Several years passed.

Every year, Elliotte's growth photos are submitted. In the beginning, there wasn't much hair, but now much enough to tie 'em up high on both sides of her head

'...aren't they getting late ?'

Occasionally, everytime the photo arrived, I'll put a mark on calendar. But the deliveries became less and less frequent, and some time passed.

'There should be photos that coming since last month, but why there's still no news...'

Was my family destroyed, so they can't even send pictures? That old fart had mountain of wealth, no matter how fallen the family, he shouldn't be late.

"Did you call me, General?"

"Yeah. Where's the photo-"

"Yes?"

"..."

"General?"

"It is nothing"

Enzo made an astonished face, 'Photo? what photo... do you want my photo? '

Enzo's face turned pale. Even though he doesn't really understand, he doesn't forget that last year, when he was made to run around the campsite 30 laps because he didn't know what he did wrong.

'Gosh, you don't like to see my face in person that much'

No.

My mother said I was very charming~

'Is that the General's taste?!'

I shook my head. My hair hasn't changed much, I just styled my eyebrows. It will take some work to suit the General's taste in my own way...

"You're have that much time to idling?"

This time Enzo ran around the camp 40 laps

.

So for the past few weeks, Still no photos coming, and Daymond is in a bad mood.

However-

"General! There is a message from the Main Castle!"

"What happen?"

"They say Young-Miss awakened her ABILITY, and she was transferred from #12 Tower to the Main-Castle"

'That crazy old fart'

The old man would have no idea how dangerous the environment was for a child without a guardian. Especially if it was a child that attracted Duke Astra's attention, the brothers & sisters eyes would fall on her.

This made me feel uneasy for several months.

Then one day, the summon back order was given by the Old Fart..

"Will the general fall back before the war is over?"

"If we break through the Herium Wall now, we can also raiding the enemy camp, we can win this"

"That's right, returning to this state would be a shame"

"Yes, after all they still want your death. Who would let their son continue to goes on war for 5 years long"

Everyone thought Daymond would refuse The Order.

However

"Pack up. We're heading back to Astra"

"HUH?!"

Enzo and the other Lieutenants talked him to thinking it all over, but Daymond stood his ground.

This is because I've been on the battlefield for too long. It wasn't that I couldn't stay calm after hearing that my daughter was transferred to the Main-Castle.

So I returned to the Castle.

And...

"Quickly apologize"

"..."

"Didn't you hear me!"

I saw Decones screaming at the kid, who couldn't even lift her head. The baby only clenched her tiny fists in front of Decones.

Blonde hair that looks like him, eyes that are red like him. But unlike me, the little squirrel seems too fragile.

When I got here, I thought I wouldn't care. She was born from an accident, but I don't want to follow in my father's footsteps. So let's be a correct-parents.

Those were my thoughts on the way back.

But,

"You still making that kind of piggy-squeak, Decones"

I don't know what made me so angry.

Maybe because of the small hands that tightly gripped her skirt.

Because her big eyes were filled with fear.

I was upset that this three-year-old had already learned what fear was.

That must be it… She looks just like the young me. Maybe that's the reason.

That night, when Decones' carriage returning to its own jurisdiction, it got ambushed. There are rumors the culprit is 3 meters tall.

And since that day...

"Fathwer!"

The kid keeps visiting.

I didn't know how to behave in front of her, so I never approached her first, but the baby kept decreasing the distance between us.

The first time I came to the barracks, she clung to my leg like a cricket.

'Is She that scared?'

Running past the soldiers who'll never get rid of the enemy's blood, coming towards me who was no better than them, but found the others more scary.

Visiting after breakfast, again after lunch, and again after dinner, and... always came alone every day.

'From that baby's view, maybe I'm kind of person she must greet'

And strangely I act like my father. Just leave her be as far as my eye can see.

"Humm humm humm "

The baby was lying on her stomach, lay on the rug in my Office, and she was reading a book while humming.

'Doesn't she get bored by just reading?'

She looked like an ordinary 3 year old who was always on high spirits

'Can she write my name?'

Mon-Duk-y

'...'

however, only two letters are correct

'judging by her inteligent growth rate, she does similiar to me...'

I was impressed and kept thinking about her. I kept watching everything she did in front of me.

