Chapter 46
Chapter 46
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 47
Chapter Title: A Hundred Gold Coins
-----------------------------------------------------------------
He then gestured toward the inside of the conference room.
"Aren't you curious about the meeting?"
"Huh?"
"Shall we go in together?"
"Am I allowed to go in?"
The atmosphere inside was incredibly stern.
What if I go in and make everyone uncomfortable during their meeting?
Baon, seemingly not expecting Kaide to say such a thing, pushed up his glasses as they slid down his nose.
As I hesitated to answer, Kaide swiftly lifted me into his arms.
"That won't be a problem. Who would dare object when I am the one giving permission?"
That was true. Kaide was, after all, the head of this family. Still...
I looked at Baon worriedly, and he just shrugged, stepping aside from the door as if to usher us in.
"Then I will wait outside."
Mesis, who had been watching the situation unfold, took a step back and said this.
I nodded to show I understood.
When Kaide stepped inside, the elders who had been waiting for him, the family head, all rose from their seats in unison.
All eyes immediately fell on me, nestled in Kaide's arms. I felt a little embarrassed under their intense gazes.
Upon reaching the center of the long table, Kaide took his seat.
His low voice echoed through the quiet conference room.
"Be seated."
The moment he finished speaking, the elders sat down in perfect unison, as if they had been waiting for the command.
Sitting on Kaide’s lap, I looked forward and the entire room came into view.
So this was where he sat to decide on the family’s important matters.
I was struck once again by the significance of Kaide’s position.
I fiddled with the bowl of snacks.
Simple tea and snacks had been prepared and placed at each seat.
Along with them were papers filled with dense text. They seemed to be summaries of the meeting's agenda.
I glanced at them briefly before turning my attention back to the snacks.
I was hungry anyway, so I decided I would eat them all.
"We will now begin the afternoon session."
A person sitting off to the side announced the start, picking up a quill pen.
"What's dat person doin'?"
"He is the scribe. The one who records and archives the meeting's proceedings."
"Oh, I see."
So they even keep a separate record of the meetings.
As the meeting prepared to start in earnest, I felt a mix of nervousness and anticipation.
I was curious to see how the family's meetings were conducted and what they discussed.
I looked around to see who was present and noticed one seat was still empty.
It was the seat across from Baon. I wondered whose it was.
"A considerable amount of time has passed, yet we have an absentee."
"Surely he isn't just late?"
For some reason, it felt like a bad start.
"...Where has Lord Durias gone?"
It seemed the seat belonged to Durias.
"The approval documents have been piling up for some time. He appears to be away, but where could he have gone?"
"Don't tell me he has quit?"
"...That's impossible. He is not the type to quit so suddenly."
Many people were curious about Durias's whereabouts.
They seemed to have no idea why he was absent.
Hearing that he'd been gone for days, it didn't seem like he was simply running late.
Kaide looked at Baon and asked.
"Has Durias not yet returned?"
"It seems he's having trouble readjusting after being worked so hard for the first time in a while. I will make sure to work him hard more often so this doesn't happen again."
"See that you do."
...What in the world was this conversation?
An old man with a long beard, who had been listening to the conversation with a look of discomfort, cleared his throat.
"Absence from the council is not permitted under any circumstances. Where has Lord Durias gone?"
"I sent him on a brief errand."
"...An errand? You sent Lord Durias?"
*Gasp.* I could hear sharp intakes of breath from all around.
The news that he'd been sent on an errand was shocking enough to imply Durias was not someone you sent on errands.
Baon, unconcerned by the reactions around him, simply shrugged.
"Let's not worry about the absent party and proceed with the meeting. We are all busy people, after all."
"...Y-yes, let's do that."
I tore off a bite-sized piece of the golden-brown bread and popped it into my mouth.
The unsettled atmosphere slowly calmed at Baon's words. Everyone turned their focus to the documents before them.
"I am Surpia. I will present the first proposal."
The first person to speak was a woman with long, straight hair that fell to her waist.
Seeing her state her name as she rose from her seat, I guessed that was the rule.
She lifted the gold-rimmed glasses that had been hanging around her neck and placed them on her ears before beginning to speak in a serious tone.
"This concerns the family's budget for the second half of the year."
"Proceed."
"Before we plan for the southern summer festival... I request that you set a precise budget for Lady Aileen."
