Chapter 21
Viola answered boldly.
Yes. Self-made room.
She spoke in a straightforward manner, but she seemed to mispronounce the word self-defense since it was a little difficult for a seven-year-old, with the growth status of a five years old, to pronounce.
Suddenly, Carltons words came to his mind.
I think her growth was very slow because she couldnt eat properly.
Suddenly, that tiny body and big eyes caught his eyes even more. For some reason, his heart ached. Duke Heron pronounced it again.
Self-defense.
Yes, self made room.
Self-defense.
Viola noticed what the duke was trying to do. She readied her lips and put a lot of pressure on her tongue before trying to say it again.
Self Made Room!
Though, she couldnt overcome her physical limitations.
Pronounce it correctly. Self-defense.
Self, made, room.
Damn it! I couldnt pronounce it right.
Meanwhile, Xenon doubted his eyes. The duke is smiling darkly? It was very faint but smiling, but it was caught by Xenons keen eyes. He didnt understand why Duke Heron was smiling.
Duke Heron spoke again.
Self-defense.
Confidently!!!
Viola was annoyed. She was expressionless and tried to pronounce it the best she could.
She wanted to hit something. Then, my neck will be gone, right? Regardless, her irritation soared. When she tried to say something, sometimes, her pronunciation would be slightly off, especially the word self-defense.
My underdeveloped body!
The duke and Violas eyes met. His eyes were smiling slightly. The subtle smile left Han Arin with a strange sense of defeat, and her face turned a little red without realizing it.
Aish.
Never once in her life that she would be teased by her pronunciation after twenty one years of her life. Then, an indescribable sense of shame rose from her head to toe.
No manners and bad pronunciation. Yet you are so lively.
In fact, he wasnt offended. Instead, he was rather satisfied with her liveliness. Verratoux should be like that. He would have been disappointed if she didnt breathe out her liveliness when she felt teased.
However, Viola was surprised. This body must have lost its life without realizing it. When she came to her senses, the life that leaked without realizing disappeared by itself.
Youre good at making ends meet.
Heron misunderstood due to common sense. Shes good at controlling her life path. He recalled the words of Xenon and Hixen. A girl whos like a Verratoux, but not at the same time.
She cannot hide her extreme greed for cold, ripe persimmons. At the same time, she has a mind that knows how to handle her life thoroughly.
All this would be a thoroughly calculated production.
A life that popped up from time to time. Those cute eyes and her killing instinct that barely suppresses. That was what it truly is. Thats how she looks, huh. I like it, Viola.
However, it was weird.
He kept looking at that plump peach-colored fur ball.
Its not about her cuteness.
He didnt know if she was still learning manners since another orange persimmon was on her lips. Duke Heron didnt understand nor know what was on her mind for her to eat that way.
What is she thinking?
Why was she eating so aggressively with that dainty hand? The form of her holding the fork tightly was also sloppy.
Duke Heron kept seeing such behaviors rather than Verratouxs manners.
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It was really strange.
***
The dawn broke, and early birds began to sing.
Bang! Bang! Bang! There was a loud knock, which didnt match well with the peaceful morning. There were only a few people who could knock so roughly on the princesss door.
The door was smashed down a moment later.
It was none other than Hixen who knocked on the door.
Mister, is that a knock?
Its not that
Hixen smiled awkwardly.
I couldnt control my strength.
Couldnt control?
In other words, Hixen had not been training in the last three years, so his manna wasnt activated properly either. After living like that for three years, he needed to start training again. He couldnt fully control his strength these days because of the sudden activation of mana.
Are you really a war hero?
He knocked on his stomach. He drank so much that he was seriously obese.
Three years is enough time for a person to ruin their life.
How long until you get better?
A month is enough.
Viola nodded.
Hurry up and fix yourself.
Hixen plodded along and sat down on the chair.
Viola, I think Ive got some clues because of you.
Oh, thats great.
Honestly, he just needed to dip into the water. He was a hero, who was comparable to Duke Heron in the past, he would do well on his own.
Oh, but more importantly.
Huh?
Did you eat with Heron yesterday?
Yes.
Wait? Viola flinched.
The idealist who dreams beautifully. Its really good to use, right? He didnt hear that, did he? She got nervous for no reason. Though judging from Hixens attitude, it didnt seem so.
No manners, bad pronunciation. I was scolded for showing off my liveliness.
Really?
Yeah.
He glanced at Viola as if he was enjoying it.
Even if it doesnt look like it, Heron is a sweet guy.
I know.
Hes Huh? You know? Hixen looked puzzled.
I thought he would be the only person who wouldve scolded me. He wouldnt even say any warm words.
In Violas heart, her pride suddenly burst into tears without her realizing it. He was her favorite character. Even if I have to reveal my favorite, I will admit that.
Hixen continued to be puzzled.
Thats Heron Verratoux.
I know.
How do you know?
Just by looking at him.
Thats my favorite character anyway. Hes raising cute hedgehogs. Duke Heron was nicer than I thought, although he was still a little scary.
