I Played the Role of the Adopted Daughter Too Well
Chapter 17

After a while, Heron spoke again.

Isnt it funny to squeeze a ruse out of that little head?

When I was caught, I was impressed by the way you didnt do so, Duke.

Carlton thought it was a little strange. Hes not the one who repeats the same thing. Today while he was talking to Viola, Heron seemed to repeat the same sentiment numerous times. Maybe its because hes disappointed with the youngest Princess.

The duke continued.

But she has to change a little bit from now on.

The first time is a mistake. Nonetheless, mistakes should not be repeated. Now that he has taught her, the direction will have to change in the future. Verratoux should act like Verratoux. Thats what Heron thought. However, he kept thinking about her peach-colored plump cheeks and creamy face. Carlton continued.

Since you met her for the first time today, I think shell show a different side at the welcoming dinner, more Verratoux like.

She should, or shell be beheaded.

There seemed to be a feeling of doubt at the tip of his mind. Heron remembered her desire and her obsession with egg tarts, which was close to craziness and obsession. Viola was like a hedgehog looking for food. She had a disheveled appearance that was never seen in a pure-blooded Verratoux. Her purple hair was flowing down on her face and her plump cheeks with peach-colored cheeks.

The laxity of eating with cream on cheeks and lips. Her crazy-like gaze towards the egg tart.

A child who gives the egg tart out of her tenacity with noticeable regret. She was much smaller than seven years of her age, but strangely, Viola kept appearing in his mind.

The Duke shook his head without anyone knowing and thought to himself several times. No. Verratoux should be like Verratoux. Its as if hes chanting a spell. Heron kept denying what he had been pondering. He repeated it to himself.

Youre my father from now on.

Treat me dearly.

Her words kept ringing in his ears. He deliberately, forcefully, once again, thought vigorously. If shes not acting like a Verratoux, Ill behead her.

Meanwhile, Viola returned to her room. She then laid down on the bed.

Wow.

Todays experience was exceptional. I think Ive been to heaven and hell dozens of times. Why was he there? I dont know why Heron Verratoux came to Azulezia.

Then, Viola fell asleep unknowingly. Thirty minutes later, I opened my eyes wide as though I had seen a ghost, shocked.

When I opened my eyes, I saw Xenons face.

How long have I slept?

You slept thirty minutes and twelve seconds.

I guess Xenon has been next to me for a while. Whenever I open my eyes from my sleep these days, I would see him. It made me wonder if the butlers always stay together with their masters like this.

I also felt that the time he was attached to me now, was as much as the time he was attached to the original Viola.

Its probably just a feeling, isnt it?

In the original story, such things as The Butler was attached for twenty-two hours, eleven minutes and ten seconds are not described. In fact, there is much more unexplained content than the novel had described.

Im sure he was attached to Viola like this as well.

Viola then said.

Get me Tundra.

***

I need to check.

A strange phenomenon occurs when Viola meets Tundra. When they make eye contact or touch each other for a while, she would get dizzy. Then, without realizing it, she lost her body to the real Viola.

I need to know the baseline, so I can be more prepared.

Tundra came in. His wounds were almost healed, but he still had restraining tools on the wrist and ankle.

Hows it going?

Its gotten a lot better.

Thats good. Viola nodded.

She looked directly towards Tundra since she couldnt get used to his face. He looks exactly like Kang Han-Joon, her twelve-year-old brother, in her previous life.

You know why I have you called, dont you?

I do. You want me to be your hunting dog someday.

Right. Come closer.

Viola went closer to Tundra. She couldnt ask him to do a staring contest or hug him all of a sudden. So, she decided to check in Violas way.

I need a dog. A well-trained and sharp-toothed hound.

In the original, Tundra learns the sword from Hixen, who is staying as a guest at the dukedom.

Whats your tool then?

Pardon?

What kind of weapon are you good at?

Im

Tundra hesitated. Then, Viola took his hand.

She had to check it. I think its all right to hold it lightly.

I didnt feel dizzy. So, it is okay to hold hands. Next, I touched his palm and fingers. There were a lot of calluses on the index and middle finger.

Its still fine up to touch until here.

Viola touched the shoulders and back of Tundra slightly. She felt his muscles. The muscle texture that Viola was touching with her finger shook like a live fish.

Your shoulders and back muscles are quite developed, and you are wearing animal skins that are very crude.

Yes. Tundra felt his face burning.

Strange.

The twelve-year-old tundra felt a mysterious feeling. Do puppies who accept their owners touch feel this way? That was Tundras thought.

