I’m the Youngest Daughter of the Serpent Family
Chapter 42
In truth, I already knew why Seth and Arvan had been granted permission to go out first.
They both possessed the strength to protect themselves, and with escort knights accompanying them, it was bound to be perfectly safe.
Of course, I understood that, but still.
“Iling too!”
“Hmm?”
“Wants to go out like the oppas.”
I muttered, fidgeting with my fingers.
At the same time, anxious that I might get scolded for throwing a tantrum, I sneakily gauged his reaction.
Yet, as if to prove my worries entirely unfounded, the corners of Kaid’s mouth curled slightly upward.
“You want to go out?”
“Uh-huh.”
“How much?”
“As much as the sky! As much as the earth!”
Feeling that if I didn’t seize this moment I would lose the chance entirely, I flung my arms wide open.
This much! Super huge!
As I forcefully expressed my desire, I heard Arvan scoff from where he was watching.
Seth was blatantly staring to see what I was doing, while Orca had his face buried low, hand covering his mouth.
“Iling wants to go outside too, Appa!”
I shouted at the top of my lungs. My voice echoed loudly down the corridor.
With his arms crossed and his head tilted slightly, Kaid gazed down at me before murmuring with a thoughtful expression.
“What should I do?”
“Since she wants it so much, how about letting her go out just once?”
“She is far too young for that.”
“That is true, but…”
“No, I suppose not.”
Exchanging opinions with Orca, Kaid raised his voice as if intentionally making sure I heard.
His teasing tone gave me the distinct impression that he was genuinely enjoying the current situation.
Listening to their conversation, panic seized me, and I hurriedly shook my head.
“No!”
“No?”
“Uh-huh. Iling growed this much taller.”
It was a completely baseless claim, but I blurted it out anyway. Children grow day by day, so I must have grown at least a little bit.
Hearing the sheer desperation in my words, Kaid let out a breath of amused laughter.
Terrified that the opportunity might slip away at this rate, I threw my arms around Kaid’s leg and hugged it tightly.
“I not letting go until Appa says yes.”
“Hmph. That is quite troublesome.”
Even as he said it, there was not the slightest hint of trouble in his voice.
As if he had been waiting for this very moment, the pleased curve of his lips showed no sign of descending.
Kaid swept me up in his arms and strode into the dining room.
Perhaps because we had spent quite some time at the entrance, the sun was already beginning to set outside the window.
“With you begging to go out this much, I suppose I cannot simply say no.”
“Appa gonna let Iling go out?”
“Shall I set one condition instead?”
“Condition?”
Whatever it might be, I was confident I could pull it off with all my might. When I asked with burning enthusiasm, Kaid assumed an ostensibly solemn expression.
“I heard you will be taking pheromone lessons from Casana this time.”
“Uh-huh.”
“If you become capable of switching freely between your true form and human form, I promise to take you outside.”
It was a proposal that would take quite some time, but it wasn't bad at all.
Determined not to let go of this hard-won chance, I quickly nodded in agreement.
“Then perhaps we shall all go on a family trip together when that time comes.”
“A family trip?”
Seth, who was following behind, asked with wide eyes. Arvan seemed just as surprised, visibly hesitating in his steps.
It was clear neither of them had expected Kaid to make such a suggestion.
“Yes. Do you dislike the idea?”
“It's not that, but…”
“Well… if that squirt actually manages it, sure.”
Both answered with an air that wasn't entirely displeased. Deep down, they even seemed eager to go.
With this, I now had one more reason why I absolutely had to succeed.
“I make sure we go on family trip. Wait just a little, Seth, Arvan.”
“What are you talking about? Who said I was looking forward to a family trip!”
Look at him pretending. I beamed knowingly.
Truth be told, I had seen it earlier—the way Arvan’s eyes lit up with color and sparkle at Kaid’s words.
Seth was pretending to be indifferent, but his face gave away that he cared quite a bit too.
“I want us all to go play together, though?”
“Then you just have to succeed, don't you?”
“Will you two help me?”
I slyly cast out the bait.
“Well, I'm only helping because you said you want to go. Don't get the wrong idea thinking it's because I want to go!”
And Arvan took the bait hook, line, and sinker. Seth, who had been matching his stride, walked ahead into the dining room as if there was no need to listen any further.
As we stepped inside, a mouthwatering aroma wafted toward us.
Chef Baharn, who had been waiting for our arrival, approached with a welcoming smile.
“Welcome, Head of the family. Young Masters, Young Lady.”
