Chapter 90

Oscar stood there with his mouth agape, and I laughed weakly.

"But I'll try not to look at Cheshire with strange eyes anymore…."

"Really?"

"Yes, really. I'll fold this feeling away and never tell anyone until I die. It's just the innocent heart of a seven-year-old child, after all…."

I wiped my nose and looked out the window, feeling bitter.

I seem to be quite emotional, don't I?

"You talk like an adult."

Because I am an adult….

"But do you really need to fold it away?"

"Huh?"

Oscar shrugged.

"If he's your father or something, and he's annoying, just kill him. You can do anything, can't you?"

"Ah!"

I was so surprised that I slapped Oscar's thigh.

"Ouch."

"You can't say things like that to a child!"

"Are you a child?"

"Yes, I am! I'm seven years old!"

"You're unbelievable."

"Master, please only give me educational advice from now on."

I sighed and added,

"And do you think it's that easy? Using my power drains my life force. I want to live a long life with Dad."

"Your will to live is admirable."

"To be honest, my power is really useless. Whenever I try to do something, it costs a lot of life force."

"What kind of magic requires so much life force?"

"Well, for example."

I held up the bracelet on my right wrist and asked,

"But I really like this. How did you make it?"

"It's an existing item, but I modified it so you could use it. It's a magical tool that resonates with the wearer's core. It tells you how much mana is leaving your core when you use your power."

"Oh! So, can you see the bar here, Master?"

"No, I can't see it either."

"I see."

I sighed and thought,

'How to break Oscar's seal?'

-

The bracelet only showed one bar.

I had already tried several times to break the poor Oscar's seal.

"The bar is only showing one line right now…. I guess even if I use all my life force, it won't work…."

"What kind of magic is it?"

"I can't say, but Master is smart, so you can guess. I was thinking about Master."

"Ah."

Oscar seemed to have figured it out and smiled, resting his chin on his hand.

"Even if Grandfather Primera came, it wouldn't work."

"I'm sorry. I'm really useless."

"Why go that far?"

"But!"

Feeling dejected, I soon shouted,

"Even the Emperor can't do what I can't do!"

I laughed slyly.

I had learned a lot from experimenting with the bracelet.

"Oh, I have a question."

Oscar asked just then.

"How much life force does it take to cast a subservience spell on your father? What exactly is required for the Emperor to be so interested but unable to do anything…?"

"Ahem."

That's exactly it.

I looked at the bracelet.

282 years

"282 years."

"What?"

Oscar's mouth dropped open.

"So, does it make you age 141 years at a time? Wow, almost instant death."

"Yes! Now no one can touch my dad. He's the strongest in the world!"

Hooray! Oscar chuckled at my excitement.

* * *

After the lesson—really, we did cubic functions—Master Oscar left with a chuckle.

"Ha ha ha! If you don't want to be in the papers for forbidden love, keep a tight rein on yourself! Congratulations in advance on getting a big brother!"

Is that supposed to be advice?

He's definitely the most annoying person I know.

'Ha.'

Lilith Rubinstein, seven years old.

It's so bitter to have to fold away a heart that hasn't even been unfolded….

"Lilith."

At that moment, Cheshire's voice from beside me made me stiffen.

We were waiting for Dad in his office….

"Uh-huh."

Turning my stiff neck, I saw Cheshire staring at me intently.

"Why, why?"

Thump, thump, thump.

Did it get worse because I noticed?

My heart felt like it was going to jump out of my mouth.

"You…."

Cheshire suddenly reached out his hand toward me.

"Ah, ah!"

I flinched and moved away.

Cheshire, with his hand still outstretched, blinked.

"Why, why are you doing that?"

"You ate your hair."

"Huh?"

Feeling my lips, I found indeed.

A strand of hair.

I quickly pulled it out and sat up straight.

I could still feel Cheshire's gaze on me.

Boom, boom, boom.

'Why is this happening?'

I felt like my racing heart could be heard by Cheshire.

I had no choice but to stand up and sit on the opposite sofa.

Cheshire was still staring at me intently.

"Lilith."

"Uh-huh."

