I’m the Youngest Daughter of the Serpent Family
Chapter 10
The Anead Grassland and the entire basin of the Benea River had once been lands Kaid never spared a single glance.
Though they were beautiful, peaceful territories that other clans constantly eyed with greed, Kaid was not fond of overly tranquil lands.
Because they were utterly boring.
Yet for the first time, he had shown an interest in them.
The reason was none other than that very phrase—"because it was utterly boring."
Leading the clan himself, Kaid literally wiped out every single clan that had set their greedy sights on the territory.
“The fact that he marched out in person gives us the answer right there. She’s undeniably our family’s youngest miss.”
“Then shouldn’t we announce that there are three successors to the family?”
Indeed.
The vassals recalled the fact that they had already announced the Astrophel family had two successors.
“Ah. We should be bragging that we have a young lady now, too.”
“……Haah.”
Regretful sighs erupted from all around.
Watching them, Zeras let out a hearty laugh.
“You lot look more thrilled than upset, even though your workload is about to increase.”
“……Ah, does it look that way?”
The vassals wore guilty expressions.
And understandably so, for the higher one went up the food chain, the remarkably fewer individuals there were.
Females, in particular, were so rare they could be counted on one hand.
Naturally, the vassals were secretly burning with curiosity.
“Is the young lady extremely cute?”
“Lady Rosaria said she’s so lovely it leaves you speechless.”
Ah. Incredible.
The vassals’ eyes sparkled in unison.
They desperately wanted to meet her at least once—this Irene, the youngest miss.
One by one, the gathered vassals began slipping away, glancing around conspicuously.
Without a doubt, they were heading toward the garden where Irene often appeared.
Zeras chuckled and shook his head. Then, looking toward the far end of the hallway, he spoke.
“What are you doing hiding back there, Young Master Arvan?”
He had concealed his presence, but his skills were still clumsy.
A moment later, a boy with curly black hair and crimson eyes emerged from behind a marble pillar.
Though still young, he possessed an aristocratic aura straight out of a painting and a sculptured, handsome appearance.
While the first young master at least feigned rationality, the second young master did not.
“I have a younger sibling?”
“Yes. So you heard.”
“A bird?”
“Indeed.”
Arvan scowled fiercely.
“How can something like a bird be my sibling?”
“Did not the head of the family acknowledge her?”
Even if it was only shallow curiosity for now.
“I don’t recall hearing that Father went crazy, though?”
At Arvan’s uninhibited remarks, Zeras swallowed a groan.
He had no idea where the boy picked up such language, but Arvan’s sharp tongue was improving by the day.
“……Haah. Young Master. Is that any way to speak of the family head?”
“Hmph. Otherwise, there’s no way Father would make a decision like that.”
Zeras closed his eyes resignedly.
He was no longer curious about where the boy had learned such words.
There was something far more worrying than that.
Just imagining Irene hanging around Arvan and mimicking him was downright horrifying.
‘Are oo cwazy?’
It would be adorable in her tiny, dainty form, but…… that could never be allowed.
Zeras could not let the youngest miss, the family’s last hope, turn out that way.
“Young Master. You must mind your words, especially in front of the young lady.”
“Why should I watch my mouth because of her?”
“There is a saying that one must be careful even when drinking cold water in front of a child.”
“Hmph. Who says I even acknowledge something like that as a sibling?”
Arvan pouted and grumbled.
Even as the time for his lessons drew near, he hesitated in place for a long while before clearing his throat and asking casually,
“So where is she?”
“You cannot visit her just yet. The young lady is still far too young.”
“What? You said Father saw her. You saw her, and so did Rosaria\!”
“However, you cannot control your strength yet, can you, Young Master? Did you not break a wall just a few days ago? The mansion will not survive at this rate.”
When Zeras sighed and spoke, Arvan flinched.
With a track record that included far more than just the mansion’s walls, he had no retort.
Arvan, who was staring resentfully with his lips pressed tight, stomped his foot.
Crack.
A gouge formed in the floor. Uh-oh. A look of dismay flashed across Arvan’s face.
Zeras gently teased him, raising an eyebrow.
“See this? The floor has been ruined as well.”
“Just you wait. I’ll succeed within a few days\!”
“Oh-ho, is that so?”
“Yeah\! Something like this will take no time at all\!”
Thoroughly provoked, Arvan huffed. In response, Zeras wore a triumphant smile.
As it happened, he had just received word that the second young master’s progress in controlling his strength was moving far too slowly, causing quite a headache.
If this opportunity stoked his competitive spirit, perhaps the issue could finally be fixed.
“Then I shall look forward to good news, Young Master Arvan.”
Arvan whirled around and began marching away.
His crimson eyes, flickering with discontent, drifted toward the garden where the vassals had headed before pulling away.
I want to see her too\! The cute and lovely little sibling\!
