Chapter 49
Chapter 49
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 50
Chapter Title: The Meaning of an Invitation
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Mesis told me many other things as well.
I learned that the south was rich in resources, so there was almost nothing you couldn't find, and because of that, they had an unusually large number of allied clans.
But they lacked spices, so they tried to maintain a close relationship with the west.
*Wow. Mesis is like a total genius.*
When I looked at him with sparkling eyes, Mesis looked away awkwardly.
"What's with that look? As if you're surprised."
"I thought you didn't know stuff like this, Mesis. How do you know everyfing?"
"......Well, for one, I'm from a collateral branch, you know? I've had all the basic lessons, so of course I know."
"Collateral branch?"
"It means we share the same roots as the Astrofel family."
*Same roots? Doesn't that mean we have the same ancestors?* I was stunned.
"Then you're a distant relative of Daddy?!"
Of all the things I'd heard so far, that was the most shocking and new.
I asked in surprise, but Mesis shook his head, saying that wasn't it.
"It might have been like that in the past, but not anymore. These days, even clan members who have made significant contributions to the family are recognized as part of a collateral branch."
"Oh, so that's how it is."
"That's not to say there aren't any actual collateral branches, though."
"Is that person Baon, by any chance?"
I thought of Baon, who had black hair.
I was sure I'd heard that only members of the Astrofel family were born with black hair and red eyes.
But as I walked around the estate, I would sometimes see people who had one of those traits.
It wasn't just Baon; Rosaria had red eyes too.
Mesis nodded in agreement.
"That's right. It's complicated, isn't it?"
"Yeah. But I fink I get it."
It was a little complicated, but I vaguely understood.
Simply put, it meant that both clan members of mixed blood and those who had made contributions to the family were collectively recognized as collateral branches.
*I've been feeling this for a while, but the south is incredibly open-minded.*
In other places, I doubt they would recognize someone as part of a collateral branch simply for their contributions.
This time, I pointed to the northern part of the map and casually asked.
"By the way, Mesis. How cold is the north?"
"Why the sudden question?"
"'Cause I have to go visit later. Sage lives there."
"......Ah."
Mesis had a complex, subtle expression. He looked troubled, wondering how to explain, then hesitated before asking.
"......Do you know what it means when a Su-in invites you to their territory?"
"Meaning?"
*There's a meaning to it?* I blinked slowly. I had no idea what it meant.
Come to think of it, I remembered Rosaria's expression hadn't been very good when I told her Sage had invited me.
*What on earth could it mean?* When I shook my head to say I didn't know, Mesis let out a deep sigh.
"I thought so. You don't know."
"Yeah."
"......Then please ask someone else what it means. For now, what I can tell you is......."
*What he can tell me is?*
"The north is incredibly cold....... and that you'll probably never go there, Young Lady."
"Why not?"
"Because the Gaju would never allow it."
*So give up.*
Mesis patted my shoulder.
*Why would Kaide never allow it?*
I tilted my head in confusion.
Without a word, Mesis scuffed out the drawing on the ground with his foot.
* * *
The weekend arrived. I had no plans scheduled for the day, so I intended to borrow a book from the library.
If I could boast for a moment, I could now read easy books without Rosaria's help.
It was nothing short of a huge leap forward.
For the record, I learned that expression from a book, too!
I opened the library door and went inside.
"Hello."
"Welcome again, Lady Aileen. Have you finished the book you borrowed last time?"
"Yes."
I handed the book I'd borrowed back to Media, the librarian.
Lately, I'd been reading books that were popular with young Su-in. *What should I read this time?*
After logging the return, Media smiled warmly and pointed to a stack of books beside her.
"Do you see these?"
"What are they?"
"These are books I ordered especially for you, Young Lady. Which would you like to read first?"
*Hmm. What should I read first?* These books had more words than the ones I usually read.
They seemed a little difficult, but I thought it would be fine. Besides, I'd read most of the picture books in the library, so there wasn't much left to see.
*I'll start with the thinnest one.*
"I'll take this one, then."
