Chapter 07
“Th–then, Lotte. That word—‘crush them’, no, I mean, who did you hear that last part from?”
“You mean crush them? The guard told me! He said it’s stronger than just scolding someone! Hehe.”
No! That’s not it! That’s not something you say so cheerfully…!
I shot an accusatory glare at the guard. Judging by his shocked expression, he clearly hadn’t expected Lotte to repeat it out loud.
“Lotte, that’s a bad word. It’s better to say ‘scold them’ instead.”
Kiel relaxed his expression and smiled gently.
…Who are you?
Either he didn’t see my face, or he didn’t think it was worth caring about. Still smiling, he patted Lotte’s head.
No, seriously—who are you? I know you’re supposed to be a sister-loving brother, but isn’t the difference in treatment a bit too extreme?
Lotte’s cheeks flushed as she accepted his touch, her face overflowing with happiness. She was unbearably adorable.
Watching them fondly, a sudden realization struck me.
Could it be… that I need to do that too to score points? Do I need to act cuter? Be more cutesy?
I squeezed my eyes shut, grabbed Kiel’s hand, took a deep breath, and shouted:
“Kiel oppa! Please pat Shuri too!”
Third-person embarrassment. I’m going to die. Do I really have to go this far just to survive?
Even after witnessing my all-out aegyo, Kiel remained silent. Humiliation surged through me, followed by stubborn resolve. I’ll keep going until it works!
“Please hold my hand!”
“……”
“If that’s not okay, then at least tell me I’m pretty!”
Right now, I’m a puppy begging for affection. A little doggo. I’m totally fine—no, I’m not! This is humiliating! So humiliating… No, endure it! Don’t lose over something like this—!
“Poppy.”
“…Yes?”
—Huh?
I looked up at Kiel in confusion, but he continued calmly.
“I get why you’re neither likable nor unlikable. You resemble Poppy—the one I used to raise.”
Poppy—an affectionate, cat-like dog. As if reminded of that pet, Kiel patted my head.
Being treated like a cat-dog makes me feel like I’ve moved just a tiny bit farther away from death… Should I call that good? Or bad?
No. The real problem was even debating preferences while being treated like a pet.
Oh me. You’re really trying hard not to die… Really.
Tears welled up slightly.
“Me too!”
Just as I was drowning in self-pity, Lotte reached up and patted my head. Since I was taller, she had to stand on her tiptoes, her legs trembling adorably.
Healing… Our little baby is cute no matter what she does…
“Hehe.”
I grinned. Judging by appearances alone, being patted by these two ultimate heal-type siblings made me feel like I was melting.
Right. As long as I survive, that’s all that matters. You can do anything if you live!
I decided to think positively about being treated like a cat-dog.
“Oh, Kiel oppa. Can you tell me where the duke and duchess are right now?”
I need to get a little revenge on those people from earlier!
I asked with a secretly wicked smile. Maybe because I reminded him of Poppy, Kiel answered surprisingly easily.
“Third-floor conference room.”
So today really is the day the ducal family holds their meeting. All the titled collateral relatives must be gathered. Then I should hurry!
Afraid someone might stop me, I quickly slipped out of the patting hands and ran.
The third-floor conference room… There! I found it and hurried over. The knight guarding the door was someone I knew well.
“Sir Kael!”
“Oh my. Isn’t this our young lady?”
“Please open the door. There’s something I absolutely must tell the duke and duchess right now.”
Sir Kael looked troubled by my pleading. I understood—after all, I was just a guest staying at the ducal estate.
But I wasn’t about to give up here.
“Sir Kael. Sir Kael.”
When I beckoned, he bent down. I leaned close and whispered in his ear.
“I know all about how you skipped duty and went drinking last time.”
“Hey, that wasn’t me.”
“I even took a picture.”
His pupils shook violently. He was trying to figure out whether I was bluffing or not. Seems like his loyalty to the ducal house wasn’t that strong if just one sentence shook him like that.
If possible, I should suggest cutting him off later.
Taking advantage of his hesitation, I flung the door open without permission. I thought I’d apologize to the duke and duchess later—but I could feel everyone’s eyes inside turn toward me.
I’d rather not receive this much attention, so I decided to do my deed quickly and leave.
“Shuri?”
“Duchess! Ah—hello. I’m Shuerer Clambeck.”
I greeted her properly according to etiquette and trotted up to the duchess.
You must’ve been surprised by my sudden visit, right? Hehe. Sorry. I whispered my apology softly into her ear.
“I overheard something earlier… Those two were talking about dragons, saying Alena Clambeck wasn’t anything special and asking why she had to die so early and trouble everyone… They even said they’d just handle the dragon themselves.”
They didn’t say it exactly like that, but adding about double the MSG is only fair!
This time, I wasn’t whispering. My voice was loud enough for everyone in the room to hear.
Others turned to look at the people I pointed at. Their faces turned pale as they desperately protested that they’d never said such a thing.
How cliché. So cliché.
“Is that really true?”
“Yes. They said the ducal house originally belonged to them, so I wanted to ask you, Duchess… Is it true?”
With a child’s innocent expression, I grabbed the hem of the duchess’s skirt and looked up at her, blinking my wide eyes like Puss in Boots.
