The Female Lead Takes Care of Everything - Chapter 74

“Leticia. No matter how young the young lady may be, one day she’ll be someone you must serve. Don’t behave recklessly.”

Viscount Pretto spoke sternly.

He could still clearly remember how his youngest daughter went around gossiping about Nivellia and Aref’s kiss to everyone she met.

“Ugh…”

Leticia only half-listened to her father’s scolding, showing little interest.

After parting ways with her father, who left for work, Leticia hugged the fairy tale book she brought tightly to her chest.

“I’ll show this to Nini and Aref! They’re still too young to understand love, so I’ll explain everything to them…”

Myaa.

Leticia stopped abruptly and turned toward the sound.

“Myaa. Myaaa.”

A tiny kitten was meowing nearby.

“Wow!”

Leticia rushed over to the little kitten with excitement.

“Leti!”

Just then, Nivellia appeared behind the kitten.

“Nini!”

Leticia’s eyes lit up as she looked back and forth between the kitten and Nivellia.

She asked excitedly, “Is the kitten your new friend?”

“It’s not a kitten. That’s Ather. The evil dragon.”

“His name is Evil Dragon?”

“Evil Dragon Ather.”

“That’s a weird name…”

At her comment, the kitten let out a sharp cry.

It sounded like it was protesting, something along the lines of, “What’s wrong with my name, you cheeky girl’s friend?”

Leticia smiled wide, finding even that outburst adorable.

“How about a cuter name? Like Cookie or Ribbon!”

“But his name is Ather. The evil dragon.”

“Aww…”

“Even Grandma called him Evil Dragon Ather.”

“Oh, Lady Muniel did?”

Leticia gave up. There was no changing it now.

Nivellia gently placed the kitten down on the floor.

At first glance, the kitten looked completely black. But upon closer inspection, its front right paw was white up to the ankle. There were also scattered white hairs throughout its body, like little patches of snow.

“Mya!”

The kitten gave a short, confident meow, then lifted its tail and walked proudly into the room.

Leticia sighed, thinking to herself that names like Choco or Ribbon really did suit it better. She couldn’t change the name, but she was determined to choose the perfect accessory instead.

With that dark fur, she figured something red or yellow would match nicely.

“Hey, Leti.”

Nivellia looked at her and asked,

“You’re stylish, right?”

“Huh?”

“You’re older than Nini, so you know what kind of accessories are pretty and cool, don’t you? Your headband looks amazing too.”

“…”

Leticia’s shoulders rose slightly with pride.

She had two older sisters at home.

Outside, she was known as the gentle and well-behaved youngest daughter of a noble house. But at home, she was just the lively little sister who copied everything her older siblings did.

Thanks to that, she was often praised for being more mature than others her age and for having a great sense of style.

“Well, I wouldn’t brag, but… I guess I’m kind of good at it.”

“That’s why I called you!”

Nivellia led her into her room, which was scattered with accessories and outfits that looked like they were made for dolls.

“Help me pick something that suits Ather!”

Leticia screamed with joy in her heart.

“Ahem.”

But just moments ago, and right after arriving at the estate, Leticia had heard her father’s warning not to act carelessly.

“I’ll gladly help!”

She lifted her chin slightly, convincing herself it was okay.

“…”

Ardores stared at the glittering little kitten like it was some kind of monster.

Then he asked, “What exactly happened here?”

“Looks amazing, doesn’t it?”

The evil dragon Ather proudly showed off a dress covered in ribbons and flashy accessories.

“That cheeky girl’s friend dressed me up!”

“I’d appreciate it if you didn’t refer to my granddaughter like that.”

“You should be thankful I even call her anything at all.”

“…”

“Should I just call her Nini, then?”

Ardores sighed quietly, cutting off whatever he was about to say.

This little lizard hadn’t even been alive for a full year yet.

Even though Ather had inherited ancient memories and knowledge, he was still younger than Nivellia.

It was almost sad to see a dragon who once called himself evil shrink under the gaze of a retired holy knight.

Still, he was a cunning creature.

“Your color seems to be changing again.”

Ardores gently lifted the kitten in both hands.

Ather often stayed in his cat form. Like this, he could roam freely around the estate. Even those who knew who he really was were more cautious when he looked like this.

Of course, Nivellia, who used to be a cat herself, didn’t care at all.

With practiced fingers, Ardores scratched under Ather’s chin and around his head.

A soft purring sound filled the room.

“Ahhh…”

Ather melted like a snowman under the summer sun.

While the dragon purred in bliss, Ardores examined his fur more closely.

“The white patches are spreading.”

“Other people have said that too. Oh, right there, scratch that spot more.”

“Stop moaning in that old man’s voice. It’s making me feel sick.”

