Chapter 11

I overdid my role as the adopted daughter. After sending off the topic of the 011th episode, Viola sat on the sofa.

Tundra had collapsed and was breathing shallowly.

At first glance, it seemed like she could pass out at any moment.

'I need to make good use of the novel's setting.'

Tundra has two sides.

She feels a great fondness for the dominant side.

Tundra falls in love with the dominant side of Viola from the original story.

However, she always feels a lack in her heart.

Tundra, who had been abandoned by her mother, was in a state of affection deprivation that she herself was unaware of.

She yearns for a warm and benevolent side from Viola.

But in the original story, Viola didn't have such a side.

In the future, Tundra ends up being stabbed and killed by Viola.

The novel flows in a direction that is not beautiful for anyone.

Aerin thought it would be nice if this novel could take a more beautiful direction.

Tundra said softly.

"...0F?"

"What?"

"...Is that so?"

"What are you saying?"

"Really... Is that so?"

It won't be okay.

But I'll be there for you.

That's what she wanted to ask.

Before Viola could answer, Tundra fainted.

About three hours later.

Tundra regained consciousness.

"...What should I do now?"

You just need to grow up healthy and be on my side.

Just your existence will be a great help to me.

Later, I'll introduce you to Sir Hixon, and you'll become a Sword Master on your own.

Tundra came to a conclusion on her own.

"Didn't you say you need a loyal dog outwardly?"

"Yes."

"Should I call you 'Master'?"

"Yes. That would be better."

Tundra fell into thought for a moment, then nodded.

"Alright. I'll be your dog, Master."

She called herself a dog.

Although she was prepared mentally, hearing such words still felt awkward and uncomfortable.

'This is a fantasy world, after all.'

In the world of "Vellatus's Shadow," this was considered a bit of affection.

On the other hand, Tundra adapted to the situation very quickly.

She continued speaking with an expression and tone devoid of emotion.

"I'll bark if you tell me to, I'll show my belly if you tell me to, and I'll lick your feet if you tell me to. I'll be your dog."

No, wait a minute.

I never said anything to that extent, right?

Why would you lick my feet, that's disgusting!

"Keep your promise, then."

"What promise?"

"Even though it's not okay, the promise to be by my side."

Viola glanced at Tundra.

She couldn't look for long.

It hurt too much.

It reminded her of the broken Hanjun, and she couldn't look for long.

"Promise... Keep it."

Tundra's eyes were red-rimmed.

The desire to just have someone by her side, no matter who it was, was clear.

Viola understood this well.

Viola finally answered.

"Formality. Make sure of it. Habits are important."

Tundra nodded and, displaying the insight of a male lead, answered in a way befitting a male lead.

"Yes, I'll be Master's dog and help in swallowing Vellatus."

"Tomorrow. Let's go to your father."

She instructed Zexon to prepare a chrysanthemum.

***

In front of the dilapidated cabin.

Tundra swung a wooden club and shouted loudly.

"Get lost, you bastards!"

A bald eagle had found and was eating her father's corpse, somehow.

Tundra clung to her father's body and cried for a long time.

"You said you'd be by my side! Even if Mom abandoned me, you promised you wouldn't!"

She cried for a long time.

Viola didn't comfort her much.

She just let her be.

No comfort would reach her now.

Hanjun had done the same.

Instead of offering hollow comfort, he just stayed by her side.

It had been a pillar of support for the young Aerin.

Viola approached Tundra.

She just stayed by her side.

Tundra, kneeling, cried for a long time before looking up at Viola.

Seeing his tear-streaked, snot-covered face, Viola felt a pang in her heart and looked away.

"Master."

"Why?"

"Can you hug me?"

Viola's body twitched.

'With that face.'

With Hanjun's face.

With Hanjun's body.

Don't say such pitiful things.

'You're not my brother.'

But she couldn't refuse.

She approached Tundra and gently embraced her.

She patted her back.

Twelve-year-old Tundra was much taller than seven-year-old Viola.

Viola felt like she had become the young Aerin.

Thump.

Her heart thumped.

'Huh?'

But it was far from a rational feeling.

'Again.'

Her consciousness became hazy again.

It seemed that looking at Tundra's eyes for too long or having physical contact with her caused this phenomenon.

' "Dizzy... dizzy... dizzy." '

Zexon, who had been quietly watching from behind, noticed.

