Chapter 41
Chapter 41
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 41
Chapter Title: Feeling Left Out
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"Lady Aileen. It is time to wake up."
Tickle, tickle.
I woke up groggily from my afternoon nap.
Wanting to sleep a little longer, I snuggled deeper into the blankets, but I heard Rosaria's voice whispering in my ear.
"You must get up. It's already past five."
"Mmmngh."
"The Gaju said we're all to have dinner together tonight."
My eyes flew open.
We're having dinner together?
I sat bolt upright. I couldn't remember the last time we'd all had a meal together as a family.
I poked my head out from under the covers and looked at Rosaria.
"We're all eating dinner together?"
"Of course. Now, shouldn't you hurry and get ready?"
"Okay, I get it. I'm gonna be the first one at the dining hall."
"I'll do your hair first."
"Okay."
*Yawn.* I let out a big yawn. I still wasn't fully awake.
I guess I had too much fun in the garden today.
I sat on the bed and waited for Rosaria to do my hair.
I felt a gentle touch combing through my hair.
I was fiddling with my hair when I suddenly decided I wanted it braided.
"Wosaria. Can you bwaid my hair?"
"Of course. Shall I braid it for you?"
"Yeah."
Rosaria started braiding my hair. She tied a yellow ribbon at the end of each neat braid.
"What do you think? Do you like it?"
"Yeah, it's pwetty!"
I liked the long twin braids; they weren't uncomfortable at all.
Once I was all ready, I left my room and headed for the dining hall.
"I'm going to be the first one there."
"If you go now, Lady Aileen, you'll be the first one there."
"Wight?"
Since everyone was busy, they would likely arrive right on time.
I turned the corner in the hallway where the stairs led down to the lower floor.
Just then, I ran into Set, who was coming down from upstairs.
Set looked slightly surprised, as if he hadn't expected to see me.
"Aileen?"
"Big bwother? Where are you going?"
"I was on my way to the dining hall."
Already? So early? This was very unexpected.
Set, who had paused on the stairs, continued down as he spoke.
"You've braided your hair, Aileen."
"Wosaria did it for me. Isn't it pwetty?"
I held the long braids in both hands to show him.
Set quietly looked down at my hair, then started walking beside me.
"Big bwother Set, did you not miss Aileen?"
"Perhaps."
"Hmph. Aileen came out first 'cause I wanted to see everyone."
"I see."
But why was Set out so early? Did he have something to do before heading to the dining hall?
As I looked at him quizzically, his red gaze, which had been fixed straight ahead, lowered to meet mine.
"Just because I had nothing to do."
"Oh, I see. Ah, that's wight!"
I'd forgotten to brag about that, hadn't I?
I started bragging to Set with a wide grin.
"I get to have lessons in the forest now, too!"
"The forest?"
"Yeah. I'm going to have pheromone lessons in the forest now. Isn't that cool?"
Tell me it's cool! My eyes sparkled with anticipation, but the corner of Set's mouth only curled up in a condescending smirk.
"Impressive."
His response was completely flat. But I'd pretty much expected it.
Set was always awkward with compliments.
I'd figured out his personality by now, so it didn't really bother me.
"I'll be able to turn into a bird and fly soon. Isn't that cool?"
"Cool."
"And..."
"But, Aileen."
"Yeah?"
Set's eyes narrowed. A smile full of mischief spread across his face.
"When you transform into your true form, you can't lose focus. If you do..."
If I do?
"Only part of your body might transform, and you could be stuck like that for the rest of your life."
My world shattered. Seeing me frozen with my mouth hanging open, Set let out a short laugh.
Set walked right past me as I stood there, frozen in shock.
I stared blankly at his retreating back.
If you only half-transform, what happens then?
Snapping out of it, I toddled after him and quickly grabbed the hem of his sleeve.
Set, who had been strolling along, stopped at the slight tug. It was as if he'd been waiting for it.
"What?"
"I-If that happens, what do you do?"
