True God In Another World (Tensura x Tbate)

Chapter 75 - Family Picnic

Rimuru POV

"Papa! Papa, wake up! You promised!"

The excited voice pierced through my peaceful sleep, followed by enthusiastic bouncing that made my bed creak in protest. Cracking one eye open, I found Sylvie's beaming face inches from mine, her yellow eyes practically glowing with morning energy. Her wheat-colored hair was already a mess, sticking up in places despite someone's obvious attempt to tame it with ribbons.

"The sun's barely up," I mumbled into my pillow, though I couldn't help but smile at her enthusiasm. Through my window, I could see the academy grounds still bathed in early morning mist.

"But you promised we'd have a family day!" She bounced again, making the bed springs protest. "And Mama Ciel's already in the faculty kitchen making breakfast, and Uncle Arthur sent a message saying he'll bring the picnic basket, and-"

"Breathe, sweetheart," I laughed, sitting up and catching her mid-bounce. Her excitement was infectious, bringing back memories of last night - our dance in the empty ballroom, that precious moment when she called me her real father.

"I already picked out my clothes!" She proclaimed proudly, twirling to show off her simple blue dress. There was a telltale smudge of flour on her cheek and sleeve - clearly, she'd already been helping in the kitchen. "Mama Ciel let me help with the pancake batter! Well, until I accidentally spilled some..."

"Papa, you're still in bed!" Sylvie pouted, tugging at my sleeve with the impatience only a child could muster. "Mama Ciel said breakfast will be ready soon, and you know how she gets when the food gets cold!"

I chuckled, running a hand through my messy hair. "Oh? And what else did Mama Ciel say?"

Sylvie straightened up, putting her hands on her hips in a perfect imitation of Ciel's stern teaching pose. "'If your father isn't up in five minutes, tell him I'll let your mother cook lunch instead.'" Her attempt at Ciel's serious tone was adorably off, but the threat was clear enough.

"That's just playing dirty," I groaned, finally swinging my legs out of bed. The stone floor was cold against my feet - the academy's heating spells always took a while to warm up in the morning. "Your mother's cooking could probably count as a new form of warfare."

Sylvie giggled, skipping around my room as I got ready. "Mama got banned from the kitchen again yesterday. She was trying to surprise us with cookies but..." she trailed off, making an explosive gesture with her hands.

"Is that why I heard screaming from the east wing?" I asked, pulling on a casual tunic.

"Uncle Arthur had to use water magic!" she declared proudly. "And then Mama Ciel made her promise to stay at least twenty feet away from anything that involves fire or mixing ingredients."

"Smart woman, your Mama Ciel," I nodded sagely, earning another giggle. "Speaking of Arthur, is Ellie coming too?"

"Uh-huh! She's already helping Mama Ciel!" Sylvie grabbed my hand as soon as I finished dressing, practically dragging me toward the door. "Come on, Papa! I can smell the pancakes from here!"

The academy halls were quiet this early on a weekend, our footsteps echoing off the ancient stone walls.

"Slow down there, dragon princess," I laughed as she pulled me up the stairs. "The food isn't going anywhere."

"But Ellie's waiting! We're going to practice our magic before the picnic!" She was practically skipping now, her dress swishing around her legs. "She found this really cool spell in the library yesterday!"