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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 18
Chapter Title: Maybe Uncle Was on My Side After All
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No one was in the carriage except for Cassel.
Cassel’s expression grew even colder, and soon, a troubled sigh escaped him.
“Peanut, come out.”
There was still no one in the carriage.
Only the sound of the carriage wheels and Cassel’s voice echoed within.
Just then, a rustle. A small wriggle emerged from the darkness beneath the opposite seat.
And then.
“...Phew!”
Aika, gasping for air like someone just pulled from the water, poked her head out from under the seat.
The space where Aika had been hiding was barely large enough to fit a few small parcels.
She had been concealed beneath a cloth used to cover luggage.
*What am I going to do with her?*
*How in the world did she squeeze into that tiny space?*
As a throb of pain shot through the back of his neck, his eyes met a pair of round, sparkling golden ones.
*The fact that they’re the same color as mine just makes me angrier.*
“Hehe, Uncle…”
“…”
“H-how did you know?”
Aika hesitantly crawled out and knelt on the floor, unable to even stand as her eyes darted around, desperately trying to find a way out of the situation.
As if she’d been determined to follow him, she was dressed not in her pajamas but in a dress adorned with ribbons.
Clumps of dust clung to her fancy dress from hiding under the seat.
So she hadn’t disappeared to be a good girl and go to bed early, but to pull off this audacious stunt.
“When did you get in?”
Aika didn’t answer.
He could practically hear the gears turning in her little head.
After a long glare, Aika, seemingly realizing she was cornered, mumbled.
“I, I came out to say goodbye to you earlier… but you were taking a while.”
“So you just hopped in?”
Aika’s large eyes darted around once more.
He could clearly see that little head of hers working nonstop.
It was obvious to anyone that she had hidden in here on purpose.
She probably hadn’t dared to at first, but when he didn’t come out, she must have decided to get in.
*And this was the best she could come up with.*
Was she a duckling fresh out of its egg? Why did she follow him around day and night like this?
After all the times he’d gotten angry and pushed her away, one would think she’d have had enough. But like a goldfish that forgets everything in an instant, she’d just giggle and stick to him all day. It was driving him mad.
He could tolerate it inside the house, but to think she’d now follow him outside.
What if he had been going somewhere dangerous, huh?
She had no fear, that one.
When his sister told him about her, she’d said she was a brave niece who listened well and was fine staying home alone.
Where was that child?
Seriously, what was he supposed to do with this little chestnut?
Even when he put her inside a safe enclosure, she’d just hop out and cling to him like a curious kitten. It was maddening.
“Hah…”
Dammit, my head.
Whether from the rattling carriage or this troublemaking niece, Cassel felt a sharp headache and pressed his temples firmly.
Then he pulled a cord inside the carriage.
“Yes, my lord!”
Instantly, Gerard, who was sitting with the driver, stopped the carriage.
A moment later, Gerard hurried to open the carriage door.
“Is something the matt—oh, Young Lady?”
Gerard’s eyes went wide.
Cassel was supposed to be alone in the carriage, but there was another rabbit-like figure inside.
“Gerard, hiiii…”
The Young Lady, who didn’t forget her greeting even while cautiously eyeing Cassel, didn’t look to be in a very good state.
No, to be precise, it was the atmosphere inside the carriage.
“Young Lady, why are you here? No, how are you here?”
“Uhm, well, I wanted to follow Uncle…”
Still sneaking glances at Cassel, Aika brushed the dust off her dress.
“Take her home and come back.”
“Waaah, no!”
Aika clung to Cassel.
“What do you mean, no? Get out, now.”
“Uncle, can’t you take me with you? You’re wearing nice clothes, so it’s not a dangerous place, right?”
“The moment you go, it becomes a warzone. Get out.”
“Just this once!”
“To hell with ‘just this once,’ get out now.”
“Uh, um…”
Gerard stood awkwardly between Cassel and Aika, not knowing what to do.
Aika, trying her best not to be kicked out, gripped Cassel’s trouser leg tightly.
