Chapter 21

I overdid the role of the adopted daughter, Chapter 21. Viola answered resolutely.

"Yes. Justifiable self-defense."

Though she spoke with conviction, the pronunciation of "justifiable self-defense" was slightly off.

It seemed to be a bit difficult for a seven-year-old with the growth of a nearly five-year-old.

Suddenly, Carlton's words came to mind.

"Perhaps it's because she didn't eat properly, her growth was very slow."

Suddenly, her small stature and large eyes came into view.

For some reason, her heart ached.

Heron pronounced it again.

"Justifiable self-defense."

"Jeong-dang-bang-i."

"Justifiable self-defense."

Viola noticed what Heron was doing.

She pursed her lips.

She put strength into her tongue.

"Jeong-dang-bang-i!"

She couldn't overcome the physical limitations.

"Pronounce it correctly. Justifiable self-defense."

"Jeong. Dang. Bang. I."

Damn!

The pronunciation was still incorrect.

Meanwhile, Zennon doubted his own eyes.

'His Highness... is faintly smiling?'

Though very faint, he was smiling.

Zennon's sharp eyes caught it, but he couldn't understand why.

Heron said again.

"Justifiable self-defense."

"Jeong-dang-bang-hi!!!"

Viola was irritated.

Though she looked expressionless, she wanted to punch his philtrum for pronouncing it so annoyingly.

'If I did, my neck would be on the line, right?'

Still, her irritation soared.

Even when she spoke other words, her pronunciation was slightly off, but it was especially noticeable with "justifiable self-defense."

'Is it because of this underdeveloped body?' Her eyes met Heron's.

His eyes were slightly smiling.

That subtle smile gave her, Han Ah-reum at 21, a strange sense of defeat.

Her face turned slightly red without her noticing.

'Ugh.'

She never thought she would be mocked for her pronunciation in her 21 years of life.

An indescribable sense of shame rose from her toes to her head.

"Rude, and poor pronunciation. You even exude a killing aura."

Actually, Heron wasn't annoyed.

On the contrary, he was more satisfied by the killing aura.

Bella is supposed to be like that.

If she hadn't exuded a killing aura when she felt mocked, he would have been disappointed.

But Viola was startled.

This body must have unconsciously exuded a killing aura again.

She regained her composure.

The killing aura that had leaked out disappeared on its own.

"Good at controlling your killing aura."

Heron misunderstood in a very common-sense way.

She's a good child who can control her own killing aura, he thought, recalling Zennon and Hixon's words.

'She's very Bella, but also not very Bella.'

She can't hide her intense desire for the cold persimmon.

Yet, she can thoroughly conceal her persistent killing aura.

All of this must be a thoroughly calculated performance.

The occasional burst of killing aura.

Her innocent eyes.

Her barely suppressed instinct for slaughter.

That must be her true self.

I like that, Viola.

But it was strange.

Her plump, pale cheeks kept coming to mind.

'Not because of her cute appearance.'

Perhaps her etiquette training was still lacking.

There was orange persimmon juice around her lips again.

She didn't know why it kept getting stuck there and she kept eating it.

'Do you understand?'

Trying so hard to eat with those tiny hands.

The way she held the fork tightly was terribly awkward.

Her Bella-like qualities were overshadowed by these things.

It was really strange.

***

At dawn, the sky began to brighten, and the early birds started chirping.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

A loud knocking sound, out of place in the peaceful morning, echoed. There were few people who could knock on the princess's door so roughly.

The door was shattered.

It was none other than Hixon.

"Uncle, was that a knock?"

"That wasn't... a knock."

Hixon laughed awkwardly.

"I couldn't control my strength."

"Control your strength?"

Apparently, Hixon hadn't practiced for the past three years and hadn't activated his mana. After living like that for three years, he had just started practicing again. Because of the sudden activation of his mana, he couldn't control his strength these days.

"War hero, right?"

Hixon patted his belly.

He had a serious case of abdominal obesity from drinking too much.

"Three years is enough time for a person to fall apart."

"To fix it?"

"A month will be enough."

Viola nodded.

"Fix it quickly."

Hixon walked over and sat in a chair.

"Viola, thanks to you, I think I've found a clue."

"Good."

It was enough to just get him started.

That man was once a hero on par with Duke Heron, and he would do well on his own.

"But."

"Hmm?"

"Did Heron scold you for being rude, having poor pronunciation, and exuding a killing aura?"

"Yes."

Hixon looked at Viola with amusement.

"You don't seem like that, but Heron was always a warm-hearted guy."

"I know."

"That guy... you know?"

Hixon looked bewildered.

"He only scolded you? He didn't say anything warm at all?"

"Yes."

In Viola's heart, a deep affection for her favorite character welled up.

He's my favorite character.

Even if he's criticized, I'll criticize him.

Hixon continued to look bewildered.

"That's Heron Bella."

"I know."

"But how do you know?"

"Just by looking."

Our favorite character keeps a cute hedgehog.