But what going in the head of the Old fart, made us climbing Mount Hadix together. I don't want her follow me til this place and it's better to stay quiet in the shade. Waiting in the Castle isn't too bad either. Why are you even chasing me all the way here?

When I approached her, she jumped.

"Father!"

What made her look so happy.

What should I say.

There's nothing interesting about me, she should just act normally.

"...I see you keep following me"

The baby's eyes rounded. And after hesitating for a while, she spoke carefully, "Father, annoyed...?"

"..."

"I will just watch Father quietly, furom distance, won't bother you."

"..."

"i see for a seconds, then go"

'What made you like me so much?'

Daymond couldn't find the words to reply, so he shut his mouth this time too.

Even when fighting monsters, he couldn't help but worry about the baby.

The moment the Knight dropped the Cleansing Stone. The baby ran towards the cliff with her small body and curled up on the Cleansing Stone. She didn't care about herself being trampled by monster claws.

I shouldn't take my eyes off of her for a second. Even after crushing the monster that attacked the child into pieces, my anger still not subside.

"You, what are you thinking-!"

"I catch it"

"..."

"The Stone you need, I got them"

"..."

"Now I'm not annoying right...?"

This kid is stupid, stupid, very stupid.

Why

Why did you do it

What kind of father do you think I am, who never even greets you back every time you approaching?

This is a very strange feeling.

I finally understand it as I hugged the trembling child.

'so apparently...-'

This is called affection.

Maybe this is what I endured for a long time, until the day I could meeting you.

"Father..."

Daymond was startled when he saw his hand unknowingly settle on top of the child's head.

"How do you feel"

"...", The little girl fiddled with her two little hands and asked carefully, "Father"

"...yes"

"Elliottee can stay with, Father?"

"..."

I don't know how many times I have to convince this kid. I looked at her and slowly opened my mouth.

"Uh-huh"

"..."

"Sure, Elliotte"

We can be family and share our affection endlessly from now on.

I stroked that warm cheek.

The warmth seeps into my chest.

That crying child is so adorable at the same time it breaks my heart.

...

..

.

When I woke up, I was tossing and groaning. I'm not fully recover yet.

'But it doesn't hurt too much anymore... Eh'

When I opened my eyes, the first thing I saw was a strong and bulky chest. When I looked up, there's a piece of art, a handsome man bathe by sunlight.

'Oh right, I slept with Father'

It must be uncomfortable for Father who has long legs to get into the children's bed.

'It must have been hard taking care of me all night'

Every time I woke up in the morning, Father already beside me.

Even when I was fighting cancer, no one looked after me at night. My mother just sleeps like a log.

'To be more precise, I serve her'

I don't know how many times I've been in and out of the convenience store to buy her necessities.

But...

'Now I have someone who really takes care of me'

There is a strong desire to announce it wherever I go.

I lay on my stomach and watch my Father's face.

'This is my father'

Not a stepfather who discriminated against me after having a younger sibling, but a real father.

I covered my mouth with my small hand because I felt my giggles may coming out.

Then-

"How do you feel", a hoarse voice coming out. Father slowly opened his eyes and looked at me.

"already better"

"Why don't you just lay down again?"

"I woke up, so Father can rest"

I got up and patted Father's side, as he lay right next to me and took care of me.

Father chuckled and got up "Judging by your strength, it seems everything is fine now"

"Yeah"

"Let's fill your tummy"

Father carried me and went down to the ground floor. The gloomy faces of the maids who were cleaning brightened upon seeing us. So were the workers and soldiers in the Castle.

"Our Young-Miss"

"Oh, Furball-!"

...Why are they like this?

I was confused by the flipping-atmosphere.

After watching over me all night, Father told me to go to the Dining Room first while he was going to wash up, so I jumped down from his arms.

After confirming Father was far enough, Heidi approached with quick steps. There is a bouquet of flowers in her hand.

"I collected it from the garden. hope you'll recover soon"

Betty was also excited, "From today and so on. We will be in charge of clean your room!"

"James said he bought a painting from Isthal. It's a known-painting to help sick people recover faster"

"I'm Cali from the kitchen, and this is Lizzy from the laundry-"

As I tried to remember their names, the maids gave me their unwavering attention from the walls side and pillars. Their faces looked like they were about to cry.

