Chapter 119
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 120
Chapter Title: The Growth Point
Behind him, Paymon was in the middle of a throwing motion. He had thrown a snowball, just like Ergo did at the beginning.
Mesis looked dumbfounded.
"Ha? What are you doing, Paymon? Why are you butting in?"
"I'm just trying to resolve this peacefully."
"That's what I was trying to do."
How was that peaceful in any way? Paymon was speechless.
Basad, who had been silent, slowly opened his mouth.
"......Since it started with a snowball fight, let's end it with a snowball fight."
"That's a great idea. Yeah, let's do a snowball fight. Then there won't be any problems."
Paymon nodded enthusiastically and answered cheerfully.
"A snowball fight, you say."
A monotone voice cut in. Ergo, lifting his head sharply, had a blank expression.
Ergo, counting the number of Black Mambas who had gathered, gestured to those around him.
"Hey, anyone who wants to join, first come, first served."
Ergo's amber eyes blazed fiercely.
"You have no idea where snowball fights originated, do you? You're going to regret this."
The second round was about to begin.
* * *
"So, you're saying that tiger came to see you at dawn."
"We met by chance."
"How naive."
But it really was a coincidence. It seemed the two of them didn't believe her.
Set looked lost in thought. His somber eyes seemed serious.
"He's not going to be easy to deal with."
Arban nodded in agreement. The two of them were certainly on the same page today.
I sipped my honey tea and gazed out the window. It was snowing in the North again today.
It was snowing so much, it was a wonder the castle wasn't buried.
As I was staring boredly at the patterns carved into the wall, Set spoke quietly.
"Aileen."
"Yes, brother."
"I don't know if you'll understand, but we're worried."
"Worried?"
Worried about what? I widened my eyes, and after a moment of hesitation, he spoke carefully.
"That you'll get hurt. That's why we're not too pleased about your relationship with Sage Kiraas deepening."
"What do you mean?"
"Haven't you ever felt that it's strange?"
"What is?"
"You two only met for a single day, yet the sheer scale of his interest and feelings is already overwhelming. And it's only growing by the day."
...That was true.
In truth, Sage and I had only met on the day of the banquet. Just one single day.
But the emotions he showed me were so immense that I'd been taken aback more than once. So were they telling me to be careful because Sage's interest was abnormally large? Because it might cool off at any moment?
If that was the case, I could understand their concern. And that I might get hurt.
After all, I was already starting to care about Sage.
"Okay, I'll be careful. You're saying Sage's feelings for me might just cool off soon."
"What are you talking about?"
"Isn't that what you meant?"
"Brother, I told you she won't get it unless you spell it out for her."
Arban let out a deep sigh. Pressing his fingers to the bridge of his nose, he leaned in until his face was right in front of mine.
"The problem is that it's the complete opposite."
"......Huh? How is it the opposite?"
"You remember when you first met Sage Kiraas, right?"
"Yes."
"What was he like back then?"
What was he like? Well...
"He was about the same as me."
"And now?"
He's grown a lot. Why are they asking this? Is it some kind of problem?
It's not that strange for a predator-type Su-in to grow quickly.
After all, Set and Arban were the same. I answered with a clueless expression.
"He has grown an incredible amount. I heard he's about to reach adulthood?"
At that, Arban's expression became strange. He looked utterly flabbergasted.
His persistent gaze, as if asking if I truly didn't know, made me feel uneasy. Was there something else I was missing?
But no matter how I thought back, there was nothing.
"Why?"
In response to my question, Arban covered his eyes with both hands. His voice, growing quieter, was completely devoid of energy.
"That's exactly the problem."
"Huh?"
"It means you're Sage Kiraas's growth point!"
Finally exploding, Arban shot to his feet.
I couldn't believe my ears. I knew the growth conditions for the Kiraas clan were a bit unique.
But for me to be Sage's growth point?
That's completely absurd...
I gaped in disbelief. Finally, I managed to get a word out.
"Oh, come on, brother. That's a joke, right?"
Say it's a joke. Quickly.
Shattering my desperate hope, Set replied.
"We wouldn't joke about something like this, Aileen."
"......No way."
I'm Sage's growth point? Really? I was so shocked I couldn't close my mouth.
But now, I thought I finally understood why Sage had acted that way toward me.
"The Kiraas clan is particularly single-minded."
"......."
