* * *
‘Bunny’s test score: zero.’
Because she had taken her first class yesterday—the very same day as the exam—Bunny had returned today, her second day at the mansion, clutching a rain-drenched exam paper to her chest. She plopped onto her bed, her face a mask of sullen defeat.
The problem was that Bunny couldn’t read human language. Illiterate and oblivious, she never stood a chance at a passing grade.
‘Luri… only taught Bunny how to listen…’
Regrettably, there was no listening section on the exam. Even if there had been, she couldn’t have answered, as she couldn’t even read the questions.
In truth, it was only natural. There was nowhere in the world where one took a listening test in their native tongue, after all.
Dictation: 0 points.
Reading and speaking: 0 points.
Problem solving: 0 points.
‘Zero-point Bunny…’
Burying her face deep into her pillow, Bunny lay face-down and hugged Toto tightly to her chest.
“Big trouble.”
If Bunny didn’t get good scores, it would be hard to find a super-strong daddy.
“What do I do, Toto?”
She buried her face into the belly of the doll, clutching him with her small arms, and let out a sigh. *Sigh-sigh.*
Knock, knock.
Startled by the sudden sound, Bunny sprang up.
She scampered across the room, set Toto aside, and leaped for the doorknob. The heavy door swung open, the weight of her body dangling from the handle like a pendulum.
“Young Miss?”
It was Jessie.
“Yes—!”
Bunny, appearing from behind the door, beamed. Jessie paused, gingerly rubbing the corner of her lip with her fingertips before she spoke.
“Is there anything you are uncomfortable with? If you have trouble washing up or changing clothes, you may call for me. Did you spend your time well yesterday?”
Because Bunny was so young, children who first entered the mansion usually struggled to adapt and were constantly looking for comfort, yet Bunny hadn’t called for Jessie even once.
Was it a lack of knowing how, or was she just being overly cautious? Worried, Jessie finally asked outright.
Hmph.
At Jessie’s words, Bunny snorted, straightened her back, and puffed out her chest.
“Bunny can do it all by herself. I’m good at brushing-brushing, splash-splashing, soaking for 10 minutes, and even perfectly scrubbing-scrubbing my hair with foam!”
She was a genius, a genius!
Although she couldn’t read and her test score was a zero, Bunny was a commendable child who didn’t cause trouble.
Bunny shrugged her shoulders.
“I… see.”
Jessie nodded, her expression somewhat perplexed.
‘Is she so mature because she’s from an orphanage…’
Growing up too fast was never a good thing. Feeling a pang in her heart, Jessie parted her lips, then clamped them shut.
“Yes! Bunny isn’t a bother, I’m a very commendable and convenient child!”
When Bunny offered a thumbs-up, her expression bright and satisfied, Jessie’s look darkened slightly. But Bunny, whose confidence had been battered by the zero-point test paper, seemed to have instantly recovered, her shoulders shaking with renewed pride.
Luriel had said it: Bunny was a genius!
*“Little one, you must become a child who is never a bother. A baby who commendably does everything on her own. Luriel has to go on a very difficult mission soon, so you will have to do many things on your own from now on.”*
“Bunny is a genius! Scrubbing-scrubbing, splash-splashing, and brushing-brushing are all hundred points out of a hundred!!”
*“Oh my, how can you be this cute? Of course. Because our little one is a genius.”*
“Hmph! Bunny is a genius~!”
*“Indeed. Human adults, by contrast, are dirty and petty, so they want a baby like you—someone who is cute, doesn’t cause trouble, and is commendable. You’re keeping your secret notebook well, aren’t you? Whenever you hit a wall, always open that notebook.”*
“Yes! I hid it deep inside Toto’s tummy!”
*“As expected, our little one is the best! You must never show that notebook to anyone.”*
“The best! Won’t show it to any-one!!”
Jessie looked down at Bunny, who was grinning ear-to-ear at the long-forgotten, precious memory of Luriel, with a sense of troubled complexity.
“But Jessie, did you come to see Bunny?”
“Ah.”
At Bunny’s words, Jessie, who had only just remembered her errand, hesitated.
“It’s nothing other than the fact that since you were the last to enter the mansion this year, the date was set just today.”
“Date?”
“Yes. The date for the summoning ceremony that I mentioned before.”
*Rumble! Flash!*
Today, too, thunder and lightning struck incessantly over Bunny’s head.
‘Bunny completely forgot!’
Summoning, or something!
“Since many people gather at the summoning ceremony, you might be able to summon a good divine beast or a holy relic, and if there is someone who takes a liking to you, you may even find a patron.”
“Patron?”
“Yes. Among the direct and collateral lines of the Duchy, if there is someone who thinks they would like to take care of you, they become what we call a guardian.”
“Guard-ian…”
“Hmm. A guardian is someone who might provide you with a personal maid or knight, give you pocket money, or buy you gifts. They become your protector.”
As Jessie explained it at the child’s eye level, Bunny’s eyes widened like saucers.
‘A protector!’
In truth, it was rare for a direct descendant to become a guardian. They were high-nosed, possessing such outstanding capabilities that they rarely looked down at those below them. Therefore, it was common for someone from the collateral lines—those without children or plans for marriage—to adopt and raise a child.
Of course, Jessie did not explain that far.
“Little one, you understand, right? Once you leave the orphanage and get adopted, you must find a guardian.”
“A super-strong demon daddy?”
“Yes. Anyone is fine. Even if it isn’t a daddy, it just needs to be a human adult who will stay by your side until you are grown. If you don’t know what to do, always open your secret notebook.”
Notebook!
Bunny’s eyes shone.
“Bunny wants a super-strong daddy too!”
Grinning, Bunny nodded incessantly.
“Bunny will practice hard to get a daddy!”
At Bunny’s words, Jessie suppressed a sigh, her face filled with pity. Seeing how excited this small, mature child was made her wonder just how much she missed her parents.
‘If Bunny becomes a young miss of a Duchy, I’ll get a daddy who says, “Hmph, give my daughter everything from the highest quality chocolates here to the ones over there, one of each!”’
Bunny’s mouth curled up as she pictured her future as a young miss of a Duchy.
“Perhaps they will only be a guardian and not a daddy. Besides, there’s no guarantee that it will happen, so…”
Jessie, who had intended to add that she shouldn’t get her hopes up, closed her mouth the moment she met Bunny’s clear eyes.
“Bunny is a genius and super popular, so it’s super-duper possible.”
*Hmph*, Bunny laughed and gave a big thumbs-up.
As if unable to find the words to counter that confidence, Jessie’s lips moved silently for a long time before she chuckled and nodded.
“Yes, I’m sure you will. If you ever need help, please press the button on the bedside table. I will come right away.”
“Yes—!”
“Then, I shall take my leave.”
“Bye-bye!”
Seeing Bunny’s wiggling cheeks, Jessie couldn’t help but let out a small laugh before leaving the room.
As soon as Jessie was gone, Bunny firmly locked the door, picked up Toto, and leaped onto her bed.
*Thump.*
Landing on the mattress, Bunny sat Toto up and leaned him against the headboard.
Toto, the black rabbit doll, had a pocket on his chest like a kangaroo. Bunny fished out a small notebook, flipped the cover, and opened to the first page.
[Genius Luriel’s Guide To Conquering Romance Fantasy]
At the sight of the familiar demon language, Bunny’s nose wrinkled with pride.
‘Bunny is a genius after all~!’
This was her special training to put on an impressive display at the summoning ceremony in three days and be chosen by a candidate for a super-strong daddy(?).