Unable to bring himself to reveal such inner thoughts, Arvan stomped along irritably, muttering under his breath.
“……It’s so damn hard just to meet a sibling.”
\* \* \*
“Pweep…… Pwee.”
Lately, my body had felt exceptionally heavy. Food and water barely went down, and I had no energy at all.
“Pwee…….”
On top of that, my whole body ached. My wings, my legs, my back—nowhere was spared.
Why was I like this? A tear pricked the corner of my eye.
Because my condition had been poor since morning, Rosaria had not left my side once.
“Why could this be?”
“Pwee-pwee-pwee-pwee.”
“Yes, I’m right here.”
Rosaria placed a damp towel on my feverish forehead.
Breathing out hot breaths, I burrowed deeper beneath the blanket.
“This won’t do. I’ll have to call the doctor.”
“Pweeeek\! Pweek-pweek\!”
“No, please stay. I’ll be back shortly, so just wait a moment.”
When I shook my head in refusal, Rosaria rose to her feet resolutely.
N-No. I hate shots\! Don’t go, Rosaria\!
“Pwee-pwee-pwee-pwee—\!”
Click.
Despite my desperate cries, the heartless sound of the door closing echoed through the room.
“Pweek…….”
Sniff.
Lying in the room all alone made me feel even more miserable. Hating the silence, I counted the patterns on the ceiling one by one.
How much time had passed?
The door opened, and Rosaria entered accompanied by a woman who appeared to be the doctor.
Half relieved and half wary, I kept my guard completely up.
Could she be carrying a syringe?
I quickly scanned the doctor’s hands. Fortunately, she was holding nothing.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lady Irene. I am Hestia.”
Hestia brushed her light-black, short hair behind her ear and gave a gentle wave.
Her pale green eyes curved into crescents as she smiled softly.
“Now then, let me check your condition for a moment.”
“Pwee.”
I hugged the blanket tightly.
Having likely heard the explanation on her way here, Hestia began examining my condition right away, asking several questions.
“When did these symptoms first begin showing?”
“Since this morning. She has lacked energy for a few days now, but it was never this severe until today.”
“Does she dislike having her wings or legs touched? Or perhaps she has trouble sleeping at night?”
Huh? How did she know?
I gasped sharply.
With wide eyes, I stared at Hestia as she pinpointed every single symptom.
Checking each item rapidly and jotting something down on a chart, she beamed.
“Congratulations, Lady Irene.”
“Pweee?”
“These are growing pains.”
……Growing pains?
It was a reason I had never once anticipated. Rosaria seemed equally unprepared for it, remaining silent for a beat.
Even baby birds get growing pains.
I moved my wings experimentally. A dull ache throbbed through them.
To think all this pain was simply because I was growing\!
“It is right around the time for growing pains to occur.”
“Is that true? ……Then that means she will be able to take human form soon.”
“Of course. It can be quite painful, so please massage her gently from time to time. It’s even better if done in warm water. Like this.”
Hestia carefully massaged my wings.
As she pressed down with just the right amount of pressure, a soothing coolness spread throughout my entire body.
“Pweek. Pweek. Pweeeek.”
“Does that feel nice?”
“Pweee\!”
It feels so good\! The knotted muscles loosened up, and the pain seemed to ebb away.
Rosaria, who was kneading along the opposite wing, let out a silly grin.
Her complexion, once clouded with worry, had brightened completely.
“I must prepare clothes for Lady Irene to wear. ……My heart might truly give out. I will need to prepare myself mentally.”
“Fufufu. I know a wonderful place—would you like me to tell you?”
Hestia whispered like she was sharing a secret while continuing the massage.
Perking up with interest, Rosaria leaned in.
“Where is it?”
“Just on the outskirts of downtown, I saw a shop that exclusively sells children’s clothing. They have a tremendous variety. The shoes are adorable as well.”
“That is fantastic information. What is the boutique’s name?”
Muttering the address Hestia gave so she wouldn't forget, Rosaria suddenly wore a puzzled look.
“By the way, how do you know of such a place, Hestia? Do you have a child?”
“Of course not.”
“Then……?”
Hestia smiled brightly.
“Oh my, didn't you know? Do you have any idea how famous Lady Irene is within the family right now? Everyone is in an absolute frenzy just to catch a glimpse of her. As the family's personal physician, this level of preparation is nothing. After all, I anticipated that her growing pains would begin soon.”
Everyone wants to see me?
This was the first I had ever heard of it.
When I raised my head at the sudden news of my fame, Hestia cupped both of her cheeks.
“Truthfully, I'd love nothing more than to take home an ink stamp of the young lady's footprints. I've waited only for the day you would call for me.”
……Good heavens, what in the world was going on?
Suddenly, Hestia began looking dangerous.
Overcome by an inexplicable sense of dread, I squirmed and tucked my feet safely out of sight.
