The Youngest Daughter of the Snake Family - Chapter 3

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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 3
I trembled violently, barely able to bring myself to enter the water.
What if it was scalding hot or freezing cold?
I dipped only my front talons in, poking at the surface experimentally. But the water turned out to be pleasantly warm.
“Chirp! Chirp!”
Reassured, I dove into the water at once and flapped my wings.
I couldn’t remember the last time I’d had a bath.
My wing-flapping turned into something more like splashing, but my spirits soared all the same.
Rozaria smiled warmly as she poured water over my body.
“Shall we go out to play once you’re finished bathing?”
“Chirp!”
“I think you’ll love it, little one. The flowers are in full bloom.”
Flower-viewing!
Bursting with anticipation, I kicked my feet wildly.
Splash, splash.
My movements sent tiny bubbles rising as water sprayed in all directions.
Droplets that didn’t make it over the tub’s edge bounced around the surrounding floor.
At this sight, Rozaria’s eyes widened in alarm, and she clutched at her chest.
“Careful… I might destroy everything at this rate.”
Her worried murmur made me stop at once.
I had the terrible feeling something bad might happen.
In the end, I finished my bath by staying perfectly still.
Unfortunately, she said I was still too young to use soap—what a shame.
I was wrapped in a soft towel, and her careful hands dried me gently, which felt wonderful.
“Chirp, chirp. Chirp, chirp, chirp.”
The sounds came out naturally.
“Feeling refreshed?”
“Chirp.”
“Now then, what shall our little one have for lunch? Have you been eating berries?”
Rozaria frowned as she looked at the berries still remaining in the basket.
“That alone won’t provide proper nutrition.”
She was right—living on berries alone for too long would strain my body.
Without adequate protein, my growth would certainly be stunted.
Rozaria heaved a long sigh.
“I’ll need to prepare some nutritious porridge for you. And toys, and a bed… I really ought to request a separate budget.”
“Chirp?”
“What good is a room alone? You need everything necessary to live comfortably. Just trust me, little one.”
…Was she about to get kicked out for asking for money?
Shouldn’t I stop her?
When I looked at her anxiously, she picked me up and smiled with reassuring confidence.
“Even if it doesn’t seem like it, I carry some weight in this household.”
Before leaving the room, Rozaria held me up in front of a mirror.
In the reflection was an adorable little white bird, perched daintily.
I lifted a wing slightly and moved my feet experimentally.
“Chirp, chirp!”
That’s me!
As I cried out while pointing at the mirror, Rozaria nodded and pulled something from her pocket.
It was a tiny pink ribbon.
“This is a gift to commemorate our first meeting, little one.”
Rozaria tied the ribbon loosely around my neck so it wouldn’t choke me, then asked what I thought.
I awkwardly touched the ribbon’s end with my beak, then tucked my face into my wing.
“Chirp!”
“It suits you.”
“Chirp!”
“Now that you’re all dressed up, shall we go outside?”
Stepping out of the room, I glimpsed a marble-lined corridor.
Bright sunlight streamed through tall windows, dazzling my eyes.
Wow, I really do feel like I’m in a castle.
As I lost myself looking at everything, I heard a faint laugh from above.
Every time I saw something intriguing, my body couldn’t help but quiver with excitement.
Rozaria slowed her pace so I could take in everything around us.
Now that I was outside, I stretched my wings wide toward the places in the Mansion I most wanted to explore.
“Chirp!”
“Shall we go over there?”
A sprawling Garden with an enormous fountain came into view.
How perfect it would be to play among those flowers! When the petals fell, they’d drift down like snowflakes.
Right foot. Left foot. Right foot. Left foot.
I moved my feet as though I were the one walking, but then something familiar yet chilling washed over me.
My gaze snagged on something, and I turned my head to look.
There stood a man with black hair and crimson eyes, watching me without expression.
He let out a hollow laugh, as though he’d never expected to find me here.
His firmly set lips parted, and a cool voice emerged.