"Are you angry with me?"

"No?"

"But why?"

"What?"

"You just avoided me."

"No, I didn't."

"..."

"Really, I didn't…. I just moved because it was cramped."

Cheshire clearly didn't believe me but didn't ask further.

'Oh, I'm sorry. I can't help it. You said you wanted to be a family with me…'

I blamed Cheshire in my heart.

If only my mental age had been adjusted to match my memories from my past life, it would have been better.

Then I wouldn't have noticed Cheshire, who is eleven.

'I hate being seven…. It's so annoying…'

But my body felt like a seven-year-old unless I concentrated and recalled my past life.

I was helpless against a peer with a handsome face who unconsciously flirted….

"Ha."

I sighed.

Noticing my discomfort with his gaze, Cheshire turned his head.

He's so handsome….

'Why did the author make the main characters' faces so handsome when there's no romance?'

Just as I was thinking this pointless thought,

"Kids!"

Dad arrived just in time.

"Did you wait long? I had to visit Grandfather."

Dad patted my cheek and sat down beside me.

Nothing else caught my eye.

Just the paper in Dad's hand.

That's the adoption document.

Once Cheshire's name is added, it will take effect….

'Ah!'

I clutched my cheeks and screamed inwardly.

Lilith Rubinstein, ten minutes before becoming the protagonist's sibling.

"Cheshire, the reason I called you here. Well."

Dad chose his words carefully.

"Actually, your father came by earlier."

"Yes, I know."

"Huh? You know?"

"Yes, Dad. The Duke came to our training ground and said he was taking Cheshire."

As soon as I told him, Dad frowned.

"Are you kidding?"

Dad closed his eyes tightly, suppressing his anger, then turned back to Cheshire.

"Right. He even came to see you in person. Tell me."

"..."

"Do you want to go back home?"

"No."

Cheshire's immediate answer made Dad smile.

"Good. Then let's continue living with Uncle and Lilith. How about it?"

Cheshire glanced at me for a moment.

Then he nodded.

"Yes."

"Ha ha ha ha!"

Dad laughed out loud and placed the adoption document on the table.

'Ah!'

I turned my eyes away.

How did it come to this?

At first, when I brought Cheshire home, I only intended to be siblings!

I had resolved to be a good family for the lonely and hurt Cheshire!

"What is this?"

Cheshire looked at the adoption document blankly and asked.

"Right now, I'm your guardian. If your biological father claims custody, I can't help. I would have to send you back home."

Cheshire's gaze, which had been fixed on the document, suddenly lifted.

To me.

I was startled.

'What? Why such a surprised look? I hinted at being a family earlier, didn't I?'

Did he not expect the adoption process to move so quickly?

"You can't receive a title yet, so you need the family name and legal guardian."

"…Are you saying you'll give me your family name? That I'll become your son?"

Dad hesitated, seemingly not pleased with Cheshire's reaction.

Then he looked at me.

I met Dad's gaze.

'What? Is there something wrong with our family?'

'I don't know?'

We communicated with our eyes.

Dad laughed awkwardly and turned back to Cheshire.

"Why the expression? Don't you want to?"

"..."

Cheshire was silent.

He just stared at a spot.

Right at me.

Dad, sensing Cheshire's intense gaze, looked back and forth between us.

"Cheshire?"

When Dad urged him for an answer, Cheshire finally spoke.

Looking at me.

"Family…."

Family?

"Are you talking about this family?"

"Huh?"

So, is this family a family, and that family a family too?

"Ah."

Cheshire seemed confused, covering his eyes and bowing his head, taking a deep breath.

Then, after a long moment, he stood up.

"Thank you for your concern, Uncle. But I don't think it will work."

"Huh?"

"I don't want to be your son. And I don't want to be Lilith's brother either."

"What?"

Dad's mouth slowly opened.

He seemed quite shocked by Cheshire's firm answer.

The same look he gave when I once shouted, "I'm not your daughter!"

Of course, I was also stunned.

"I'm sorry."

"Wait! Cheshire!"

Cheshire left, leaving those words behind, as if running away.