Chapter 15
Back in her guest room, Lima let out a sigh and finally relaxed the tension she had been holding in.
“Ugh, I’m so exhausted.”
She flopped down onto the bed and soon broke into a proud smile, giggling softly.
“Wow, I really felt like a seven-year-old orphan just now!”
Lima kept replaying her acting performance over and over. If there were an award for acting in this world, she was sure she would win it.
Getting up from the bed, Lima took out a bundle of papers she had hidden under the desk drawer.
The reason I gave up trying to be close to the older brothers today…
She had written down the novel’s settings and important events as she remembered them.
To do this, she had gotten paper and a pen from the head maid.
She still vividly remembered the expression on the maid’s face when Lima showed her writing and said she was going to study using the book Ali lent her.
“Heh, I am kind of smart.”
From the moment she recalled her previous life, Lima understood the language of this world. Of course—she was the ‘writer’ and ‘god’ who created this world.
I have a reason to stay on the maid’s good side, too.
She poked at one of the novel settings she had written down with her finger.
The egg of the evil dragon Ather.
She had to get this in her hands and give it to the owner of the information.
Only then could she help heal his sick younger brother.
I have to make the owner of the information my ally first.
That way, no matter what she does later, no one would interfere.
The owner of the information, Delak, was curious about Lima despite being young, since she possessed a lot of information. Later, he would be eager to connect her with his younger brother.
I also know where the information storage is. I just need to make going out easier.
She just had to build good relations with the maids and tag along when they went shopping.
The egg of the evil dragon Ather belongs to the Mercenary King. Once I give the information, the information storage will send someone to fetch the egg.
Lima smiled brightly, looking forward to the day she could go out.
“Oh.”
She suddenly remembered another candidate for the male lead she had forgotten for a moment.
“I wonder if Re■ is doing well.”
Lima looked out the window and let out a deep sigh.
In the distance, beyond the dense forest, stood a large mansion—the Deiamor mansion where Ali, Rubens, and Re■ currently lived.
Worry crept into Lima’s eyes as she gazed at the mansion.
I hope he’s not getting hurt by a villainess.
The Deiamor family celebrated Areph’s new name.
“Your blonde hair really stands out. Want anything? I prepared something for you to play with,”
Uncle said.
“You have a wonderful name. Congratulations. You’re going to start studying now, right? Auntie can’t just sit still.”
Kaleo gave Areph a new toy as a gift. A few days later, he also got new riding clothes and boots.
Seletina gave Areph school supplies with his name on them. Not to be outdone, she also found a young pony necessary for riding.
Areph was flustered, having received hundreds of times more gifts than he could carry in his small arms.
Nibelia, watching nearby, said sharply,
“You should say thank you!”
“Th-thank you…”
“Oh, good boy.”
Nibelia ruffled Areph’s hair, praising him.
Kaleo, dumbfounded, said,
“…Nini’s becoming a teacher now.”
“Yeah. Nini’s Areph’s teacher.”
Not calling him a wolf anymore?
Kaleo thought that as he lightly patted his daughter’s head.
A few days later.
Areph put on the riding clothes he had received and headed to the mansion’s stable. Soles and Nibelia joined him, and the three were to receive riding lessons.
Soles, who had been learning to ride for several years, rode skillfully.
“Wow…!”
Areph’s eyes sparkled as he watched from outside the fence.
The horse’s mane fluttering at high speed, the muscles flexing with each gallop, and the relaxed rhythm between Soles and his horse.
“Do you want to ride too, Areph?”
The stable master chuckled and asked.
The Deiamor family had strictly instructed the employees to treat Areph, their family’s benefactor, with utmost care. The staff respectfully called him “Lord Areph” and treated Soles and Nibelia with equal courtesy.
“The horses are so cool…”
Areph answered with a flushed face.
He’s really shy.
He looked sharp like a prickly cat, but his words and actions were cautious like a timid rabbit.
“Nini’s cooler!”
On the other hand, Nibelia, with her gentle face but fresh energy every day, was lively and spirited as always.
“The young lady always looks healthy, which is good.”
“Without health, you’re just a corpse.”
“Hahaha! You’ve learned some great expressions. Ah, Soles is back now. It’s your turn, both of you.”
Soles, who had demonstrated riding, came up slightly out of breath.
Areph bravely said,
“That was cool. You ride very well.”
“Haha, thanks. How about you, Nini?”
“You were awesome! But if you let your guard down, you’ll break your neck and die.”
