Chapter 14
Chapter 14
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 15
Chapter Title: A Lingering Scent
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I was sure of it. Set didn't like me.
I told myself it was understandable since I wasn't a snake like him, but a corner of my heart still felt a pang of disappointment.
I curled into a ball.
Even though I knew not everyone could welcome me, it still didn't feel good.
I hid the colored paper I had intended to give him as a gift behind my back.
"Lady Aileen, please don't be too discouraged. I'm sure you can become friends with Young Master Set."
"Peeeep."
"You, you want to be friends with me?"
Set tilted his head, his expression blank. I peeked my head out.
*Will you accept this if I say I do?*
The half-folded butterfly was crumpled. But it was all I had.
"What a strange kid. A bird, and you're not scared of me."
"That's part of Lady Aileen's charm."
"Most of them are too busy trembling and running away."
Set strode closer and held out his palm. I glanced around cautiously before handing him the colored paper.
"Since you're giving it to me, I'll take it."
"......Peep."
"But I'm not exactly happy to have you here. I'd prefer it if you stayed out of my sight from now on. That is, if you want to keep living."
As the atmosphere grew tense, Rosaria's expression hardened.
"Young Master, if you say anything more, I will have no choice but to report this to the Gaju. Do not cross that line."
"Ah, right. Then I suppose I'll stop here. It would be troublesome if Father found out."
An arrogant smile, much like Kaide's, played on Set's lips.
I watched Set from the safety of Rosaria's arms.
Just as he was about to turn away, Set's gaze fell to my leg, and he spoke in a contemptuous tone.
"I thought I smelled blood. Looks like you fell and scraped yourself."
At Set's words, Rosaria quickly examined my leg.
It hadn't been a bad fall, so it was just a tiny scratch, but her face turned pale.
"Lady Aileen, where did you get hurt...? Did this happen when you fell earlier?"
"Peep."
For some reason, it started to hurt again. Perhaps because the tension had faded.
*It stings, Rosaria. Kiss it better.*
Watching me being cared for, Set scowled.
"Just as I thought, I don't need a sibling like you. To get hurt from a simple fall. You're pathetic."
With that one comment, I was reduced to a pathetic little bird.
* * *
And so, our outing came to an end.
Back in my room, after a quick wash, Rosaria applied medicine to my leg and carefully placed a bandage over it.
It hadn't been long, but it felt like ten million years had passed. I lay on the bed, hugging a pillow.
"Peep... Peeeep."
My feelings were still hurt, and my chirps were low and subdued.
"Lady Aileen, are you still very upset?"
Rosaria asked, stroking my head as I lay there.
I slowly nodded.
The lingering impact of our intense first meeting in the garden wouldn't fade.
I stared at the ceiling, my eyes wide open.
Despite it being nap time, I couldn't easily fall asleep.
"Why can't you sleep? Shall I draw the curtains?"
"Peep."
I shook my head. I didn't think darkness would help me sleep.
For some reason, all my senses felt heightened.
It might have been the effect of Set's pheromones from earlier.
Even Rosaria's slightest movement put my nerves on edge.
I tossed and turned with a soft groan.
"Lady Aileen?"
When I suddenly whimpered, Rosaria called my name.
But I didn't answer, burrowing deeper under the covers instead.
"Peeeep... Peeeep."
My heart was pounding for no apparent reason.
*What's wrong with me?*
As I tilted my head in confusion, Rosaria lifted the covers with a worried look.
"Are you feeling unwell somewhere, Lady Aileen?"
"Peep..."
*That's not it...*
I fiddled with my fluffy feathers. A strange, fuzzy feeling seemed to spread through my entire body.
Feeling an urgent need to find a comfortable position, I pulled the blanket up tight.
As I wriggled and turned, Rosaria gently patted my back.
"Shall I sing you a lullaby?"
"Peep."
"Please let Lady Aileen fall asleep soon. The stars and the moon are sleeping, too."
"Peeeep."
Rosaria pulled the blanket up to my chest.
The cozy feeling of the blanket wrapping around me made my previously wide-awake eyes grow heavy.
I struggled to keep my eyes open, but her gentle patting made them close again.
I whimpered and nuzzled my head.
"I wonder why you won't sleep today. Is it because of what happened earlier? It's time to go night-night."
"Peep peep peep peep."
"Yes."
"Peep peep peep..."
The steady rhythm of her hand patting me slowly lulled me into a daze.
* * *
Late at night, when everyone had begun to fall asleep.
Rosaria worriedly checked on Aileen's condition.
Aileen hadn't woken up; she had been sleeping all day.
Rosaria, who had prepared a meal for when she was expected to wake, paced anxiously.
"Why is she sleeping so long? She needs to eat her dinner."
It would be fine if she slept soundly through the night, but if she woke in the early hours, her sleep schedule could get reversed.
Wanting to avoid that at all costs, Rosaria was lost in thought.
*Should I wake her?*
"Was she that tired? ...Perhaps I should go find Hestia."
*What if Aileen wakes up while I'm gone looking for Hestia?*
She didn't do anything dangerous on her own, but she might get scared if she realized she was alone at night.
If she tried to leave the bed while I was gone for even a moment, it could lead to a serious accident.
Aileen couldn't fly yet.
It was, in fact, unexpected.
Usually, they start showing an interest in flying as their tails begin to grow, but Aileen's development was a bit slow.
Her environment was also a factor.
Had her original guardian been present, Aileen might have developed more quickly.
"......She needs to grow up big and strong without any problems."
She had heard that some young Su-in failed to develop properly and remained in their animal forms.
Since she had already experienced the growing pains of her first awakening, it was unlikely she wouldn't be able to humanize, but it still weighed on Rosaria's mind.
Even a minor symptom could affect her development.
Little was known about the developmental process of the Bird Clan.
Each clan's growth process was a secret, and since the Bird Clan's domain was primarily the sky, there were few opportunities to encounter them.
"Haa... What should I do? If I had known, I would have tried to build a better relationship with them at the border."
She let out a sigh of regret, recalling the Bird Clan that guarded the eastern border.
If she had, she might have been able to ask for their help.
Rosaria looked down at Aileen, who was sleeping soundly, oblivious to the world.
Aileen, who never slept the whole day, was now fast asleep without even a twitch.
*What if this is a precursor symptom that could affect her second awakening?*
Any abnormal symptoms appearing before a growth spurt should not be taken lightly.
Rosaria's brow furrowed.
"This won't do. I have to go find Hestia."
She rose from her seat.
As she grabbed the doorknob to leave the room, Rosaria glanced back and spoke.
"......I'll be back in a moment, Lady Aileen."
Rosaria carefully opened the door, making sure not to make a sound, and left.
A moment later, the corners of the sleeping Aileen's eyes began to twitch.
"Peep, peeeep..."
Her small body fumbled with its wings as if searching for a safe place.
Soon, she began to hide herself under the blanket, a perfect place to burrow.
A small but distinct lump formed in one corner of the blanket where Aileen had entered.
Peeking through a small gap in the covers, Aileen was still sound asleep, breathing softly.
Her body, which had been curled up just a moment ago, began to relax and stretch out as if it had never been tense.
Only a tiny airhole, just big enough to breathe through, remained in the blanket.
And in that moment.
A soft, sweet pheromone began to emanate from her small, white body.
It was a sweet scent, enough to tickle the nose.
It lingered around Aileen as if to protect her, never straying far.
Until Aileen opened her eyes. All through the night.