I’m the Youngest Daughter of the Serpent Family
Chapter 43
“That’s quite admirable of you.”
Kaid leisurely took a bite off the edge of the bread. Watching the piece disappear into his mouth, I asked,
“Is it yummy?”
“Yes. It’s delicious.”
“Want more?”
“No need. You’d better eat it yourself if you want to grow fast.”
Kaid gently tapped my cheek.
Beaming with pride at having accomplished something, I rubbed my cheek.
The subdued mood in the dining hall began to liven up again.
Now I could finally eat in peace.
Using my fork, I speared a piece of meat that had been cut into bite-sized bits beforehand and popped it into my mouth.
Watching me, Kaid murmured,
“I feel this every time, but spending money really is worth it.”
“Mm?”
“What should I buy you next after the chair?”
“…No. I don’t need anyfing.”
I flinched at Kaid’s question.
A memory of a gift I had received before flashed through my mind.
Back then, calling it a present, hadn’t he given me a massive piece of land large enough to be called a whole territory?
If something like that happened again, my mind might completely short-circuit.
“You have far too little greed.”
“Perhaps it is because she already has everything she needs?”
“Is that so?”
It felt as though saying even one wrong word right now would lead to a jaw-dropping situation.
He looked entirely ready to present whatever I desired right before my eyes, the moment it caught his attention.
No way… He wouldn’t go that far, right?
…Right?
Seeing Kaid ponder the matter with utmost seriousness, I clamped my mouth shut, terrified it might actually become reality.
Baharn, who had also been deep in thought, quietly offered a suggestion.
“How about the new arrivals from the Marinette family?”
“Marinette?”
“Yes. It seems they have many items the young lady would enjoy.”
Marinette? What kind of family was that?
It was a name I had never heard before.
Kaid nodded as if finding it reasonable.
“Right. It will surely be worth the price this time as well.”
“Indeed, wouldn’t it? …However, it may take a little time. Beastfolk are currently lining up to buy their goods.”
“Then tell them we will purchase everything the Marinette family handles.”
“Indeed, they do love money. Doing so will ensure we don't have to wait.”
Their conversation was growing remarkably serious.
With the plan seemingly about to be put into action this very moment, my heart began to race with anxiety.
If Kaid—a man unimaginably wealthy by my standards—referred to something as expensive, the price had to be beyond comprehension.
That was way too burdensome.
Just then, Seth pointed to the chair I was sitting on.
“That chair came from the Marinette family too, Irene.”
“…Dis?”
“Yes. The crest engraved on the side of that chair is the Marinette family's seal.”
“…Gasp.”
Looking at the side Seth pointed to, I clamped a hand over my mouth. Flustered, I could feel my pupils shaking wildly.
It was not a crest I was seeing for the first time.
Multiple overlapping oval rings with a star embedded in the center.
In fact, it was something I saw all the time.
It was a crest I frequently spotted on items I used every day and on my playthings.
Those things were that expensive?
…All the things I had carelessly painted, stuck together, and torn apart were ridiculously expensive items?
In a trembling voice, I asked,
“H-How… How 'spensive is it? Eirene has lots of dese…”
Rosaria had handed them to me as if they were nothing, so I hadn't thought much of it…
As I made my tearful, honest confession, the corners of Seth’s mouth twitched with amusement.
“By ordinary standards, it’s quite expensive.”
“…Actually, Eirene has a whole bunch of dis.”
They were practically piled like a mountain in my room.
After all, Rosaria brought new toys almost every single day whenever a new one came out.
“It would easily exceed tens of gold coins at least. The Marinette family is renowned for possessing the finest craftsmanship on the continent, after all.”
Instantly, a series of scenes flashed through my head.
There were even toys I had dropped and broken before.
Don't tell me a fortune had been poured down the drain like water because of me?
Seeing my worried face, Arvan snorted.
“Don’t look so serious over something like that. Spending that much doesn't even make a dent in the family’s wealth.”
“…Reawwy?”
“What do you take our family for? There's no way we’d go broke over buying a few toys for you. Even if you filled your entire room with them, we wouldn't even flinch.”
“Phew, what a relief.”
I let out a long breath of relief.