“No, it isn’t. Shuri, go outside and play with the others for now.”
“Okaaay.”
As I left, I stuck my tongue out at the two of them. Everyone was too focused on them to notice.
Serves you right!
“Milady…”
“Sorry, Sir Kael. Bye!”
Leaving the wistfully calling knight behind, I ran down the corridor. I answered every servant who told me to be careful, then finally slumped down in a secluded corner.
“Ventus…”
I murmured the dragon’s name.
He always liked gold, but he seems to be demanding quite a lot this time. What’s the problem? Should I go meet him?
I scratched my head—having always kept my past life and present life separate—and stood up, heading toward the room I was staying in.
I figured those two would probably be sent to the dragon.
To be honest, that thought was full of personal satisfaction.
* * *
A few days later, an expedition was dispatched to offer tribute to the dragon. And among them were those two.
Hehehe. Enjoy meeting the dragon.
“Huh? Kiel oppa, why are you wearing expedition clothes?”
I blinked in confusion. No matter how brilliant a genius he was, Kiel was only ten years old. Sending him on an expedition didn’t make sense.
Perhaps sensing my confusion, Kiel didn’t ignore me this time and explained.
“After Alena Clambeck died honorably in the war, the ducal family’s children now take turns accompanying the tribute expeditions as part of their education.”
The tone clearly implied you didn’t know that?, but the idea of sending children to a dragon for “education” was shocking.
I knew Ventus wasn’t a bad dragon—but others didn’t.
Damn it. Even grown nobles are terrified of dragons, and they’re sending kids? What kind of nonsense is this?!
I knew the emperor demanded tribute from powerful or wealthy marquisates and ducal houses—but sending children? Still unbelievable.
That emperor must’ve completely lost it!
“So… does that mean it’s your turn this time?”
Kiel didn’t answer and avoided my gaze.
I didn’t hear a yes or no, but who do you think I am? I’ve never backed down just because Kiel stayed silent. That silence was clearly a yes.
How did such a tradition even start… Damn that emperor.
“Shuri! What are you doing here?”
I turned automatically at the sound of my name, though my mind was elsewhere.
I didn’t want to drag the past into the present—but I did want to see Ventus again. Still, I hadn’t planned to force my way into the expedition.
But because of Kiel, I had to go.
“Lotte, I’m going to see the duchess! See you later!”
I waved brightly and ran off toward where the duchess would be.
As expected, she was in the First Reception Room, with its large window overlooking the outside. She was watching Kiel and Lotte through the glass.
I burst in without knocking. There was no time to care about manners.
“Pl–please—huff—let me—haah—join the expedition too!”
As my breathing steadied, the duchess turned her gaze to me.
Thinking about it, I wasn’t a ducal child—just the only daughter of a count’s family staying here. If I joined the expedition, she’d clearly be put in a difficult position.
Ventus wasn’t dangerous at all, but I was a bit worried. And I could reunite with him after a hundred years, talk with Kiel along the way too—
If the last reason sounds like the biggest one, that’s just your imagination. Totally.
“Shuri. I’m sorry, but that won’t be possible.”
“I heard the dragon demanded more tribute! I can persuade him!”
He and I are best friends! Probably!
I dropped my usual smile and spoke seriously.
Dragging the past in for personal reasons wasn’t ideal—but there was another reason. If I persuaded Ventus, children wouldn’t need to accompany the tributes anymore.
I didn’t want kids to face a dragon adults feared. No matter the reality, dragons were terrifying beings to ordinary people.
“When offering tribute, the dragon may or may not appear. Usually, it doesn’t—but that doesn’t mean it’s safe. And you’re a guest of the ducal house, Shuri.”
“Really… not allowed?”
I’m begging like this. Really? Truly?
I grabbed the hem of her skirt tightly, eyes sparkling.
“Ugh… Still, without your parents’ permission, I can’t let you go.”
“Hiiing… but…”
“Oh my. Shuri? Why are you here? Lady Richard and the young master were outside.”
“Mom!”
At the familiar voice, I ran straight to her. I was always happy to see her—but especially now.
Perfect timing! Mom is the best!
“Mom, I want to go see the dragon too! Please? I’ll stick right next to Kiel oppa! I won’t leave his side!”
“Hmm. The dragon might go kuang and threaten you with its claws. Even then?”
Uh, Mom. Kuang? His claws are sharp, but he doesn’t make cute noises like that…
She was probably trying to scare me, knowing how stubborn I am—but it failed spectacularly. Ventus knowledge rendered it ineffective.
“Yes! I’m going! If you don’t let me, I’ll—uh—stick to you forever! For a hundred years! A thousand years!”
“Oh dear. Who could stop you? Go. Just be careful.”
Just as I expected, Mom laughed like a mischievous child and kissed the top of my head before sending me off.
Jackpot! More time to talk with Kiel, and I get to see Ventus. Two birds with one stone!
“But you must stay with the knights at all times, and you must not approach the dragon just because you’re curious. Promise?”
“Okay! And Mom, make sure to talk well about the contract!”
Even as I ran toward Kiel, I had no idea that my father was secretly swallowing his tears behind us.
I only realized Dad had come with Mom after calming Lotte—who wanted to go too—and boarding the carriage with Kiel.
Dad… I’m sorry!