"...?", I tilted my head and wondered, "Are they going to follow me around?"

"Of course! Young-Miss is adorable, beautiful, and-"

"You are our heroes!"

'OH'

They must be so grateful that I kicked out Mrs Rachel. Because she is kind of person who whipped those around her like they were horses.

'I'm worried but another things now'

Some people can't tell the difference between admires and respects

Still, I receive the flowers from Heidi, "Thank you"

"Oh Cute!"

"What a Cutie!"

...but it's a lil annoying. Even while walking to the Dining Room, I continued to receive unwavering stares.

But does the Castle remain messy? not only because of lack of personel, the remaining maids also had to keep their eyes on every corner of the Castle?

'Wthout the Head-buttler, Castle household can't run properly'

Manager's absence.

And half of the workers were laid off.

'So what happen to Michelan?'

As I sat at the table in deep thought, Father entered the Dining Room.

His hair was damp, water still streaming down his face, with the back of his neck showing and a few buttons loose.

The faces of the waiterswho delivering food become funny. Some of the stewards faces also turned red as they hugged their trays.

Hngg? What's with the male servant?

'...they also can't escape his charm, huh'

Not long after, the food being served. Father and I sat down facing each other and started eating.

The food is easy to consume, they're a porridge and grilled vegetables. I'm so excited to see the roasted-peppers. Peppers are the enemy of children, but I've dealt with them in the Main Castle.

While eating green peppers, I looked at Dad's plate.

The menu is the same. The Grilled Vegetables were clean but there was some Broccoli left.

"Father doesn't eat bwocolii?"

Father's hands are shaking. After a moment of silence, Father said, "...its not like that"

"Father don't like it?"

"...I like broccoli"

Then Dad put broccoli into his mouth. For some reason, his chin was shaking like a machine.

"...see, I like it"

"There's still one more"

"...", Father looked at the rest of the broccoli with a piercing gaze.

He picked up his broccoli and after a few moments stuck it in his mouth, chewing like a machine again.

'Did he kept it for the end coz he liked it so much?'

I scooped three broccoli off my plate and chop, chop, chop, and put them to Father's plate.

"There's a lot!"

"...uhm"

Seeing Father eat what I gave, it made me feel happy.

'This is my first time doing that kind of thing', making my chest tingly.

It was then- Enzo entered the Dining Room, with documents in hand, "There is a request for equipment replacement...OH NO! The general eating broccoli...!"

"Quiet"

Enzo opened and closed his mouth.

Father's mood soured for some reason.

Enzo placed his documents in front of Father with a pale face.

"Ah, I have researched what you are looking for. about the medicine Michelan gave to Young-Miss."

"Right"

"It's an epilepsy drug"

"For Ability-awakening?"

"Yes"

If it was manifestation fever, it was referring to the fever that a noble family's infant caught in the process of ability-awakening.

'Why did they give me those drug?'

Will that work... ...HUH?

'If what I'm suffering from is manifestation-fever...'

My grip on the spoon tightened as Father and Enzo continued their conversation. Epilepsy or seizures will usually happen before the Gates of Heaven close.

"...Yes, even though Young Miss has already awakened her Ability.."

No. Others might think my Ability is Reading Ancient Languages, but it's not. I don't have an Ability.

In that case...

'I've been having seizures which means I could have got an Ability!'

I jump down, "I'm done. I'm going to my room~!"

"Yes"

After greeting Father and Enzo, I returned to my room in a hurry. I made sure no one was in the room and locked the door. And I look through the books in my library

'The last time I saw it….ah, here it is'

I opened the book titled The Begining of Ability-Awakening

[-There are hundreds of types of Ability/Blessings in the Noble families. There were several sub-types from offensive-type like Master Elemental to uncommon-type like Ability to Accurately Predict the Future.

Most of the Nobles inherited the same type of Ability as their parents, but there were also some who didn't show the unique type of Ability they possessed, so mostly couldn't be confirmed.

.

.

.

The method of developing Ability/Blessings by coming understanding mana-]

'Found it'

I never learned how to cultivate it because I didn't have any Ability. Once I'm being known to able use Read the Ancient Language-Ability, people thought I had naturally learned how to cultivate it.

So I had to follow the instruction in the book.

'First of all how to feel with mana within the body...'

And right at that moment, something happened.