Chapter 7

‘Please do not let this be a dream.’

 

It was the thought that Sephiel remembered every time she opened her eyes these days.

 

“Hoaam.”

 

Sephiel yawned and got out of bed.

 

The warm sunshine tickled her cheeks. She was in a good mood, so she rubbed her head on the bed and laughed.

 

“Have you woken up?”

 

“Ywes….” [Yes….]

 

“Here. Please drink the water here. Because you’ve just woken up, you’ll be thirsty.”

 

The yellow chick cup with a straw in it was the first private thing Sephiel had ever had since she was born.

 

Sephiel gulped down the water. After drinking it all, she breathed out.

 

“You’ve drunk it well.”

 

Berry said. Sephiel looked at Berry and smiled.

 

Berry and Marie.

 

Those were the names of the two maids who were placed in the separate house to take care of Sephiel.

 

Among them, Berry was the one with blue eyes. And Marie was her biological older sister.

 

To think that they looked like twins but they were just sisters. Sephiel was fascinated.

 

“Thwank you, Berry.” [Thank you, Berry.]

 

“Oh my. You’re quite nice. It’ll be a little chilly tonight, so take a bath before dinner.”

 

“Ywes.” [Yes.]

 

“Then, should we go out to the garden and play?”

 

“Ywes!” [Yes!]

 

Sephiel nodded energetically.

 

‘It feels so great because I can go out to the garden every day.’

 

Sephiel was moved to a separate house after the last verification test.

 

It was a small building for a child who would come as the bride of the Great Duke Family.

 

Although the separate house was a well-built building…

 

Old furniture and old curtains. A gloomy floor that sometimes made creaking sounds.

 

It was not a building that children would like. It was far from the main building and the surrounding area was a quiet forest.

 

‘For Mittara, the child who was selected as the bride in my previous life, this may not be enough for her to see. After all, she was still a real noble.’

 

However…

 

For Sephiel, who originally lived in a damp dungeon, this life was already a jackpot.

 

‘Hm. This is my own sweet paradise.’

 

It’s clean and it doesn’t smell.

 

No one would suddenly come in and hit me dozens of times in the middle of her head.

 

‘Still, I found an old and small ball in the separate house, and there are also colored pencils and sketchbooks.’

 

Sephiel was so happy that to celebrate her success…

 

She made a new Death Note that was filled with colors, courtesy of the colored pencils.

 

‘I mustn’t forget my evilness even in peace.’

 

In order to be happy, a person doesn’t need to think of their past from time to time.

 

Although it was a pity that there were no dolls.

 

‘No matter how evil I become, I can’t be too greedy.’

 

Even wanting dolls, it was an ambition beyond greed.

 

Moreover, Berry and Marie were already very nice.

 

“Now, it’s time to clean up again today.”

 

“Yeah, cwean up!” [Yeah, clean up!]

 

Taught by Marie and Berry, Sephiel immersed herself in the bathtub while humming the song ‘Let’s get clean.’

 

She lost track of time dipping in the old marble bathtub and playing with water.

 

‘In the past, bathing was allowed only once every two weeks.’

 

Come to think of it, there was no basis for them to be criticized.

 

‘I wouldn’t like it either. A child who’s so dirty and stinky.’

 

After thinking so, Sephiel quickly shook her head.

 

‘Well, so what. From now on I’ll become a clean person. Also, it wasn’t even my fault too, right?’

 

Thinking like that, the feeling of depression did not last long.

 

“Now, you’re done washing.”

 

Berry put a towel with cute bear ears on Sephiel’s head and wrapped it around her whole body.

 

“Now, just shake your head.”

 

When she took off her hood, she brought her to a warm room and patted her hair dry with a towel.

 

“Baby is still weak.”

 

“Yeah, since she can catch a cold even if she’s only cold for a moment.”

 

After that, she was given some soft clothes again.

 

‘New clothes again!’

 

Pulling it out from somewhere, Marie brought a white and soft new baby dress.

 

‘There’s even lace.’

