I’m the Youngest Daughter of the Serpent Family
Chapter 61
“Don’t you dare.”
Anything else, maybe, but not that. Ian followed behind her as she entered the mansion.
Helena had been complaining that she was bored after soaking in leisure for three whole years, but Ian felt quite differently.
Just how much had he longed for time alone with her?
Settling in a secluded rural area far from the family had been for that exact reason.
He had no intention of surrendering such precious time to a granddaughter.
Helena didn't know it, but before coming down, Ian had laid down a strict warning to Kaid never to disturb their time together.
“What touching devotion. Please, leave quickly.”
“I intended to do so anyway.”
That was the last conversation he’d had with his son, words flying between them like a dusting of frost.
And not long after, news of a successor had reached them.
He had been a little worried, but just as he was breathing a sigh of relief that the family was being managed well, an unexpected granddaughter had appeared.
Even that was fine. The problem was……
“Dear. Hurry up and get ready to go out.”
“Where are you planning to go?”
“It’s our first meeting, so we have to give her a present! I wonder what our granddaughter likes…… Having only raised a son, how am I supposed to know?”
Helena was getting ready to head out, deliberating earnestly. Ian let out a sigh.
She was already having so much fun that there was no stopping her.
To think he would now have to share her attention with grandchildren.
Ian couldn't bring himself to voice those words aloud. If he did, Helena would undoubtedly tease him.
Yet, reading Ian’s inner thoughts like a clairvoyant, Helena offered a sly smile.
“Even so, you’re the one I love most. You know that, right?”
“I know.”
Having finished getting ready, the two of them stepped out of the mansion. Though neither could be called young by any measure, both possessed remarkably youthful appearances.
Walking hand in hand with Ian, Helena spoke up.
“Do you think the child is adjusting well?”
She seemed a little anxious. Wherever one went, there were always those who ostracized anyone who looked different.
“There were mixed-bloods among the previous heads of the family too. I can't speak for other regions, but there's no need to worry so much about the South.”
“Still, what if?”
“Then we deal with them right in front of everyone. Who would dare ostracize the successor?”
At Ian’s words, the worry vanished from Helena’s face, replaced by a wide grin.
“That settles it! But what would make a good gift, Ian?”
“I wouldn't know.”
“Maybe we should visit a weapons merchant after all.”
……A weapons merchant?
For a second, Ian thought he had misheard. But he soon realized that wasn't the case.
Helena was pondering it with utmost seriousness.
Was visiting an arms merchant truly appropriate when shopping for a child’s gift?
Not as far as he knew. Ian was thrown into confusion. Just what kind of childhood had Helena had?
‘Is there still something she hasn't told me?’
“Why a weapons merchant?”
Unable to contain his curiosity, Ian asked, and Helena flushed as if embarrassed.
“When I was little, I used to play with things like guandaos and maces.”
“…….”
“I could swing them around with ease. The family allowed it, too.”
It was possible because females were born significantly stronger.
Among beastmen, the higher up the food chain one went, the smaller the population, and females were exceedingly rare.
Though the exact reason remained unknown, what they lacked in numbers, they made up for by being born with strength far exceeding the average.
Even so, handing a child a weapon in their youth was hardly the norm.
Helena beamed.
“A person ought to know how to protect herself. I want to teach my granddaughter myself, but I suppose she already has an exceptional instructor assigned to her?”
“……I doubt that child could ever play with a mace.”
“What a pity.”
In the first place, Kaid would never allow such a thing. It wasn't a matter of whether she was capable or not.
“How about something like a dagger instead? She needs to get familiar with weapons first.”
He was certain she hadn't even touched a weapon yet.
Just reading the letter was enough to know she was being raised like precious jade.
Affection literally dripped from every sentence introducing Irene; there was no missing it.
Would that Kaid really place a weapon in those tiny little hands?
Ian was confident he wouldn't.
Helena pouted with dissatisfaction.
“Honestly, Kaid has no idea how to raise a child. Fine, let's go with a dagger, just as you said.”
“That would be best.”
