Chapter 15
Chapter 15
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 15
Chapter Title: Aileen's Humanization
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The Astrofel family held their council of elders every week.
Kaide glanced around at the elders, who were once again arguing over a series of tedious matters, before lowering his gaze.
*What could she be doing right now? Probably scurrying around, playing somewhere in the manor.*
Kaide, who received frequent reports on Aileen, let out a small laugh.
The image of the little one fearlessly roaming a manor teeming with Black Mambas was rather endearing.
Since everyone in the family knew Aileen was growing up as the youngest, it didn't matter where she wandered, but a part of him still worried.
*What if that tiny thing decides she wants to see the world outside our territory?*
*Maybe I should just wipe out any places she might want to visit beforehand.*
Kaide hummed, stroking his chin.
*Where were those famous travel destinations again?*
It seemed like a good idea to have Baon draw up a list as soon as possible.
As Kaide blatantly let his mind wander, the bickering elders fell silent.
Their gazes all turned to the head of the family.
*'Who are we even passionately arguing for right now?'*
The vassals, exchanging looks with a shared sentiment, wore disgruntled expressions.
"My Lord."
Finally, Jeras, who was seated closest to Kaide, called out to him with a low cough.
Shaken from his thoughts, Kaide looked at Jeras.
"What is it?"
"We are in the middle of an important meeting."
"Do you think I'm unaware of that?"
"Then perhaps you could focus on the meeting?"
"I'm listening. Continue with what you were doing."
Kaide gestured for them to proceed. Baon, observing the scene, was familiar with this kind of situation.
*They'd probably faint if they found out a colorful snake doll was coiled up on one of the sofas in his office.*
*'Lady Aileen is certainly very cute.'*
To make the ever-cold Kaide exude such a gentle aura was nothing short of a remarkable talent.
Beyond just being cute, there was something inexplicable about Aileen.
She seemed perceptive, yet at times, she showed the carefree nature of a child her age, wrapping the adults around her little finger.
Baon was smiling faintly, but he quickly straightened his expression when his eyes met Jeras's.
Then, he shamelessly feigned innocence.
"We are discussing a very important matter, my lord. Please stop thinking about Lady Aileen and focus."
"I know. Small fry swarming the borders?"
*Hyenas.* Kaide clicked his tongue in annoyance.
Because they reorganized the personnel dispatched to the territorial borders each quarter, there were often small fry who took advantage of the transition to lurk around.
The east, in particular, was a constant headache, never quiet for long.
It was about time for another conflict to arise.
"Perhaps we could just leave them be? They're cowards, after all."
"If we turn a blind eye, they'll just keep crossing the line."
"Let's make an example of them this time. It'll also help quell the complaints from the nearby clans."
The elders representing each region chimed in, voicing their opinions.
Kaide turned his head indifferently to look out the window.
"Handle it as you see fit."
This was the very answer the elders had been waiting for.
The Black Mambas were a clan that welcomed battle, not one that shied away from it.
They had been lying low to maintain good relations with the surrounding clans, but there was no need to do so for those who rampaged about without knowing their place.
When Kaide gave his permission to run wild, the corners of the vassals' mouths twitched.
"Then, as an example, is it alright if we expand our territory?"
"Yes. Since you're at it, expand into a place with good water and fresh air."
"......Pardon?"
The vassal asked back, his face a picture of confusion, wondering if he had heard correctly.
"The west would be good."
*Come to think of it, I believe I received a letter offering a white sand beach in exchange for a mine.*
*We have more than enough mines; losing a few won't even be noticeable.*
Kaide began to seriously contemplate it.
*Should I look into a suitable area?*
*Going somewhere warm for the winter wouldn't be a bad idea.*
*Building a few villas there would be nice, too.*
Kaide rose from his seat.
"If you're done talking, let's adjourn the meeting."
The elders followed suit, preparing to leave one by one.
Amidst the dispersing atmosphere, Kaide was leaving the conference room when he felt an unstable aura approaching and stopped in his tracks.
"Hmm? This feels like Rosaria's aura."
Baon, who was beside him, muttered in confusion.
Some of the elders also seemed to have sensed the aura.
Soon, Rosaria appeared.
She wore an anxious expression, which was unlike her. It was so far from the usually composed Rosaria that everyone's attention was drawn to her.
"My Lord!"
"What is it, Rosaria?"
"Lady Aileen is...!"
Kaide's eyes widened.
***
When they arrived in front of Aileen's room, the hallway was filled with the scent of pheromones leaking out.
