The Youngest Daughter of the Snake Family - Chapter 7

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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 7
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“It seems the Baby Bird is missing its Guardian?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
In the Office, where two crossed swords hung and a Red Banner wrapped in serpents adorned the wall, Kaid’s hands stilled over his work.
The crimson gaze fixed on the documents lifted toward Rosaria.
“The young one has been listless lately.”
“So you want me to go see the Baby Bird?”
“Yes.”
Kaid’s expression turned incredulous.
Rosaria had recently taken on a task called Baby Bird Care, and there should have been no reason for her to meet with Kaid on official business.
Yet here she was, appearing without warning to demand that he visit the Baby Bird.
Kaid tilted his head in that same incredulous way, as if to say, go on.
Rosaria continued.
“The young one’s emotions are quite unstable. They play contentedly at one moment, then fall into melancholy the next. I suspect the absence of a Guardian is making them anxious.”
“Anxious, you say. How would you know that? I was under the impression the child couldn’t speak.”
“Ah. A tail has recently begun to grow.”
“……What’s growing?”
“A tail.”
Rosaria recalled the Baby Bird, growing more robust by the day, and couldn’t suppress the corners of her mouth from twitching upward.
“When the young one is in good spirits, the tail rises upward or sways side to side.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. The body has grown larger, and weight has increased as well. They’ve become quite agile at jumping lately. It’s remarkable progress, wouldn’t you say?”
It was hardly remarkable in itself, but the way she told it made it sound genuinely wondrous.
Kaid showed a glimmer of interest, and Rosaria seized the moment, eyes sparkling as she rattled on without pause.
She spoke as though she’d never harbored a shred of concern for the Baby Bird.
“Even the way they call to me has changed. They’re definitely calling me by name now—much gentler than the young masters who always just say ‘hey.’ And furthermore……”
Kaid, sensing this would never end unless someone stopped her, raised his hand.
“Enough.”
“……In any case, the conclusion is that I’m hoping you might visit the young one from time to time, so they don’t feel so anxious.”
“I’m busy.”
“As their Guardian, I ask that you do at least this much.”
“If I recall correctly, you recently asked me to allocate budget, and I approved it.”
Rosaria had requested quite a substantial sum, and Kaid had granted it.
By any measure, he’d been generous enough.
Yet Rosaria shook her head firmly, insisting it wasn’t enough.
A child in their growth stage is sensitive. And perceptive.
No matter how devoted a caregiver might be, the absence of a Guardian occupied a different realm entirely.
Rosaria was certain that the Baby Bird’s emotional instability stemmed from the Guardian’s absence.
“Please come see the young one, sir.”
At her insistent plea, Kaid deliberated for a moment before, unexpectedly, nodding.
“Very well. I’ll make time for a visit.”
“When do you expect to come?”
“Once my work is finished. So now—out, Rosaria.”
Kaid gestured toward the door with a crooked smile.
A dismissal.
Rosaria, her expression souring, reluctantly left the room.
With the thread of his work broken, Kaid set down his pen and sank into thought.
A Guardian was necessary, was it? Didn’t most creatures simply grow of their own accord?
Kaid, who gauged all growth against his own childhood, let out a quiet laugh.
“The little thing’s grown a tail?”
That was a genuinely intriguing prospect.
* * *
Flicker. Flicker.
I opened my eyes beneath the blanket.
It seemed I’d fallen asleep while brooding intently over how I was supposed to go on living.
“Chirp.”
Still half-drowsy, I rubbed my tired eyes and sat there dazed, taking in my surroundings.
The room was far too quiet.

