CH 24

The dome-shaped assembly hall at Winchester Manor.

Normally closed, it was opened for three days once a year during the ‘Dark Feast’, a gathering of blood relatives with the Winchester surname.

The official purpose is to worship the “Black Dragon”, the source of the black salt in the family folklore.

But the real purpose was for Winchester descendants to mingle, share information, collaborate, and show off their Winchester strength.

On the second day after the party, each person would place one item into the Dark Goblet to prove that they had been chosen by the Darkness.

And today was the first day of the ceremony.

Strolling leisurely through the antique and ornate assembly hall, the guests enjoyed the view of the Winchester mansion.

Magnificent music played non-stop, and the chefs continued to prepare new dishes and drinks.

“Have you heard the rumors about the lady?”

“What lady? She is the illegitimate daughter of a woman from Quenne who was not officially married.”

“They say she looks more like him than any of his sons. Silver hair, green eyes…… kind of funny.”

The people gathered around the table were muttering rumors about Sasha Winchester.

~ Translations by Lurelia | Editing by Valpal | Read only at moonlightnovels.com ~

“Still, it’s a chance to put pressure on the Taylors…. so, I’m assuming the head of the family is interested.”

“Last year, Lord Bashiron had his eyes on her.”

“Perhaps it was the Taylors who were responsible for the raid? I heard Taylor’s venom was found in the poisoned arrows.”

“His leg hasn’t healed, and I hear they’re bringing in a fairly famous healer this time, so maybe he’ll get better.”

More than half of the fifty or so people gathered here were related to Recardo Winchester within eight degrees of consanguinity.

In fact, if you went beyond the eighth degree of consanguinity, you couldn’t use the surname Winchester, and you couldn’t use the power of black flame, so this was a gathering of people who could be called “Winchesters” in the Empire.

Some people were unhappy with him as a member of the Afinizu.

“It’s not like him, there has to be something to it, with the raid on Bashiron and…… the kid must have a secret.”

One of them, Zestia, looked at the altar and pursed her lips.

Since Sasha Winchester’s birth, the things that had been happening in the Winchester household had been quite upsetting to her.

It was bad enough that Recardo, the unsightly bastard, had taken over as head of the family, but the spies that Bashiron and Zestia had planted in the Winchester manor were losing contact.

Then, just when it looked like they might finally be catching up …… Recardo overreacted.

The youngest, a maiden, a mere child.

“It stinks.”

At Zestia’s side, her daughter Permetis raised her eyebrows. “I will find out, Mother. Don’t worry too much.”

Permetis was seven years old, two years younger than Jin and Othello.

She had wavy gray hair like Zestia’s, and her eyes were red, like her slave father’s.

After Zestia gave birth to Permetis, she killed the male slave who had been her lover.

Because that was the way to pass on the Winchester surname.

“My oppas are kind to me, so I’m sure they’ll tell me if I ask.” 

(E/N: Oppa in the older male friend/associate way, not the actual older brother way)

Permetis was confident.

Although the brothers Jin and Othello Winchester often ignored or despised other Winchesters their age, they were kind to her.

Zestia spoke to Permetis in a commanding tone.

“Bring me a clue – anything. Anything useful.”

“Yes, Mother.”

Permetis planned to live up to Zestia’s expectations.

She had been taught the art of scheming and manipulation from the time she had begun to learn her letters and could easily outdo a child as young as ten.

The other Winchester children, also trained from an early age, were no match for her.

“Uh, look, isn’t that Jin?”

At the sound of chatter, a moment later, Permetis glanced in the direction of the entrance.

Compared to Othello, Jin was more conversational and had more manners and courtesy.

But when they came into view a moment later, her brow furrowed slightly.

“Between Jin and Othello is that little baby…….”

“Silver hair and green eyes. Is that the youngest?”

The assembled crowd began to murmur. The members of the Afinizu turned to look at Sasha Winchester with meaningful eyes.

Sasha Winchester had cute, ponytailed hair and a white, chubby face. Her large eyes were a sparkling green.

