I'll Stop Regressing and Raise a Baby Dragon - Chapter 16

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 16
In the mirror, I wore a brilliant pink Chiffon Dress.
Even I, with no eye for beauty, could see how well it matched my hair color.
Because there was so little contrast between my hair and the gown,
my deep navy eyes stood out vividly between my gently curled lashes.
A faint blush on my cheeks brought the whole look to life,
and a delicate jeweled Necklace at my throat added the perfect finishing touch.
“Miss, I feel this every time I see you, but you look absolutely adorable today!”
Annie gasped in delight as she fastened a Bracelet that matched the Necklace’s design.
I couldn’t help but smile at her praise.
There was probably no word less suited to me than “cute.”
It wasn’t me that was cute—it was the dress and the Necklace.
“Eria, you’re sparkling.”
Kai, who had been quietly listening to my conversation with Annie, suddenly approached and spoke with shining eyes.
“Thanks. The Necklace is pretty, right?”
Kai shook his head at my words.
I’d picked this one because it looked the best—did he really dislike it so much?
“You’re more beautiful.”
Kai gazed at me with an enchanted expression, his eyes beginning to gleam.
His soft, babyish cheeks flushed a deep rose, as if flowers had bloomed across them.
Making no effort to hide it, his tail swayed contentedly in plain sight.
A tail—he really shouldn’t be showing that.
……Just this once, I’ll let it slide without saying anything.
“Um, thank you.”
I smiled awkwardly and lifted the dress sleeves slightly.
The room felt stuffy from being indoors so long, and the air had grown warm.
Kai looked at me with a regretful expression and asked,
“I really can’t go with you today?”
“No, I’m sorry.”
Since arriving here, Kai had been quite good at maintaining his human form.
But there were times when he let his guard down or argued with Theodore that he revealed his half-beast shape.
Fortunately, there were no servants passing by.
If there had been, it would have caused a massive scandal.
“I’m sorry. But let’s spend the whole time together after the party ends.”
“Even when you need to sleep?”
I watched Annie’s expression and whispered to Kai so she wouldn’t hear.
“I’ll tell Annie never to nag you about it.”
Only then did Kai nod his head.
With that settled, I felt more at ease and asked Annie,
“Have the guests arrived?”
“Most of them are here by now.”
“Looks like I’m running a bit late.”
It did seem to take an unusually long time to get ready.
My anxious fingers fidgeted with my nails.
But Annie, as if she already knew this would happen, explained with a bright smile,
“It’s quite all right. The Duke said beforehand that you could take your time preparing today.”
Why, though?
Was he worried I might slip up if I spoke too long with the guests?
I already had enough on my mind with those reports……
Unaware of my turbulent thoughts, Annie continued with a cheerful laugh,
“It seems His Grace wanted you to look your very best as you step into society for the first time.”
I questioned her assumption.
“So the Duke is greeting the guests himself?”
“Yes. It appears he’s doing so with Master Edward.”
“What about Theodore?”
“I’m not sure where he is……”
He was probably at the Training Grounds doing drills.
Luke and Edward were essential as the family’s representatives, but Theodore’s nature made it unlikely he’d want to be involved in something like this.
“All right. Can I go out now?”
“Yes. Everything is ready.”
I steeled myself and rose from my seat.
Together with Annie, I arrived at the entrance of the Garden and surveyed what lay within.
The Garden was crowded with people.
They gathered in small groups, chatting and laughing, but the moment their eyes met, they would hide behind ornate fans and whisper secrets among themselves.
Elaborate fans concealed their mouths as they traded murmured confidences.
Luke and Edward were both present among them.
Edward was surrounded by girls my own age, maintaining a bright smile with visible effort.
Luke, meanwhile, kept his expression stern as he turned away the adults who tried to approach him.
I walked slowly toward the center of the Garden.
The noise of conversation gradually faded, and before long, a complete silence fell over the space.
Silent enough that only the beating of my own heart could be heard.
‘Stay calm. You’ve prepared for this.’
