The Youngest Daughter of the Snake Family - Chapter 37

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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 37
* * *
The afternoon’s work had come to an end.
Kaid turned his attention to reviewing the Reflection Letters that had been submitted that morning, partly to clear his head.
It had taken quite some time for everyone to submit theirs.
Since he’d been thinking he’d let most of it slide anyway, Kaid had begun reading with a light heart.
But the moment he finished the first line, he realized how naive that thought was, and he called for Baon.
“Baon.”
“Yes, sir? You called?”
Baon looked up from the documents he’d been processing, which he still hadn’t finished.
Kaid examined the Reflection Letter several times over, his expression growing more incredulous, and then pressed his palm to his forehead.
“I have no idea how these fools made it into my family. Bring me the recruitment records—find out who brought them in.”
“Is something the matter?”
Baon asked, puzzled by the abrupt order.
Suddenly stopping mid-Reflection Letter to demand the gatekeepers’ résumés?
Their identities didn’t need any separate verification—they were beyond reproach.
Only those from Branch Family lines were permitted to join the Astropel Family in the first place.
There was no reason for concern.
Yet Kaid’s expression was cold and sardonic.
“Track them down completely and bring them before me.”
……
“Whoever hired them has no right to that authority.”
“That serious?”
What on earth was written in there?
Baon found himself curious about what could provoke such a reaction from Kaid.
“Might I read it as well?”
“Go ahead.”
Once permission was granted, Baon retrieved the crumpled Reflection Letter from Kaid’s hand.
The handwriting was elegant enough—at first glance, the presentation was quite respectable.
“What’s the problem with it, if I may ask……?”
As he read through the contents, Baon’s eyes widened in disbelief.
What could he even say?
For a moment, words failed him entirely. A heavy silence descended over the Office.
“And I’ve had these incompetents working under me this whole time.”
The more Kaid thought about it, the more absurd it became—he let out a dry laugh, then pressed his forehead and exhaled slowly.
“……They do seem to have made a genuine effort. The formal structure is all there, isn’t it?”
“That’s precisely why it’s unbearable.”
It was pointlessly earnest.
Baon found himself in complete agreement with that assessment.
“That’s certainly true.”
“What does it look like to you?”
“This? It’s definitely less of a reflection letter and more……”
It bore a striking resemblance to a military strategy document.
It was nearly identical to the contingency plans they received periodically from the Border, drafted in preparation for possible emergencies.
Moreover, all the submissions were remarkably similar, as if they’d all been composed from the same template.
Without having consulted one another, which made it all the more impressive—or rather, bewildering.
Baon closed his eyes, overwhelmed with confusion.
Then he forced himself to interpret it in the most charitable light possible.
“Perhaps they submitted it as a proposal born from their deep affection for Aileen—a plan to protect her?”
“So they’re asking me to mobilize troops in the near future.”
……
“Or perhaps they mean to cut off Letra’s head and present it to Aileen?”
“I’ll have them rewrite it.”
No further defense came to mind.
Baon clicked his tongue softly. It seemed futile to expect a proper reflection letter at this point.
Kaid turned his gaze to the window where the sun was setting. He hadn’t managed to visit Aileen in several days, caught up in handling accumulated work.
“What’s Aileen up to these days?”
“Ah, in fact, Rosaria came by recently to give a report.”
“And?”
Kaid’s expression softened, a faint smile dawning on his face.
The change was so marked that even Baon, who witnessed it each time, couldn’t help but be startled.
“He eats quite well and participates actively in his lessons, or so I’m told.”
“I see. Is that all?”
“There is one more thing, but I’m not sure how to put it into words.”
“Well?”
Baon wrestled with whether he should speak of this at all.
He couldn’t fathom why it had fallen to him to deliver such information.
He averted his gaze, edging quietly away from Kaid, who waited for the rest of his report.
“The heir of the Kyraas Family apparently suggested to Aileen that she visit the Northern Region for leisure.”
A chill silence descended.
Baon swallowed dryly and hurried to add more.
“It seems like something he said without understanding, given his age.”
“Without understanding?”
“Yes, sir.”
“That brat?”
It was a claim no one would believe.
Kaid’s lips twisted upward. He’d been troubled by this matter already, and now it had come to pass just as he’d feared.
