Chapter 14

My Feelings
My feelings...

Are these the feelings of five-year-old me? Or of eighty-two-year-old me?

But no matter which, my feelings remain the same.

"I want to stay here, with the Lampail family. Even as someone with a Null attribute... even if I am oppressed, I want to accomplish something with these unorthodox skills! I don’t know yet what I can do, but... is that not allowed?"

"Alright. Then let’s think together about what you can do, okay?"

"Th-thank you! Father, I love you so much!"

I hugged Father tightly.

This reflexive action must be coming from the 'me' who’s emerged.

As a pure Japanese person, I’d normally be too embarrassed to hug someone like this on my own.

"Jo-Joan. Let’s think together too, okay? As women, we might come up with some unique ideas."

"Thank you! Mother, I love you so much too!"

Another tight hug.

"I-I’ll think with you too! Together, we can come up with ideas that adults might never think of!"

"Thank you, Brother Noel! I love you too!"

And another tight hug.

"I’ll, uh, I’ll come up with something too! Since we’re closest in age, I bet we’d have the most fun thinking together!"

"Heheh. Thank you, Brother Gene. I love you too!"

Yet another hug.

"My Lady, I happen to know things that the others may not. Shall we think together?"

“”””"!!!!!!!!””””"

"Thank you, Gray. I love you too!"

Hugging Gray tightly.

"G-Gray... even you?"

"My apologies."

Everyone is prioritizing my feelings.

What an amazing family I have.

Then... I wonder if they’ll let me cook if I say I want to?

Regret for not speaking up is worse than regret after trying, isn’t it?

Well, I’m sure it’ll work out somehow.

"Um, Father, may I make a request?"

"Hm? What is it?"

"I-I want to try cooking."

"Cooking? You?"

"Yes, is that not okay?"

"Mm~ but it’s dangerous, you know."

"I’ll listen carefully to what Abe and the others tell me. Please."

"Still, that’s a bit~”

"Why not? Let her try.”

Mother chimed in to support me.

"Hm, alright. Then, for today’s afternoon tea, try making something. We’ll taste it and decide after that."

"Th-thank you! I’ll do my best!!"

Yay! I did it~

For afternoon tea, it’ll be sweets, right? What should I make~

Cookies? Cupcakes? Sandwiches? Or maybe canapés? So many choices, I can’t decide~

As I mulled over what to make, everyone watched over me kindly.