Chapter 112
Chapter 112
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 113
Chapter Title: Jealousy and Suspicion
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"Really?!"
A smile spread across my face at the welcome news. To think those two were in the North. It was hard to believe, but I was overjoyed.
I was also curious to see how much they had changed after their full maturation.
After shedding their skin, it would be like meeting them for the first time again, so a sense of excitement took over.
Seeing my face full of anticipation, Sage let out an unreadable sigh.
His eyes were filled with displeasure, as if something wasn't to his liking.
I looked at Sage, puzzled.
"Why the long face, Sage?"
"Because I don't like it."
"What?"
Sage didn't answer.
Could it be...
That he doesn't like my brothers coming? My own expression hardened in response.
After all, it wasn't just one or two, but nearly ten members of the Black Mamba clan staying at the castle.
There were the four guards who came with me, and one personal physician. And now, two heirs of the Astrofel family were coming as well.
Even without thinking too deeply, I could tell this was quite a burdensome situation for the Kiraas family.
Even if they didn't show it, it was bound to be stressful.
My heart grew heavy.
"I'm sorry, Sage. I was being thoughtless."
To think I was simply happy that my family was coming. A wave of guilt washed over me.
"I'll ask my brothers to leave quickly."
"Why? You were happy your family was coming."
"But it's inconvenient for you."
The entire Kiraas clan must be on edge.
I should have considered that first.
As I grew somber, Sage stared at me intently. Soon, his lips parted.
"Oh, it is inconvenient."
Sage nodded, readily agreeing.
I knew it. When Set and Arban arrive, I'll have to tell them not to stay too long.
Just as I made up my mind, Sage's disgruntled voice reached my ears.
"They'll steal your attention away."
"......Huh?"
"After I worked so hard to capture it."
...Steal what? I doubted if I had heard him correctly.
Steal my attention? What was he talking about? Were we even on the same topic?
If my guess was right, there was no way he'd say something like "steal your attention" in this situation.
As my eyes widened in bewilderment, Sage uncharacteristically covered his face.
"…It makes me jealous how easily they take it away."
Oh, my god.
I had to stop myself from screaming.
* * *
Set felt a sense of strangeness. The entire time he was being guided by the watchman sent from the North, he couldn't stop looking around.
Arban was the same. His crimson eyes scanned their surroundings sharply.
"This is strange."
"I was thinking the same thing."
Set nodded in response to Arban's mumble. There was more than one thing that felt off.
"There's nothing around."
"I know. It feels like someone deliberately wiped the area clean."
The surroundings were dead silent. So quiet it was strange.
It was reminiscent of the forest within the Astrofel estate.
The North was originally a place fraught with danger.
It was a territory teeming with monsters like the yetis that inhabited the North, and groups of marauders.
The path leading to Kiraas Castle, in particular, was a point where dangerous situations frequently occurred, and this was considered normal.
And yet, it was peaceful beyond measure.
Set began searching for any presence in the area to see if he had missed something. But the result was the same.
He couldn't feel anything.
The Kiraas family watchman, Nia, who had been glancing at the two, explained.
"It's understandable that you two find it strange. Until recently, this was the most dangerous area in the North."
"Until recently?"
Arban's eyes narrowed.
"Our young master cleared out this entire area."
"Why?"
"Pardon?"
"I asked, why did he clear it?"
At Arban's murderous question, Nia fell silent. How could she possibly say it with her own mouth?
That Sage was desperate to win the favor of the Astrofel family's youngest lady?
It was a rumor that had already spread throughout the entire North. Funnily enough, the people from the South were unaware.
And just as expected, the two heirs seemed to have no idea.
It also meant they had rushed here without paying any attention to their surroundings.
It was a testament to how cherished Aileen Astrofel was.
One wrong word and I'm dead.
Nia decided to play dumb. A Black Mamba after shedding its skin was extremely dangerous.
"I'm not sure myself. How would I know the young master's intentions?"
"Is that so? Then he must have been damn bored..."
...Huh.
Arban's indifferent mumble trailed off as his expression slowly hardened. He didn't finish his sentence.
Because a ridiculous thought had suddenly crossed his mind.
No way, it can't be.
Set's cold, sunken crimson eyes turned to Nia. A chilling voice rang out.