The material is tough, and it can protect the skin, but it doesnt have a cooling function.

The south is warmer than here. Near your cabin, there is rough terrain.

She got to know him through physical contact. Viola thought it would be all right as long as they didnt hug each other.

And you lived in such a poor place that you were attacked and helplessly kidnapped by such a poor band of bandits.

Yes.

You and your father were mountain hunters.

Viola continued without hesitation. Anyway, it is a novel, so she knew everything.

The son of a hunter.

Viola moved her hand. She rubbed the callus of Tundra. Hmm. Is this okay? She clasped her fingers tightly. Testing one thing or another, she continued as not to be suspicious.

I would say you wanted the bow. Thats probably why you have calluses in your index finger and middle finger, right?

Thats right. I learned how to bow.

Tundra bit his lips slightly.

Odd. This feeling is not unfamiliar. WhyIt felt like I have Viola somewhere. It cant be. But strangely, he kept feeling strange.

What is thisthis feeling.

Violas voice was heard.

I dont need a hound that doesnt even know what his own teeth are. Tundra looked puzzled.

He couldnt understand what she was saying. Of course, she was a novel reader, so it was something she knows very well.

Hixen, who will be Tundras teacher said, This bastard has exceptionally good fuselage vision and excellent reflexes at close distances. He was born with explosive physical abilities through momentary muscle contraction and relaxation.

Above all, your body is specialized in dark. You need to master the sword.

So, Viola said. You should learn the sword, not the bow.

Okay.

Finished checking.

Finger flick was all right.

She had to understand it well. If she loses her body to Viola by mistake, She doesnt know what would happen.

Ive never handled a sword before.

I wouldnt have had a chance anyway. Its an expensive weapon for a black hunter to handle. It also requires systematic training and costs a lot of money to train black. Therefore, it is difficult to handle swords properly unless they are aristocrats.

Viola whispered in the ear of Tundra.

For me, learn the sword.

Clank.

She released the restraint on his wrist.

Clank. Viola then let go of his other wrist.

I need a hound who learns how to use a sword.

Clank, clank.

Lastly, she even loosened the restraints on both ankles.

I will introduce you to a great swordsman.

I made brief eye contact with Tundra. Inside, I counted the numbers. One, two, three. About three seconds was fine. She continued to experiment. However, after three seconds, she started to feel a little dizzy. This is still okay.

Four seconds. Five seconds.

Now Im at the limit, huh?

Tundra avoided my eyes first. He lowered his eyes slightly, and his face was all red. Whats wrong with him? Why is he feeling so shy? His face is really red. Maybe its because hes in puberty. Maybe because hes embarrassed.

Well, my Lord.

Why?

Originally, dont aristocrats hesitate to touch a mans body?

Viola burst into laughter.

A Man?

Yes.

For Viola, it is hard to see Tundra as a man. Although her body is seven years old, her mind is twenty-one years old. So, it is impossible for her to see a twelve-year-old child as a man.

And now that Im aware of it This kid cant even look at her eyes because his face is so hot. Tundra is tapping the ground with his toes. Its just so cute.

The kid asked seriously.

Im not a man?

You are a dog.

Then, I need a hand.

Hmm. What should she say to that serious expression of his? Sometimes he looked like a ferocious beast, but now he looked desperate for something.

Is she saying that child is a child then?

Viola put her hand on Tundras head. She then rubbed it.

Tundra didnt hate the touch. It was a comforting touch. Especially now that theres nothing left for you in this world.

There was no one.

And always a sense of loss in the corner of his heart, Tundra missed peoples touch and voice.

He opened his mouth. To be a good man, Ill learn how to do it.

Really?

I promise.

Tundra wanted to learn more about swords.

If I learn the sword diligently

Tundras eyes turned to Violas hand. He looked at that hand that was placed on his head earlier. Will she stroke me again like that? And will she admit me as a man? He wished she could do that. He sincerely felt that way.

Master. Tundra knelt down.

All of a sudden.

Tundra kneeled in front of Viola and fell.

I promise to brush my own teeth.

One day hell be recognized as a man.

He then kissed Violas feet slightly.

This was an action by slaves when they swore allegiance to their master, or when a debtor expressed extreme courtesy to their benefactor.

Tundra, sleep with a reverent mind. God gave the best example that he could do. Viola almost kicked Tundra.

Oh, its gross!

There is no such custom in Korea in the twenty-first century that is like this. So, she was not used to it. The feeling of being treated with respect is nothing but embarrassing. She was out all day today and wasnt able to wash up yet.

What if my feet stink?