The Serpent’s Castle.
This was the moniker for the Basilian family’s estate, located in the eastern Basilian territory.
Very little was known about the Serpent’s Castle, just like the Basilian lineage itself.
This was because it stood deep within the Black Forest—
A place so dense that even in daylight, sunlight barely reached the ground.
The Black Forest was notorious for its strange occurrences.
Dark rumors surrounded it, deterring people from approaching.
Aside from merchants delivering goods and hired laborers, few outsiders ever set foot inside the castle.
When Chesha finally laid eyes on the Serpent’s Castle, she had just one thought—
Wow. This place is seriously gloomy.
Everything about it screamed, a villain lives here.
Just looking at the castle made the Count seem like an evil man.
The interior wasn’t much different.
The moment she stepped inside, Chesha gasped.
The towering ceiling felt oppressive, as if the entire castle was bearing down on her.
Every piece of furniture and decoration was dark and somber, making it hard to breathe.
Why would anyone live in a place like this?
It was entirely unsuitable as a residence.
Living here for even a few days seemed enough to turn someone ill-tempered.
And as it turned out—Chesha’s prediction was correct.
By the seventh day in the Serpent’s Castle—
She was actively becoming more short-tempered.
“Come to Daddy, Chesha.”
A soft voice playfully tickled the air.
Chesha trudged forward on her stubby little legs, walking as fast as her tiny body allowed.
Even though the distance was short, it still took time for her short legs to cover it.
Kierne, reclining lazily on a chaise lounge, chuckled at the sight.
Dressed in a baby dress of bright lemon-yellow fabric, decorated with lace, frills, and a green ribbon, Chesha looked like a little angel.
However, the outfit clashed horribly with the castle’s bleak atmosphere.
Kierne, waiting patiently, snapped his fingers just as Chesha reached the chaise lounge.
Whoosh.
A shadow rose from the floor and lifted her into the air.
“Uhp-cha.”
Kierne effortlessly caught her midair and cradled her in his arms.
Having been held a few times already, his embrace was starting to feel oddly familiar.
As she wiggled around, trying to find a more comfortable position, Kierne smiled.
Then, pressing a light kiss to her forehead, he grinned mischievously.
“Let’s sleep together again tonight, hmm?”
Oh, for crying out loud.
Internally, Chesha trembled in frustration, but outwardly, she beamed.
“Okaaay~.”
A whole week had passed—yet she had learned nothing about the Basilian household, let alone investigated it.
Kierne stuck to her side all day, watching her closely in what felt like constant surveillance.
From the moment she woke up in the morning to the moment she went to sleep at night—
He never left her alone.
For Chesha, who wanted to complete her investigation and immediately stop acting like a baby, it was downright maddening.
Whenever she did get a rare chance to slip away, she would rush to explore the castle.
But the time was always too short to uncover anything substantial.
Once, she even attempted to sneak out while Kierne was asleep.
Lying quietly at his side, she had carefully opened her eyes and begun to slip away—
“Mmm, Chesha…”
A sleepy, drowsy voice reached her instantly.
Through his half-lidded gaze, his crimson eyes gleamed even in the darkness.
Smiling faintly, he scooped her up and plopped her onto his stomach, gently patting her back.
“Why are you awake? It’s still early… Let’s go back to sleep.”
Then, to her horror, he even started humming a lullaby.
Completely trapped, Chesha had no choice but to actually fall back asleep.
What made it even worse—
Was that she had slept incredibly well while listening to his nonsensical lullaby.
“Ughhhh!”
Her mind was regressing along with her body.
It was infuriating.
Does this bastard know everything and is doing this on purpose?
Otherwise, there was no way he could be this persistent in getting in her way.
Especially since he always seemed amused whenever she was internally fuming.
Even now, Kierne looked entertained beyond words.
Chuckling, he reached out and pinched her cheek.
“Well then, let’s go to work.”
