The Anead Plains and the entire Venea River were places Cade did not even look at. Although it was such a beautiful and peaceful area that other people drooled over, he didn't want such a place, because it was boring.
However, he showed interest for the first time and the reason for doing so was none other than 'because I was bored.'
Cade, who guided the clan on his own, literally wiped out all the tribes that set their eyes on the territory.
"You can find the answer just by looking at the details. This time, he went on a mission in person. That just means she is definitely the youngest lady in the family."
"Then, shouldn't we declare that we have three successors to the family?"
Right.
The retainers recalled the fact that they had already announced there were two successors to the Astrophel family.
"Oh, we should brag about having a young lady."
"….ha."
Sighs burst out from all over the place, and Geras, who was watching it, burst into laughter.
"You guys look excited about the increase in work."
".....Ah, does it look like that?"
The retainers gave off a stern look.
It was no mystery that the number of individuals lessened significantly as one went up the food chain. Especially in the case of women, it was so rare the numbers could be counted in one hand.
That's why everyone genuinely was curious.
"How cute is she?"
"Rosaria said she's so lovely that it can't be explained in words."
Ah, it was really awesome.
The retainer's eyes shone with emotion one by one. Everyone wanted to meet her at least once and call her Young Miss Irene. The people began to stand up and left one after the other, glancing at each other. Apparently, they wanted to go to the garden where Irene often appeared.
Geras shook his head with a big smile and opened his mouth looking at the back of the hall.
"What are you doing, hiding there, Sir Arban?"
He was gifted in killing but he was inexperienced in many ways.
Moments later, a boy with curly dark hair and red eyes appeared from behind a marble column. Although the boy was still young, he had a luxurious atmosphere as if he had just come out of a painting and a beautiful appearance like a sculpture.
The first master was at least pretending to be rational, but the second was not.
"Do I have a sister?"
"Yes, as you heard."
"A bird?"
"Yes."
Arban frowned at once.
"How can a bird be my sister?"
"Didn't the Lord admit it himself?"
Although, so far, it has only been shallow interest.
"I don't remember hearing that father was crazy."
At Arban's outspoken remarks, Geras swallowed a moan.
I don't know where he learned such a word, but Arban's witty talk was developing day by day.
"....Ha… Young master, how can you say such things about the Lord?"
"Huh. Otherwise, my father wouldn't make that decision."
Geras closed his eyes as if he had given up. Now, he didn't wonder who had taught him such words. There was something more worrisome than that.
When he thought of Irene hanging out with Arban, seeing and learning such things, he imagined the scene.
'Are you crazy?'
(TL: this is Geras, imagining Irene repeating the same thing)
It would be cute if it was done in a gentle and dainty way, although······.
It couldn't be permitted.
Geras couldn't let the youngest lady, the family's last hope, do so.
"Young master, you have to be especially careful with your words in front of the young lady."
"Why should I watch my mouth because of her?"
"There's a saying that you shouldn't drink cold water easily in front of a young child."
(PR: you shouldn't be discouraging in front of a child)
"Huh. Do you think I even recognize that thing as a sibling?"
Arban grumbled, rubbing his lips together.
Even though it was almost time to go to class, he stayed in place for a long time then coughed in vain and asked softly.
"So where is she?"
"You are not going to see her yet. She's too young."
"What? Father saw her. You said you saw her and Rosaria saw her as well!"
"But you can't control your strength, can you? I heard you broke the wall a few days ago, and that there was nothing left."
Arban winced as Geras said so.
There was nothing to retort. Not only the walls of the mansion, but also on numerous other records. Arban, who looked at him angrily with his lips closed, stamped his feet.
Crakiic.
The floor sank and the child's face was filled with dismay.
Geras gently raised his eyebrows.
"Look at this. The floor is messed up, too."
"Y-you'll see—I'll be successful in a few days!"
"Oh, really?"
"Yes! I can control my strength in no time!"
Arban, who had raised his voice to the point of anger, huffed. Geras gave him a remorseful smile.
As a matter of fact, news that the second master's control over his power didn't exactly say the reason for it. However, he thought, if the desire is related to this, it might be fixed properly.
"Then I'll look forward to the good news, Young Master Arban."
Arban swerved and began to move. Discontented red eyes touched the garden where the retainers were headed and fell.
I want to see it, too! The cute and lovely sister!
