The Youngest Daughter of the Snake Family - Chapter 41

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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 41
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“Aileen. It’s time to wake up now.”
Tickle-tickle.
I’d fallen asleep during my afternoon nap, and now I stirred awake, still drowsy.
Wanting just a few more moments of rest, I burrowed back into the blankets when I heard Rosaria’s soft voice at my ear.
“You really must get up. It’s already past five o’clock.”
“Mmmph.”
“Master said everyone is to dine together this evening.”
Snap.
Everyone dining together? All of us?
I bolted upright. I couldn’t remember the last time we’d had a family meal.
Poking my head out from under the blankets, I looked at Rosaria.
“We’re all eating dinner together?”
“Of course. You should hurry and get ready, shouldn’t you?”
“Right, I know. I’ll be the first one to the Dining Hall.”
“Let me fix your hair first.”
“Okay.”
I yawned widely. Sleep still clung to me, refusing to fully release its hold.
I must have played awfully hard in the Garden today.
I sat on the edge of the bed, waiting as Rosaria began to groom my hair.
I felt her gentle fingers combing through the strands.
As I absently touched my side hair, a sudden desire struck me to ask for something different.
“Rosaria, can you braid my hair?”
“Of course. Would you like me to?”
“Yes.”
Rosaria began braiding my hair, weaving each strand snugly, and tied a Yellow Ribbon at the end.
“How do you like it? Does it suit you?”
“Yes, it’s beautiful!”
The long twin braids felt comfortable and looked lovely.
Once I’d finished preparing, I left my room to head to the Dining Hall.
“I’ll be the first one there.”
“If you leave now, you’ll surely arrive earliest, Miss Aileen.”
“Really?”
Everyone was busy, so they’d likely arrive on time to match the appointment.
I turned the corner of the hallway where the stairs down to the lower level stood.
That’s when I nearly collided with Sette coming down from the upper floor.
He looked slightly startled to run into me.
“Aileen?”
“Brother? Where are you going?”
“I was heading to the Dining Hall.”
Already? This soon? It was completely unexpected.
Sette paused mid-step on the staircase, then descended as he spoke.
“You’ve braided your hair, Aileen.”
“Rosaria did it for me. Pretty, right?”
I held up both braids in my hands to show him.
Sette’s gaze lowered quietly to examine my hair as we walked side by side.
“Did you not want to see me?”
“I’m not sure.”
“Hmph. Well, I wanted everyone to see me, so I came down first.”
“I see.”
But why had Sette come out so early? Did he have something to do before the Dining Hall?
As I looked at him questioningly, those crimson eyes gazing ahead drifted downward.
“I had nothing else to do.”
“Oh, that’s right!”
I’d nearly forgotten to mention it.
I grinned widely and started to boast to Sette.
“I can take lessons in the forest now?”
“The forest?”
“Yes. I’m going to have my Pheromone Lesson in the forest from now on. Isn’t that cool?”
Tell me I’m impressive already. The moment my eyes sparkled with anticipation, Sette’s lips curled up in amusement.
“Impressive.”
It was a hollow compliment. I’d half-expected as much.
Sette was always awkward with praise.
By now I’d gathered enough of a sense of his nature that it didn’t sting.
“Now that I’ve changed, I’ll even be able to fly. Isn’t that cool?”
“Cool.”
“And—”
“But Aileen.”
“Mm?”
Sette’s eyes narrowed. A mischievous smile played across his face.
“When you shift to your True Form, you can’t lose focus. If you do—”
If I do?
“Only part of your body might shift, and you could be stuck like that for the rest of your life.”
The world lurched. My mouth fell open, and I froze. Sette chuckled at my shock.
He walked past me while I stood rigid.
I watched his receding back, dazed.
If only half of me changed, what would happen next?
I snapped to attention and rushed after him, grabbing his sleeve urgently.
Sette, who’d been strolling leisurely, stopped at my touch. As if he’d been waiting.
“What?”
“S-so what happens if that occurs?”