Kaid, who had been quietly listening to our conversation, spoke to Baharn with visible satisfaction.
“Did you see that, Baharn?”
“Yes, I saw. I was deeply touched to see the young lady already worrying about the family’s finances.”
“So this is the joy of raising a child.”
“Shall I contact the Marinette family in advance, then?”
“Do so.”
Kaid readily agreed.
Why was the conversation heading in this direction again? As I stared in disbelief, Seth remarked,
“Give up, Irene. It’s easier that way.”
* * *
The meal lasted much longer than anticipated.
Watching dessert after dessert being brought out, my eyes darted back and forth.
After Baharn left his seat to actually make the contact, the atmosphere had become gravely quiet.
I realized anew that the people here seemed to have no intention of speaking unless someone else spoke first.
Since it seemed obvious that everyone would leave promptly once dinner—the original purpose—was over, I called out to Seth.
“Seth oppa.”
“What?”
Sipping his black tea, Seth answered slowly.
“What have you been up to, oppa?”
“…Why are you suddenly curious about that?”
“Jus' because.”
“Huh?”
With an incredulous expression, Seth stared at me in silence.
…Was this wrong?
I thought this was the kind of conversation families usually had when they gathered for a meal.
An awkward silence lingered for a long time.
When an answer didn't come for a while, Kaid’s gaze slowly shifted toward Seth.
Now that a topic of conversation had arisen, he seemed subtly interested.
With everyone’s eyes focused on him because of my question, Seth reluctantly opened his mouth.
“I read books or attended successor lessons.”
“I see. What else?”
“…When I had spare time, I took walks occasionally.”
“What else?”
“Nothing. Why are you asking things like this?”
Seth furrowed his brow slightly.
His expression showed he couldn't understand at all why we were continuing such an unproductive conversation.
Through this, I realized something.
It was clear that they had never once asked after each other's well-being whenever they met.
Considering he was asking for a reason behind such trivial small talk, it was highly likely.
“I was jus' curious…”
“Why would you be curious about something like that?”
Well, that's… because we're family.
“It is natural to ask after your family's well-being, Seth.”
“…But Father, you haven't asked me either.”
“I receive steady reports on how you are all doing. I am also aware that you received perfect scores on all your recent exams.”
At Kaid’s words, Seth’s eyes widened slightly.
He seemed both flustered and pleased.
Judging by his reaction, it seemed he hadn't known Kaid was aware of his daily life.
I was thoroughly impressed by the news of Seth’s perfect scores.
I knew that the contents of the successor lessons were quite difficult. To think he got full marks on them.
“Woow. Seth oppa is so smarrt.”
“…It wasn’t even that difficult.”
“So cool.”
“Well done, Seth.”
As Kaid’s praise followed, Seth cleared his throat and looked away.
He appeared completely unaccustomed to receiving praise.
Even so, he didn't seem displeased.
After that, Seth didn't show any sign of annoyance even at the trivial questions that followed.
“Where do you go for walks?”
“…To the third-floor garden, or toward the annex of the mansion.”
“I went there to pway too, why didn't I see you even once?”
Though I couldn't go often because it was far.
It seemed Seth mainly took walks in places far from the main mansion.
I had a good feeling about the conversation flowing quite nicely.
Beaming, I looked toward my next target, Arvan.
Making eye contact, Arvan started in surprise and looked flustered.
Sensing that it was his turn this time, he looked slightly nervous.
Yet at the same time, he seemed somewhat expectant about what question I might ask.
It seemed Arvan had never been asked these kinds of things either.
It was truly fascinating and strange.
Had no one ever asked after them like this before?
I was intensely curious about how they had managed to function as a family all this time.
“What about Arvang oppa?”
“Wh-What about me?”
“How have you been? Did you ditch cwass every day?”
“Hey! When did I ever ditch class!”
His shoulders twitching, Arvan yelled defensively.
Not knowing what to do, he stealthily checked Kaid’s reaction, completely on edge for fear of being caught.
You sneaked out of class again this time, didn't you? I could see Seth's pathetic look directed at him.
“…I only skipped once.”
“I heard Casana has been having a hard time tracking you down every single time?”
“….”
“Quite impressive.”