Shade looked through the mist at the face of the Purple-Eyed Girl, who had fallen into a deep sleep:
"Yes, she was alone to begin with. I just don't understand—wouldn't it have been enough for her to lead me here? Why did she have to endure her exhaustion and come with me?"
The gentle voice by his ear seemed truly born from vibrating air. "Her" voice grew even softer:
Young ladies sometimes want to be cared for too, especially when they feel vulnerable. Isn't that so?
After nodding lightly, Shade carried Luvia out of the hot spring. Little Mia's ears perked up and twitched a few times, but the cat did not seem to have been awakened by him.
Shade then took a simple wooden bed from his pocket and placed it on the ground beside the hot spring. After laying out bedding, he carried the sleeping Luvia over and set her down. Finally, he dressed her appropriately and tucked her beneath the blanket.
Of course, the cat was moved to the side of the pillow as well. It gave a soft meow, apparently quite pleased.
After finishing all that, he dressed himself and walked a few steps away before taking out Miss Olanord's doll. He looked at the doll hesitantly for several seconds before restoring the Yellow Moon Witch to her original form.
"Oh! Flora Winslet and I once discussed what it felt like to be turned into a doll by you. This really is even more terrifying than being locked in solitary confinement."
That was the first thing the Yellow-haired Witch said after appearing. Once she had spoken, she looked around, then glanced at Luvia lying on the low bed not far away. She asked nothing and simply stepped forward to hug Shade:
"You've worked hard."
"Well, I