The Youngest Daughter of the Snake Family - Chapter 43

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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 43
“You’re behaving rather unexpectedly.”
Kaid bit off the end of his bread leisurely, and watching it disappear into his mouth, I asked him a question.
“Is it good?”
“It is. Delicious.”
“Do you want more?”
“No, that’s enough. If you want to grow properly, you should be eating it yourself.”
Kaid reached over and tapped my cheek lightly.
I rubbed my cheek, smiling at the satisfaction of having accomplished something.
The subdued atmosphere of the dining room began to come alive again.
Now I could eat my meal without worry.
I speared a piece of the meat that had already been cut into neat portions and brought it to my mouth.
Watching me, Kaid murmured something under his breath.
“Every time I see this, I’m reminded that it’s worth spending money.”
“Mm?”
“What should I buy you next after the chair?”
“…No. There’s nothing else I need.”
At his question, I flinched.
A memory of receiving a gift in the past had surfaced.
Back then, he’d given me something he called a gift—an enormous expanse of land that could be called a territory.
If something like that happened again, I might lose my mind entirely.
“You’re remarkably without ambition.”
“Perhaps it’s because I already have everything I need?”
“Is that so?”
I had the distinct feeling that one wrong word here would spiral into an uncontrollable situation.
He had the air of someone who would present me with anything I could possibly desire the moment I laid eyes on it.
Surely… he wouldn’t go that far.
…Would he?
Seeing Kaid lost in serious contemplation made me fear it might become reality, so I sealed my lips shut.
Baharn, who had also fallen into thought, casually offered a suggestion.
“What of the Marinet House’s new wares?”
“Marinet?”
“Yes. It seems they have many items that the young lady would enjoy.”
Marinet? What sort of house was that?
It was the first time I’d heard of them.
Kaid nodded as if the suggestion had merit.
“Good point. They’re expensive, but they deliver value every time.”
“Indeed? …Though it may take some time. Their craftspeople are quite sought after, you see.”
“Then tell them we’ll purchase their entire inventory.”
“Naturally, they love coin. That way, there’ll be no need to wait.”
Their conversation was growing quite serious.
Watching the situation unfold as if a plan were about to be executed, my heart grew uneasy.
Given that Kaid, who by my standards was enormously wealthy, called these things expensive, the sum in question was clearly beyond imagination.
That was far too burdensome.
Just then, Set pointed to the chair I was sitting in.
“That chair came from the Marinet House too, Aireen.”
“…It did?”
“Yes. See that emblem carved into the side of the chair? That’s the Marinet House sigil.”
“…Oh.”
I covered my mouth as I looked at the spot Set had indicated, my pupils trembling in shock.
It wasn’t a pattern I was seeing for the first time.
Concentric ellipses layered upon one another, with a star embedded at the center.
In fact, I saw this mark quite regularly.
It was a pattern I’d glimpsed countless times on things I used daily and on toys.
Those had been that expensive?
…All those things I’d carelessly painted over, stuck things onto, and torn apart this whole time—they’d all been incredibly expensive items?
I asked in a trembling voice.
“How… how much are they? I have so many of Aireen’s Toys like this…”
Rosaria had given them to me as if they were nothing, so I’d never given them much thought…
As I confessed everything with a crestfallen expression, the corners of Set’s mouth twitched with amusement.
“By ordinary standards, it’s quite expensive.”
“…Actually, there are so many of Aireen’s toys.”
They were piled in the room like a mountain.
Every time a new toy came out, Rosaria brought one over without fail.
“It must easily exceed tens of Gold Coins. The Marinet House is famous across the Continent for having the most outstanding craftsmanship.”
A series of images flashed through my mind.
Several toys had broken because I was careless with them.
What if I’d caused an enormous amount of money to be wasted because of me?
As worry crossed my face, Arban let out a snort.
“Don’t get serious over something trivial like that. That amount of money won’t even dent our House’s finances.”
“…Really?”
“What do you think our House is? We wouldn’t be ruined buying a few toys for you. Even if we filled your entire room, it wouldn’t matter.”
“Whew, that’s a relief.”
I exhaled deeply, reassured.
