Galizad Pashayen.
He, the father of Diegon and the Head of the Pashayen Family, is the unquestioned king of the sea.
In his younger days, he conquered the oceans with his bare fists, and even now, he is powerful enough to beat a whale into submission with martial arts.
Although his hair and beard have turned stark white with age, the muscles that fill his body to the point of bursting have not withered.
Today, as always, Galizad’s shirt was engaged in a grueling struggle for its life.
“If you’re going to be like that, why don’t you just take it off?”
Diegon picked a fight the moment he stepped into the Head of House’s office.
Galizad didn’t even bother to respond to that insolent remark. He knew exactly why his youngest son had come.
Instead, he only uttered what he wanted to say.
“No. Stop. Go back. I have no intention of accepting.”
“I haven’t even said a word yet.”
“She is a child chosen by the Ancestor Whale. If you have a problem with it, go and knock the jaw off the Ancestor Whale yourself.”
Diegon furrowed his brows at his father’s irresponsible remark.
“How could I ever commit such an act of unfilial piety?”
The Pashayen of the Horizon.
They were a ducal family that occupied the long stretch of the southern Baratheum Empire.
The kin of Pashayen return to the sea upon death to become Divine Beasts.
Among them, the founder of the family—the First Duke—is none other than the Ancestor Whale.
So, for him to “give a piece of his mind” was a grave act of unfilial piety.
Going against the choice of the Ancestor Whale was also something that simply could not happen for a Pashayen.
“You’re the one committing an act of unfilial piety against me, you brat. Look at you, raising a fist at your own father just because I spoiled you.”
Galizad clicked his tongue.
Then, he slowly heaved his body up, clasped his hands behind his back, and looked down under the desk.
There sat a little thing, not quite a turtle, but looking almost like a little goose barnacle.
She didn’t cry upon seeing him; she was bold.
“How strange. Even if I’m suppressing my aura, she should be scared. Being an Awakener, she might be able to endure to some extent, but…”
However, the child’s legs were not shaking in the slightest.
She was truly not afraid. Not of this situation, nor of the adults.
That was when.
“Marshmallow roasted on a fire…”
A small mumble was heard from somewhere.
“Don’t tell me you said that looking at me?”
“Hup!”
The child jumped in surprise and covered her mouth with both hands.
But just before she did, Galizad, with his hawk-like vision capable of seeing beyond the horizon, caught it.
A single trail of drool… flowing from the corner of the child’s mouth.
***
‘Oh, what do I do.’
I can’t clean this up!
I rolled my eyes in panic.
Truth be told, it was too far from the handsome Mister’s room to the handsome Grandfather’s room.
The handsome Mister hadn’t waited for me while walking.
Since my legs were short, I had to trot along like a chick to keep up, and I got hungry quickly.
I had been thinking about marshmallows before the door even opened, and as luck would have it, the Grandfather ended up looking like a marshmallow.
So, while the Grandfather and the Mister were talking about something, the only thing floating in my head was a marshmallow roasted on a fire.
“She’s this kind of child.”
“Well, that’s fine. I thought you looked like a goose barnacle, so let’s call it even.”
‘That, that tastes good.’
Since he compared me to something tasty, I didn’t dislike it.
I nodded generously.
“You didn’t like it when I called you a sea squirt earlier.”
“That one is yucky.”
Yeah, I like delicious things.
‘I’m hungry.’
Actually, I had been snatched away right before lunchtime.
And I hadn’t been able to eat anything since.
Naturally, my reason was slowly fading.
‘Hungry…’
I almost sucked on my finger, but I flinched and held it back.
The teacher in the Carrot Class said that if I wanted to be five years old, I shouldn’t be a finger-sucker.
I had a habit of sucking my thumb when I was hungry, so I had to fix this.
Because I’m the Class President!
‘But… but I’m hungry.’
The Grandfather and the Mister kept talking about something.
Since my vision was starting to go white, I raised my hand high.
Because you have to raise your hand if you want to speak.
“What is it, little one?”
Fortunately, the handsome Mister gave me a chance to speak.
So, I conveyed my opinion as politely and prettily as I could so that the adults could understand.
“Me, I won’t be a daughter, Mister. Bake snacks.”
Send me to the kitchen!
***
However, I didn’t get to go to the kitchen.
Instead, I ended up in an even better place—a room overflowing with food.
“My eyes are spinning…”
“Oh my, how cute. Try this apple crumble pie as well.”
“Uung, thank you!”
There were many aunties wearing very pretty maid uniforms.
And the aunties brought me everything from bread to pies, cookies, and macarons.