The lavender dress she wore exuded a lovely aura, and the mood of this strangely dark place seemed to change completely as the baby walked along.

On either side of Sasha Winchester were Othello and Jin.

They weren’t holding the baby’s hand, but they were definitely walking side by side.

Jin Winchester, cool and aloof, with sky-blue hair that mirrored Recardo’s aura.

And the pink-haired Othello Winchester, who exuded a fierce, feisty, ferocious air.

All eyes turned to them at their entrance.

* * *

I stopped in my tracks.

What the hell, why is the atmosphere so ferocious?

I felt many eyes on me.

Some of them were relatively harmless, but the temperature of their gazes ranged from suspicious to wary, as if I were more than a mere baby…….

Jin and Othello’s expressions remained unchanged, as if they were used to it.

The Winchester family motto was the rule of the strong.

Normally, the child with the strongest black flame would be the next in line, but Recardo Winchester’s father…… Enoch Winchester, my grandfather, was not a patriarch.

He was eliminated from contention and the seat of the House Head should have gone to Bashiron, but twelve years ago, when he was only seventeen, Recardo Winchester overwhelmingly defeated Bashiron and became the Head of the Household.

And his successor would be Jin, just like the original.

His black flame is just as strong as Recardo’s, so he’s more than a match for anyone. The only problem is, before he can take his first steps as head of the house, the family will be destroyed by Evan Taylors.

“Aiya……”

I should at least give these two a hint.

They’re annoying, but they haven’t been mean to me.

I looked at Jin and Othello and thought about it for a moment. I felt the guests’ gazes on me fade, and the chatter resumed.

A cheerful voice called out from the side.

“My brothers!”

I turned to see a little girl with wavy hair, about seven years old.

Her eyes were red, and her face was quite pretty.

She looked like her mother, I thought, and then I made eye contact with Zestia, who was a few feet away.

Zestia looked at me, twisted her lips into a pout, and turned her head away.

~ Translations by Lurelia | Editing by Valpal | Read only at moonlightnovels.com ~

What was that……? I feel…….

“Permetis.”

Othello said the name in a flat tone with a raised eyebrow. It sounded a little like a response of annoyance.

Jin didn’t answer, but he smiled faintly, as if greeting a familiar face.

“I’ve missed my oppas so much.”

It was a genuine expression of emotion, one that would normally be reserved for a child of her age.

She flashed a deep smile at Jin and Othello, her eyes sparkling.

“I think you’re both taller than me, oppas. Peri’s still too short.”

Then she held out her hand and ran it through her hair.

“You were seven this year?”

“Yes, seven, and I wish I could be as tall as Othello-oppa. I’ve been eating all the tori berries Jin-oppa told me about, but I’m not big enough.”

Adding a little charm, Permetis pouted a little.

Jin smiled faintly.

“You’ll be big soon enough.”

Othello’s expression was stony, and Permetis quickly smiled brightly.

“I’m sure I will, but Othello-oppa is still a little shy today. I heard he won first place in the hunting competition, though. Wow.”

I don’t know about other things, but this kid, Permetis, seems to have great social skills.

“That’s awesome, Othello-oppa, and congratulations.”

“……Mmhhn.”

He only said it half-heartedly, obviously uncomfortable with her.

In <Taylor’s Home>, he was the number one antisocial personality.

Despite his reaction, Permetis smiled and said to Jin.

“We have a lot of games at our summer house, and I’m hoping my oppas will come over again this year to shoot some hunting and play with Peri.”

Seeing Permetis smiling, Jin nodded.

“There are plenty of suitable ones in the Pashurit Mountains, but before that…….”

Jin looked at me.

“Did I introduce you to Sasha?”

Her eyes widened as if she’d just spotted me.

“Sasha! That’s right, I heard about the baby, but it’s the first time.”

I think she could have asked earlier.

“I was so excited to see my oppas that I forgot to ask about the baby. Silly Peri!” Shrugging her shoulders, Permetis smiled brightly and said, “Hi, baby, I’m Peri.”

As my face reflected on the red surface of those smiling eyes, I suddenly remembered the vaguely familiar name of Permetis.