"You don't know why he cleared the area? Impossible. There's no way he wouldn't know the advantages of this place."
"…"
"Or was it for the succession?"
Sometimes, that was the case.
When the heir of a family was about to inherit the position of the head.
They would wipe out the entire area to announce that the master of the territory had changed.
But it wasn't time for Sage Kiraas yet.
Nia broke out in a cold sweat at the persistent questioning.
I'm screwed. This is why I hate sharp-witted reptiles.
"That's probably not the reason."
The corners of Nia's lips twitched. Her trembling pupils showed that she knew something.
Seeing that pathetic sight, Set was certain.
Sage Kiraas was a madman. A complete and utter madman, no doubt.
Otherwise, there was no way he would commit such an insane act...
The gorge they had entered was the only path to Kiraas Castle, and having monsters roaming about was actually helpful.
It made it easier to block intruders. The fate of any intruder was always much the same.
They would either get lost and perish in the maze-like terrain, or become monster food.
There was no way Sage Kiraas, the next in line for succession, wouldn't know that.
To have eliminated such a powerful asset that would have been helpful to his future reign with his own hands could only be explained in one way.
"Securing, territory."
Set bit out the words. His blazing crimson eyes glinted menacingly.
Arban looked dumbfounded.
"He's a lunatic."
"He's not that crazy. ...Probably?"
Nia meekly defended him, though her words were completely unconvincing.
Slowly, Kiraas Castle came into view.
Arban's lips formed a thin line. His glittering pupils sharpened menacingly.
"That damn tiger, who does he think he's laying his hands on? I'll never let that happen."
Now that they knew Sage Kiraas wasn't in his right mind, they couldn't let him loiter around Aileen.
* * *
After returning from my walk.
I was startled by the vivid scene that kept replaying in my mind. Why do I keep thinking about it!
*Smack!*
I slapped my cheeks with both hands. This isn't right.
I shot up and looked in the mirror. I saw my red cheeks and a tearful face. But I wasn't on the verge of tears from the pain. The reason was all because of...
'They'll steal your attention away. After I worked so hard to capture it.'
'It makes me jealous.'
"No, stop! Go away!"
I yelled out loud. What do I do? I can't keep thinking about this.
The hesitant words Sage had spoken in front of the training grounds wouldn't leave my mind.
How am I supposed to face Sage like this? I paced around my room. I wished my brothers would just hurry up and get here.
Then, just as Sage said, all my attention would be focused solely on them.
"The only reason I'm like this is because I have no immunity."
It's my first time in a situation like this. It's understandable. It's fine. I took a deep breath. When I looked in the mirror again, I was back to my usual self.
I feigned nonchalance and gave a bright smile. Good. Now, I should go out to greet Set and Arban. It was about time for them to arrive...
*Click... Thump!*
I hastily slammed the door I had just started to open.
After a silence where every second felt like an hour, Sage's voice came from outside the door.
"What are you doing, Aileen?"
"......Huh? Oh, nothing. Uh, you know. Why did the door suddenly close?"
"The door... closed by itself?"
"Yeah. It did. So strange, right?"
My voice jumped an octave. It was so exaggerated that anyone would find it suspicious.
Ah. This isn't how it's supposed to go.
I buried my face in my hands. Sage would definitely think this was weird. What if he realized I was conscious of him? That would be awkward in its own way.
"Can I open the door?"
"Ah..., yeah."
As soon as I gave permission, the door opened.
At the same time, I instinctively took a step back. A hint of confusion appeared in the turquoise eyes I met.
I quickly averted my gaze. I think I'm in real trouble.
Sage, who had been about to step inside, paused.
I could feel his gaze observing me.
As if he was trying to figure out the reason for my awkwardly stiff expression and my attempt to keep my distance.
I hid my anxiousness and deliberately spoke in a cheerful tone.
"What brings you all the way to my room, Sage?"
"...I heard your brothers are about to arrive."
"Really? I was just about to head out. You didn't have to come, but thanks for letting me know, Sage."
"…"
"Well then, I'll go see my brothers."
Okay. That was natural enough.
I smiled as composedly as possible and walked past Sage. I let out the breath I had been holding.
And Sage, watching me, said nothing at all.