BTVF 05

~Chapter 5~

“Ha.”

The man let out a dry, amused laugh.

The monster had lowered itself to the ground, copying Aria, who had collapsed.

It rested its chin on its huge front paw and stared at her.

As if asking to be petted.

I survived….

Aria let out a quiet breath of relief.

Not far away, Count Cortez had fainted, foam at his mouth.

“Did it suddenly go mad or something?”

The man tilted his head, then lightly kicked the monster beside him.
The monster whimpered and quickly hid behind Aria.

“How ridiculous. Rabies, really.”

The man walked toward her.

Bloody footprints appeared one after another as he stepped through the grass.

Black shoes, soaked in blood.

Aria stared at the shoes stopping right in front of her, then slowly looked up.

He was so tall she had to tilt her head all the way back.

“What are you?”

His half-lidded, bored eyes were now staring straight at her.

For a brief moment, something flashed in his glass-like eyes.

Interest.

“You’re wearing a strange mask.”

Aria was indeed wearing a large mask.

It was something her mother had left behind.

“My hunting dogs react instinctively to strength. They obey me because no one in this world is stronger than me.”

“……”

“Are you stronger than me?”

Of course not.

The man was overwhelmingly strong.

When Aria first saw him, she could barely breathe from the pressure.

She was only ten years old, and her abilities weren’t trained yet.

“You look extremely weak.”

“……”

“Less than an insect.”

He looked her up and down.

Siren… are friends with animals.

That was one of a siren’s abilities.

I didn’t expect it to work even on a monster from the Ingo Mountains…

Aria glanced at the now docile creature.

It kept rubbing against her and acting cute, making it hard to focus.

Her mask quickly got covered in drool.

She had never used this ability before.

She never had the chance.

Whenever animals came near, the Count would shoot them dead with a crossbow.

“Did you summon it? Trying to use beasts now? How funny. You’ll never escape me.”

Aria still remembered the feeling of warm blood splashing on her face.

After seeing that happen several times, she began avoiding animals completely.

But… this one looks sturdy.

Its thick skin looked like it could survive a crossbow.

…It’s kind of cute.

After hesitating, she gently petted its head.

The monster sniffed and rolled over, showing its belly.

So cute…

She touched its soft fur.

It felt warm and fluffy.

For the first time in her life, she experienced this feeling.

“Hmm.”

The man clicked his tongue.

“You’ll disappear in there at this rate.”

The monster was so large and fluffy that Aria was almost buried in its fur.

“We’ll talk inside.”

The man grabbed the back of her neck and lifted her up effortlessly.

Inside the Grand Duke’s Castle

“I admire your courage, Count.”

An old man with neatly combed white hair spoke.

He was the head butler of the Grand Duke’s castle.

“You are the first to invade Valentine Castle like this while still alive.”

He handed Aria a warm mug.

“You survived thanks to the young lady. Be grateful.”

Aria looked inside the mug.

It smelled like chocolate.

Brown liquid, with white round things floating in it.

She poked one.

Soft.

“Marshmallow,” the butler whispered.

Marsh… melon? Does it taste like melon?

While she stared seriously into the mug, the man who had been watching her finally spoke.

“Call the gamekeeper.”

“Right now?”

“My hunting dogs need food before the wild beasts eat it.”

Food…?

Count Cortez suddenly shouted,

“This is unacceptable! My knights and mercenaries becoming dog food?!”

The monsters growled at him immediately.

The Count quickly lowered his gaze.

“As I said, you would have become that dog food too, if not for the young lady.”

The butler added calmly.

“I will compensate you.”

The Count froze.

“How much…?”

The butler looked at the man.

The man answered lazily,

“Give him whatever he wants.”

The Count smiled greedily.

“I actually brought my daughter to introduce her.”

He gestured for Aria to remove her mask.

She didn’t move.

“She is my legitimate daughter,” he added quickly.

“Why hide her until now?” the butler asked.

“She cannot speak.”

That explained everything.

A siren who cannot speak… has no value.

“But she is still suitable to become the Grand Duke’s bride.”

He smiled like a merchant.

“She can’t reveal secrets. No one knows she exists. Even if she disappears…”

He continued,

“She even learned to write on her own. Though, breaking her arms a little will make her obedient.”

Aria listened quietly.

He’s proving my usefulness for me.

Perfect.

But the butler’s face showed clear disgust.

“You insulted the Grand Duke.”

“I did no such thing!”

“You live thanks to your father, a genius composer supported by Valentine.”

The Count trembled in humiliation.

“Valentine values talent. Do not cross the line.”

Aria was impressed.

He knows exactly where to hurt him.

Then—

Their eyes met.

“Oh, I see. You couldn’t drink because of your mask.”

Aria blinked.

“I’ll bring you a more comfortable one. Please enjoy the cocoa.”

He spoke kindly.

Why is he being nice to me?

Then—

“Woof!”

The monster wagged its tail.

The butler looked shocked.

“I thought it was a wolf… but it really barks like a dog.”

At that moment, Aria understood.

He values my ability to control monsters.

She quickly took out a card and wrote:

[I can tame all animals.]

Next card:

[I don’t know much, but I’m useful. I learn fast.]

Next:

[Please take me.]

Silence filled the room.

The Count snatched the card.

“Stop this nonsense.”

He grabbed her arm roughly.

The monsters growled.

Then—

“AAAH!”

A pale hand appeared and twisted the Count’s arm.

“Good. I’ll buy her.”

The man removed his hood.

Aria saw his face.

The Grand Duke Valentine.

Just as she expected.

He was Lloyd’s father.