I'm Being Raised by Villains - Chapter 9
<Chapter 9>
The Etam family holds regular meetings every two weeks.
The Etam family ran a variety of businesses, starting with the largest ammunition business in the empire, so they had many business partners. They even hold meetings twice a week, and have a lot of discussion in each meeting.
As a place to discuss various agendas and business, it was naturally an important meeting which had to be attended by not only the direct descendants of the Etam family, but also the vassals and those who held important positions.
Meetings were when Duke Mirel’s sensitivity increased sharply, and it was thus the time where participants tried to not let out a single sound when breathing so as to not trigger his sensitivity.
And at a recent meeting, something quite eccentric happened.
“My daughter, say ahh.”
“Ahhh~ Nom!”
Unable to resist Erno Etam’s words, I opened my mouth. My body shivered when I felt the pudding melt in my mouth.
‘It’s delicious, but…’
My eyes sting.
I had to shut my eyes tightly against all the gazes from every direction while munching the pudding.
But I can’t give up.
Wasn’t the reason why I worked as Erno Etam’s daughter to enter their sphere?
“Erno Etam, what exactly have you been doing these few days?!”
Erno Etam’s expedition lasted not just a day or two.
As such, Duke Mirel tried not to pay attention to it.
In particular, after getting caught red handed last year, he seemed to want to do it even more.
Even a few days ago, when Duke Mirel saw me rocking in Erno Etam’s arms, he pretended not to see me and kept quiet.
But it seems Duke Mirel finally couldn’t hold back after the third time.
“I’m feeding my daughter a snack.”
“At a meeting like this?”
“You should get your facts right, Patriarch. I’m not feeding my daughter in the middle of a meeting like this, but that this meeting is being held during my daughter’s snack time.”
Nonsense!
It looked like the people around us wanted to scream that word.
I took a deep breath upon seeing their trembling fingertips and their lips open, not making a sound.
It was a speech befitting of Erno Etam according to my standards looking at this world.
‘Everything is good, but why do I have to be the influential one here…?’
There’s still five months and two weeks left, but don’t you think Duke Mirel’s hateful gaze could kill me first rather than losing my life because of Erno Etam’s change in attitude?
‘I can’t let that happen.’
I have to save my life.
“Gwandpa, Fathwer, I will nevwer eat pudding again.”
“What did you just say?”
“My daughter, why?”
Duke Mirel and Erno Etam asked at the same time.
“Fathwer scowlded Gwandpa because of me… Fathwer, don’t be angwy again… I dwon’t like it when Fathwer is angwy…”
I shook my head with a sullen face.
“Aylin won’t be a bwad kid… I’ll be a good kid…”
I deliberately lowered the corners of my eyes as I said so.
But then what if one side grows uncomfortable and sparks fly in my direction?
“It turns out that this feather-like child is good at talking. When did I forbid you from eating pudding? I only forbade you from eating during the meeting.”
Feather-like…?
After everything that’s happened, he’s now calling me ‘feather-like’…?
There’s no feather in this world with beautiful pink hair like this!
But being called a ‘feather’ isn’t that bad either…
“B-But…”
“What else?”
“Myla said to eat snacks only when it’s snack time.”
I tried to speak up firmly.
Of course, the pudding at Duke Etam’s residence was one of the most delicious puddings I’ve ever eaten in my life, so I can’t give up easily.
‘The pudding that was occasionally served at school lunch was delicious too, though…’
Unknowingly, I gulped when I saw half of the pudding left.
But I quickly closed my eyes and shook my head as I would want to eat it if I continued staring at it.
“Issokay…!”
I tried to take my eyes off the pudding as I clenched my fists while saying that.
Duke Mirel stared at me as if unhappy before folding his arms and turning his head quickly.
“…Fine, just do as you wish.”
“Then let’s eat, my daughter.”
As soon as Duke Mirel allowed it, the spoon was already in front of my eyes.
The pudding jiggled on the spoon.
My eyes moved along with the spoon’s movement and I opened my little mouth wide like a bird.
Whatever, I got permission.
“Ahh~ Hap.”
The pudding entered my mouth and instantly melted. I don’t know what it’s made of to be this delicious.
The atmosphere around was quiet.
