I’m the Youngest Daughter of the Serpent Family
Chapter 11
Rosaria was overjoyed to learn that the reason I had been hurting was growing pains.
For me, however, it wasn’t all good news.
“Irene-nim, you will only be having snacks three times a day from now on.”
“Chirp?”
“During a growth period, you need to eat healthy food often instead of snacks. We have to be especially careful with a child who is about to undergo humanization.”
“Chirp, cheep…….”
……Because my snacks had been cut down.
At this bolt-from-the-blue news, I treasured the snack jar filled with star candy in a tight embrace.
They were star candies that Rosaria gave me one by one after every meal.
Since I couldn’t eat anything bulky yet, star candy was my absolute favorite.
It was the only snack that I, a baby bird, could eat effortlessly and enjoy so much!
“Shall we put our snack jar up there for now?”
“Cheep!”
“I will prepare other snacks for you.”
Rosaria showed no sign of backing down. Weakened by her repeated persuasion, I subtly averted my gaze.
They’re my star candies!
When I clutched the snack jar tightly and refused to let go, Rosaria placed a hand over her heart as if pained.
“It breaks my heart too. You’re upset that you can’t eat them even after sorting the colors so nicely, aren’t you?”
“Chirp.”
“Because Irene-nim treasures them so much?”
“Chirp.”
I cherished and diligently collected them.
Inside the snack jar, white, yellow, and pink star candies twinkled evenly.
Seeing that I was reluctant and couldn’t easily give up the snack jar, Rosaria came over and sat beside me.
“It’s not that you won’t ever see them again. We’re just saying goodbye for a little while, okay?”
“Chirp-cheep……?”
“Yes, just for a little while. When it’s time for snacks, we’ll open it together and take one out. We’re going to put it right over there.”
Rosaria pointed to a crystal shelf mounted on the wall.
It was a spot where I could check on my star candy anytime to make sure it was safe.
Mmm. If that’s the case…….
“Chirp chirp.”
When I obediently handed over the snack jar I was holding, Rosaria beamed with joy.
“Irene-nim, you’re so admirable!”
“Chirp!”
“I’ll ask the head chef to prepare something delicious for your snack.”
“Chirp!”
Being praised instantly lifted my mood.
Right, just as Rosaria said, eating lumps of pure sugar can’t be good for my body.
Besides, the head chef mister will give me tasty snacks instead!
I pitter-pattered from the bed up to the table. Around this hour, it was time for Rosaria to read me a fairy tale.
It was naptime.
“Chirp chirp chirp chirp.”
“Yes, Irene-nim. Shall I read you a book?”
“Chirp!”
When I called out to her, Rosaria, who had been watering the potted plant by the window, set down the spray bottle and came over.
The once-empty bookshelf had been filled with fairy tale books a few days ago.
After rushing around busily lately because of my growing pains, Rosaria had brought them as a surprise present.
“Come here, Irene-nim!”
“Chirp!”
I hopped up onto the lap of Rosaria, who was seated on the sofa, and leaned against her.
I really liked fairy tales.
Rosaria modulated her voice, reading the story vividly and delightfully.
As she turned to the first page of the fairy tale book, a charming illustration appeared.
“Once upon a time, a family of baby birds lived in the forest.”
“Chirp.”
“Then one day, the baby bird wanted to explore the forest all by itself.”
“Chirp.”
“So the brave baby bird decided to go on an adventure!”
I nodded along to Rosaria’s words, but inwardly I worried for the baby bird.
Two days of fairy tale experience.
With that experience under my belt, I could already see where this was going.
“However! The baby bird ended up losing its way.”
“Chirp!”
“As it turned out, that place was the territory of a terrifying pride of lions.”
“Chirp cheep!”
This was definitely a makjang melodrama in the world of children’s fairy tales.
Whoever the author was, it was an intense, palm-sweating story.
I burrowed into Rosaria’s embrace.
“Don’t worry, Irene-nim. As long as you don’t step outside the family’s territory, you are safe.”
“Chirp…….”
“Are you scared?”
“Chirp.”
