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Adopted Daughter Role Taken Too Well 030

“I get it now, Viola. Your secret.”

Hixson said.

“My secret?”

Han Ah-rin flinched.

Secret, huh.

Could it be that he figured out I’m a reincarnation or something?

“You were born with the talent for mercenary techniques.”

Hixson nodded to himself.

“Well, with that level of insight, you’d certainly have the skills to sway someone’s heart.”

That must be an innate ability.

Did everyone with the killing star talent have it that way?

‘Seems unlikely.

Anyway, Viola was a unique child.

“So you were hiding your true self and approached me, pretending to be a helpless child seeking help.”

“What’s my true self?”

“The Iron-Blooded Princess you showed at the Illusion Banquet?”

…

Iron-Blooded Princess?”

Viola thought she had heard something like that.

Rumors that the adopted princess carried the blue blood of iron-blood.

Rumors that the most Bellatus-like adopted daughter was taken into the family.

‘Looks like the rumors are indeed circulating.’

Viola wanted to correct the misunderstanding, but she couldn’t.

In fact, it wasn’t a slander but a mislabel.

“Yes. Iron-Blooded Princess. Such a tiny one but full of spirit.”

Viola shamelessly replied.

“So, do you dislike it?”

“No, no one said they disliked it. It’s just, you’re cute, really cute.”

At that, Zeno flinched.

‘Did Sir Hixson realize…?’

Zeno felt like someone had discovered a secret he wanted to keep to himself but didn’t show it.

Meanwhile, Tundra lifted his head.

‘It would be nice to be noticed.’

Viola didn’t even cast a glance his way.

Though Viola had her own reasons, Tundra was oblivious to that fact.

Please look at me.

He gazed earnestly.

His owner’s glance was anxious.

And Viola also read Tundra’s gaze.

‘Stop staring!’

Please look at me. I beg you.

It bore the form of a little puppy.

Yet, she couldn’t look.

After all, the real Viola could pop out at any moment.

Bichen sensed the strange atmosphere.

Viola didn’t even meet Tundra’s eyes.

For some reason, it made him feel a little better.

“Hehe.”

He couldn’t hide his emotions.

He scratched his cheek and smiled.

Just then, Viola spoke.

“Brother, can we talk for a bit?”

“With me? Just the two of us?”

Excluding that one?

Just the two of us?

Our. Two. Only?

Bichen’s eyes were incredibly stressful.

“Yeah. Just the two.”

“Excluding him?”

“Yep.”

Bichen’s mouth stretched into a grin.

He was very conscious of Tundra.

“Let’s go! To talk! Just! Us! Two!”

Leading the way, Viola couldn’t see Bichen’s beaming smile.

*

Viola’s Room.

Bichen sat in the chair.

He placed both arms between his thighs and leaned forward.

He looked like he was waiting eagerly for Viola’s words.

“What’s the matter?”

“I saw you exchanging glances with my dog earlier.”

If framed like a story,

「“I’ll eventually kill you.”

“I’ll be the one to kill you.”」

That’s the level of glances exchanged.

From Viola’s standpoint, that was problematic.

Fortunately, Viola had learned how to manage Bichen through experience.

“I know why you lost in the duel earlier.”

“I didn’t lose! It was a draw!”

“You lost.”

If there were no special variables, Bichen should have definitely won.

Yet, it ended in a draw.

That meant he had been defeated.

Since he had drawn a match due to overwhelming skill.

“No! It definitely was a draw!”

Viola sighed.

This kid really is still a kid. She decided to explain.

“You have far superior skills, right?”

“Of course! I’m the best.”

Bichen boasted proudly.

Straightening his shoulders and puffing his nose.

Nope!

That’s not a compliment!

“But if it’s a draw, you lost. The stronger person drew with the weaker person.”

“Anyway, the result is a draw.”

Viola frowned.

“That’s pathetic.”

“Huh?”

Bichen’s body jolted.

That amazing balance exhibited by a budding killing machine almost caused him to roll off his chair.

It seems the mental shock was significant.

Bichen reasoned in his own way.

“Is it because I lost?”

“No.”

In truth, Viola didn’t care who won.

Winning wouldn’t make him more impressive in her eyes.

From Viola’s perspective, characters who win and are dangerous are not preferred.

Characters who don’t win and are non-threatening are much better.

Viola said.

“If it were Bellatu, he wouldn’t make forced claims about what happened to him, but rather think about improving based on the outcome, right? That’s rational.”

“…That’s…”

“In that moment, you lost your composure, and your movements were too large. Thus, you allowed Tundra, who’s much weaker than you, to land a hit. Weak Tundra pinpointed your only weakness, and you were in the wrong while Tundra was right.”

Han Ah-rin, a true reader, saw through Bichen’s psyche in an instant.

As a brother, he wanted to assert his strength!

I’m strong!

Seems he had a strong desire to assert that.

“And when the duel ended, you glared at Tundra.”

“Yeah. It was a draw. But you only…”

“Only Tundra?”

“Forget it. I won’t say more.”

You drew, yet you praised only the dog, and didn’t do the same for me. And only worried about him.

Eight-year-old Bichen felt a bit petulant.

“That’s what makes it pathetic.”

