Chapter 78
Chapter 78
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 79
Chapter Title: Family Portrait and a Dagger
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"Aileen, you look so beautiful."
"Grandma!"
I was stunned when I saw Helena. She was just so beautiful.
She was wearing a flowing red dress that made her look like a mermaid princess.
"That dress suits you perfectly."
"Fank you."
But Helena is even prettier. As I stared, completely mesmerized, she gave a shy smile.
"Thanks to you, I get to wear something like this. I appreciate it."
"But Daddy pwepared it..."
As I mumbled that it wasn't my doing, Helena snorted.
"If you hadn't mentioned a family portrait, we probably wouldn't have taken one until you were an adult."
I doubted they would have waited *that* long, but she had a point.
After all, when I mentioned the family portrait, Kaide had looked as if the thought had never crossed his mind.
"Could you go over there? There are people waiting to do your hair."
"Okay."
I hesitantly walked over to where Helena had pointed.
There, a woman I'd never seen before was arranging a collection of delicate accessories.
"Welcome, Young Lady. What kind of hairstyle would you like?"
She handed me a book.
Everything was new to me, so I just stared blankly. The woman began turning the pages one by one, showing me the different styles.
"I like anyfing if it's pwetty."
"Hmm. I think it might be better to adorn your hair with accessories rather than putting it up."
The woman studied my reflection in the mirror in front of the chair, fiddling with my hair, before nodding.
And then, in a flash, it was done.
It didn't seem like she'd done much, but my hair was already perfectly styled.
I peered into the mirror, tilting my head from side to side.
A headband adorned with full-petaled flowers gently held back the hair at my temples, and whatever she had done had left my hair looking glossy and smooth.
"What do you think? Do you like it?"
"Uh-huh, I weally like it."
I replied, fiddling with the flowers on the headband.
Sparkling jewels were nestled between the petals and along the band.
"Aileen."
"Huh? Arban?"
I could see Arban approaching in the mirror's reflection.
Arban was dressed in a billowy white shirt and black trousers.
To top it off, his curly hair was perfectly styled, falling in flawless waves.
*He really looks like the young master of a rich family.* I turned to look up at Arban.
"Arban, you wook wike a weal young master!"
"......What are you talking about? If I'm not a young master, then what am I?"
"......."
"Well?"
Right. Arban was a young master. But why did it feel so cringey? I nodded reluctantly.
"He said to come when you're done."
"Okay, I'm coming."
Apparently, Arban had been sent to fetch me.
We arrived where everyone else was gathered. Kaide, Set, and Ian were also ready.
Like Arban, Set wore a white shirt and black trousers, though the design was slightly different.
While Arban's shirt was billowy and elegant, Set's was tailored yet ornate.
Kaide was in a formal, uniform-style suit, with a silver brooch of the family crest pinned to his right breast.
Ian was also in a black suit, but his tie was the same color as Helena's dress.
"Is everyone here?"
A photographer in a brown beret asked as Arban and I arrived.
He was leaning against his camera, watching us.
"We're all here."
Kaide replied.
In the garden, an ornately carved white table and a matching number of chairs were set up.
The scene was meant to look like we were all enjoying a relaxing break in the garden. Refreshments and tea were even being served.
"Aileen, come sit over here."
I was trying to decide where to sit when Ian called out to me.
"Well, is there another Aileen here?"
"No, thewe isn't."
So he really was calling me. That's a little unexpected.
Just as I started toward Ian and Helena, Kaide called my name.
"Where are you going?"
"Huh?"
"You should be over here."
"But Gwandpa..."
Ian had called for me. As I stood there, flustered and unsure where to go, Ian scowled and chided.
"Can't I have one grandchild sit with me?"
"What are you talking about? Aileen is my daughter. Set and Arban are sitting here, are they not?"
"Which is why one of them can sit over here."
......Now they were fighting over where I should sit.
The photographer wore a troubled expression.
"Aileen, you decide. Where are you going to sit?"
"It's obviously here, isn't it?"
"You're seeing your grandfather for the first time, and you're not going to sit with him?"
Why does this always happen to me? I was afraid of the repercussions no matter which side I chose.
At this rate, we might not get the photo taken today.
While I was agonizing over the decision, the photographer finally raised his hand.