“He couldn’t possibly not know. Not if he’s received proper Heir Training.”
One of the key elements emphasized in Heir Training was the ability to read others’ true intentions.
Naturally, he would understand what it meant to invite someone into one’s territory.
“How dare he wag his tail at someone.”
Not knowing who he’s up against.
Kaid laughed, a short, bitter sound.
The next day, something remarkable happened.
Baon let out a brief exclamation of surprise.
“Oh?”
On the desk lay what could only be called a Reflection Letter, newly submitted.
Messis had guessed correctly.
* * *
“Rosaria! What is this?”
“A new Bath Robe I’ve prepared for you.”
I’d just finished my shower and was stepping out wrapped in a large towel when I spotted a garment I’d never seen before.
I caught sight of a pristine white Bath Robe draped neatly on the coat rack and my eyes lit up.
Is that mine?
I turned and pointed at the robe, and Rosaria smiled warmly.
“I thought it would be nice for you to wear a robe instead of just a towel, so I prepared one. Would you like to try it on?”
“Yes! I want to try it!”
I spun around, unwinding the towel wrapped around my body.
Once I slipped into the pristine white robe, the soft fabric against my skin felt like foam.
“Do you like it, Aileen?”
“Yes. Wearing this makes me feel grown-up. Really grown-up.”
I dashed to the mirror in high spirits.
I touched the slightly wide sleeves and the ribbon tied at the waist, examining each one.
Now I can wear a Bath Robe too!
Rosaria, who’d been watching with quiet satisfaction from behind, approached with a soft towel in hand.
She meant to dry my hair, which still had moisture in it.
“It took a bit of time to find the right size. If I’d known you’d be this pleased, I would have gotten one much sooner.”
“Mmm. I’m in such a good mood right now.”
I gulped down the Iced Tea that had been prepared as a snack.
Ice and pieces of fruit floated in the Iced Tea.
“Aileen, have you finished all your lessons?”
Rosaria asked, patting my hair dry with the towel.
I glanced at the wall clock, which was decorated with flowering vines. There was still quite a bit of time before the lesson would begin.
Since I had one day’s worth of homework left, I shook my head.
Recently, I’d been learning simple vocabulary, and to keep from forgetting, I had assignments to practice copying letters until the day of class.
“Just a little bit left.”
“Will you do it in the Garden again today?”
“Yes. I’ll bring it with me.”
“Then I’ll prepare snacks to bring along too. Today’s snack is Crackers. There’s chocolate and fruit on top. Won’t that be delicious?”
“It will be delicious!”
“There. All dry now.”
“Thank you, Rosaria.”
I climbed down from the chair and gathered my notebook and pen.
Once I tucked the container of snacks into my bag and zipped it shut, my previously flat sides rounded out pleasantly.
I set the bag down in front of the door and picked up the sky-blue One-piece Dress that lay folded on the bed.
I undid the buttons fastened along my back.
“Would you like help changing?”
“No. Aileen can do it all alone.”
Truth be told, putting on socks by myself was still difficult, but the dress I could manage easily enough.
I pulled the fabric over my head, drew my neck out, slipped one arm through and then the other, and had the dress on in moments.
My hair had gotten a bit tousled, but a few quick strokes with my fingers and it settled back down.
“How does Aileen look?”
“Absolutely perfect! Let me fasten the buttons for you.”
“Mm.”
Rosaria buttoned up the back of the dress for me.
Whenever I accomplished something I could do on my own, Rosaria wore a look of genuine delight tinged with something harder to name.
It seemed she found wonder in witnessing my growth unfold before her eyes in real time.
“Let’s go play!”
“Yes. I’ll come fetch you before your lesson starts.”
“Mm!”
I slung the bag over my shoulder.
I had to get to the Garden and ride the Swing!
A proper Swing had been installed in the Garden not long ago. They said a Slide would be added soon.
The reason was that the estate lacked proper play equipment.
And there was one other thing that had been set up: a Parasol.
A large Mat lay spread beneath it.
That was all mine too.
Once I reached the Garden, I placed my bag on the Mat and ran toward the Swing.
“Oh, Miss. You’re riding the Swing?”
“Messis?”
“Good morning. Hope you’re having a fine day.”
I turned toward the voice and found Messis, apparently just awake, standing there with drowsy eyes.

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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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