Chapter 124
Chapter 124
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 125
Chapter Title: How Did You Know?
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"Everyone is whispering about Lady Astrofel."
"Keep them quiet."
"Yes, but could you at least tell me what happened?"
Kiraas Castle was currently in an uproar, though everyone was trying to keep it quiet.
Sage, the heir to the family, had appeared as an adult overnight without any prior signs.
And that wasn't all. Aileen, who had lost consciousness, had also appeared as an adult, so all sorts of speculation was running rampant about what had transpired between the two.
Last night, Sage had dismissed all the clansmen who had been in a standoff with the Astrofel family's guards.
Afterward, the rumor that he was the only one granted permission to enter Aileen's room was being treated as the unspoken truth.
They were dying of curiosity about what had happened inside, but the two involved showed no intention of speaking.
So they had no choice but to gather in small groups and whisper.
This was an unprecedented, unheard-of event in Kiraas Castle.
Becoming an adult overnight was something no one had ever seen or heard of.
Eve was no exception to the curiosity. He glanced around before lowering his voice to ask.
"Just tell me, between us."
"Tell you what?"
"Oh, come on, you know what."
Sage, who was strolling through the library, chuckled.
"You're curious?"
"Are you going to tell me?"
"If you want to hear it and never wake up."
"...I'm not curious."
Eve pouted. He was an aide, after all. Would it kill him to give him a little heads-up?
They were supposed to have a close relationship, sharing all the family's secrets from now on. Of course, whenever he said that, Sage only scoffed.
"I'm hurt that you're keeping secrets from me."
"And I can't do that?"
"Am I not your aide, Young Master? You'll be discussing all family matters, big and small, including important secrets, with me from now on."
"I'll consider that when the time comes."
Sage moved to the next shelf. It was unclear why he had come to the restricted section.
Eve squinted at the illegible script.
The forbidden books handled by the Kiraas family were written in a script that only direct descendants could read.
"What are you looking for, Young Master? If you tell me, I can look into it separately."
"A personal matter."
"Yes, of course."
In the end, Sage revealed nothing about what he was searching for.
He moved on to the next shelf again.
As the list of forbidden books to check dwindled, Sage's brow furrowed deeper.
"How about we wrap this up? You haven't slept a wink today."
"I'll finish this."
"You're being a little unexpected."
"How so?"
"Lady Astrofel has woken up, but you're being so quiet."
"Am I?"
Sage, who had been flipping through a book, page by page, retorted. Eve nodded, recalling the previous night.
"Yes. Do you know the look on your face when she collapsed? I thought something terrible was going to happen."
"Something did happen."
"Pardon?"
Something very big had happened.
Becoming an adult had repercussions far greater than he had imagined.
A position that frees you from everything, yet makes everything possible.
Paradoxically, it had also made it impossible for him to even go near Aileen.
Who would have thought he'd end up in this situation?
Thinking of Aileen, who had been so casually defenseless in front of him, oblivious to his inner turmoil, felt as if all the blood was draining from his body.
"Still, it's a relief that the young lady woke up safely. I was worried it might cause a conflict with the Astrofel family."
"They won't make an issue of this incident."
"But it seems the Gaju doesn't feel the same way?"
"What do you mean?"
Sage paused and asked. Eve shrugged.
"You haven't heard yet? The Gaju summoned Lady Astrofel separately."
"Why are you telling me this now?"
Sage's face hardened frighteningly. Eve gave an awkward laugh and said.
"I naturally assumed you already knew. What have you been thinking about all day? You're acting a bit strange today."
"Hah. This is driving me crazy."
He let out a low sigh and left the annex library. His steps were urgent.
Eve quickly followed behind him.
* * *
The long conversation was over. Muhella, who had been listening in silence, finally spoke.
"So, the reason you came to the North was to safely complete your growth? Because of your pheromones?"
"Yes, that's correct."
"And you don't want this fact to be revealed to the outside."
"No."
"I understand."
And that was it.
I stared at her with wide eyes. I expected a harsh scolding, but her answer was so simple it felt anticlimactic.
As I stood there, speechless with surprise, a grin tugged at Muhella's lips.
"Let's just say the South owes me a favor."
"You're... not angry?"