It was sweet and fluffy, like cotton candy.
The cloyingly sweet fragrance had saturated the area.
A faint presence could be felt from inside the room. Baon was the first to react.
"It seems she's finished her humanization."
"So it seems."
Kaide, feigning composure, grasped the doorknob and turned it.
The moment he stepped inside, he drew a sharp breath.
"Wosaria......?"
"Lady Aileen!"
The child was tiny.
The child, who had been looking anxious about the sudden change, spotted Rosaria and broke into a relieved, bright smile.
The child with white-silver hair was hiding under the covers, hugging a pillow tightly.
It seemed that despite trying to hide it, she had been scared deep down.
"Are you cold?"
"Nuh-uh. Not cold."
"Let's get you dressed quickly."
Rosaria took a sky-blue dress from the closet and hurriedly dressed the child.
The child who emerged from under the covers was all white, except for her flushed cheeks, which glowed with life, and her pale red eyes.
Kaide's gaze remained fixed on Aileen.
He walked carefully toward the child. Kaide's lips, which had been sealed shut, finally parted.
"Aileen."
"Yeah......."
"Aileen Astrofel."
Even though it was a common awakening, he was overcome with emotion. It was an unfamiliar feeling.
Was it because the child he thought had perished in the egg had ultimately survived and safely completed her humanization?
This moment felt special. Kaide bent his knees.
"My Lord?!"
Baon called out in surprise.
As he met the child's eyes, her pale red eyes widened. The corners of Kaide's mouth, which had been softly relaxed, curled up playfully.
"Still short, I see."
"..."
"You won't be able to hunt on your own like this."
*Oh, my lord.*
Baon put a hand to his forehead. Aileen's face was already crumpling into tears.
Hiding behind Rosaria's legs and hugging them tightly, Aileen mumbled with her tiny lips.
"Not true."
"It is too."
"Not true!"
With tears welling in her eyes, she looked terribly upset.
"I can hunt good too!"
"Of course. Lady Aileen can catch plenty of prey!"
Rosaria soothed her, not knowing what else to do. She was just as flustered.
She had heard about it from Hestia beforehand, but knowing and experiencing it firsthand were two different things.
She had expected Aileen to be small, but this...
"She looks to be about three or four years old."
"Don't they usually humanize at around ten years old?"
"......*Uuu*."
The child whimpered. Rosaria, finally snapping out of her shock, quickly cut off the conversation.
"No! Starting at ten is a rare case. Lady Aileen isn't small. Right?"
*Everyone agree with me.* Rosaria's violet eyes glinted menacingly. Overwhelmed by her intensity, Baon slowly turned his head away.
It was because he had never seen anyone spend their childhood in such a young form like Aileen.
This was especially true for apex predators. Therefore...
*'How fascinating.'*
*The little thing is moving.* Three pairs of eyes were fixed on Aileen, unable to look away.
Kaide looked discontentedly at the child still hiding behind Rosaria.
"Aileen."
"*Uuu...*"
"Come here."
"No! You said I'm small."
She had already started to sulk, her chubby cheeks puffed out.
Even seeing her pouting so stubbornly, Kaide had to struggle to keep the corners of his mouth from turning up.
He knew that if he couldn't hold back his laughter here, the situation would become unmanageable.
Kaide decided to try and soothe Aileen. It was the first time in his life he had ever done such a thing, and it was awkward enough to make even the onlookers feel uncomfortable.
"You're not small."
"......Really?"
"Yes."
At that one word, Aileen's sulky expression melted away.
Her face finally brightening, Aileen smiled radiantly and came forward. Her steps were unsteady, as if walking on two feet was still difficult, but Kaide waited until she reached him.
When the child finally reached out her hands, Kaide lifted her up lightly.
Her tiny hands and body, clinging to him tightly, felt utterly unfamiliar.
She was so light it felt as if a puff of wind could blow her away.
Small and light. And weak.
Kaide slowly relaxed his arms, which had been tense, and poked her cheek just as he always did.
Her cheek, like a rice cake, was soft and squishy.
In his arms, her eyes darted around as she gripped his collar with surprising strength.
"So this is what it feels like."
"It feels a little strange."
Rosaria wore a look of deep emotion at Aileen's long-awaited humanization.
Baon also had a peculiar expression on his face.
Since he had also looked after her egg for three months, the feeling must have been unique for him.
Was it because everyone was just watching silently?
Aileen leaned against him as if to hide. The corners of Kaide's mouth lifted into a pleasant smile.
"Congratulations on your successful humanization, Aileen."