Ruger noticed the look Mona gave him. She was the only one in the carriage looking at him rather than Little One. He quickly understood what that look meant, and realization dawned on him.
Yes, Little One had slipped out again! Just like that, she had brazenly escaped her furry old father's Bedroom Space.
He had noticed nothing at all. Like Wizard Mona, he had not deliberately let the troublesome child out. Little One was as slippery as a fish.
"Can you go back on your own? Come out again when I call you."
Ruger spoke softly, watching the little girl gnaw at her grilled fish, smearing food all over her face.
Little One froze with the fish in her hand, then nodded and frowned, seemingly trying hard.
"I can't go back," the little girl said brightly, relaxing her brow.
"Then how did you get out?" Ruger coaxed, guiding the strange daughter who had dropped into his life out of nowhere.
In truth, through the Divine Object Art, he had witnessed her very first heartbeat, watching over her as she developed within the Stone Box and was born.
"Father." The little girl pointed straight at his nose.
Ruger tilted his head thoughtfully despite himself. Little One copied him, tilting her head and pointing at him.
"Because of me?" he asked tentatively.
Little One nodded, still fiddling with the fish in her hand.
"If I weren't here, you wouldn't be able to get out?" Ruger asked softly, surprised.
Little One nodded again, rubbing grease onto Ruger's fur.
"I missed you," Little One said.
"You mean you woke up just now and came out because you wanted to see me, then noticed someone looking at you?" Ruger asked gently.
Little One nodded.
"Wanted to see Father. Really wanted to, so I came