The Youngest Daughter of the Snake Family - Chapter 6

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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 6
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“Are you having fun, little one?”
“Chirp!”
“These are Soap Bubbles!”
“Chirp-chirp!”
I was in heaven. The exhaustion of a grueling day had evaporated entirely.
Floating Soap Bubbles drifting lazily above a bathtub full of foam—what could be more heavenly than this?
“Chirp-chirp-chirp…….”
Paradise itself. I stretched my wings wide and arched luxuriously.
When I returned from the forest, I experienced my first joy.
The room had been decorated.
I had thought my original room was extravagant, but Rosaria insisted it was nothing of the sort.
At first I didn’t understand her meaning, but the moment I saw the refurbished room, I grasped it at once.
The room had been transformed so beautifully that it was as if I myself had been reborn anew.
Billowing white Chiffon Curtains hung by the window, and beside them sat an enormous Bed that looked invitingly plush at first glance.
The Carpet on the floor had been replaced with soft white material, and there was even a table holding a flower vase and a sofa.
That alone was astonishing, but…….
“One more time, little one!”
“Chirp-chirp!”
Rosaria blew hard, and iridescent Soap Bubbles rose gently into the air.
This time I would catch one for certain.
Like a sleek predator stalking prey, I held my breath and fixed my gaze on the floating spheres.
Truth be told, I had never seen Soap Bubbles before today.
At first, seeing those round orbs drift through the air with no idea what they were, I had been frightened and hurried to escape…….
But once I came to my senses, I was devoting all my strength to catching them.
Float and drift.
“Chirp!”
I positioned myself at a distance from the Soap Bubble hovering in the air.
Then, timing my moment, I flapped my wings.
“Chirp!”
After repeating this several times over.
Just as my entire body began to tire, Rosaria signaled that playtime was ending.
“Let’s stop here, little one. We’ve run rather behind schedule, I’m afraid.”
“Chirp, chirp-chirp! Chirp!”
No! I haven’t properly caught one yet! Just one more time—surely that’s all right?
I dug in my heels in the bathwater and shook my head stubbornly.
At that, Rosaria produced her trump card.
“Wouldn’t you like to try out the new Bed right away, little one?”
“……Chirp?”
“It’s wonderfully cozy. You can even play and jump about on it.”
At the tempting prospect, all resistance drained from my wings.
A cozy Bed? The Basket was already so comfortable—how warm could the Bed be?
I completely gave up the struggle to stay in the bath.
The moment I climbed out willingly, Rosaria wrapped me in a towel and carried me out.
And then came the instant my body touched that long-anticipated Bed.
“Chirp!”
So cozy.
“Chirp-chirp……!”
With her gentle hands drying my feathers, my eyelids grew heavy and began to flutter.
I surrendered myself to the encroaching darkness.
“……Chirp-chirp-chirp…… Chirp…….”
“My goodness, little one?”
“……Chirp…….”
In comfort far superior to even the Basket, I slipped into a sound sleep.
* * *
After my expedition to the forest, peaceful days began to unfold.
I grew steadily, and my body gradually filled out.
Though the change was subtle, one of my daily habits had become gazing at my reflection in the Mirror.
“Chirp.”
“Your Grace, your tail has grown quite a bit!”
“Chirp!”
I spun in circles before the mirror, trying to catch a glimpse of the tail I couldn’t quite see.
What had been a stubby little thing was taking on a proper shape.
At first, the tail had been nothing but a nuisance—catching under me whenever I sat, always in the way.
But when Rosaria brought another mirror and angled it so I could see the tail properly, I changed my mind.
Yes, yes—it was beautiful, wasn’t it?
I’d grown quite fond of it.
Though it looked a bit like I’d sprouted horns from my backside, Rosaria said that as it grew longer, it would become as sleek and graceful as an Adult Form’s.
Then it would be even prettier, wouldn’t it?
“Your gait has become so much steadier lately!”
“Chirp-chirp!”
I’d noticed it too—the tail seemed to help me find my balance.
Where my steps had once been precarious and uncertain, they were now growing firm.
I could even hop about a little, though I still stumbled now and then.
