The Youngest Daughter of the Snake Family - Chapter 42
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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 42
Truth be told, I understood why Set and Arban had been permitted to go out first.
They possessed the strength to protect themselves, and with Guard Knights accompanying them, they were perfectly safe.
Of course, I understood.
“I want to go out too!”
“Hmm?”
“I want to go out like my brothers do.”
I fidgeted with my fingers as I mumbled the words.
Even as I spoke, anxiety gnawed at me—what if I was being too demanding and got scolded for it?—so I cast a cautious glance around the room.
But my worry proved needless; Kaid’s lips curved upward ever so slightly.
“You want to go out?”
“Yes.”
“How much?”
“As much as the sky! As much as the earth!”
Sensing I might lose this chance if I didn’t seize it now, I stretched my arms wide without hesitation.
This much! Enormously!
As I pressed my case with such force, I heard Arban let out a snort of amusement.
Set watched openly to see what I was doing, while Orca covered his mouth and bent his head low.
“I want to go outside too, Father!”
I cried out loudly, my voice ringing through the Corridor.
Kaid stood with his arms folded and head tilted, regarding me quietly before murmuring as if lost in thought.
“What to do.”
“Since she desires it so much, wouldn’t it be wise to let her go out once?”
“She’s far too young for that.”
“That may be true, but…”
“No, it won’t do.”
Kaid turned to me deliberately, raising his voice as if to ensure I heard him while discussing the matter with Orca.
There was something teasing in his tone—it seemed he was actually enjoying the current situation.
Listening to their exchange, my heart quickened with urgency, and I shook my head at once.
“No!”
“No?”
“Yes. Airin has grown this much more.”
It was a baseless claim, but I blurted it out anyway. Children grew by the day, so surely I’d gotten a little taller.
Hearing the desperation in my plea, Kaid laughed as if deflating.
Worried the opportunity might slip away, I suddenly threw my arms around his leg.
“I won’t let go until Father says yes.”
“Hmm. That’s rather inconvenient.”
Yet his voice held no hint of inconvenience whatsoever.
As if he’d been waiting for this very moment, his smile rose higher and showed no sign of falling.
Kaid lifted me up effortlessly and carried me into the Dining Hall.
We’d been lingering at the entrance for quite some time; through the window, the sun was already beginning to set.
“Since you’re begging so earnestly to go out, I can’t very well refuse.”
“Will you let Airin go?”
“But I’ll set one condition.”
“A condition?”
Whatever it was, I was confident I could accomplish it. As I asked eagerly, Kaid adopted a deliberately serious expression.
“Kasana said you’ll be taking Pheromone Lessons, yes?”
“Yes.”
“Once you can freely perform True Form Transformation and Human Form Transformation, I promise to take you outside.”
It was a proposal that would require considerable time, but it wasn’t unreasonable.
Unwilling to lose this hard-won opportunity, I quickly nodded in agreement.
“Then when you succeed, we’ll go on a Family Trip together.”
“A Family Trip?”
Set, who had been following along, asked back with startled eyes. Arban seemed equally taken aback, his steps faltering.
It was clear neither of them had anticipated such a proposal from Kaid.
“That’s right. You don’t want to?”
“That’s not it.”
“Well… if that one succeeds, that is.”
Both of them replied without apparent displeasure, though it seemed they secretly desired to go.
With this, I now had yet another reason why I absolutely had to succeed.
“I’ll make sure we go on a family trip, I promise. Just wait a little longer, Set, Arban.”
“What are you talking about? Who said anything about wanting to go on a family trip!”
I saw right through the denial. I grinned, my face the picture of knowing amusement.
I’d already caught it earlier—the way Arban’s eyes had sparkled and brightened the moment Kaid spoke, color flooding back into his face.
Set was playing innocent too, but his expression betrayed that he was paying attention.
“I just want us all to have fun together.”
“Then make it happen when we succeed.”
“Will the two of you help me?”
I dangled the bait.
“Well, since you want to go, I’m helping. But don’t get the wrong idea—I’m not doing this because I want to go or anything!”
And Arban took the bait beautifully. Set, who’d been matching his stride to ours, walked ahead into the Dining Hall as if he had no need to hear more.
The moment we stepped inside, an appetizing aroma assaulted my senses.
