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Adopted Daughter Role Gone Overboard 058

“I’m asking you. Why are you angry?”

Tundra hesitated for a moment before finally speaking up.

“Because Prince Jeremy disregarded the procedures and laws and acted contrary to noble etiquette.”

“Come on, that’s just nonsense.”

Jeremy snickered with a chuckle.

His eyes formed crescent shapes.

“You’re just jealous.”

Tundra locked eyes with Jeremy.

The two’s gazes collided in midair.

“Did you just say jealousy?”

“Yep. Jealousy.”

Tundra nearly retorted with “Stop spouting nonsense,” but held it back.

“Jealousy.

It seems like Jeremy might be right.

After reaching a rational conclusion, Tundra nodded.

Some things had to be acknowledged.

“I think I’m a bit jealous.”

Viola felt a sense of calm wash over her.

“Han-jun oppa never felt jealous of me…”

Kang Han-jun always treated Han Ah-rin like family.

He was always warm and considerate, but he had never treated Ah-rin as a woman.

Even if there was jealousy, it was from Ah-rin, not from Kang Han-jun.

“It’s actually easier on my heart.”

The differences between Kang Han-jun and Tundra became apparent.

If it were Kang Han-jun, he certainly wouldn’t have mentioned jealousy.

“Do you know my wish, Prince Jeremy?”

“Yeah. A pet dog, quite an interesting dream.

But is that really true?”

“Yes.”

Tundra was desperate for the dream of having a pet dog.

So she diligently studied everything about “pet dogs” whenever she had the time.

She met several people who owned pet dogs and even consulted with upcoming dog trainers, which was an emerging profession.

“Some pet dogs show considerable attachment and jealousy towards their guardians by nature.”

“Oh.”

“Training can help control it to a certain extent, but I haven’t received any such training. So, it seems I feel jealousy.”

Viola wanted to say,

“That’s just a real dog talking!”

And Jeremy! Why do you have that suddenly understanding expression?

“So, you felt jealous?”

“Seems like it.”

Tundra hung her head low.

“I’m sorry, my lady. I dared to feel jealousy.”

Jeremy chuckled, clearly entertained.

“Talking like you’re a real dog, huh?”

“It’s because a pet dog is my dream.”

The content of her words was absurd and funny, but her demeanor was earnest, even reverential.

But Jeremy was serious too.

“I like people with conviction.”

“I think the value of conviction can’t be judged by others.”

Jeremy patted Tundra’s shoulder.

At first glance, it seemed encouraging.

“I support your dream and conviction.”

Viola flinched at those words.

That phrase had been used multiple times in novels.

“‘I support your dream and conviction.’”

However, the literal interpretation of the words didn’t mean the same thing at all.

In novels, it was presented like this.

“That phrase was mostly uttered by Jeremy when he felt strong competitiveness.”

Viola felt a slight urge to cry.

Where did Tundra’s conviction(?) reflect strong competitiveness?

“Where on earth?”

Even the genuine reader, Han Ah-rin, could never predict Jeremy’s character.

The author had even left a comment on the blog saying, “Honestly, I think I’m a character who also can’t predict where I’ll go. Before I know it, I’m just rampaging. I think Jeremy is that kind of character.”

As a simple example, Jeremy is the weirdo character who gets kidnapped out of curiosity.

Jeremy stepped out.

“In any case, the expedition to the ruins is a joint adventure. See you in three days.”

He glanced at Viola and Tundra for a moment and then grinned slyly.

He clearly intended to say something specific.

“I’ll drop the formalities since I’m your brother in private? See you in three days, cute Viola.”

Three words pierced Tundra’s ears.

Brother.

Informally.

Cute.

Tundra silently curled her lips and softly growled.

*

Viola felt sorry for Tundra.

She looked like a drenched puppy.

“Was I too embarrassing as a pet dog?”

It seemed like she was not only soaked, but also had her tail tucked down, trembling.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be jealous.”

“It’s okay.”

Viola actually felt quite good.

She had realized that Tundra significantly differed from Kang Han-jun.