“I can’t help it. That’s the only kind of voice I heard while I was still in the egg. Latro was filthy and smelled like sweat. Those people didn’t even wipe themselves down with a wet cloth.”

“And yet you agreed to my daughter’s request.”

“Your daughter is pretty. She doesn’t smell like sweat.”

“…”

“Ow! Ow! That hurts!”

Ather’s eyes widened in fear as Ardores tightened his grip on his head.

“Anyway,” Ardores continued, “your fur, no, your scales turning white… does that mean something good? Like that strange force is starting to weaken?”

“I can’t say for sure.”

Ather stopped licking his white front paw and looked up at Ardores, his eyes unreadable.

In that moment, Ardores clearly saw a glimmer of gold in the dragon’s dark eyes.

Ather was changing.

And at that realization, the dragon finally accepted something within himself.

He was no longer the “evil dragon.”

He had also confirmed beyond doubt that something unnatural was interfering with the world, twisting time and space.

And yet, he remained calm.

“Still, it seems the decision has been made.”

Because he had someone he could rely on now.

“The one who will endure this harsh winter.”

The last dragon remaining on earth, Ather, made his declaration.

“Celletina Deiamor will win.”

And with that, the dragon’s true voice—his ancient power was spoken into the world again.

“Brrr, it’s freezing out here!”

The servant from House De Gladius shivered as he came back from the garden.

He glanced down at his coat, one of the Eternal Snow Duck feather coats that cost fifty thousand Uba.

“Is this really made from Eternal Snow Duck feathers?”

It felt colder with it on than without.

And why is this thing so heavy?

Grumbling, he started to take the coat off just as Al approached.

“Back from outside?”

“Oh, Young Master Al and Lady Rima.”

Next to Al stood Rima, holding his hand tightly.

“What’s wrong?”
Rima smiled sweetly, completely innocent.

Her adorable smile lifted the servant’s mood. He shook his head, smiling back.

“It’s nothing.”

But Al reached out and ran his fingers over the coat the servant was wearing.

“Is this it? The down coat?”

The one they were selling for fifty thousand Uba?

Al asked gently.

The servant flinched, unsure why. He suddenly felt nervous, thinking Al might be angry.

But when he looked again, Al was only examining the coat with curiosity in his eyes.

“Rima, I think this is the one. The Eternal Snow Duck down coat they were selling so cheap.”

“Wow, that’s amazing. I heard it’s really warm.”

“Have you tried it on?”

“Uh…”

Rima glanced to the side.

“I… I didn’t…”

“You mean, actually?”

“Huh?”

“Actually. Say it with me. Actually.”

“A-actually.”

“Good. Well done.”
Al smiled proudly, then reached into his pocket and pulled out a candy.

It was slightly melted, sticking to the wrapper.

“You don’t have to keep giving me these.”

“Go ahead and eat it. I brought it just for you.”

“Alright.”

Rima hesitated, then popped the candy into her mouth.

As soon as it touched her tongue, a powerful burst of mint filled her mouth. The sharp coolness made her feel like her entire body had turned cold.

What the hell…

She swore silently and clenched her fist inside her coat sleeve.

I hate mint and peppermint so much.

But Al had no idea what she was thinking. He smiled brightly and asked with hopeful eyes.

“It’s good, right?”

Rima said nothing.

“Is it not? I even went to the candy shop and ordered that flavor just for you.”

It’s my favorite.

“N-no. It’s really good.”

She quickly forced out a reply. Al, who had looked slightly downcast, immediately brightened with a smile.

“It’s really delicious.”

“Say it properly, Rima. It’s delicious.”

“It’s delicious.”

“Good girl.”

This time, Al unwrapped another peppermint candy and gently placed it into her mouth.

Watching the two of them, the servant spoke up with a kind smile.

“I just stepped outside for a moment to check the snowfall. Even wearing the Eternal Snow Duck down coat, I was freezing.”

“But isn’t it made from real Eternal Snow Duck feathers?”
Al asked.

“Shouldn’t it be warm?”

The servant blinked.

Only then did he realize the coat hadn’t kept him warm at all.

If anything, it made him colder, like he had been wrapped in ice.

It didn’t matter whether he wore it or not.

In fact, it felt even worse with it on.

He started to take it off, thinking exactly that.

Bang!

Bang! bang!

The locked door of the shop rattled violently, as if someone was trying to break it down.

In a small back room, a man jolted awake from sleep.

“Damn it.”

He rubbed his head, his hair still flattened from the pillow, and cursed under his breath.

“What kind of idiot causes trouble in the middle of the night? Don’t these people sleep?”

Still grumbling, he grabbed the Eternal Snow Duck coat lying by his bed and threw it on.

“Ahh!”

He instantly tore it off and tossed it to the floor.

“What the hell?”

The coat was damp and heavy with moisture.

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