'Again, the real appearance!'

Viola's eyes were tinged with red.

Zexon felt a bit excited seeing this.

'If she were to practice, she could stab the toy's neck at any time.'

Viola seemed to be practicing.

The murderous intent in her eyes proved it.

Her eyes were filled with deep murderous intent and curiosity.

They looked like the eyes of someone happily pondering how to stab and kill effectively.

'Really like Vellatus.'

Extremely like Vellatus, yet sometimes not like Vellatus at all.

'As an adopted daughter, she must be different. She's not of pure blood.'

Viola's actions were anticipated.

It was amazing how naturally she could change her mask.

At that age, to have such a mask and such social skills.

Tundra dug the ground with her own hands.

Even though her hands bled, she didn't care.

She laid her father deep in the ground.

She buried him deeply so that wild animals couldn't dig him up again.

Tundra bowed her head in front of her father's grave.

"Dad."

Naturally, there was no answer.

"Thank you for being by my side all this time."

Her father was poor, but he was a proud father to Tundra.

"Don't worry. Someone else will be by my side now. The Lady, they say."

Viola offered a chrysanthemum.

Tundra took the chrysanthemum.

She wiped her tears bravely and placed the chrysanthemum in front of her father's grave.

"I'm leaving now. Thank you for all your hard work.

Don't work hard anymore. Rest in peace in heaven."

***

Viola and Tundra returned to the room.

"Zexon."

Zexon opened the door and entered.

"Did you call, Lady Viola?"

"This dog. I don't like her."

She pointed at Tundra with her finger.

Tundra's body twitched.

"Should I kill her now?"

"Give her a room and feed her warm food."

Tundra's condition wasn't very good. Even considering that this world was less abundant than Earth.

Tundra probably hadn't eaten properly and had grown up.

She was the daughter of a poor hunter.

"Huh?"

"If my dog is like this, it will lower my dignity."

Viola laughed lightly.

Her expression was elegant and dignified.

That's how Zexon saw it.

"Everything I have must be beautiful. Even if it's just a toy."

So eat well and get your strength back.

If you look like you're about to die with Hanjun's face, it will annoy me.

It felt strange.

Wasn't this the kind of line that side male leads would say, like "I picked you up, eat or don't eat"?

Did she become a tsundere?

"Zexon, do you understand?"

"Yes, that's a good line."

Zexon was convinced. It was impressive.

The line that everything she had must be beautiful.

Even if it's just a toy.

It was so Vellatus.

He bowed deeply.

"I understand, Lady Viola Vellatus."

There seemed to be a strange emphasis on 'Vellatus,' but Viola didn't pay much attention.

A few hours passed.

'It's about time.'

Bichen would be lying on the ground, groaning after being beaten.

Tundra needed to be on her side, but Bichen also needed to be on her side.

The road ahead was long.

She headed to Bichen's room.

But there, an unexpected person was waiting for Viola.

Standing with the bloodied and fallen Bichen at her feet.

'Burning red hair. Viper-like eyes.'

Pale skin.

Bright red lips, as if she had just eaten a rat.

An eerie, witch-like atmosphere.

Yet, strangely beautiful.

Viola immediately recognized who this woman was.

"Lady Isabella, the Countess."

The power behind the house.

The Countess who held the second most power and influence after Count Heron.

In a political marriage with her father, Heron.

There was no love between them, but they were loyal to each other.

"You must be Lady Viola."

"Hello, Lady Isabella."

"To recognize me at once. You must have studied hard."

Viola bit her lip without realizing it.

It felt like a giant venomous snake was staring at her.

If she didn't pull herself together, she might faint and fall right there.

Indeed, this was a fantasy world.

A place where a single glance could make someone faint. A world of murderous intent, mana, and magic.

'I can't be outdone in气势.'

She hardened her resolve.

If she appeared weak here, it would be the end.

"Yes, the Vellatus family is quite wild."

"You have a good understanding."

Lady Isabella's lips curved into a smile.

"Is it because you're from the slums? You seem quite perceptive."

She sighed, looking at the fallen Bichen.

"My son is kind, but he lacks ruthlessness. Perhaps it's because he grew up like a delicate flower in a noble family."

"From the slums. A commoner of unknown lineage, yet you speak so elegantly about not fitting with your noble son."