Chapter 42
Chapter 42
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 43
Chapter Title: A Condition and a Chair
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To be honest, I knew why Set and Arban had been allowed to go out first.
They had the strength to protect themselves, and with escorts to guard them, they would be perfectly safe.
Of course, I understood that, but still.
"Aileen too!"
"Hm?"
"I wanna go out like my big brothers."
I mumbled, fiddling with my fingers.
At the same time, I was anxious that I might get scolded for whining, so I cautiously watched his reaction.
But as if to prove my worries were unfounded, the corners of Kaide’s mouth lifted ever so slightly.
"You want to go out?"
"Unh-huh."
"How much?"
"As much as the sky! As much as the ground!"
Fearing I’d miss my chance if I didn't act now, I quickly stretched my arms out as wide as they could go.
This much! A whole lot!
As I strongly expressed my opinion, I heard Arban, who was watching, scoff.
Set was openly staring to see what I would do, while Orca had covered his mouth and bowed his head low.
"Aileen wants to go outside too, Dada!"
I shouted loudly. My voice echoed down the hallway.
Kaide, who had been watching me quietly with his arms crossed and his head tilted, muttered with a thoughtful expression.
"What to do."
"She wants it so badly, how about letting her go out just once?"
"She's too young for that."
"That is true, but…"
"I suppose it won't do."
Kaide, who was discussing it with Orca, raised his voice as if he meant for me to hear.
His teasing tone gave me the feeling he was enjoying the current situation.
Listening to their conversation, I grew anxious and quickly shook my head.
"No!"
"No?"
"Unh-huh. Aileen grew this much bigger."
It was a baseless claim, but I blurted it out anyway. Children grow every day, so I must have grown a little.
At my earnest words, Kaide let out a soft chuckle.
Worried the opportunity would slip away, I suddenly threw my arms around Kaide’s leg.
"I'm not letting go until Dada says yes."
"Hmm. That's a problem."
Despite his words, his voice held not a hint of trouble.
The corners of his mouth were turned up in a pleasant smile that showed no sign of coming down, as if he had been waiting for this very moment.
Kaide lifted me into his arms in one swift motion and started walking toward the dining hall.
We must have been at the entrance for quite some time, as the sun was already setting outside the window.
"Since you're so insistent on going out, I suppose I can't say no."
"You'll let Aileen go out?"
"But I'll add one condition."
"A condition?"
Whatever it was, I was confident I could do it. When I asked, full of motivation, Kaide put on a deliberately serious face.
"I heard you're going to be taking pheromone lessons from Kasana?"
"Unh-huh."
"Once you can freely switch between your true form and your human form, I promise I'll take you outside."
It was a proposal that would take quite some time, but it wasn't a bad one.
Not wanting to lose the chance I had just gained, I quickly nodded my agreement.
"Then when that time comes, shall we all go on a family trip?"
"A family trip?"
Set, who was following behind, asked back with surprised eyes. Arban seemed to feel the same, as I saw him hesitate.
They looked as if they had never expected Kaide to make such a suggestion.
"Yes. Do you dislike the idea?"
"That's not it."
"Well… if that kid succeeds."
The two answered, not looking entirely displeased. It even seemed like they secretly wanted to go.
And with that, I had one more reason I absolutely had to succeed.
"I'll make sure we go on a family trip. Just wait a little, Set, Arban."
"What are you talking about? Who do you think is excited about a family trip!"
He's just pretending. I gave a knowing little smile.
I had actually seen it earlier. The way Arban's eyes lit up and sparkled at Kaide's words.
Set was feigning indifference, but his expression showed he was paying attention.
"But I wanna go play with everyone?"
"Then you just have to succeed."
"Will you two help me?"
I slyly cast my line.
"Well, I'm only helping because you said you want to go. Don't get the wrong idea and think it's because I want to go!"
And Arban took the bait beautifully. Set, who had been walking in step with us, headed into the dining hall first, as if there was no need to listen any longer.
As we entered, an appetizing aroma tickled my nose.
The head chef, Baharn, who had been waiting for us, approached with a welcoming smile.