"Of course, I'm angry. I'm still flabbergasted that you would dare to pull such a bold stunt, what do you take my family for?"
"I'm sorry."
"But I understand Kaide Astrofel's choice. This must have been the only way."
Muhella nodded and drank her tea. It was pitch-black and looked bitter at a glance. Unlike the sweet-scented teas of the South, the teas in the North were all bitter.
Ugh, bitter.
Unable to control my expression, I wrinkled my nose, and Muhella burst out laughing.
"It seems it's not to your taste."
"Ahaha... just a little."
"I should have offered you a different tea. There must be a lot of food that doesn't suit your palate. How are you managing with that?"
"Everyone has been very accommodating, making the food as similar to Southern cuisine as possible. I'm very grateful."
It was true. Since coming to the North, I hadn't really felt that the food didn't suit me.
Not only that, but the heating in the castle was warmer in my room compared to other places, and the same was true for the rooms of the others who came with me.
"So."
"Yes?"
"Is there not more you have to tell me?"
Her softened gaze sharpened as she looked directly at me.
I flinched, unconsciously clutching the hem of my clothes.
"Sage has become an adult."
"......."
"You're not going to tell me you've told me everything when you've left out the most important part, are you?"
"That's..."
That was a part I couldn't explain either.
I hadn't been able to ask how Sage had gotten into my room, or what had happened with Hestia.
Hestia was in no condition to be questioned, and Sage seemed to have no intention of answering.
"Explain that, and I'll pretend this whole incident never happened."
"Sage is..."
How did Sage really know?
As I stood there, unable to answer, a knock sounded, and the door to the Gaju's office opened.
"Mother."
Seeing me there, Sage approached Muhella.
She frowned and glared at the pale-faced guard outside.
"I believe I gave orders to let no one in."
"I was under the impression you delegated authority on this matter to me."
"So I'm just supposed to overlook what happened in my own castle? Even after seeing your body?"
Muhella was right. Sage was the one and only heir to the Kiraas family.
For him to suddenly become an adult alongside me must have raised more than a few suspicions.
She must have already known Sage was in my room all night, which is why she called for me, not Hestia.
"Then you tell me, Sage. That precious mouth of yours won't open, so I had to call Aileen in."
"I believe I told you I became an adult because it was time."
"Is that why you came running here? As if I'd believe that."
Muhella scoffed. Her tone made it clear she didn't believe a word of it.
I looked at Sage, surprised anew. He hadn't told even Muhella about this.
"If you're done talking, I'll take Aileen with me."
"We're not done. I haven't heard the most important part, where do you think you're going?"
"I've been checked, and I've received a diagnosis that there are no physical problems."
"You're quick on your feet when it suits you. You sly fox."
Muhella scowled.
So, the reason Sage seemed to have just come from somewhere was because he went to get an examination?
To prevent me from being called by Muhella and forced to give a difficult answer?
Did he know things would unfold this way?
It might have been an over-the-top assumption, but judging by Muhella's expression and words, it seemed to be correct.
"Then I can't ask any more, can I? It's not as if my digging will undo what's already happened."
Muhella said, massaging the bridge of her nose. Although she still seemed to have lingering suspicions, she didn't press further.
"Congratulations on becoming adults, both of you."
Instead, a surprisingly congratulatory remark came back.
* * *
After the private meeting ended safely, I left the Gaju's office with Sage.
Karma, who had been waiting at the entrance the whole time, disappeared when it became clear we weren't going to part ways anytime soon.
"Thank you, Sage. For helping me."
"What are you doing here?"
"...Lady Muhella summoned me, so I came. Still, I'm glad she didn't seem as angry as I thought she'd be."
I thought I was going to get an earful the moment I walked in, but that wasn't the case. It was a huge relief that she let it go so readily.
But... how did Sage know? That I needed his pheromones.
"Sage."
"Yeah."
"How did you know?"
"Know what?"
Sage's gaze, which had been fixed forward as he walked down the hall, shifted down toward me.
So he's going to play dumb. He knew exactly what I was asking.
Fearing he would just gloss over the situation, I grabbed Sage's arm. I could feel it tense up.
"Can we talk without you holding me, Aileen?"
"No, answer me. Because I want to know how you knew I needed your pheromones."