Chapter 29

I overdid it with the adopted daughter role 029. Viola subtly observed Xenon's reaction.

All of this conversation will be reported to the duke.

Since Hixon provided a good opportunity, she decided to make full use of it.

"Vichen was trained as a covert assassin. So this kind of open sparring isn't suitable for him."

Vichen's strength lies in covert ambushes.

He learned a dagger technique that isn't suited for a sparring match where both parties declare, 'Let's fight!'

"In contrast, Uncle's sword is a tyrannical one. Since Tundra learned from Uncle, he would have an advantage in such a public sparring match."

"So?"

"In the current situation, the matchup is actually in Tundra's favor."

"Even so, Vichen will win, right?"

"Because he hasn't reached Vichen's level of proficiency yet."

Despite Tundra being a genius, the difference in training duration was too great.

"Thus, as long as there are no special mistakes, Vichen will win."

"Special mistakes?"

"Like suddenly getting too excited and making big movements."

"Big movements?"

"Or getting careless and showing an opening, and then getting hit. That kind of thing. Vichen is still young, and from the looks of it, he seems to think this is a game. So Tundra still has a chance."

Hixon stared at Viola for a while, looking bewildered.

"Is there something on my face?"

"Hey, Viola."

Hixon chuckled.

"Viola."

"Yes?"

"Be honest."

"With what?"

"How old are you?"

"Seven years old."

"You're not seven, right? You look much younger."

Saying someone who is seven looks young...

I don't know if that's a compliment or an insult.

But Viola felt a bit uncomfortable.

She couldn't exactly advertise, "I'm actually twenty-one inside!"

At that moment,

"Uaaaaah!"

A battle cry was heard.

***

"Uaaaaah!"

Tundra swung the wooden sword widely.

Whoosh!

The wooden sword cut through the air.

Vichen easily dodged Tundra's wooden sword and laughed.

"Hehe. Still clumsy!"

The movements were too large.

Though fast, such movements would quickly exhaust his stamina.

An opening in his guard was visible.

A stab would end it.

"I shouldn't."

For Vichen, Tundra was an easy opponent.

A beginner with many openings.

Tundra knew this.

But he was angry.

'Damn!'

His competitive spirit as the male lead flared up.

He got even more excited.

His movements became larger, and more strength poured into his body.

The more this happened, the more advantageous it became for Vichen.

But then, he saw Viola and Hixon having a conversation.

'...Master?'

'Viola!'

Tundra and Vichen almost simultaneously noticed Viola.

And they had different thoughts.

'I can't show a disappointing face to Master.'

'This is good. I need to show how strong I am.'

On the contrary, Tundra regained his composure.

His head cooled down.

He relaxed his body.

'I'm at a disadvantage in terms of skill.'

So he had to look for an opening.

Vichen was currently being careless.

'This is a one-time opportunity.'

That small opening. If he attacked it, he might get one chance.

His composure sank coldly.

In contrast, Vichen was a bit excited.

He got excited, unlike Tundra.

'I'm the older brother!'

He decided to show a strong appearance.

'I'll end it in one go, impressively.'

For Vichen, Tundra was a weak opponent.

He could end it anytime.

Overconfidence and carelessness.

And the desire to impress Viola.

His body was filled with strength.

Tundra bit his lip.

'He's coming.

His movements are larger than before.

So I can read them.'

He seized the opportunity.

He quickly swung the wooden sword.

Thud!

Something caught the wooden sword.

"Stop."

Hixon stepped between Tundra and Vichen.

With one hand, he grabbed Tundra's wooden sword, and with the other, he caught Vichen's dagger.

"This time it's a draw."

Vichen couldn't accept the result.

"That's ridiculous!"

"What's ridiculous about it?"

"I could have stabbed his heart!"

"In return, your neck would have been cut. Forgot that?

His sword is a long one."

If it had been a real sword fight, Tundra's heart would have been pierced, and Vichen's neck would have been cut.

"I knew that! I was planning to dodge!"

"Like hell you did."

Hixon punched Vichen's head.

Bang!

A sound was heard.

It seemed like a light hit, but it sounded like a car crash.

Vichen felt wronged.

"Why did you hit me!"

"Your attitude is just too annoying."

"Ugh."

Vichen's eyes filled with anger.

"What?"

Hixon hit Vichen's head again.

In the Bella Tu, Hixon was almost the only one who could punch a pureblood Bella Tu in the head.

"I'll kill you."

"If you can."

"Wait a bit. I'll really kill you."

