Chapter 10
The Aenead Plains and the entire Benea River area were lands Kaid had never even looked at before.
They were beautiful and peaceful regions that other clans desired greatly.
But Kaid did not like places that were too peaceful.
They were boring.
However, this time, he showed interest for the first time.
The reason was simple—
Because they were too boring.
Kaid personally led his clan and completely wiped out every group that had been eyeing that territory.
“Just look at the fact that he went himself this time. That alone gives us the answer. She is clearly the youngest young lady of the family.”
“Then shouldn’t we officially announce that there are three heirs now?”
Right…
The retainers remembered that the Astrophel family had already announced there were only two heirs.
“Ah… we should brag about having a young lady too.”
“…Sigh.”
Regretful sighs could be heard everywhere.
Jeras, watching them, let out a hearty laugh.
“You all look more excited, even though this means more work.”
“…Does it look that way?”
The retainers looked embarrassed.
After all, the higher a species was in the food chain, the fewer their numbers.
Females were especially rare—so rare you could count them on one hand.
That’s why the retainers were curious.
“Is the young lady really that cute?”
“Lady Rosaria said she’s so adorable that words can’t describe her.”
Ah… seriously?
All of them lit up with excitement.
They really wanted to see Irene, the youngest young lady.
One by one, the retainers quietly left.
Most likely, they were heading to the garden where Irene was often seen.
Jeras shook his head with a smile.
Then he looked toward the back of the hallway and spoke.
“You can come out now. What are you doing hiding there, Lord Arban?”
Even though he tried to hide his presence, it was still clumsy.
Soon, a boy stepped out from behind a marble pillar.
He had curly black hair and red eyes.
Even though he was young, he had an elegant aura, like he had stepped out of a painting.
The eldest young master at least pretended to be calm—
But the second one did not.
“You’re saying I have a younger sibling?”
“Yes. You heard correctly.”
“A bird?”
“That’s right.”
Arban frowned deeply.
“How can something like a bird be my sibling?”
“Didn’t the lord acknowledge her?”
Though it was still only mild interest.
“I don’t remember hearing that my father went crazy.”
At Arban’s blunt words, Jeras sighed.
He didn’t know where Arban learned to speak like that, but it was getting worse every day.
“…Sigh. Young master, how can you speak like that about the lord?”
“Hmph. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have made such a decision.”
Jeras closed his eyes.
He no longer cared where Arban learned those words.
He was worried about something else.
If Irene learned from Arban…
Just imagining it was terrifying.
“Crazy?”
If she said that in her small, cute voice…
No. That must not happen.
Jeras could not let the family’s last hope turn out like that.
“Young master, please be careful with your words, especially in front of the young lady.”
“Why should I watch my words because of her?”
“There is a saying—you shouldn’t even drink cold water carelessly in front of a child.”
“Hmph. Who said I’d accept her as my sibling?”
Arban pouted and complained.
Even though it was almost time for his lesson, he stayed there for a while—
Then casually asked,
“So where is she?”
“You cannot meet her yet. She is too young.”
“What? Father saw her. That old man saw her. Rosaria saw her!”
“But you cannot control your strength. Didn’t you break a wall a few days ago? The mansion won’t survive.”
At Jeras’s words, Arban flinched.
It wasn’t just one wall—there had been many incidents.
He had no response.
Clenching his lips, Arban stomped his foot.
Crack.
The floor broke.
His face stiffened.
Jeras raised his eyebrow slightly.
“Look at that. Now the floor is ruined too.”
“Just wait! I’ll succeed in a few days!”
“Oh? Really?”
“Yes! Something like this is easy!”
Arban, now fully fired up, clenched his fists.
Jeras smiled.
He had heard that Arban was struggling to control his strength.
Maybe this would motivate him.
“Then I’ll look forward to good news, Young Master Arban.”
Arban turned and walked away.
His red eyes flickered toward the garden—
Then away again.
I want to see her too… that cute and lovely sibling!
But he couldn’t say it out loud.
He muttered as he walked away,
“…Why is it so hard just to meet her?”
“Pii… pii…”
Lately, my body felt very heavy.
I couldn’t eat or drink well, and I had no energy.
“Pii…”
Also, my whole body hurt.
My wings, my legs, my back—everything hurt.
Why is this happening?
Tears welled up in my eyes.
Since morning, I hadn’t been feeling well, so Rosaria stayed by my side the whole time.
“Why is this happening?”
“Pipipipi…”
“Yes, I’m here.”
Rosaria placed a wet cloth on my burning forehead.
I let out a hot breath and burrowed into the blanket.
“This won’t do. I’ll call the doctor.”
“Pii! Pii!”
“No. I’ll be right back. Just wait a little.”
I shook my head, trying to stop her.
But Rosaria stood up firmly.
No… I don’t want injections! Don’t go, Rosaria!
“Pipipipi!”
Click.
But the door closed anyway.
“Pii…”
Sniff.
Being alone made me feel worse.
To distract myself, I stared at the ceiling patterns.
How much time passed?
The door opened.
Rosaria returned with a woman who seemed to be the doctor.
I felt both relieved and nervous.
What if she brought a needle?
I quickly checked her hands.
Thankfully, she was holding nothing.
“Nice to meet you, Lady Irene. I’m Hestia.”
Hestia tucked her light black hair behind her ear and waved.
Her soft green eyes curved as she smiled.
“Now, I’ll check your condition.”
“Pii.”
I held onto my blanket tightly.
Maybe she had already heard everything—
She immediately began examining me.
“When did these symptoms start?”
“Since this morning. She has been low on energy for a few days, but not this bad.”
“Does she dislike it when you touch her wings or legs? Or has she had trouble sleeping?”
Huh? How does she know?
I stared at her with wide eyes.
She quickly checked everything and wrote something down.
Then she smiled.
“Congratulations, Lady Irene.”
“Pii?”
“It’s growing pains.”
…Growing pains?
I never expected that.
Even Rosaria was silent for a moment.
So even a baby bird gets growing pains.
I moved my wings slightly.
A dull pain spread.
So this pain… was because I was growing?
“At this stage, it’s normal to have growing pains.”
“Really? Then… she’ll be able to transform into a human soon.”
“Of course. She may feel a lot of pain, so gently massage her from time to time. It’s even better in warm water. Like this.”
Hestia gently massaged my wing.
Pressing softly—
Relief spread through my body.
“Pii… pii… pii!”
“Does it feel good?”
“Pii!”
It feels amazing!
The pain faded as my muscles relaxed.
Rosaria, massaging my other wing, smiled brightly.
Her worried face had already relaxed.
“I should prepare clothes for Irene… This might be too much for my heart. I need to prepare myself.”
“Hehe. I know a good place. Shall I tell you?”
Hestia whispered like sharing a secret.
Rosaria leaned in with interest.
“Where is it?”
“There’s a shop outside the city that sells children’s clothes. There are so many kinds. Even the shoes are very pretty.”
“That’s great information. What’s the name?”
As Rosaria repeated the address to remember it, she suddenly looked confused.
“But how do you know this? Do you have a child?”
“Of course not.”
“Then…?”
Hestia smiled brightly.
“Oh? Didn’t you know? Lady Irene is very famous in the family right now. Everyone wants to see her. As the family doctor, preparing this much is nothing. I already expected her growing pains would start soon.”
Everyone… wants to see me?
That was the first time I heard that.
As I lifted my head in surprise—
Hestia suddenly held her cheeks.
“If I could, I’d even take a footprint as a keepsake. I’ve been waiting for the day I’d be called here.”
…What is going on?
Suddenly, Hestia felt a little scary.
Without realizing it, I quietly hid my feet.
