Chapter 22 – Picky-Eating Erika
With their identities exposed, staying in Luka Town was no longer an option. Their destination was the Imperial Capital, so Gladys continued flying south with Erika in her arms.
However, Erika’s condition during the journey was far from good.
Perhaps due to the earlier overexertion, she remained limp in Gladys’s embrace, and her usually radiant little face had lost its color.
Seeing this, Gladys had no choice but to stop flying and landed in a small village along the way to rest for a day.
This was a village named Palo. It wasn’t very populous, but it had shops and a tavern. Nestled in the mountains, its trade was far inferior to that of other towns.
Palo had only one tavern, established by a former local lord.
When the Imperial Capital conscripted soldiers to defend against non-human species, he had been dispatched to the border. Unfortunately, he never returned, and so his estate in Palo was left to his wife.
Gladys and Erika spent the day resting at the tavern.
When Erika woke from her sleep, she, as usual, felt a soft sensation on her cheek.
“Ugh…”
Groggily wiping the drool from the corner of her mouth with the back of her hand, Erika blinked and sniffed the familiar scent.
As expected, she was still nestled in Gladys’s arms.
“You’re awake?”
Gently calling out, Gladys wore a soft expression, her fair hand tenderly stroking Erika’s silky hair.
With a slight shiver, Erika instinctively glanced out the window and saw the moonlight shining.
Did I sleep? Or not?
She was confused.
In a soft voice, Erika looked up and said, “Gladys… why is it still night?”
“You slept the whole day.”
Smiling as she replied, Gladys pinched Erika’s cheek. “Now that you’re awake, get up, wash up, and eat something.”
“Mm!”
The moment she heard about food, Erika perked up, shaking her head vigorously as all sleepiness vanished.
But just as she happily got up, she realized—she was naked!
“I…”
Startled, she immediately covered her chest and private parts with her small hands, her face turning red as two little canine teeth peeked from her mouth.
“Where are my clothes?”
“I took them off for you. Sleeping in clothes isn’t comfortable.”
“But you were right next to me…”
“So what?”
Tilting her head, Gladys didn’t understand why Erika was so flustered.
“So what…”
Hearing that, Erika blinked, looking a bit embarrassed.
Forget it…
It wasn’t like Gladys hadn’t seen her before—even when she emerged from the eggshell, she had been completely bare. Why be shy now?
“A-anyway, from now on, I’ll bathe and change by myself.”
“Okay.”
Gladys simply nodded, her beautiful face full of smiles as she watched the ever-shifting expressions of the little girl before her.
After getting ready, Erika noticed that her wardrobe had grown—obviously, Gladys had bought them while she was asleep. She had shown her quite a few gold coins back in Luka Town.
For now, Erika didn’t think too much about it.
She casually picked a black off-shoulder dress. Her pinkish arms were fully exposed, and beneath the hem were snow-white legs. Combined with her petite figure, she exuded youthful energy.
After all, the weather here was hot—wearing too much would be stifling.
But Erika’s body was still weak. After taking a few steps in her new outfit, her knees buckled, and she nearly fell.
Luckily, Gladys was beside her; otherwise, she would’ve had a close encounter with the ground.
Seeing this, Gladys moved to pick her up, but Erika dodged, her face flushed.
“Gladys!”
“What is it?”
“From now on… please don’t carry me.”
“Why not?”
“I don’t like it.”
Seriously, it was nighttime, and the streets outside were still bustling—the tavern surely full of people.
Being carried around all the time was just too embarrassing!
Hearing Erika’s request, Gladys was momentarily stunned. She wanted to say something but hesitated and, in the end, simply nodded and held her small hand as they walked to the tavern’s main hall.
It was dinnertime, and the tavern was lively. People gathered in groups of three or five, clinking mugs, chatting, and competing in drinking contests. Though it was just a small village, it felt vibrant.
Brought to a corner seat, Gladys went off to get food.
Compared to the center of the hall, this spot had much less of that pungent alcohol smell.
Erika sat there, swinging her white little legs, her bright red eyes curiously observing the lively surroundings.
She liked this kind of atmosphere.
Clack.
Soon, Gladys returned with two small plates and set them on the table.
They were combo meals—meat, fruit, and vegetables, looking and smelling delicious, beautifully presented.
But Erika’s eyes saw only the meat. She didn’t even glance at the fruit or vegetables.
She looked like a starving kitten, grabbing the meat directly without using utensils and stuffing it into her mouth.
Her little teeth chewed the meat, the sauce and fat blending perfectly, filling her mouth with a rich aroma.
So good!
After chewing for a bit, Erika closed her eyes in delight, a smile spreading across her face.
“Gladys, I want more.”
“Finish this first,” came the calm reply.
“But there’s none left.”
“You didn’t touch the vegetables or fruit.”
“I want meat.”
“Eat the vegetables and fruit first.”
Gladys glanced at Erika and pointed at the untouched food with her utensil. “I told you, Erika, you need to train your body now. These are nutritious.”
“I want meat…” Erika puffed her cheeks.
Clearly, to her, the fruit and vegetables were just garnish. Were they even edible?
“Eat the vegetables and fruit first.”
Gladys calmly picked up a red fruit and put it in her mouth, as if setting an example for Erika.
“Nooo… I want meat.”
“Be good.”
Gladys unexpectedly didn’t indulge her this time. “If you don’t eat these, there won’t be another serving.”
“Ah… why are you like this!”
Biting her lip, Erika looked anxious. She picked up a fruit with her small hand and cautiously took a bite.
As she chewed, the flesh and juice burst in her mouth, releasing a rich sweetness.
“Not bad…
Now I can get another serving, right?”
“No. You still have vegetables.”
“Vegetables are just decoration. You don’t eat them.”
“If you don’t eat them, you won’t get another serving.”
Gladys’s tone grew slightly stern. “Erika, from now on, I’ll be supervising you. This is all so you can better integrate with the Dragon Core Crystal. Be good.”
From now on? Supervise me?
Oh no! Who forces someone to eat vegetables!?
This life is unbearable!