The Oracle of the Villainous Baby - Chapter 98

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

Chapter 98
“Its name is pizza?”
“Yes. Luri told me about it before—it’s really delicious. I made it with Shalone.”
“And who is Shalone?”
“I said Shalone, but it seems the pronunciation was a bit difficult for her to get right.”
At Shalone’s subtle remark, Bunny looked at her, extended her index finger straight out, and shook it side to side—tick, tick, tick—making little sounds.
“Ah, no way?! That’s totally a nickname!”
Bunny’s eyes visibly wavered as she hurriedly spoke, then flung the box wide open.
As if desperately trying to change the subject.
“Father, this is the pizza…!”
…or rather, Bunny’s turned into a lump of clay?!
Bunny’s eyes went wide as saucers. And no wonder—all that vigorous shaking during the journey had obliterated the pizza’s round shape entirely, leaving behind something that looked like a tossed salad.
“…”
“…”
Bunny blinked.
‘I knew this would happen.’
Shalone stifled a laugh internally and opened her own box, parting her lips slightly.
“That’s what happens when you run like that. I told you to go slowly.”
Did she?
Bunny’s head tilted slightly.
Her gaze dropped to Shalone’s box, and her eyes widened. Shalone had carried it with such care that it remained perfectly intact—still in its original packaged state.
“…!”
Bunny’s eyes grew round. A faint smile spread across Shalone’s lips as she felt an inexplicable sense of pride and smugness.
She’d naturally assumed Bunny would be disappointed, dejected, and sad.
That since things hadn’t gone her way, Bunny would be jealous, envious, or perhaps irritated.
But the moment Bunny lifted her head, Shalone froze with her eyes wide open.
“Shalone’s is completely perfect! Father, this is the real pizza!”
Because instead of looking disappointed, Bunny was pointing at Shalone’s pizza with sparkling eyes, as if relieved that at least this one had turned out right.
“Mine is…”
Hmm.
Bunny shifted her gaze, crossed her arms, and looked down at her mangled, grotesque creation with a serious expression, then opened her mouth thoughtfully.
“…I think the pizza monster came and went.”
“The pizza monster?”
“Yes.”
Bunny turned her head slightly, bounced on her feet, and added more. Not a trace of jealousy or envy showed on her giggling face.
Whoosh.
Realizing this, Shalone’s face flushed instead.
Her fists clenched tight. She felt like the foolish one.
Seeing Shalone with her head bowed, Kiriel opened his mouth.
“So how do you eat this pizza thing, Bunny?”
“Mmm, you tear it apart with your hands like this, or slice it with a knife like so, and then eat it!”
Bunny demonstrated by opening her mouth wide and making exaggerated eating motions, then burst into giggles.
Kiriel gently stroked the child’s head and snapped his fingers.
“Bunny might have trouble eating with her hands right now, so let’s cut Shalone’s first with a knife and try it.”
“Okayyy~!”
Lebon, standing behind Kiriel, cut the pizza and casually popped a slice into his mouth, his expression perfectly natural.
“Young Lady, might you spare a slice for Lebon as well?”
“Sure. But you’re already eating, Lebon.”
“Tsk. Now that you’ve grown up, you won’t even indulge Lebon like you used to, and you say such hurtful things.”
Lebon’s expressionless face remained flat as he spoke in a monotone, shoving an entire slice into his mouth before placing one slice each in Bunny’s and Shalone’s hands with perfect fairness, then quietly retrieved his camera.
Click. Click. Click.
“Please, enjoy your meal at your leisure. Both of you.”
“Mm.”
Bunny opened her mouth wide and bit into the pizza with gusto. Lebon, his face still expressionless as ever, circled around Bunny with one hand covering his mouth, shifting angles as he began snapping photographs relentlessly.
Click. Click. Click. Click. Click. Click. Click. Click. Click. Click. Click. Click. Click. Click. Click. Click.
“Hey.”
“Yes, Marquis.”
Lebon tucked his camera back into his inner pocket as if nothing had happened, answering with quiet obedience.
“Who exactly is your master?”