Unable to reveal his innermost thoughts, Arban hesitated but walked away nervously.
"...it's so hard to meet the little sister."
───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────
"Pii, Pii, Pii, Pii."
I've been feeling a lot heavier lately.
I could barely eat rice or water and there was no energy in my body.
"Pii······."
Besides, my whole body hurts so much. There was no place that didn't hurt- be it wings, feet, and back.
Why am I like this? Tears came to my eyes.
Rosaria had been unable to leave my side since morning because of my poor condition.
"What's wrong with you?"
"Pii, Pii, Pii, Pii."
"Yes, I'm here."
Rosaria placed a wet towel on my feverish forehead.
I took a deep breath and dug into the duvet.
"I can't do this, I have to call a Doctor."
"Piit, Piit, Piit, Piit!"
"No, I'll be right back, so please wait for a moment."
When I shook my head saying I didn't like it, Rosaria stood up firmly.
Oh no, I don't want to take an injection! Don't go, Rosaria!
"Piii Pii~~!"
Click.
But despite my desperate call, I could hear the door shut coldly.
"Pii······."
Sniffle.
I felt even sicker when I was lying in my room alone. I didn't like the feeling of silence, so I counted the ceiling patterns one by one.
How much time has passed?
The door opened and Rosaria came in with a woman who seemed to be a doctor.
I was half happy and wary, I couldn't let go of the tension.
Maybe she came with a syringe?
I quickly glanced at the doctor's hand. Fortunately, she was holding nothing.
"Nice to meet you, Miss Irene. My name is Hestia."
Hestia waved her hand as she tucked her black hair behind her ear. The pale green eyes that smiled softly were folded into a half-moon shape.
"Then I will check her condition for a bit."
"Pii."
I hugged the blanket tightly.
As she had been briefed on the way, Hestia began to check my condition immediately, and started asking a few questions.
"When did these symptoms start appearing?"
"From this morning. She hasn't been feeling well for a few days, but it was not that bad as today."
"Did she not hate it when you touched her wings or legs? Or maybe she can't sleep well at night?"
Uh? How did she know?
I took a deep breath and looked at Hestia with my eyes wide open, as she was picking up the symptoms correctly one by one.
She grinned as she quickly checked and scribbled them down on the medic chart.
"Congratulations, Miss Irene."
"Pii?"
"It's growing pains."
…Growing pains?
That was one reason I hadn't thought of. There was only silence for a moment as Rosaria could not have guessed either.
Growing pains come even though I'm a baby bird.
I tried moving the wings again and felt a sharp pain.
This is all because I'm getting bigger!!
"Around this period, it's time for growing pains."
"Really? …Then, will she humanize sooner or later?"
"Of course. It can hurt a lot, so please massage gently from time to time. It is better if you can do it with warm water. Let me show you."
Hestia gently massaged my wings. When she pressed it down with moderate force, a pleasant feeling spread throughout my body.
"Pii. Pii, Pii."
"Are you refreshed?"
"Pii!"
So good! I felt my muscles loosen and the pain subsided.
Rosaria, who was rubbing the opposite wing, shed a smile. Her complexion, which had been filled with worries, suddenly brightened.
"I need to prepare clothes for Miss Irene to wear….I don't know the degree of strain it will have in my heart. So, I have to prepare my mind."
"Fufufu. There is a place I go to, would you like to know?"
Hestia gave her a tip, whispering as if telling her secret. Rosaria showed interest and listened to her.
"Where is it?"
"When I went out of town, I saw a separate shop selling clothes for children. There are so many different clothes, their shoes are also very pretty."
"That's very good information. What's the name of the dressing room?"
Rosaria, who was reciting the address that Hestia gave her to remember the location meticulously, suddenly made a curious face.
"But how do you know about that Hestia? Do you have children?"
"Of course not."
Then how …?"
The doctor smiled brightly.
"Oh, didn't you know? Miss Irene is so famous in the family, and everyone's dying to see her. As her doctor, I had to make this much preparation because I thought it was time for the growing pains to start."
Everyone wants to see me?
That's the first time I've heard of it.
As I lifted my head at the sudden rumor of me being a celebrity, Hestia wrapped her cheeks in glee.
"If I could, I wanted to get the Young Miss footprint. So I have been waiting for this day when you would call for me."
…Oh my god what's going on?
Hestia suddenly looked so dangerous that I hid my toes in fear.