chapter 15
Lima returned to the guest room and finally let out the breath she had been holding.
“Ugh… that was exhausting.”
She flopped onto the bed, then soon broke into a satisfied grin, giggling to herself.
Wow, I totally looked like a real 7-year-old orphan girl just now!
She replayed her performance in her head again and again. If there were acting awards in this world, she was certain she’d win them all.
Getting up, Lima pulled out a bundle of papers hidden beneath the desk drawer.
The reason I gave up getting closer to the brothers today…
It was all to record the novel’s settings and key events she remembered.
To do that, she had asked the head maid for paper and a pen.
She still vividly remembered the expression on the maid’s face when she demonstrated writing, pretending she wanted to study using the books Al had lent her.
“Heh, I really am smart.”
From the moment she recalled her past life, Lima had understood the language of this world. Of course she did—she was the author, the god who created it.
There’s also a reason I need to get on the head maid’s good side.
She tapped one particular note she had written.
The egg of the evil dragon Ater.
She needed to obtain it and hand it over to the information broker.
Only then could she cure his sick younger brother.
I have to make the information broker my ally first.
That way, no matter what she did in the future, no one would be able to interfere.
The broker’s owner, Delac, would grow curious about Lima, a child who knew too much, and later even become eager to match her with his younger brother.
I even know where the information guild is, so I just need an opportunity to go out.
All she had to do was build rapport with the maids and tag along when they went to the market.
The egg of the evil dragon Ater is in the possession of the Mercenary King. If I just provide the information, the guild will send someone to retrieve it.
Smiling brightly at the thought of going out, Lima suddenly paused.
“Oh, right.”
She remembered another male lead candidate she had nearly forgotten.
“I wonder how Le■ is doing?”
She gazed out the window with a sigh.
In the distance, beyond the dense forest, stood a grand mansion—the Dayamor estate, where Al, Rubens, and Le■ were.
A shadow of worry crossed her eyes.
I hope he’s not being mistreated by the villainess…
Meanwhile, at the Dayamor household—
They celebrated Aref receiving his new name.
“Your blond hair really stands out. Is there anything you want? I’ve prepared some things you might enjoy,” said Kaleo.
“What a wonderful name. Congratulations. Oh, I heard you’re going to start studying? I couldn’t just sit still after hearing that,” added Seletina.
Kaleo gifted Aref new toys. A few days later, he even had a riding outfit and boots made for him.
Seletina gave him school supplies engraved with his name—and even went so far as to get him his own pony.
Overwhelmed by the mountain of gifts, Aref fumbled awkwardly.
Watching him, Niberia scolded sharply:
“You should say thank you!”
“Th-thank you…”
“Good.”
She patted his head in approval.
Kaleo blinked in disbelief.
“…Nini’s become a teacher now?”
“Yeah. Nini is Aref’s teacher.”
So she’s not calling him ‘wolf’ anymore, Kaleo thought, gently patting his daughter’s head.
A few days later—
Aref, dressed in his new riding outfit, headed to the stables.
Soles and Niberia joined him. The three would be learning horseback riding together.
Soles, who had been learning for years, mounted his horse with ease.
“Wow…!”
Aref’s eyes sparkled as he watched from outside the fence.
The speed, the flowing mane, the powerful muscles, the harmony between horse and rider—
“Do you want to ride too, Sir Aref?” the stablemaster asked with a chuckle.
The household staff had been instructed to treat Aref as an honored guest, even calling him “Sir Aref.”
“The horses are amazing…”
Aref replied, cheeks slightly flushed.
So shy for someone who looks so sharp, the stablemaster thought.
Meanwhile—
“Nini is cooler!”
Niberia, as energetic as ever, declared proudly.
“You’re always so lively, young lady.”
“Health is everything!”
The stablemaster laughed.
Soon, Soles returned after his demonstration.
“That was amazing,” Aref said.
“Really? Thanks. What about you, Nini?”
“It was cool! But if you’re careless, your neck could snap and you’d die.”
“…Are you worried about me, or is that a curse?”
“What’s a curse?”
“…Never mind.”
Aref’s turn came.
He was lifted onto the horse.
“Don’t lean forward,” Soles advised.
“Sit up straight. You’ll be fine.”
“…!”
As Aref sat atop the horse, his eyes widened at the elevated view.
Instead of fear, excitement filled him.
“I want to go faster…”
“You do, don’t you?” the stablemaster smiled.
“Yes.”
But the answer came firmly:
“Not yet. First, you need to get healthier—and get used to the horse.”
Then it was Niberia’s turn.
“Venti.”
The horse lowered itself immediately at her command.
“Sit.”
It obeyed.
She climbed up on her own.
“Good. Now get up.”
The horse rose gently.
“Let’s go!”
She rode two full laps with confidence.
Soles sighed.
“…Nini is kind of an exception.”
He explained to Aref:
“Horses have always liked her. When she was a baby, they even escaped the stable just to see her.”
After finishing, Niberia ran toward Aref, smiling brightly.
“Aref!”
“She likes it when you wave,” Soles whispered.
Aref hesitated, then raised his hand slightly and waved.
Niberia’s face lit up like sunshine.
After Aref joined the household, something unexpected happened—
Niberia caused fewer accidents.
Because she treated Aref like her subordinate, she started acting more responsibly to set an example.
And when Aref began studying, she insisted on studying too.
So the adults held an emergency meeting.
“We must strike while the iron is hot,” said Muniel.
Everyone nodded seriously.
“We can’t let her do whatever she wants forever.”
After some discussion—
They decided Aref and Niberia should study together.
And eventually—
They found a teacher.
A few days later, the Tower Master, Magia, arrived at the estate with an annoyed expression.
“Oh?”
Niberia, playing with Aref in the garden, stood up.
“Ugly Tower Master!”
“…Picking a fight already?”
But suddenly, Magia froze.
His gaze locked onto Aref.
“Y-you…! When did you get here—”
CRUNCH!
Niberia bit his pointing finger.
“AAARGH!”
“Don’t point fingers at people! Don’t bully Aref!”
She bared her tiny fangs, hissing like a fierce little animal.
