The Best Birthday Present

Sensing Cyan's dispirited mood, the moment he returned to his own room, Firis decided to give him a present.

"Happy birthday, Cyan-sama! As today is a special day, I shall present you a grand magical water show!!"

In a moment, Firis quickly created various forms of magical water and performed her story-telling. It was the story of a lonely boy who was searching for his friends. Along his journey, he met with various creatures with the same goal—from a dog, magical beast, demonic monster, magical plant—they traveled together and managed to pass through many ordeals. At the end of the journey, they realized that they were no longer lonely—and that they have gained their own "family".

Perhaps since he was able to relate to the main character so much, Cyan's eyes were sparkling as he watched the whole magical water show performed. Though nothing could be done about his own blood-related family, this story gave him hope of finding similar kind of "family".

After that, as per their annual tradition, Cyan celebrated his birthday with Chloe and Firis, his two closest people in this house. Eating Chloe's delicious cake managed to increase his spirit even more.

That night, as usual, Firis insisted on accompanying him until he fell asleep. Though sometimes Cyan would reject the offer as he felt he was no longer a little child, but this time, he didn't seem to object at all.

When Firis tucked Cyan on his blanked, unexpectedly, Cyan grabbed Firis' hand.

"What is it, Cyan-sama?"

"Firis, tell me. Do you care for me only because you're hired as my maid, or do you really… care about me?" Cyan timidly asked this question. He wasn't sure why, but since he felt that nobody in his family really wanted him, he began doubting. He began to feel as if he was really unwanted and unloved, and he doubted it when he felt that there were people who cared about him.

Especially Firis. Cyan felt so attached to Firis who had always been there for him.

At least, if she indeed doesn't care about me, let that hope be smashed here and now.

Determined, Cyan added, "Tell me the truth. I won't be mad or anything. I have to know."

Firis was really surprised at Cyan's serious face. After closing her eyes for a few seconds, she patted Cyan's head and said, "Cyan-sama, being able to take care of you like this is my greatest joy in life. I don't know how you feel about it, but I seriously care about you."

Sensing the gentleness and sincerity Firis showed, Cyan felt relieved.

"…It would be nice if you were my mother, Firis," Cyan smiled on his wishful thinking.

However, Firis who heard those words, widened her eyes in surprise.

But then, she quickly recovered, tidied up Cyan's bed, and said, "Good night, Cyan-sama."

"Mm, good night, Firis. …Thank you."

In the middle of the night, Cyan woke up after having a nightmare and he wasn't able to fall asleep again. Therefore, he decided to just take a stroll around the house.

Though he was more used to being alone compared to other children his age, he still wanted to look for Firis or Chloe's figures, as he just had a nightmare.

He wondered… if they were still awake, or if he could intrude on their sleep?

As he approached the servants' living quarters, he noticed that the door to Firis and Chloe's room was slightly open. And he could see that the light was still on. To support his deduction, he then heard some voices… Firis and Chloe's voices!! They weren't sleeping?!

Excited, Cyan quickly peered in from the door's small gap. For some reason, he decided to listen to their conversation and observe what they were doing, before entering.

On the small, round table, Firis and Chloe were sitting and drinking some tea.

"Firis, why didn't you just tell him?" Chloe asked.

"No way, Chloe. He would have to comprehend such a difficult truth," Firis sighed. She had her right hand supporting her head, as if she was greatly troubled. Cyan was surprised from seeing that figure of hers.

"But wouldn't that be better than letting him suffer under the thought of his whole family shunning him?"

"But… I'm afraid it would spread to the others, and he'd get bullied or shunned even more… You know how bad are the [illegitimate] treated, right? I'm afraid the situation will turn worse."

"Then, why don't you at least tell him that you really, really love him? It would surely make him very happy."

"…I wouldn't dare, Chloe. I'm only a lowly maid, with no background. Wouldn't saying that mean I'm surpassing my boundary as his maid?"

"…But Firis, I couldn't stand it… I can't stand looking at you and Cyan-sama like this," Chloe sighed.

"…As long as he can live well and healthy, I have no other wish," Firis calmly said.

"Well, of course. You are a very good mother, you know? If only you could tell him that you're his mother, not that cold Hillde-sama who only hurt him…"

Cyan, who overheard the whole conversation from beyond the door, held his breath in surprise. His eyes turned wide, and his heart was thumping.

I don't really understand what they're talking about, but… Did I just hear that… Firis is my mother?!

At this moment, Cyan's small head didn't complicate things and think of his parentage or history. His heart and mind were preoccupied with a certain notion.

Usually, Cyan wouldn't act on his impulse as he had learned the hard way that acting on his impulses would only result in bad things. However, at this time, Cyan acted on his impulse. He quickly opened the door wide and jumped to Firis.

"Is that true?! Firis, you're my mother…?!" Cyan hugged Firis' knees as he looked up at Firis with his expectant eyes.

Chloe covered her mouth with her hands in surprise, and Firis' eyes were so wide as she couldn't believe what just happened.

"Cyan-sama?! Why are you here?! W-what did you hear, again? Y-you probably misheard…," Firis tried to cover everything, but it was too late.

"I heard everything! Firis, are you really my mother?"

"N-no, Cyan-sama, that is… you heard it wrong."

"…so, when I heard Chloe said that you loved me, it was also wrong?" Cyan's expectant eyes turned into a heartbroken expression. Firis couldn't bring herself to see him like this.

"Firis, I'm sorry…," Chloe felt really guilty. After all, she carelessly said that, and didn't notice Cyan who was peeking from the door. It was natural for Firis not to notice him, as Firis was facing her, with her back against the door. If only Chloe looked more attentively, she'd notice Cyan there…

"No, that's…"

"Firis, tell me I didn't hear it wrong… Tell me that you're my mother…," Cyan resorted to pleading, this time. This left Firis speechless.

"W-why, Cyan-sama? I'm only a lowly maid… I have no family background… Why would you want me to become your mother?"

"I don't care… I don't care about it… Firis, you treat me much, much better than the one I called mother… I'd rather have you as my mother…," Cyan rubbed his teary face against Firis' clothes.

Firis looked at Chloe, gesturing with her eyes, 'What should I do?'

However, Chloe could only nod.

Firis closed her eyes for a moment. In her mind, she recalled Chloe's words again.

[He needs a motherly love. He needs a mother, Firis, he needs you. I'm afraid if you deny the matter longer, Cyan-sama's heart and mind will be broken by that time.]

Since it has come to this… I might as well…

Firis' hand trembled as she reached out to Cyan's head and lightly patted it.

"…Cyan-sama… I'm so sorry for making you suffer like this… I'm not worthy to be your mother…"

"No, no! You're the one who cares about me so much! Firis… you are my mother… right?"

Firis suppressed the tears that were about to fall from her eyes. She gulped and lightly nodded.

After seeing Firis' affirmative nod, Cyan's eyes sparkled as he tightened his embrace of Firis.

"Really…?! T-then, don't call me with '-sama'… Firis, can I… call you mother—"

Cyan abruptly stopped, as he suddenly thought that he had long associated the word [mother] to Hillde, who was cold to him. It would complicate things, then.

So, Cyan shook his head quickly and added, "No, can I call you [mom]?"

On his sixth birthday, Cyan got the best present he could ask for. That is, a mother that actually loves him deeply.