ORPDRL Chapter 25

 Episode 25

The child’s antics were undeniably adorable, but understanding her abilities took precedence.

“Since when? Exactly when did you start seeing other people’s emotions?”

“Since I met Sister Alicia.”

Whether it was something Alicia had done while explaining Letty’s abilities or simply the right time, it seemed that Letty’s special power had begun to manifest.

‘At first, I didn’t know what I was seeing were emotions, but over time, I realized they were.’

For example, Letty would sometimes catch a glimpse of a gray shadow from a timid maid being scolded for a mistake. It resembled the color of guilt she had once seen around Lilia, who had broken something.

‘Sister Dolores acted as if the head maid’s nagging was merely annoying, though…’

Letty suddenly realized that she had never seen feelings of guilt or regret from Dolores, and her eyes widened in surprise.

‘Is it because my abilities haven’t fully developed yet?’

She decided that when she met her mom, she would first tell her how much she loved her, give her about 30 kisses to show how much she missed her, and then ask about her abilities.

‘The shadowy siblings Mom used to command—they must have only been visible to me and Mom, right?’

Looking back, those shadows used to come and go freely even when Letty was playing with her friend Titimi next door. Yet, Titimi acted as if she couldn’t see them.

‘Does this mean I can set up a task center like Mom someday?’

It would have been nice to know another adult red panda besides her mom, but unfortunately, the Grizzly territory was filled with bears and the occasional raccoon. Other than herself, there were no red pandas.

Feeling slightly frustrated at not fully understanding her ability, Letty pouted.

“Did you feel your ability awaken?”

“It just suddenly started appearing, so I guessed and used it.”

Her casual explanation, which sounded like she was talking about hearing ghosts, made Tinker stare at her blankly, tilting their head in thought.

“Hmmm…”

A power that allowed her to see and touch things others couldn’t see—was it a sensory-based ability? Yet the sensory powers Tinker knew of were usually heightened senses, like stronger smell or hearing. Being able to see intangible things, like emotions, was something Tinker had never encountered.

‘What was the red panda’s special power again? Did it even appear in the book?’

The fairy groaned in frustration and pulled out [Panda Daughter-in-Law], flipping through the pages. However, even after searching through hundreds of pages of the original text, there was no mention of a red panda’s abilities or an 'emotion-reading' power.

‘It’s either not included, in a torn section I don’t remember, or it never appeared in the first place.’

Frustrated, Tinker stomped its foot.

This world was based on [Panda Daughter-in-Law], but not everything could be written in the book. Even as a book demon, Tinker wasn’t omniscient like the Creator.

“It seems clear that your special ability has indeed manifested, Letty.”

If Letty turned out to be a character with abilities not mentioned in the book, Tinker was obligated to report this to the Demon King.  

As the most curious being in the Demon Realm, Tinker’s master was deeply fascinated by [Panda Daughter-in-Law], where each character seemed to come to life. They would surely be delighted to hear about Letty’s unexpected growth, as she wasn’t even properly featured in the book.

‘Could it be that the Demon King sent me here because Letty might become a singularity in this story?’

Tinker squinted and scrutinized Letty from head to toe.

Presenting this tiny red panda to the Demon King might even absolve Tinker of the 'sin' of neglecting [Panda Daughter-in-Law] while indulging in reading other books, particularly BL novels.

“It’s neither healing nor sensory—it seems to be latent potential!”

“What?”

Letty’s eyes widened at the fairy’s sudden proclamation as its leaned in close.

“Latent?”

“Beastfolk who can use various types of abilities belong to the latent category. If you can feel emotions just by touching others, and even see things... Did the same happen at Feyrins house?”

Letty shook her head at the fairy’s question.

“No, but nobody touched me at Feyrin’s house.”

Although her senses had become sharper recently, Letty had already been attuned to Lingling and Panpan’s emotions when she lived with Feyrin. However, she hadn’t 'felt' anything as she did now—because there was no physical contact.

‘Feyrin thought I was dirty and only touched me when she hit me.’

Feyrin avoided touching Letty as if she were a carrier of disease and strictly warned Lingling and Panpan against it.

“I don’t know… but I wasn’t hurt or anything.”

Usually, a beastfolk’s abilities manifested along with significant growing pains. Letty had never experienced anything like that.

“Didn’t Feyrin push you, causing that big injury? Maybe that’s when it started?”

Letty’s small chest swelled with hope at the fairy’s words, despite her uncertainty.

“Really?”

‘Could it be true, just as sister Alicia said, that my ability has awakened?’

“It’s natural for beastfolk to develop abilities, so why are you so happy?”

Tinker’s indifferent remark only made Letty giggle in excitement.

“Well, if you can read emotions, you might make some money out of it.”

The fairy’s realistic comment made Letty shake her head vigorously.

“It’s not about that! I could tell everyone that Father-in-law isn’t lazy—he’s sad!”

Though she didn’t yet know how to use her ability, Letty hoped that dispelling the black mist might ease Grisys’s depression a little.

Tinker, slightly guilt-ridden by her words, cleared its throat awkwardly and raised its voice unnecessarily.

“You should focus on your own future! If you keep this up, you might really get kicked out and never become a daughter-in-law!”

“But Fairy, didn’t you tell me to get closer to Father-in-law?”

Although the fairy had given her the energy potion for emergencies, knowing Grisys’s personality, he might just let Moriel torment him again without retaliating.

“I’ll do my best to get closer to Father-in-law!”

Letty clenched her fists with determination, recalling the relieved expression on Brunhardt's face after reconciling with Alicia.

‘I hope Father-in-law's face can look that peaceful too.’

“I’ll break the curse!”

“No matter how latent your ability is, I doubt you can physically break a curse.”

Despite the fairy’s sarcastic remark about still not fully understanding Letty’s abilities, the little red panda’s eyes sparkled with resolve.

‘Mom always said you should earn your keep.’

Since she planned to escape with the jewels someday, she figured she should at least do enough to make up for their value.

That night, Letty lay in bed, her heart pounding with excitement over the possibility of having awakened a special ability. She couldn’t calm herself down and finally drifted off to sleep only as morning arrived.

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