The Obsessive Male Leads Want to Eat Me Alive - Chapter 29

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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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Chapter 29
From across the way, J posed a final counter-question.
[ You’re sending that child away for adoption? At whose discretion? ]
“Isn’t Anette’s awakening more important than J’s possessiveness?”
The sound of ice clinking in a glass drifted through the communication device, followed by a moment of silence.
Then came the sound of liquid being swallowed deeply, and a resolute voice cut through.
[ That ‘thing’ belongs to me, Mimosa. ]
“….”
Mimosa’s shoulders flinched. J’s voice was so cold it seemed to pierce through bone, sending a chill down her spine.
[ I decide Anette’s fate. You seem to be under the delusion that temporarily entrusting her to you gives you ownership over her. ]
“….”
[ Livestock that fail to know their place end up on the dinner table that very evening. ]
“…!”
Livestock that fail to know their place.
The raw contempt in those words made her feel a quiet dread and fear.
J had always spoken to Mimosa with respect, treating her as an equal, yet the moment something displeased him, he threatened and crushed her beneath his heel.
As if to vividly remind her of where she stood and where he stood.
“….”
This was who J truly was.
He smiled and showed kindness on the surface, but in an instant could strangle his opponent, treating children as if they were human while actually regarding them as mere tools and livestock.
A dangerous man… If he decided the Forest was no longer necessary, he would burn it to the ground and leave without hesitation.
Would the children’s screams even reach his ears?
Mimosa closed her eyes for a moment, then opened them. There was only one attitude she could take in this situation.
“J, you clearly delegated ‘full authority’ over the child to me.”
[ … ]
She had to display the dignity of the Forest’s administrator.
“So I ask that you respect my opinion as the Forest’s administrator. All of this is for the sake of the Tree in which the ‘greatest talent’ lies dormant.”
At her unwavering words, a low breath escaped through the communication device. “Hmm….”
Then came the sound of a match being struck, followed by a long exhale.
He was lighting a cigarette.
The other party, who seemed to be conflicted for a moment, spoke after a deliberate pause.
[ There’s no one who would want that child. ]
“There is.”
[ …There is? ]
“That person has already donated 2 billion gold to the Forest for Anette’s sake.”
[ How ridiculous. What fool would pay such a sum for trash that hasn’t even awakened? It seems he’s trying to exploit her after noticing her talent. ]
“No.”
Mimosa’s voice continued calmly.
“That man stated he would not adopt Anette unless she wished it. He donated purely for the child’s future. If he had known of her talent, he would have tried to adopt her immediately by any means necessary.”
[ If it’s not because of talent, then why on earth…? ]
“Well, I’m not entirely sure….”
Mimosa whispered softly. “To be honest, I’m curious about that myself.”
The Anonymous Patron seemed to have no interest in possessing Anette.
The Forest occasionally encounters such dependable patrons.
Of course, a patron who would readily donate two billion gold at once was extraordinarily rare—especially for a child they had never even met before.
The communication line cut off after that brief but intense conversation.
“A beast that fails to understand its place….”
Mimosa picked up the green box from the console.
Perhaps that was true. But—
“There is no beast that owns its own kingdom, J.”
This place was Mimosa’s small kingdom.
A paradise shared with the Forest.
And Anette was the most precious tree in that paradise. At least, how to cultivate that tree was entirely her responsibility.
Mimosa sat on the sofa where moonlight poured in and picked up the green box.
It was something she had prepared to gift to Anette once she awakened.
“….”
The brooch she withdrew from the box gleamed beautifully.
Engraved into the brooch in intaglio were these words.
《 Level Zero 》
A realm that transcends Special Grade 1.
In other words, a level unprecedented in Forest history, established solely for Anette.
A Zero-grade child had never been put on the market before.
“This will be interesting.”
Though she had not yet awakened, her value was boundless. How would Anette’s future unfold?
“…You always make me anticipate what comes next, Anette.”
* * *
The next day.
Summoned unexpectedly by Mimosa, Sisrain, Heinrich, and I made our way to the office early.
“You called for us, ma’am?”
“Yes. You all came promptly.”
Mimosa, with her characteristically stern and cold expression that seemed to allow not even a needle to pass through, called us over.
“Anette, Heinrich, Sisrain.”
Then she dropped a bombshell announcement.
“I intend to begin your ‘socialization training’ starting today.”
“…!”
In that instant, Heinrich let out a brief curse as if annoyed, Sisrain remained as composed as always, and I was taken aback in surprise.
Wait. Me too?
Normally, socialization training was the responsibility of children actively seeking adoption. That is, it could only be done with numerous requests from the Nobility.
Only then could a child receive an invitation to a Nobility gathering.
Children who received invitations were likely to be ‘ability awakeners,’ and therefore socialization training for the unawakened was an exceedingly rare occurrence.
Good heavens—Special Grade 1 Heinrich and Special Grade 1 Sisrain. And here I am, a mere Level 5, being dragged into socialization training with them!
‘A dragon, a phoenix… and a tiny sparrow caught between them. What a combination.’
I’m the one who doesn’t fit at all!
‘If I go through with this socialization training alongside them, I’ll end up like cold oatmeal porridge.’