I twisted my body round to admire the tail.
“Chirp-chirp-chirp! Chirp-chirp!”
“Cough.”
“Chirp?”
And with each such display, the days when Rosaria clutched at her chest grew more frequent.
I pattered over to where she sat hunched down, my head tilted, trying to read her expression.
“Ah, no—I must calm myself. You might hurt yourself, little one.”
“Chirp-chirp-chirp-chirp.”
“Sigh.”
“Chirp-chirp-chirp-chirp!”
I called to Rosaria, who looked almost villainous spouting such dire warnings.
Though I couldn’t yet speak in words, she understood that these calls were meant for her.
“Yes, little one. Shall I fetch you a snack?”
“Chirp.”
In an instant, as though her panic had never been, Rosaria composed herself and returned to normal.
She placed the morsels from a small dish into my mouth one by one.
Delicious!
My tail wagged of its own accord.
There was no better way to express emotion than through the tail.
As I swayed my body side to side to show my joy, Rosaria smiled warmly.
“You’re in your Growth Period, so you must eat plenty and grow big and strong.”
“Chirp.”
“Caring for you lately has become my greatest fulfillment. It brings me such happiness.”
I swallowed the snack and opened my mouth expectantly.
Rosaria popped another morsel inside, as if she’d been waiting for just this moment.
Days like these felt too perfect to be real—so full of happiness I could scarcely believe them.
“Chirp-chirp-tweet!”
If only every day could be like today. I stretched my legs out against the cushion and leaned back.
Yet I knew I couldn’t live like this forever. Once I grew up, I’d have to leave the Mansion.
But would I even be allowed to stay here until then?
Before that time came, the owner might change his mind and cast me out.
After all, he didn’t care for me in the slightest.
The thought of an uncertain future—never knowing when I might be driven outside—suddenly cast a shadow over my mood.
This place was so peaceful, but I had no idea what awaited me in the world beyond these walls.
“Chirp-chirp-chirp…….”
A sigh escaped me unbidden. Noticing my melancholy, Rosaria spoke.
“Little one, is something the matter?”
“Chirp-chirp-chirp-chirp.”
“Pardon?”
Rosaria’s eyes went wide as she set down the empty snack bowl.
I shook my head weakly.
No. When I grow into an adult bird, I’ll have to manage on my own.
But surviving as a young fledgling—the world is far too harsh for that!
And I was becoming increasingly dependent on Rosaria’s care.
What will become of me when I’m finally alone?
I don’t want to be alone again.
As I turned over my worries about the future one by one, my tail drooped low.
“Is something troubling you?”
“Peep.”
I shook my head, insisting it was nothing.
“But your tail is drooping, isn’t it?”
“Peep-peep.”
It’s really nothing at all.
Rosaria blinked at me in bewilderment, clearly at a loss.
After sitting limply for a long while, I forced myself to stand.
I can’t just keep burying myself like this!
“Chirp!”
First, let me find something I can actually do.
Mustering just a bit of resolve, I felt my tail lift again as I straightened up.
This really is remarkable, come to think of it.
The mystery of a tail.
I’d had a tail in my past life too, but it never responded to my emotions quite like this.
Or perhaps it was always faithful to my feelings, but there simply weren’t as many occasions to show it.
Droop.
My tail sank again. The memory of my past life had soured my mood.
I shook my head vigorously to chase away the unwelcome thoughts.
“Chirp-chirp!”
No. I’m not who I was before.
I tapped my cheeks with both wings.
That’s it. Before I reach my Adult Form, I’ll grow strong enough to leave the Mansion and survive on my own!
“Chirp, chirp!”
Swish.
My tail rose completely rigid with determination.
Patter-patter.
I waddled over to the water basin beside the Snack container and dipped my beak in.
Refreshing!
After drinking, I wiped my wet beak clean with my wings.
I didn’t know it then.
I didn’t notice the worry etched on Rosaria’s face as she watched my state shift by the second.
I didn’t foresee what misunderstanding would take root in her mind because of it.
Had I known, I would have desperately tried to explain that it wasn’t like that at all.

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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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