The Youngest Daughter of the Snake Family - Chapter 11

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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 11
* * *
Rosaria was overjoyed when she discovered that my illness had been caused by growth pains.
For me, however, it was far from welcome news.
“Airin, from now on you’re only having snacks three times a day.”
“Chirp?”
“During the growth phase, healthy food should take the place of snacks. And a young child on the verge of Humanization requires especially careful attention.”
“Chirp, chirp…….”
……The culprit was the reduction in snacks.
Struck by this thunderbolt of news, I clutched my Snack Container filled with Star Candy protectively to my chest.
These were the Star Candies Rosaria had given me one after each meal, every single day.
Since I was still too small to manage anything larger, the Star Candies were my absolute favorite.
As a baby bird, they were the only snack I could enjoy without struggle!
“Shall we put the Snack Container up there for now?”
“Chirp!”
“I’ll prepare some other snacks for you instead.”
Rosaria showed no sign of backing down. After several rounds of persuasion, my resolve crumbled, and I turned my gaze away in defeat.
But they’re my Star Candies!
As I gripped the Snack Container firmly and refused to let go, Rosaria placed her hand over her heart as though her own were aching.
“My heart aches too. I arranged them all in such perfect colors, and now you can’t have them—that must be so disappointing for you, isn’t it?”
“Chirp.”
“Because you treasure them so, Airin.”
“Chirp.”
I had gathered them so carefully over time.
Inside the Snack Container, white, yellow, and pink Star Candies glittered evenly in neat rows.
When I clung reluctantly to the Snack Container and wouldn’t surrender it, Rosaria settled down beside me.
“It’s not that you can’t see them at all. I’m just asking for a little goodbye, you see?”
“Chirp, chirp……?”
“Yes, just for a little while. We’ll open it together during snack time and eat them then. I’ll put it up there, so you can see it.”
Rosaria pointed to a crystal shelf installed on the wall.
It was positioned so I could check on the Star Candies anytime I wished.
Well, if that’s the case…….
“Chirp, chirp.”
When I obediently handed over the Snack Container I’d been holding, Rosaria broke into a delighted smile.
“Airin, I’m so proud of you!”
“Chirp!”
“I’ll ask the head chef to prepare some delicious snacks for you.”
“Chirp!”
My mood lifted at the praise.
Yes, Rosaria was right—eating nothing but sugar wouldn’t be good for my body.
Besides, the head chef would make me something tasty instead!
I hopped from the Bed onto the table. It was around the time Rosaria usually read me Fairy Tale Books.
Nap time had arrived.
“Chirp, chirp, chirp, chirp.”
“Yes, Airin. Would you like me to read to you?”
“Chirp!”
When I called for Rosaria, she set down the spray bottle with which she’d been watering the potted plants by the window and came over.
The once-empty bookshelf had been filled with Fairy Tale Books just days ago.
She’d brought them as a surprise gift while rushing about attending to my recent growth pains.
“Come here, Airin!”
“Chirp!”
I hopped onto the sofa where Rosaria sat and nestled against her lap.
I loved the Fairy Tale Books dearly.
Rosaria brought the stories to life, changing her voice to make them vivid and engaging.
When she opened the first page of the Fairy Tale Book, a delicate illustration appeared.
“Once upon a time, in a forest far away, there lived a family of baby birds.”
“Chirp.”
“One day, the baby bird wanted to explore the forest all by itself.”
“Chirp.”
“And so the brave little bird set off on an adventure!”
I nodded along with Rosaria’s words, but my mind was still worrying about the baby bird.
It was only the second day of my Fairy Tale Book career.
By now, through experience, I could feign concern at the drop of a hat.
“But then! The baby bird lost its way!”
“Chirp!”
“It turned out that place was the Territory of a fearsome pride of lions.”
“Chirp-chirp!”
This had to be a melodramatic children’s story if I’d ever heard one.
Whoever the author was, they had a gift for making your palms sweat with suspense.
I burrowed deeper into Rosaria’s embrace.
“Don’t worry, Airin. So long as you stay within the Family Territory, you’ll be safe.”
