K-Eldest Daughter Possessed a Childcare Novel

There was such an episode in the original story.

It was about the female protagonist, Nesia, trying to buy a coming-of-age gift for her eldest brother.

When the child was about to buy a new sword, Meldor casually revealed some information.

– “Are you going to buy a new sword? No, that sword is a treasured one that our eldest brother received when he came second in the hunting competition at the age of 16. It was a gift from the emperor himself.”

The autumn hunting competition was held once every three years, so it wouldn’t be held this year. Therefore, the competition Meldor mentioned in the original story must have been the emperor’s summer hunting competition.

As soon as I remembered that I resolved to participate in the competition myself this year, instead of Meldor.

‘I’ll make a name for myself with Zeppelin and also secure this sword.’

Killing two birds with one stone, sweeping the yard and picking up a coin.

How efficient was that?

I smiled contentedly, put the sword back into its case, and received it from the attendants.

The attendants were a bit taken aback when I easily took the case that usually required two grown men to lift. Regardless, I carefully held the case and bowed to the emperor once again.

“Thank you very much for bestowing such a precious sword upon me, Your Majesty.”

The emperor smiled with satisfaction at my actions and then turned to the dukes.

“This concludes the hunting competition. Tonight’s banquet will be most enjoyable.”

With those words, the royal attendants began to busily prepare for their departure. Some brought the horses that had been kept aside.

I grabbed Alexander’s reins and called out to Zeppelin, who was standing a bit away.

“Sir Vincent.”

At my call, Zeppelin quickly approached with nimble steps.

I handed the case I was holding to him. Zeppelin seemed a bit surprised by the unexpected weight of the case but accepted it without difficulty.

“You are responsible for carrying this.”

“Yes, Lady Belladi.”

Just then, Zion asked.

“Belladi, are you really okay with accepting this sword? You….”

There was a lot implied in Zion’s gaze.

I nodded in response.

“There’s no reason to refuse a sword bestowed by His Majesty.”

Then I looked at Zeppelin and said.

“I also like the sword itself.”

At my words, Zeppelin’s shoulders twitched slightly.

I smiled widely and sent Zeppelin off before mounting Alexander. Mostin, who was already on his horse, hurriedly approached.

“Belladi! Do you really like that sword? Can I look forward to it?”

“I won’t stop you if you want to make a fuss.”

Since I didn’t deny it, Mostin smiled brightly and poked my arm with his finger.

“Isn’t it a good sign that you have a sword at all? Ah, even though I didn’t win second place, I’m still happy!”

“Right. Belladi, I’ll look forward to it too!”

Zion also climbed onto his horse and laughed.

I felt a bit bitter and sorry for their reactions.

‘They tried so hard to convince me.’

I was naturally talented with the sword.

How could my two closest friends not know that? Zion and Mostin were more disappointed than anyone else that I kept away from the sword.

Mostin, especially, who was learning the sword, persistently urged me.

– “Belladi, if you pick up the sword, you’ll become a knight remembered in history!”

Every time, I firmly shook my head.

– “That would be even worse. I can’t make my little brother feel inferior to his older sister.”

– “Ah! Someone, please persuade this smart fool!”

Naturally, thinking of Mostin’s frustration made me laugh a little.

Seeing this, Mostin, who was riding alongside, tilted his head.

“Why are you laughing?”

Zion, next to him, didn’t ask and just chuckled.

“I’ll laugh too. Today was fun.”

“That’s true. Then I’ll laugh as well. Hahaha!”

I watched Zion laughing brightly.

At that time, Zion, who was with Mostin, held my hand with a pitying expression.

And he said this.

– “Belladi, you don’t have to hold back so much for your brother.”

Those words stung my heart.

It felt like he was saying that all my efforts to be loved by my family were in vain.

‘It was true, which made it worse.’

Even after that, the two kept persuading me to learn the sword until just before our mother collapsed.

Given how these two felt, they must be quite pleased that I received the emperor’s sword.

‘To meet their expectations, I must quickly make Zeppelin my ally.’

Grinning, I calculated the timing to collect the bait I had scattered today.

***

The day after the hunting competition ended.

I entered my father’s office upon his summons.

“Father, I heard you called for me.”

Father was at his massive wooden desk, working.