“Uuuum, delicious!”
Apple jam and cream got on the corner of my mouth.
I wiped it off neatly and reached for a macaron at the same time.
Actually, I eat a lot compared to my size.
I’m the official glutton of the Public Bubble-Bubble Daycare.
‘Oh my, little one. Why are you here?’
‘Hungry…’
My first memory was of a day when snow was falling heavily.
Starving and wandering aimlessly, I stopped in front of a place where a delicious smell was wafting out.
There was an iron gate to keep people from just entering, so I sat huddled in front of it and sucked my finger.
If I smelled the food while sucking my finger, it felt like my tummy was full for some reason.
The crying stopped, and I couldn’t walk anymore.
The person who found me, left all alone and pale, was the Carrot Class teacher.
‘Does Chu prefer the Carrot Class or the Scribble Class?’
‘Carrot Class!’
That was the reason I joined the Carrot Class.
The Scribble Class sounded a bit… not great.
It sounds like you have to wipe up something dangerous.
Besides, being a kitchen maid where you can pick up this and that to eat is better than being a cleaning maid.
Anyway, because of that, I was so happy right now.
“Hic.”
A moment later, I suddenly came to my senses.
The strawberry macaron in my hand had already disappeared for the fifth time.
‘To think it disappeared in the blink of an eye!’
It must have been magic.
‘I shouldn’t be the only one eating. That would be greedy.’
Repenting, I slid the macaron back down.
“Oh, little baby. Are you not eating any more?”
“N-no. I want to give them to my friends.”
How many are left?
“One, two, three… five… eight. Oh, it’s not enough…”
What do I do?
I immediately looked like I was about to cry.
Of all the things here, the macarons were the most delicious. That’s why I wanted to give them to my friends, but…!
After thinking hard, I jumped up from the sofa.
Then, I walked toward the aunties who were shaking their shoulders while looking at me with all my might.
Even so, it was only a quarter of an adult’s step, but regardless, it was a vigorous walk for me.
“Umm.”
I pondered for a moment on what to call them, and then I remembered the teacher saying that it’s okay to call all adults “Teacher.”
“Teacher, you know what.”
“Yes, baby… *sob*, so cute!”
“Can you give me just one more of those…?”
“Why… why just one?”
The brown-haired auntie trembled.
I held out my ten fingers to the auntie and explained with confidence.
“In the Carrot Class, there are nine of us, but Chu ate them.”
“There are nine friends, but there are only eight macarons left?”
“Yes!”
“Then why are you holding up ten fingers?”
*Gasp*, caught.
I wiggled my fingers and just let out a bashful laugh.
“Chu wants to eat one more, too.”
“Waaaaa, I can’t take it anymore!”
Eh?!
The brown-haired auntie picked me up and hugged me tight.
It was a bit stifling, but since she was someone who would give me more macarons, I didn’t dislike it.
It happened to be that I was full and sleepy as well.
So, I reached out with my short arms, hugged the auntie back, and pressed my cheek against her shoulder.
“Thank you.”
I didn’t forget to say my thanks, either.
‘I miss Teacher. Hehe.’
I can go home now, right?
Because I said I wouldn’t be a daughter!
That was when.
Just as I was nodding off, *BANG!* a commotion occurred.
My eyes widened in an instant as I stared at the broken door, my mouth hanging agape.
A moment later, a handsome Mister appeared, his face etched with a scowl.
“Let’s go, stupid… No, little crab. I’ll raise you.”
Does that mean I can’t go home?
Tilting my head in confusion, I first asked the maid aunt to put me down on the floor.
Looking past the shattered door, I saw Grandfather sitting in his chair. He was facing the other way.
“Bye-bye. I ate really well!”
Even so, I gave a deep bow, touching my head to the floor.
I hadn’t forgotten who had given me all those delicious things from earlier.
“What are you waiting for?”
The handsome Mister, leaning lazily against the wall, raised an eyebrow at me.
I tried to mimic his expression, but gave up when I felt my face doing something weird.
Instead, I planted my hands firmly on my waist.
“You have to say goodbye to Grandfather.”
“Just leave.”
“No.”
“Go.”
“No.”
“I’m leaving you behind.”
“Then… then… that’s even better!”
I quickly gripped the maid aunt’s skirt hem tightly.
Then, I whispered in a quiet yet clear voice.
“Grown-ups who don’t say goodbye are bad misters…”
“……!”
“I shouldn’t follow bad misters.”
In an instant, a snorting laugh erupted from behind the back of the massive chair.
Without even having fought, it was Diegon’s second loss.