Chapter 110
Chapter 110
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 111
Chapter Title: Sorting Out the Ranks
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After Aileen boldly entered the dining hall.
The guards gathered together in one spot. Their expressions looked incredibly grim.
And the tigers of Kiraas Castle who passed by those guards wore expressions of sheer astonishment.
Black Mambas, and four of them at that, gathered in one place.
The uncommon sight drew attention, but the guards didn't seem to care in the slightest.
Their interest was focused on only one thing.
How could they get rid of the wicked tiger who dared to court Aileen?
The first to raise his hand was Paymon.
When Karma nodded for him to speak, he gained the floor and said seriously.
"Let's inform the family. This isn't something we can just stand by and watch. We need to get the Young Lady out of the North as soon as possible, even a day sooner."
"I vote for that idea too. You all saw it, right? The way he was flirting the moment he saw the Young Lady."
Mesis's face crumpled into a frown.
Just thinking about it again made his heart drop. It was a relief that Aileen was inexperienced with pheromones.
If she hadn't been, the tiger's pheromones were so blatant she would have noticed.
It was so intense that even the Kiraas clan was shocked, which said it all.
Besides.
"And that brat has already secured his territory, hasn't he? This is completely premeditated."
Now that they knew this, they couldn't stay in the North.
"It's dangerous."
Paymon agreed.
But Karma shook his head.
"No. You haven't forgotten our purpose for coming to the North, have you?"
"The Head of the family told us to withdraw at any time in an emergency."
"Is this that emergency? Enough to abandon the Young Lady's intermediate growth and return?"
"That is..."
It was ambiguous.
But soon, Paymon's expression turned defiant as he choked up with emotion.
If this wasn't an emergency, then what was?
Karma spoke as if to remind everyone.
"Do not forget our purpose here. The Young Lady's safety is the top priority."
That, above all, was the most important directive Kaide had given them.
And for Aileen to be safe, they had to achieve their goal and return, no matter what.
Mesis muttered in annoyance.
"The nerve of him, eyeing someone he shouldn't."
His nerves were already on edge from coming to the North, and now they were twice as frayed.
"What are you going to do, Karma? It seems best for you to decide."
Basad, who had been listening quietly, asked. Karma let out a deep sigh.
He was worried that Aileen might get tied down by that wicked tiger.
His gaze flickered toward the dining hall. He could sense movement inside.
Karma said quietly.
"For now, we'll just watch."
"Dismissed."
As soon as he finished speaking, the dining hall door flew open.
The guards vanished in an instant.
* * *
Throughout the meal, silence hung in the dining hall.
I sat up straight and poked at my meat, not even glancing at Sage, who sat across from me.
I could feel Muhella watching the situation, as if she'd noticed the strange atmosphere between us, but I pretended not to know.
In the end, unable to contain her curiosity, she was the first to ask.
"Did something happen between you two?"
"No. Nothing happened!"
"...I see."
I answered immediately. Silence fell once more. And that silence continued until my plate was completely empty.
"Thank you for inviting me to dinner, Lady Muhella."
"Nonsense. It was nice for me too, so I wasn't bored."
Muhella grinned. Her eyes, shifting between Sage and me, were full of curiosity.
It seemed Muhella had also realized we were in the middle of sorting out our ranks.
"I hope it gets resolved safely."
"Yes, it will. Thank you."
"Well then, I'll be on my way."
Muhella left first.
Only three people remained in front of the dining hall. Me, Hestia. And Sage.
Pretending not to, I snuck a glance at Sage. In that instant, his blue eyes locked onto mine frighteningly fast.
Startled, I rolled my eyes, and from the corner of my vision, I saw Sage's brow furrow slightly.
My heart pounded out of rhythm.
I feigned nonchalance and said goodbye.
"Well, I'll be going now, Sage. See you later."
"Aileen."
"Yes?"
Sage took a step closer. I jumped back in surprise.
Oops. I shouldn't do that! It's so obvious I'm nervous!
Sage's steps halted.
He maintained the distance, seemingly with no intention of coming closer. I let out a small sigh of relief.
In that moment, taking advantage of my lowered guard, Sage closed the distance until he was right in front of me.
