Chapter 80
Chapter 80
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 81
Chapter Title: The Roisar Clan's Arrival
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The Roisar clan arrived at the crack of dawn.
"So we can finally come and get her."
The man at the center of the group muttered.
He was a striking man, with dark brown hair and intense eyes that contrasted with his snow-white skin.
His golden eyes turned to the woman with the unusually small frame in the group.
"You'll do this without a hitch, won't you?"
"...Of course, Lord Gray."
The woman flinched at his words.
Gray surveyed the quiet surroundings.
The Black Mambas, who had met them at the border and promised to escort them to their destination, had not shown themselves once since their initial greeting.
Their skill was formidable.
He had only heard the wild rumors, but he never imagined they would be this capable.
Everyone was inwardly impressed.
"But why isn't anyone coming out?"
When the mansion's gates remained closed for a long time, a red-haired man spoke up, puzzled.
"It's dawn, so word is probably traveling slowly."
"You think so?"
Gray stared at the main gate with a placid expression, ignoring the murmurs from behind.
He had anticipated this to some extent.
In fact, it was strange enough that they had accepted his visit in the first place.
Soon, he sensed someone approaching from beyond the gate.
At the same time, the thick scent of a dangerous pheromone wafted out.
Gray's brow furrowed slightly.
"What is this insolent attitude?"
Finally, the red-haired man beside him snapped, voicing his displeasure.
"They don't seem happy to see us."
The massive, tightly shut iron gate slowly swung open with a heavy groan.
And...
"Welcome, members of the Roisar clan."
A black-haired man appeared.
His eyes, glinting in the darkness, swept over them before settling on Gray.
Recognizing the man's status, Gray's face twisted in displeasure.
The man's eyes were not red.
Gray's lips parted.
"What kind of game are you playing?"
"A game? I have come to greet you with all due courtesy."
"Where is the Gaju of Astrofel?"
"I have come in the Gaju's stead. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Baon."
He offered a greeting with flawless etiquette.
"Ha?! What is this blatant disrespect?"
"Disrespect?"
Baon tilted his head, feigning ignorance.
The red-haired man gritted his teeth.
At a glance, it might not have seemed problematic, but Baon opening the gate and coming out himself was a major breach of protocol.
Greeting a delegation was an important duty that the head of the family was meant to perform personally.
Moreover, Gray, the Gaju of the Roisar clan, was present.
And yet, a mere elder had come out to meet them?
"Ah, are you disappointed that I am not the Gaju? My sincerest apologies."
Baon continued in a breezy tone.
"The Gaju is terribly busy."
No one there believed his words.
It was obvious at a glance that he was lying.
Unable to contain his anger, the red-haired man stepped forward as if ready to pounce.
Baon watched the man with a leisurely gaze.
As the situation soured, Gray quietly called out to the man.
"That's enough, Aser."
"...But!"
"Enough."
The man called Aser reluctantly stepped back.
Nothing good would come from causing trouble in another clan's territory.
For now, their priority was to get the child back.
Gray turned his head to Baon.
"The child?"
"Are you referring to our Young Lady?"
Baon immediately corrected Gray's words, drawing a clear line.
At that, the expressions of the Roisar clan members hardened.
Our Young Lady.
It was an indirect statement, but it was as good as hearing the Astrofel family's official stance.
They had no intention of handing her over.
Gray's golden eyes narrowed.
He hadn't expected them to give up the child willingly, but he hadn't thought they would start like this.
"Our Young Lady is doing very well. So well that it's almost a problem."
"That's reassuring to hear."
"Isn't it? She probably won't be able to adjust if she returns to the East."
"Then we should have her rejoin her own kind before that happens. There must be a limit to her growth here."
Faced with such a formidable war of nerves, Baon inwardly clicked his tongue.
It was palpable that they had come with a firm resolve.
Baon decided to take a step back.
Unnecessary squabbles were a detriment in many ways.
"You must be tired from your long journey. Why don't you come inside first?"
"That sounds wise."
Baon, who had been blocking the gate, stepped aside.
Other than Baon, there was no one else to be seen to welcome the Roisar clan.
Staring daggers at the back of Baon's head as he led the way, Aser spoke through clenched teeth.
"If they were going to be like this, why did they even accept our visit? This is too rude. We must lodge a formal complaint immediately."
"Calm your temper."
"This is an attitude that completely disregards our clan."
"We have other priorities. You haven't forgotten that, have you?"
"But..."
"Don't forget our objective."
By setting foot in the Astrofel domain, their first objective had been achieved.
The next was to meet the Gaju and negotiate.
And after that, to persuade the child.
Ultimately...
"We will be taking the child with us anyway, will we not?"
"That we will."
"But from their current attitude, it doesn't seem like they'll return her."
"They're likely upset over this whole affair. Still, the current Gaju of Astrofel is a man of reason."
Gray thought of Kaide.
He had only spoken with him briefly, but he remembered him clearly.
Kaide was a rational and logical man.
No matter how much he cherished the child, he wouldn't try to keep her at the risk of his clan's well-being.
He didn't like the way they were being treated, but didn't Kaide ultimately accept their visit because he was somewhat willing to give her up?
If the deal wasn't profitable, Kaide would hand over the child without a second thought.
"I am a little worried, my Lord."
"There's no need. Even if he does, we still have a card left to play, do we not?"
They had a powerful card that the child would have no choice but to show interest in.
"Your role will be crucial."
Crossing the garden shrouded in darkness, Gray looked down at the woman walking beside him.
The woman flinched, then bowed her head.
"Now is the time to prove your worth."
"...Yes, Lord Gray. I will do my best."
"You must."
The survival of their family was at stake.
To achieve their ultimate goal of reclaiming their heir, the child was absolutely necessary.
"This is where you will be staying."
Baon came to a halt.
It was a villa located near the main mansion.
"We have prepared everything to ensure your stay is comfortable, but please let us know if there is anything you need."
"Thank you."
"It is only natural to accommodate our guests. There will be attendants inside to guide you."
Baon gave a slight bow.
Though everyone was looking at him with displeasure, Baon's expression was completely unconcerned.
As he watched them file inside one by one, Baon studied the woman who had been catching his eye.
The Roisar clan were eagles.
While not a top-tier family, they were a high-ranking clan, so all of them were large-framed.
But among them was a woman with an incredibly petite build.
'What is this?'
It was a very incongruous sight.
She seemed intimidated among the Roisar clan. If she were one of them, there would be no need for that.
Curious, Baon watched her intently as she entered the villa. Suddenly, his eyes widened in astonishment.
The woman's hood slipped back, revealing pure white silver hair.
It was a very familiar color.
"You look quite surprised."
Aser, who had lingered behind instead of going inside, smirked crookedly at Baon.
"As you can see, we will be the ones taking the child."
"Ha."
"She will end up saying she wants to go back herself. So, tell your master not to waste our time."
Aser swaggered past him.
Baon stared after the departing woman and muttered blankly.
"Her guardian was alive."
He had encountered an unexpected obstacle.
He had assumed they would have stolen the egg and dealt with the guardian...
But that wasn't the case.
"This is a disaster."
What was he to do now? This was not part of the plan.
Baon pressed a hand to his forehead, anticipating the complicated situation that lay ahead.