My budget? I was suddenly being mentioned in the meeting. I perked up my ears to listen more closely.
"The Young Masters' budgets have already been determined, but the Young Lady's is still undecided."
It seemed Surpia was in charge of financial matters.
So the family hosts its own festival in the summer. It sounded like a rather large-scale event.
But what did that have to do with a budget allocated to me?
Did that mean I had my own money?
I thought there was nothing more than what Rosaria requested separately.
I stopped eating my snack and stared at Surpia. It was the first I'd heard of this. But it was easy enough to accept.
Thinking about all the clothes and toys Rosaria had brought me, it made sense that they couldn't have been paid for with just a few coins.
"Please decide on it now, Family Head. It will make organizing the festival much smoother."
"I suppose so. I hadn't given any thought to this one's budget."
...Why not? A dreadful thought made me freeze. I was suddenly wide awake.
The fact that they hadn't decided on the money I needed must have been because they hadn't decided what to do with me.
I was only a temporary daughter, after all. The thought alone made my mood sink.
That's right. I might have to leave this house someday. I had no idea what would become of me once I grew up.
I had been so immersed in my peaceful daily life that I hadn't even considered it.
My appetite vanished, and I put down the bread I was holding. Kaide, who was sipping his tea, asked in confusion.
"Why aren't you eating?"
"...Mmm. No reason. Aileen's all done eating."
"You must be hungry after your pheromone lesson."
"Not hungry."
"Eat more anyway. You've expended a lot of energy, so your body must be tired."
"...Don't wanna."
What would I do if I had to leave this house? My mind was filled with that single thought.
I didn't have any money of my own. Even if money was allocated to me, it wasn't really mine; it was Kaide's.
Besides, I'd never actually seen real money before. I'd asked for an allowance once, but in the end, hadn't Kaide just prepared everything for me himself?
I had never spent or earned any money, so I had no concept of economics. This was a very serious problem for me.
I needed to learn something about the outside world before I became an adult.
I'd been too carefree all this time. How could I have been so foolish?
This was no time to be happy about finally being able to sense pheromones.
A much bigger problem was waiting for me.
Money was a huge issue if I wanted to survive on the outside. Since I had none, I had to figure out a way to start saving now.
Even though I'm a bird, I like meat, so I'll need to save a lot, right? I heard meat is expensive.
...But how expensive is it? How much money would I need to live on my own?
One worry led to another, and then another. With each thought, my expression grew darker.
"Surpia, what amount do you think is appropriate?"
"...How about setting it at a similar level to the Young Masters?"
"But Lady Aileen still has much more growing to do, doesn't she? Unlike the Young Masters who grow in spurts, she is growing little by little."
"She will require many things."
"I see. The amount allocated may need to be higher than anticipated."
Kaide tapped the table, a thoughtful expression on his face.
My heart pounded along with the rhythm. Oh no. He must be worried about how much money I cost.
Is he going to tell me to leave all of a sudden? But he's super rich, so he wouldn't kick me out with nothing, right?
I anxiously watched Kaide's hand tapping the table.
When I get back to my room, I need to figure out which of my things is the most expensive.
...Although, come to think of it, I couldn't really call them mine.
But there wasn't anyone else who would want them, so it would be okay to take that much with me, right?
I heard last time that items from the Marinette family are expensive, so I should probably focus on collecting things with that crest on them.
Collecting star candies and grape stickers in my treasure box wasn't important anymore.
"...This is a big pwoblem."
Suddenly, I realized the room had gone quiet. What was happening?
I looked up to see that the elders had stopped the meeting and were all staring at me.
Why were they looking at me?
"...Why you lookin' at Aileen?"
As I muttered in confusion, Kaide chuckled softly and leaned his arm to the side.
His red eyes, looking down at me, were filled with amusement.
"I was wondering what you were thinking about so intently instead of eating your snack. What is this 'big problem'?"
"Huh?"
"Tell me what the big problem is."
Oops. I'd said it out loud without realizing. *Gasp!* I clapped a hand over my mouth.
How do I get out of this?
I couldn't answer and just darted my eyes back and forth, and Kaide let out a small laugh.
"It is a big deal. We are, after all, deciding the budget that will be allocated to you."
Suddenly, Surpia pushed up her glasses and asked.
"Do you perhaps have a specific amount you would like?"
