Chapter 55
Chapter 55
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 56
Chapter Title: A Request for Return
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"Gasp."
How did he know? As I froze in surprise, Kaide's expression twisted.
"And yet you answered so confidently just now. I was almost fooled."
"…I didn't twick nobody."
I'd only said I knew it because it was my name. To be accused of tricking him was unfair.
"What is my name?"
"Kaide Astrofel."
"Then who am I?"
What was he doing all of a sudden? I was curious about the intent behind his questions, but I decided to answer them earnestly for now.
"Papa is da Gajunim here."
"The Gajunim of which clan?"
"Black Mamba."
"Then, as someone who has taken my surname, what clan are you?"
Ah.
I felt like I'd been struck hard on the back of my head. I couldn't say a word, only blinking slowly.
Does that mean I'm part of the Black Mamba clan too? Even though I'm a bird?
From now on, if someone asks what clan I'm from, can I say Black Mamba?
"If Aileen leaves here, is she still a Black Mamba?"
"...What is that supposed to mean?"
Kaide's face hardened frighteningly. His red eyes glinted, demanding an answer.
"I have to leave later."
"Are you declaring your intention to run away right in front of me? You have some nerve."
That's not what I meant. It seemed Kaide had completely forgotten his promise to 'accept me as his daughter for the time being.'
Kaide looked at me with a complex, subtle expression.
"I don't know what you're thinking, but wherever you go, do not forget that you are an Astrofel, Aileen."
"Okay."
My worries weren't completely gone, but hearing Kaide say that put my mind at ease to some extent.
As our conversation was ending, I heard a small commotion from outside.
It sounded like Kasana had arrived and Rosaria was explaining the situation.
Seizing the opportunity, I quickly raised my hand.
"Papa!"
"What is it?"
"Aileen wants to have class in da forest today."
I couldn't stay like this with this tail until tomorrow. I looked at him pleadingly, and Kaide let out a short laugh, his expression saying, 'Not a chance.'
Ah... he's not going to listen. I guess I'll have to stay like this until tomorrow.
Kaide stood up and opened the door. I don't know when they arrived, but Kasana and Rosaria were waiting outside.
At that moment, I heard something unbelievable.
"For today's lesson, substitute it with a pheromone class, Kasana."
"...Pardon?"
"She can't stay in this form forever."
"Yes, I will do so."
Wow. What is happening? He acted like he wouldn't listen at first.
I shouted toward Kaide, who was already far down the hall.
"Papa is da best!"
* * *
Right after the morning meeting ended.
While checking the letters that had arrived from various families, Baon's expression stiffened as he spotted an unwelcome seal.
A seal embedded with a pure white feather.
It belonged to the Loisar family.
"Well, well... a family I'd rather not see has made an appearance."
Baon scowled at the letter.
Exchanging letters with the Loisar family was a rare event, happening maybe once a year.
They never initiated contact.
No. There was one thing he could guess.
And it was the very thing Baon feared most.
* * *
Something truly wonderful happened.
During this lesson, not only did I manage to retract my tail, but I also briefly transformed my hands.
I even succeeded in returning them to their original state.
What is happening?!
Did I really accomplish this today?
Once I succeeded in making my tail disappear, the rest went smoothly.
After getting the hang of moving my pheromones, I could do it easily with just a little concentration.
They said it would be no time at all before I became proficient.
"I'm gonna go show Papa."
It was all thanks to Kaide substituting my lesson that I was able to make this much progress.
"The Gajunim will be very pleased."
"Right? He'll praise me and say I did a good job, wight?"
"Of course."
I had used up most of my pheromones, but I wasn't tired at all.
Feeling like I could fly, I was walking along enthusiastically when I saw Arban approaching from the opposite direction.
"Oh? Arban!"
"...What? You have a lesson today?"
"Yup. Orca is here too?"
"I am in charge of Young Master Arban's lesson today."
Orca teaches lessons too? I thought Kasana was in charge of all of them.
