I’m the Youngest Daughter of the Serpent Family
Chapter 27
# Chapter 27
“Oh, isn’t that a pen?”
“Uh-huh.”
“I heard you were taking lessons from Casana, but have you learned your letters already?”
“Iring can write Papa’s name now. Look closely.”
“My name?”
Pressing down firmly on the pen, smooth black ink flowed out.
As I wrote Kaid’s name stroke by stroke, an impressed “Oho!” slipped from his lips.
“Did you learn this today?”
“Yep. I asked Casa to teach me.”
“So you came to show off.”
Kaid stroked my head fondly as if finding me praiseworthy.
Pleased by the compliment, a bashful smile spread across my face.
“Teaching you certainly pays off. You bring something new every time you learn.”
“Did Iring do good?”
“You did well.”
Taking the paper with his name on it, Kaid rubbed his chin with a satisfied expression.
It was a peaceful afternoon.
* * *
At last, the day of the banquet arrived.
Today was the day they would announce to everyone that I was the youngest daughter of the family.
I sat in front of a dressing table fitted with a large mirror, getting thoroughly dressed up.
Though I had been sitting there for hours already, I could easily endure it.
Today of all days, I will look prettier than anyone else!
Fortunately, Madame Seri had sent the banquet dress right on time, allowing our preparations to proceed at a leisurely pace.
“Wodawia. Iring is so nervous.”
“You don’t need to worry so much. Everyone will be right by your side, Lady Irene.”
“Everyone?”
“Yes. The Lord and the young masters will be beside you, and all the family members attending the banquet will be there too.”
Brushing my hair, Rosaria beamed at me in the mirror.
Her reassuring words seemed to soothe away my nervous tension.
“Mm. Den Iring isn't nervous at all.”
“That’s right. There’s no need to tremble at all. Shall we stand up for a moment, Lady Irene?”
“Otay.”
I carefully climbed down from the booster chair.
In truth, the preparations had all wrapped up in the morning, and Rosaria was simply doing a final check before heading to the banquet.
Looking at my reflection in the mirror, I felt awkward, unfamiliar with my own appearance.
My hair, braided into a single strand and pinned up into a neat bun, left soft curls framing my cheeks, swaying with every movement.
A beautifully pleated butterfly-shaped ribbon adorned the chest of the dress, while the skirt flared outward toward the hem to make moving around as comfortable as possible.
I stared at the mirror in a daze, almost getting lost in my own reflection.
The pink dress, trimmed with delicate, charming lace, was far prettier than I had ever imagined.
“Wodawia.”
“Yes, Lady Irene?”
“Iring is a pwepess. I became a pwepess.”
When I spoke with wide, sparkling eyes, Rosaria brought over a headband from the table and smiled softly.
The headband, adorned with fluttering white flowers, was gently placed upon my head.
“Now we are truly finished. All that is left is to go see your friends!”
“Waah! Fwiends!”
“Shall we wrap a cloak around you in case it gets cold?”
“Yeah!”
Even though the banquet was held indoors, Madame Seri had sent a cloak along, worried that the sleeveless cut of the dress might leave me chilly.
After putting on white stockings and round-toed white shoes, I was finally ready to go.
“Shall we head to the Lord, Lady Irene? You will be entering together for this banquet.”
“Mm. Otay.”
Holding Rosaria’s hand and fidgeting with the tail of the ribbon on my chest, I headed toward Kaid’s quarters.
Knock, knock.
“My Lord, it is Rosaria.”
“Enter.”
Opening the door and stepping inside, I saw Kaid dressed in a black suit. The tailored suit fit him perfectly, accented by a white tie embroidered with elegant gold thread.
Wearing white gloves and looking into the mirror, Kaid tilted his head slightly and cast his gaze downward as I drew near.
At that sight, an exclamation burst out of me without thinking.
“Waah. Papa is so cool.”
“Cool?”
“Yeah! The coolest in the whole world!”
As I shouted at the top of my lungs, the attendants helping Kaid began chiming in one by one.
“The young lady truly seems to adore you, My Lord.”
“Indeed! Just how much do you like the Lord, Young Lady?”
Seeing Kaid waiting for an answer, I gave a beaming smile.
“Papa is the best in the whole wide world!”
“My goodness. Is the Lord number one?”