Then, as if she were nothing more than a loaf of bread, he hoisted her onto his forearm and carried her to his office.
Chesha’s eyes darted around.
He’s going to his office in just a robe?
His loosely tied robe exposed part of his chest as he strolled down the hallway.
But while Chesha felt embarrassed, the servants seemed unfazed.
Clearly, this was a common occurrence.
“Alright, Chesha. Play here while Daddy works.”
Upon arriving at the office, Kierne set Chesha down on one side of his large desk.
The spot was stacked with dolls, toys, and fairy tale books—
A stark contrast to the castle’s grim aesthetic.
All of them were things Kierne had personally bought for Chesha.
Pretending to fumble with the toys, Chesha discreetly observed him.
What the hell kind of person is he?
After spending so much time stuck to him, she now had a clear picture of the daily life of Count Basilian.
Chapter 4
He lived a life so leisurely that it was hard to believe he was a count.
For one, he never woke up until the sun was high in the sky.
After waking, his first order of business was to mess with Chesha, ruffling her hair as she rolled around beside him.
Only after that did they have a late breakfast—more like brunch—together.
After their meal, he would lounge in his indoor clothes, sprawled across a chaise lounge, reading books, letters, or simple documents.
During those moments, Chesha would steal glances at what he was reading—
But it was always utterly useless.
Childish romance novels that only young noble ladies and lords would enjoy.
Ball invitations pleading for his attendance.
Reports on newly discovered plant species in the Black Forest.
Not a single document hinted at any grand schemes or crimes related to the Basilian household.
Even the paperwork in his office was nothing more than administrative reports about estate management.
But there must be something…
Kierne was a dark sorcerer.
And not just any dark sorcerer—he was a top-tier master of mind control.
Dark sorcery was considered an abomination against the will of God.
The moment a dark sorcerer was exposed, they were executed on the spot.
The Inquisitors of the Holy Empire were sharp.
There was no way they hadn’t investigated a noble as prominent as Count Basilian.
Yet Kierne had managed to keep his powers hidden all this time.
That alone was suspicious enough.
And then, after spending years in near-total isolation, he suddenly decides to adopt a child?
At first, she suspected he had brought in a child for a dark ritual—
But if that were the case, he was far too invested in playing the role of a father.
He genuinely wants to turn me into his daughter.
Why? She had no idea.
As she absentmindedly tugged at a teddy bear’s ear, piecing together her thoughts—
Ksshhh.
The sound of a quill scratching across parchment suddenly stopped.
“……”
At the exact same moment, Chesha instinctively looked up.
Kierne had risen from his seat.
Without a word, he lifted Chesha into his arms and walked to the window.
He flung it wide open.
A cool breeze rushed in, carrying the distant clamor from outside.
The Serpent’s Castle, which was always eerily quiet, was unusually lively.
The sound of horses neighing, people shouting and laughing filled the air.
Knights clad in black uniforms and light armor were riding into the castle grounds in tight formation.
Servants rushed out hurriedly to receive them.
Oddly enough, the ones leading the knights were young boys.
Even from a distance, the three boys at the front were strikingly noticeable.
Especially one of them—who was wearing a ridiculously wide-brimmed woman’s hat.
The eldest-looking boy spoke with a blank expression.
At that, another boy beside him let out a mischievous chuckle and playfully nudged his arm.
Grinning slyly, the second boy tilted his chin before stretching out his hand.
His outstretched finger pointed directly at the window where Kierne and Chesha stood.
All three boys turned their heads in unison.
Their gazes landed on Chesha.
“……!”
The moment her eyes met theirs—
Chesha’s heart lurched.
It felt like an arrow had struck her right in the chest.
Kierne’s voice, laced with amusement, drifted down to her ears.
“Our dear older brothers have returned, Chesha.”
The three sons of House Basilian had come home.
─── ･ ｡ﾟ✧: *. ꕥ .* :✧ﾟ. ───
