The Youngest Daughter of the Snake Family - Chapter 57

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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 57
There was a new clan in the Eastern Region.
Could the Roysar Family be this new clan? Did they send me a letter asking to have me sent back? Why all of a sudden?
“What decision will the Family Head make?”
“He’ll send her back, of course.”
“No, surely he won’t.”
“He wouldn’t go so far as to make an enemy of the Eastern Region just to keep the young lady.”
At those words, my mind went blank. Thump. My heart plummeted like a stone.
What if he really does send me back?
Anxiety crashed over me like a wave. Would Cade really protect me even if it meant making an enemy of the Eastern Region?
There was no logical reason for him to keep me around if it meant going to such lengths, just as those people had suggested.
I wasn’t even his real daughter, after all.
And yet……
He’d told me clearly that I was of the Black Mamba Clan, and never to forget I belonged to the Astrropel Family no matter where I went.
But those words had been spoken before this crisis erupted—they might mean nothing now.
Arban, who’d been silent until then, called to me.
“Hey. Don’t pay any mind to what they’re saying. Why would Father send you away?”
“……”
“You’re not actually believing them, are you?”
This time, perhaps those people’s words might be right.
He’d shown me care and affection that sometimes seemed excessive, but this time might be different.
Cade was the head of a family, after all.
He existed for the sake of his house. His decisions were the Southern Region’s decisions.
Would he really choose to turn against the Eastern Region just to keep one girl?
The chance of that was almost nonexistent.
Perhaps the time had come when I would soon have to part ways with this family.
* * *
“I’m sure you all know why you’re here.”
Early afternoon.
An urgent meeting was convened at the Astrropel Family estate.
It was because of a single letter that had arrived from the Roysar Family.
The impact of that brief message was considerable.
As a result, the family’s Elders had begun gathering one after another.
“……Why would the Roysar Family send such a letter all of a sudden?”
“Exactly. They’ve been quiet all this time, and now suddenly they’re asking for the young lady to be returned?”
A heavy silence settled over the room.
Cade studied the letter with cold eyes.
“Yes. I’m curious about that myself.”
“What exactly does the letter say?”
Zeras asked with a grave expression.
“They say they’re coming to the Southern Region to collect Aileen.”
“Coming to the Southern Region, you say?”
The atmosphere in the conference room grew tense.
The fact that they were planning to come in person suggested the Roysar Family had made up their minds firmly.
“This doesn’t look favorable. If things continue this way, they could even take the matter to trial.”
“I agree. If it comes to that, it will be disadvantageous for the Southern Region.”
Ordinarily, a clan could only take in and raise a young demi-human from a different clan if the original guardian had consented to the guardianship.
Otherwise, the consent document of the original clan’s leader was required.
Currently, the Astrropel Family possessed Aileen with neither of these conditions met—a serious problem.
If the Roysar Family filed suit, the Astrropel Family would have no recourse and would be forced to return Aileen.
But that wasn’t all.
If the question of Aileen’s origin came up, the matter would grow far more complicated.
One of the Elders, who had been observing the mood, spoke up.
“I don’t know what the Family Head is thinking, but if this continues as it is, our family will find ourselves in a disadvantageous position.”
“The protection of young demi-humans is an issue all demi-humans are sensitive about.”
“Once they seize on this point, the problem will spiral beyond our control.”
This was a critical matter that could escalate into open conflict between the Southern and Eastern Regions.
As the Elders began to voice their opinions one by one, Baon, who had been listening in silence, furrowed his brow.
“Are you saying we should send Miss Aileen back to the Eastern Region?”
“……No, that’s not exactly what we meant.”
Silence fell again.
Everyone knew how much Cade treasured Aileen, so none of them dared venture an opinion carelessly.
“But something seems odd about this.”
Durias, who had remained quiet until now, observing the situation, tilted his head.
“No matter how I think about it, I can’t understand why the Roysar Family would make such a demand. It’s madness for them.”
No matter how justified the request, there was a vast difference in power between the families.
They must have known that friction with the Southern Region was possible, and yet they had made this demand—it simply made no sense.
Every clan held their young demi-humans dear, but not enough to trade for the family’s security.
Zeras nodded in agreement.
“I share that sentiment. It does seem strange.”
“Indeed.”
It was recklessness that didn’t fit. An act impossible without something to lean on—something they believed in.
Cade let out a low chuckle.
Aileen’s request for return, made right after Ella was brought back from the Eastern Region.
The situation was unfolding in a peculiar way.
Perhaps the peaceful Southern Region would become deeply entangled with the Eastern Region because of this affair.
Cade smiled with amusement as he looked at the pure white feather crest etched onto the letter.
“The matter is growing complicated.”