“It’s just a dog acting like a dog. Why keep saying sorry?”

Viola gently rubbed Tundra’s waist.

Like a master petting a dog’s back.

Suddenly, Tundra perked up.

If Tundra had a tail, it would probably be wagging.

She had just moments ago looked like she was on the verge of tears, but now had an expression as if she owned the world.

“Just like a real puppy.”

Before long, Tundra regained her peace.

Meanwhile, Zeno entered Viola’s room and asked.

“So, Tundra. How did you notice that Prince Jeremy was here?”

Viola cocked her head.

“You knew?”

“Yes. I stood by the door for quite a while. I think I realized that Sir Jeremy was here quite early on.”

Viola shifted her gaze to Tundra.

“You knew?”

“Yes. I knew.”

“How?”

“By smell.”

In that moment, Tundra’s nose twitched.

Like a dog detecting a certain scent, her nose wrinkled.

Then Zeno chuckled.

“You recognized Prince Jeremy by smell? You mean his body odor?”

“No.”

“Then?”

“There’s a unique smell to mana.”

Viola doubted her ears.

“A unique smell to mana?”

Viola had read the novel “Shadow of Bellatu” multiple times and even went through the author’s setting book several times.

Yet the term “unique smell to mana” never appeared.

Neither in the novel nor in the setting book.

“Each person has a different smell. I could sense Jeremy’s scent.”

“I see. That’s quite a fascinating phenomenon.”

This was a detail that had never been mentioned in the novel.

It seemed Tundra had acquired a new ability not present in the story.

“Should I be worried?”

Zeno inquired again.

“Do I have that kind of smell?”

“Yep. But your scent changes daily, so I dislike it.”

“Why’s that?”

“It seems deceitful and cunning.”

“Oh. What a harsh evaluation. But we’ve been together for 5 years, and that’s all you have to say?”

Tundra nodded without a hint of mercy.

“I’m hurt.”

Zeno wore a completely unaffected expression while claiming to be hurt, and Tundra didn’t particularly care.

“Then what kind of smell does the lady have?”

“A nostalgic smell.”

Tundra’s reply was straightforward.

Without a second’s hesitation, she said, “Nostalgic smell.”

“I’ve known my lord’s smell for a very long time.”

“Very long, huh? How long?”

Zeno’s smile deepened.

“It’s been 5 years since I met Lady Viola.”

“No, I’ve missed the lady’s smell long before then.”

Viola frowned slightly.

“What nonsense are you talking about?”

“It’s not nonsense.”

Tundra’s expression was serious.

It didn’t seem like a lie.

“Why are you saying such weird things?”

Tundra confused her further.

With the same face and voice as Kang Han-jun, she kept saying strange things.

“If it’s not nonsense?”

“I’ve known your lord’s smell since I first recognized it. I’ve known your lord’s scent for a long time. It was a smell I first encountered, yet it felt familiar and nostalgic.”

Tundra was honest about her feelings and thoughts.

“A dog doesn’t have to think deeply.”

Tundra as a person might be different, but she thought it was okay for puppy Tundra to be honest.

Viola had told her to do so.

“It felt like there was a thread of an old connection.”

A faint smile blossomed on Tundra’s face.

“Somehow, I feel like I’ve lived to meet my lord. The scent tells me so.”

*

That night.

Viola spent the night with wide open eyes.

She mulled over Tundra’s words.

“Nostalgic scent. An old connection.

And one more line.

“Somehow, I feel like I’ve lived to meet my lord. The scent tells me so.”

At that moment, her heart ached for no reason.

She buried her face in the blanket.

“Why do you say such things with that face?!”

It felt undeniably strange.

She knew Tundra wouldn’t lie.

It wasn’t something said with any intention; Tundra merely conveyed her true feelings and impressions sincerely.

That’s why it confused her even more.

“Tundra is just being loyal as a pet.”

She claimed to have studied dogs extensively.

Being so dedicated to her studies, she was unknowingly mimicking a dog’s instincts wholeheartedly.

“They say dogs don’t betray people.”

She had heard that dogs only look at their masters and live for them.