“Curious?”
“Yes.”
There had to be a way to reverse it, obviously.
But the answer I’d been expecting didn’t come for a long time.
Sette, lost in thought, shrugged.
“No idea. I’ve never tried it before.”
…
“I succeeded on my first attempt.”
“Casa never told me anything like that!”
“Did he forget?”
If it was that important, he would’ve told me beforehand. He must have genuinely forgotten.
I stared down at the floor in dejection, and Sette let out a low chuckle.
Why was he laughing? I looked up sharply, and Sette met my gaze with his blank expression, tilting his head innocently.
Something felt very off. Had he been toying with me this whole time?
I narrowed my eyes and glared at him. He walked past me again.
“You’re going to get fooled wherever you go.”
“Were you messing with me the whole time?”
“Yeah.”
It was an unapologetic, utterly shameless admission.
I stood stunned for a moment.
Then a deep sense of betrayal washed over me.
All those serious moments of worry felt suddenly foolish.
I puffed out my cheeks and hurried after him again. Sette slowed his pace.
“I was so shocked thinking it was true.”
“I was actually surprised too—I almost believed my own lie.”
“I’m not falling for it anymore.”
“I thought you’d keep believing for a while longer.”
His voice was full of regret.
I let out a relieved breath. I’d known it—Casa would never withhold something that important.
As we bickered, we’d arrived at the entrance to the Dining Hall.
As I was about to enter, I spotted Arban coming from the opposite direction.
I waved cheerfully.
“Arban!”
Orka was accompanying Arban as well.
It’d been a while since we’d met, so I waved back with feigned familiarity, and Orka offered a light bow.
“Good day to you, Young Master Sette and Miss Aileen.”
“Where have you two been?”
They were dressed in unfamiliar outdoor clothing.
It was a stark contrast to the worn forest training clothes he’d been wearing before.
When I looked at him with curiosity, Arban’s lips curled into an irritating smirk as he removed his coat.
“You still have a long way to go before you can do that.”
“Where have you been?”
“Outside.”
“……Outside?”
Surely not outside the Mansion?
When I glanced at Orka, he looked troubled and offered an awkward smile instead of answering.
It seemed he really had gone outside.
But I’d been told that going outside was only possible once you became an adult.
As I tilted my head in confusion, Sette offered an explanation.
“It’s possible if Father permits it.”
“Father?”
“Yes.”
How was I the only one who didn’t know about this? I turned to Sette in disbelief.
“……Have you been outside too?”
“Yes.”
It seemed both of them had already been outside before, and only I was left behind.
So when would I get to go?
In that instant, my lip jutted out. My disappointment spilled across my entire body, impossible to hide.
Watching my expression transform in real time, Orka grew visibly flustered, at a complete loss.
“……I, I’m certain the master will grant permission very soon. Please don’t be upset, Miss Aileen.”
“Can Aileen go outside too?”
“Of course.”
“When?”
“That is…….”
Orka’s lips, which had been so fluid, finally sealed shut.
His words faded as his eyes, which had been watching my mood, quietly slipped away.
Unable to help himself, Orka’s hands fidgeted uselessly in the air.
The man who couldn’t answer looked almost anxious now.
“What are you all doing here?”
In that moment, Kaid’s voice cut through.
At the same time, Orka’s expression brightened considerably.
He was filled with the hope of finally escaping this predicament.
I, still nursing my wounded feelings, pressed my lips together and turned around.
“Father!”
“Hmm?”
Then I ran to Kaid and threw my arms around him.
Clinging to his legs and looking up at him, I saw Kaid regard me thoughtfully before turning his gaze to Orka with a questioning look.
“What’s the matter?”
“It’s just that……. When Miss Aileen learned that young master Arban had gone out, she expressed a desire to venture outside as well.”
“So that’s why you look so pouty.”
“It appears she was quite upset upon hearing that both young masters have been granted permission to leave.”
“Is that so?”
Kaid lowered his gaze to me and asked. I buried my face and nodded.

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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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