Chapter 71
Chapter 71
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 72
Chapter Title: A Grandparent's Gift
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An awkward silence filled the drawing room.
Why wasn't anyone reacting? My worst fears were coming true, and my face fell.
Rosaria had definitely said they would greet me happily.
Fidgeting, I waited for any kind of reaction, my eyes darting around until they met a pair of red ones.
It was Ian.
Ian was looking at me without a word.
S-scary.
Remembering how he'd glared at me earlier, I instinctively looked for Kaide.
"Daddyyy."
"Alright. If you're done with your greetings, come here."
"Okay."
I sat down, snuggling close to Kaide. The two people sitting across from us still showed no reaction.
I don't know how much time passed.
Helena, who had been blinking slowly, murmured as if in disbelief.
"To think this little being is my granddaughter. ......So......."
So?
I waited for Helena to continue. She took a deep breath and then suddenly grabbed my hand.
"So very lovely, Aileen."
"Th-thank you."
"Would you like to come home with me?"
Huh?
I looked at her, flustered. She showed no sign of letting go of my hand.
Helena was serious. I thought Ian would have objected by now, telling her not to be ridiculous.
Strangely, he said nothing. It was a tacit agreement.
I looked down at my captured hand, feeling troubled. I wanted to stay here with everyone.
Just then, Kaide freed my hand and scoffed.
"Where do you think you're taking her without my permission?"
"Aileen might want to come visit, you know."
"To that secluded place?"
"You have no idea. There are so many things to see. Isn't that right?"
Helena looked at Ian as if seeking his agreement.
So there are quiet areas in the south. I thought such places were rare since it's so developed.
It seemed the two of them lived at the very edge of the south.
To think they came all the way from that distant place to the capital.
My curiosity was piqued. Even though it's all in the south, is the edge a little different?
"Is there lots of fun stuff there?"
"Of course!"
"......What could possibly be fun in a place like that?"
Kaide shot back.
His reaction was stronger than usual. My intuition screamed at me. There was something at the edge of the south.
"Still, many of the Su-in who once made a name for themselves across the continent have moved there to live."
"......."
"You won't need to read biographies. If you're curious about anything, you can come and ask them yourself."
......Huh?
No need to read biographies? Su-in who made a name for themselves across the continent?
To be in a biography, wouldn't they have to be people who held significant positions in their families?
And people like that are all living together in the southern countryside now?
Ian said nonchalantly.
"Is there a rule against us living together?"
"......N-no, that's not it."
"It's boring to live alone. Even if you have a separate residence, life is dull without friends."
Helena smiled brightly.
"We're all retired anyway, so there's no need for power struggles. Besides, the south has great scenery and weather, making it a perfect place to spend our later years, don't you think?"
The tranquil and warm countryside I had imagined instantly transformed into a den of formidable figures.
It would probably be incredibly peaceful, though.
Because no one would ever dream of causing trouble in that area.
But I don't think I could handle it if I went there.
I shook my head, deciding against it, even though I was a little curious. Helena clicked her tongue in disappointment.
"Come visit when you're a little older."
"Okay."
I didn't want to be away from my family just yet. Even if I were to go, I'd want to go with them.
I'll definitely have to go someday.
Pleased with my answer, the corners of Kaide's mouth curved into a smile.
I wiggled and glanced at Helena. I had been waiting for something for a while now.
"What are you doing, squirming like a dog that needs to poop?"
"......Ian."
Like a dog that needs to poop?
This scene felt familiar, too. ......It must be my imagination, right?
I mumbled quietly.
"Present......."
"Hm?"
"Give me my present."
I was sure they'd said in the garden that they'd brought a present for me. One must never forget such things.
I held out my small hands, urging them to give it to me.
"Oh, my. Look at me. Ian, where is the gift?"
"It's here."
Ian took out a wrapped gift box from beside him.
He pushed the gift across the table.
A present!
"Go on, open it."
"Okay."
I carefully unwrapped it, trying not to tear the paper. It was a bit heavy, and I couldn't guess what it was.
What could they have prepared?
My heart pounded with anticipation.
Once I tore off the wrapping paper, a luxurious jewelry box was revealed.