"Yes. Since it's such a 'big problem,' let's hear your opinion. What has that little head of yours been thinking?"
Kaide placed his hand on my head.
Surpia was waiting for my answer. Were they really going to listen to my opinion?
I was a little flustered, but this was definitely a good opportunity.
I decided to blurt out the biggest number I could think of.
Then the things Rosaria buys for me will be more expensive, and I can save the most expensive-looking ones in my treasure box.
I put on a serious expression and held up all ten of my fingers.
"Aileen wants a hundwed."
"...Pardon?"
"A hundwed."
How about that? Surprised, aren't you? You never dreamed I'd ask for such a huge amount, did you?
You shouldn't have asked me then.
I shamelessly lifted my chin. The more I did, the more Surpia couldn't hide her bewilderment.
"It seems the Young Lady wishes for one hundred gold coins."
"...Still, that's a bit..."
The atmosphere in the room was also growing strange.
It seemed they weren't too pleased with my request for a hundred gold coins.
Don't be discouraged. They asked for my opinion, and I just gave it.
Surpia, who was hastily scanning a document, even stuttered.
"O-one hundred, you say? Is that correct?"
"Yep. Aileen doesn't want it if it's not a hundwed."
I can't back down now.
I nodded and emphasized the word "hundred."
Silence fell once more.
Then, Kaide let out a deep sigh and pressed his forehead.
The strange thing was that while he seemed exasperated, the corners of his mouth were curved into a smile.
"It seems she's only learned to count to one hundred. Let's move on."
"Huh?"
What? There are numbers bigger than a hundred? Just then, Baon called to me with an amused look on his face.
"Lady Aileen. Please take a look at this."
"What is it?"
The paper Baon held out had several numbers written on it.
He used a pen to give a simple explanation.
"This is one hundred. Next is one thousand. Then ten thousand. After that, it increases to one hundred thousand, one million, and ten million."
"...So?"
"The amount allocated to you, Lady Aileen, is much, much larger than one hundred."
"...How much?"
"About a million times more."
A million times? Then how much is that in total?!
I froze solid at Baon's words.
In the end, my budget was set at one hundred million gold coins—far more than the one hundred I had asked for.
And that was just for the second half of the year.
At that, I once again felt the gravity of the situation.
If I got used to the spending habits of the people here, it wouldn't be long before nothing would satisfy me.
Of course, the ones who had made the greatest contribution to this were Kaide and those around him.
"You still have much to learn."
"But you said Aileen was a fast learner!"
"That's right. Lady Aileen's learning ability is quite fast. A Su-in's intelligence develops along with their growth rate. I've heard that she is doing exceptionally well for her age."
"...Hmph."
See? He said so. I puffed out my cheeks.
The meeting was heading somewhere.
I thought they would send me back, but it seems not. Where are we going?
I rested my cheek on his shoulder and leaned comfortably against him.
"Kasana told me. That you've become able to sense pheromones."
Kasana must have been heading to the office in such a hurry earlier. I knew he received reports on Set and Arban's day, but I didn't know he got them about me too.
"Yep. She said next time we'll try slowly transforming my body."
"I look forward to it."
"I'm gonna fly in the sky, too."
It would be great if I could fly really high and go everywhere. I don't know how Kasana will teach me to fly, though.
Baon, walking beside us, was unusually quiet today. Normally, he would have chimed in with a comment by now. I wondered if something was wrong.
Looking closer, I saw his complexion wasn't very good either.
"Baon."
"Yes?"
"Are you sick?"
"I am not."
"Then why do you look so glum?"
"Ah. It is because the Family Head took away my vacation and made me work all through the night... I am just busy."
"What's a vacation?"
"A day you can rest."
Oh, I see. ...He even had his vacation taken away. I suddenly felt sorry for Baon.
Kaide snorted, ignoring Baon's complaint.
We arrived at the office. As he opened the door and stepped inside, Kaide set me down.
"Play in here."
"Why? Mesis is probably waiting for me."
"Mesis is nearby."
Ah. He must have followed us already. But why does he want me to play in the office? There's nothing to play with here.
Still, being with Kaide wasn't so bad. It seemed better than playing alone and being bored.
I plopped down on the sofa and looked around for something to play with when the seal on Kaide's desk caught my eye.
"Can I pway with dat?"
"This?"
"Yep. That."
