Chapter 29
Chapter 29
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 30
Chapter Title: Hide-and-Seek
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Meanwhile.
Karma was observing Aileen's movements with more seriousness than ever before.
Among his comrades, he was the most skilled in stealth, which was why he had been chosen to watch over Aileen exclusively.
This was because even the fastest enemy could be instantly subdued by Karma's exceptional kinetic vision.
As soon as the banquet began, Karma watched Aileen toddling around and thought.
'Lethal.'
Aileen, her white hair tied up neatly, was busily moving her short legs.
Unable to close her mouth in sheer wonder at her first banquet, Aileen was receiving the full attention of everyone in the hall.
"The youngest lady of the Astrofel family seems to find this place fascinating."
"It's that age."
"But her hair is white, isn't it? Aren't the Astrofel family members supposed to have black hair? And... she's so small."
"Judging by her pheromones, she doesn't seem to be a Black Mamba. There must be a story behind it."
"Her eyes are red. That must be why the Lord of Astrofel made an official announcement."
"In any case, she's incredibly lovely and cute. ...We don't have any children that small in our family."
Karma, who was nodding in agreement with the last comment, met the eyes of Mesis, who was nodding at the very same thing.
Mesis had recently become the one to watch out for the most.
He'd said it was nice to be back in his hometown, but it seemed his damn common sense had reverted to its old ways too.
Mesis had been marked as a person of interest not long after returning to the estate.
*Squeak. Squeak. Squeak.*
While walking down the hallway, Aileen glanced away for a moment, and her legs lost their balance and wobbled.
Just as she was about to fall, Aileen safely caught herself with her hands on the floor and smiled brightly.
"I'm okay. Aileen didn't fall down. Phew."
In that incredibly brief moment.
He still couldn't forget Mesis shooting forward toward Aileen.
The incident where Karma had grabbed Mesis by the collar at full speed and jumped out the side window was already famous.
Aileen didn't know, but it was an incident witnessed by all the Black Mambas passing through the hallway.
"I believe I told you not to reveal yourself unless it was an emergency."
"What can I do? I want to get on Lady Aileen's good side. I knew you'd stop me, but I thought I'd give it a try."
Shaking off the hand on his collar, Mesis grinned broadly.
He looked exceptionally cheerful as he nonchalantly spouted words that made one's stomach turn.
Karma shot a warning glare at Mesis, who had a history of losing his cool.
It was a clear signal not to step forward under any circumstances.
And just as he was about to turn his gaze back to Aileen...
"Wanna pway with me?"
'When did she get over there?'
The voice came from quite close by.
She'd said she wanted to make friends, and it seemed she was already putting it into practice.
Feeling an unexplainable sense of satisfaction, Karma checked to see who the friend Aileen had picked was.
It was a boy with soft-looking, dark blond hair and deep, sky-blue eyes.
Unlike the other young Su-in who were gathered in a small group, the boy was standing alone.
Did she approach him to look after him?
'Lady Aileen is so warm-hearted.'
Karma was moved.
It was a heartwarming sight, rare in the wild world of the Black Mambas.
But it was truly strange.
...What is this sense of déjà vu?
His eyes kept being drawn to that boy.
Karma slowly studied the blond boy once more.
Sharp features, fine-looking golden hair. Blue eyes.
A particularly large build for the youthful pheromones he exuded.
"Wait a minute."
Karma recalled the special notice he had received.
"I heard the Tiger Clan is participating this time."
"They said a cub was born in the family recently. It seems they brought him along to get a feel for how the world is turning."
The moment he remembered that, Karma's eyes widened.
The boy, born with the most distinct characteristics of any tiger he had seen recently, was surveying his surroundings on his first outing.
As if wary of the area outside his territory.
His faintly shimmering pheromones were warning the other young Su-in not to come within a certain distance.
In other words, contrary to what Aileen misunderstood, the boy was actually an object of fear for the other young Su-in.
And it seemed the two of them had just become friends.
"...How am I supposed to explain this to the Lord?"
Just as he expected, Mesis was also frozen with a bewildered look in his eyes.
'Shouldn't we stop them?'
Mesis mouthed the question urgently. He looked ready to intervene at a moment's notice.
Karma shook his head.
Karma replied quietly to his comrades who were awaiting the next order.
"Everyone, stand by for now."
His head was starting to ache.
Blond hair and eyes tinged with blue.