“…How do you intend to proceed?”
Baon asked softly. Everyone was waiting for Cade’s decision.
After having his eyes closed for a long while, Cade opened them and spoke with a cold expression.
“Durias.”
“Yes.”
“Send word to the Roysar Family. Tell them they may visit the Southern Region as they wish.”
* * *
Sniff, sniff.
The first thing I did upon returning to my room was to pack my belongings.
The entire way back, Arban tried to comfort me, insisting it made no sense, but his words brought no solace.
“Aileen. Why does your face look like that?”
Rosalia, who was in the room, looked startled when she saw my face, as if tears might spill at any moment.
“Did something happen?”
“No. Nothing at all.”
When I shook my head and offered no explanation, Rosalia caught sight of Arban following me in.
Arban let out a sigh.
“How many times do I have to tell you—Father would never send you away?”
“What do you mean? Send Aileen away?”
It seemed Rosalia hadn’t heard the news yet.
I pressed my lips together.
I didn’t want to explain the reason myself. If I said it aloud, it might actually become true.
As I stubbornly kept my eyes on my bag, Arban spoke in my place.
“It seems they’ve asked from the Eastern Region for Aileen to be returned.”
“What?!”
“Father summoned the Elders because of it, and they’re in council now.”
“Then surely you don’t mean…”
True to her nature, Rosalia was greatly alarmed upon hearing the explanation.
Then she quickly snatched the bag I had been packing.
“The Family Head would never send Aileen away!”
Sob.
Tears spilled out.
I’d never seen Rosalia show anger like this before.
My lips, which had been poised to tremble as if tears would come at any moment, quivered slightly.
I looked up at Rosalia with sorrowful eyes.
Seeing me that way, she spoke with firm conviction.
“If the Family Head knew what you’ve done today, he would be deeply hurt.”
“…Father would be hurt?”
“Of course.”
Rosalia placed my bag on a shelf beyond my reach.
I wiped at my eyes hurriedly.
Would Cade really not send me away?
I wanted to believe that, but uncertainty wouldn’t let me be certain.
“Everyone says it’ll become a big problem if I keep staying here, Rosalia.”
“That’s absolutely not true, miss.”
“Father said it would be difficult for him.”
“What father in this world would cast out his daughter just because things become difficult?”
…….
“He’s not that sort of man, so you needn’t worry yourself. You understand, don’t you?”
……Yes.
Her words eased my mind somewhat. Though my anxiety didn’t disappear entirely.
What if I remembered that Cade had decided I should stay here only temporarily?
And what if everyone found out?
They might all change how they treat me.
My expression refused to brighten, and Arban, watching me, furrowed his brow.
“If you’re that worried, just go ask Father directly.”
“Ask him what?”
“Tell him you don’t want to go to the Eastern Region.”
“Do you think Father will agree to that?”
Regardless of what the meeting decides?
“Has Father ever refused your request? He agreed when you wanted to go out last time, didn’t he?”
He had a point.
Cade had never refused a single request I made.
No matter how troublesome or inconvenient, he always granted what I asked for.
Though sometimes there were conditions attached.
I sprang to my feet.
“You’re right, Arban. I’ll go ask Father about it.”
“But surely you should have a snack before you go?”
Hmm?
Rosalia appeared with refreshments in hand.
On the plate lay an appetizing pancake dripping with honey.
“Before undertaking any great endeavor, one must fill one’s belly first, miss.”
That was true enough.
Without strength, I couldn’t do anything at all!
Then I’d eat the snack first and go find him.
I gripped my fork with solemn determination and bit off a generous mouthful of pancake.
“But what should I even say to him?”
Showing up without a plan could backfire.
Cade hated that sort of thing.
“Is there a good approach?”
“Usually when you want something, you offer him a bribe.”
……A bribe?
“Don’t you have anything to give Father?”
……I don’t have anything like that.
As Arban and I put our heads together in serious contemplation, Rosalia smiled and spoke.
“What if you did it this way?”
How?
We both turned to look at Rosalia at once.
Had she thought of something good?
I waited for her to speak, my expression bright with anticipation.
“You and Baharun could prepare a snack together to offer the Family Head.”
Hmm? Me and Baharun? Making a snack?
“Yes. After every meeting, we always bring the Family Head fresh refreshments and tea.”
Of course! That was wonderful news.
Arban nodded as well, seeming to think the plan wasn’t a bad one.
I jumped up from my seat.
I’d better hurry before Baharun finished making everything himself.
“You should be able to find him in the Kitchen if you go now, miss.”
“All right! I’m off, Aileen.”
But would Cade like it?
Just as worry began to creep in, Rosalia spoke again.
“The Family Head will be pleased with anything that you give him, miss.”

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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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