Patting the small hatted child might have done the final trick. Physical comfort usually helped a lot. ...She absolutely did not have tears in her eyes and even if she did, they would dry up sooner or later. But Puella will fully repay the affection by hugging Hector around the waist, whether he wanted it or not.

"I will~! And I won't give up!" There was still a long, long ways to go. But if she was going to be the smallest Candle then she'll just need to be the brightest small Candle.