Kaid, who had been listening to our conversation in silence, spoke pointedly to Baharn.
“Did you hear that, Baharn?”
“Yes, I did. I was quite moved to see the young lady already concerned about the House’s finances.”
“This is what raising a child is like, it seems.”
“Shall I contact the Marinet House in advance then?”
“Yes, do so.”
Kaid answered readily, giving his approval.
Why was the conversation flowing this way again? As I stared in bewilderment, Set spoke.
“Give up, Aireen. It’ll be easier that way.”
* * *
Dinner stretched on far longer than scheduled.
As desserts kept arriving one after another, my eyes rolled about.
After Baharn excused himself to make the call, the atmosphere became painfully quiet.
It struck me anew that these people had no intention of talking unless someone broke the ice first.
Once the evening meal was finished, it seemed certain they would all disperse, so I called out to Set.
“Set.”
“Yes?”
Set answered slowly, holding his black tea.
“What do you do all day?”
“…Why the sudden curiosity?”
“Just wondering.”
“Hmm?”
Set looked at me silently, his expression bewildered.
…Wasn’t this normal?
I’d thought families usually had this kind of conversation when they gathered for a meal.
An awkward silence stretched on.
When no answer came for a while, Kaid’s gaze slowly turned toward Set.
He seemed genuinely interested now that a topic had emerged.
As all eyes fell on my question, Set reluctantly opened his mouth.
“I read books or attend Succession Training.”
“I see. What else?”
“…When time permits, I sometimes take walks.”
“Anything else?”
“No. Why are you asking this?”
Set’s brow furrowed slightly.
His expression suggested he couldn’t fathom why we’d continue such a meaningless conversation.
That’s when I understood.
They clearly had never exchanged any pleasantries about each other’s well-being whenever they met.
The fact that he questioned the reason for even such trivial talk suggested this was highly probable.
“I was just curious and wondered…”
“Why would you be curious about that?”
Because…you’re family.
“It’s natural to ask after a family member’s welfare, Set.”
“…But Father didn’t ask me either.”
“I’ve been observing how you and your brother are doing and gathering reports. I know you both scored perfect marks on the recent exam.”
Set’s eyes widened slightly at Kaid’s words.
She seemed both flustered and pleased all at once.
From his reaction, it appeared Set hadn’t realized that Kaid knew about his daily routines.
I expressed my genuine admiration at Set’s perfect score.
I knew the content of Succession Training was quite difficult. To have earned a perfect mark in that—it was impressive.
“Wow. Set, you’re seriously amazing.”
“……It wasn’t all that difficult.”
“No, you’re super smart.”
“Well done, Set.”
As Kaid’s praise continued, Set cleared his throat and looked away.
He seemed unaccustomed to receiving compliments.
Still, he didn’t seem to mind it altogether.
When the petty questions that followed came, Set showed no sign of displeasure.
“Where do you usually take your walks?”
“……Either to the third-floor gardens, or toward the Estate Annex.”
“I went there to play once too, so why have I never seen you?”
Though it was far, so I didn’t go often.
Set seemed to take most of his walks in places distant from the main residence.
The flow of conversation was going better than expected—a good omen.
I smiled and turned my attention to Arban, my next subject.
When our eyes met, Arban startled and grew flustered.
It seemed he’d instinctively grasped that it was now his turn, and a hint of tension crossed his face.
Yet there was also a trace of curiosity about what question I might ask.
Arban, too, appeared to have never been asked such things before.
It was truly strange and peculiar.
Had no one ever checked in on him like this before?
I was deeply curious about how the family had managed to hold itself together all this time.
“What about you, Arban?”
“What, what do you mean?”
“How are you getting by? You’re not skipping class all the time, are you?”
“Hey! When did I ever skip class!”
Arban’s shoulders jerked, and he burst out loudly in protest.
He nervously glanced toward Kaid, unsure how to handle it, clearly panicked that he’d be caught.
So he’d sneaked out of class again. I could see the look of exasperation cross Set’s face.
“……I only skipped once.”
“Kasana has been going to great trouble searching for you every time, hasn’t she?”
“…….”
“Quite impressive.”

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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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