Baharn, the chef who’d been waiting for our arrival, approached with a warm smile.
“Welcome, Head of Household. Young masters, young lady.”
“Baharn!”
“It’s been a while, Miss Airin. I’m honored that you remember my name. Shall we have you seated?”
“Yes!”
At my word, Kaid bent down and set me on the ground.
Once down, I followed where Baharn led.
“Your seat is here, young lady.”
My place was directly to Kaid’s left.
“Wow, it’s so sparkly.”
The table was decorated with lavish elegance.
Lilac flowers bloomed brightly in flower vases set at regular intervals.
Long golden candelabra were topped with crystal holders, and within them, candles burned with a soft, gentle glow.
Before them lay freshly cut bread nestled in a small basket, and beside it sat an array of salads, fruits, stew, and steak.
And finally…….
“Huh? The chair’s changed!”
A wooden chair had been raised up high.
This time, I wouldn’t have to sit on my knees to eat.
As I leaned in with interest, Kaid—who’d been studying the chair with a fixed gaze—called out to Baharn in a low voice.
“Baharn.”
“Yes, Head of Household.”
Kaid’s mouth curved upward in a dark smile.
“Still the unnecessary preparations.”
“……Did I make an error? If you tell me, I’ll adjust it at once.”
“There’s nothing to adjust now.”
“……?”
“Airin’s already taken an interest. Seems to like it immensely. Bringing it from so far away was worth it after all, wasn’t it?”
“…….”
“Thanks to your efforts, Airin will be able to eat quite comfortably on her own.”
With each word Kaid spoke, Baharn’s complexion darkened further.
His crimson gaze swept through the Dining Hall, then settled on me.
I was stepping onto the footrest to climb into the chair when I caught his eye and smiled brightly.
“What’s wrong, Kaid?”
“…….”
“Hmm?”
The chair was equipped with a footrest for easy climbing.
With its help, I hoisted myself up and settled in quite easily.
Both Kaid and Baharn watched me from start to finish.
The two of them radiated very different atmospheres.
Baharn looked like someone facing a situation already lost and beyond remedy, while Kaid seemed…….
Like he was thinking, ‘How do I get rid of this?’
……What’s that about?
“Ah……, Miss Airin.”
“Yes?”
“Do you like the chair?”
“Yes.”
At my immediate answer, Baharn’s expression grew even darker.
He’d taken the trouble to prepare a gift, and I’d said I liked it—so why did his face look so grim?
I fidgeted with the armrest, wondering if I’d made some mistake.
No matter how I thought about it, I couldn’t find one.
“Is the seat perhaps uncomfortable for you?”
“Mm. No! Airin like.”
“……If there’s even the smallest thing that bothers you, please tell me at once.”
Something small but uncomfortable?
I checked again, but there was nothing like that.
The chair was so cushioned it felt custom-made.
The height was perfect too — ideal for eating.
“Very happy. Baharn, thank you for taking care.”
I deliberately used the tongs to pick up bread and placed it on my plate.
It seemed the temperature in the dining hall had dropped even further.
Kaid laughed softly as he took the center seat.
“There’s no reason he wouldn’t like it. I brought it from the far end of the Continent. You must be delighted, Baharn.”
Kaid emphasized the far end of the Continent and raised his knife with elegant precision.
I drank water and tilted my head.
At this point, I should have caught on.
Kaid didn’t like that I could now sit in a chair and eat a meal.
Did he want to feed me instead?
But that would be inconvenient for Kaid.
For some reason, Baharn standing in the corner looked pitiful. What should I do?
“Dad.”
“Mm?”
“Here.”
I spread jam thickly on a slice of bread and held it out to Kaid.
Kaid stared at the bread with a startled expression.
“Huh.”
Baharn drew in a sharp breath and clapped his hand over his mouth. He wasn’t the only one shocked.
Set, who’d been drinking water, coughed softly, and Arban, who’d been propping his chin up watching the scene, lifted his head slowly with an expression of disbelief.
All their eyes held the look of those witnessing something utterly unprecedented and bizarre.
In the hushed atmosphere, Kaid broke into laughter.
“Who on earth taught you this?”
“Dad gave it to me before. Airin will give to you too.”
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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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