Those were, without a doubt, the characteristics of the tigers who dominated the North.
* * *
"Have you heard of hide-and-seek?"
"I know what kind of game it is."
"Should we pway hide-and-seek? Over there."
While I was wondering what to play, hide-and-seek came to mind.
It seemed like something the two of us could have fun playing.
I remembered having fun every time I played it with just Rosaria.
Since there wasn't a suitable space in the banquet hall, I pointed to the garden, and Sage smiled brightly.
"Alright, then you hide, Aileen."
"Are you gonna be it, Sage?"
I preferred hiding, but I was going to let him choose since he was the guest.
When I asked again, Sage agreed and walked toward a tree.
"Yeah. I prefer catching."
"Oh, okay. Then Aileen will hide!"
Sage turned his back and began to count.
"One."
Where should I hide?
Should I go into the bushes? I could hide well there, but I thought my clothes would get dirty.
"Two."
Then would behind a tree be better?
I tiptoed quietly. I could see a place with a good mix of bushes and trees.
"Three."
He won't be able to find me here, right?
There was a round hollow in the tree, so I could hide my body without any trouble.
I strained my ears, curious to know what number Sage had counted to.
"Ten."
Having counted to ten, Sage slowly turned around. I saw him look around before walking deeper into the garden.
I watched Sage searching in the wrong place and let out a small giggle.
I'm hiding here, and Sage can't find me.
Just then, a gentle breeze blew. At the same time, Sage, who had been moving, stopped in his tracks.
"Ah. I can't find you."
I rolled my round eyes.
What should I do? If he keeps not finding me, should I just come out?
While I was lost in thought, Sage's presence vanished.
"Huh? Where'd he go?"
Surely he didn't get bored and leave, did he? Feeling a sense of urgency, I was about to stand up.
"Just kidding."
*Rumble.*
*CRASH.*
"......Huh?"
"Aileen."
"......"
"Caught you."
I stared blankly at the fallen tree. A lazy smile spread across Sage's face.
His downcast blue eyes flashed as they stared directly at me.
"Ah, this is hide-and-seek..."
"I know. We have a similar game in the North. It's practice for hunting in advance, right?"
That's not it.
For some reason, it seemed the hide-and-seek I knew and the hide-and-seek Sage knew were a little different.
"......It's okay. Aileen has seen stuff like this a lot. Aileen isn't surprised at all!"
My heart was pounding.
*Hoo. Haa. Hoo. Haa.*
I took a deep breath and stood up. This time, it was my turn to be "it."
"Now Aileen will be it, so go hide!"
"Fine by me."
"One!"
I covered my eyes tightly and counted.
"Twoo."
But what if Sage hides really, really well?
"Thwee."
I wiggled my fingers and peeked through a small gap. Sunlight streamed into my tightly shut eyes.
No, no. I'm not a cheater.
I closed my fingers again and continued counting.
"Fouw."
And when I finally finished counting to ten, I opened my eyes wide.
"Aileen's coming to find you! Are you all hidden, Sage?"
"Yeah. I'm all hidden."
"......Huh? No! You're not supposed to answer!"
Even as I said that, I turned my body toward the source of the sound. I thought I heard it from somewhere around here.
Where is he?
I peeked into the places I had noted when I was hiding just before.
"He's not here either?"
Did he sink into the ground or soar into the sky?
I put my hands on my hips and fell into thought.
...Wait a minute. The sky?
Thinking, *no way*, I raised my head. And my eyes met with Sage's, who was looking down at me.
"Sage, what are you doing up there?"
"Hiding. Aren't you going to catch me?"
Sage, who was sitting with his back against the tree, stretched an arm downward. I looked at the distant arm in vain.
"Aileen can't reach."
"Then you can't catch me, right? The game ends when you catch me."
"Sage, you're a cheater. That's cheating."
"Then I win."
Sage lightly jumped down.
Now's my chance!
I lunged and grabbed Sage just as he landed on the ground. Losing his balance, Sage stumbled and fell.
"You...!"
"Hehe. Aileen caught you."
I hugged his arm tightly so as not to lose my grip and smiled brightly.
I caught him!
The corners of my mouth, creeping up into a silly grin, wouldn't come down. Sage, who was staring at me, silently dusted off his clothes.
"Are you mad, Sage?"
"No."
"Then why awen't you saying anything?"
"Let's play again next time we meet. I won't let you catch me then."