“Baharn!”
“It has been a while, Lady Irene. I am honored that you remember my name. Would you care to take your seat?”
“Uh-huh!”
At my response, Kaid bent down and set me onto the floor.
Stepping onto the ground, I followed Baharn to where he was guiding me.
“Your seat is right here, Young Lady.”
My seat was positioned directly to Kaid’s left.
“Wah. So shiny.”
The table was lavishly decorated.
Vases placed at regular intervals were adorned with bright, gorgeous lilac blossoms.
The tall golden candelabras were covered by crystal holders, through which candlelight glowed with a soft, gentle warmth.
In front of them, bite-sized pieces of sliced bread rested in a small basket, alongside a diverse spread of salads, fresh fruits, stews, and steaks.
And finally…
“Huh? Chair changed!”
A wooden chair had been built up remarkably high.
Looks like I don't have to sit on his lap to eat this time.
As I peered at it with curious interest, Kaid, who had been quietly staring at the chair, called out to Baharn in a low voice.
“Baharn.”
“Yes, Head of the family.”
The curve of Kaid’s lips rose sharply.
“Your unnecessary preparedness remains as persistent as ever.”
“…Did I make a mistake of some sort? If you let me know, I will change it immediately.”
“It seems changing it is out of the question.”
“…?”
“Irene has already taken an interest in it. It appears she likes it beyond measure. Bringing it from so far away was truly worthwhile after all, was it not?”
“…”
“Thanks to you, Irene will be able to dine with her own hands, in utter comfort.”
The longer Kaid spoke, the more Baharn’s complexion turned a sickly shade of ashen blue.
A pair of crimson eyes, having swept across the dining room, landed squarely upon me.
Having stepped onto the footrest to climb onto the chair, I offered a bright smile.
“Why you look at Iling?”
“…”
“Hmm?”
The chair was fitted with a footrest so it could be climbed with ease.
Thanks to that, I was able to hoist myself up and sit down effortlessly.
Kaid and Baharn watched the entire process from beginning to end.
The two exuded completely different atmospheres.
Baharn looked as though he were confronting an irreversible disaster that was already too late to fix, while Kaid looked like…
‘How do I get rid of that thing?’
…What is going on?
“Um…, Lady Irene.”
“Hmm?”
“Do you like the chair?”
“Uh-huh.”
At my instant reply, Baharn’s face darkened even further.
Why did his expression turn so bleak when I told him I liked the gift he had painstakingly prepared?
Fiddling with the armrest, I pondered whether I had made some kind of mistake.
No matter how much I thought about it, nothing came to mind.
“Could the seat perhaps be uncomfortable in any way?”
“Nn-nn. Not at all! Iling likes this.”
“…If there is anything uncomfortable, no matter how trivial, please tell me right away.”
Something trivial but uncomfortable?
Even checking again, there was nothing of the sort.
The chair was delightfully plush, as if custom-tailored just for me.
The height was also just right, making it perfect for eating.
“Super comfy. Baharn, thank you for caring.”
As if to prove it, I picked up the tongs, grabbed a piece of bread, and set it onto my plate.
For some reason, the temperature in the dining room felt like it had dropped several degrees colder.
Kaid took his seat at the center and let out a dry chuckle.
“How could she not like it? When it was brought all the way from the edge of the continent. You must be exceedingly pleased, Baharn.”
Kaid emphasized the words ‘edge of the continent’ as he picked up his knife with poise.
Taking a sip of water, I tilted my head in confusion.
By this point, even I could easily notice it.
Kaid was not pleased with the fact that I was now able to sit in a chair and eat on my own.
Could it be that he wants to feed me himself?
But that would only be a hassle for him.
Somehow, Baharn standing in the corner looked utterly pitiful. What should I do?
“Appa.”
“Hmm?”
“Ah—.”
Having spread plenty of jam over the bread, I held it out toward Kaid.
With a startled look, Kaid stared blankly at the bread.
“Gasp.”
Baharn drew in a sharp breath and clamped a hand over his mouth. Baharn was not the only one caught off guard.
Seth, who had been drinking water, coughed softly, while Arvan, who had been resting his chin on his hand watching the scene, slowly raised his head with a look of pure astonishment.
Their gazes were filled with the shock of having witnessed an unprecedented, bizarre spectacle.
Amid the breathless silence engulfing the room, Kaid let out a soft laugh.
“And just who taught you to do something like this?”
“Appa gave me some before too. So Iling give you some too.”