"Welcome, My Lord. Young Masters, Young Lady."
"Baharn!"
"It's been a while, Lady Aileen. I'm honored that you remember my name. Shall I show you to your seat?"
"Yep!"
At my word, Kaide bent down and set me on the floor.
Once on the ground, I walked to the spot Baharn guided me to.
"Your seat is here, Young Lady."
My place was right to Kaide's left.
"Whoa. It's so sparkly."
The table was decorated quite lavishly.
Vases placed at regular intervals were brightly adorned with lilac flowers.
Long, golden candlesticks were covered with crystal holders, inside which candlelight glowed softly.
In front of them, conveniently sliced bread was arranged in a small basket, and a variety of other dishes like salad, fruit, stew, and steak were also prepared.
And finally…
"Huh? The chair is different!"
A wooden chair had been raised high.
Looks like I don't have to eat on his lap this time.
As I craned my neck to show my interest, Kaide, who had been staring intently at the chair, called Baharn in a low voice.
"Baharn."
"Yes, My Lord."
A deep smile formed on Kaide’s lips.
"Your useless preparedness is as reliable as ever."
"…Have I made a mistake? If you tell me what it is, I will change it."
"I'm afraid it can't be changed."
"…?"
"Aileen has already taken an interest, you see. She seems to like it very much. I suppose it was worth bringing it from so far away. Wasn't it?"
"…"
"Thanks to you, Aileen will now be able to dine very comfortably, by herself."
The more Kaide spoke, the paler Baharn’s face became.
His red gaze, which had been sweeping across the dining hall, came to rest on me.
I, who was placing my foot on the footrest to climb onto the chair, beamed at him.
"Why you lookin' at Aileen?"
"…"
"Hm?"
The chair had a footrest installed to make it easy to sit on.
Thanks to that, I could climb up and sit down with ease.
Kaide and Baharn watched my every move from beginning to end.
The two of them exuded very different auras.
Baharn looked as if he were facing an irreversible situation, one that was already too late to fix, while Kaide seemed…
...to be thinking, 'How can I get rid of that thing?'
…What was that?
"Um… Lady Aileen."
"Yeah?"
"Are you pleased with the chair?"
"Yep."
At my immediate reply, the color drained further from Baharn’s face.
I said I liked the gift he went to the trouble of preparing, so why did he look so grim?
I fiddled with the armrest, wondering if I had made a mistake.
No matter how much I thought about it, I couldn't think of anything.
"Is it perhaps uncomfortable in any way?"
"Uhm. Nope! Aileen likes this."
"…If there is anything uncomfortable at all, even the smallest thing, please tell me right away."
Something small but uncomfortable?
I checked again, but there was nothing.
The chair was very plush, as if it had been custom-made.
The height was also perfect, making it ideal for eating.
"It's super comfy. Thanks for being so thoughtful, Baharn."
As if to prove my point, I used the tongs to pick up a piece of bread and place it on my plate.
For some reason, it felt like the temperature in the dining hall had dropped even lower.
Kaide sat down in the center seat and let out a short laugh.
"How could she not like it? It was brought from the end of the continent. You must be very pleased, Baharn."
Kaide emphasized the 'end of the continent' as he elegantly picked up his knife.
I tilted my head, sipping my water.
By now, I had more than caught on.
Kaide was not happy that I was able to eat while sitting in my own chair.
Does he want to feed me, maybe?
But that would be an inconvenience for him.
Somehow, Baharn, standing in the corner, looked pitiful. What should I do?
"Dada."
"Hm?"
"Ahhh—"
I spread a thick layer of jam on a piece of bread and held it out to Kaide.
With a surprised expression, Kaide stared blankly at the bread.
"Gasp."
Baharn gasped and slapped a hand over his mouth. He wasn't the only one who was surprised.
Set, who was drinking water, let out a small cough, and Arban, who had been watching the scene with his chin in his hand, slowly raised his head with a look of horror.
Their eyes were those of people witnessing an unprecedented, bizarre act.
In the atmosphere of bated breath, Kaide chuckled.
"Who taught you to do this?"
"You gave some to me before, Dada. Aileen wants to give some to you too."