Tia’s Smooth Life After Regression - Chapter 24

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Tiya’s Smooth Regression Life

Chapter 24

The garden that had been full of spring flowers.

Tiya had built a secret hideout just for her and the spirit who would come to find her someday, and whenever she returned home, her brother would always welcome her first, more than anyone else.

He would hug Tiya once and then remove the flower petals, leaves, and spider webs that had stuck to his sister’s hair and body.

He looked so happy doing it that Tiya casually asked.

“Brother, do you like this?”

“This? Oh, removing the flower petals stuck to Tiya?”

“Yeah.”

“Of course I like it. It’s like a spring spirit has come into the manor.”

Ah, so that was why.

Tiya realized why she had looked forward to a spring spirit first when imagining her future spirit.

Tiya stopped in place for a moment and caught her breath.

“I thought you’d be jealous of her.”

For some reason, Winter’s words came to mind at that moment.

Unlike before, she felt like she could understand those words now.

* * *

“You’re asking if I know Miss Valentina well?”

At Tiya’s sudden question, Mia looked puzzled for a moment, then smiled warmly.

She thought the young lady must be very interested in her first same-age female friend.

But unfortunately, there wasn’t much to tell.

The precious guest from the far south was remarkably self-sufficient.

“Well. Um, from what I hear, she does everything by herself efficiently.”

“By herself? Efficiently?”

“Yes. Washing herself, changing clothes, waking up in the morning too.”

Tiya rolled her eyes to look at Mia’s reflection in the mirror as she brushed her hair.

Not only did she need help with having her hair styled prettily, but Mia’s assistance was absolutely necessary to put on dresses with lots of ribbons.

That wasn’t all. Without Mia, she wouldn’t even know if soap bubbles were left behind her ears after washing her face.

“What kind of child in the world does that?”

“That’s what I’m saying. Oh, since her family situation is complicated, perhaps…”

Mia quickly shut her mouth after saying that much and awkwardly changed the subject.

“Come to think of it, I heard Miss Valentina often goes to the manor’s backyard. She might be there now too.”

“Mm, okay. Thanks for the good information!”

Tiya jumped down from her chair and headed straight to the backyard.

Indeed, she was able to find Valentina there examining the plants.

Tiya hid half her body behind a manor pillar and observed Valentina’s every move without blinking.

‘Did she become close with Rodion because she subdued a flower spirit and does everything by herself efficiently?’

That was the only thought dominating Tiya’s mind these days.

What exactly was so different between Valentina and herself?

【…seems like it?】

Did Rodion allow that child to stay by his side?

【Are you listening to me? She’s coming this way.】

While seriously pondering.

“Excuse me…”

“Kyaang!”

She ended up screaming in surprise at Valentina’s face appearing right in front of her.

When had she approached? Valentina tilted her head and asked.

“Do you have something to say to me? It seemed like you were watching me from earlier.”

Tiya clutched her pounding heart and kept her mouth tightly shut.

It was partly because she had nothing to say, but also because Valentina up close was so beautiful it left her speechless.

‘What is this? How can a person look like this?’

The eyes half-hidden beneath abundant golden eyelashes were shining with a gentle light like a purple sky touched by sunset.

Just like the evening sky on that day when Tiya had become a mage.

Tiya’s mouth fell open in admiration. Before she knew it, she was so captivated by the sparkling girl’s appearance that she lost track of time.

【This crow-like brat. Getting enchanted just because something sparkles.】

Gasp. Snapped back to her senses by Winter’s scolding, Tiya barely managed to roll her eyes and look away from Valentina.

“Oh, it’s nothing? I don’t have anything to say?”

Her voice sounded quite prim in response.

At Tiya’s attitude that even seemed wary, Valentina hesitated before carefully asking.

“That thing on your shoulder, are you raising it? Is it your spirit?”

That thing on her shoulder?

The moment she unconsciously turned her head, all the hair on her body stood on end.

Sharp pupils split vertically.

Scales shining coldly.

The moment that evil-looking thing opened its mouth wide and flicked out its tongue.

“Kyaaang!”

Tiya screamed and spun around Winter in circles.

“Get it off! Get it off, get it off!”

On Tiya’s shoulder hung a finger-sized lizard dangling there.

However, this time even Winter had no way to help.

【I’m also a bit… with reptiles. F-first, try to calm down. It’s just a somewhat disgusting and terribly slimy grotesque creature.】

“That makes it worse! Kyaaaang!”

Tiya’s screaming became even more frantic.

Unable to watch any longer, Valentina stepped forward.

“I’ll get it off for you…”

Half out of her mind, Tiya recklessly threw herself toward where the voice came from.

“Kyaaaaang!”

Just as Tiya’s arms were about to wrap around Valentina’s neck.

Thud!

A strong force pushed her shoulder away.

The lizard that fell off Tiya’s shoulder as she tumbled backward struggled with its belly up.

Finally freed from the evil little dragon, Tiya had no time to feel relief.

“Ow ow ow.”

Having fallen so hard, there wasn’t a place that didn’t hurt – her bottom, back, everywhere. Especially the pushed shoulder hurt so much she wondered if a red handprint might have been left.

Valentina was startled and hurriedly knelt down to sit facing Tiya and apologized.

“S-sorry. I’m inexperienced at handling spirits… If someone touches me suddenly, my spirit hurts people. Does it hurt a lot? Can’t you get up?”

“No, I’m fin-“

【Ha, for someone like that, she was hugging Rodion quite readily.】

Suddenly the image of Rodion wiping Valentina’s hands flashed through her mind.

The “fine” that had half escaped went back down her throat.

Instead, something like a strange competitive spirit tickled her throat.

Tiya rolled her eyes to look at the lizard still struggling.

Her bottom throbbed as if it were on fire, but without showing it, she stood up abruptly and pointed at the lizard.

“Aren’t you scared of that thing?”

“That? Oh, you mean the lizard. Hmm, not really.”

Valentina, who had been blinking at the unexpected question, quietly reached out her hand and flipped the lizard’s body over.

After confirming that the lizard had escaped to the shaded thicket, a gentle smile appeared on Valentina’s lips. It was such a tender smile that it seemed to warmly melt even the frozen hearts of those who saw it.

At that smile, Tiya’s face instantly turned red. She felt like she had somehow lost.

“There, it’s fine now. The lizard is gone, so don’t be scar— Oh, wait. Are you hurt?”

Ignoring Valentina’s attempt to talk to her, Tiya abruptly stood up.

Then, after briefly staring at Valentina who was looking up at her intently, she turned around and ran away.

“Wait—”

She could hear Valentina calling from behind, but Tiya neither stopped nor looked back.

As far as Tiya could remember, it was the first defeat and retreat of her eight-year-old life.

* * *

Chapter 2 of 【Child-Rearing Encyclopedia ~How to Raise a Wonderful Adult~】 was about physical affection.

Exchange emotions through physical contact with your child.

tip. Sitting on your child’s lap is recommended! Have whispered conversations about what happened during the day.

Tiya was putting this into full practice.

Sitting on the Count’s lap as he worked, Tiya’s legs dangled back and forth.

“And then, he asked me why I came there! Isn’t that really too much?”

“….”

“If you take my side and say it’s too much, I’ll deduct 10 minutes from Father’s time!”

“I see. That was too much.”

“Right? Father thinks big brother was too much too, doesn’t he?”

Though it was agreement without a single grain of sincerity, Tiya acted triumphant as if she had gained the strongest ally.

Then, furrowing her eyebrows into a frown, she looked at Winter who was sneaking a peek at Anton’s report.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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