"Excuse me."
"What is it?"
Kaide's eyebrow twitched. He seemed annoyed by the interruption just as I was about to make my choice.
*Hic.*
The photographer took a sharp breath, clutching his camera as if his life depended on it, and offered a suggestion.
"How about having the Young Masters and the Young Lady seated in the front, while the other three of you stand behind them?"
"That's an excellent idea!"
Helena quickly nodded and pulled Ian by the arm.
"Isn't it?"
"......I suppose we have no choice."
Ian reluctantly got to his feet. In the end, only three chairs remained.
"The Young Lady will sit in the center, with the two Young Masters on either side of her. The Gaju will please stand in the middle, behind her. And the remaining two can stand on either side of the Gaju."
It was a very neat arrangement. I sat up straight, my back ramrod straight.
Once everyone was in place, the photographer prepared to take the picture.
"Alright, here we go. One, two... three!"
With a *click*, the picture was taken. The photographer spoke again.
"Let's take one more. A little smile, please!"
He looked through the viewfinder and made his next request.
I broke into a wide grin. But the photographer recoiled, waving his hands frantically.
"......Never mind smiling. Let's just go with a neutral expression."
"You just told us to smile."
Arban grumbled, quickly dropping the forced smile from his face.
What in the world could the photographer have seen to make him react like that?
But I wanted to smile. As I pouted, the photographer held up three fingers.
"Alright, taking it again. Three, two, one!"
*Hmph, I'm still going to smile.*
The moment the countdown finished, I beamed.
Everyone else was probably straight-faced, with just me smiling.
That sounded fun in its own way. The photographer straightened up, looked at me, and smiled warmly.
"Yes, that came out very well. Alright, one last time."
And so, after one final shot, our session was complete.
* * *
"There you are, Aileen. Did you bring what I asked for?"
"Yes!"
I nodded vigorously.
Helena smiled with deep satisfaction when she saw what I was holding. It was the dagger she had given me.
I looked up at Helena.
She seemed excited at the prospect of teaching me how to handle a dagger.
"Let me give you a quick demonstration. May I see it?"
"Yes."
Helena took the dagger from me.
With a flick of her wrist, she spun the dagger in one hand. It was a simple movement, yet it looked anything but ordinary.
The dagger, which had been dancing elegantly in her palm, vanished in an instant.
My eyes widened. Even though it had happened right in front of me, I hadn't seen where it went.
"Where did it go?"
"Uh, whewe did it go?"
I asked dumbly, and Helena's expression turned serious.
"Aileen, you must be able to see that. If you lose track of your opponent's weapon, in that instant..."
Helena drew a finger across her throat.
"It's over."
"I couldn't see it. It was too fast."
I doubted I could follow it even if I saw it again. Where in the world did it go?
As I marveled, scanning the area around her hands, she smoothly produced the dagger from within her sleeve.
She began a simple explanation.
"Most people don't consider a dagger a true weapon. They think it's only good for simple stabbing, slashing, or throwing."
*Swish. Swish.*
Helena gripped the dagger lightly, demonstrating a few stabs and slashes in the air.
I watched in awe, but a question formed in my mind.
Looking at it now, the dagger seemed too small and short.
Moreover, in a fight, you would have no choice but to get dangerously close to your opponent.
"Gwamma, but why did you give me a dagger as a pwezent?"
There are so many other weapons besides daggers. Helena gave a bashful smile.
"To be honest, it's a personal preference. I've always favored daggers and am quite skilled with them. So I thought I'd be able to teach you well."
"Oh, I see."
That made sense. I decided to ask my next question.
"Why do you wike daggers the most?"
Is there some special reason?
Helena seemed surprised by the question, her expression turning thoughtful.
"Hmm... As for why I like them."
After a moment, she seemed to find her answer and broke into a grin.
"They're perfect for surprise attacks, aren't they? And easy to conceal. I suppose that's the biggest reason."
"......Oh, I see."
Never mind. I take back the thought that there might be a special reason.
"Now, let me show you the proper stance, Aileen. To start, you hold it lightly, as if you're holding an egg."
Helena explained, placing the dagger in my hand.
And for the rest of that afternoon, I was subjected to Helena's affectionate training.