“What are you going to gift her?”
Looking at the thoroughly excited Helena, Ian decided to bring up the thought he had been debating whether to voice.
“Helena.”
“Yes?”
“Does the child even know we exist?”
Kaid surely hadn't properly explained their existence to her.
He had only just contacted his parents to come see their granddaughter now……
That Kaid, kindly explaining, ‘You have a grandmother and a grandfather’?
It was better for one's peace of mind not to harbor even a shred of such expectations.
Sure enough, as she caught Ian’s drift, Helena’s expression gradually froze.
As his mother, she knew her son’s personality best, so there was no need for further explanation.
Stopping in her tracks, Helena slowly turned to Ian.
“No way.”
“…….”
“Surely she knows, right?”
She probably didn't.
Since they had never shown their faces when the child was born, it was only natural she wouldn't know.
However, Ian didn't bother pointing that out directly.
She was quite shocked already, and he had no desire to shock her any further.
As for dealing with the aftermath……
‘That boy can handle it himself.’
He didn't want to ruin the mood during their long-awaited date.
Ian took Helena’s hand and gently led her forward.
“Of course. Even he would have told her that much.”
“Right? Even you would have told a child at least that much, wouldn't you?”
“……Why am I always the point of comparison?”
“Because anyone can see Kaid takes after you.”
“……He’s your son too.”
Feeling an unprompted pang of guilt, Ian cleared his throat.
* * *
Preparations to welcome the delegation from the East had begun.
Word had it that orders were given to prepare thoroughly so the guests would experience no discomfort while staying at the mansion for the time being.
Today, as if punching the clock for work, I sat on the swing again.
Sway, sway.
As I kicked my feet with all my might, a large shadow fell over me from the side.
“Hmm?”
When I turned toward the shadow, Mesis was standing there, peeking at me.
“What is it? Mesis, when did you get here?”
“Just now. What are you doing here, Milady?”
“I'm riding the swing, obv’ously.”
When I pumped the swing harder as if to show off, Mesis stroked down his face awkwardly.
After remaining silent for a long time, Mesis spoke up again.
“Then…… what are you doing while riding the swing?”
What did he mean, what was I doing while swinging?
Who could possibly do anything else while on a swing?
Mesis was acting very strange today.
I briefly thought about ignoring his pointless chatter, but Mesis looked more serious than ever, so I couldn't bring myself to do it.
“I'm just swinging and thinking.”
Come to think of it, there were a few things I needed to mull over.
Naturally, it wasn't about worrying whether Kaid would send me back.
I had already learned beyond a shadow of a doubt that he had no intention of sending me away, so that didn't matter anymore.
He had firmly stated that I would continue to be his daughter going forward, after all.
I no longer had to worry about being kicked out of the Astrophel family.
However, welcoming the delegation remained unchanged, which left me a bit curious.
It clearly had something to do with the person named ‘Estella’ whom I had overheard outside the office.
Baon had spoken of her with honorifics, so she seemed to be someone of considerable status, yet I had never once heard that name in the mansion.
I glanced over at Mesis, who was still standing beside me, fretting.
“Mesis.”
“Yes? What is it?”
“Who is Estella?”
“……Pardon?”
“Do you know who that is?”
At my question, a look of panic crossed Mesis’s face.
He clearly seemed to know who Estella was.
Yet he looked torn over whether or not he should answer me.
I narrowed my eyes.
“You know who it is, don't you?”
“…….”
“Who is it?”
“Milady. From whom did you hear that lady’s name?”
That lady?
Seeing how even Mesis referred to her with such deference, she must be someone very high up.
Looking troubled, he ruffled his straight white hair. Then he hung his head low.
“Couldn't you ask the Family Head?”
“No. Papa won't tell me.”
“……*Sigh.* Then it's a bit difficult for me to say, too.”
Mesis glanced around at his surroundings, then stepped closer and whispered into my ear.
“That name refers to the Madam.”
“The Madam……?”
“Yes. The mistress of the Astrophel family.”
The mistress……!
Gasping in shock, I stared up at Mesis.