“Mm! Papa gives Iring pocket money, sends Casa over, waises me, and…”
Listing them one by one, there were too many to count. As the reasons piled up, the corners of Kaid’s otherwise impassive mouth curved into a satisfied smile.
I smiled along with him.
Amid the heartwarming atmosphere, Baon stepped in.
“My Lord.”
“Hmm?”
“It is time to attend the banquet. Everyone is waiting.”
“Where are Seth and Arvan?”
Come to think of it, Seth and Arvan were nowhere to be seen.
Were the two of them not coming with us?
“The two of them are waiting in front of the banquet hall.”
“I see.”
They seemed to have finished getting ready quickly and arrived ahead of time.
Kaid looked at me, seeing my slight nervousness, and spoke.
“When the banquet starts, you’ll be able to introduce yourself in front of everyone without trembling, won’t you?”
“I can do it well.”
“Good girl.”
Kaid reached out his hand. I gripped it tightly with all my might. The trembling seemed to fade away.
“Then I hope you have a wonderful time at the banquet, Lady Irene.”
“Wodawia isn't coming together?”
I looked back in surprise as Rosaria stepped back to bow.
I had naturally assumed she would come along.
“It could be problematic if too many people from a specific family crowd the banquet. I will be cheering you on from where you cannot see me.”
“Mmm. Otay, Wodawia. See you later then.”
“Yes, My Lady.”
It was a pity, but it couldn’t be helped.
Leaving Rosaria behind, I headed toward the East Wing with Kaid.
Matching his leisurely pace to my small strides, Kaid spoke.
“I also prepared toy gifts at the entrance to the banquet hall.”
“Weally?”
“Yes. Check them out when we arrive.”
“Let’s go fast!”
Eager to see them soon, I quickened my steps. I hoped everyone would like them.
Passing through the hallway leading to the East Wing, the lobby and garden were bustling with unfamiliar faces.
There were people dressed in attire completely different from the southern style, and quite a few individuals who gave off entirely unique impressions.
As I walked past the crowd in wonder, someone approached Kaid with a familiar greeting.
It was an exceptionally radiant-looking man.
“If it isn't the Astrophel Head of the family. It has been a long time.”
“It has been a while.”
“It seems you put a great deal of thought into this banquet. My child received a gift and is thoroughly enjoying it.”
“Is that so? That is a relief. For the record, that was done at this one’s suggestion.”
“This one…?”
As Kaid pointed at me, the man with a massive white fur wrap draped over his arm turned his head in my direction.
Now it was my turn to introduce myself.
Taking a deep breath, I spoke as clearly as I could.
“Hewwo. I am Iring.”
“…Iring?”
“Iring. …Iring.”
Oh no. A tearful pout formed on my face. Contrary to my confident spirit, my pronunciation had betrayed me.
I repeated it several times to correct my name, but the result was the same.
As I slumped in dejection, the man spoke as if the realization had finally struck him.
“Could you be saying Irene?”
“Dat's wight! Iring!”
When I nodded and beamed brightly, the man’s eyes went wide. Then he burst out into a hearty laugh.
“Who is this cute little child, Head of the Astrophel family?”
“She is my daughter.”
“Oho? Weren’t there only two successors?”
I could sense the people gathered in the garden and lobby subtly turning their attention toward us.
They wore especially intrigued expressions upon seeing me.
As I quietly slipped behind Kaid to hide, the man, who had been stealing glances at me, let his eyes sparkle.
He seemed intensely curious about my existence.
“There are three. She is a daughter born to the Astrophel family for the first time in fifty years.”
“I see.”
“Well then, the banquet time has arrived, so I hope you enjoy yourself to your heart's content.”
Kaid signaled the end of the conversation. Yet, feeling the man lingering without leaving and staring intently, I peeked my head out just a little.
After exchanging glances for a few seconds, the man murmured in a voice brimming with envy.
“…Daughters really are a bit different. I am Hosit of the Fox Tribe. If you ever visit the west, do get in touch, Irene-yang.”
Caught off guard, I nodded in agreement, and Hosit smiled brightly before disappearing into the banquet hall.
I placed a small hand over my pitter-pattering heart.
All right. I did well without trembling. Just keep going like this!
Following Kaid to the entrance of the banquet hall, I saw Seth and Arvan waiting, dressed dashingly in their suits.