“I told you to do as you please, but I didn’t think you’d actually strut about my home like this.”
It was the House Master.
I quickly folded the wings I’d been eagerly stretching forward back against my body.
Of all the rotten luck—to run into him now, of all moments. My fortune couldn’t have been worse.
“Chirp, chirp.”
“The little one’s frightened, isn’t she?”
“How amusing.”
“Are you all right, little one?”
Rozaria tapped me gently while asking with concern.
I was grateful, at least, to have someone to lean on in this moment.
I nestled into Rozaria’s arms, seeking refuge there.
The House Master’s hot gaze bore down on me, and I huddled myself small—but Rozaria soothed me.
“Don’t worry, little one. I’m right here.”
“Chirp…….”
“Your ribbon’s come undone. Let me fix it for you.”
Having wriggled about in her arms, the knot had apparently loosened.
I sniffled and held still as Rozaria worked, obedient as could be.
The cord tightened gently around me, and the Pink Ribbon settled back into place on my head.
“There we are!”
“Chirp.”
“Our little one is so adorable! You think so too, don’t you, Master?”
Rozaria turned to ask the House Master. I peeked sideways at him, still wearing the ribbon.
Would he really think so?
In that instant, our eyes met.
I hadn’t expected him to be looking at me.
Flinch.
“Chirp-eep…….”
My body visibly trembled in surprise, and the House Master’s brow furrowed.
His gaze fixed on the Pink Ribbon fastened atop my head.
I fidgeted nervously and swallowed, my throat dry.
After a long silence that seemed to stretch on forever, the House Master finally spoke.
“What a fuss over a mere ribbon.”
* * *
The House Master seemed to dislike me far more than I’d anticipated.
At this rate, I might truly be cast out.
“Don’t be so gloomy, little one.”
“Chirp-chirp……. Chirp-chirp-chirp.”
“Look at this! Flower petals!”
Rozaria tossed the petals she’d prepared earlier high into the air.
Petals of many colors drifted and swayed as they fell gently down.
I looked up at the sky, then plopped down on the Lawn and flapped my wings with delight. Petals lay thick upon the grass.
“Chirp! Chirp-chirp!”
“Beautiful, isn’t it?”
“Chirp-peep!”
“When you grow bigger, you’ll be able to look down on all this from the sky.”
Really? Truly?
Rozaria nodded, watching my eyes sparkle.
“Of course. You’re still just a little one, but…….”
But gradually her expression grew complicated, then turned serious.
I approached Rozaria with a puzzled look.
“Chirp?”
“Oh dear. Master, what am I to do?”
“……?”
“I cannot teach you to fly, Master. I have no wings!”
Rozaria seemed genuinely devastated.
Well, she wasn’t a bird either, so it was only natural — but she had wanted to teach me that too.
When I reassured her with a gentle pat, she shook her head.
“I wanted to teach you so many things.”
“…….”
“At the very least, I shall teach you the Hunting Method perfectly.”
She was offering to teach me the Hunting Method?
I looked up at Rozaria in surprise. Until now, no one had ever taught me anything like that.
Rozaria seemed delighted to have something she could show me.
“Our bloodline’s Hunting Method is so perfect that everyone wishes they could learn it.”
I genuinely wanted to learn — but…….
Could I, barely days old, truly master the Hunting Method already?
I fell into serious contemplation.
“The young masters knew the Hunting Method from birth, but you do not, so I shall teach you with all my heart.”
“……Chirp?”
I tilted my head at what seemed an impossible claim.
How could anyone know the Hunting Method from birth?
The young masters here must be truly extraordinary. But that’s something you can only master if a guardian teaches it to you.
As if answering my confusion, Rozaria continued.
“We know it by Instinct from the moment we’re born.”
“Chirp, chirp?”
“If the right conditions are created, you’ll be able to do it beautifully too, Master.”
Could it really be possible? Rozaria’s determination was blazing visibly.

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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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