The box itself looked extraordinary, and I swallowed nervously.
It looked incredibly expensive.
I steadied my trembling hands and slowly opened the box.
What was finally revealed inside was.......
"A dagger?"
Kaide's eyebrow twitched upward.
It was a dagger with an ornate sheath.
At a glance, it might have seemed decorative, but there was no way those two would have gifted a simple toy like that.
"What do you think you're gifting her?"
"At this age, she should be playing with things like this."
"Ha?"
"She needs to know how to protect herself. Ian agreed this was fine, and you, too, at this age... well, maybe not quite this age, but you used to play with them quite well."
Helena, who was about to say 'at her age,' quickly corrected herself when she saw Kaide's rising eyebrow.
I took out the dagger. With a crisp sound, the sharp blade glinted.
It was so sharp it looked like it would draw blood with the slightest touch.
"I'll bet you haven't even taught her how to use a weapon yet."
"......Aileen will have no need to handle weapons."
"She should have at least one weapon she can wield. It's already a bit late."
"It is not late at all."
Can everyone handle at least one type of weapon? I've never actually seen them fight, so I wouldn't know.
But to protect their territory, they would naturally have to be proficient with weapons.
The reason Kasana was teaching me pheromone lessons was ultimately for self-defense, too.
I gripped the dagger tightly.
Seeing that, Helena let out a small laugh.
"Look at this. It seems Aileen likes it, too."
"Her hands are so small, I'm not sure she can even grip it properly."
"She needs to get used to it from this age. If she plays with it, she'll naturally learn how to handle it."
"I understand your unique educational philosophy, but I am Aileen's parent."
"You were raised with that same unique education."
"Mother."
"If some annoying pest shows up later, she'll need to get rid of them, even if it means throwing a dagger at them, won't she?"
Kaide flinched. He seemed to recall something, and his displeasure was palpable.
"Ah, there was one. The one who was wagging his tail."
"Already? Which tail?"
Ian, who had been quietly watching their bickering, deliberately hardened his expression.
More importantly, 'which tail?'
Why is that the question? If you ask it like that, how is he supposed to answer.......
"There is. The little brat who lives upstairs."
"That's not a good situation. She's tangled up with the wrong sort."
So they understand each other. I stared at them, dumbfounded.
What was even more surprising was that Helena also looked like she understood the conversation.
"I knew we couldn't just stand by. I'll start teaching you how to throw daggers tomorrow."
"......What?"
"Martial arts are, of course, something one should learn from their grandmother."
How did things suddenly turn out this way?
The atmosphere shifted abruptly, and even Kaide seemed to be in agreement.
After that, the three of them began to talk more seriously.
"Are you keeping track of his movements?"
"If he's the kid from upstairs, he might become an adult soon. That in itself is unpleasant."
"When will Aileen mature? Set and Arban should be soon."
"As a matter of fact, that's something I wanted to discuss with you."
As if they had never been bickering, the three of them were now more cooperative than ever.
Hearing them talk about maturation, it seemed Set and Arban would soon become adults.
But when will I be able to mature?
Can I also grow into an adult all at once without any stages, like carnivorous Su-in?
*Crunch.*
As I was eating a cookie, Ian raised his hand.
"That's enough of this trivial talk."
"A lot of time has passed. It's already time for dinner."
The sun was already setting outside the window. I hadn't realized how much time had passed.
I straightened up from where I had been leaning deep into the sofa.
The atmosphere suggested that the meeting was about to end.
As expected, Helena turned to me and said her goodbyes.
"It was very nice to meet you today, Aileen."
"Me too."
"I'll come get you tomorrow."
Is she really going to give me dagger lessons? I nodded and got up from the sofa.
We all left the drawing room together.
As I walked out holding Helena's hand, she leaned down and said.
"Alright, Aileen, it's time for you to go back now. Can you get back on your own?"
"Yes."
Of course I can.......
Where are the three of them going, leaving me behind?
I looked back at Kaide, Ian, and Helena standing behind me in turn. Kaide then placed a hand on my shoulder and spoke gently.
"From now on, the adults have some business to attend to. I'm sorry, but it looks like we'll have to part ways here."