Chapter 32
Chapter 32
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 33
Chapter Title: Wolves and Other Predators
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She'd raised her one and only son with such care, only for this kind of problem to arise.
She thought it would be enough to teach him only the most crucial methods of survival...
But she never imagined he would become this ignorant of his own feelings.
-Like a snow rabbit.
On second thought, that was quite a generous assessment. Sage, who usually ignored anyone who didn't catch his eye as if they were invisible, had gone so far as to compare her to a 'snow rabbit.'
"That's not appetite, Sage."
Muhella decided to correct his misconception first.
Surely he didn't truly believe it was the same kind of appetite one felt for prey?
"If it's not appetite, then what is it?"
Correction. He really had no idea.
How should she explain it? Muhella was at a loss for words.
"...That's... something you'll come to realize on your own one day. *Sigh*. Is that why you came back to the banquet hall so soon?"
"I thought it would be best to stay away for now. I can't go accidentally biting her, can I?"
"...You did well."
Just when she thought he had finally made a friend and gone out with them, this had happened.
Looking at her son, who was not even a month old yet, Muhella was torn between feeling happy and concerned.
It was clearly something to be celebrated, yet the reason she felt so uneasy was probably...
"She definitely resembles a snow rabbit, so I kind of feel like tormenting her."
"..."
"I want to take her to the North."
...because he seemed to be expressing his feelings in a slightly twisted way, making her deeply worried about his future.
Watching Sage lick his lips, Muhella gave a troubled smile.
*Yes, if you do that, the North and the South will likely be left in shambles.*
"That might be a little difficult, Sage."
To protect one child, they had summoned the gatekeepers of the border.
Not just one, but four of them.
One for each range. And one in the position closest to the child.
"You'd be caught before you even left the mansion, you know."
Muhella recalled the face of the man who had blocked the path. If her memory served her right, it was definitely Karma.
To think they'd bring people who could single-handedly wipe out most minor clans to a banquet meant to foster peace.
Everyone seemed to be letting it slide, but if someone decided to make an issue of it, it could easily escalate into a major problem.
With this, Muhella knew for certain.
Just how precious Aileen was to the Astrofel family.
"You must never eat Aileen, Sage."
"I know that much."
"Well, it's a relief that you know."
* * *
I felt like my stomach would burst. Kaide had been putting food in my mouth without a moment's rest.
When I pressed my lips shut, feeling like I couldn't eat another bite, Kaide put down his fork.
"Aiwing is full."
"After eating just this much?"
"Uh-huh."
"You eat too little."
I had finished two whole plates, but it still seemed like a small amount to Kaide.
I checked to see how much the others had eaten, and I had definitely eaten the least.
I dabbed my mouth with a napkin. Now that I was done eating, it was time to go play again.
"Can I go pway now?"
"It's a little difficult right now."
"...Whyyy!"
"Because of him."
Kaide pointed to a gray-haired man sitting not too far away.
When I peeked over Kaide's shoulder, the man's eyes met mine, and he gave me a bright smile and a vigorous wave.
I was about to smile back at his friendly greeting, even though I'd never seen him before, but a large hand firmly blocked my view.
I pouted and pulled Kaide's arm down.
"Aiwing is cuwious."
"A wolf."
"A wolf?"
"That's right. You can't just smile back because he smiled at you."
I tilted my head. When I peeked out again, the gray-haired man from before waved once more.
"He wooks nice."
"Aileen."
"Huh?"
Set called my name.
"Do you know what baby goats and baby pigs have in common?"
Baby goats and baby pigs?
I shook my head.
"Aiwing doesn't know. What is it?"
Then Arban, who had been listening quietly, answered instead.
"They both got eaten by the wolf."
...Eaten by the wolf?
"That's right. And there's one more thing."
There's another thing?
"They're both babies, aren't they?"
Baon chimed in, joining the conversation.
I was deeply shocked.
