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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 2
Chapter Title: A Little Hero
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“Where's the man who looks like Mommy?”
“Aika, his name is Cassel. He's your only uncle.”
“My uncle?”
“Yes. Your uncle.”
“Then… I want to see my uncle!”
It wasn't until later that I learned my uncle wasn't called the "Mad Dog" for nothing.
His track record was, in many ways, both immense and terrifyingly colorful.
Of course, his broken personality and character played a big part in that.
There were times when families nearly vanished for incurring his wrath, and I heard some actually did disappear entirely.
I even heard that a man who proposed to my mother was never seen again, though I don't know what happened to him.
Ironically, despite his cruel and fiery temperament, he was said to be one of the top three most popular men among the noble ladies.
On top of that, Grandfather said my uncle had an incredible nose for money and played a significant role in increasing the family's wealth.
So, why did I end up living with this ruffian of an uncle…?
There were a few reasons.
First, he was my mother's only brother.
Second, Grandfather sent me away on the condition that he would give my uncle the title of Marquis.
Actually, my uncle said he wouldn't accept a title like Marquis, but Grandfather forced it on him, and me along with it.
I know this because I overheard a conversation between Grandfather and my uncle.
“If you want the title of Marquis, take Aika with you.”
“Have you gone senile, old man? You can give the title to the dogs for all I care.”
“You wretched boy! I'm saying this because Aika could be in danger! Do you think there are only one or two people targeting our family?”
“…”
“No matter how much of a madman you are to others, you'll protect your own niece, won't you?”
And so, I came to live with my uncle, Cassel de Valliat—my mother's brother and the only remaining child of the Duke of Valliat.
Though now, having received the title of Marquis, he was Cassel de Leguire.
Well, as you can see, my uncle dislikes me.
He seems to dislike me very, very much.
It's not like I was particularly fond of him either.
Nevertheless, the final and most important reason I came to him, even throwing a tantrum just to see his face, was crucial.
It was to save my uncle.
On the day of the carriage accident, just before I lost consciousness, my mother gave me a special ability as a gift.
Even as blood streamed from her head, she suddenly forced a red jewel, the size of a pinky nail, into my mouth and said,
“Aika, my dearest daughter… I'm so sorry I couldn't protect you until the end.”
“Mommy, no. *Sob*. Don't die.”
“Aika, you will now have special eyes. No matter what you see or learn from now on, you must never be surprised. This will help you save the people you hold dear.”
“Special… *hic*, eyes…?”
“You mustn't tell anyone. It's a secret just between you and me, okay?”
I promised I wouldn't tell anyone, and when I woke up, my mother was gone.
Even after her funeral, I still didn't understand what she had meant.
But from that day on, I began to have dreams more vivid than reality, and I finally understood when the scenes from my dreams appeared right before my eyes.
I had gained the ability to see the future.
It was the power to sense danger to people connected to me beforehand.
Seeing as I also dreamed of my closest maid at Grandfather's house, it didn't seem to be a power limited to blood relatives.
Later on, it wasn't just in dreams; sometimes, visions would suddenly appear before my eyes even when I was awake.
Though it was very rare.
Then, just as I grew accustomed to the ability and could naturally prevent accidents from happening to the maids…
I had *that* dream.
“Uncle! No!”
A dream where my uncle would be swept up in something even more dangerous than what happened to my mother, and meet his end.
The day I received my special ability.
Even as I was losing consciousness, I faintly heard the conversation of strangers.
“Find the necklace first. What's inside it is important.”
“I found it, but it's empty inside.”
“Tch, she must have hidden it somewhere. We'll retreat before those bastards arrive. You all hide and search some more.”
“Understood.”
I don't know why I can't remember anything else and only that part remains in my memory, but the voices were still vivid.
“We must find it and return.”
The necklace my mother broke, and the jewel she urgently fed to me.
The people searching for something were definitely dangerous.
“Aika, you mustn't let anyone find out about this special power. You have to be careful of…”
If I don't find those people and put them in jail, my uncle will be in danger, too.
Even if I keep, keep trying to stop it.
“Aika, I'll let you meet your uncle someday. He's like a mad dog… no, a puppy, but I think you'll like him when you see him. He's actually warmer than anyone.”
That's what my mother always said.
She said that even though she didn't see him often, he was her one and only precious little brother.
And that even though I didn't know his face, all the toys I played with were gifts from him.
I can't just stand by and watch such an uncle die.
‘I'll protect my uncle, and I'll protect myself.’
Because she said I was her most precious treasure.
I'll definitely grow up to be a healthy and wonderful adult.
And so, although I couldn't protect my mother, I decided to protect my uncle.
Because he's the only person who looks like her.
That's why I went through all this trouble to come here myself, but my uncle adamantly rejects me and treats me like a peanut.
Hmph, he doesn't even know how I feel.
If he weren't my mother's brother, I wouldn't have given him a second glance either.
If he didn't look like her at all, I wouldn't even like him.
Aside from his handsome face, his personality is completely eccentric and nothing like my mother's.
“I guess I have no choice.”
I, a good seven-year-old, will just have to endure it.
I put down my doll, dusted off my skirt, and got up.
The pretty dress the maids put on me this morning couldn't get ruined.
“Oh, it's wrinkled.”
I smoothed out the crumpled dress as best I could.
Even if I'm treated like this, I have to stop my uncle from going out today, no matter what.
My mother used to say.
That you should never underestimate a tiny spark.
Because even the smallest spark, if left alone, could grow uncontrollably into a great inferno that would consume everything.
She said that if I could see a dangerous spark and put it out first, I could call myself a hero.
So, I decided to become a little hero.
When I opened the door and stepped out, a maid came rushing over.
“My lady, is there anything you need?”
It was Zenda, who had been taking care of me since my first day here.
She must have been waiting by the door for me to come out.
She, who had worked here for over three years, said her best skills were embroidery and sewing.
As if to prove her skill, Zenda had even embroidered a blooming sunflower on the left sleeve of my dress.
And she knew my uncle's personality very well.
Well, it wasn't just Zenda; it seemed most of the servants here were aware of my uncle's foul temper.
“Where's Uncle? Where did he go?”
I looked up at the gentle Zenda—so unlike my uncle—and asked.
“The master? He went to get ready to go out. He should be in his dressing room.”
“Then I'm going to see him.”
At that, Zenda's expression clouded over.
Her face was already filled with worry.
“But it's almost time for snacks. How about having them in your room? I'll make you some delicious cocoa. Forgive my presumption, but it's best not to approach the master when he's busy…”
She probably thought I was going to get another earful from my uncle.
I gave a small smile and shook my head.
“It's okay! I have to go quickly before it's too late.”
“Very well. I'll escort you.”
Since I insisted on going to see my uncle, Zenda, looking as if she were about to cry, led me to the front of his dressing room.
Worried Zenda might get in trouble, I sent her away and knocked loudly on the firmly shut door.
“Un-cle!”
As expected, no answer.
I know you're in there, Uncle.
I cupped my hands around my mouth like a trumpet, brought them to the door, and shouted again, my voice ringing out.
“Uncle! Uncle! Un-cle!”
Then, a rather rough sound came from inside, and the door flew open.
My uncle, who had taken off his shirt in the meantime, glared down at me with a terrifying expression.
“I distinctly told you to stay out of my sight…”
Ignoring the sound of him grinding his teeth, I beamed at my uncle.
“Uncle! Let's play house!”
Sorry, Uncle, but you're absolutely not going out today.
