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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 15
Chapter Title: Rima's Hidden Plans
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Returning to the guest room, Rima let out a long sigh, releasing the tension she'd been holding in her grip.
"Ugh, I'm totally wiped out."
She flopped straight onto the bed and soon broke into a proud grin, giggling to herself.
'Whoa, I just totally nailed being a 7-year-old orphan girl!'
Rima replayed her acting over and over in her mind. If there were an acting award in this world, she was dead certain she'd win it.
Getting up from the bed, Rima pulled out a bundle of papers hidden under the desk drawer.
'The reason I gave up on cozying up to my brothers today...'
It was to record the novel settings and key events she remembered.
To do that, she'd asked the head maid for paper and a pen.
She could still vividly picture the head maid's expression when Rima pretended to practice writing with the book Al had lent her.
"Heh, I am pretty smart."
The moment Rima recalled her past life, she had instantly mastered the language of this world. Of course she had—she was the 'author' and 'god' who created it, after all.
'There's a reason I need to stay on the head maid's good side too.'
Rima jabbed her finger at one of the novel settings she'd written down.
'The Egg of the Evil Dragon Ater.'
She had to get her hands on it and hand it over to the information broker's boss.
That way, he could cure his ailing younger brother.
'I need to pull the information broker to my side first.'
Then, no matter what she did going forward, there'd be no interference.
The information broker's owner, Delak, would grow curious about Rima—a child who knew so much despite her age—and later grow desperate to connect her with his brother.
'I even know where the information broker is. I just need to get permission to go out.'
If she built rapport with the maids, she could tag along when they went shopping.
'The Egg of the Evil Dragon Ater is owned by the Mercenary King. If I just tip off the info broker, he'll send someone to fetch it.'
Rima beamed, looking forward to the day she could go out.
"Oh, right."
Then she remembered another potential male lead she'd momentarily forgotten.
"I wonder if Leon's doing okay?"
Rima gazed out the window with a deep sigh.
Far in the distance, beyond the dense forest, stood a massive mansion—the Dayamor estate, where Al, Rubens, and Leon were staying.
Worry clouded Rima's eyes as she stared at it.
'I hope the villainess hasn't gotten to him.'
The Dayamor family celebrated Arep's new name.
"Your blond hair really stands out, that's for sure. Anything you want? Uncle's got some fun toys ready for you."
"What a splendid name. Congratulations. Oh, you're going to start studying now, right? Auntie can't just sit by."
Kaleo gifted Arep new toys. A few days later, he had riding clothes and boots custom-made for him.
Seletrina gave him school supplies engraved with his new name. Not to be outdone, she even secured a young foal for his riding lessons.
Arep floundered under the avalanche of gifts, each one hundreds of times bigger than his small frame could handle.
Nibelria, watching from the side, scolded him sharply.
"Say thank you!"
"Th-thank you..."
"Good boy."
Nibelria patted Arep's head approvingly.
Kaleo, dumbfounded, muttered,
"...Nini’s basically his teacher now."
"Yeah. Nini’s Arep's teacher."
She’s not calling him Wolf anymore?
Kaleo thought that as he gently stroked his daughter's hair.
A few days later.
Arep, dressed in his new riding gear, headed to the stables with Solles and Nibelria. The three were set to take riding lessons together.
Solles, who had been learning for years, mounted his horse with ease.
"Whoa...!"
Arep's eyes sparkled as he watched from outside the fence.
The horse's mane fluttering at high speed, its muscles rippling with each stride, the effortless synchronization with Solles on its back.
"Would Master Arep like to gallop too?"
The stablemaster chuckled heartily.
The Dayamor family had instructed the staff to treat Arep—the family's benefactor—with utmost care. The servants addressed him as "Master Arep" and served him just like Solles and Nibelria.
"The horse is so cool..."
Arep replied, his face flushing red.
'No backbone at all.'
His features were sharp like a sleek cat's, yet his words and actions were timid as a frightened rabbit.
"Nini’s cooler!"
Meanwhile, Nibelria—with her gentle face and daily bursts of fresh madness—was energetic and spirited as ever.
"It's always a pleasure seeing the young miss so healthy."
"Without health, I'm a corpse."
"Hahaha! You've picked up a fine expression. Ah, Master Solles is coming back. Your turns now, you two."
Solles returned from his demonstration, catching his slightly quickened breath.
Arep mustered his courage.
"That was awesome. You ride really well."