"Oh, will you? I hear this one is quite popular in the west."
"The west?"
*Are different books popular in each territory?* Come to think of it, this one had a slightly different feel from the books I'd read so far.
"Yes. The recommended reading for each clan differs slightly. Since their dispositions are different, what they learn in their youth varies as well."
"I see."
"The books you've read until now, Lady Aileen, were recommended reading for young Su-in popular in the south."
It felt a little strange. *So the books I've been reading represent the developmental path preferred in the south?*
Most of them were about being considerate of others and living cooperatively.
......It seems they tend to act as they please without much regard for the atmosphere.
Ironically, the next most common theme was something along the lines of 'I can do it by myself.'
I wasn't sure which drum they wanted you to march to, but I supposed they expected you to figure it out and find a middle ground.
"Well then, Aileen is going now."
"Yes. Enjoy the book, and please come again."
"Okay."
I left the library and headed for my room. I wasn't going out today; I planned to stay inside.
I hitched up the strap of my overalls that kept slipping off my shoulder and diligently made my way to my room.
My stamina had improved quite a bit, so now I could go from floor to floor without any trouble. Before, even I had to admit, I got tired way too easily.
"Rosaria, I'm back."
"You're back early, Lady Aileen. Did you decide on a book for today?"
"Yeah. Look at this. Media recommended it. She said it's popular in the west."
"I'll prepare a snack for you."
"Okay. Fank you."
I sat on the sofa and lay down, using a cushion as a pillow.
I was slowly reading, turning the pages one by one, when the door suddenly burst open.
It was Arban.
Rosaria, who was setting the snacks on the table, greeted Arban warmly.
"Welcome, Young Master Arban."
Arban gave a curt nod and walked straight toward me.
I put down my book and looked at him, puzzled.
"Arban?"
"Hey."
"Yeah."
His red eyes, staring at me with unnerving intensity, narrowed. *Why is he looking at me like that?* As I subtly shifted back, Arban crossed his arms and plopped down on the sofa across from me.
"You had a pheromone lesson this time, right?"
"That's right. You remembered?"
"Who said I remembered......! So, did you succeed?"
"No. I can only feel the pheromones so far."
"Still? Then when can we go on our trip?"
*Aha. So that's why he came to my room.*
Judging by the way he came to ask in person on a weekend, he seemed quite anxious.
Arban cleared his throat and subtly got to the point.
"......When do you think you'll be able to succeed?"
"Maybe in a few days?"
Arban let out a deep breath. He seemed frustrated by my vague answer.
After a long moment of silent, deep thought, Arban's eyes lit up, and he called to me again.
"Hey."
"Yeah?"
"To succeed at Su-in transformation, you have to imagine the pheromones spreading evenly throughout your whole body."
A small giggle escaped me. *So that's why he was so quiet.......*
"Hehe. I see."
"......What are you laughing at?"
"You were thinking all this time just to tell me that, Arban?"
He must have stayed here without leaving because he wanted to tell me how to succeed at Su-in transformation more easily.
Arban cleared his throat, avoided my gaze, and mumbled.
"I wasn't thinking that hard."
I could see Rosaria watching us from the side with a warm smile.
"Since the Young Master taught you himself, I'm sure you'll be able to do it in no time, Lady Aileen."
"......Anyway. So when's your next lesson?"
"Not today, it's the weekend."
"Then what are you going to do now?"
"I was just gonna stay in my room."
I pointed to the book I was holding. I had planned to read it, but playing with Arban seemed more fun, so I'd put it off for a bit.
*But what should we play?*
As I looked around the room for something we could play with, I suddenly remembered what Mesis had said yesterday.
"Ah, right. Arban."
"Yeah."
"Do you know what it means when someone invites you to their home?"
"......What?"
Arban froze at my question before asking back.
"Who said that?"
"Sage."
"......Who's that."
"Hm? A friend."
*Why is he reacting so sensitively?*
At my word "friend," Arban's expression began to slowly crumble. Then, he suddenly shot up from his seat.
"That means he wants to marry you!"