 

Sephiel reached out her small hand and touched the lace skirt hem.

 

“Do you like it?”

 

“Ywes, I wike the cwothes that Mawee picked out fow me.” [Yes, I like the clothes that Marie picked out for me.]

 

“You’re the one who is pretty.”

 

Ah, praise again. Sephiel asked carefully.

 

“Then, now, I don’t smell, right?”

 

Marie and Berry looked at each other and then said.

 

“Not even a bit.”

 

“Yeah, you smell like flowers.”

 

“With your white skin, and your hair, you look like a baby silver fox, so you surely are pretty.”

 

“But, you’re too small.”

 

“In a book that I had read, the growth rate of human babies is much slower. So, Baby has to eat a lot and sleep well. You got it, right?”

 

Sephiel nodded shyly because nobody had treated her so warmly.

 

“Then now. You’re all dressed up.”

 

In addition, Berry and Marie also told her how to say thank you and how to do greetings.

 

“Thank you for washing me.”

 

Berry and Marie covered their mouths and smiled broadly, caressing Sephiel’s head.

 

“You don’t have to be polite to us.”

 

“Yes. Only when you see the household adults later, please greet them.”

 

“Although maybe that kind of thing won’t happen…”

 

Was it because of Berry’s tone at the end, that her words felt quite bitter?

 

Sephiel tilted her head.

 

After that was the time that Sephiel liked the most.

 

It was mealtime!

 

‘I can’t believe that there’s meat at every meal….’

 

Steamed chicken and roasted beef, a colorful tricolor pie and sweet seasonal fruits.

 

“Baby, please eat this too.”

 

“Ywes….” [Yes….]

 

In her previous life, Sephiel had never eaten meat until full like this.

 

When she was young, she only ate dried meat sometimes. And when she grew up…

 

‘Because I grew up eating less, I lived with a stomach disease when I became an adult. So if I ate a little more, I would have a stomach ache right away.’

 

Moreover, she couldn’t even touch the meat since she lived while eating the Royal Family’s salt.

 

“Huaa….”

 

When she put the well-cooked meat overflowing with fat in her mouth, it melted beautifully.

 

In addition, to prevent the child from being surprised by the stimulating taste there was even a little honey to weaken the liver.

 

“Is it delicious?”

 

“Yesh, it is weally dewicious….” [Yes, it is really delicious….]

 

Looking at Sephiel who was eating well, Berry and Marie’s gaze softened.

 

“Please eat slowly.”

 

“But… How about Marie and Berry?”

 

“Yes?”

 

“You’re not eating?”

 

“We’ll eat after you finish eating it all.”

 

“What aww you eatwing?” [What are you eating?]

 

“We’re also having meals.”

 

“Is thath enuf?” [Is that enough?]

 

Marie and Berry looked at each other.

 

“Don’t worry about us and please eat a lot.”

 

“You’re so nice.”

 

“Ywesh.” [Yes.]

 

Sephiel nodded. At the same time, the door opened and Elton entered.

 

“Baby. How is your meal?”

 

“Dewicious.” [Delicious.]

 

Sephiel placed down the pie she was eating.

 

Berry gently wiped Sephiel’s soft and small hands with a wet towel.

 

At the tickling touch, Sephiel laughed a little. Elton grinned.

 

“Haa, really. Baby is cute.”

 

“Did you cwome heer to sway that?” [Did you come here to say that?]

 

Sephiel sneakily noticed.

 

It had already been 10 days since Sephiel came here.

 

For the first three days, she was examined by a doctor to see if she was sick. After that, she slept to make up for all her lost energy from coming all the way here, and she ate really well.

 

“Of course not. I brought a present.”

 

“A present?”

 

Sephiel’s ears pricked up.

 

“Don’t you want to sightsee the Grand Duchy?”

 

Honestly, she did want to do that. After all, it was the famous Remdragon Duchy, which had never opened for nearly a hundred years.

