“Where’s the man who looks like Mom?”
“Aika, that’s Cassel. He’s your one and only uncle.”
“My uncle?”
“Yes, your uncle.”
“Then… I want to see him!”
I found out later that Uncle wasn’t called the “mad dog” of Valliart for nothing.
He had a scary and unbelievable past. His personality was just as bad.
I even heard that some noble families almost disappeared—or actually did—because they made him angry.
Even the man who once proposed to my mom was never seen again. No one knows what happened to him.
Ironically, despite being violent and scary, he was still one of the top three most popular men among noble ladies.
On top of that, Grandpa said he had a nose for money and helped grow the family’s fortune.
So why did I end up living with this terrible uncle?
Well, there were a few reasons.
First, he was Mom’s only sibling.
Second, Grandpa sent me to live with him on one condition—that Uncle would accept a marquis title.
Uncle actually didn’t want the title, but Grandpa forced it on him… and me too.
I only know this because I overheard their conversation.
“If you want the marquis title, take Aika with you.”
“Are you crazy, old man? Give that title to a dog instead.”
“You wicked brat! I’m saying this because Aika could be in danger! Do you know how many people are after our family?”
“…”
“Even if the whole world sees you as a madman, I know you’ll protect your niece.”
So that’s how I ended up with Uncle Cassel de Valliart, the only child left in the Valliart family after Mom.
Now that he accepted the marquis title, he goes by Cassel de Requior.
As you can probably tell, Uncle really doesn’t like me.
Like, really doesn’t.
Not that I particularly liked him either.
Still, I begged Grandpa to let me see him, and I came here for a very important reason.
To save Uncle.
The day of the carriage accident, just before I passed out, Mom gave me a special power.
Even with blood running down her head, she forced a tiny red gem—no bigger than a pinky nail—into my mouth and whispered,
“Aika, my dear… I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you until the end.”
“No, Mommy! Don’t die—hic…”
“Aika, you’ll now have special eyes. Don’t be scared no matter what you see. This will help you protect the people you love.”
“Special… sniff… eyes…?”
“Don’t tell anyone. It’s a secret just for you and me, okay?”
I promised I wouldn’t tell.
When I woke up, Mom was already gone.
Even after her funeral, I didn’t understand what she meant.
But then I started having dreams—dreams more vivid than real life.
And when those dreams started coming true… I realized it.
I could see the future.
More precisely, I could sense danger involving people connected to me.
I even dreamed about something bad happening to my favorite maid at Grandpa’s house,
so it wasn’t just limited to family.
Later, I even started seeing those visions while I was awake—though only sometimes.
Eventually, I got used to the power and could stop small accidents from happening to the maids.
That’s when I had that dream.
“Uncle! No—don’t!”
In the dream, Uncle died in an accident even worse than Mom’s.
That same day Mom gave me the gem, I had heard voices just before passing out:
“Find the necklace. What’s inside is important.”
“Found it, but it’s empty.”
“Tch. They must’ve hidden it. We’ll leave before they get here. The rest of you keep searching.”
“Understood.”
I don’t know why only that memory stuck with me so clearly.
But I remember those voices like they’re still in my ears.
“We must find it and bring it back.”
Mom broke off her necklace and gave me the gem.
Those people were definitely dangerous.
“Aika, don’t let anyone know about your power… and beware of…”
She couldn’t finish.
But I know this—if we don’t find those people and stop them, Uncle will be in danger.
Even if I keep stopping things, I can’t do it forever.
“Aika, someday I’ll introduce you to your uncle.
He may seem like a crazy dog, but he’s actually more like a puppy.
He’s really warmhearted—you’ll like him.”
That’s what Mom always said.
She said he was her only precious little brother, even if she didn’t see him often.
She told me all my toys were gifts from him, even if I didn’t know what he looked like.
That’s why I can’t just sit back and watch Uncle die.
“Uncle and I—I’ll protect us both.”
Because Mom said I was her most precious treasure.
I’ll grow up strong and cool and protect Uncle in her place.
He’s the only one left who looks like her.
So I came all the way here with that determination—
And now he treats me like a peanut and wants nothing to do with me.
Hmph. He doesn’t know anything.
If he weren’t Mom’s brother, I wouldn’t even bother with him.
If he didn’t resemble her even a little, I wouldn’t have tried to like him.
Aside from his handsome face, his personality is awful and completely different from Mom’s.
“Guess I have no choice.”
I’m a good seven-year-old, so I’ll be the mature one.
I put down my doll, dusted off my dress, and stood up.
The maids had dressed me up all pretty this morning, so I had to be careful.
“Ah, it’s wrinkled.”
I tried my best to smooth out the wrinkles.
Even if he treats me like this, I’m going to stop Uncle from going out today.
Mom used to say:
“Don’t underestimate a small spark.
If you leave it alone, it’ll grow into a huge fire that swallows everything.”
If I stop the danger before it starts, Mom said I could call myself a hero.
So that’s what I’ll be—a little hero.
As I opened the door to step out, a maid ran toward me.
“Miss Aika, is there something you need?”
It was Zenda, the maid who’d taken care of me since the day I arrived.
She must’ve been waiting nearby the whole time.
She’s worked here for over three years, and she’s really good at sewing and embroidery.
She even stitched a big sunflower on my left sleeve!
And she knew Uncle’s temper very well.
Actually, most of the servants here seemed to know how scary he was.
“Where’s Uncle? Where did he go?”
I looked up at kind Zenda and asked.
“The master? He went to get ready to go out. He should be in the dressing room.”
“Then I want to go to him.”
Zenda’s expression turned stormy.
She already looked really worried.
“Would you like to have a snack in your room instead? I’ll make you delicious cocoa. Forgive me, but… it might be better not to bother him when he’s busy…”
She probably thought he’d yell at me again.
But I shook my head with a big smile.
“It’s okay! I have to go before it’s too late.”
“…Understood. I’ll take you.”
Even though she looked like she might cry, Zenda led me to the dressing room.
When we got there, I waved her away, afraid she’d get scolded too.
Then I knocked hard on the door.
“Uncle!”
No answer, as expected.
I know you’re in there!
I cupped my hands like a megaphone and shouted through the door.
“Uncle! Uncle! Unnncle!”
Then I heard a loud noise from inside, and the door flew open.
Uncle stood there, shirtless, looking down at me with a scary face.
“I told you not to show up in front of me—”
I ignored his gritting teeth and smiled brightly.
“Uncle! Let’s play house!”
Sorry, Uncle, but you’re not going out today.
