Chapter 68
Chapter 68
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 69
Chapter Title: Unexpected Guests
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-Why didn't you inform anyone outside when the mistress's condition became critical?
The sharp question was met with Ella looking resentfully at Hestia.
-The head physician said there were two of you… I thought it was the end… The mistress was fine until then, I swear!
Silence fell over the room.
Hestia bowed her head like a sinner.
And a few days later, Estella's funeral was held.
Ella, claiming she could no longer bear the torment of living in the family estate, fled the south as if escaping.
Fortunately, her clan took her in.
Although she hadn't brought back an heir, they had judged her to be of some use.
"I can't listen to any more of this."
Kaide said coolly, watching Ella huddled on the floor, wailing.
"Ha... Who would have ever thought that child would survive?"
Ella's eyes filled with venom.
"I told her every night not to be born."
Durias flinched and quickly looked at Kaide.
Aileen was now a double-edged sword.
She had been raised with abundant love from the family, but she was also deeply connected to Estella's death.
But Kaide simply watched Ella in silence.
Perhaps this incident had caused Kaide's affection for Aileen to cool.
"What should we do?"
Durias, who had been silently observing the situation, asked cautiously.
"Keep her alive for now."
"Not feed her to the beasts?"
"Can't let her die so easily."
Kaide let out a short laugh, as he usually did.
At the sight, Durias unknowingly took a step back.
He had served him for years, but he couldn't even begin to guess what he was thinking now.
Kaide looked incredibly dangerous, his face unreadable as he watched Ella.
His pheromones, which should have been surging with anger, were strangely calm.
How could he maintain such composure?
Kaide turned away without a second thought.
"This might be a good chance to pull them out by the roots. This is going to get rather big."
"......."
"So until then, keep her alive, even if she begs for death."
Bang.
The basement door slammed shut.
Durias sighed and looked at Ella.
She was muttering incessantly.
"It's not my fault. I didn't do anything wrong."
It seemed she was going mad.
Durias clicked his tongue and stepped inside.
Ella flinched, recoiled, and began to struggle.
"Get away! Don't touch me!"
"You can go mad all you want, but not just yet."
"Let go! Let go!"
A desperate, ear-splitting scream echoed through the basement.
Durias grimaced and struck the back of Ella's neck sharply.
Struck on the nape, Ella's eyes widened before her gaze lost focus.
Thud.
Durias gagged the limp Ella as she collapsed, dusted off his clothes a few times, and left the basement without a backward glance.
* * *
Today was a truly momentous day. Why, you ask?
"Piii!"
"You've done very well, Lady Aileen."
Because I had finally succeeded in my complete Su-in transformation.
I felt like I could fly, so I flapped my wings.
Flap, flap.
It felt nostalgic to be a bird again after so long.
"Peep peep!"
"Yes."
"Peep!"
I rolled around in the grass, basking in the joy of my success. Oh my gosh, I really did it. I did it!
I shot up.
The first person I wanted to share the news with was, of course, Kaide.
I wanted to show him this form as soon as possible. He would praise me for doing a good job, wouldn't he?
"Shall we head back, then? Would you please return to your other form?"
"Pii. Piii."
I shook my head, saying I couldn't just yet.
No way. I finally managed to become a bird again. I might not be able to do it next time.
To my firm refusal, Kasana replied, her voice laced with amusement.
"If that's what you wish, my lady. Then we shall conclude today's lesson."
"Peep."
First, I'll show Kaide and get his definite permission to go out.
I clenched my wings.
I stomped my feet powerfully, marching proudly down the dirt path.
My chest swelled with an overwhelming sense of exhilaration.
The already massive trees seemed even taller now that I was a bird. It was a silly thought, but I felt like I had entered a world of giants.
"Lady Aileen."
"Peep?"
"Are you not uncomfortable?"
"Pii pii. Peep peep."
Before I could humanize, it was constantly uncomfortable, but now that I knew I could change back, it was fine.
But at this pace, it felt like I'd never reach the entrance.
My legs were starting to feel sore, too.
I stopped walking. Kasana, who was following behind me, looked at me quizzically.
"Peep peep."
"Yes, my lady."
"Piii."
I stretched my wings out to Kasana, asking her to hold me.
She looked confused for a moment, as if she didn't understand, but then she extended her hand to the ground.
Just like Rosaria used to do for me.
"Peep."
Having landed safely in her palm, I found a comfortable spot and plopped down.
Ah, this is comfy.
I stretched languidly.
I hadn't realized it before, but I felt more mentally at ease in my Su-in form than when I was humanized.
I suppose it was because my original body was that of a Su-in.
They say that returning to your original form is much faster for healing injuries or restoring spent pheromones.
"Are you comfortable?"
"Peep."
I took a deep breath, feeling the gentle, rustling breeze.
To Kasana, it was just walking, but to me, it felt like the wind was blowing.
"Shall I take you to the Gaju just like this?"
"Peep!"
I would love that. I nodded immediately.
As we left the forest, the bright sunlight poured down.
Summer would be here in just a few days.
I was shielding my eyes from the glare with my wing when Kasana suddenly stopped walking.
"Peep peep?"
The moment I called out to Kasana, the sound of a massive iron gate opening reached my ears.
No way. Is the estate's main gate opening right now?
I rubbed my eyes in disbelief.
The gate, which looked to be several meters high, was slowly swinging open.
It was a sight I had never seen before.
The main gate was only opened for guests or when the Gaju and his immediate family went out.
All the vassals used other passages, not the main gate.
That meant the person coming through there now was an important guest, invited by the family.
Who could it be?
I looked up at Kasana. Her eyes were slightly wide with surprise.
This just makes me more curious.
"Lady Aileen."
"Peep?"
"It seems you will have to greet them."
Greet them? The people coming through there?
When the gate was fully open, a man and a woman came into view.
A beautiful woman with long, straight, dark red hair, and next to her... stood a man with black hair and red eyes who gave off a resolute air.
I tilted my head at their appearances, which seemed very familiar.
That's strange.
I'm sure I've never seen them before, so why do they look so familiar?
"This place hasn't changed a bit."
"Doesn't it bring back old memories? I feel so at ease, like I've come home."
The woman, who had been gazing at the mansion from the gate for a while, took a step inside.
Unlike the man, who seemed rather unimpressed, the woman was brimming with excitement.
At their appearance, Kasana changed direction and began to walk.
Toward the man and woman.
I called out to Kasana in a panic.
"Peep. Peep peep?"
"There is no need to worry, Lady Aileen. I know both of them very well."
Who are they?
As the distance between us shortened, I clung tightly to Kasana's hand.
And...
"Oh my?"
"......."
Two pairs of eyes turned toward me.
At the same time, Kasana bowed politely to them.
"Welcome. Lord Ian Astrofel, Lady Helena Astrofel."