The Beloved Youngest Daughter of a Noble Family - Chapter 10

Chapter 10: Escape!

[Translation By Divinity]

Three months later.

Thanks to the effects of the mana stone, I was no longer experiencing mana exhaustion. Sione’s magic lessons were progressing smoothly, but another problem had arisen.

My body, which had been growing rapidly, suddenly stopped one day. Every day, I would eagerly go to measure my height, but the pen mark on the door frame stubbornly refused to move upwards.

‘Ugh, I want to grow up fast…’

Sione reassured me that my previous rapid growth was closer to abnormal and advised me to be patient, but I couldn’t feel at ease.

I needed to find my enemies, Carl and Lanian, and complete my revenge while they were still alive and kicking. No matter how long vampires lived, it wouldn’t be satisfying to strike them down when they were old and frail.

If, by any chance, my growth were to stop permanently, it would severely hinder my second-life plan.

’That would be a real problem.’

Based on my current situation, there seemed to be a close correlation between my physical growth and the increase in my magical power. No matter how skilled I became, who would support a child like me aspiring to be the next Lord?

‘Besides, Father might keep me locked up in this palace forever.’

Apart from the small glimmer of hope offered by the fact that he gave me a name, there was no evidence that Father loved me. Even a sliver of interest would be a blessing, let alone love.

‘I won’t just be a good girl anymore.’

For whatever reason, Father had left me behind and gone on an expedition with no set return date. Until now, I had been obedient, trying to win his favor, but with the situation worsening, I had no intention of continuing that way.

Just the words “confinement” or “house arrest” were enough to give me hives. How much longer did I have to endure this?

‘Just wait for the right opportunity. I’ll show them what I can do and break out of the Rose Palace.’

As I was inwardly plotting to unleash the full force of a second-life child on the world, a strange and unexpected ability manifested within me.

And what was this ability, you ask?

“Excuse me, Mr. Soldier.”

“Yes, Bella-nim!”

“Can you please get me the cookies on that shelf over there?”

I made my request in the cutest voice possible, but the soldier, who looked like a newbie, waved his hands in refusal with a troubled expression.

“I’m afraid I can’t do that. Sione-nim instructed us not to give you snacks outside of designated times. She said it’s bad for your teeth.”

Tsk.

It was the perfect time for something sweet.

I puffed up my cheeks in a sulk and glared resentfully at the cookie box, placed far too high for me to reach.

‘Is this the perfect time to try out that ability?’

Confirming that no one else was around, I put on a wicked smile.

“Then, Mr. Soldier, do something else for me.”

“Of course! Anything you wish!”

“Look into my eyes for a moment.”

Hehe.

As I gazed at him with an innocent, bright smile befitting a three-year-old, the soldier grinned back and met my eyes.

With everything in place, I pointed at him confidently and declared,

“From now on, you will obey me unconditionally.”

Flash!

A bright light burst forth, and a red glint appeared in the soldier’s eyes.

It was proof that my spell had taken effect.

“My master, I am now your loyal servant.”

“Good. Then bring me those cookies first!”

I crossed my arms leisurely and gave the order. The soldier nodded and retrieved the box filled with sweet treats from the shelf.

“Here you are, Bella-nim.”

“Hehe. Thank you.”

I grabbed a handful of cookies and stuffed them into my pocket, then ordered the soldier to put the box back in its place. I clapped my hands in satisfaction.

“Obey time is over. Come back to your senses now.”

“Huh…?”

The soldier, feeling slightly dizzy, put his hand to his forehead and swayed.

“Did something happen? I suddenly feel dizzy…”

“Nope, nothing happened,” I replied innocently, averting my gaze to hide my bulging pocket of stolen cookies.

A moment later, the soldier, seemingly back to normal, returned to his duties.

Left alone, I scampered back to my room and giggled while munching on the ill-gotten cookies.

‘This control ability is amazing!’

The new power I had discovered was one of the vampire abilities known as “Control.” It allowed me to manipulate those with weaker magical power at will.

Of course, not just anyone could wield such power. It was an ability manifested only by certain pureblood nobles and royals, and it was the very foundation of the Lord’s absolute authority.

‘This means that not only me but also my brothers will eventually possess this ability.’

I had discovered my control ability quite by accident. A few days ago, after preparing for bed, I was suddenly struck with an intense craving for sweets.

I called for Rosa, but she flatly refused, stating that snacks were forbidden in the middle of the night.

Desperate for a sugary treat, I mustered all my cuteness and charm to plead with her. In that moment, Rosa’s eyes changed color, and she yielded to my request. That’s when I realized I had inadvertently used the power of control.

‘This is a useful skill; I should practice it diligently.’

Munch, munch.

After devouring the soft cookies I had stashed in my pocket, I flung open the door in search of my next target.

“Oh my, Bella-nim! Where are you going?”

I bumped into Rosa, the maid, who happened to be passing by, and reflexively brushed off the cookie crumbs clinging to my skirt.

“Just… I’m bored, so I’m going to the garden.”

“The garden? I’ll go with you.”

Hmm, I hadn’t expected to find my next test subject so readily.

