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Chapter 03
“And this is the annex where you will be staying from now on, my lady of the House of Yudia.”
“…Eh.”
Bunny’s eyes widened as she looked at the mansion Roden Heiner pointed to.
‘Not white… not shiny… and even smaller.’
Now that she thought about it, the surroundings were quieter, and all the dazzling brightness had faded.
“From today, you will be the 52nd branch member of the House of Yudia.”
“…Fifty-two?”
“Yes.”
Was that a number?
Bunny held out her chubby hands and started counting on her fingers, tilting her head in confusion.
“Roden, is fifty-two bigger than twenty-two?”
“Well… it means twenty-two twice, plus another twelve.”
Whoooosh—
A cold wind swept between Bunny and Roden Heiner.
Twenty-two twice… plus twelve…
Bunny’s head spun. Even using her fingers and toes wasn’t enough.
Anyway, it was a very big number!
“Bunny… princess…?”
“Yes. You are the 16th lady among 52 children—both ladies and young masters.”
Crash!
Her imagination of a super strong demon father hugging her and living a happy life shattered loudly.
Strange. In fairy tales, the main character usually monopolized the demon father’s love and became a super cute child before growing into a great Demon King…
Fifty-two children…?
The demon dad’s back must be broken…
At least, with so many kids, Bunny wouldn’t stand out.
‘Bunny… life totally ruined?!’
Remembering Luriel’s favorite phrase for when things went wrong, Bunny dropped to her knees.
“Lady?”
A startled Roden Heiner rushed over and helped her up.
Bunny melted like pudding.
“Roden.”
“Yes.”
“I… want to live there too.”
Having shaken off her sadness a little, Bunny pointed at the bright, shining white mansion.
Roden glanced away slightly before answering.
“That area is only for those in the top five rankings.”
“Top five?”
“Yes. Since you just arrived, you are currently rank 52.”
“What is that…?”
“Ranking is… hmm.”
After a moment of hesitation, he knelt again to meet her eye level.
“It is the order of academic performance.”
“Academy…?”
“Yes. Here, basic needs like meals, clothing, housing, and a small allowance are provided. However, everything beyond that must be earned by you.”
Roden carefully watched Bunny’s spinning eyes.
“Do you understand?”
“So… I have to work because I’m poor?”
“P-pardon?”
At her blunt words, he flinched.
“No, not exactly. If you attend classes and get good grades on exams, your rank goes up. Higher rank means more allowance, and eventually you can even hire personal knights and maids.”
Knights… maids…
A noble lady!
Bunny’s eyes sparkled as she clenched her fists.
“I’m super smart!”
Luriel always said Bunny was a genius. After all, she could copy anything she saw instantly.
Encouraged, Bunny’s pink eyes shone like jewels.
Roden Heiner’s stern face softened slightly into a faint smile.
“….”
He hesitated, then reached out—but paused.
Before he could pull back, Bunny leaned her head toward him.
“Head pats are nice!”
“Cough. I-is that so?”
He gently patted her soft, watery-blue hair.
“If you’re smart, you’ll rise quickly.”
“Roden is mine?”
At her question, he almost nodded without thinking—but stopped himself.
“No. I am what you could call a shared knight for those ranked 40 to 52, helping as needed.”
Crash!
Roden is not mine.
Shocked, Bunny swayed as she followed behind him.
‘Even knights aren’t mine?’
Then I’m really poor…
“This is the dining hall.”
He guided her through the smaller yet still grand mansion and brought her to a room on the second floor.
Other children passed by—most older than Bunny.
“I will stop here. You will live independently from now on, but if you need anything, call me. A maid assigned to you will come to greet you soon.”
“Is maid mine?”
“No, they are also shared among ranks 40 to 52…”
Sulk.
Before he even finished, Bunny’s eyes drooped.
‘The path to becoming a noble lady is so far away…’
Roden stopped speaking, feeling an unfamiliar guilt.
“Roden… goodbye…”
Bunny bowed and slipped into the room.
Roden added gently through the door:
“Rest well. Dinner is at the dining hall later.”
“Yes…”
Click.
The door closed.
Bunny looked around the small room.
No shining jewels!
No beautiful flowing curtains!
“Sniff sniff… weird smell.”
It smelled a little odd.
Still… it was her own room. In the orphanage, she always had to share with others, so this was actually better.
“Hmm.”
Bunny shook her head.
According to 28 Fairy Tales for Little Demon Children, future Demon Kings always grew up in harsh conditions.
Then a super strong demon father would find them.
Like I Thought I Was an Orphan, But I Was Actually a Princess?! or The Weakest Demon Turns Out to Be the Demon King?!
“A child destined for the Demon King must face trials!”
“Yes, trials!”
“Exactly. And with Luriel’s notebook, you can solve anything instantly!”
“Instant solve!”
“Good. So even without me, you must do well.”
Good children get head pats.
Bunny lightly patted her own head.
“Bunny… in trial mode!”
She sat down, placed her rabbit bag between her legs, and unzipped it.
Out came her Demon King bear doll, her dream-protecting rabbit Totto, and her piggy bank filled with coins.
She also pulled out her children’s kitchen knife, cutting board, Luriel’s notebook, and finally the cloth pouch she had received earlier.
She opened it.
Tink.
Only one gold coin rolled out.
“…The ducal house is stingy.”
Clink clink.
“I’m richer than them.”
She shook her piggy bank proudly.
Of course, her savings were mostly dull copper coins, while the ducal house used shining gold coins—but Bunny didn’t know that yet.