“Hmm, you’re worried about your brother, right? Not cursing me?”
“What’s a curse?”
“No, thanks for worrying. Now, both of you try riding.”
The stable master spoke to the two as they entered the fenced area.
“Lord Areph, first start by getting familiar with the horse.”
The stable master lifted Areph onto the saddle.
Surprised, Areph hurried to bend forward, but Soles, following, told him not to.
“It’s okay. Don’t worry, keep your back straight.”
“You’re right, my lord. Don’t worry, I’ll hold you well.”
And so, Areph’s first riding lesson began.
“…!”
Areph’s eyes widened along with his elevated view.
Though the higher perspective might have been scary, Areph showed no sign of fear.
He even wiggled his body, eager to ride faster.
“You want to go faster?”
“Yes.”
Areph answered without hesitation.
However, the stable master coolly said it was still too early.
“To ride like my lord, first you need to get healthy. And, as I said, you need to get familiar with the horse.”
After one lap, he suggested greeting the gifted pony.
Areph nodded eagerly.
Nibelia and Soles welcomed Areph back from his first riding lesson with applause.
Next was Nibelia’s turn.
“Venti.”
The horse Areph had just ridden stood before Nibelia. Its shiny brown fur gleamed in the sunlight.
Venti lowered its neck and met Nibelia’s eyes.
“Sit.”
Venti obediently bent its legs and lowered itself.
Nibelia climbed onto the saddle by herself with a grunt. Then, she stretched out her short arms and gently stroked Venti’s long neck.
“Good girl. Now, get up.”
Following the command, Venti slowly and carefully stood up.
Thanks to that, Nibelia maintained a stable posture.
“Let’s go!”
With a spirited shout, Nibelia and Venti ran around the riding ring twice.
“Hmm, Nini’s a bit of a special case.”
Soles explained to Areph, who looked amazed, thinking, “What did I just see?”
“Since long ago, horses have followed Nini well. When Nini was a baby, horses once escaped the stable and came all the way to the main building.”
That story of horses returning to the stable after seeing Nibelia’s baby face was treated almost like a legend.
Areph looked at Nibelia, who had run freely.
“Areph!”
The four-year-old who no longer called him a wolf, always acting like she was protecting him, approached with a bright smile and waved her arm.
“If you wave your arm, Nini will like it.”
Soles quietly suggested.
Areph looked at his hand for a moment, then lifted it about shoulder height and waved slightly.
Seeing this, Nibelia’s face bloomed with a sunshine-like smile.
Since Areph became part of the Deiamor household, an unexpected positive effect occurred.
Nibelia got into less trouble.
Treating Areph like her subordinate, she tried to behave in a cool, admirable way as the leader.
She was even fired up to study alongside Areph.
Thus, the adults held an emergency meeting.
“When the tide comes in, row your boat.”
Upon Muniel’s words, Ardores, Kaleo, and Seletina nodded grimly.
“We can’t let her do as she pleases forever. One spanking from the mage tower master’s butt was enough.”
“That guy deserves more,” Ardores replied gruffly.
But even he agreed on the importance of educating his granddaughter.
They could no longer let her keep proudly showing her wild look and blurting out whatever she wanted.
Kaleo offered the first suggestion.
“How about making her learn with Areph?”
Nibelia got motivated only when Areph was around, and Areph was more timid than expected. So it seemed better for the two to learn basic education together.
“But Nini’s only four, and there will definitely be gaps later. How about learning only certain subjects together?”
“Seletina’s right.”
Ardores agreed.
“The real issue is who will teach them…”
“Soles’s teachers would be too much, right?”
“No need to bring academy scholars to teach a couple of clueless kids.”
While pondering, Ardores suddenly remembered someone.
“I know a decent guy.”
And a few days later.
Mage tower master Magia entered the Deiamor mansion with a grumpy expression.
“Huh?”
Nibelia, playing with Areph in the front yard garden, jumped up.
“Ugly mage tower master!”
“You’re starting trouble as soon as you see me? Just like always…”
Mage tower master, who still rubbed his sore backside from the last spanking, froze. His gaze turned to Areph beside Nibelia.
“You… you…!”
Magia pointed at Areph and shouted.
“When did you get here…!”
Crunch!
Nibelia quickly bit that finger.
“Aah!”
Magia screamed.
Surprised, Areph hurriedly pulled Nibelia away.
“Haah! Haah!”
Nibelia bared her grain-like fangs and growled.
“No finger pointing! Don’t bully Areph!”