Hixen stuck his tongue out at the absurdity.
What are you so confident about? Why are your eyes so confident? I dont know why, but its kind of annoying.
Why? Cant I be confident?
Why are you so serious about this?
Because I mean it.
I-Is that so? He scratched the back of his head.
Youre still defending your father.
Even though she may look upset, Viola didnt actually feel bad. Actually, it was rather pleasant. Viola spoke again.
So, why are you talking about my father?
That guy, he seems to be interested in you for some reason.
Huh? Is that so?
He must have adopted you because he was interested in you in the first place.
She was adopted by the greatest duke on the continent and was given the attention of Heron Verratoux, the great winder lord. However, her reaction about this was rather too bland. Hixen thought.
Oh? Wow! Thats incredible!
He expected her to say something like that instead. Ive been adopted by such a noble family! The famous monarch of the winter castle is my father!
Shouldnt her reaction be something like that?
Lost in his thoughts, Hixen was thinking, is it weird for me to look forward to seeing a rich expression of emotion from a seven years old child?
Viola frowned slightly and made eye contact with Hixen.
I hate violent fathers.
Indifference was also violence, especially in this bizarre environment. Hixens expression suddenly brightened.
As expected, right?
He seemed to be in a good mood somehow. So, Viola felt like she won against Duke Heron.
Well, yeah. There shouldnt be such a thing as a violent father.
Ill protect you. Ill stay with you and be a good adult.
Lose your belly fat first.
Huh?
Youre gonna get caught wielding a knife.
Hixen smiled awkwardly. He couldnt refute that statement because it was true. He then turned the subject around.
Where is your dog that I should tame?
***
Viola leaned against the door. Today would be the first meeting between Tundra and Hixen. If it were the same as in the novel, the two would fight with each other. Tundra didnt want to lose to anyone, and Hixen hated such a kid. Viola was excited to see if it would be like the novel.
Though she didnt seem to be the only one who was excited, next to her, Xenon also watched the two with an expression that he was anticipating something fun.
I cant believe the trainer would be Lord Hixen. I didnt even think about it.
Even if I have a belly, Im still a good trainer.
I heard a voice approaching. It seemed that Tundra didnt really like Hixen.
Youre my trainer?
In fact, Tundra was not convinced. He expected a plausible person because Viola mentioned that he was a capable swordsman. Then suddenly, a man with a big belly appeared instead. He was well-built, but he was definitely not the kind of person Tundra had thought of.
He looked at Viola.
I told you I want to learn and master swordsmanship.
His voice was full of anger. There was also deep frustration mixed underneath his anger.
I wanted to be a great saint and stand next to the princess.
To do so, he tried to master swordsmanship. He wanted to be next to that person, who she would reach out her hand to. Tundra tried to make an effort because he wanted to be a pet dog.
But this is
He felt like his new dream was being trampled on.
No matter how much he looked at Hixen, he couldnt see him as a good swordsman. Hixen didnt look capable in the slightest, and his body reeked of alcohol from miles away. He truly looked untrained. He may even break his body soon as it seemed that he was drunk from somewhere before even coming here.
Tundra bit his lips slightly.
You said I am just a toy. Is this how you really see me? Am I really just a toy?
Is having the dream of being a dog too extravagant for me? The past few days, I have been so excited. He gritted his teeth.
Hixen shook his head.
You dont have a good attitude toward adults.
Adults?
You need to learn to communicate with adults from scratch. He grinned.
I tend to teach my students very strictly.
He stared at Tundra before continuing.
Kid. Its time for dogs and trainers from now on. Would you excuse me?
Why?
Its going to be a bad time.
Xenon glanced at Viola and laughed softly. Madam, you look excited.
I like people with those looks in their eyes. Hixen grinned.
He thought back to a few years ago. Heron used to look like this in the past. Now, he likes to nag and hide both the cunningness of a serpent and bravery of a tiger, but in the old days, he was just like this kid.
This reminds me of my old friend.
Viola hit the nail on the head.
You dont have a friend.
How do you know?
You look like you dont have many friends.
Thats a heartbreaking thing to say. I had a glorious past.
He shot back. You kicked me in the past.
Ive got a knack for hitting bones.
Violas words were right. Unexpectedly, he is stabbed with her point. Hixen, who was the nail on the head, enjoyed this conversation.
Still, I believe.
What?
Youre a pretty good adult.
Hixen coughed very loudly at the words. Violas words poked sharply into his heart.
If his daughter were alive, she would have been a perfect mother. She would have become a really good adult. Its not too late.
.
Viola, not knowing how Hixen was feeling, threw a word of remorse and told him to lose the weight on his stomach again.
And I think it would be cool if you lose your belly fat.
Hixen decided then that he would be a good adult to her. His motivation flared up from those thoughts.
Ill try to look cool.
He turned his neck towards Tundras direction.
Bang!
The sound echoed through the room. With a dull wooden sword in his hand, he faced Tundra. His eyes changed entirely from the way he looked at Viola.
We, between us guys. Lets have a steamy body conversation.