"Curious?"
"Yeah."
Surely there was a way to change back, right?
But the answer I was hoping for never came.
Looking as if he were deep in thought, Set shrugged his shoulders.
"I wouldn't know. It's never happened to me."
"..."
"I succeeded on the first try."
"Kasana never told me anything like that!"
"Did she forget?"
If it was that important, she would have told me beforehand. I guess she really did forget.
As I was looking at the floor dejectedly, Set snickered.
Why was he laughing? I quickly lifted my head, and Set, his face now a perfect mask of innocence, tilted his head quizzically.
Something smelled very fishy. Don't tell me he'd been teasing me this whole time?
When I narrowed my eyes and glared at him, Set started walking past me again.
"You're so gullible."
"You were teasing Aileen this whole time?"
"Yes."
It was an unhesitating, thoroughly confident answer.
I faltered for a moment, dumbfounded.
Then, a deep sense of betrayal washed over me.
The brief moment I had spent seriously worrying, thinking it was real, now felt so pointless.
I puffed out my cheeks and followed after him again, and Set's pace slowed once more.
"I was scared 'cause I thought it was real."
"I was a little surprised you actually fell for it."
"I won't fall for it again."
"I thought you'd be fooled a little longer."
His voice was laced with disappointment.
I breathed a sigh of relief. Of course, Kasana would never forget to tell me something so important.
While we were bickering, we arrived at the entrance to the dining hall.
As we were about to go inside, I saw Arban approaching from the opposite direction.
I waved happily.
"Arban!"
Orca was with him, right behind.
It had been a while, so I acknowledged him and waved as well, and Orca gave a slight bow of his head.
"Good evening, Young Master Set, Lady Aileen."
"Arban and Orca, where did you go?"
The two of them were wearing outdoor clothes I'd never seen before.
It was clearly different from the training clothes they wore in the forest.
As I stared curiously, Arban, who was taking off his coat, gave me a wicked smirk.
"It'll be a long time before you get to go."
"Where did you go?"
"Outside."
"...Outside?"
You mean, outside the mansion?
I glanced at Orca, and he looked troubled, offering an awkward smile instead of an answer.
It seemed to be true that they had been outside.
But I was told you can only go outside when you become an adult?
As I tilted my head, still not understanding, Set explained.
"It's possible if Father gives permission."
"Daddy?"
"Yes."
So that's how it was. Did that mean I was the only one who didn't know?
I looked back at Set, my mind racing.
"...Big bwother Set, have you been outside, too?"
"Yes."
It seemed that both of them, excluding me, had already been outside.
Then when will I get to go?
In an instant, my lips jutted out in a pout. My unconcealed disappointment was on full display.
Watching my expression change in real time, Orca became greatly flustered and didn't know what to do.
"...T-The Gaju will surely give his permission soon. Please don't be too upset, Lady Aileen."
"Aileen can go out, too?"
"Of course."
"When?"
"That is..."
Orca's lips parted, but no words came out.
His words trailed off, and his eyes, which had been watching my reaction, stealthily shifted elsewhere.
Not knowing what to do, Orca's hands fidgeted in the air.
Unable to answer, Orca even looked anxious.
"What is everyone gathered here for?"
At that moment, Kaide's voice cut through the air.
Simultaneously, Orca's expression brightened.
He was filled with the hope that he could finally escape this situation.
Still sulking, I tucked my lips in and turned around.
"Daddyyy!"
"Hm?"
I ran to Kaide and hugged him tightly.
As I clung to his leg and looked up, Kaide, who was gazing down at me, raised his head to look at Orca as if demanding an explanation.
"What is it?"
"Well... after finding out that Young Master Arban went on an outing, the Young Lady said she wanted to go out as well."
"So that's why you have such a sullen face."
"It seems she's very upset to hear that all the young masters have received permission to go out."
"Is that so?"
Kaide asked, his gaze dropping to me. I buried my face against his leg and nodded.