“Where’s the man who looks like Mom?”
“That’s Kael. He’s your one and only uncle.”
“Uncle?”
“Yes, your uncle.”
“Then… I want to see Uncle!”
I only learned later, but Uncle wasn’t called a mad dog for no reason.
He had a terrifyingly impressive and overwhelming list of exploits.
Of course, his seemingly broken personality and temper didn’t help.
I’d heard our family nearly got wiped out because someone got on his bad side—and one family actually did disappear entirely.
There’s even a rumor that the man who once proposed to Mom was never seen again. No one knows what happened to him.
Ironically, despite his cruel and fiery nature, he was considered one of the top three most popular men among noblewomen.
On top of that, Grandpa always said he had a nose for money and played a big role in growing the family’s fortune.
So how did I end up living with this maniac of an uncle…?
There were several reasons.
First, because he’s Mom’s only sibling.
Second, because Grandpa sent me away to him in exchange for giving Uncle the title of Marquis.
Uncle originally refused the marquisate, but Grandpa forced it on him—and me along with it.
I found this out by eavesdropping on their conversation.
“If you want the marquisate, take Aika with you.”
“Have you lost your mind, old man? Give the title to a dog, for all I care.”
“You damned brat! I’m saying this because Aika might be in danger! You know how many people are after our family!”
“…….”
“You may be insane to others, but I know you’ll protect your niece.”
And so I came to live with Kael de Valliat, my uncle, Mom’s brother, and the last child of the Duke of Valliat.
Now that he holds the title, he’s Kael de Reguire.
As you can see, Uncle doesn’t like me.
He really doesn’t like me.
I wouldn’t say I like him all that much either.
But even so, I begged and pleaded just to see him—and that last reason is the most important of all.
To save him.
When the carriage accident happened, just before I lost consciousness, Mom gave me a special gift.
Even as blood poured from her head, she forced a tiny red jewel, no bigger than a pinky nail, into my mouth and said:
“Aika, my precious girl… I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you to the end.”
“Mom, no. Hrk. Don’t die…”
“You’ll now have special eyes, Aika. No matter what you see from now on, don’t be surprised. This will help you save the people you love.”
“Special… eyes?”
“Don’t tell anyone. It’s a secret between just you and me, okay?”
When I woke up, Mom was gone.
Even after her funeral, I didn’t understand what she meant.
But after that day, I began to dream—dreams more vivid than reality—and when what I saw in those dreams started happening in real life, I finally realized it.
I had gained the ability to see the future.
Specifically, the ability to sense danger involving people connected to me.
I even had a dream about one of the maids working for Grandpa, so it didn’t seem to be limited to blood relatives.
Eventually, I started seeing these visions even while awake—though only occasionally.
Once I got used to the ability, I could naturally prevent accidents from happening to the maids.
And then, I had that dream.
“Uncle! No!”
A dream where Uncle got caught up in something even more dangerous than what happened to Mom—and died.
The day I got this special ability, as I was losing consciousness, I faintly heard strangers talking:
“Start by finding the necklace. What’s inside is what matters.”
“I found it, but it’s empty.”
“Tch. They must’ve hidden it. We leave before they get here. You stay behind and keep searching.”
“Understood.”
I don’t know why only that part of the memory stuck with me, but I still remember those voices clearly.
“We have to find it and bring it back, no matter what.”
The necklace Mom broke off, the jewel she forced me to swallow.
Those people were clearly dangerous.
“Aika, you must never let this power be discovered. You must beware of…”
Unless I find those people and put them behind bars, Uncle will be in danger.
Even if I try to stop it over and over.
“Aika, one day I’ll let you meet your uncle. He’s not really a mad dog… more like a puppy. I think you’ll like him. He’s really warm inside.”
That’s what Mom always said.
She didn’t get to see him often, but said he was her one and only precious little brother.
Even though I didn’t know his face, she told me every toy I had was something Uncle bought for me.
I can’t just stand by and watch that uncle die.
“Uncle and I—I’ll protect us both.”
After all, Mom said I was her most precious treasure.
I’ll grow up healthy and wonderful.
Even though I couldn’t protect Mom, I’ll definitely protect Uncle.
Because he’s the only one who looks like her.
That’s why I went through all this trouble to come here—but Uncle completely rejects me and treats me like a nuisance.
Hmph. He doesn’t even know how I feel.
If he weren’t Mom’s little brother, I wouldn’t even give him a second look.
If he didn’t resemble her at all, I wouldn’t even like him.
He may be handsome, but his personality is the worst—totally different from Mom.
“It can’t be helped.”
I’m a good seven-year-old. I’ll be the mature one.
I put down my doll, dusted off my skirt, and stood up.
The maids had dressed me in such a pretty dress this morning—I couldn’t let it get ruined.
“Ugh, it’s all wrinkled.”
I tried to smooth out the creases in my dress as best I could.
Even if I’m being treated this way, I have to stop Uncle from going out today. No matter what.
Mom once said:
“Never underestimate a tiny spark.”
Even the smallest spark, if left alone, can grow into a massive fire that devours everything.
She said if I could spot the spark early and snuff it out, I could call myself a hero.
So I decided to be a little hero.
When I opened the door and stepped out, a maid rushed toward me.
“Miss, do you need something?”
It was Zenda—the one who’d been taking care of me since the day I arrived.
She was probably waiting outside for me to come out.
She’d been working here for over three years and was especially skilled at embroidery and sewing.
To prove it, she’d stitched a sunflower in full bloom onto the left sleeve of my dress.
And she knew Uncle’s personality very well.
Then again, pretty much everyone in this place knew how foul-tempered Uncle was.
“Where’s Uncle? Where’d he go?”
I looked up at kind Zenda and asked.
“The master? He went to get ready for an outing. Most likely in the dressing room.”
“Then I’m going to Uncle.”
Zenda’s expression darkened like a stormy sky.
She already looked deeply worried.
“How about having your snack in your room first? I’ll make you a lovely cocoa. It’s a bit bold of me to say, but… it’s best not to approach the master when he’s busy…”
She probably thought Uncle would scold me again.
I gave a big grin and shook my head.
“It’s okay! I have to go before it’s too late!”
“Understood. I’ll take you to him.”
Seeing I wouldn’t give up, Zenda led me—looking like she was about to cry—all the way to Uncle’s dressing room.
I waved her away, not wanting her to get in trouble, and knocked loudly on the tightly shut door.
“Uncleee!”
No answer, as expected.
I know you’re in there.
I cupped my hands like a trumpet and shouted through the door.
“Uncle! Uncle! Un-cleee!”
A gruff noise came from inside, and then the door flung open.
Uncle, shirtless and furious, glared down at me.
“Didn’t I tell you not to show your face—”
I ignored the sound of his teeth grinding and beamed up at him.
“Uncle! Let’s play house!”
Sorry, Uncle. But you’re not going out today.
