The Youngest Daughter of the Snake Family - Chapter 22

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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 22
Until recently, there were two heirs, and both were said to be male.
“So there were three heirs?”
“That’s the thing. Rosaria’s been looking after the young lady in the household.”
“Huh. No wonder I haven’t seen her in nearly two months.”
Rosaria, whose prowess had earned her a reputation as a sentinel at the Border, was now tending to a child?
And the child was fine?
The more Karma heard, the less it made sense—yet he kept his composure.
“Some people are already saying they’ll come. The Border’s boring now anyway. They reckon this banquet will be more entertaining. Besides, everyone’s curious about what the youngest lady is like. You’ll be there, right?”
“It’ll just be tedious formality either way. I’m not going.”
“Really?”
Peyman nodded, disappointment flickering across his face.
He didn’t press the matter again.
That was how they spoke—once you declined, you didn’t ask twice.
This conversational habit occasionally wrung tears from those within the Clan who felt obliged to refuse when they needed to strengthen bonds.
“Got it. I’ll tell everyone you’re out, then.”
“Everyone’s going?”
“Yeah. We’re curious.”
“About what?”
The banquet? Or the youngest lady?
Neither seemed particularly special to him—after all, Clan children could be glimpsed even near the Border. But what came from Peyman’s mouth was something Karma hadn’t anticipated at all.
“Our young lady finished Humanization recently. She’s five hand-spans tall.”
“Five hand-spans? What does that mean?”
“Five hand-spans. Hestia told me this, so it’s reliable.”
Karma was struck silent. How could anyone be only five hand-spans tall?
He slowly opened his palm and measured. So barely over a meter?
“Not even a meter, according to Hestia’s hand size.”
“……Is there something wrong with the heirs? Is that why you only announced two?”
“Pfft! You really don’t know anything, do you? Pay more attention to what’s going on around you!”
Peyman laughed and struck the wall.
Bang! Bang!
The wall crumbled mercilessly—dust cascaded down, cracks spreading through the stone.
It was a familiar sight.
“The young lady is a bird. Haven’t you even read the letter Rosaria sent? It was packed with photographs of her. That’s why everyone lined up wanting to come.”
Peyman drew a photograph from inside his tunic.
A small child hugging a doll, head tilted upward, gazed with such clear, radiant joy—though it was unclear whether toward Rosaria or simply at the sight before her.
Karma’s eyes widened.
Peyman, who knew well how Karma became utterly enchanted by anything cute, broke into a triumphant smile.
Of course.
If he learned that a fan club for the young lady had formed among the household members, he’d be even more shocked.
Peyman snatched the photograph back.
“Last question. You’re really not going?”
Karma answered faster than ever before.
“Put my name on the list.”
“Got it.”
Peyman wrote Karma’s name down on the spot.
With that, full attendance was confirmed.
* * *
I woke early, clutching the baby Snake Doll I’d been sleeping with, and sat bolt upright.
“How many more nights?”
Every morning for days now, I’d been doing the same thing.
One, two, three.
I spread all ten fingers and folded them down one by one.
“Eleven days left.”
Only one week remained until the day I’d been waiting for so eagerly.
The reality that there was still so much time to go made me bury my face in the doll.
“I wish they’d get here soon.”
Then I noticed how quiet the room had become and climbed down from the bed.
With one hand dragging the Snake Doll across the floor and bare feet padding forward, I found Rosaria opening the door just as I stepped out.
“Rosaria!”
“Oh my, when did you wake up? I thought you’d sleep a bit longer.”
“Just now! Only seven nights left!”
I held up seven fingers to show her. Every day I’d been counting down to Rosaria how many nights remained.
“Our little Aerin, you seem terribly excited about the Banquet. Don’t you?”
“Yes! I’m going to make lots of friends. Lots!”
I stretched out my arms and drew a wide circle in the air.
I’d thought only adults attended the Banquet, but that wasn’t so. According to Rosaria, I’d get to see children my own age too.
I was so excited! I’d get to meet new friends!
What would we play when we met? I hoped we could have fun together.
Bubbling with anticipation, I felt Rosaria stroke my head.
“You’ll make many friends, I’m sure.”
“Mmhmm!”
“Then shall we have breakfast quickly and get you washed up for the Banquet?”
“Why?”
Was there something I had to do early in the morning?
Since I hadn’t heard anything about it, I asked again, and Rosaria broke into a bright smile.
“Seri has arrived. She’s the one who will make you a beautiful dress.”
“For Aerin?”
“Yes. You need to wear something pretty at the Banquet.”
A pretty dress!
If I want to make new friends, I have to look my best, so I’ll wear a pretty dress!
I dashed to my bed and set down the Snake Doll. The moment I hurried, Rosaria had breakfast laid out on the table.
Every morning it was delivered to the door, so we could prepare quickly.
We ate in the dining room sometimes, but more often than not I had to eat alone, so I usually took my meals in my room.
Kaid, Set, and Arban were all busy with their own schedules.
Once a week we’d gather to eat together, but lately Kaid had been absent every time due to Banquet preparations.
I blew on the food that was still steaming.
“It’s hot!”
“You must eat carefully.”
“What about you, Rosaria?”
I poked a quail egg with my fork and asked. Rosaria, who had been cutting the meat into manageable pieces for me, smiled softly.
“I’ve already eaten.”
“When?”
“While you were sleeping earlier.”
So she’d eaten first because I woke up late.
The clock hand had already passed ten.
“I wish I could eat with you, Rosaria.”
“Then shall we eat dinner together?”
“Yes!”
I chewed the meat contentedly. A savory aroma filled my mouth.
With my mouth full, Rosaria poured water for me.
“You should eat slowly. Otherwise you’ll get indigestion.”
“Okay. I’ll chew really well.”
“Chew ten times before swallowing.”
“Yes!”
Gulp. I chewed each bite ten times and finished every last bit of my food.
“Aerin’s all done.”
“Then let’s head to the bathroom.”
“Okay.”
Patter-patter-patter. I climbed down from my chair and entered the bathroom, where a plastic step stool appeared below the sink.
As I stepped up each step, my white head suddenly popped up in the mirror hanging on the wall.
When I reached the last step, I saw my scarlet eyes blinking back at me.
I rose up on my tiptoes to see my full reflection in the mirror when Rosaria entered.
“Aerin, I’ll brush your teeth. Open wide.”
“Aah.”
“Now I’ll rinse your mouth.”
“Ptooey!”
“Close your eyes now.”
“Okay.”
Brushing and washing finished quickly. I dabbed lotion on my face and rubbed my cheeks.
Munch-munch.
“All gone now.”
“You did wonderfully! My, aren’t you pretty.”
“Is Aerin pretty?”
“The prettiest in all the world, they say.”
At the word “pretty,” a shy smile leaked through.
Rosaria, who had fetched clothes from the wardrobe, called out cheerfully.
“Time to change into new clothes!”
“Yes!”
“And how do we take off our clothes to change?”
“Gently!”
I held my arms up high. Once I’d changed into the Green One-piece Dress and put on the new Yellow Sandals, everything was ready.
“All done?”
“Just a moment, Aerin. Let me fetch Mrs. Seri right away.”
“Okay.”
“What a good girl.”
Rosaria took blocks from the toy box so I wouldn’t grow bored waiting.
And then she brought out five whole pieces of Chocolate — something she normally guarded so carefully!
My eyes never left the table.
“Aerin waits so nicely.”
The real prize was the Chocolate.

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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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