Chapter 37
Chapter 37
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 38
Chapter Title: Bathrobes and War Plans
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The afternoon's work was over.
To clear his head, Kaide turned his attention to the apology letters submitted that morning.
It had taken quite some time for everyone to submit them.
Planning to let it slide for the most part, Kaide began to read with a light heart.
However, the moment he read the first line, he realized how naive that thought had been and called for Baon.
"Baon."
"Yes, you called?"
Baon, who was still processing some unfinished documents, looked up.
With a dumbfounded expression, Kaide reviewed the apology letters several times before pressing a hand to his forehead.
"I don't know how these bastards managed to get into my family. Bring me the files on whoever brought them in."
"Is something the matter?"
Baon asked, puzzled by the sudden order.
To suddenly stop reading apology letters and demand the gatekeepers' records?
Their identities were so certain there was no need to check them separately.
In the first place, only those from collateral branches of the clan could enter the Astrofel family.
It was safe to say there was nothing to worry about.
But Kaide's expression was cynical.
"Find out who's responsible and drag them before me."
"......."
"They don't deserve to have authority over personnel."
"Is it that bad?"
Just what on earth was written in them?
Baon grew curious as to why Kaide was reacting this way.
"May I read them as well?"
"Go ahead."
With permission granted, Baon took the crumpled apology letter from Kaide's hand.
First, the elegant handwriting passed. The presentation, at least, wasn't bad.
"What seems to be the prob—"
As he checked the contents, Baon momentarily doubted his eyes.
What could he possibly say?
He was speechless for a while. A quiet atmosphere settled over the office.
"To think such men were working under me."
The more Kaide thought about it, the more absurd it seemed, and he let out a dry laugh. He sighed, hand on his forehead.
"......It seems they did their best, in their own way. Didn't they follow all the formalities?"
"That's what makes it even more ridiculous."
It was needlessly elaborate.
Baon deeply agreed with that sentiment.
"That is true."
"What does it look like to you?"
"This? It's certainly less of an apology letter and more of a......"
It was remarkably similar to a war plan.
There was almost no difference from the contingency plans periodically reported from the border.
Moreover, as if they had all conspired, the contents of the submissions were surprisingly similar.
They couldn't have discussed what to write, which made it all the more astounding.
Confused, Baon closed his eyes.
He then tried to steer his thoughts toward interpreting it in a positive light.
"Isn't this a plan proposed out of their deep affection for Lady Aileen?"
"So that's why they're asking me to prepare troops at the earliest opportunity."
"......."
"Are they planning to take Retra's head and offer it to Aileen?"
"I will have them rewrite it."
He couldn't think of anything more to say in their defense.
Baon clicked his tongue softly. It seemed it was already too late to expect a proper apology letter.
Kaide's gaze shifted to the setting sun outside the window. He hadn't been able to see Aileen for the past few days, busy catching up on work.
"What has Aileen been up to lately?"
"Ah. Speaking of which, Rosaria came to report the day before yesterday."
"And?"
Kaide's expression softened, a faint smile gracing his lips.
The change was so distinct that even though Baon witnessed it every time, he was still surprised.
"She's been eating very well and participating enthusiastically in her lessons."
"I see. Is that all?"
"There is one more thing, but I'm not sure how to put it."
"What is it?"
Baon was conflicted about whether he should mention it or not.
He didn't know why he had to be the one to deliver this kind of news.
He subtly distanced himself from Kaide, who was waiting for the rest of the report, and averted his gaze.
"The heir of the Kiraas family apparently invited Lady Aileen to come and play in the North."
A chilling silence fell.
Baon swallowed dryly and quickly added.
"He's still young, so he likely said it without knowing the implications."
"He didn't know."
"That's right."
"That little brat?"
It was something no one would believe.
The corner of Kaide's mouth twisted up. He'd already been concerned about this, and now it had come to pass.
"There's no way he didn't know. Not if he's been properly trained as an heir."
