Chapter 108
Chapter 108
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 109
Chapter Title: A Predator's Instincts
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The members of the Kiraas clan stared, mouths agape, at the unbelievable sight unfolding before them.
Their young master was, of all things, putting on an act.
Sage was hiding his claws, acting like a toothless tiger.
They had never felt a chill, not even in the biting, frosty winds of the North. Yet now, they had goosebumps.
"I think the young master's gone mad."
There was no other explanation. Either that, or he had some ulterior motive concerning the young lady from the Astrofel family.
The Kiraas clan naturally gravitated toward the latter conclusion.
Just then, someone muttered, as if noticing something odd.
"But the young master's pheromones... don't they seem a little different from usual?"
"What do you mean?"
"...It's almost like he's courting her. It's just my imagination, right?"
Normally, they would have laughed it off as nonsense.
But upon hearing those words, the members of the Kiraas clan widened their eyes as if struck by lightning.
Because something suddenly clicked into place.
The tale of Sage recently wiping out the entire surrounding area was well-known.
And predators typically begin securing their territory before taking a mate.
Oh, no. It couldn't be, could it?
Their voices began to drop to a whisper.
To keep their conversation from reaching the ears of the Astrofel family members.
"So you're saying the young master is... acting like this to win that young lady's heart?"
"If that's not it, why else would he be acting this way? Can anyone explain it?"
No, no one could.
They all shook their heads, their faces slack with disbelief.
Truthfully, they were all in tacit agreement.
When they considered Sage's recent, incomprehensible behavior in light of their current conversation, everything suddenly made perfect sense.
Unbelievable.
How could this be?
"...But the young master was only born a short while ago. To become an adult..."
They glanced over at Sage.
He was demonstrating the most phenomenal growth rate of any Kiraas in history.
At this rate, it wouldn't be long before he reached full maturity.
And this was a pace far faster than even the two heirs of the Astrofel family.
For the record, Sage was born after Aileen.
At this point, a single question began to form in their minds.
What was it about that young lady that had Sage so utterly captivated?
They all turned to look at Aileen in unison.
As if feeling their gazes, Aileen tilted her head and looked back.
The way she glanced around quizzically, her kind pink eyes wide with curiosity, made her look just like...
The members of the Kiraas clan, who were now feigning innocence and staring straight ahead, all had the exact same thought.
'She's like a snow rabbit.'
To think such a harmless creature existed in the world. For the first time, they found themselves envying the southern reptiles.
It was said that Kaide Astrofel had softened considerably of late; now they understood why.
And they recalled one fact they had forgotten.
That the only animal capable of surviving in Sage's territory was the snow rabbit.
As Aileen kept stopping and looking back suspiciously, Sage asked.
"What's wrong, Aileen?"
"Hmm, I keep feeling eyes on me, but when I look back, there's nothing."
"Is that so?"
Slowly.
Sage's turquoise eyes swept coolly over the members of his clan.
Then, his lips parted, forming silent words.
'Look away.'
It was an unmistakable warning. The members of the Kiraas clan lowered their gazes.
At the same time, they couldn't hide their pity.
To be caught by the young master, of all people.
This was what had transpired just before Aileen arrived at the entrance of Kiraas Castle and met Muhella.
* * *
The moment I passed through the gates of Kiraas Castle and stepped into the garden, I recognized the woman before me at a single glance.
Her features were so distinct that I didn't need anyone to tell me; I knew at once that she was Sage's mother.
Muhella Kiraas.
The ruler of the North and the head of the Kiraas family.
The moment our eyes met, she gave me a satisfied smile.
"Welcome, Aileen. I am Muhella Kiraas. You've had a long journey."
"Hello, I am Aileen Astrofel!"
"Yes, it's a pleasure to meet you. I hope you will be comfortable here."
"Thank you."
I bowed my head, sneaking a glance at her.
Muhella was incredibly beautiful, wearing ornate jewelry that somehow didn't seem the least bit excessive on her.
But beneath that beauty, I sensed an unapproachable strength.
Like Kiraas Castle towering behind her, she seemed to embody the North itself.
Muhella turned her gaze towards Hestia and the guards standing behind me.
"Are those the physician and guards the Astrofel patriarch mentioned?"
"Yes, that's right. It is an honor to meet you, Lady Kiraas."
Hestia greeted her first. Following her lead, Karma and the other guards also gave a silent bow.
Sage's brow furrowed.
"...A physician?"
"Yes, just in case anything happens in the North."