Kiriel gave one slice each to the children and popped one into his own mouth, then asked coldly as he watched Lebon lost in his photographic fervor. Lebon opened his mouth with utter confidence.
“The Young Lady, of course.”
At Lebon’s answer, Kiriel’s lips twitched noticeably.
Unable to raise his voice in front of the children, Kiriel clicked his tongue in displeasure and spoke.
“…Get out. Now.”
“Yes.”
Thud—
Lebon answered matter-of-factly and left the Office without a shred of hesitation, as cleanly as one could imagine.
“Bunny, well….”
Creak.
Just as Kiriel was about to open his mouth, the Ancient Door swung open rudely once more.
“Ah, would you need any beverages? Miss Bunny, Miss Shalone.”
“….”
“Bunny, drink an adult’s beverage in an adult’s glass.”
An adult’s beverage in an adult’s glass?
Shalone’s eyes rolled as she watched Bunny’s confident expression and let out a soft laugh.
‘So even though she seems reckless, she has refinement?’
She couldn’t very well drink juice like a child when Bunny didn’t. Besides, she’d already learned everything about noble etiquette from the Witch. She was confident she wouldn’t lose to most noblewomen.
Shalone gazed down at the pizza in her hand before speaking.
“I’ll have black tea….”
“Understood.”
Lebon shut the Ancient Door with a sharp click and left.
“….”
He hadn’t bothered asking for my opinion at all.
My lips twitched, but I barely managed to suppress my irritation.
Watching Bunny devour the pizza with evident satisfaction, I retrieved a slice for myself and took a bite.
My eyes widened at the explosion of melted cheese, roasted vegetables, and tangy tomato sauce coating my mouth—the crispy, oven-baked crust completing a flavor profile entirely foreign to my palate. It was a taste I’d never encountered before.
Every time Bunny brought these peculiar dishes she crafted, I found myself thinking the same thing: they were truly remarkable creations.
“Does it taste good?”
“Woof woof, it’s delicious.”
“Woof woof!”
Bunny burst into delighted giggles.
“What about you, Shalone?”
“Oh, yes. It’s delicious. Really….”
Shalone nodded slightly, her eyes wide with her mouth covered. I didn’t particularly care for her, but I had to admit—the food was genuinely excellent.
As we exchanged trivial conversation, the Ancient Door clicked open and Lebon returned.
“Here, Young Lady. Black tea.”
“Ah, thank you.”
“Not at all. You’re quite mature for your age, aren’t you?”
With an expressionless yet gentle voice and impeccable posture, Lebon set down a transparent glass before Bunny without the slightest falter.
‘Truth be told, I don’t particularly enjoy black tea….’
Black tea remained a mystery to me—what made it appealing was beyond comprehension. It was nothing more than fragrant, astringent water.
‘But I can’t fall behind that girl.’
The moment Shalone reached for her teacup.
A soft pouring sound.
Bunny’s transparent glass began filling with a deep, dark purple liquid.
“An adult’s grape juice served in an adult’s glass—containing no sugar whatsoever, for a more refined, less saccharine taste.”
At Lebon’s words, Bunny nodded with a serious expression, and before lifting the glass with both hands—I wiped it clean with a handkerchief first—she nodded again.
Bunny tasted the grape juice with utmost seriousness, let out a small “Mmm….” and nodded approvingly.
“Yes. Delicious. Much appreciated.”
“Indeed.”
Lebon straightened the leg he’d been kneeling on and stepped back, then poured wine into my glass as well.
Bunny glanced at it and shrugged her shoulders with a rather satisfied expression.
‘What…? That’s an adult beverage?’
Shalone’s face, sipping the tasteless black tea, crumpled slightly.
‘Why is that an adult beverage? If I’d known….’
Shalone’s expression stiffened.
‘No, what am I saying. I should be displaying more mature qualities….’
Lebon approached and set an empty glass beside her teacup.
“Shall I pour you a glass? Young Lady.”
At his soft question, Shalone’s eyes widened considerably. After a long moment of hesitation, she nodded very slowly.
A cheerful
—for Bunny alone—
snack time had arrived.

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