to instinct, Samael shamelessly found excuses for his fall from grace.
Still, Anna greatly enjoyed the head pats. She obediently narrowed her eyes, liking the aura that was so similar to that of her own kind.
Looking around the spotlessly cleaned flower shop and the flowers and plants that had all been carefully tended, the ancient serpent could not help but feel moved by Anna's dedication.
As an adult, he already bore distinct marks upon himself. Unlike a child, he could not be so