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In other words, I’m telling Mia to sit down, but perhaps due to her pride as a servant, she showed disapproval. I believe that everyone should be able to behave as they desire regardless of social status… Well, not really, but that’s a different issue.

「I personally want my audience to be comfortable listening, you know?」
「I understand. And please forgive my thoughtlessness.」
「I don’t really mind.」

While seeing Mia off, springing into motion, I informed the sound spirit that I’ll be singing one more song, and it quickly turned from sulking to playful, approaching me with cheer.

After waiting with the impatiently excited sound spirit, Mia returned. She put down the cup in her hand, carried one of the expensive-looking chairs next to the bed, and gracefully sat down. She looked so majestic despite her maid uniform, likely a result of her good upbringing as a former noble.

With Mia’s preparations finished, I signaled to the sound spirit to play the accompaniment. It’s just the same thing it did earlier, so I don’t really know if accompaniment is the right way to describe it.

It’s evening, so I chose a song associated with the night. Even if my words aren’t understood, I pray that the song’s meaning and mood reach her.

Ever since I started singing, Mia closed her eyes and focused on listening. As the song progressed, her body gently swayed to the rhythm of the song.

I generally sing similar songs to Ciel as a lullaby, and she would quickly fall asleep, so having someone listen like this makes me feel a bit happy.
As the song finished and the accompaniment stopped, Mia, who seemed fully immersed in the song, gave an applause.

「Splendid, Lady Ainsel. Whenever I hear your singing, I can’t help but question why I’ve barely heard songs until now.」
「So it’s also the same in your case, Mia?」
「Unfortunately so… The songs that praise the beauty of nature and extol and give thanks to the gods are considered differently, but I was raised educated that songs for amusement are uncouth.」
「Is it only for singing? Were dancing, drawing, and playing music allowed?」
「Those are considered acceptable hobbies. However, if that’s all you do, people will eventually start to look at you coldly. As long as they remain hobbies, though, such activities are sometimes even welcomed. It shows that you have the leeway to indulge.」

So they’re fine as hobbies, but singing, even when treated the same way, clearly wasn’t. Setting singing aside, I feel like someone should be able to make great success through these ‘hobbies’ eventually, but perhaps that’s actually difficult with the strong influence of religion.

Still, there do appear to be religious factions that are against the discrimination of all Jobs—except for the Song Princess—but there are also those that support it, and the common knowledge seems to be that the church is harsh against Misfortunate Jobs.

Well, certain hobbies being considered good or bad isn’t particularly unique to this world; perhaps humans just have a primal urge to put everything in ranks and hierarchies.

「Mia, did you do any of those as a hobby?」
「Researching sorcery is just so enjoyable, so…」

Ignoring how Mia obviously averted her gaze, I decided that it’s about time to get to the main topic.

「Incidentally, Mia, there is something I’ve been wanting to ask…」
「What might it be?」

From how she answered without appearing particularly surprised, it seems like she expected me to ask a question. In that case, it should be fine to be frank about it.

「You know that we will eventually stop aging, correct?」
「Yes. Before leaving for Ausente, Mistress Fiiyanamia briefed us three personal attendants about it.」

Meaning Mohsa and Luna are also in the know. Maybe Mother Fii thought that it would be better to inform them that we’ll stop aging rather than for them to discover it over the course of time. Since the servants of the manor already serve Mother, I don’t think it’ll be that hard for them to accept, so the explanation probably went smoothly.

And while I don’t know how much they were told, I’d feel bad if I happened to ask a question that’s difficult for her to answer, so I’ll refrain from probing further.

Since I know that Mother Fii was the information source, it’s not really a problem, and even if Mia had figured it out on her own, the most I’d do is hush her. As long as her attitude towards us doesn’t change, it’s not an issue. As long as Ciel doesn’t get distressed, all is well.

Now that I think about it, I feel like I’ve been the one that has caused most distress for Ciel… Let’s forget about that for now.

「That’s good to hear. Still, it’s not as if I don’t want Ciel to grow into adulthood, you see.」
「Is it something you can choose?」
「I don’t know how much you were told, but we can choose to some extent. However, no matter how we stall, her growth will stop when she’s just about to fully mature.
Ciel wants to stop aging as soon as possible as well, and it isn’t like I can’t understand her sentiment.」
「But at the same time, you also wish to see Lady Cielmer as an adult, yes?」
「Naturally. After all, whether she reaches adulthood or even well into old age, I’m sure that she’ll be beautiful still.」

I have confidence that even if Ciel grows old, my feelings for her won’t change. Though Mia responded with a troubled, 「I see.」

「I would love to witness Lady Cielmer’s growth as well. I’m certain she’d mature beautifully. And while she is short now, she may even have a growth spurt in the future.」
「That’s a fair point. After all, Ciel’s small size might primarily be the result of being malnourished in childhood.」

Hearing my nonchalant tone, Mia’s expression grew stern. I can even feel something similar to murderous intent emanate from her.

「Well, anger can’t take the past back, so why don’t we just rest for the night? I won’t be sleeping, but I want Ciel’s body to have a good rest.」
「Understood. May you have a good night.」
「Yes, may you have a good night as well.」

After seeing Mia off, I lay down and relinquished control.