Chapter 122
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 123
Chapter Title: Sudden Adulthood
This wasn't my intention at all, climbing on top of him. How did I end up in this position?
When I cleared my throat and averted my gaze, Sage shot me a look of disbelief.
"And here you were, trying to pounce on me just a moment ago..."
"Don't say things that could be so easily misunderstood!"
My face flushed. Because no matter how you looked at it, I was indeed in a position to pounce.
Sage seemed to find the situation amusing and chuckled. When I glared at him, he shrugged and released my hands.
That bright smile of his, as if he'd done nothing at all, was infuriating.
Ah, so he was teasing me.
The moment I stood up, I felt drained.
"Enough with the games, Sage. Start by explaining the situation. Why are you here?"
And where did Hestia go?
The others should have stopped anyone from entering. The door is intact, so it doesn't look like you forced your way in. What on earth did you do?
"Do you remember collapsing?"
"...I do."
Of all the times, I had to collapse in front of everyone. I even remembered Sage's voice calling out to me so urgently.
The feeling of my entire body being consumed by fire was still so vivid.
It was an agony so terrible it made my shoulders flinch and tense up on their own.
As my expression and body tensed, Sage rubbed my back, murmuring that it was okay.
...But why did his touch feel so familiar?
The fact that I woke up safely must mean Hestia took care of everything.
"But where is Hestia?"
"Hestia?"
"My physician."
I had no idea where Hestia had gone or why Sage was here instead.
It was frustrating not knowing what had happened overnight. I had so many questions, I was itching to ask them.
"Your physician is probably on standby outside."
"...On standby?"
"I was the one who calmed you down, Aileen."
Impossible. My mind went blank. The person who had been calming me all night wasn't Hestia, but Sage?
His unexpected answer left me speechless. I opened and closed my mouth a few times before I could finally manage a single word.
"...You're joking, right?"
"This doesn't seem like something to joke about."
"...Oh my god."
Does that mean Sage found out my secret?
So when he said I'd taken all his pheromones, he wasn't joking? It was real?
And that he became an adult because of it?
Faced with one incomprehensible revelation after another, I stared blankly at Sage. What on earth had happened?
He waited for my confusion to settle, then pointed to a mirror.
"You should probably check your own condition first."
"My body?"
I glanced down at myself. My sleeves and skirt were too short, and the ribbon tied at my chest was hanging loose.
"Agh!"
To think I'd been this close to Sage in this state!
I quickly pulled the covers up around me and snatched the mirror from the table. Then I gasped, clapping a hand over my mouth.
"Congratulations on becoming an adult, Aileen."
"...No way. Is this even possible?"
In disbelief, I couldn't tear my eyes away from my reflection.
If it weren't for the silver hair and red eyes, I would never have believed it was me.
I awkwardly touched my face.
The last traces of baby fat were gone from my face, which had once held a hint of youthfulness, leaving it smooth and defined.
My arms and legs were longer, giving me the undeniable appearance of an adult.
My god. I've really become an adult.
...Could it be? Did absorbing Sage's pheromones all night accelerate my growth?
It was entirely possible. After all, I'd always grown in spurts whenever my pheromones stabilized.
"I've become an adult, Sage. And you too..."
"Congratulations, Aileen."
"You too, Sage... congratulations on becoming an adult."
Even though it was unintentional. I felt a little guilty.
It seemed he'd only become an adult because I'd taken too many of his pheromones.
Which meant the situation must have been dangerous. I felt terrible about it.
As I was wondering what to say, Sage took the mirror from my hand and gestured toward the bed with a nod.
"Now that you've had a look, why don't you lie back down."
"Huh?"
"I think you should rest some more. You're not fully recovered yet."
"Ah. But everyone must be worried. I should let them know I'm awake."
"I'm sure they all know you're awake by now."
I suppose so. With all the commotion in here, it's unlikely they wouldn't know. I did make quite a fuss.
I obediently lay back down on the bed.
Was Sage planning to stay? Why wasn't he asking me anything? He must have so many questions.