Her eyes sparkled as if to say, “Gerard, help me!” and it was hard to coldly refuse her plea.
“…Perhaps it would be alright to take the Young Lady with you today?”
At his words, Cassel glared.
“Are you trying to spout nonsense?”
“My apologies. However, this banquet is an occasion that His Grace, Duke Valliat, will also be attending…”
The look in Cassel’s eyes as he stared at Gerard was filled with a torrent of unspoken curses.
“My apologies…”
Gerard bowed his head and gave Aika a subtle wink.
A bright smile spread across the face of Aika, who had been sitting awkwardly on the floor with her ears perked up.
“Grandfather?”
Aika’s voice chirped.
At the same time, she wrapped her arms around Cassel’s.
“I want to go see Grandfather! Uncle, please? I’ll be really, really quiet!”
“Haaa.”
He was dumbfounded by the transparent ploy.
*Why is that old man being brought up now?*
That fool Gerard had clearly been bewitched by his niece’s cuteness.
And he couldn’t exactly throw them both out.
He noticed Aika slyly inching her hand, watching for the perfect moment to grab his.
It seemed she intended to take him holding her hand as a sign of permission.
He had no idea what kind of reasoning or law that was, but she always seemed to have her own firm standards.
It would be too late if they took her back and then returned.
And she’d probably die before she went alone.
*I’m going to die of old age before she does.*
“Close the door.”
Cassel finally waved the white flag.
“Yay!”
Aika threw her hands in the air, looking as if she could jump for joy.
Gerard smiled discreetly. “Yes, my lord!” he exclaimed, briskly shutting the carriage door.
Once the carriage started moving, Aika, judging that the danger of being sent home had passed, clung even tighter to Cassel.
“Uncle, you’re the best! You’re so cool! The best in Wofford! The best in the world!”
“Sit up straight, you’re hurting my ears.”
Despite his words, Cassel didn’t push away the hand that gripped his arm as if afraid to let go.
Now in high spirits, Aika hummed a song with indiscernible lyrics.
Something about forsythia, something about yellow flowers.
Something about a yellow cat, something about a white butterfly.
Cassel glanced down at Aika and noticed a speck of dust she had yet to remove from her hair.
He raised his hand to brush it off, but Aika suddenly looked up.
“What is it.”
“Uncle, what were you about to do?”
“I wasn’t doing anything.”
Then, feigning indifference, he carefully brushed the dust from Aika’s hair and shoulders.
“Uncle, where are we going?”
Now that she had permission, she was a perfect companion.
Unbelievable.
“Where do you think? You’re not getting out of this carriage.”
“Whaaat, no!”
“Who are you to talk back? Who told you to follow me in the first place?”
Aika’s cheeks puffed out in a pout.
“This is all for your sake, you know?”
*If only she couldn’t talk.*
“…Let’s not talk.”
Cassel finally gave up on trying to reason with his niece.
***
**#3. Maybe Uncle Was on My Side After All**
“Wow, it’s so sparkly!”
Countless lanterns illuminated the building.
It was as if someone had gathered a sky full of stars and sprinkled them over it.
Uncle said this place belonged to Grandfather, too.
To be honest, I’d always been curious.
Where was Mom going when she would sigh about it being a bother, yet still dress up so prettily?
When I’d ask where she was going, she’d say, “Aika, this is an extension of work. Haaah.”
I’d promised not to bother her when she was working, so I could never follow her.
I was always curious, but I’ve decided to protect Uncle.
I can achieve that noble goal *and* satisfy my curiosity!
That’s why I decided to follow him, but if I’d known it was such a cool place, I would have followed Mom long ago.
Gerard said this was where a banquet was being held, right?
I grabbed onto Uncle’s clothes and trotted after him as he strode inside.
“Uncle, do you think Grandfather is already here?”
“How would I know?”
As we passed through a corridor and into the lavish ballroom, I stuck even closer to Uncle.
I hadn’t been outside the house much, so I hadn’t known, but I started to realize something strange.
Just like at the imperial palace, wherever I went, everyone’s eyes seemed to fix on me.