I gave the answer I had prepared. After all, it wasn't exactly common for the family physician to travel with someone.
As I expected, Sage replied, clearly finding it hard to understand.
"The Kiraas family has a physician too."
"Of course you have an excellent physician, but I'm the one who knows Lady Aileen best."
Hestia replied with a bright smile. The corner of Sage's eye twitched.
A strange tension crackled between them, as if he found her displeasing.
Meanwhile, my heart was pounding.
Sage meant that the Kiraas family's physician would be sufficient, but that was actually the problem.
Their skill was precisely the problem.
A skilled physician would easily notice the secret of my pheromones.
Was there any information the Kiraas family, rulers of the northern continent, couldn't obtain?
If they set their minds to it, they would eventually acquire it.
That was the one thing that couldn't happen. Which meant I had to play my part perfectly.
I decided to distract Sage first.
"Sage, I'm cold. Let's go inside quickly."
As I took his hand and urged him on, Sage looked down at where I held his arm.
After a moment, Sage tilted his head.
"Cold?"
"Yes. Cold."
At my reply, Sage's expression grew subtle. I could feel his gaze on me, as if he were trying to gauge something. I tugged on his arm.
Separating him from Hestia was my first priority.
Fortunately, Sage obediently followed where I led.
Though his expression revealed nothing of his thoughts.
Muhella, who had been watching us with interest, spoke up.
"Sage, why don't you show Aileen to her room?"
"Me?"
"Yes. Wouldn't it be difficult for Arisa to guide everyone alone?"
At that, the woman with a sharp bob standing beside Muhella asked in bewilderment.
"Pardon? Me?"
She must have been Arisa.
Arisa wore a puzzled expression, as if she couldn't comprehend the suggestion that such a simple task would be difficult for her.
Muhella then smiled brightly and repeated herself.
"Yes. I am terribly worried that it might be too much for you to guide all our guests by yourself."
"...Pardon?"
"Therefore, you will show Aileen to her room, Sage."
It all happened in an instant.
Hestia looked displeased, but she couldn't object to Muhella's words and approached me instead.
"Then I will come to see you in a little while, Lady Aileen. Please rest."
"Okay, Hestia. Don't worry about me too much."
I waved, assuring her I was fine.
Arisa took Hestia and the guards and left to guide them to their quarters.
Sage looked at me and said.
"Let's go then."
"Okay."
"Your room is on the third floor."
"What about the others' rooms?"
We were walking in the complete opposite direction from the group that had just left.
Sage pointed to the floor directly above us.
"The second floor. Access to the third floor is restricted, so we have to use a different staircase. It connects directly."
"I see."
I followed Sage. Kiraas Castle was a complex labyrinth, so much so that I worried I might get lost if I wasn't careful.
And then...
"Don't step there, Aileen."
"Huh? What is it?"
*Thwip!*
The moment my left foot touched the floor, I heard something slice through the air.
What was that sound?
I turned my head in the direction the sound came from.
And then I saw it. A trident, flying toward me at a terrifying speed. I froze.
...Why in the world was a trident coming out of the wall?
Sage pulled me back, then effortlessly snatched the trident from the air.
"...Sage, what is this?"
"They're traps, set on purpose. You'll find them here and there throughout the castle."
Why on earth?!
I was now afraid to take another step.
I had no idea where the next one might come from. Or perhaps the floor would give way this time.
Sage tossed the trident into a corner and led me forward.
I held my breath and carefully placed my feet exactly where Sage had stepped.
Then Sage laughed softly.
"There's nothing from here on. My mother made that when I was a child."
"...Why?"
"It develops your senses."
Oh, I see. Dodging terrifying traps helps develop your senses. So that's why she made them.
The Astrofel family's training methods were far from ordinary, but the Kiraas family was clearly on another level.
So little was known about the Kiraas family to the outside world, giving them a strong air of mystery and secrecy.
Today, I felt as if I'd caught a glimpse of their true nature.
After walking down the hall for a while, Sage stopped in front of the room at the very end.
He turned to me and asked.
"So what is it?"
"What is what?"
"The thing you're hiding."
Sage's eyes fixed on me. His turquoise gaze was unnervingly calm.
My heart sank.
I had expected he might suspect something by the time I arrived in the North, but I never thought he'd ask about it so soon.
At my reaction, the corner of Sage's mouth curled into a slow smile.
"I don't know what it is. But if you're going to hide it, be more careful, Aileen."
Especially in front of a predator.
Sage whispered softly.