Black Killer Whale Baby [EN]: Chapter 21

Chapter 21

The Dragon Festival.

“Yeah, that’s right. Wouldn’t it be held in Dragon City?”

I munched diligently on my sausage, listening to their conversation.

The topic they brought up was the Empire’s annual festival.

It was also a celebration to honor the Dragon and the Dragon Duke.

‘So it’s happening again this year.’

To be precise, it’s a festival commemorating the Empire’s guardian deity, and also a political move to keep the Dragon Duke from coveting the Imperial Family.

It’s also a venue where the Imperial Family reinforces its power and keeps an eye on things.

‘Right, the Dragon who wiped out the entire Empire in the previous timeline.’

And at the festival… the Dragon Duke I need to meet will naturally be there. It was an enticing prospect.

“Can us beastkins even go? They’ll probably only invite land animal beastkins again this year, I bet.”

Discrimination is rampant in this world.

Because it favors land animals, the Dragon Festival is generally only accessible to land animal beastkins, unless they receive a special invitation.

“It’s a shame. I really want to see it once.”

Indeed. I want to see this festival too.

Is there no way?

‘I want to see the Dragon Duke at least once before going as a bride.’

“It’s a shame… but there’s nothing we can do. Ah! Did you all hear? Lady Calypso, they say the Lord is returning soon!”

I momentarily brushed aside thoughts of the Dragon Festival and blinked in surprise.

“Returning?”

“Kyaa, you’re so cute, so cute.”

“Did the Princess just wink?”

“Not really, but I’ll do it again, so tell me more details.”

“Kyaa!”

After a brief commotion, Eiya spoke up.

“The Lord was away for a while and is returning in three months. I heard they’re holding a family meeting as soon as they arrive.”

“The retainers are very busy.”

Hmm, I thought it was odd that Grandma hadn’t taken any action despite the somewhat noisy events.

So she was away for a while?

I looked at the maids with a fresh perspective.

‘They’re well-informed about the main family, aren’t they?’

Even though they’re living with me in this shabby building right now.

“You know a lot?”

“Yes. We Herring sisters are everywhere.”

“Even in the main family!”

I see. I thought they were bringing back more useful information than I expected.

‘A family meeting, huh.’

The Orca family’s leader is the one who leads the aquatic animal beastkins with the ‘power of water.’

Naturally, the vassal families are mostly aquatic animals, so much so that it’s almost comical.

The first vassal family is the whale family (excluding orcas), and the second vassal family onwards are other aquatic animals.

‘Grandma didn’t treat the vassals kindly, and she used to call them fishmonger brats if she didn’t like them.’

It’s called a meeting, but something always gets broken or someone gets thrown out because of Grandma’s personality.

Something always happens at the meeting.

“Won’t they introduce Lady Calypso to everyone at the meeting?”

“That’s right, that’s right!”

Well, unlike other timelines, Grandma didn’t kick me out to another building, but still.

No. No.

‘I got into the top class at the age of 3, so maybe I can have some expectations?’

Being introduced at the meeting is like boasting that you have a direct member of the Orca family with great talent.

‘Besides, I was the top of the top class.’

It was an achievement that couldn’t be ignored.

‘How do I show this off?’

The corners of my mouth twitched.

Hmph, a happy problem. I really want to see that old hag’s face crumple.

‘Now that there’s no room for skipping grades, what can I do to attract attention?’

But it was only for a moment. Before I could get lost in thought, a spoon was suddenly thrust forward, filled with something orange.

“Calypso, ah, say ah!”

This is…!

“Next is carrots!”

“…Ugh.”

I’ve lived for about 60 years through repeated timelines, but there are things I never get used to.

I said with dignity.

“I don’t eat carrots.”

When I refused, Dede, who is also in charge of cooking, looked like she was about to cry.

“Is it because I made it taste bad? I’m sorry…!”

“Huh? Th-that’s not it…!”

While I hesitated, Dede put down the fork and quickly covered her face.

“I’m sorry! I shouldn’t have cooked!”

“N-no, no.”

