I Became a Human’s Daughter

After a while, Ariel and Ahin sat across from each other with the table between them. It was all thanks to Jane, who briefly visited the kitchen and noticed Ahin wiping the table with a handkerchief.

“Why would you do this, young master… I’ll do it, please give it to me.”

When Ariel realized that the boy had a close relationship with the house owner, she had no choice but to offer him a seat.

‘He even touched my precious piece of dirt, as if entering my place at will wasn’t enough.’

Ahin, who was allowed to sit, was also able to get a good look at the ‘unusual illegitimate child’.

‘Hmm, I can’t find a trace of her birth mother.’

The illegitimate child only resembled the Grand Duke. But unlike the sharp Grand Duke, her eyes were raised like a cat, she also had a cute nose and lips, and plump cheeks that were very lovely.

‘Is this how kids normally look?’

Since there were no children younger than him in the Grand Duke’s residence, Ahin looked at Ariel with a slightly unfamiliar look which made Ariel frown.

“Why are you staring at me so intently! How cheeky.”

When she spoke her last words, she lowered her voice a little, but it was still clear to Ahin’s ears. After that, he burst out laughing.

“This bean sure has a habit of talking back.”

Where did she learn to speak in this manner? Besides, what’s up with her way of speaking, which occasionally includes high-level words?

It was amusing, but Ahin couldn’t express it, so he secretly avoided her gaze.

He had no idea why, but when this child became enraged, he unknowingly froze at her arrogance. That was the case when he was cleaning the table. When she raised her voice, he couldn’t help but follow.

‘I’ve heard of people who takes pleasure in being treated carelessly, but I didn’t expect I was like that…’

It was when Ahin was seriously doubting his taste, Ariel’s feet slammed hard on the floor, and the roar echoed again.

“What’s the point of sitting if you have nothing to say?”

“I apologize for entering your room without your permission. It was my mistake.”

Ariel’s face, which had been mercilessly wrinkled, straightened slightly as Ahin hurriedly spit out an apology.

He was afraid of angering her again if the conversation was interrupted, so he spoke quickly.

“I am Ahin Claudif. What’s your name? “

“My name is Ariel.”

“Ariel, I’ve heard that name before…”

He then spit out what he was thinking,

“Ah, the idiot…!”

But when he saw Ariel’s bloodshot eyes, he quickly shut his mouth. Ahin, who was coughing loudly, corrected himself by saying,

“Ariel Claudif, what a pretty name.”

Then Ariel, who was breathing deeply with a small heart, wondered and tilted her head as if leaning.

“No, I’m not Ariel Claudif, I’m just Ariel.”

This time, Ahin was puzzled.

‘What’s the difference?’

After a while, Ahin, who had been quietly contemplating, nodded his head.

‘Ah, it appears that father hasn’t given her the surname yet.’

If it becomes known that he has given his hidden daughter the family name, it will undoubtedly cause problems.

Suddenly, he felt pity for the child who was not even given a last name just because of being an illegitimate child.

“Don’t worry. As long as you are in this residence, the Grand Duchy, you are also a member of Claudif. You deserve it.”

“Yes?”

“From now on, your name will be Ariel Claudif, not just Ariel.”

“What do you mean, and why is my name Ariel Claudif?”

So she appears to be required to follow the owner’s surname because she followed him in his home.

“Ugh!”

Ariel’s face turned white as she fell to the ground and stayed there for a while. There will be a trace of human in her name.

‘How could this be!’

Ariel, who was crying inside, lifted her head. She’s now curious about the identity of the boy who suddenly appeared and attached a strange word to her name.

“You…”

Ariel, who was about to ask a question, came to a halt.

‘Wait, what should I call the house’s owner?’

After thinking for a while, Ariel immediately recalled the word ‘father’ Martin had said and opened her mouth quickly.

“What is your relationship with father?”

She was unaware at the time that she had become a human’s daughter.

Then Ahin burst out laughing, as if she was being ridiculous.

‘Does that even qualify as a question?’