One of the most important elements of heir training was understanding hidden intentions.
He would naturally know what it means to be invited into one's territory.
"How dare he wag his tail at her."
As if he doesn't know who's standing behind her.
Kaide scoffed, finding it pathetic.
The next day, something surprising happened.
Baon showed a brief moment of surprise.
"Oh?"
On the desk was a new submission that could actually be called an 'apology letter'.
It was just as Mesis had guessed.
* * *
"Wosawia! What's dis?"
"It's a new bathrobe we've prepared for you."
I had just finished my shower and was coming out, wrapped snugly in a large towel, when I spotted a gown I'd never seen before.
My eyes sparkled at the sight of the adorable, pure white bathrobe hanging on the clothes rack.
Is that mine?
When I turned and pointed at the gown, Rosaria smiled sweetly.
"I thought it would be nice for you to wear a gown instead of a towel now, so I prepared one. Would you like to try it on?"
"Uh-huh! I wanna twy it on!"
I spun around and around, unwrapping the towel from my body.
As I changed into the pure white gown, the soft texture against my skin felt like bubbles.
"Do you like it, Lady Aileen?"
"Uh-huh. Wearin' this makes me feel like a gwown-up. A gwown-up."
Excited, I ran to the mirror.
I fiddled with the slightly wide sleeves and the ribbon tied at the waist.
I can even wear a bathrobe now!
Watching fondly from behind, Rosaria approached with a fluffy towel.
It was to dry my still-damp hair.
"It took a little while to find the right size. If I'd known you'd like it this much, I would have gotten it for you sooner."
"Mhm. I'm weally happy wight now."
I took a long sip of the iced tea that had been prepared as a snack.
Ice and pieces of fruit floated in the iced tea.
"Lady Aileen, have you finished your homework?"
Rosaria asked, gently patting my hair with the towel.
I glanced at the wall clock decorated with flower vines. There was still plenty of time before my lesson started.
I still had one day's worth of homework left, so I shook my head.
Lately, I'd been learning simple words, and I had homework to trace the letters until the day of the lesson so I wouldn't forget.
"A wittle bit weft."
"Are you going to do it in the garden again today?"
"Uh-huh. I'm gonna take it."
"Then I'll pack a snack for you as well. Today's snack is crackers. They have chocolate and fruit on them. Sound delicious?"
"Yummy!"
"There. All dry."
"Thank you, Wosawia."
I got down from the chair and packed my notebook and pen.
I put the snack container in my bag and zipped it up, making its flat side bulge.
I set the bag down by the door and picked up the sky-blue dress that was folded on the bed.
I undid the buttons on the back.
"Would you like some help changing?"
"No. Aileen can do it all by mysewf."
Truthfully, it was still hard to put on socks by myself, but I could easily put on a dress on my own.
I slipped the dress over my head, popped my head through, pulled my arms out one by one, and simply changed.
My hair got a little messy, but it settled down after I smoothed it with my hands.
"How do I wook?"
"You changed very well! Let me get the buttons for you."
"Uh-huh."
Rosaria fastened the buttons on my back.
Whenever I managed to do something new by myself, Rosaria would be happy, yet show a subtle expression.
It seemed she was fascinated, watching me grow up in real time right beside her.
"I'll be back soon fwom pwaying!"
"Yes. I'll come get you before your lesson starts."
"Okay!"
I slung the bag over my shoulder.
Time to go to the garden and ride the swing! A swing just for me had been installed in the garden recently. They said a slide would be coming soon, too.
The reason was that there wasn't much to play with in the mansion.
And one more thing had been installed—a parasol.
Beneath it, a large mat was also spread out.
This was also just for me.
Once in the garden, I put my bag on the mat and ran to the swing.
"Oh, Young Lady. Are you going to ride the swing?"
"Mesis?"
"Hey. Good morning."
Turning my head toward the voice, I saw Mesis, who looked like he had just woken up, his eyes still sleepy.