I’m the Youngest Daughter of the Serpent Family
Chapter 13
Hmph!
I whacked the ball with my wing.
Bounce. Bounce. Bounce.
“You might hurt yourself, Irene-nim!”
“Peep!”
“Is it because the ball isn't going where you want it to?”
“Ppi.”
As I hugged the ball tight and wobbled, Rosaria quickly raised the camera hanging from her neck.
Resting my cheek against the soft rubber to catch my breath, I just rolled my eyes toward Rosaria when she called out.
“Look over here, Irene-nim!”
“Ppi?”
“Oh my, look how adorable you are.”
Only after the shutter clicked several times did Rosaria finally lower the camera.
Lately, she had fallen head over heels for photography. The only catch was that every single picture was of me.
Roll, roll.
After chasing the stray ball and bumping it a few times, I completely wore myself out.
Balls are no fun!
“Ppip-pip-pip-pi!”
I spun around and scampered toward Rosaria.
“Are you done playing already?”
“Ppi.”
Stepping onto the picnic mat, I sat in front of the blueberry pie Rosaria had prepared.
She said the Head Chef had baked it personally for today’s outing.
“The Head Chef said he hopes you enjoy it and grow big and strong soon.”
“Peep!”
“Is it delicious?”
“Ppi!”
My mood lifted at the heavenly flavor, and my eyes sparkled as Rosaria gently stroked my head, telling me to eat plenty.
Taking one big bite, then another, the pie vanished in no time.
Next time I see the Head Chef, I must make sure to thank him for the delicious treat.
A gentle breeze blew past. I patted my swollen belly.
“Are you full?”
“Ppii—!”
“Then shall we lie down and do some origami together?”
Rosaria was truly thorough.
She had even prepared the next activity in case I lost interest in the ball.
She pulled out sheets of colored origami paper from a corner of the basket and laid them out.
My share had all been cut into small quarters beforehand.
“Which color do you like here?”
“Ppi-ppii.”
When I picked the yellow sheet, Rosaria smiled brightly and handed it to me.
“We’re going to fold a butterfly, which you like so much, Irene-nim.”
“Ppi-ppi?”
“Yes. First, fold it into a triangle like this.”
Rosaria demonstrated slowly.
She must have remembered how I chased after butterflies the other day.
I was worried about whether I could fold properly with my wings, but as I concentrated and followed along step by step, it wasn't that difficult.
“Next, unfold what you just folded completely.”
“Ppi?”
“Yes, wonderful job!”
Isn't this easier than eating star candy?
Proudly, I showed off my folded paper.
Checking my work with a pleased smile, Rosaria moved on to the next step.
As we folded together side by side, Rosaria’s hands suddenly hesitated.
“Ppi-ppi-ppi-ppi?”
“Umm. Just a moment, Irene-nim. I'm getting a little confused about the order.”
It seemed Rosaria had forgotten the next step. Well, then I should wait until she remembers!
I was certain Rosaria had never done origami before in her life.
She must have rushed to memorize it just to spend time playing with me, so I shouldn't rush her.
Should I go kick the ball over there for a bit in the meantime?
I quietly stood up and checked on the ball near the fountain.
“Ppi-ppi-ppi-ppi.”
“Yes, Irene-nim?”
“Ppi-ppi.”
When I pointed at the ball, Rosaria, who had looked on the verge of tears, beamed as if secretly relieved.
“Would you like to play with the ball? Just for a little bit, then? I'll recall the next step right away.”
“Ppi.”
Clamping the origami paper firmly in my beak, I waddled over to the fountain.
I had folded it with so much effort; I couldn't let the wind blow it away.
If I play around here, Rosaria will call for me soon, right?
I glanced back once more at Rosaria struggling not far away, then kicked the ball hard.
Bounce. Bounce. Bounce.
“Ppi. Ppii. Ppi!”
Toddling forward, I raised my foot again to kick the ball when a sudden gust blew.
Trying to catch the ball as it rolled with the wind, I tripped over a rock and fell flat on my face.
“Ppi, ppii……”
It hurt.
“Ppiii……”
Tears welled up and I whimpered, just as the ball rolling toward the forest beyond the fountain abruptly hit something and stopped.
Suddenly, an alien sensation washed over me, as if I had stepped into an entirely different dimension.
I couldn't identify it precisely, but instinctively I knew this was someone's pheromones.
Sway, rustle.
With every brush of the wind, a thick wave of pheromones—menacing yet eerily composed—wafted over.
I lifted my head.
“I thought I heard peeping from somewhere. Guess I wasn't hearing things after all?”
Standing there, staring down at me with an expressionless face, was a boy who looked identical to Kaid.
Though it was my first time seeing him, I could tell he was one of the figures referred to as the Young Masters.
Caught completely off guard by the sudden encounter, I hiccuped.
“Ppi-ic. Ppi-ic! Ppic.”
Forgetting my hurt leg, my crying ceased instantly. The pheromones stiffening my body filled me with dread.
Only now did I realize just how careful everyone had been around me.
Even Kaid, who seemed endlessly indifferent, had actually been exercising extreme restraint.
Stepping out from the forest, the boy carelessly nudged the ball aside with his foot.
Suddenly, words Rosaria had spoken during our last walk in the forest came back to me.
“The First Young Master trains here.”
I couldn't forget those wretchedly shattered trees and gouged-out earth.
The way he slowly closed the distance felt just like a predator stalking its prey.
“Is that your ball?”
“Ppi……”
“Looks like you're scared. I was just coming back from training, so I forgot to rein it in.”
His sweeping gaze drifted down to the colored paper fallen at my feet. Does he want this?
Hiccup.
Hiccuping, I picked up the paper with my beak and held it out toward him.
Th-this……
“Ppi.”
Take it if you want it.
It felt like a scene I'd seen somewhere before, but it was probably just my imagination. Looking at the origami paper I proffered, the boy wore a bewildered expression.
“Are you giving this to me?”
“Ppi.”
The boy fell silent.
As we stood a certain distance apart with neither making a move, Rosaria's voice broke through.
“Irene-nim!”
“Ppip-pip-pip-pi!”
I darted over and hid behind Rosaria's legs.
Clinging tightly to the hem of her trousers, I didn't let down my guard for a second.
Displeased by Rosaria’s sudden interruption, the boy narrowed his eyes.
“Young Master Seth, are you finished with your training already?”
“Got bored.”
“Please rein in your pheromones. You must have startled Irene-nim. Shall we have some water?”
“Ppi.”
I was terrified.
When I stretched out my wings asking to be picked up, Rosaria lifted me into her arms.
Sipping the water she offered, I felt a heavy gaze burning into me.
Seth, the First Young Master, had not moved on and was staring intently in this direction.
Why is he looking at me like that?
Holding the small cup with both wings, I feigned ignorance and looked away.
I wished he would just leave, but Seth spoke up.
“I take it this is the rumored bird everyone's talking about?”
“A bird? This is Irene-nim. She received her name from the Head of the Family.”
“Her name is Irene?”
“Yes. She is the Youngest Lady. Isn't she lovely? Caring for Irene-nim is my greatest joy these days.”
“Is that why you abandoned the border and came back inside?”
Seth shot back with a sneer. My eyes went wide.
I knew vaguely that Rosaria was remarkable since she had already displayed monstrous physical strength, but I had no idea she had been guarding the border.
“When it comes to tending to the Youngest Lady, just anyone won't do.”
“I was wondering which sibling had the faintest breathing when they were inside the egg.”
Seth smiled faintly.
“So it was you?”
You managed to survive. It was spoken in a gentle voice, but that was the unmistakable undertone.