His appearance was strikingly similar to that of the Grand Duke. No, it was not just a resemblance, but almost a miniature of the Grand Duke. Even those who saw him for the first time referred to him as the grand prince simply by his appearance.

So Ahin said with a puzzled expression,

“What kind of relationship you say? of course, blood relation.”

It seemed too natural to Ahin, but it astounded Ariel.

‘Have you ever shared blood? What kind of blood is it? Perhaps it’s not blood?’

Ariel, terrified, inquired urgently.

“Are you referring to the blood that circulates in the body?”

She believes that the concept of ‘blood’ that she is familiar with and the concept of ‘blood’ that humans are familiar with will differ.

However…

“Of course.” 

The response was a cruel affirmation that widened Ariel’s mouth.

‘When you say you’re sharing blood, do you mean you’re going to draw your blood and share it? Why?’

It was during Ariel’s terrified trembling,

“Aside from myself, my father is the only person with whom I have blood relations. As of today, it has increased by one.”

“I-It increased?”

How many more heinous beings are there? Ariel’s face was flushed with surprise, but Ahin responded calmly, as if nothing was wrong.

“Yeah, you’re also father’s daughter and I share the same blood with him.”

It was a word used insignificantly among humans, but in Ariel’s ears sounded like this.

Wait, I’ll draw your blood soon.

She made her way to Earth and will have her blood taken away by humans.

‘How can this be…’

Ariel wept and wrapped her arms around herself. Surely enough, Ariel’s mood became extremely sensitive after meeting with Ahin.

‘I’m not sure when they’ll draw my blood.’

Fear prevented Ariel from eating or sleeping properly. Naturally, the entire residence was in a state of panic.

“Come on, make something the little miss will like!”

At Jane’s shout, the kitchen staff moved in unison.

“Hurry up and send someone to His Highness right away to inform him of the young lady’s illness!

At Martin’s urging, the knights set out in search of the Grand Duke who had inspected the territory.

And Ahin,

“I’m sorry young master, the lady told me never to let the young master in…”

He couldn’t even get close to Ariel’s room because of the tight security. Nonetheless, Ariel’s boundaries with humans remained firm.

“Please try this potato soup, young miss. It’s made from milk.”

“What about this steak? You’re eating this very well before.”

“The grilled lobster is also excellent.”

“Could you please take one bite?”

Ariel just shook her head no matter what they served. Even when they brought the cookies, she only paused briefly but did not open her mouth.

‘I can’t trust any of these.’

She didn’t know what kind of poison they’ve put in those foods to harm her. 

When it was the third day since she had stopped eating and drinking and was unable to sleep at night…

“Ah, miss!”

Ariel passed out.

The doctor rushed after hearing the news that the Grand Duke’s illegitimate child had collapsed.

“It’s not a big deal. She simply lacks energy after not eating for a few days.”

He gave a brief diagnosis while sweating and staring at Ariel. But Jane was still unable to raise her head.

“It’s all my fault. I should’ve forced the young miss to eat…”

Ariel has only been at the Grand Duke’s residence for a few days, but she already became like this. Although it was only a temporary position, she couldn’t help but feel responsible because she was in charge of being Ariel’s attendant.

Martin was comforted by her efforts.

“Don’t hold it against yourself. How can we force the young miss?”

“Of course we would have been reprimanded, but if only I did, she wouldn’t have been in this situation.”

Martin sighed at her remorse and looked at Ariel. Her face, which had been plump when she first arrived, had been reduced to half in a matter of days.

‘Why did His Highness have to leave at this time?’

The situation would not have reached this point if the Grand Duke had been present. She will be forced to feed food or supplements with his permission.

‘It’s absurd to inspect the estate right after bringing the lady in the first place!’

For the first time since becoming the Grand Duke’s subordinate, Martin despised his master.

That was then…

“Martin!”

Suddenly, the door barged open, and someone stepped inside.

A panting voice, green eyes filled with urgency, messy and disheveled blonde hair, and sweat drops running down his jawline.

It was the Grand Duke.

The Grand Duke who had inspected the estate has returned. He ran back with all his might, as if he was worried about his sick daughter.