"I'm worried about whether you can handle him. Logically, I know it's your relationship and you'll figure it out, but my heart doesn't find it so easy."
"......."
"Do you understand now what I mean when I say I'm worried you'll get hurt?"
I understood perfectly. I nodded slowly. I felt dazed.
I had no idea at what point I had become Sage's growth point.
"By the way, why is it so noisy outside?"
Arban glanced out the window. Come to think of it, it had been noisy outside for a little while now. I got up from my seat and looked down out the window.
And I muttered blankly.
"......A snowball fight?"
* * *
"Well, look at that."
Leaning against the window and watching the commotion, Eve clicked his tongue.
*Slurp.* Sipping his coffee elegantly, he looked down and shook his head.
It seemed they would never get along with the South in this lifetime.
"It's noisy outside. What are they doing?"
"It seems they're fighting, sir. The numbers match up perfectly. The Astrofel family's guards and four of our own clan members."
"Lock up all the Kiraas involved."
"...Sir?"
Eve couldn't believe his ears. What did he just say? When he asked again dumbly, the same answer came back.
"Take them away and lock them up."
"...But the Kiraas are your kinsmen, Young Master. Shouldn't we be praying for our kinsmen's victory?"
Has he now become so blinded by love that he can't even recognize his own kin?
No matter how much he wants to look good for Aileen Astrofel, ordering him to lock up his own people...
Without even figuring out who was right or wrong?
"Eve."
"Yes."
"Are the Astrofel family not here as our guests?"
"...That is true, but."
"It seems our hospitality is lacking. Any objections?"
Eve nodded reluctantly. Right, the Astrofel family were currently guests.
"I will give the order to lock them all up."
Eve quickly left the office to carry out the order.
Sage closed the document he was reading and approached the window.
Only a few seconds had passed since he'd left, but Eve was already down below.
Honestly, he's only fast at times like these.
As Sage let out a dry laugh while watching the situation, a familiar head of silver hair came into view. Dazzling silver hair that he was sure he could recognize anytime, anywhere.
Reflecting under the sunlight, the silver hair sparkled beautifully.
It seemed she had come out herself because of the commotion. The thought that Aileen must have been startled by this incident soured his mood even more.
I'll have to lock them up and not let them out for a few days.
It had only been a few hours, but his aide had already proven his competence.
Having already read the entire report detailing what had happened before Aileen came to the North, he narrowed his eyes.
"What could be the connection?"
A pleasant voice echoed in the room.
After piecing together the events that took place in the South, he had reached one conclusion.
The Loisar family had failed to return Aileen, and the recklessness of demanding her return stemmed from...
The Artban family.
The Artban family wanted Aileen. It wasn't difficult to deduce this.
All the related circumstances pointed to it.
However, there was an unresolved question. Why on earth did they want Aileen?
A detailed report on that had not yet come in. There hadn't been enough time.
A laugh escaped him at the sight of Aileen, who was watching the Kiraas clan members being dragged away in confusion, trying hard to grasp the situation.
As he watched her with his chin propped on his hand, his eyes met a pair of red ones.
"Ah."
Sage let out a small sound without realizing it. The red eyes were filled with wariness.
Come to think of it, he had intentionally provoked him earlier. His foul mood had prevented him from being pleasant.
Sage recalled what Arban Astrofel had said.
'You seem to think Aileen will be here forever. The day she returns to the South isn't far off.'
Not a chance. Says who?
As he met his gaze with a blank expression, Arban Astrofel's brow furrowed.
Seeing Arban's gaze directed elsewhere, Aileen turned her head in the same direction.
Soon, her light crimson eyes widened in surprise.
When Sage gave a slight nod of acknowledgment, the bewildered, light pink eyes quickly looked away.
What is it this time?
A wave of gloom, twice as strong as the brief moment of pleasantness, washed over him.
Aileen's expression, her attitude, her every word—they all dictated his emotions. But why did even this feel welcome?
Sage Kiraas thought.
He must have finally gone mad.
After the situation was resolved and Aileen had disappeared back into the castle, Sage turned his gaze toward the door.
The door swung open.
"Young Master, I've taken care of everything. Ah, you were watching."
"Eve."
"Yes. Is there anything else you need?"
Sage answered quietly.
"Reply to the letter from the Artban family. Tell them I look forward to our meeting."
If he was curious, all he had to do was find out.