What’s this?
Under normal circumstances, Rosaria would have greeted me warmly.
I looked around the room in confusion, then called out to her.
“Chirp, chirp, chirp, chirp.”
Silence.
“Chirp, chirp, chirp, chirp?”
It seemed Rosaria had stepped out on errands while I slept. She couldn’t stay beside me all day, after all.
I understood that much, but facing the reality of it now made me feel lonely.
Alone in this enormous room. I wriggled completely free of the blanket.
When would Rosaria come back?
“Chirp, chirp, chirp, chirp…….”
I was perched on the edge of the bed, swinging my legs, when I felt a burning gaze from somewhere.
Hmm? What’s going on?
No one was here, so why did I keep feeling like someone was watching me?
“Chirp?”
I snapped my head up. And froze in shock.
“Chirp?!”
“That’s quite the reaction—seeing something you shouldn’t, are we?”
The master of the house was leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed, watching me.
Ah, he startled me.
I quickly pressed a wing over my heart. Thump-thump, thump-thump—it was racing.
Of all times to be alone, I had to run into the master of the house.
Seeing my flustered expression, he approached and spoke.
“I was just about to leave—tired of waiting. But you’ve woken up.”
“…Chirp!”
“So your tail has grown, I hear?”
Surprisingly, the master knew my tail had grown.
It seemed Rosaria must have mentioned it to him.
I nodded slowly, backing away with each step he took forward.
Amused by this, the master advanced without hesitation.
Despite the distance, his long legs closed the gap in just a few strides.
I pressed myself flat against the wall and froze.
Oh, what do I do…….
“Chirp, chirp-chirp!”
Don’t come closer! I’m scared!
As I watched him warily, he settled into the chair where Rosaria usually sat, leaning back.
His steady gaze felt oppressive.
I swallowed hard, when suddenly the master spoke.
“Turn around.”
“Chirp-chirp-chirp!”
“Rosaria says you’re still growing, but I don’t see it. Where exactly is this tail supposed to be?”
The master seemed genuinely curious.
Surely he didn’t come all this way just to verify that?
He was studying me with the intensity of someone seeing a tail for the first time.
I quickly hid my tail.
Why had the master suddenly taken an interest in my tail?
His expressionless face made it hard to read his intentions.
“Chirp!”
Go away!
I puffed out my body and fluttered my wings dramatically.
At the sight of this, the master’s mouth twitched into the faintest smile.
“Is that supposed to be a threat?”
“Chirp!”
“With just that?”
In that moment, something flickered in the master’s eyes. He was looking at my wings.
My wings were short, fluffy with down, jutting adorably toward the sky.
“Fascinating.”
“Chirp-chirp!”
What should I do?
No matter what I did, I posed no threat whatsoever to the man before me.
If anything, I’d only piqued his curiosity further.
After studying me for a long while, the landlord finally reached out with an enormous hand that was genuinely terrifying.
Screech!
I squeezed my eyes shut.
I braced myself, certain my whole body would be seized and I’d be helpless to move.
But as time passed, I felt nothing at all.
Hm?
I cracked open one eye and saw the landlord murmuring uncertainly.
“This is how Rosaria does it, I think.”
The landlord was holding his palm up, just as Rosaria had done. Was he seriously asking me to hop onto his hand?
Chirp?
“Is this not it?”
When I hesitated, he pushed his hand even closer.
“You’ve seemed listless lately—why is that?”
Well, because if I grow quickly, I’ll have to leave the house.
“And your tail’s been drooping all day long, they say?”
Chirp…
I’d forgotten about that, and suddenly my spirits sank.
I felt my tail—still not under my full control—drooping of its own accord.
The landlord studied me, then picked up the Snack that Rosaria always kept ready on the table.
Did he really think I’d gobble it down the moment he offered it?
“Eat.”
My beak twitched, threatening to move on its own. The sweet-looking Snack was calling to me.
Though Snacks are delicious, I suppose. Just a taste wouldn’t hurt…
Just a taste. The Snack itself isn’t to blame.
I nibbled the Snack the landlord offered, bite by bite. After repeating this several times, he opened his mouth.
“You’re eating it well.”
Chirp?
“Like a dog.”
…Like what, now?
I spat out the Snack. The landlord had apparently decided to genuinely provoke me.

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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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