I gazed at the two exceptional Special Grade 1s standing beside me—the dragon and the phoenix—and felt my eyes welling with tears as I mentally chirped like a helpless sparrow.
This would be like being the least popular member of an idol group. Or perhaps more like a manager trailing behind them?
“Excuse me, ma’am.”
When I ventured to speak hesitantly, she turned her raptor-like golden eyes toward me and replied.
“Speak freely, Anette.”
“…Are you truly certain that I should be going along with you?”
“Why would you question that?”
“Well, typically only awakened children are eligible for adoption.”
An awkward smile tugged at my lips.
I’d heard that children who hadn’t awakened were sent to places like the Monastery later on.
Instead of the Monastery, I’d planned to become a respectable bakery owner.
“I’ve never even imagined having a family.”
My fingers began fidgeting of their own accord, unable to stop even as I watched my skirt crumple pathetically beneath them.
My head bowed lower and lower, and my voice grew progressively quieter.
“There’s no reason anyone would want me.”
Speaking the truth aloud made my heart ache.
‘There’s no way I could ever have a family.’
I understood all too well that this was a dream I could never achieve as a Level 5.
“Anette.”
Mimosa called my name softly.
“Not long ago, the Nobility circulated new profiles of the Forest children. Among all of them, who do you think received the most Golden Roses?”
When profiles of the Forest children were circulated among the Nobility, it was tradition for them to send a Golden Rose to any child they wished to meet in person.
A sort of ‘parental proposal,’ if you will.
It meant: ‘We would be honored if you became our child.’
‘How envious….’
Surely it must be Sisrain? A newcomer and a Special Grade 1 awakened one at that. Besides, he was strikingly handsome, and even I had to admit Sisrain was breathtakingly beautiful.
“You did, Anette.”
“…Pardon?”
At those unexpected words, I lifted my head and blinked rapidly.
What? Me?!
My response came out sounding rather foolish in my shock.
…Could I have misheard?
“Intelligent and well-behaved girls are always popular, you know. Moreover, aren’t you the Forest’s finest model student? But that’s not all—look in a mirror.”
Mimosa pointed at me with her index finger as she spoke.
“You are strikingly adorable. When you grow up, you will undoubtedly become a beautiful young lady.”
“…!!!”
I had never received such an explicit compliment from Mimosa before, and my face flushed crimson.
“Then what nobleman wouldn’t want you?”
…I’m really not that exceptional.
Mimosa? Why are you saying that, like Heinrich does!
I waved my hands frantically, my face as red as a ripe tomato.
“No, ma’am.”
“Sister, what do you mean no? If there were a mirror, you’d see it yourself. Of course you’re the most lovely and beautiful.”
“I think so too. There’s no one as kind and gentle as you, Anette.”
Sisrain, speaking to me with utmost sincerity, added quietly.
“It’s only natural that Anette receives the most golden roses.”
Beneath his black hair, the boy’s crimson eyes gleamed softly as he continued alone in a hushed voice.
“…If I failed to do so and disappointed you, every last nobleman deserves to die.”
“…!”
I was desperately trying to convince myself I’d misheard that chilling murmur.
Mimosa lifted her sharp gaze and spoke.
“Among the noblemen who gave golden roses, there is also a patron who expressed a particular desire to see you.”
“…I have a patron?”
“Yes.”
The more I heard, the more astonished I became.
I had never dared dream of such a thing. My heart raced wildly. Perhaps this person truly intended to welcome me as their daughter.
“Could you tell me their name?”
“That’s difficult. They’ve requested anonymity.”
“I see….”
“But they will certainly come to see you during the socialization training. Look carefully. They’ll be among those who greet you.”
“Yes, ma’am!”
Somehow I felt I would be able to recognize them. If I were to meet my patron.
Wouldn’t some kind of intuition strike me?
“The formal attendance begins tomorrow, but training starts today. So from now on, keep your body and heart pure.”
The children and I bowed to Mimosa and left the room. Yet my heart continued to race with growing excitement.
I tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep.
‘Please, let ideal parents fall from the heavens.’
A strong mother, and well, a father—his face matters.
…I hope he’d be a gentle, handsome type. Kind, with a lovely scent too.
I prayed to the moon all night for ideal parents.
* * *
At last, the day of socialization training arrived.
“First, when a nobleman asks you a question, respond gently and with a smile.”
Inside the carriage heading to the Banquet Hall, Julius explained the rules of ‘socialization training’ to us.
His deep blue eyes gleamed knowingly.
“As you know, adults are fond of children’s ‘innocence.'”
“…So?”
Julius responded to my question with a composed expression, yet his words were chilling.
“Therefore, calculate your responses as if you were two years younger than your current age. Like the nine and ten-year-old trees in the Forest.”
“…!”
‘Wait, you’re telling me to act younger and deceive adults?!’
And he was presenting this as helpful advice to children!
Julius pushed his glasses up with his index finger in one smooth motion, his tone glacial.
“However, you must never appear foolish under any circumstances.”
Appearing intelligent yet innocent—this was impossibly difficult! I nearly wept.
The stringent rules, unlike anything I’d ever encountered, didn’t end there.
Julius opened his mouth once more.

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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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