The Female Lead Takes Care of Everything - Chapter 53

It was the first peaceful nap since hatching from the egg.

The holy power wrapped around her by the one who sent her here—the Mercenary King, Armiphera—was so warm.

It felt like gentle sunlight cleansing her whole body, melting her into drowsiness.

She’d had such a sweet nap, but when she woke up…

“Smells like chicken poop…”

The delightful afterglow of sleep instantly vanished at the sight—and smell—of a chicken yard right in front of her.

Even the mighty Archdragon had no words for the foul stench of chicken droppings—a smell not even found in the memories she inherited.

Still, the chickens were surprisingly smart—smarter than the insult “bird-brained” would suggest.

Frightened by the Archdragon’s aura, they had retreated to the far edge of the coop.

They sensed just how extraordinary this being was.

The Archdragon silently revised her opinion of chickens.

“Oh? You’re awake!”

A young voice came near.

A puff of something white and fluffy appeared in front of her.

Through the coop’s fence, she could see a silver-haired girl bathed in the orange glow of sunset.

The Archdragon muttered the moment she saw her.

“Brazen little thing.”

Nivellia turned to Deter, who had come with her.

“What does ‘brazen’ mean?”

“I’m not sure… I guess dragons use really difficult words.”

Deter, resting his chin on his hand with a troubled look, added gently:

“But, young miss, did you know? Lizard meat is supposed to be really tasty. You slice it thin, pound it soft, coat it in breadcrumbs…”

His tone was kind and sweet—for his precious lady.

But the look he gave the “brazen little lizard” was full of quiet menace.

“Wow, that sounds delicious!”

Nivellia clapped her hands in delight.

Then she locked eyes with the Archdragon.

“……”

“……”

The standoff between Nivellia and the Archdragon didn’t last long.

Gulp.

“…That really does sound good.”

Nivellia, remembering her cat days, thought of the lizards she’d proudly hunted and eaten.

“Hiii!”

The Archdragon quickly began scratching at her collar with her front paw in a panic.

Fortunately, the Archdragon was rescued before she could be eaten.

Armiphera, who had followed behind, scooped up Ather the Archdragon like a dog.

But this time, she didn’t hug her like before.

“…You need a bath first.”

She carried her to the nearest bathroom and gave her a proper wash—with warm water, fine soap, and even scented oil.

“Ughhh…”

The Archdragon closed her eyes and let out weak noises as the warmth softened her body.

After the bath, Ather was dressed up.

Armiphera forced one of her old porcelain doll dresses over the dragon’s front legs and placed a ribbon-decorated bonnet on her head.

“So cute!”

Armiphera beamed, saying it reminded her of her childhood.

“There really are too many shameless beings in this place…”

Ather fussed with the ribbon tied around her neck with a pudgy paw, clearly annoyed.

But despite the grumbling, her swaying tail betrayed a peaceful mood.

However—

“…Oh my.”

She hadn’t expected to meet the Saintess in this state.

Muniel, holding her daughter in her arms, was left speechless at the sight of a fully dressed-up Archdragon.

Even the usually unshakable Holy Knight coughed and nearly spat out his tea.

“…Shameless creatures.”

Still, Ather didn’t remove the ribboned bonnet.

“We’ll figure out whether the Archdragon is dangerous or not,” said Grandma and Grandpa.

“If she is… hmm…”

Nivellia silently hoped the grown-ups would wrap up their conversation with the dragon quickly.

That way, she could finally find out if she was allowed to eat that lizard—no, the Archdragon.

But their discussions dragged on for days.

Tired of waiting, Nivellia returned to her usual routine.

After sleeping well and attending preschool, she went back to her part-time work—saving up money.

Today’s job: cleaning the stables with Soles and Aref.

I wonder if it tastes good…

With a broom made of dried willow twigs, Nivellia swept the stable floor diligently.

Today, she looked the part completely.

Sturdy overalls made from tough fabric, rubber boots that covered her chubby calves, a wide-brimmed hat tied over her neatly tied-up hair.

To top it off, a magical cooling scarf around her neck that stayed cold for 8 hours—she was a full-on stable girl.

“Just wait a little longer, horsies!”

She stretched out her neck and called to the horses watching her.

“I’ll play with you after I’m done cleaning! Good horses wait patiently!”

Amazingly, the horses pulled their heads back and waited quietly.

But before long, they slowly peeked out again, watching Nivellia with great interest.

One in particular—Venti, with golden fur like ripe wheat—watched her closely with a worried look, as if concerned she might trip.

“The horses really like you, Nivellia,” said Soles, tossing hay onto a cart.

