The Youngest Daughter of the Snake Family - Chapter 23

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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 23
“How do you do, Airin? It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Hello to you too.”
The woman who entered alongside Rosaria—Seri—had a remarkably striking appearance.
As I greeted her and looked her way, she smiled with the ease of someone familiar with such attention.
“I had no idea the Astrofell Family Estate had someone so lovely and charming.”
She withdrew a Measuring Tape and Notebook from her bag as she spoke, though there seemed to be many other things inside that weren’t quite visible.
Seri stepped forward and extended the Measuring Tape to its full length. She needed to take some basic measurements.
“Shall we lift your arm, please?”
“Yes.”
“Very good. Shall we try once more?”
I lifted my arm again. She checked the numbers several times to avoid mistakes, recording each in her Notebook.
When I gazed curiously at her ornate fountain pen with its brilliant feathers, she explained.
“It’s made from peacock feathers. I’m a peacock myself. You receive something like this when you become a designer.”
“Wow. That’s beautiful.”
“Is it?”
I nodded eagerly.
I reached out and gently touched the tip of the feather. It was surprisingly soft. The feather’s end, where multiple colors blended together, bore a nib.
I imagined a pen made from my own feathers. The image that came to mind was rather pathetic.
I wished my wings had been as beautiful as these.
Thinking of my own small, pure white wings and then seeing these brilliant feathers before me only amplified my sense of wonder.
After playing with it for a while, I returned the pen, and Seri closed her Notebook and began discussing the actual work in earnest.
“It seems you’d suit any color beautifully. Bright, solid colors would look best on you, I think. Are you generally quite active?”
“She’s very spirited indeed. Though at this stage, it’s more running about than anything else.”
“Then I can pay a bit more attention to the design. What color does Airin like best?”
Listening carefully to their exchange, I found myself in a dilemma.
My favorite color? I like them all.
It was difficult to single out just one, but since both were waiting for my answer, I pondered before deciding.
“Airin likes pink color.”
“I’ll keep that in mind when I make the dress.”
“Airin wants to wear pretty dress and make many friends.”
At my ambitious declaration, the woman’s eyes widened and she broke into laughter. After that, she asked Rosaria several more questions.
Whether there were any allergies, what atmosphere the Banquet Hall would have—questions of that sort.
I let my eyes roll about and spotted a scrap of fabric sticking out from the bag Seri had brought.
What could that be?
As I stared intently at the bag, she noticed my gaze and opened it for me.
“You’re curious about this, aren’t you? I have a variety of samples in here.”
“Wow!”
The woman pulled out the dresses one by one. Various one-piece designs lined up in sequence. And the one that captured my eye was…….
“Fairy!”
“Oh my, what a beautiful fairy dress that is.”
I pointed to the yellow Fairy One-Piece Dress. It was an adorable one-piece with gently curved, rounded hemming.
On the back were a pair of transparent yellow wings, and it seemed to come with a matching pair of lace socks and yellow shoes.
“Airin wants to be a fairy too!”
“This one seems to have caught your fancy. Would you like to try it on?”
“Yes!”
Hurry, hurry!
With Rosaria’s help, I changed into the dress. Whenever the wings reflected in the mirror moved, they swayed gently.
Wow, I really am a fairy now!
Rosaria, who tied the cord at my waist into a bow in the back, let out an exclamation of admiration.
“How absolutely adorable you look!”
“You do wear it beautifully.”
Seri remarked as she sipped her tea.
“I’ll give this one to Airin as a gift. It’s a present to mark our first meeting.”
“How wonderful for you, Airin!”
“Thank you very much.”
I offered a respectful bow of gratitude. She gathered the other dress samples and placed them back in her bag.
“I’ll create the most beautiful dress for the Banquet.”
“Thank you, Seri. The Astrofell Family Estate will send payment.”
“Of course, Rosaria.”
Seri rose from her seat, her business concluded. Her attire was as splendid and beautiful as befitted a designer—every detail spoke of her refined taste.
The dress was unmistakably her own, a reflection of her distinctive personality.
I wondered if my clothes would ever look quite so lovely.
As Seri prepared to leave, Rosaria stood as well, clearly intending to see her guest to the door.
“Just one moment, Airin. Let me show Seri out—I’ll be right back.”
“Of course. Safe travels, Rosaria. Goodbye.”
“It was lovely to meet you, miss.”
With that parting farewell, the door closed. I turned my attention back to the Fairy One-Piece Dress I’d received.
Even the frilly socks and shoes delighted me beyond measure.