I, who was eating the pudding like a baby bird, felt strange and glanced sideways.
The people in the meeting room who stared at me when I turned around suddenly lowered their heads and began to open their documents.
‘What’s this…? Is this just my imagination?’
I slowly raised my hand and touched the entirety of my cheek with my small palm.
‘I don’t think there’s anything stuck to my cheek.’
I’m not used to sudden attention like this. Several people who opened the document blushed.
“Haaa…” I realized this and was unable to eat properly. Then, I heard Erno Etam’s short sigh.
‘Hah.’
Upon hearing the sound of his breathing, I reflexively ate the pudding and raised my head. At that time, they were trembling like nervous people, and quickly continued with the meeting.
“My daughter?”
“Yes.”
As I was about to spectate the meeting, he called my name once again.
That way, I could finish my pudding while leaning comfortably on his chest.
“What about the weapons that will be exported to Kartov this time?”
“Orders are coming in like a flood, but the raw materials aren’t enough.”
“Then?”
“Sorry?”
“It seems that isn’t the only problem. Don’t hide it, speak!”
“Y-Yes! Due to the frequent digging, the quality of the quarry stones have currently decreased. The same goes for the quantity… The current production capacity compared to that of the first production is clearly…”
“My head hurts. Is there no progress with the search for a new mine?”
Floating stones?
I patted my full stomach and tilted my head.
Are they talking about the rocks that are floating in the sky?
I had seen the floating rocks not long after I realized I had transmigrated into this world last year.
At that time, I had just casually gotten this thought, ‘Those rocks are flying around… Wow, this is really a fantasy world…’ On second thought, it turned out to be the floating rocks.
‘Who’s going to find another floating rock mine later….?’
Ah, I’ve remembered.
It was the heroine. The heroine found an entrance to the floating rock mine.
Where?
On the hill behind the duchy.
In this case, anyone was able to raise questions.
Why are there floating rocks in the duchy?
Why did the duke keep something so good right before his eyes, and why was he unable to find it for so many years?
It was only natural.
Because the novel had explained about all the luck given to the heroine.
‘I’ll apologize to the heroine who will get points from the Etam family… but can I take just one point…?’
At least half a year at most, because if Erno Etam were to change his mind sooner, I should have someone on my side.
“Fathwer, I have a qwestion.”
Even though it was embarrassing, I decided to snatch a single accomplishment that would be achieved by her, the heroine, in the future.
“A question? Go ahead.”
“Okway! What’s a floating wock?”
Upon hearing my question, he smiled gently and opened his mouth, “It’s an unused rock that flies in the sky. If it’s mixed with iron, it can make weapons very light.”
“Woaaah…”
His explanation was really short.
Unused rock. As far as I can remember, aren’t those rocks going to change the war zone and bring about a revolution in the near future?
I tilted my head exaggeratedly.
“Why?”
“I also saw wocks flying in the sky.”
“What?!”
Bam~!
After I finished speaking, there was a loud bang that caused the table to shake violently and crack.
It was because Duke Mirel had smashed the round table with his powerful fist.
“You mean you saw rocks flying in the sky?”
“Tsk.” Erno Etam, who witnessed the round table split in half and collapse, got up from his seat and hugged me.
I was at a loss for words at that incredible sight.
‘This is the so-called dragon bloodline…’
No one expected for the large and thick round table to be split into two with a single blow.
“Even at this age, the patriarch is still very vigorous. If you take a step back, you will quickly return to the soil.”
“I’m not in the mood for jokes right now.”
“Since what I said sounded like a joke, why don’t you retire soon?”
Duke Mirel turned and looked at me as if he had given up on dealing with Erno Etam.
“M-My Lady, do you know where the floating stones are?”
“Where did you see the rocks flying in the sky? Was it perhaps just a toy?”
“If not, do you remember which mountain it was in?”
Upon seeing people approaching me so suddenly, I shrugged and shook my head.
“Ten steps.” Erno Etam, who had been silently watching, smiled and spat out a single phrase.
It was that moment.
Everyone in front of me, except for Duke Mirel and his vassals, retreated swiftly like Moses’ magic parting the sea.
Literally ten steps back.
<To be continued>