It was a heavy, luxurious-looking seal made of gold.
Baon, who was sitting nearby and looking at documents with an expression that said he'd rather die, made a horrified face.
"That is a seal only the Family Head can use. If you need one, I can have one specially made for you..."
"But it's boring in here."
The office, furnished with only the most necessary furniture and items, had nothing interesting to look at.
When I pouted sullenly, Kaide let out a soft laugh.
When I pouted sullenly, Kaide let out a soft laugh.
"Fine. Take it and play."
"Really?"
"What are you planning to do with it?"
As far as I knew, stamping this seal meant anything would be approved.
I also knew that everyone was desperate to get Kaide's seal on their documents.
I'd seen vassals leaving this place with unapproved papers before.
Is this seal really that amazing?
I examined the seal, which was a little too heavy to hold in one hand.
"Where's the red stuff?"
"You mean the ink pad. Here it is."
Baon handed me a square box.
I coated it generously with ink and pressed it firmly onto a piece of paper. The family insignia appeared, clear and sharp.
"I'm gonna stamp things like Papa."
"Then stamp it here."
"Here? ...But this is a real document."
You really want me to stamp this? I looked at him with wide eyes, and Kaide nodded readily.
"It's not a particularly important document. Just stamp it next to the name."
Kaide moved a large pile of documents from the side of his desk and placed it in front of me.
Uh... it kind of feels like he's giving me his work. It's just my imagination, right?
Baon glanced around furtively, then sneakily added the documents he was holding to the pile.
"Then, if you would please, Lady Aileen."
"..."
"It's very easy, you just have to stamp them, right?"
I feel like I'm being tricked into doing work. Unable to shake my suspicion, I narrowed my eyes at Baon.
Well, he said he's been so busy he couldn't even take a vacation. I should at least stamp some documents for him.
"Okay."
Stamping isn't hard. I straightened my posture and crossed my legs just like Kaide did.
Watching me, he let out a dry laugh. He must have realized I was copying him.
He said to stamp it next to the name, right?
I held the seal straight so it wouldn't be crooked and pressed down firmly. Then the next page. And the one after that.
As I kept repeating the motion, it became quite fun. It felt like I had become Kaide.
"Are you having fun?"
"Yep."
"I do hope you'll come by often and stamp these for us."
Baon looked completely serious. So I can be helpful just by stamping things for them.
When I was about halfway through, I decided to casually ask something I'd been curious about.
"But, um..."
"Hm?"
"Where did Durias go?"
Earlier they just said he went on an errand, but they didn't say exactly what he was doing.
It felt like they were being evasive.
For Baon, who was usually so direct and never hid anything, to react that way made me all the more curious.
"Durias went to pick someone up."
"Who?"
Who could be so important that Durias himself had to go get them? Was a guest coming to the estate?
"Are you curious?"
"Yep."
"It's a secret."
Baon winked teasingly. If he wasn't going to tell me, he shouldn't have made me curious in the first place.
I looked at Kaide. Baon wouldn't tell me, but maybe he would.
Kaide was looking out the window. The sun was setting beyond the glass.
"He should be approaching the target location by now."
"Indeed."
"What? Don't keep it a secret! You have to tell Aileen, too!"
It's only fair if we all know! I shot up to my feet and put my hands on my hips.
Kaide, who was gazing at me intently, narrowed his eyes.
"It is a story about you, so it might be better for you to know."
"...It's about me?"
"Yes."
"What is it?"
"How it was possible for you to be born into the Astrofel family... Durias is away for a while to find that out."
I sucked in a breath.
It seemed the time had finally come to learn the truth.
And then what? What will happen to me after I find out?
A mountain of questions rose in my mind, but I couldn't bring myself to ask them. I was afraid of hearing an answer I didn't want to hear.
It was a truth I was curious about, but one I didn't want to know.
"Aileen."
"Yeah."
"I know what you're thinking, but don't entertain any useless thoughts."
"...Okay."
"I'm merely tying up some loose ends that need to be dealt with."
His words reassured me.
That's right. It's not my fault I was born into this family. I just happened to wake up in the Astrofel family.
Although I was a little... no, actually, very curious about how I was born among Black Mambas.
If I was this curious, there was no way Kaide wasn't.
It seemed I would soon learn the secret of my birth. I couldn't just ignore it and run away anymore.