As usual, I approached and waited for him to speak, like an employee awaiting orders from his superior.

It was a rather stark scene for a father and daughter, but we were both accustomed to this setting.

Soon after checking the last document, Father looked up at me.

“You did well yesterday.”

“Thank you, Father.”

“What do you plan to do with the reward from His Majesty?”

“I intend to keep it as a precious heirloom, as it was a gift from our ancestors.”

I planned to keep it carefully while also using it myself.

The spirit sword was one of the strongest swords in the world. Storing such a sword just as a keepsake would be a waste.

“Good, that’s a wise decision.”

Unaware of my true intentions, Father nodded in approval. I was relieved he didn’t suggest handing the sword over to Meldor.

I discarded the plans I had prepared in case I heard such nonsense.

‘Father may be indifferent to me, but he’s not the type to demand I always yield to my brother.’

Unlike my mother.

However, Father tended to be swayed by his love and affection for my mother.

So, in a way, Father also made my life difficult.

‘But now, that mother is gone.’

So… I could maneuver my father a bit more easily.

Hiding my true intentions, I smiled softly.

Seeing my smile, Father looked at me briefly and then spoke again.

“I want to give you a personal reward. Is there anything you want?”

‘I knew he would say that.’

Though indifferent, Father would always ask me what I wanted after a successful achievement. He had just always given those opportunities to Meldor before.

Since I had anticipated this, I didn’t hesitate to speak.

“The reward is unnecessary, Father. The spirit sword is enough. But… I would like to tame Alexander myself.”

He looked somewhat surprised by my words.

“Not a dress or jewels… but Alexander? That horse belongs to your brother.”

“I’m not asking for Alexander. It’s just that Mother chose him personally for Meldor, but he’s been left tied up in the stable, which seems a waste. Don’t you think so too, Father?”

Since I had prepared in advance, my words flowed smoothly.

“Meldor is still too inexperienced for Alexander and needs more training. It would not look good to entrust it to someone else. But I am his sister.”

Father listened quietly.

If he were displeased, he would have interrupted me, but since he didn’t, he seemed somewhat interested.

“If I take care of him, it saves face, and Meldor will be able to ride Alexander more easily.”

As soon as I finished speaking, Father responded.

“Can you tame Alexander alone?”

‘Good.’

As expected, I answered with a slightly regretful expression, shaking my head.

“Perfectly taming him alone would be difficult…”

Difficult? Not at all. I could easily tame Alexander by myself.

But I couldn’t miss this opportunity.

“I would need the help of a skilled knight.”

“Hmm… do you have a particular knight in mind?”

Feeling a strange thrill at how smoothly things were going, I smiled inwardly.

“Sir Zeppelin Vincent would be ideal.”

At my words, Father, who had been tapping the desk, paused.

“Zeppelin… Vincent?”

“Yes, Father.”

“… why specifically him?”

“As you know, I am not familiar with our family knights. Sir Vincent assisted me diligently during the hunting competition, so I believe he is trustworthy.”

“There were two other knights who assisted you as well.”

“From what I observed yesterday, they seemed overwhelmed with Alexander.”

Father seemed deep in thought. The tapping resumed.

The silence lasted longer than usual, so I quietly waited for Father’s judgment.

‘He must be puzzled why I specifically chose Sir Vincent.’

But it wasn’t a bad suggestion.

In the original story, after my mother’s death, Zeppelin began working inside the mansion instead of outside.

After my mother’s funeral, Father called Zeppelin, the head of the Watchers, to stabilize the chaotic mansion.

Zeppelin then stayed in the mansion, and during this time, he became more fascinated by the eldest son, the successor.

‘In this situation, Father will judge that assigning him to help tame the horse is acceptable.’

Taming a horse was not an arduous task. It had only been left alone because Meldor insisted he could handle it by himself.

Soon, Father spoke again.

“Very well.”

Just as I had calculated, Father gave his permission.

“I will assign Sir Vincent to assist you, so tame Alexander well.”

The situation progressing according to plan gave me a peculiar sense of satisfaction.

“Don’t worry, Father. I will make Alexander a loyal and gentle horse.”

And Zeppelin as well.

Of course, I had no intention of handing over the tamed horse and knight to Meldor.

Hiding my true intentions, I neatly carved my lips into a smile.