 

In her previous life, Sephiel was trapped in a small room working on creating tax evasion data for her older brothers and turning kingdom-confidential data into ancient language.

 

Among those confidential data, there were some of the Remdragon Duchy’s data, too…

 

‘Compared to the other two monarchs, the data was extremely little.’

 

“For a while, there will be not one of our Lord’s, I’ll show you the inside of the Grand Duchy tomorrow.”

 

“Lord?”

 

“Yes. The whole Half-Dragon family. I’m referring to the direct family member of the Grand Duke.”

 

“Bwut who is dwere?” [But who is there?]

 

“Uhm, first of all, there is the Grandfather, the First Grand Duke. He’s very old. He usually goes sightseeing around the world and focuses on his hobby.”

 

“He ebwen goes twabeling?” [He even goes traveling?]

 

“Yes. Of course. Dragons are very interested in human affairs. And let’s see. There is also the father of the Little Young Lord, Erga, the current Grand Duke. If you get married, he’ll probably be your father-in-law. But that person is… Just…”

 

Elton’s expression became strange.

 

“If you spot him, never– please never approach him. That person is… uhm… Anyway, he’s dangerous.”

 

“Ywes….” [Yes….]

 

“And then Erga. There’s nothing to be further explained, right?”

 

Sephiel trembled at that moment. Even though at the moment, everything in the Grand Duchy was better, she couldn’t help but be scared of Erga.

 

“Ywesh, he’s awight….” [Yes, he’s alright.]

 

Elton held back his laughter.

 

“Do you like this place?”

 

Sephiel nodded her head.

 

“Yes. I wike it.” [Yes. I like it.]

 

“Do you have any confidence to stay here continuously?”

 

“Ywesh.” [Yes.]

 

Sephiel plucked up her courage and said.

 

“I wanth to bwe here. Continuouswy….” [I want to be here. Continuously….]

 

Elton leaned down and looked into Sephiel’s eyes.

 

“There is no special matter for Baby to do here, but there’s a difficult matter.”

 

“What’s that?”

 

“Staying safe here until you become an adult.”

 

“….”

 

“To do so, we must not push the buttons of our fickle Dragons. Finally, the most important thing is…”

 

“…”

 

“It’s listening well to the Lords’ words, right?”

 

“Ywesh.” [Yes.]

 

Sephiel nodded.

 

“But…”

 

“Yes?”

 

“If I don’t listen to them, will they make a predator bite and kill me? Do they have a bad personality?”

 

At Sephiel’s innocent question, Elton laughed.

 

“No. They just can’t tell the difference. With their hunting sense, people are practically the same with rabbits and deer.”

 

Sephiel nodded her head.

 

“Are you not scared?”

 

“Scawed of whath?” [Scared of what?]

 

Sephiel blinked her eyes at Elton calmly.

 

“I mwean, they’re not going to kiww wabbits or deer they know for no weason.” [I mean, they’re not going to kill rabbits or deer they know for no reason.]

 

It’s not that the dragons she had only heard of were not scary, but…

 

Sephiel was sure that she would be an existence they needed for now.

 

‘They’ll probably need my name!’

 

At least, it’s also because of the rule to not recklessly kill pets that were raised at home.

 

They must think about it again first before killing the human they need.

 

“Pfft. Haha….”

 

As if he couldn’t hold it back anymore, Elton burst into laughter.

 

“You’re very intelligent. It’s a wise answer to a stupid question. But if you’re talking about death, that rarely happens.”

 

“Why is dwat?” [Why is that?]

 

“Because of the peace agreement of the Four Monarchs of the Union of Kingdoms. Since you are a direct descendant of Allegro, you are protected by a contract that says they will not hurt your body without a reasonable reason.”

 

“…Heeung.”

 

A promise was made by the Grand Duke of Remdragon with humans. Sephiel knew that well.

 

“A Peace Contract?”

 

However, Sephiel asked, pretending she didn’t know.

 

“It means the pledge of the Four Monarchs. The promise of not invading each other’s territory without a reasonable reason and not harming the direct lineage of the other family. It’s a promise to abide by the laws of the Union of Kingdoms.”

