5691-chapter-20
Chapter 20
“Why did someone dress her like this?”
“Isn’t she cute?”
“…What?”
“I’m asking if your younger sister is cute.”
Ian, the youngest son, who tried to deny his sister’s cuteness, doubted his ears at the words coming from his father’s usually blunt and cold mouth.
“I’m not sure.”
As Ian tried to deny Elliana’s cuteness, the Duke restrained a chuckle. Shortly after, the butler Elliot came in carrying a tray filled with food and personally served it onto the table. Soon, appetizing dishes were arranged on the dining table. Eventually, Ian witnessed an unbelievable sight with his own eyes.
His father cut a small piece of meat and handed it to the little child with a fork. It was a strange and heartwarming feeling that made his whole body tingle. It felt like seeing something he shouldn’t.
“Now, Elliana, open your mouth.”
“Ah.”
“A little bigger.”
“Ahh!”
As soon as the meat entered her mouth, Elliana chewed it skillfully.
“You eat well. That’s right, to tame a lion, you have to eat well.”
Ian looked at his father and Elliana with a complex mind, his vision blurred.
‘How would my older sister and brother react if they knew this fact? A little child we’ve never seen before has made father like this.’
“Is she 3 years old then?”
“Ywes.”
“If she’s 3 years old, her ice abilities…”
As Elliana replied, Ian words trailed off. Well, even at a glance, she didn’t seem to have any control over ice abilities, let alone possessing any coldness. But he suppressed the urge to voice such thoughts since it wouldn’t end well if he did.
“Ian, you eat more too.”
“Yes.”
While the Duke was jokingly boasted about Elliana being the ultimate predator who could conquer both land and sea creatures, Ian focused on his meal. As he only touched a few dishes, the small hand of the child reached out to him. The fork she was holding trembled, and at the fork was a plump shrimp.
“Eat twis.”
“….”
Ian quickly scanned it to make sure it wasn’t poisoned, then accepted the fork and put it in his mouth. It was a plump and juicy shrimp. It was even larger and more succulent than the others, causing Ian to stare at Elliana intently.
‘Did she intentionally give me the biggest one? What’s her motive?’
? ? ?
Ian von Crovache.
According to the maids’ gossip, he was the youngest son and a subject of concern in the Crovache lineage. He had an extremely sharp and picky personality. He was known for picking fights and causing injuries to himself or others whenever he was bored, earning him the reputation of a troublemaker who enjoyed hurting people. His main skill was magic.
‘Wait, isn’t using magic supposed to require calmness and caution rather than a bad temper? He really is a bad-tempered idiot.’
Although he was someone she didn’t particularly like, he was the second most powerful person she had encountered, just after the Duke. Just being near him, one could feel the chilling aura.
‘If Dad weren’t here, Ian would be the strongest person. I have no choice but to get along with him peacefully.’
One fortunate thing was that he still didn’t know that Elliana was a puppy. If he knew, he probably would’ve bullied her.
‘He’ll find out someday, so there’s no need to reveal it first.’
Elliana chose peace over conflict. So, she clumsily picked up the shrimp with her fork and offered it to him. No one would reject something delicious. Although he seemed slightly surprised, seeing Ian chew the shrimp and swallow it, Elliana silently celebrated inside.
Since he glared at her after eating, she felt slightly uneasy, but he still smiled back at her. He wouldn’t be mean to her with his smiling face. When the plates with the main dishes were emptied, as Elliana was still lost in thought while eating the pudding as a dessert, the Duke hardly touched the dessert. Ian also crossed his arms and did the same.
“Ian, now that you’re 9 years old, it’s time to start considering your future. Build your own rounds.”
“Yes. I’m considering it.”
Elliana tilt her head as she heard an unfamiliar word for the first time.
‘Build rounds’? What does that mean?
Come to think of it, there was something about rounds in the lessons she received with Theo. But she couldn’t recall the exact details. Maybe if she basked in the sun and dreamed, the memory would come back?
“You manifested magic, didn’t you? Graduating from the Magic Academy, improving your skills to build a magic tower, working as a mage in the palace, or becoming an executive in the Magic Association are not bad choices.”
‘Build a magic tower? Palace mage? Executive of the Magic Association? Are those things so easy?’
As she listened, everything they were talking about sounded extraordinary, yet the two of them spoke casually. Come to think of it, the black mage Aquinas had also taken the position of the Palace Mage.
“I dislike boredom. It seems that building a magic tower is more suited to my temperament.”
Elliana inwardly mocked Ian as she observed his pleased expression.
“If you build a magic tower, it doesn’t seem like anyone will go there.”
“In terms of magic rankings, you are the third among the successors.”
“Well, that’s the past. Currently, I am the first, Father.”
Ian exclaimed with a sense of injustice, but the Duke responded coldly.
“With that kind of mindset, you’ll forever remain the third among the successors. Focus on improving your magical abilities. Do you understand?”
“Yes.”
Then, the Duke turned his gaze towards Elliana. With cheeks puffed up, seemingly about to burst from the pudding filling her mouth, he spoke in a slow, deliberate manner.
“I am curious to see which aspect of Elliana’s abilities will manifest first. Take good care of her when the succession training of the clan begins. After all, you are her older brother.”
Ian’s silver eyebrows twitched briefly at the word ‘brother’ as he replied.
“Yes.”
Unaware of what trials lay ahead, Elliana focused solely on eating her pudding, mumbling to herself.
? ? ?
Standing before a colossal lion statue made of silver, High Priest Julius, who offered prayers to God Riott, recalled the small animal he had encountered not long ago. A fragile creature that had the appearance of a dog, rather than a lion. It was a perfect match for the content of the revelation.
Since then, the Duke had remained silent. He seemed to already know what kind of being the child was, but he didn’t seem inclined to easily share that information with him. As the ruler of Crovache, a stoic sovereign who trusted no one, he was clearly cautious of him.
In that case, he would have to find out the truth even if he had to act separately.
‘If that little child is truly the Child of the Sun, there is no way they will stay silent.’
Three years ago, when that incident occurred, no one was able to protect the Child of Sun. Someone had concealed the revelation and attempted to take away the Child of Sun. The enemy was undoubtedly from within.
This time, he must protect the Child of Sun at all costs.
Currently, the cold climate continued in Crovache.
Despite them being a resilient clan accustomed to the cold, spring must inevitably follow winter. If winter continues without respite, even the fertile lands of the territory will gradually become barren. In that sense, the emergence of Child of the Sun was a ray of hope.
‘I wonder if it’s the will of the gods.’
High Priest Julius, without the Duke’s knowledge, decided to visit the little dog he had encountered before and headed towards Dandelion Palace.
“The young lady is currently taking a nap in the garden. If you make an appointment in advance and visit next time, I will deliver your message.”
“No, I insist. I’ll just briefly greet the young lady and leave.”
Despite the maid’s refusal, Julius, with the dignity of a high priest and his characteristic benevolent smile, managed to persuade her, finally allowing him to meet Elliana.
When his eyes met Elliana’s shining black pupils, Julius felt a profound sense of mystery. This child seemed to be anything but ordinary, and that strong notion resonated within his being.
