Chapter 36
Chapter 36
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 37
Chapter Title: A Poisonous Secret
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I’d never been outside the mansion, so my voice was tinged with envy.
"You'll be able to go out with us when you're a little older."
"Really?"
"But probably not the border. The Gaju is so protective, he'd never allow it. ...Oh, or would he?"
Mesis muttered, stroking his chin.
"He might even order us to clear the area so you could have a good view."
His serious expression and tone sent a wave of anxiety through me.
I was afraid it might actually happen just as he said. I quickly shook my head.
"No. Aileen doesn't wanna go at all!"
"But you just said you wanted to go."
"No, I didn't!"
If there was one thing I knew, it was that causing trouble at the border would lead to nothing good.
I could roughly guess how strong Mesis, who was guarding such an important area, must be.
The thought of people like Mesis causing a ruckus at the border on Kaide's orders made my desire to go vanish completely.
As I repeatedly shook my head no, Mesis licked his lips.
"Is that so? A shame. Everyone was eager to see you, Young Lady. Only a few of us came as representatives."
"Is there more than Karma and Mesis?"
"Do you want to know?"
"Yeah."
I really want to know. I'm so curious. As I leaned forward eagerly, Mesis gave a faint smile.
"Shall I tell you a little?"
I nodded. Mesis moved closer to whisper in my ear.
Just as Mesis was about to speak, a fragrant scent tickled my nose.
What is this scent?
As I leaned forward toward the source of the scent, Mesis moved away with a slightly quick motion.
When I looked at Mesis quizzically, he gave an awkward smile.
"It seems you've detected my pheromone, but you shouldn't try to smell it like that, Young Lady."
"Huh? Why?"
Is it rude for Su-in to do this to each other?
I wasn't familiar with their etiquette yet, so I might have made a mistake.
As I was wondering if I should apologize, Rosaria explained.
"It's because Mesis specializes in poison, even among our clan."
"Poison? Mesis has poison?"
When I quickly asked back at the unexpected reason, Mesis wore an expression that said it was obvious.
"It's something we're all born with."
My goodness. Does that mean everyone in the family I see every day carries poison?
But this is the first time I've ever smelled a scent like this.
I looked at Rosaria beside me. Surely not...
"Does Rosaria have it too?"
"I do. It's our most powerful weapon, one that increases our chances of survival."
"I didn't know..."
"That's because everyone has been careful. It would be a disaster if you were to be poisoned, Lady Aileen."
It was the most surprising and shocking thing I had heard recently.
I had anticipated it to some extent, but hearing it confirmed directly felt different.
I realized just how cautious everyone around me had been.
"Lady Aileen, you aren't immune to poison. So shall we talk from a little distance?"
"Okay, I'll stay here."
I decided to dutifully follow Rosaria's words.
"Mesis is being careful, so you don't need to worry too much."
"Okay. I get it."
As expected, the more I learned, the more I realized the Black Mamba were an unfairly overpowered clan.
It wasn't just their physical abilities that were exceptional from birth.
Their pheromones were also on a level that easily surpassed imagination.
Could it be that everyone can use such a power?
"But are you really all right, Young Lady?"
"Huh?"
"It's a relief if you are. But you were exposed to my pheromone."
Mesis asked, his expression stiff. I checked my body. There was nothing wrong at all.
"I'm okay."
"I'm sure you were exposed to it..."
"Aren't you mistaken, Mesis? If Lady Aileen had been exposed to your pheromone, there's no way she'd be fine."
"Is that so?"
He tilted his head, then nodded.
It seemed that even a tiny amount could cause a problem. I was once again struck by the realization of just what a terrifying place I was being raised in.
I'll have to be careful from now on.
I scooted back until my bottom was pressed firmly against the back of the seat.
Finding my reaction amusing, Mesis's shoulders shook as he laughed heartily.
Between the strands of his swaying white hair, the piercings lining the helix of his ear caught my eye.
The intricately crafted jewels were dazzling.
Though they felt a little different from what you'd call jewels.
Mesis stopped laughing, caught his breath, and held up his hand.
"There are four guards in total, including me."
"Four?"
"Yes. A bit much, isn't it?"
The Gaju is just so extra, Mesis muttered.
I agreed with him. Four people.
I was surprised by the higher-than-expected number.
Does that mean there are two more guards I haven't seen yet?
Where are they all hiding and watching from?
There isn't really any place to hide in this room.
Maybe they're outside, like Mesis was earlier.
When I glanced out the window, Mesis, still with a smile on his face, shook his head.
"I'm afraid not. They're all away at the moment, except for me."
"Where did they all go?"
"It's a shift rotation. We're taking turns watching over you. Though we were all here during the banquet."
I was so disappointed to hear that I couldn't meet them now.
I pouted, crestfallen.
I really want to meet them, but it seems I can only see them one by one.
Even though I knew it couldn't be helped, I was upset.
It had already been several days since the banquet, but no one besides Mesis had shown themselves.
"Oh my, Lady Aileen. Please don't be upset."
Rosaria, as if reading my mind, gently patted my shoulder and explained.
"It's because they're all busy writing letters of apology."
"Letters of apology?"
"Yes. The Gaju ordered them to."
Come to think of it, I remembered Kaide ordering all of them to submit letters of apology.
So that was why it had been so quiet. They were all somewhere in the mansion writing them.
If I wander around, maybe I'll run into them by chance?
I looked at Mesis.
He sat there comfortably, exuding the calm of someone who had already submitted his letter.
"What is it? Do you have a question?"
"Mesis, are you done with your letter?"
"Of course."
"When they're all done, can everyone come see me?"
"You want to see them that badly?"
"Yeah. I wanna see them soon!"
I nodded my head enthusiastically.
When I clenched my two fists tightly, Mesis's gaze shifted to my hands.
The faint hint of a smile on his lips deepened, curving up into a wide arc.
"Well, I'm not sure when they'll be finished. Those guys have never written a letter of apology in their lives, so it'll probably take them a while... I'm not even sure they know what one is."
Mesis, who had been muttering while tapping the armrest of the sofa, glanced at me.
When I tilted my head from side to side, a flicker of mischief passed through Mesis's deep purple eyes.
"It's not like there's no way, though."
"What is it?"
"For that to happen, there's something you need to do for me, Young Lady."
"Me?"
Mesis pointed to the colored pencils and crayons scattered on the desk.
Then he gestured to the sketchbook peeking out from the bookshelf.
"Could you write them a letter with those? Telling them you want to see them soon. I'll deliver it for you."
"...Huh?"
"Who knows? They might suddenly finish their letters of apology at an incredible speed and submit them."
Mesis smiled faintly.
If I really send them a letter, will they finish their work quickly and come to see me?
It felt a little suspicious, but I decided to give it a try anyway.
I took out the sketchbook.
Mesis, who had sidled up next to me, watched with interest.
What should I write?
I drew a large heart right in the center.
"I can't write yet, so Rosaria has to help me."
"Of course, I will help you. What would you like to write?"
"Umm."
An idea for the letter came to me, and I spoke clearly.
"I wanna see you soon. Aileen is waiting."
Rosaria lightly wrote the words over the heart to make them easy to trace.
I traced over them with a crayon.
I filled the remaining empty space with stars, and a respectable-looking letter was complete.
"All done!"
"Wow. It's a very pretty letter."
"You have to deliver this for me!"
My chest swelled with pride.
Mesis accepted the letter with a curious expression.
"This might actually work."