He's kinder than you think. He's a bit scary, but Hixon was flabbergasted.

"Why are you so confident? Why are your eyes so self-assured? I don't know why, but it's kind of annoying."

"Why? Can't I be confident?"

"Especially, why are you so sincere?"

"Because I am sincere."

"Ah, that's true?"

Hixon scratched the back of his head.

"Still, it's like you're defending your father."

He looked unhappy, but he wasn't really.

On the contrary, he was enjoying it.

Viola spoke again.

"So, why are you talking about my father?"

"That guy... seems to have an interest in you."

"Yes."

"Huh? That's your reaction?"

"He adopted me because he was interested, right?"

"You were adopted by the strongest duke in the continent, and you're receiving the attention of the great Winter City Lord, Heron Bella. Your reaction is too bland. Something like, 'Oh! Wow! Amazing!' or 'I was adopted by such a noble family!' or 'The famous Lord of Winter City is my father!' A bit more... what. A bit more of those rich, childlike emotional expressions. Is it strange that I expect that from a seven-year-old?"

Viola frowned slightly.

She met Hixon's eyes.

"I don't want a violent father."

Indifference is also a form of violence.

Especially in this wild ecosystem.

Hixon's expression suddenly brightened.

"Of course, right?"

Hixon looked somewhat pleased.

It felt like he had won against Heron.

"Um, yeah. A violent father would be no good."

It had been a long time.

The feeling of winning against Heron.

"I'll protect you. I'll be there for you. I'll be the adult you need."

"Get rid of your belly fat first."

"…What?"

"You'll hit your belly with your sword."

Hixon laughed awkwardly.

He couldn't refute that because it was true.

He changed the topic.

"Where are the four beasts I need to train?"

***

Viola leaned against the door.

The first meeting between Tundra and Hixon.

If it's the same as in the novel, they'll have a showdown.

Tundra doesn't want to lose to anyone, and Hixon dislikes such brats.

She watched to see if it would unfold as in the novel.

It seemed that Viola wasn't the only one interested.

Zennon, standing next to Viola, also watched with great interest.

"Sir Hixon as a trainer. I never expected it."

"He looks bad, but he's a good trainer."

A voice was heard.

Tundra seemed to dislike Hixon.

"Are you my trainer?"

Actually, Tundra was incredulous.

She had expected someone impressive as a great sword instructor.

But suddenly, a pot-bellied uncle appeared.

He was in good shape, but not the person she had imagined.

Tundra looked at Viola.

"Didn't you say I should learn swordsmanship for your sake?"

Her voice was full of anger.

Beneath her anger, there was a deep sense of frustration.

'I wanted to become a fine guard dog and stand by the princess's side.'

To do that, she wanted to learn swordsmanship.

She wanted to be by the side of the person who had reached out to her.

She wanted to be a pet dog and tried hard.

'But this treatment...'

It felt like her newly formed dream was being crushed.

Hixon couldn't be seen as a good sword instructor at all.

His complexion was poor, and he smelled of alcohol.

His body was untrained.

A body that was as broken down as possible. He looked like a drunkard.

"You said I should sharpen my teeth."

Tundra bit her lip slightly.

"You said I was a toy. Are you treating me like this? Was I just a toy?"

Was being a pet dog too luxurious for me?

The past few days, I was really excited.

She gritted her teeth.

Hixon shook his head.

"Your attitude towards adults is terrible."

"Adult?"

"From the beginning, you need to relearn how to talk to adults."

Hixon chuckled.

"I'm very strict with my students."

Hixon turned around.

"Brat, from now on, it's time for the dog and the trainer. Can you move aside?"

"Why?"

"It's going to be a harsh time."

"Uncle, you look excited."

"I like guys who have that look in their eyes."

Heron used to have that look.

Now he's like a weasel, hiding his cunning and bravery, but he didn't use to be.

He was just like this boy.

"My old friend comes to mind."

Viola hit the nail on the head.

"You don't have friends, Uncle."

"How do you know?"

"You look like someone who doesn't have many friends."

"That's a heart-wrenching statement. I had a glorious past."

"You kicked that past away with your feet."

"Still, you have a talent for hitting the mark."

Viola's words were all correct.

She unexpectedly hit the mark.

Hixon, who had been hit, found this conversation enjoyable.

"But I believe you."

"In what?"

"You'll be a decent adult for her."

At that, Hixon coughed loudly.

Viola's words sharply pierced his heart.

If my daughter had been alive, I would have been a good father.

I would have been a decent adult.

'It's not too late, even now.'

Viola delivered the final blow.

She had nagged about his belly fat for this.

"And if you lose the belly fat, you might look a bit cooler."

Hixon made up his mind.

He decided to definitely be a good adult for Viola.

His enthusiasm burned.

"I'll try to look very cool."

Hixon turned his neck.

A crack! sound was heard.

He held a blunt wooden sword in his hand, though no one knew when he had picked it up.

The way Hixon looked at Tundra was very different from how he looked at Viola.

"Let's have... a heated conversation between men, shall we?"