The Oracle of the Villainous Baby - 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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Chapter 16
“…What?”
“Bunny, when you grow up big like a dragon… yes, you will be super strong. Don’t be scared. When Grim Dragons are born, they become big dragons too… and mages.”
Bunny’s words trailed off as she placed one hand—the one not holding Allen’s—on her hip with a thump, then let out a snort of laughter.
At her confident declaration, Allen’s rigid expression softened, and he burst out laughing.
“What’s a dragon-mage?”
Ahahaha!!
The boy laughed heartily, his voice so loud it seemed to shake the very walls. At his boisterous laughter, Bunny puckered her lips in displeasure.
“Why are you pouting? Silly Bunny.”
“Bunny not silly. Allen dummy.”
With her eyes narrowed to slits, Bunny spun around and strode forward with determined steps.
Allen watched as Bunny approached the enormous white mansion without flinching at the imposing structure or the intimidating Guards in their formal attire, then quickly hurried after her.
“Aren’t you scared going to such a huge place?”
Allen asked, grasping Bunny’s hand again.
“Nope.”
“Why?”
At Allen’s question, Bunny chuckled softly.
Bunny was a demon child so incredibly strong that even the white light couldn’t reduce her to dust, so she feared nothing no matter where she went.
“Bunny cute and super strong.”
Bunny thrust out her thumb proudly and shrugged her shoulders.
‘And everyone’s keeping it secret, but…’
Bunny actually knew how to use magic too.
‘Bunny can do water splash-splash.’
The Guards who spotted Bunny paused, then upon seeing Allen following behind, their brows furrowed.
Regardless, Bunny held Allen’s hand and bowed deeply in greeting as she always did.
“Hello! Bunny came to see Marquis!”
At Bunny’s respectful bow, the Soldiers’ eyes widened. They exchanged glances and hesitantly opened their mouths.
“Ah, is that so? I’m not certain if Marquis Kiriel is available at the moment…”
“He is. He’s been staying in the mansion continuously since the summoning ceremony.”
There was no one who didn’t know that Bunny and Allen were the wards of Kiriel Yudia.
It had been such a momentous event—Kiriel Yudia’s declaration that he would become the guardian of these two collateral relatives.
“Then we shall guide you to Marquis Kiriel’s room.”
“Okay!”
Following the Soldier inside, Allen awkwardly trailed behind Bunny, his head bowed low, unable to lift his gaze.
If he raised his head, he felt certain everyone would point and stare at him.
‘She’s lucky she doesn’t understand any of this.’
Allen watched Bunny, whose spirit remained untainted by darkness, and felt a heavy melancholy settle over him.
Surely Bunny wasn’t welcomed here either.
Allen had heard the children whispering and cursing during lessons too—calling Bunny a bastard whose own parents didn’t even know of her existence, saying that Allen and Bunny shamelessly stole their rightful places, mocking how creatures of their ilk brazenly stuck together without shame.
In truth, even now Allen believed that Kiriel Yudia’s decision to become their guardian was nothing more than a cruel jest.
Because ever since he agreed to become my guardian, he hasn’t made a single attempt to contact me.
Other guardians would send personal attendants to look after us, or at the very least send gifts or money to make things convenient, but Kiriel Yudia did none of that.
So it must be some cruel game by a wicked adult trying to mock us.
‘Even if it doesn’t affect me, this child needs more help….’
Bunny surely had no idea about such malicious intentions from adults. Only I knew the truth.
With that thought, my resolve hardened slightly.
‘I’m the only one who can protect her.’
What if I go there and get mocked? Bunny would surely be devastated and cry. Then I’d have to take her away and comfort her.
“Ooh, what’s that?”
“A vase, sir.”
“Wow. So pretty! What’s that?”
“It’s a divine phoenix that the first Marquis of Yudia summoned. It’s also the divine beast featured in the emblem that symbolizes the Udiah Duke Family Estate.”