She had been told that to a dog, their master is everything.

So she thought that Tundra was in the process of making herself that way too.

“Yeah. Tundra is that kind of character.”

She was a character who always fulfilled what she set her mind to do.

So if she says her dream is to be a “pet dog,” she has a setup that makes her put in her best effort for that dream.

“Thus, she developed a new ability that didn’t even exist in the original work.”

To take it further.

“My mana’s scent must have also felt nostalgic and familiar to her for a long time.”

Tundra was a character who could create such situations.

Viola had to come to terms with that.

“Ow, my head hurts.”

Before long, bright morning sunlight streamed through the bars.

The chirping of bluebirds could be heard.

“I must have fallen asleep without realizing it.”

Just then, Zeno was waiting at the foot of the bed.

“Once again, you kicked the blanket off with your feet.”

“When did you arrive?”

“I arrived 2 hours, 25 minutes, and 8 seconds ago. Part of my duties includes overseeing your health, so I covered you with the blanket again.”

Zeno flashed a smile.

“You shouldn’t be having tummy aches.”

This godly physique couldn’t possibly have tummy aches!

Viola almost said something but decided against it.

There was no need to make it seem like she was dismissing Zeno’s kindness.

Just as Tundra was faithfully playing her role, Zeno was also just being diligent in his role.

“What about your promise with the Duchess?”

“Two hours later, we agreed to have breakfast together in the Sunrise Hall.”

“Got it. Seaal doesn’t know the details at all?”

“No. He just knows it’s a social gathering with you and the Duchess.”

Last night.

Viola had secretly sent a letter to Duchess Ilail.

[I know you’re pregnant. So I’d like to have a chat with you.]

Thanks to that, breakfast was arranged.

Zeno, slightly excited, said,

“The dress code for the Sunrise Hall is yellow.”

Zeno opened a spatial gate and pulled out a staggering thirty-eight yellow dresses.

The magically unfurling dresses were so dazzling that just looking at them hurt the eyes.

“Isn’t there something a bit simpler and more neat?”

What’s with that large ribbon in the center, and what’s with that excessive chiffon lace, and what’s with the extravagance embroidered with golden thread?

It had already been 5 years since she was reincarnated in this world, but she was still not accustomed to the fashion here.

“I’ll go with this one.”

It was a relatively simple dress made of yellow silk.

It didn’t cling too tightly to the body and wasn’t overly baggy, so it didn’t seem too uncomfortable to move in.

“Is this what you want?”

Zeno seemed a bit disappointed.

“Would you consider this one?”

What Zeno pointed to was a layered dress bursting with lavish lace and shiny accessories.

Zeno’s eyes sparkled with great anticipation.

It was as if the joy of humankind encountering doll play shimmered in his eyes.

“Zeno, don’t you know my taste yet?”

“I do know, but…”

Soon Zeno gracefully bowed.

“I’m sorry. I was too greedy.”

His tone was polite and warm, but somehow, Viola felt an ominous chill.

What kind of greed are you talking about?

“Zeno… seems to be seeing the world through new eyes.”

After all the ups and downs, it became 9 AM.

Viola headed to the Sunrise Hall escorted by Zeno.

The door to the Sunrise Hall opened.

There lay a not-so-long rectangular table.

It could seat about eight people.

A lavish feast was already laid out on it.

“Lady Viola, please come in.”

Someone rose from her seat.

A noblewoman with abundant brown hair.

Her name was Ilail and she would later become the mother of the great mage Bengas.

After a brief greeting, Viola sat down.

The attendants and butler were all dismissed.

“I want a cozy meal with the Duchess.”

“Understood. I shall take my leave, my lady.”

Just before the meals commenced.

Lady Ilail asked.

“How did you know that I was pregnant, Lady Viola?”

This was a fact that she hadn’t disclosed to anyone, not even to her husband.

It was quite a surprising matter for the Duchess.

But then came a more shocking statement.

“Do you think that’s all I know?”

“What do you mean?”

“I also know that the child’s father isn’t Lord Seaal.”

Thud!

The fork Lady Ilail was holding fell to the ground.