"Hah."
I gasped in surprise. The thought of backing away didn't even occur to me. It was that sudden.
When I looked up at Sage with wide eyes, he let out a soft laugh.
"You're not avoiding me now."
"When did I ever avoid you?"
"Really?"
"Really!"
My voice jumped out because I felt guilty. Ah, this isn't right. I'm doomed.
As I bit my lip in despair, a flicker of mischief crossed Sage's eyes.
His relaxed demeanor was almost annoying. Sage, who had been staring at me intently, asked.
"Did I do something wrong?"
"No."
"Then why are you avoiding me?"
"...You should know better than I do."
I answered sullenly. There was nowhere left to retreat. At this point, it was a head-on confrontation.
Sage seemed to ponder my words for a moment, then tilted his head.
"I don't know. I feel like I'm being scolded for no reason when I haven't done anything wrong."
"Are you really asking because you don't know?!"
I couldn't even sleep properly all night because of it. I felt so wronged. To think the person responsible wasn't even bothered!
"You're the one who told me you wanted to sort out our ranks!"
"Sort out our ranks?"
Sage murmured quietly, his brow furrowed. As if asking what that meant.
We stared at each other in silence for a while.
...Don't tell me, he didn't mean it in the sense of ranking?
Sage crossed his arms and gestured with his head as if telling me to explain.
I stealthily turned my head away.
"...I thought you wanted to sort out our ranks."
My voice trailed off on its own.
My face burned as I remembered my behavior in the dining hall.
Sage let out a soft laugh.
"Sorting out our ranks. Right, we should do that."
"Whaat? You just said that wasn't it."
"I've changed my mind. Since your thoughts keep jumping in useless directions. We should get it properly sorted out on this occasion."
"Where in the world do friends do that kind of thing!"
Who changes their mind as easily as flipping their palm?!
As I flared up, the corners of Sage's mouth slowly turned down. His eyes, which had been looking down, turned to me. His blue eyes flashed.
"Friends?"
"......."
"What if I said I'm not satisfied with being friends?"
"...Huh?"
"Will you run away then?"
...What? What is Sage saying right now? I stared at him blankly. It felt like my thoughts had come to a halt.
Sage slowly bent down to meet my gaze. A subtle scent wafted over, stimulating the tip of my nose. I flinched and tensed up without realizing it.
"I can't be satisfied with that kind of relationship, Aileen."
"......."
"But I'm clumsy, so if you don't teach me, I'll just act however I want."
"......."
"So you have to sort it out properly for me."
So I can't act recklessly.
A low voice whispered in my ear. A shiver ran through my body.
I jumped back in surprise. My ears were burning. When I hurriedly covered them, Sage gave a languid smile.
"It can be that way as much as you want, if you just wish for it. Can you handle it?"
"You, you!"
Still covering my ears with both hands, I looked up at Sage. My vision swam. What in the world was happening right now? The world was spinning, and my heart was pounding hard.
Hestia, who had been frozen in shock beside me, belatedly came to her senses and stepped in front of me.
"I apologize, but any further approach toward Lady Aileen is not permitted. The Astrofel family does not allow it."
"Is that so?"
"It is."
"I don't think so. Shouldn't you be trying to get on my good side right now?"
Sage glanced down at my necklace. Hestia's expression hardened slightly.
"I told you to be more careful if you have something to hide, Aileen."
It was a subtle reaction, but Sage smiled with satisfaction. It was the smile of a predator that had gained the upper hand.
"I spent all night thinking about why the Astrofel family sent you here."
"That is because Lady Aileen wished to keep her promise to you, Lord Sage."
"Who would believe that?"
Sage's gaze, which had briefly turned to Hestia, returned to my necklace.
My mouth went dry.
"The reason you came here... I think it has something to do with that pheromone stone."
He hit the nail on the head. I flinched. But at the same time, I had a feeling that even if Sage learned the secret, he wouldn't cause any harm.
I gave Hestia, who was blocking the way, a look to say it was okay. She reluctantly took a step back.
"So, what are you trying to say?"
"I'll pretend I don't know, so get rid of the pests. The doctor here, and the snakes around you."