“A phoenix!!”
Bunny’s eyes sparkled as she gazed at the sculpture carved from crystal.
She thought she would look magnificent riding atop the great phoenix.
‘Oh.’
Bunny shook her head vigorously side to side.
‘Bunny is a frost dragon!’
Hehe.
I had kept it warm in my pocket, so it would hatch soon.
“We’ve arrived.”
“Wow….”
Bunny stood before the grand doors with her mouth hanging open.
‘Bunny… a tiny bean.’
She was infinitesimally small compared to the doors.
* * *
Knock, knock.
“Young Lord Kiriel. The Young Lady Bunny has come to visit.”
As the Soldier who knocked spoke carefully, a loud crash echoed from inside—something tumbling down.
Question marks appeared above both Bunny’s and Allen’s heads as they exchanged glances.
“Young Lord Kiriel?”
Ugh.
“Tell the children to wait a moment, and you can go back….”
The Soldier hesitated at the low groan and the slow words coming from inside, then slowly nodded.
“Yes, understood.”
The Soldier who answered turned and opened his mouth to Bunny.
“Young Lady, it seems you should wait here for a moment.”
“Okay.”
“Then it was an honor to have served you.”
The Soldier didn’t even acknowledge Allen and gave only a slight bow to Bunny before turning sharply and retracing his steps.
Allen felt the weight of the displeasure in that sidelong glance, and his head drooped even lower. As Allen’s expression darkened, the doorknob clicked and the door swung open.
“You came…?”
“Yep! Hello there!”
Bunny bowed deeply. Today, as always, the child bent at the waist lifted her head slightly and glanced at Allen.
Bunny’s mouth fell open when she saw Allen standing with his head held stiffly upright.
Bunny poked Allen’s ribs and winked, though her attempt at a wink resulted in both eyes squeezing shut.
Allen, who had hesitated at Bunny’s repeated eye-squinting, heard her murmur “Say hello!” and straightened his slouching posture, then bowed his head with a reluctant expression.
“Hello.”
As Allen greeted her, Bunny beamed with approval and rose onto her tiptoes to pat his head affectionately.
‘Praise for good behavior!’
That way, he’ll do well next time too, Luriel had said. Seeing Bunny’s pleased smile, Allen’s face flushed crimson. Unable to protest, he quickly turned his head away.
“Both of you came together. I thought I only informed one soldier…”
Kiriel Yudia’s crimson eyes narrowed as he spoke softly.
Bunny’s eyes widened at his words, and she nodded.
“Yep! The whole way here, I pretended not to know Allen. He was being all grumpy.”
At Bunny’s words, Allen’s face flushed with shame. He had never imagined Bunny would notice.
“Is that so?”
Kiriel Yudia crouched in front of Bunny and asked.
“Yep!”
“How did you pretend not to know?”
“Um… I just, like, only greeted Bunny and, um, um… just like that. I pretended not to know Allen. I kept glaring at him. And stuff like that.”
Bunny, unfamiliar with human language and lacking considerable vocabulary, trailed off vaguely.
“Hey! What on earth are you saying…!”
At Bunny’s words, Allen hastily covered her mouth.
Of course, before that, Bunny had earnestly explained everything that happened on the way, stumbling through her words.
The reason being that adults’ matters should be resolved among adults.
Luriel had said that the reason an adult must be beside a child is so the child can ask for help when facing something they cannot solve alone.
And…
‘Bunny, you can beat any rough knight.’
Bunny was a precocious child who could quickly assess situations.
And now Bunny had an adult who could help her resolve matters.
“Ah… I see? Then I’ll have to scold you.”
“Huh?”
“What?”
At Kiriel Yudia’s languid words, bewilderment flashed across both Bunny’s and Allen’s faces simultaneously.
Father.
At that word, both of them drew in sharp breaths.
“I agreed to be your guardian. Or did you only need my name?”
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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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