Just as I was about to activate my control magic with a mischievous grin, Rosa tilted her head and asked,

“Bella-nim, did you eat cookies? There seem to be some crumbs around your mouth…”

“No! I didn’t eat anything!!” I retorted a bit too loudly, feeling a pang of guilt.

Rosa looked at me with an expression of pure adoration.

“…D-Don’t tell Sione-nim, okay?” I pleaded.

“Hehe, I’ll pretend I didn’t see anything, Bella-nim,” she reassured me with a smile.

Relieved, I took her hand and waddled towards the garden.

Just as I was about to test my control magic in a secluded spot, Rosa shared some surprising news.

“Bella-nim, did you know Sione-nim’s birthday is coming up soon? We’re planning a small tea party to celebrate.”

“Sione’s birthday? When is it?”

“Two days from now. It coincides perfectly with the day Sione-nim returns, so it’ll be wonderful.”

Recently, Sione had been making frequent trips to meet her teacher, primarily to seek a solution for my mana exhaustion. However, it seemed progress was slow, as her visits were becoming more and more frequent.

“We decided to knit a scarf as a gift. It seems the snowy mountain where her teacher lives is quite cold.”

“Eh… All three of you are making it?”

“Yes! Actually, I brought it with me. Would you like to see it?”

Rosa shyly presented a long, furry lump that looked more like a mangled mess than a scarf.

“It’s my first time knitting! I hope Sione-nim likes it.”

“…I think she will. Probably.”

“Really?!”

I hummed a tune, watching Rosa proudly display the clumsily knitted scarf. A strange feeling washed over me.

No matter how imperfect the gift, wouldn’t such heartfelt sincerity touch her heart?

“…I want to give something to Sione too.”

“Oh, Bella-nim, your presence itself is a gift. She’ll be overjoyed just by you attending the party.”

Sione would undoubtedly feel that way.

But seeing these well-meaning, if unskilled, individuals put so much effort into making something to express their feelings stirred a sense of motivation deep within me.

‘Come to think of it, Sione mentioned her favorite flowers bloom within the palace.’

When I was still a newborn, she often read me fairy tales about flower spirits.

The name of that fairy was Dahlia, a real flower spirit.

Sione would often tell me, her voice filled with excitement, that she wanted to show me the beautiful lake filled with purple dahlias once the lockdown was lifted.

‘Those flowers would be a perfect gift.’

It’s not that I didn’t have any money. If I sold the dazzling jeweled rattle Luca gave me, I could easily buy several mansions in the capital.

But that wasn’t the point.

Like them, I wanted to give her something meaningful and memorable, filled with genuine sentiment.

‘Sione might return sooner than expected. I need to act now.’

The preparations went smoothly after that.

I happened to be outside with Rosa, my guardian, and there was no one around.

I used my control magic on Rosa and packed the essentials for a short outing.

“Wait here. I’ll be back soon.”

“As you command, Bella-nim.”

“Okay. I’ll be quick.”

The cute little bag Rosa packed for me contained a map, the mana stone, and a beautifully wrapped box of Sione’s special cookies. The cookies were meant to replenish my mana and serve as a quick remedy in case of sudden mana exhaustion.

Munch, munch.

I unwrapped a cookie and popped it into my mouth, feeling an immediate surge of energy throughout my body.

After taking a few calming breaths, I cast an invisibility spell on myself. Although the distance was short enough to cover in 30 minutes even with my toddler legs, I wanted to avoid any unpleasant encounters with the guards.

“Alright, all set.”

I was thrilled.

Finally, a chance to escape!

Using magic to scale walls and fences, and occasionally consulting the map, I reached the vicinity of the lake in just ten minutes.

It was almost too easy, considering I’d been confined for nearly a year.

‘I should have ventured out sooner.’

Though I couldn’t disobey Father’s orders as the head of the clan, it was baffling how difficult it had once seemed to simply cross a wall.

A strange mix of emotions washed over me as I walked along the path: the joy and excitement of freely exploring the unfamiliar palace grounds, and a hint of bitterness.

Soon, the lake I’d been searching for came into view.

“Wow…”

A vast, blue sky stretched overhead, its reflection shimmering on the water below.

And an endless expanse of colorful flowers painted the landscape.

The massive lake, rippling like waves in the wind, could easily be mistaken for a small sea.

‘I’ve never seen anything like this before.’

I inhaled deeply, savoring the sweet fragrance of the flowers carried on the breeze, and lost myself in the breathtaking scenery.

‘I understand why Sione wanted to bring me here.’

They say you want to share beautiful things with those you cherish.

Experiencing this emotion firsthand, which I had only known through words, sent a warm flutter through my heart.

“Oh, right, I need to find the flowers.”

No matter how close by, people would find it strange if I was gone for too long.

I scurried along the lakeshore on my short legs, and soon, I spotted the purple flowers, just like the ones in the picture book.

“Found them! This is it!”

Thankfully, the flowers were conspicuous, so it didn’t take long to find them. But the next challenge presented itself.

They were too far away for a three-year-old like me to reach.

“Ugh…”

I struggled and strained, finally managing to grasp a flower stem when…

A pleasant, low voice, belonging to a young boy, suddenly spoke from behind me.

“What are you doing here, little one?”