Chapter 16

The feeling of stars embedded in the children's pitch-black eyes seemed to be there, but despite that, I was gradually getting annoyed.

Did Pierre say he didn't like kids? I guess I don't like them much either...

Honestly, it's probably because I've been harassed all day today.

"Is this the first impression?"

"Yeah. No. Don't tell your mom."

"I won't tell anyone, not even when I grow up and go to college!"

"Me neither!"

"Good, good, you're so considerate."

I waved my hand half-heartedly and put my foot on the stairs.

But as I took a step down, the twins spoke up again.

"Mr. Dolphin, is the staircase difficult?"

"Difficult?"

"No, it's not difficult."

Really, it's not difficult.

'Training with Dad must have helped a lot.'

I didn't just think it helped a little; it was quite impressive.

I didn't know I could throw an 8-year-old, who is 5 years older and almost twice my size, even though I can't even make water.

I thought it was a crazy training session without considering my age, but maybe I misjudged it.

Anyway, I'm strong enough that going down isn't hard, but the problem is my short legs.

'...The person who built these stairs definitely had no consideration for children!'

Just as I frowned, my body was suddenly lifted.

"Dolphin friends, help!"

"Help!"

"Mr. Dolphin is our friend from today!"

"Right! Classmates, classmates!"

When I looked down, the twins were holding my legs, one each, as if they were carrying a palanquin.

They must have been strong, like whale people.

Phew, while I was catching my breath, we arrived at the first floor in the blink of an eye.

I scratched my cheek and looked at the long corridor.

"Thanks."

'My principle is to remember favors and grudges clearly.'

"What are your names?"

Thanks to this, I stopped thinking it was just a passing interest and became interested.

Since I don't recognize their faces, they probably weren't from the previous episode.

"Ruga!"

"Ruba!"

"Together, Rugaruba!"

"Dubiduba?"

"Rugaruba!"

I smiled at the white whale children.

"Thanks, I'll count on you."

It seems I've acquired some cute subordinates.

* * *

I started feeling something was off as soon as I got in the carriage.

'What is it?'

The butler's expression, who was in the carriage with me, was strange.

At first, it seemed like he was looking at something awkward, but on closer inspection, his face was dripping with sweat, looking more than just uncomfortable.

When I stared at him, the butler cleared his throat and averted his gaze.

'Sure enough, something's off.'

The butler's attitude was subtle.

His actions and expressions.

Even his greeting when I got in the carriage.

"Welcome, Miss Calypso."

His expression was stiff, and his greeting was overly formal.

It looked more like he was too formal and stiff.

After staring at him, it wasn't hard to figure it out.

'Ah, did it reach Grandma's ears?'

As I mentioned earlier, the butler who brings me here is also a direct subordinate of Grandma.

Only now did I realize that all my actions and words had reached Grandma's ears.

'Yeah, I guess it had to reach her ears for this to happen.'

I rubbed my chin, smiled, and leaned back in the chair.

But that wasn't all that was surprising.

When I arrived in front of the building, there were unfamiliar people standing there.

I blinked.

'Who are these people?'

"Miss Calypso, do you still intend to stay in this building for a while?"

"Yeah."

This place is perfect for contacting Pierre.

"...Miss Calypso was supposed to move to the main castle, but you refused, so we decided to send support staff here instead."

"Support staff?"

"Yes, maids to serve Miss Calypso."

Only then did I realize who these women standing at the door were.

And why they were standing there so formally.

But all I could do was laugh.

'Ah, now they think it's time to show some favor?'

The fact that I went to a beginner class and skipped a grade on the first day must have already reached the main castle.

If they only took action now, it means my prediction that they would only show interest if I went to the top class was correct.

Of course, the guys above me are crazy and whale people, but if you ignore their personalities, they should be somewhat excellent and talented.

'But... the clothes the maids are wearing look more expensive than the walls of my building...'

The maids all had gentle faces.

To be precise, they were looking at me with curious expressions.

Most of them had bright faces, and no one seemed dissatisfied with the situation.

Phew, for them, it's like being suddenly exiled.

Maybe they're putting on a poker face.

I noticed someone standing alone, unsure of what to do, among the maids.

Misa.

A maid who was recently assigned here.

And a whale person with a talent for finding water sources.

"Well, it's nice to have you around... but I want to choose my own personal maid."

"Personal maid, you mean?"

"A nanny. A nanny. It seems you don't plan to assign one, but it's fine if I choose, right?"

"Um, yes, that's right, but..."

"Then I want her."

The butler looked flustered as he followed my finger.

I approached Misa, who was standing alone.

"Misa. You've been here from the beginning, and you've been a great support."

"Yes...?"

Of course, we only met a few days ago, but people can form a thousand years of bond in just a few days.

'Well, we didn't really talk much, though.'

Misa looked at me with a flustered expression, similar to the butler's.

I stopped her from saying anything with a gesture.

"I'm saying you're kind to me, good, and care for me. You also take good care of my 'meals.' Especially the meals."

"...Meals?"

"Yeah. Meals. You know, belugas and whale children are born weak."

That's why they're abandoned, right? They only raise the ones who survive.

"If you at least take care of their meals... wouldn't the ones with excellent physical strength and build survive? I believe the head of the family, Grandma, set such rules."

"That's correct."

"I was very hungry in my childhood... I almost couldn't show my talent to the head of the family."

This is something I would never say if I hadn't been recognized for my talent.

But there's a saying.

People can make impossible things possible when they have power.

It's not for nothing that politicians get priority treatment at hospitals.

If my status has changed in just a few days,

there's no need to let this opportunity go to waste.

'I don't plan to let the previous maid who starved and beat me go.'

The ones who come here are newborns who can't even speak or walk.

I absolutely won't let the maids who enjoyed abusing such children go unpunished.

"Who knows how many talented children have died here?"

"...Ahem, it's a regrettable matter, but the rule of the beluga family is that only the strong survive. You know that well."

I smiled.

"But, is enduring scalding baths, eating foul-smelling food, and suffering from diarrhea without medicine also part of the trials?"

Some of the maids listening to this turned pale.

Some covered their mouths.

Right? You've done these things too, haven't you?

"Is there someone who did such things?"

"Well, isn't that the main castle's responsibility?"

"..."

"Are you not curious about what I might say to Grandma when we meet someday?"

I probably won't see Grandma again unless I achieve something significant.

There's more I want to say.

"But I do plan to tell Dad. He's curious about how I've been."

"Pierre-sama?"

"Yeah. My dad."

I smiled brightly. I'll use everything I can.

"Ah, you knew I got into the top class at the educational institution, but you didn't know this?"

"..."

Of course, they wouldn't. If all my actions and words had leaked out,

surely my words about Dad would have leaked out too.

"Dad is very curious about me. He even thought about meeting me today."

"Miss Calypso."

"Yeah?"

"We will conduct an investigation."