“They’ve always followed her around,” Aref added.

“Young miss, you’re like the queen of animals.”

He said it with admiration.

To Aref, it felt natural that his captain would have many followers.

Though he was a bit sad not to be the only one anymore, she had promised to marry him, so he accepted it.

After all, a true captain is supposed to have lots of subordinates.

“But she’s still the lowest-ranked one at home.”

And Nivellia herself accepted that fact without complaint.

At the top of the Deiamor family hierarchy sat Celletina.

That was an eternal truth. Thanks to her, the Deiamors were enjoying their greatest era in history.

“Next is Father. He’s the head of the house and a marquis.”

“I think the Saintess and the Holy Knight might be stronger, though…”

Aref couldn’t quite understand.

From what he’d seen, the Deiamor family seemed to move entirely according to what Muniel and Ardores said.

“Well… yeah, that’s kind of true,” Soles admitted.

“But ever since they stepped away from direct decisions, they’ve left everything to Father.”

“…”

“So, family rank and household rank are different things.”

“Family and household are different?”

“They are.”

The way Soles spoke didn’t sound like the kind and gentle ten-year-old brother Aref knew. Right now, he sounded more like a cold, sharp-minded noble.

Nobles…

Back at the orphanage, Aref had picked up certain harsh ideas about them.

People who didn’t treat others like people. Selfish, ruthless, and greedy monsters.

Or at least… really bad people.

“…Soles.”

Aref curled his cold fingertips into his palms.

“Soles.”

“Yeah?”

But Soles, and the people of the Deiamor family, weren’t anything like the nobles he’d imagined.

The same went for the De Gladius family.

“I like you. I respect you.”

“Huh? Out of nowhere?”

Soles turned red at the unexpected compliment. After a short pause, he replied honestly.

“I like you too.”

Only then did Aref’s tense heart finally relax.

“What? What’s going on?”

Nivellia came over, dragging her broom behind her.

“Who likes who?”

“Aref said he likes me.”

Soles grinned.

Nivellia raised an eyebrow and gave Aref a sharp look.

“Aref!”

“Yes, my lady?”

“You said I’m not allowed to cheat!”

But here you are, doing exactly that?

She threw her broom aside and clung tightly to his arm.

It was more like a clumsy hug—she didn’t quite know how to link arms yet. But it was cute nonetheless.

Still, Nivellia looked genuinely upset.

“…What?”

Aref, who had never imagined he’d be accused of cheating again, looked helplessly at Soles.

But Soles was too amused by it all to help.

He even ignored Aref’s pleading eyes.

“Wait… Nini, are you actually worried that I’m going to run off with Aref?”

“Yes!”

“Hmmm…”

Grinning with mischief, Soles casually wrapped his arm around Aref’s shoulder.

Then, with exaggerated affection, he pressed his cheek to Aref’s.

Nivellia stomped her feet.

“Ew! Don’t! Stop it!”

She rushed in between them and pulled them apart.

Luckily, Soles ended the joke there.

He wasn’t the kind of person who liked to push things too far—especially if it meant Nivellia might stay mad at him.

That was one thing he couldn’t allow.

“You’re the worst! So mean!”

“I’m sorry. Please don’t be mad, okay?”

“No!”

“Then when will you forgive me?”

“Hmm…”

Nivellia thought for a moment, then answered firmly.

“After snacks.”

“Got it.”

Now it was Aref’s turn.

Nervous, he quickly started explaining himself. These were the words he’d quietly prepared while Soles was getting scolded.

“Um, I like you most, my lady. I want to become a great knight and always stay by your side. But… if other people, or cats, like me too, I… I don’t know what to do.”

His voice got smaller and smaller.

Nivellia looked at him seriously and gave him a piece of very simple advice.

“Aref.”

“Yes?”

“If anyone else says they like you again…”

“Yes?”

“Hit them.”

“…What?”

“Punch them!”

“Violence should always be a last resort, Nini.”

After hearing what happened in the stables, Caleo looked at his daughter with a complex expression.

“Hitting someone doesn’t solve everything.”

“It solves most things.”

From the office couch, Armiphera cut in.

Caleo gave his wild little sister a sharp glare. She yelped, sat up quickly, and made a hasty exit.

“Dad.”

Nivellia spoke up.

“So, hitting’s not a good idea?”

“No, it’s not.”

“But… Nini used to hit all the time.”

Back when she was still a cat, her sharp, fast little paws solved problems everywhere she went.

“…Who exactly did you hit?”

Did she actually go around beating people up without him knowing?

Unaware of her past life, Caleo began sweating nervously.

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