I wriggled and closed my eyes. The baby bird must have returned to its family’s embrace.
Once I finished settling down for my nap, Rosaria closed the book and began patting me rhythmically.
Ever since learning that I would soon be able to humanize, Rosaria had been eager to teach me many things.
In particular, she emphasized the importance of territory over and over again.
But I’m scared of things like that.
……Because when people place too much importance on territory, they end up fighting.
I didn’t want to go through something like that ever again.
Even so, I decided to diligently learn the things Rosaria taught me.
Because to me, who only had fragmentary knowledge of the world, Rosaria was the only one who taught me a wide variety of things.
Besides, I would have to live life as a baby bird now.
If I’m not careful, I might run into a lion just like the baby bird in the book.
My down stood on end as I drifted off. It was an instinctive fear.
When I yawned widely and closed my eyes, Rosaria blocked the sunlight with her hand.
“Sweet dreams, Irene-nim. Even if you encounter a lion, I will kill it immediately—”
Mmm. What is Rosaria saying?
I pricked up my ears, trying hard to hold onto my fading consciousness.
“The moment they step into our territory, before Irene-nim even notices, I’ll wipe them all out—”
I fell fast asleep just like that.
* * *
Hestia was walking down the hallway with an expression more excited than ever.
Inside the basket she carried were a small tub and fluffy, soft towels.
Baon, who was on his way to the office, spotted Hestia and spoke to her.
“You seem to be in high spirits, Hestia.”
“Ah, Baon-nim?”
“What is that?”
“It’s a gift for Lady Irene.”
“Is it a toy?”
Looking at the contents, Baon asked in wonder.
If it were toys, Rosaria would have already provided plenty of them.
To his surprise, unexpected words spilled from Hestia’s lips.
“Not at all. This is a tub specifically for massages.”
“A massage?”
“The young lady has been suffering from growing pains lately. This is a secret, but I think she will succeed in humanizing before long.”
Although it was just the two of them in the quiet corridor, Hestia lowered her voice lest anyone overhear.
Baon’s eyes widened at the momentous news.
“It’s about time for her to wake from her nap, so I’m on my way to give her a massage. Well then, excuse me.”
Hestia hurried away as if every second were precious.
Baon, who had been standing dazed, hastily headed toward the office.
To inform a certain someone who feigned indifference while showing immense interest in the baby bird’s daily life.
* * *
“How do you feel, my lady?”
“Chirp—”
“A half-body bath feels quite relaxing, doesn’t it?”
My body turned to mush under the touch stroking backward against my wings and gently kneading them.
Ever since she first came for a consultation, Hestia had been visiting regularly. The growing pains, which had seemed likely to pass quickly, were only getting worse.
Without a daily massage, my joints quickly began to ache.
“Now, your foot, please.”
“Chirp.”
“You give it to me right away now, don’t you? What a good girl.”
Hestia pointed at my foot with a gentle giggle.
To be honest, I was still suspicious. For some reason, it felt like she hadn’t given up on getting my footprint stamp.
After staying still for a long while, I squirmed and pushed myself up.
“What’s the matter? Shall we stop here?”
“Chirp.”
When I took off the headband fashioned from a towel, Hestia pulled her hands back with a touch of regret.
As soon as I stepped out of the tub, Rosaria held up a towel as if she had been waiting for that exact moment.
As I shook off the water with a shudder and stretched, a familiar yet unfamiliar voice echoed.
“Ho-oh. It seems the massage is already over.”
“Baon-nim?”
“Chirp chirp?”
“It has been a while, Irene-nim.”
“Chirp chirp.”
“Yes, the Head of the family has arrived as well.”
The homeowner?
I looked behind Baon. The homeowner was indeed standing right there.
It feels like I’ve been seeing him often lately, or is it just my imagination?
When I waved my little hand at him, the corner of the homeowner’s mouth curled up subtly.
“I hear you’re going through growing pains?”
“Chirp!”
“Come here.”
The homeowner extended his hand. It was the same large hand I had seen before.
After a moment of hesitation, I stepped closer, one pace at a time.