 

“But, that Aunty?”

 

“Aunty?”

 

“That…. You know, the Aunty dwat was bwitten by Bwack. Is it okway to do thath to Aunty?” [That…. You know, the Aunty that was bitten by Black. Is it okay to do that to Aunty?]

 

“Aah. How can the status of Baby be the same as that person? Even if it’s a trivial nobleman or a couple of knights, they do this for fun.”

 

Kkik.

 

Elton used his hands to gesture pretending to be thirsty.

 

“….”

 

“It’s surely an existence that has nothing to say. It’s because they are upper-class.”

 

Sephiel stared at Elton and nodded her small head.

 

‘Turns out Elton is also honest to me, who is a child.’

 

Was he trying to teach her how to survive in this world? Sephiel didn’t dislike that kind of Elton.

 

“Marie. Please take Baby to her room. I think she’s had enough.”

 

“Yes. Baby. Let us go to your room and play tea party.”

 

“Ywes.” [Yes.]

 

Sephiel obediently nodded and followed Marie back to her room.

 

‘Ah, right. I left my handkerchief in the dining room.’

 

It was a large handkerchief that she must wear around her neck because it was cold when she went outside.

 

It was the one that had a yellow chick color and a large embroidered flower.

 

Marie had gone to get snacks in order to play tea party with Sephiel.

 

Sephiel walked with toddling steps as she headed back to the dining area.

 

She raised her tiptoes to hold the doorknob and open the door. However—

 

Berry and Elton’s conversation was heard through the slightly open door.

 

“…Baby is pitiful. If it’s like this…”

 

Elton said something as a reply but since his voice was too small she couldn’t hear it well.

 

“They are not interested in human circumstances.”

 

“….”

 

“At this time of year, if Baby does not receive proper education and stays alone in a separate house, she will not be able to act as a proper adult even when she grows up.”

 

“Usually, it’s the role of the bride’s parental home to send over a teacher or person to teach the bride what she needs. ”

 

“That’s right. But it’s not a situation that can happen. She doesn’t even wish for a chaperone.”

 

Sephiel listened carefully to the conversation.

 

‘Ah, so they’re talking about me.’

 

So, this is how my situation sounded to others.

 

‘Somehow it feels strange.’

 

Elton and Berry’s conversation continued.

 

“What can we do? Baby is from the Allegro Family. So, for the time being, we have to hide Baby’s existence.”

 

“…The Little Young Lord’s personality is also like that. And knowing the relationship between our family and the Allegro Royal Family…”

 

“Even so, thanks to that, a very cute person came, right?”

 

“Ah, that is of course.”

 

Berry replied seriously.

 

“Anyway. It would be great if Baby could get the servants’ hearts. If the servants follow Baby, maybe…”

 

“Hm. Our servants are surely different from human servants. It would be great if she could understand that point. But, since she’s still a young child, well, wouldn’t it be better if we don’t expect too much?”

 

“I’m telling you, Elton, you’re too carefree. It’s someone else’s life at stake. And she’s such a nice and cute person.”

 

“Rather than that, be cautious when introducing the servants.”

 

“Yes… If there’s a dead person like before…”

 

Berry and Elton’s voices became slightly lower.

 

At that time.

 

Elton inadvertently looked toward the direction where Sephiel was. Sephiel carefully moved away from the door.

 

Then she turned her back and returned to her room.

 

“Baby. Where have you been?”

 

Marie hurriedly welcomed her.

 

“Yes, let’s play immediately!”

 

Sephiel said with a smile.

 

‘Still, I don’t think there are any mean employees here.’\nFirst, avoid the Dragons. Second, win favorability points from the employees.

 

Sephiel smirked as she thought.

 

‘This is my paradise. Please don’t worry about it. I can stay well in this separate house. Rather, I’m afraid I’ll bother you.’

 

Well, even if she doesn’t study, she’s already smart. Sephiel thought proudly.