…I’m kind to those weaker than me!

Therefore, I opened my mouth with tears in my eyes.

“Just this once…!”

“Yes, of course, of course!”

But both Dede and the other maids here knew.

That there will be another carrot dish tomorrow….

I chewed the carrot like an enemy, burning with fighting spirit.

Aged 3.

‘A family meeting is going to be held, huh?’

An unexpected goal has appeared before my eyes.

Is there any way to get my name mentioned at that family meeting?

‘It would be best to be formally introduced.’

For now, I can’t go to secondary institutions [specialized training facilities] right away.

From there, physical abilities must be supported.

It won’t be a place where there are mediocre guys like Caron.

‘Even if I go to Dad and ask him to train me more, I won’t suddenly awaken overnight.’

There’s no way an awakening I haven’t had until now will suddenly happen.

Then, in this situation, if I try a little harder, what can I do….

‘Should I meet my brothers?’

There are three older brothers above me in this Aquasiasdel family.

Does that sound familiar?

But didn’t I say that my version is the despair version of childcare?

Unfortunately, there were no brother complexes [affectionate bonds] here.

All there was….

Only the survival-of-the-fittest orcas who knelt after being trampled by my strength.

“Hahaha, you beat me! I will follow you as the Lord!”

“You won, step on me and go.”

“….”

In the 3rd timeline, my brothers even generously offered their backs for me to step on.

“You’re truly the craziest orca our family has ever had!”

“The pride of our orca!”

“You’re the first crazy person I’ve ever seen!”

There was no warm brotherly gaze looking at a lovely younger sister.

There was only awe like looking at a crazy genius, and even the illusion that we could scrub each other’s backs, as if they saw me as a younger brother….

There was only a strong camaraderie.

That’s not to say that the brothers in our family have ordinary personalities.

‘Which of the three crazy guys in this house should I see first.’

Currently, if Grandma has returned, all the news of the family has reached her ears.

I guarantee it with my fins.

‘Actually, if I were thinking of becoming the Lord, I would have been poisoning talents in advance from now on….’

This world is greatly influenced by bloodlines, whether it’s land animal beastkins or aquatic animal beastkins.

Even within the same aquatic creatures, there were differences depending on what kind of animal the mother was.

I knew well the talents who were not noticed because they were hidden by these discriminations.

‘Because I gathered those outsiders and conquered the family.’

But I don’t intend to gather those guys again now.

‘It’s annoying. Why bother when I’m leaving anyway….’

Why doesn’t time pass quickly?

Just as today’s education was about to end, the children ran to me in a row.

“Princess!”

“Princess!!”

It was the Beluga twins. Moreover, it wasn’t just the two of them, and a child who was shyly bowing his head was seen among them.

It was Niro, a gray whale beastkin. He was quite large, but had a gentle impression.

“See you again tomorrow!”

“See you again!”

“Princess! I want to get stronger too!”

“Princess, let’s eat together tomorrow!”

“Okay, okay. See you tomorrow. And I’m going to eat alone.”

I couldn’t show them that I didn’t like eating carrots.

When I refused, the gray whale baby looked sullen, but when I stroked him with my hand, he raised his head again with a sparkle.

Of course, the reason I could stroke him was because this gray whale child was one step below me and bent down to his knees.

In the meantime, Luga and Luba, who had approached quickly, took my hand.

I faced the twins without panicking.

“You didn’t forget what I asked you today, did you?”

“Of course! I’ll ask Dad right away!”

“That’s right, that’s right! I’ll ask.”

“Good.”

I stood on tiptoe and stroked the twins’ heads as well.

This was also a possible posture because the twins were one step below me and bent down to their knees like Niro.

It was a secret that I was a little proud that I had to stand on tiptoe.

“Good. Don’t forget.”

“Yes!”

“But Princess!”

Even after the greetings were over, the twins did not leave immediately and lingered around me.

I, who was about to go down the stairs quickly, tilted my head.

The twins looked at each other once, then hesitated and came closer, helping me up with one hand each.

It was a palanquin ride I had already experienced.

“You guys…!”