A wolf eats babies? Does that mean he'll eat me too?
In an instant, the man who had been watching us and smiling brightly whenever our eyes met began to look like the worst person in the world.
I quickly grabbed Kaide's clothes and hid behind him.
"Hng. The wolf is bad. He eats babies."
"Exactly. So not right now. There are too many predators around."
"Then when can Aiwing go pway?"
"When all those pests are gone."
"That's quite an overwhelming number of stares. From the Miat family of the Wolf Clan, to the Cashmere family of the Lion Clan, the Artban family of the Jaguar Clan..."
Baon began to list the family names, glancing at each one out of the corner of his eye.
I perked up my ears at the unfamiliar family names. It was a veritable feast of clans, each one sounding more dangerous than the last.
Baon finished with a grin.
"And even the Kiraas family of the Tiger Clan. You'll have your work cut out for you fending them off, My Lord."
"Everyone is far too interested in my daughter."
Kaide sighed and looked at me.
His gaze seemed to say, 'What am I going to do with this one?' For some reason, I felt I had to deny it, so I quickly shook my head.
"Aiwing didn't do anyfing."
"Didn't you?"
"I didn't do anyfing at all."
When I put on an innocent expression, Kaide let out a short laugh.
"You've turned the entire banquet hall upside down, yet you yourself have no idea."
"If you know, why don't you make some introductions, Kaide? Isn't it a bit much to keep her all to yourself?"
An unfamiliar voice spoke up. I turned around.
It was the first time I'd heard someone call Kaide by his name so casually, and my curiosity was piqued.
*Is that person Kaide's friend?*
The man greeted me.
"Hello there, little one."
*Who is he?*
As I stared blankly, Kaide shifted back. I moved with him, putting more distance between us and the man.
I looked at Kaide in confusion, and he said calmly.
"Aileen, dirty. He's dirty."
A momentary silence fell.
The man's amber-gold eyes slowly moved to the fingertip pointing at him.
At the same time, the corner of his mouth twitched and trembled.
"My Lord, isn't calling Lord Dante 'dirty' a bit too much?"
When the silence stretched on for a few seconds, Baon whispered, glancing at the man.
Judging by the respectful tone, the man seemed to be of quite a high rank.
"Not at all. He's forbidden from approaching Aileen. He's black-hearted."
"That is true, but."
Contrary to his earlier concern for the man's feelings, Baon nodded in agreement.
I listened to their conversation with curiosity until my eyes met a pair of red ones.
"Curious who he is?"
Kaide asked me. I quickly nodded yes. Then I stared intently at Dante.
His red hair, a stark contrast to his bronze skin, was very striking.
Moreover, the clothes he wore were covered in unique patterns I had never seen before.
*He must have come from very far away.*
*So fascinating!*
As I stared, unable to look away, the gold eyes that had been tinged with displeasure turned to me.
"Looks like she finds me fascinating, Kaide. She can't take her eyes off me."
"I'm sure I told you he was dirty."
"...Aiwing was just a wittle cuwious, so I just wooked for a moment."
As I mumbled, my mouth moving slightly, Dante's gleaming gold eyes narrowed into crescents.
It felt as if a large beast of prey was hiding its true nature.
I tilted my head, sensing a subtle aura flowing from Dante, and he showed a slightly surprised expression.
"It seems you've sensed my pheromones. Most people don't notice them."
"Of course she can. She's my daughter."
"Good grief, all the kids in this family are extraordinary."
Shaking his head with an incredulous look, Dante sat down beside us.
A flicker of interest passed through the amber-gold eyes that gazed at me.
We were both fascinated with each other.
At last, Dante spoke first.
"I saw your introduction earlier, Aileen."
"Fank you."
"I'm Dante Iselode. I came from the West after hearing the news of your birth."
*To see me? From the West?*
At his words, I lifted my head sharply, and the corners of Dante's mouth curved up into a grin.