It was afternoon, and I was finally able to bask in sensations I had long been denied—warm sunlight brushing my skin, the gentle breeze carrying the scent of flowers, and the faint hum of life all around me. For a fleeting moment, it felt like freedom.
It would have been perfect… if not for the crowd.
I was currently in a garden, cradled in the arms of a woman whose very presence made everything else fade into the background. Around us trailed a small procession of maids, fussing and whispering, their eyes on me as though I were a precious gem.
But all of that melted away the moment I looked up at her.
Her beauty was impossible to ignore. Long, raven-black hair cascaded down her back, the same shade as mine, shimmering like polished silk in the sunlight. Her emerald-green eyes were deep and knowing, yet they radiated a warmth that made my chest tighten. Her flowing white dress hinted at an elegant hourglass figure, but it was her posture and the quiet confidence she exuded that truly struck me—every movement perfectly poised, every gesture calm yet commanding.
And then, the subtle point of her ears caught my attention.
Yes… she was an elf.
And more importantly… my mother.
The realization brought a strange mix of comfort and awe. In her arms, I felt safe, yet I could sense the quiet strength that made her more than just a parent—she was a force to be reckoned with, capable of commanding attention and respect even without speaking.
For a moment, I let myself simply exist in that feeling—the warmth, the protection, and the undeniable authority that surrounded her like a halo.
Just as I was about to drift off to sleep, Nyxara's voice chimed in, playful as ever.
[Fufu~ It looks like Host is already working his magic.]
I stirred, frowning. "What do you mean?"
[Oh! You already know it, Host. Don't tell me you're simply ignoring the looks you're getting from the maids.]
Hah! She was right. Their gazes had been lingering far too long. Can't they see I'm trying to enjoy myself? I thought. I mean, haven't they seen a baby being held by his mother before?
[Hehehe~ Well, they might have seen many scenes like this. But there's a big difference here. After all, it's not every day you see a baby panda so adorable in the arms of a heavenly beauty.]
I groaned internally. "Shut up… and stop calling me a baby panda!"
Yes, I was still wearing the baby panda costume. I mean… who changes outfits every now and then. It was even more true for me… considering I had only been born yesterday.
I'm still a baby panda…
Ahhh! I mean… I—I am still a newborn baby!
Nyxara's giggle immediately echoed in my mind.
[Fufu~ That's right, Host~ And there's no denying it. Such a tiny, adorable panda in the arms of his own mother~]
I groaned, snuggling my face into my mother's chest, hoping—praying—that the world would just vanish for a moment.
Nyxara's teasing voice still echoed in my mind, dripping with amusement:
[Fufu~ That's right, Host~ Snuggling in your mother's arms so helplessly… and still a panda~ Truly irresistible~]
I squeezed my eyes shut. Shut up! I don't care how adorable this makes me sound… I will never admit it!
The warmth of my mother's embrace, however, was undeniable. Despite the embarrassment, a small part of me couldn't help but relax. For now, at least, I could hide from the world—and from Nyxara's merciless teasing—inside her comforting arms.
....