"Haha, thanks. What about Nini?"
"Awesome! But get careless, and your neck snaps."
"Hmm, you're worried about big bro, right? Not a curse?"
"What's a curse?"
"Nothing. Thanks for worrying. Now, you two hop on."
As the pair entered the enclosure, the stablemaster said,
"We'll start with getting Master Arep familiar with the horse."
The stablemaster hoisted Arep onto the saddle.
Arep, startled, tried to hunch forward, but Solles, who followed, stopped him.
"It's fine. Keep your back straight, don't worry."
"The young master is right. I'll hold you steady, no need to fret."
And so, Arep's first ride began.
"...!"
Arep's eyes widened as much as his elevated view.
One might expect fear from such a height, but Arep showed no sign of it.
He even bounced excitedly, eager for more speed.
"You want to go faster, don't you?"
"Yes."
Arep answered without hesitation.
But the stablemaster was firm.
"To ride like the young master, hmm, you need to build your strength first. And as I said, bond with the horse."
After one lap, he suggested greeting the gifted foal.
Arep nodded so hard his head might fall off.
Nibelria and Solles welcomed Arep back from his first ride with applause.
Next up was Nibelria.
"Venti."
The horse Arep had just ridden stepped up to Nibelria. Its glossy brown coat gleamed in the sunlight.
Venti lowered its neck to meet her eyes.
"Sit."
Venti obediently folded its legs and knelt.
Nibelria clambered up onto the saddle under her own power, then stretched her short arms to stroke Venti's long neck.
"Good boy. Now stand."
At her command, Venti rose slowly and carefully.
Thanks to that, Nibelria maintained a stable posture.
"Let's go!"
With a spirited shout, Nibelria and Venti galloped around the riding ring—not once, but twice.
"Well, Nini's kind of a special case."
Solles explained to Arep, who stared in disbelief, wondering what he'd just witnessed.
"Horses have always listened to her. When she was a baby, they once broke out of the stables and came all the way to the main house."
It was practically legend how the horses only returned after seeing the milk-fed, sleeping Nibelria's face.
Arep watched Nibelria return from her exhilarating ride.
"Arep!"
The 4-year-old who no longer called him Wolf, who always seemed ready to protect him, grinned wide and waved her arms as she approached.
"Wave back, and she'll love it."
Solles suggested quietly.
Arep glanced at his hand, then raised it to shoulder height and gave a small wave.
Nibelria's face bloomed with a sunlit smile.
After Arep officially joined the Dayamor household, an unexpected positive effect emerged.
Nibelria caused fewer mishaps.
Treating Arep like her subordinate made her act more cautiously, wanting to set a cool example as the boss.
When Arep said he'd study, she got fired up to join him.
So the adults held an emergency meeting.
"Strike while the iron's hot."
Muniel's words drew solemn nods from Ardores, Kaleo, and Seletrina.
"We can't let her run wild forever. Once is enough for the Magic Tower Lord butt-beating fiasco."
"That guy's due for more."
Ardores grumbled.
But he agreed on his granddaughter's education.
They couldn't let her keep flaunting her clear-eyed madness and blurting whatever she wanted forever.
Kaleo spoke first.
"How about having her learn with Arep?"
Nibelria only got motivated with Arep around, and Arep was more timid than expected. Basic education together seemed best.
"But Nini's only 4, and there'll be a gap later. What if we do specific subjects together?"
"Seletrina's right."
Ardores agreed.
"The issue is who teaches them..."
"Solles's tutors won't work?"
"Why drag in academy scholars for empty-headed kids?"
Ardores pondered, then someone came to mind.
"There's a good candidate."
A few days later.
Magic Tower Lord Majia entered the Dayamor mansion with a grumpy scowl.
"Huh?"
Nibelria, playing with Arep in the front garden, jumped to her feet.
"Ugly Magic Tower Lord!"
"Insult right off the bat? Still as cheeky as eve—"
Majia instinctively touched his butt, remembering the past thrashing, and froze. His gaze shifted to Arep beside her.
"You, you...!"
Majia pointed at Arep and shouted.
"When did you get he—!"
Crunch!
Nibelria chomped down on his finger.
"Aaaagh!"
Majia screamed.
The startled Arep hurriedly pried her off.
"Haaaack! Hiss!"
Nibelria bared her tiny fang-like teeth and hissed.
"No pointing fingers! Don't bully Arep!"