"Stop trying to read my mind."
"...I wasn't."
"How are you feeling?"
"I'm fine."
"Good, then. Rest."
...Is that it?
I blinked in bewilderment. That was it? No other questions?
Sage really seemed to be leaving, as he stood up.
He straightened his wrinkled clothes, unfastened a button that was now too tight on his larger frame, and turned the doorknob.
"Get some rest, Aileen."
*Click.*
The door closed. I couldn't believe it and shot up from the bed. Did Sage just leave?
I was staring blankly at the closed door when, only a moment later, it burst open after an urgent knock.
"My lady!"
It was Mesis, followed by Karma, Paymon, and Basad, all filing in. Their pale faces told me they must have been worried sick all night.
Feeling guilty, I offered a small smile and a wave.
"You were all very worried, weren't you? I'm all right now."
"That's a true relief."
"Mm. ...Did you tell my father about this?"
I had hoped they hadn't. But from the look on Karma's face, a message had already been sent.
Sigh. He's probably worried out of his mind. Or he might be raising hell, insisting on coming to the North again. I need to write to him immediately.
"I'll have to write to my father again. Tell him I'm fine now. And..."
I trailed off, my gaze sweeping over my escorts' faces.
For a group that had just rushed in, they were far too quiet.
Four pairs of eyes shimmered with a mixture of wonder and shock.
Oh, right. I'm an adult now. That's why they were all staring with such quiet astonishment.
Even I wasn't used to it and kept forgetting, so I could only imagine what my escorts were thinking.
Mesis staggered back a step, his mouth falling open in a daze.
"M-my lady, you're an a-adult... What am I seeing?"
His whisper, almost to himself, was swallowed by the silence. The others reacted much the same.
Paymon rubbed his eyes, while Basad pinched his own cheek hard.
I scratched my cheek awkwardly.
"It... just sort of happened."
"I'm worried that you grew so rapidly. What if there's a problem with your body..."
Paymon said with a worried expression.
"That's what I'm worried about, too."
It was an incredible growth spurt, after all. I knew I needed to see Hestia.
"By the way, where is Hestia?"
"Well... she went into her room and hasn't come out."
"In her room?"
* * *
After changing, I went down to the second floor where Hestia's room was. I could feel people's eyes on me as I passed.
By now, there probably wasn't a single person in the castle who didn't know I had collapsed.
*Knock, knock.*
"Hestia."
"..."
"Hestia?"
The room was silent. Had she gone somewhere? I paused, about to turn away.
There was no way Hestia would have gone anywhere. Especially not before hearing that I had woken up.
And it was strange that she was the only one who hadn't come to my room.
I carefully pushed the door open. The room was unlit.
The curtains were drawn, plunging it into darkness, but my eyes quickly adjusted.
As I took a few steps inside, I sensed a faint presence from a corner.
"...Hestia?"
I had sensed her correctly. Hestia was huddled in the corner, her knees drawn to her chest and her head bowed low.
I'd never seen her like this before, and I stopped in my tracks.
As light from the hallway spilled into the room, Hestia slowly lifted her head.
"Why are you in here like this? Did something happen?"
As I drew closer, Hestia's face crumpled as if she were about to cry.
Had she been like this all night? Something had clearly happened to her.
The Hestia I knew was always so confident and bright.
"Lady Aileen... When did you wake up?"
"A little while ago. But why are you like this? What happened?"
"...My lady."
I knelt in front of Hestia, and her face, previously hidden in the shadows, became clearer.
Her eyes were bloodshot, her complexion pale, and her lips were raw from being bitten. Even the skin around her nails was torn and ragged.
"Why are you like this? Hmm?"
I gently took her injured hand. At my question, her expression twisted in pain. A moment later, her trembling voice reached me in a whisper.
"I'm so sorry, my lady. It's my fault... I failed again."
Again? What was she talking about? She spoke again, her voice thick with emotion.
"I couldn't even protect you properly."
At those words, I understood instantly what she meant.