Chapter 17
Of course… I don’t have any complaints about those days. That’s just how the back alleys are. It was a place where both adults and children fought over who got to dig through the garbage of noble families first—just to survive. It’s just that… the way I’m being treated now, so unlike any adult I’ve known before, feels strange and awkward.
As I couldn’t hold his gaze for long and lowered my head again, Theodore smiled gently and lifted me up.
“It’s alright. This grandpa will definitely find Comet and bring him back to you!”
“H-high! I’m too high up!”
“This is nothing!”
Theodore chuckled heartily. No, seriously! Because of his large build, it felt like I was dangling from the height of a second-story building! Just as I was about to shout at him again—
—Careful.
At that moment, I flinched as I felt something sweep over my body. It was like a single thread of something cold and ticklish brushing over me here and there.
The moment I felt it, I couldn’t hold back. I kicked hard at Theodore, who was holding me up. He ducked just in time, and I stepped on his shoulder and flipped backward, landing on my feet.
Landing from that height didn’t strain my ankles much—probably thanks to being small and light. As soon as I landed, I stood upright and glared at Theodore.
“What was that just now?!”
I planted my hands on my hips and demanded an explanation.
“That cold energy you just sent through me—what was that?!”
Instead of answering, Horné and Theodore widened their eyes. They looked quite surprised. Then Theodore suddenly burst into laughter.
“Hahaha! Good heavens, General, did you see that?!”
“Did she just… oh my, Berdette. Sweetie. You felt Grandfather’s energy? You sensed the scanning?”
Scanning? I frowned, and Theodore explained again.
“I just flowed a bit of my energy through your body to check your condition. That’s what we call scanning.”
“…Yes, I felt it.”
Thinking it was alright to respond, I nodded cautiously, though I frowned again.
“Then you should’ve told me beforehand. How can you just send energy like that without warning?”
Horné and Theodore looked at each other, then back at me. A momentary admiration crossed their faces before fading. Theodore spoke again in a tone of admiration.
“…Yes, you’re something else, kid.”
He looked at me proudly—there wasn’t a trace of doubt or horror on his face.
“Yes, even knowing you’ve awakened your power, I didn’t expect you to sense my energy so well. I truly apologize for scanning you without permission, even if you are my own child. I’m sorry.”
It was a very polite apology. …It seemed he had simply meant to check on my condition, like any guardian would for a child. It wasn’t entirely unreasonable, so I decided to let it go and nodded.
“Since you apologized, I’ll accept it.”
“You little rascal.”
Theodore looked shocked again but then beamed at Horné.
“She’s really something, isn’t she?”
“Father, please don’t say such things when she’s standing right in front of you.”
Right. I agreed with Horné and let out a sigh of relief. Thankfully, it seemed Comet hadn’t been discovered.
—Of course not. I’m a master at hide and seek, you know.
Comet boasted. It was annoying, but I had to admit it was a relief. I sighed in relief. Somehow… I felt it would be best to keep the fact that I had Comet a secret from the adults for now. It was just a gut feeling.
“The Duke of Saelcar has left the palace and is heading here!”
A servant came running, shouting urgently. At that, Theodore and Horné exchanged glances again.
“He’s left the palace?”
“Huh? Jindel’s already here? That was fast.”
“…It is a bit early. Well, if he heard his daughter had awakened, I suppose he’d be curious.”
As Theodore and Horné spoke in turn, I suddenly felt a tingling sensation rise along my neck. It wasn’t killing intent. It wasn’t the kind of aura that threatened someone… It just felt like someone was trying to make their presence fully known. Like announcing to everyone that they had arrived.
The moment I sensed it, I turned my head toward the source of the strong energy. I noticed that both Theodore and Horné had already turned in that direction too. And then, not even twenty seconds later—
A man appeared.
He was clearly smaller than Theodore but still large enough to dwarf most grown men. Standing beside the servant who’d announced his arrival, he was easily a head taller.
“Jindel.”
Theodore smiled brightly as he spotted him. Horné’s face also lit up. It was only after seeing their reactions that I realized who the man walking toward us was.
If he was Theodore’s son and Horné’s husband, there was only one possible answer.
The current Duke of Saelcar. The man who had ordered the gates of the Saelcar family closed and secluded himself while I had lived in the back alleys, with the public order in Otern left in disarray.
And… my father.
So he’s here. I’ve finally met all the members of this ducal family.
As I blinked, Jindel Saelcar met my eyes squarely.
He had blond hair and reddish-brown eyes, just like Albrecht and Saldir—and now just like me. Was it really possible for parent and child to look this similar? I was surprised… and yet, I couldn’t take my eyes off him. His features were delicate, but his body and jawline were unmistakably masculine, giving him a strikingly handsome balance.
That’s really my father.
My father.
At that moment, Horné stepped closer to him with a bright smile.
“You’re back, Duke. I thought you’d return from the palace at the usual time today.”
“How could I be away for long when things are unsettled at home? The families affected by yesterday’s incident were granted early leave by His Majesty, thanks to his grace. How are you feeling? And our daughter?”
As soon as Horné finished speaking, Theodore stepped forward and held me out to Jindel.
“Your daughter.”
“I know she’s my daughter. You’re awake now… my child.”
Jindel replied playfully to Theodore’s blunt introduction and then picked me up without hesitation. I couldn’t believe it. I’d never even imagined a scene where my parents and grandparents were holding me in their arms. Jindel held me tightly. And at that moment—
—Careful again.
Comet warned. Again?
A faint trace of energy swept through my body once more. It was exactly like when Theodore had done it earlier. Geez, what is it with this family and scanning people without permission whenever they’re bored? It was the second time, so I didn’t kick him—but I glared at him with a thoroughly displeased face.
“Don’t do that again.”
Jindel looked at me in confusion.
“What…? Wait… did you just sense a scan…?”
As he spoke, he turned to look at Horné and Theodore with a shocked expression. Horné nodded.
“She already raised a fuss when Father did it.”
“Yeah, earlier she kicked me. And now the little thing just scolds her father with words. What, not going to kick and backflip this time?”
Theodore shrugged, feigning grumpiness. Jindel simply looked back and forth between me, Horné, and Theodore, still in disbelief.