“Chirp…….”
“Are you frightened?”
“Chirp.”
I fidgeted and closed my eyes. The baby bird must have made it back to its family.
Once I’d settled into my nap, Rosaria closed the book and began patting me rhythmically.
Ever since learning that I would soon be able to achieve Humanization, Rosaria had been eager to teach me so many things.
She’d emphasized the importance of Territory more than once.
But things like that frighten me.
……When Territory becomes too important to everyone, they end up fighting.
I didn’t want to experience that again.
Still, I resolved to learn diligently from what Rosaria taught me.
Given that I only knew fragments about the world, Rosaria was the only one who could teach me so many different things.
Besides, I had to learn to live as a baby bird from now on.
If I wasn’t careful, I might end up meeting lions just like the baby bird in the book.
My feathers bristled in my sleep—it was Instinctive Fear.
As I yawned widely and closed my eyes, Rosaria blocked out the sunlight with her hand.
“Have sweet dreams, Airin. Even if you should meet a lion, I’ll kill it immediately——.”
Mm. What was Rosaria saying?
I tried to hold onto my fading consciousness and perked up my ears.
“The moment it sets foot in our Territory, I’ll sweep them all away before you even notice——.”
And then I fell asleep.
* * *
Hestia was walking down the Corridor with an unusually excited expression.
The basket she carried held a small bathtub and fluffy towels.
Baon, who was heading toward the Study, spotted Hestia and struck up a conversation.
“You seem to be in good spirits, Hestia.”
“Oh, Baon?”
“What is that?”
“It’s a gift for Miss Airin.”
“A toy?”
Baon asked uncertainly after seeing the contents.
If it were a toy, Rosaria would surely have already provided plenty.
But to his surprise, Hestia’s next words were unexpected.
“Of course not. This is a Massage Bathtub.”
“A Massage Bathtub?”
“The young lady has been experiencing Growth Pains lately. This is a secret, but it seems the young lady may soon achieve Humanization.”
Though only the two of them were in the quiet Corridor, Hestia lowered her voice as if someone might overhear.
Baon’s eyes widened at this momentous news.
“By now she should be waking from her nap, so I’m heading to give her a Massage. If you’ll excuse me.”
Hestia hurried away as though every second counted.
Baon, who had been standing in a daze, quickly made his way to the Study.
To inform a certain someone who was pretending not to take a keen interest in the baby bird’s recent progress.
* * *
“How are you feeling, Miss?”
“Chirrrp——.”
“A half-bath does ease things, doesn’t it?”
Her hands kneaded gently, working against the feathers, and my body went limp with relief.
Hestia, who had first come by for treatment, had kept returning steadily. The Growth Pains that I’d thought would pass quickly had only intensified.
If she didn’t give me a Massage every day, my joints would start aching immediately.
“Now, your feet.”
“Chirp.”
“Oh, so obedient now? What a good child you are.”
Hestia smiled broadly and gestured toward my feet.
If I was being honest, I still had my doubts. There was something about her that made me unwilling to let go of my paw prints.
I lay still for a while longer, then stirred and pushed myself up.
“Are you sure? Shall we stop here?”
“Chirp.”
The moment I removed the towel headband, Hestia reluctantly withdrew her hands.
As I stepped out of the bathtub, Rosaria was waiting with a towel ready.
I shook off the water and stretched, when a voice both familiar and strange reached my ears.
“Ah, so the Massage session has concluded.”
“Baon?”
“Chirp-chirp?”
“It has been a long while, Airin.”
“Chirp-chirp.”
“Yes, the Master of the Household has also arrived.”
The master himself?
I looked past Baon. There, indeed, stood the Master of the Household.
I’d been seeing him rather often lately—or was that just my imagination?
When I waved at him, the corner of his mouth lifted ever so slightly.
“I hear you’ve been experiencing Growth Pains.”
“Chirp!”
“Come here.”
The Master of the Household extended his hand—those large, familiar hands I’d seen before.
I hesitated for a moment, then took one step, then another toward him.

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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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