“Why’s that?”

“You’re Bellatu.”

Viola had learned a great deal about managing Bichen.

“And Tundra is just my dog.

Right?”

“Yep.”

“Bellanitu must always be strong. Am I wrong?”

“You’re not wrong.”

“When I looked at Father during the Illusion Banquet, I saw he was relaxed. Watching him, I felt that’s the ease of a strong person.”

Bichen was at a loss for words.

Everything Viola said was correct.

“A strong person must be at ease.

Your frantic efforts are proof you aren’t strong.”

“I want my brother to be strong.”

Bichen gulped nervously.

For some reason, Viola’s words seemed entirely right.

“Therefore, don’t show that you’re so flustered about a dog.”

Tundra needs to grow up strong and safe.

Bichen mustn’t injure or kill Tundra.

So please!

Help the male lead grow up well!

“That’s how a Bellatu should be. Be a strong brother.”

Bichen hummed and shook his head.

But he felt good.

Bichen couldn’t hide his emotions.

He looked at Viola again.

“So he’s just a dog, and I’m your brother.”

It was a strange feeling of detachment somewhere.

But since it wasn’t wrong, he agreed.

“Yep.”

“Yeah. Seriously, taking a dog like that seriously feels a bit much. Right?

I’m Bellatu after all.”

Viola nodded.

“Will you have the ease of a strong person without losing your grace?”

“Would that make me cooler?”

Bichen’s eyes held a strange anticipation.

Such content wasn’t in the original story.

Bichen and Viola grow as rivals at equal speeds at the beginning of the work.

Viola could feel it.

A rival feeling with me

‘Strangely…

But not really?’

It was a peculiar sensation.

For some reason, Bichen kept fixating on ‘coolness.’

It wasn’t present in the original story, but it turned out to be a good development for Viola.

Having swung the whip enough, it was time to offer some carrots now.

“It will indeed be cool.”

“Hehe. Viola wants Bichen to be cool?”

Cool and whatever else,

Just please don’t chase me with a sword.

She couldn’t say that.

She just nodded out of necessity.

At that, Bichen beamed even more brightly.

‘I need to be cool.

To do that, I really need to find that ease.

Viola’s words had no flaws.

‘After all, killing a dog myself feels a bit much.’

Even if the dog struggles and earnestly charges at me, I should let it be.

I decided not to kill the dog.

Bichen returned to his room, feeling somewhat satisfied.

A lullaby hummed as he walked, reaching Viola’s room.

Viola, still sitting in her chair, tilted her head.

‘Am I doing well with this?’

Overall, it seemed things were going well.

It felt like everything was flowing as intended, but there was still a strangely off vibe.

‘Just a feeling, I suppose?’

Days passed since that day.

Viola waited for a particular person every day.

In the novel, only ‘a few days later’ is mentioned, but no exact date was given.

‘It’s about time…’

Hera should be coming soon. It would be time for the next episode, ‘Meeting with Hera.’

Just as she buttoned up properly for her first encounter with Duke Heron.

She needed to button up properly for her first meeting with Hera too.

She wanted to live a different life than the original Viola.

‘It’s going to be an important encounter.’

A few more days went by.

‘What’s this?’

Two whole weeks had passed, but Hera hadn’t shown up.

‘Why isn’t she appearing?’

It felt like something had changed. Time was ticking by slowly, causing her unease to grow.

‘Time shouldn’t pass too much.’

The original content shouldn’t change too drastically.

Knowledge is power. You need to know to change.

Therefore, she decided.

“Zeno, send this note to Sister Hera.”

It’s said that when a thirsty person digs a well.

If Hera won’t come first, she’d cast out her fishing line.

It was too big a catch to ignore.

“What does it say?”

“Just that I want to be friends.”

Zeno took the note.

“Shall I deliver it now?”

“Yeah.”

And a day passed.

Knock knock.

There was a knock outside the door.

‘She’s come!’

Viola sensed it immediately.

A man, presumed to be Hera’s butler, spoke.

“Princess Hera is waiting. May I come in?”

Zeno asked.

“Should I open the door?”

“Yes.”

The door opened.

“Come in, Sister.”

Viola felt as if she were hearing an echo.

Beep! Rich kid alert.

Viola smiled brightly.

It was the brightest smile since her reincarnation.

‘The moment has come.’

The butler pushed Hera’s wheelchair ahead.

Hera wore a modest blue dress.

Her silver hair sparkled, perfectly contrasting her pale skin.

Seated in her wheelchair, she arrived in front of Viola.

“The butler can wait outside.”

“Understood.”

Smooth as silk!

Viola spoke quickly.

She was quicker than ever to catch on.

“Zeno can wait outside too. Let’s talk just us two.”

“Understood. Shall I prepare some refreshments?”

I want strawberry ade!

She almost said it but held back.

“What about you, Sister? Want some refreshments?”

“I’m fine.”

Viola quickly followed up.

“I’m good too.”

Even though the whims of the budding killing machine brother irritated her, she decided not to irk the whims of the rich little sister.

Hera and Viola.

Only the two remained in this place.

A strange silence lingered between them.

The one to break the silence was Hera.

“Why did you insult me?”