"I cannot teach all the lessons myself, so we have divided the duties. The young masters have also begun their martial arts training."
"I see. So cool. Can you make leaves fly into trees now?"
"Why would I make leaves fly into trees?"
"Isn't that what you learn in martial arts twaining?"
It looked so cool. I guess Arban doesn't learn things like that?
Orca, seeming to understand my meaning, explained with a faint smile.
"The young master is focusing on physical combat. It seems the young lady is concentrating on pheromone manipulation."
"That's right. As the young lady's body is not yet suited for physical combat, we decided to proceed with manipulation."
So that was it. I guess my body isn't ready for physical combat yet.
Can I learn it when I get as big as Arban?
"You've been taking a difficult lesson, young lady."
Orca seemed slightly surprised.
Pheromone manipulation must be harder than I thought. I assumed I was learning the easiest basics.
Seeing Arban glance over with interest, it seemed he hadn't started learning pheromone manipulation yet either.
"Well then, I shall take my leave. Please be careful on your way back."
At a fork in the forest path, Orca stopped and bowed first. It seemed he always parted ways with Arban around here.
I waved goodbye to Kasana.
Normally she would have escorted me to the entrance, but I'd been to the forest several times now, so I knew the way from here. Besides, Arban was with me, so it was fine.
"Yup. Kasana, you can go from here today! I have Arban oppa."
"...Then I shall return."
Kasana gave a silent bow and disappeared with Orca.
The left path at the fork led to the annex where the clan members who lived and worked for the family resided, while the right path led to the main building.
I walked side-by-side with Arban toward the right.
"Oppa. Aileen even succeeded with her wings today."
"...Really?"
"Yup. She said if I can do my wings, I've pwactically mastered it!"
She said that since I could now change one of the most central parts of my body, the rest would come quickly.
My mood lifted again, and I walked with a bounce in my step. Arban chuckled.
We headed straight into the mansion.
But the moment we stepped inside, I sensed an unusual atmosphere.
...What is it?
The meeting should have been over for today. Why was everyone gathered in front of the conference room?
"Why is everyone gathered here?"
"Something urgent must have come up. It's like this sometimes."
Unlike my curious self, Arban showed little interest.
Did something happen that requires another meeting so soon?
I entered the lobby with Arban.
At that very moment, the noisy lobby fell silent.
It felt as if everyone had shut their mouths the moment they saw us enter.
A strange feeling washed over me.
Even Arban, who had seemed uninterested, must have felt it too, as he was now scanning our surroundings.
Just before we left the lobby completely, Arban called to me quietly.
"Hey."
"Huh?"
"From now on, don't make a sound and follow me. And don't act obvious. Got it?"
"Okay. I got it."
I answered with grim determination.
Once we were completely out of the lobby, Arban glanced around furtively.
Then he grabbed my hand and started pulling me somewhere.
We arrived at a flowerbed with a tall marble pillar, right in front of the lobby.
It was the perfect place for a child to hide.
Realizing what Arban was up to, I hid with him inside the flowerbed.
As if by an unspoken agreement, we huddled close together and peeked at the lobby through a gap in the bushes.
"You can hear most conversations from here."
"Wow. How did you find this place?"
"I just stumbled upon it. No one really pays attention to this spot."
I see. But what kind of things did Arban hide here to eavesdrop on?
As I stared at him, Arban scowled and mouthed, 'What?'
Just as I was about to shake my head to say it was nothing, some vassals appeared, about to pass the pillar.
I gasped, covered my mouth, and ducked down.
"Is it true that a letter requesting her return came from the Loisar family?"
"That's why the entire mansion is in an uproar."
"If the Loisar family made an official request, what will happen? ...Surely the young lady won't have to go to the East, will she?"
"According to protocol, yes."
They were talking about me.
The suspicious atmosphere I'd felt in the lobby hadn't been my imagination after all.
But who are the Loisar family, and what does it mean that I have to go to the East?
A request for return... what does that...
At that moment, a sudden thought struck me, and I froze.