Dumbfounded by Mika’s declaration, I flailed my tiny arms in vain.
But she simply scooped me up.
She smelled so good…
No, no.
Now was not the time to be distracted by a nice scent.
I had absolutely no intention of being raised by Mikaila, only to end up tortured and killed like in my previous life.
“Hey, you crazy girl!
Does that make any sense to you?
The kid belongs to the Lord.”
“The Lord doesn’t seem to think so.”
“He literally gave her a name!”
“Hmm.
That is a bit bothersome, but…
the Lord said he only kept her around because her red eyes were unusual.
He even wondered if she might be a gift from Kareha.”
“No way…
How could something so tiny and squishy be a gift from Kareha?”
“Why not?
Maybe she’ll grow up to be adorable, bewitch the Lord, and then plunge a dagger right into his heart.”
Mika was sharp, as expected.
Shaken by how accurately she had read my mind, a visible shiver ran down my spine.
Masha, who had been frozen in fear, must have misinterpreted my reaction.
Clenching her fists with sudden resolve, she stepped forward.
I shook my head vigorously at her.
‘Don’t do anything, Masha.
I can protect myself.
Don’t provoke Mikaila.’
Masha nodded solemnly.
It seemed she had completely misunderstood my gestures.
“Lady Mikaila.
The baby is still so young and fragile.
She must be cared for by a professional.”
Masha’s voice trembled as she spoke.
Masha.
To think you would summon such courage for my sake.
If I survive this, I will make sure to protect you, no matter what.
“Hmm.”
Annoyed by the interruption, Mika arched an eyebrow.
“Are you saying I’m not a professional, but you are?”
“Of course, you crazy girl!
All you know how to do is kill.
You’ve never raised a single thing in your life!”
Thankfully, Baba intervened.
I detested him, but right now, I was grateful to him for saving Masha’s life.
Baba, I’ll make sure your death is painless.
“What are you talking about?
I’ve raised a Godia and a Kerbena before.”
Godia.
Kerbena.
Masha looked utterly bewildered by the names, which were unheard of on the Krafia Continent.
But I knew exactly what they were.
Carnivorous plants that only grew in the Demon Realm.
Vicious plants that devoured humans, demons, and animals alike—anything that dared to get close.
“Is raising a human baby the same as raising those things?!”
It was a relief that Baba possessed some semblance of common sense.
“Whatever.
I’ll just ask the Lord if I can…”
Click.
Mika stopped mid-sentence at the sound of the door opening.