Though time had been short, I’d spent days practicing the etiquette I would need to follow.
My gesture of gathering the hem of my dress and offering a light greeting flowed out exactly as I’d practiced countless times.
My effort hadn’t failed me.
Surprise flickered across several nobles’ faces, while Luke’s expression held a smile I couldn’t quite read.
I opened my mouth with a brilliant smile.
“Thank you all for coming. I am Eria Croiman, the host of this Tea Party.”
“…….”
“I hope you’ll all enjoy yourselves at your ease.”
As my words ended, the conductor raised his arm in a light flourish.
The opening music of the party began to play.
The crowd did not approach me as directly as I’d expected.
After sipping my tea with studied calm, I observed them as intently as they observed me.
Whenever our eyes met, I smiled brightly as though I knew nothing at all.
I played the role of a naive young girl experiencing her first public appearance, hopeful and trembling with anticipation.
It was meant to lower their guard.
But the crowd merely cast glances in my direction without offering any particular remarks.
I understood the reason for their restraint immediately.
“Eria.”
Luke approached me and spoke.
At the same moment, the murmur of conversation that had drifted through the air froze solid.
Of course.
The ears of the Grand Mage cannot be deceived, no matter who tries.
I greeted him lightly with a smile.
“Yes, Dad! Oh… should I have called you Father instead?”
My cheeks flushed from the unexpected coyness I’d displayed.
But thanks to that.
I’d perfectly conveyed the image of a small child embarrassed at having used “Dad” in such a formal setting.
I heard the sharp intake of breath from quite a few people in the room.
Luke was taken aback as well.
Since I’d always addressed him as “Your Grace,” it made sense that this term of address would feel strange to him.
But if, in such a formal setting, his daughter addressed her father with such deference and propriety,
I couldn’t predict what would be said behind closed doors.
“……It suits you well.”
After a long moment of silence, Luke managed only that single remark before he turned his gaze away and touched his jaw.
Luke appeared to have composed himself in a way that those around him wouldn’t notice.
But his ears still bore a faint rosy tint, betraying that my words had indeed surprised him.
……Did that phrase displease him?
Whether it pleased him or not, I’d have to live with him hearing it that way for some time to come.
“Thank you. I heard that you… Father… chose the design yourself.”
“Do you like the dress?”
“Yes! I want to wear it every single day.”
Within that brief exchange, I poured all my effort into conveying one message: ‘This father and I get along so well!’
The Croiman family held formidable power and influence.
That meant even small matters could take on very different interpretations depending on how they were read.
It meant that my adoption into this house—and Kai’s as well—could be interpreted politically.
The more people who might interpret it that way and attempt to investigate our family, the more trouble we would face.
So I needed to guide the interpretation of my adoption toward the simplest possible understanding.
That it was simply the result of Luke Croiman’s compassion and paternal affection.
“I’ll have to commission the same designer next time.”
……If that sounded too warm just now, does that make me strange?
‘We’re not really family. We’re just pretending to be.’
I tried to ignore the thump-thump of my racing heart.
Don’t grow too fond of this. Don’t.
“……I’m so, so excited!”
I answered as naturally as I could manage, flashing my brightest smile.
As the trivial conversation continued, the onlookers exchanged knowing glances.
Each of them must have picked up on something from this exchange.
I could only hope they were reading it the way I intended.
“……!”
Luke, who’d been chatting lightly with me, suddenly fixed his gaze on something across the room and his expression hardened slightly.
Without drawing attention, I followed his line of sight and spotted Ren near the Garden entrance, gesturing frantically in our direction.
‘His lips… something about the Duke and interference, I think?’
Was he unhappy about my conversation with Luke?
“Eria, I’m afraid there’s business at the Magic Tower that requires my attention, so I won’t be able to stay much longer.”
In any case, Luke seemed eager to end our conversation because of Ren.
“That’s fine. Father. See you later!”
“Right.”
Luke gave a brief reply and walked toward the Garden entrance where Ren was waiting.
I deliberately looked away, but strained to catch what they were saying.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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