“Hehe. It’s so pretty.”
I was admiring myself in the mirror, watching the wings flutter to and fro as I moved, when it happened.
Bang!
The window beyond the mirror swung wide open. And then—
Arban thrust himself through the window and tumbled inside.
Entering my room for the first time, Arban glanced around before his eyes landed on me—and his expression turned distinctly peculiar.
He looked me up and down for several seconds in silence.
“What are you wearing?”
“This? Airin received it from a fairy lady.”
“Talking nonsense about fairies—”
Arban caught himself mid-sentence, snapping his mouth shut. He glanced at me anxiously, then scratched his cheek and let out a self-conscious cough.
What had he been about to say?
When I stared at him pointedly in my fairy dress, he averted his gaze, mumbling something barely audible.
“It just… suits you, is all.”
“Airin thought it was pretty too.”
“…Pretty?!”
He let out an indignant cry. I dissolved into giggles in response.
“But Arban, what are you doing here?”
“Just stopped by on my way somewhere.”
“Arban, where are you going?”
Arban smirked.
“To inspect the Banquet Hall. If you’d like, I could take you along.”
My eyes went wide.
The Banquet Hall!
Somehow everything around Arban seemed to shimmer with possibility.
“Airin wants to go!”
“Then come here.”
Arban scooped me up lightly and, in the blink of an eye, landed gracefully outside the window we’d entered from.
It had all happened in an instant.
Stunned speechless, I watched as Arban puffed out his chest proudly.
“Pretty impressive, right?”
“Arban is really amazing!”
But even after landing, Arban didn’t set me down. When my expression turned questioning, he furrowed his brow and blurted out defensively.
“It’s not like I’m carrying you because I’m worried your legs might hurt or anything. Don’t get the wrong idea. It’s just convenient this way, so I’m going like this.”
It was a remarkably thorough and earnest explanation.
The Banquet Hall wasn’t far from the Main Building.
It was located in the East Wing of the estate, and the space was bustling with activity.
With the banquet only days away, everything was in frantic preparation. I gazed around in wonder.
Dozens of tables were arranged throughout, and an enormous chandelier sparkled above.
There was a stage for the orchestra and an open floor in the center—it truly felt like stepping into a grand ballroom.
“Young Master Arban and Miss Airin, if I’m not mistaken?”
A man pulling a cart stacked high with small boxes approached us in recognition.
“Come to have a look, have you? We should have everything ready within just a few more days.”
“What are those?”
I pointed at the neatly stacked boxes, and the man obliged with an answer.
“Small gifts to be distributed among our guests.”
“Gifts?”
“Yes. We’ll hand them out one by one after the party concludes. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I must store these in the warehouse.”
The man departed with his cart. I watched it disappear into the distance.
“Airin wants to give gifts to all her friends too. Arban, do you know how to do that?”
I wanted to give gift boxes filled with toys and treats. Arban, standing beside me, clicked his tongue at the question.
“If you’re going to prepare something like that, you’ll need money. Do you have any?”
Money?
Now that he mentioned it, I’d never once held money in my hands. Rosaria provided everything I needed, so I’d never even thought to want for it.
The realization hit me like a blow.
……I don’t have any money.
Arban saw my stricken face and smiled knowingly.
Then what should I do? I wanted to prepare a gift too, but I had no money.
“If no money, what do?”
“Obviously you have to work, silly.”
“Can Airin work?”
I asked hopefully. At my hopeful question, Arban burst out laughing.
“Who’s going to hire a tiny thing like you?”
“Then what?”
“Listen carefully.”
Arban lowered his voice seriously, saying he’d only explain this once.
I swallowed hard.
I was ready to hear this, no matter what.
I focused all my attention as if I were about to hear some tremendous secret no one else knew.
“All the money in this house belongs to Father. The treasury where he’s accumulated his wealth — that’s all Father’s too.”
“……Really?”
“Yeah.”
Every penny in this house was Kaid’s.
I jumped to my feet.
“Oh, well, I just meant to say—but if you really need money, you don’t have to——”
“Airin has somewhere to go! Arban, take care!”
Where is Kaid?!
I hurried forward. With only a week left until the banquet, there was no time to waste.
* * *
Meanwhile, left alone, Arban watched Airin’s retreating figure with an exasperated expression.
“……I was going to suggest she just ask Rosaria instead.”
Every year, each heir received a yearly Living Allowance. Naturally, Airin would have been allocated her share as well.
Arban shrugged.
“Ah well.”
It would sort itself out somehow.

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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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