"That sounds exciting, doesn't it?"

Viola couldn't help but sigh.

Those words, exchanged like a joke, were actually all serious.

Both were enjoying the situation.

"Vichen."

"Viola. This doesn't mean I lost, right? What's going on here?"

"Here."

Viola took out a piece of paper from her pocket.

"Eh? A contract?"

It was the contract to grant wishes. Vichen had signed it with his blood.

"No matter how strong you become, you can't kill this uncle."

"Why?"

"Because that's my wish."

"Eh?"

Vichen looked back and forth between the contract and Hixon's face.

It seemed he couldn't understand.

"Are you planning not to fulfill the contract, big brother?"

"I, I will... but..."

Vichen couldn't hide his expression.

He looked wronged.

There was no choice.

Vichen was a kid who would do what he said, and he would grow rapidly.

If he really killed Hixon, it would be a big problem.

The male lead who would be the central character of this novel would also disappear.

'That can't happen. The male lead must grow properly.'

So she would follow the 1st Duchess line with a well-grown male lead.

Only then could she stabilize this duchy and transform it into a more human-like duchy.

She couldn't let her perfect(?) plan fail.

Viola said,

"Promises must be kept."

"T, That's...!"

"You're the big brother, right?"

"O, Of course."

"Then you'll keep the promise, right?"

"Y, Yes."

Vichen felt like he was being tricked, but he admitted that Viola was right.

As a big brother, it was only natural to keep promises.

If he didn't keep a promise that was even written in a contract, his reputation as a Bella Tu would be ruined.

Tundra quietly bowed his head.

"I'm sorry for showing such an unsightly appearance. I wanted to win..."

Viola examined Tundra carefully.

There were small scratches, but no major injuries.

"No, you did well. As long as you're not hurt, that's fine."

Tundra bowed his head again.

'You did well.'

Those words made him a bit happy.

'As long as you're not hurt.'

Those words made him very happy.

He didn't know why.

He couldn't understand why those words made him feel so good.

'I have to do better.'

He decided to do better.

He would surpass Vichen someday.

He saw the possibility today.

It would take time, but he wanted to become stronger than Vichen and receive more praise.

Tundra and Vichen's eyes met in the air.

'To do that... Vichen, I might have to kill you.'

Vichen didn't avoid Tundra's gaze.

'I will kill you, bastard.'

He just got angry.

Viola had praised that dog.

He didn't know why, but it bothered him.

'Why only the dog?'

I want you to praise me too.

Why don't you ask if I'm hurt?

I was fighting with a sword too!

Vichen couldn't hear the voice of his own heart.

'I'm annoyed.'

He just felt annoyed for no reason.

Tundra approached Viola.

"But, Master."

Tundra knelt on one knee.

It was a look of such earnestness that even Viola felt a bit uncomfortable.

With a solemn expression that bordered on reverence, Tundra spoke.

"I'll be a good pet."

He leaned his head forward.

Kneeling modestly, it seemed like he was saying, "Please pet my head now."

Viola was internally bewildered.

'Pet?'

To Viola, who had lived in 21st-century South Korea, the word "pet" was very familiar.

But it was unfamiliar when applied to a person.

'What is he saying?'

She understood why he was calling himself a pet.

And it was driving her crazy.

"So, you're saying you're a pet?"

"Yes. You said you would be by my side, didn't you?"

That's true.

But what does that have to do with being a pet?

"You mean being by my side is being a pet?"

"..."

Ah, so.

Being by my side is being a pet.

You're a dog.

So your dream is to be a pet dog?

"So, being a pet dog is your dream."

"Are you still not allowing it?"

No, wait.

Is this something I should allow or not?

I called Viola a dog to act out the role.

We did have a kind of contract between us,

'But a pet dog?'

Viola was internally bewildered but then raised her arm.

Since she had already praised him as a master, she thought it was okay to do this much.

Swoosh, swoosh—

She petted his head.

Tundra's eyes formed a crescent.

In the narrow space between those crescent eyes, a kind of madness could be felt.

Ah, something. It feels a bit off.

It feels a bit wrong.

"I'm happy."

Viola looked at Tundra expressionlessly.

She had no idea how to react.

So she just watched.

1 second, 2 seconds.

After 5 seconds, it gets dangerous.

Should I slowly avoid his gaze?

It should look like I'm ignoring him, not avoiding him.

Just as she was about to naturally shift her gaze,

Hixon clapped his hands lightly.

"Ah, now I understand, Viola. Your secret."

Hixon's eyes were on Viola.