Chapter 92
Chapter 92
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 93
Chapter Title: The Pheromone Conflict
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Rosaria’s eyes wavered as she listened blankly to the conversation between Kaide and Hestia.
It was a string of conversations she couldn’t comprehend.
Her expression twisted as she realized she had been kept in the dark about Aileen’s condition all this time.
"What is all this about, Gajunim?"
"...Ah."
Kaide realized his slip. Only his closest confidants knew about Aileen’s situation.
But Rosaria had not been informed.
They had kept it quiet precisely because they knew how much she cared for Aileen.
Rosaria's voice trembled.
"A pheromone conflict? Why would that happen to Lady Aileen? And what is this about an intermediate growth...?"
To think such a crucial matter had been kept secret from her. Rosaria looked utterly shocked.
"First, you should calm down, Rosaria."
"I am the one who serves Lady Aileen, so why am I only hearing this now? If I had known sooner, I would have...!"
"That's precisely why we didn't tell you."
"...What?"
"You should be aware of your position. Is your duty not to stay by Aileen's side?"
Kaide said coldly. Rosaria fell silent. The hallway grew quiet.
After a long moment, she conceded.
"You are right."
"The clans watching the Astrofel family will already know who you are."
"..."
"For someone like you to leave the estate would be tantamount to announcing that something is wrong with Aileen."
As it was, Aileen was already the subject of excessive attention.
She didn't seem to realize it yet, but the moment she became an adult and stepped outside, she would feel it on her skin.
Simply being born with the name Astrofel made it impossible to escape the notice of others.
But in Aileen's case, it was even more unique.
An unprecedented event had occurred, so everyone was watching with curiosity.
"Someone else will find the neutralizer. You just need to stay by Aileen's side."
"Even I, her physician, only found out today. Don't blame yourself too much, Lady Rosaria."
Hestia comforted her.
It was a regrettable situation. They all cared for the same person, but their different methods had led to this.
Kaide and Rosaria could both understand, which only made their hearts heavier.
"You two should go back to your rooms. Her fever has gone down."
"I want to see her wake up before I go."
Set replied, shaking his head. He was holding a camera in his hand.
"You both must have been very startled today. It would be best to go and rest."
"We're fine."
This time, Arban spoke stubbornly. Neither of them seemed to have any intention of returning to their rooms.
Watching Set and Arban, who were staring only at Aileen's door, he finally nodded.
"You must be worried, so do as you wish."
"Yes, Father."
Silence fell after that.
With one heart, they all waited for Aileen to wake up.
How much time had passed? Kaide opened his mouth.
"Hestia."
"Yes, Gajunim."
"What exactly is the medium needed to act as a neutralizer?"
"As you know, a Black Mamba's pheromones are intensely hot. That's why their average body temperature is on the lower side."
Their bodies are naturally born with a lower average temperature to handle the pheromones.
This was very common, and it was the same for Aileen.
To handle the characteristic cold energy of the Bird Clan, her body was on the warmer side.
Her body's warmth counteracted the cold energy within her.
But a variable had emerged.
It turned out that not only the Bird Clan's pheromones but also a Black Mamba's pheromones were stirring within Aileen.
That was when the problem began.
"Lady Aileen's pheromones have a cold attribute. But they are much weaker than a Black Mamba's."
"So her innate pheromones are being pushed back."
"Yes. But her pheromones are also resisting to protect her body. In that process, the Black Mamba's pheromones are rampaging even more fiercely."
The Black Mamba's pheromones, which have a strong desire for dominance, were trying to suppress her innate ones.
"Lady Aileen must bear the full brunt of that friction. For now, as a temporary measure, we've suppressed her innate pheromones, which has calmed the Black Mamba's."
"What if one side is completely suppressed?"
"If that happens, we cannot predict what will occur to Lady Aileen."
A Su-in's disposition was innate. Trying to forcibly change it could lead to unpredictable consequences.
It would be a relief if things turned out well, but artificially suppressing one's innate pheromones could not possibly be a good thing.
"For now, we can manage with medicinal herbs that support Lady Aileen's energy, but as time passes, that will become difficult."
"Meaning we need a stronger neutralizer."
"Yes. And the best thing would be to find a person who can neutralize Lady Aileen's pheromones and help them achieve harmony."
"A person?"
"Medicinal herbs have their limits, and even if we found something stronger, nothing is more potent than the energy a Su-in possesses."
"This is maddening."
Where on earth could they find such a person?
Even if one existed, they couldn't possibly stay with her forever.
Moreover, with her intermediate growth approaching, time was short.
After her growth, her pheromones would become even more powerful.
And when she became an adult...
Kaide rubbed the bridge of his nose.
"Also, there was one thing I needed to report to you upon your return, Gajunim."
"What is it?"
"It concerns the matter of intermediate growth that you ordered an investigation into."
Hestia's expression grew grim.
She had vaguely suspected that the investigation into intermediate growth was related to Aileen, but she had never imagined it would be this serious.
Information regarding intermediate growth was extremely difficult to find.
Even after searching through all the ancient texts collected since the time of the first Gaju, there were only a few lines mentioning it.
From those, she was able to find a single clue.
"It was written that a Su-in undergoing intermediate growth will choose the body more advantageous for survival."
"And?"
"It is presumed that if Lady Aileen undergoes intermediate growth, her physical abilities will become similar to ours."
"...Doesn't that make the problem worse?"
Rosaria, who had been listening quietly, asked with a worried expression.
Hestia nodded in agreement.
"Yes, that's right. Even if her body rejects the pheromones, if it determines that those pheromones are more advantageous for survival, it will try to accept the Black Mamba's nature."
"That would make things even more dangerous. Is something like that even possible?"
Rosaria asked, her expression full of disbelief.
No matter how advantageous it was for survival, wasn't her immediate well-being more important?
Hestia nodded grimly.
"At first, I also thought it was absurd, but they say it is a Su-in's instinct to follow the stronger power."
"Is there a way to stop it?"
"The act of stopping it could be dangerous in itself."
"So, in the end, we must find a neutralizer."
"Yes, that's right."
They were back to square one.
Regardless, Aileen needed a neutralizer.
Everyone's expression hardened gravely.
"This is all I was able to find out. To learn more, we may have to make a request to another family."
"...Perhaps we could ask Lord Dante for help?"
With the help of the Iselode family, they might be able to obtain more information.
Hestia's face lit up at Rosaria's suggestion.
"The Iselode family has many rare medicinal herbs, after all."
Kaide considered it for a moment before nodding.
"Let's do that."
Every second was precious.
This was because there was absolutely no information on how the intermediate growth would proceed.
Outside the window, the sun was already rising.
"Well, since the situation has settled for now, I'll go wash up and come back."
Hestia said. She was still in her pajamas and slippers.
The same was true for Rosaria.
"That would be best. I'll stay here, so go on."
"Yes, understood. You should go quickly too, Rosaria. Lady Aileen might be upset if she wakes up and sees you like this."
"...Yes, I understand."
Rosaria reluctantly turned to leave.
Once the two of them were completely out of sight, Set spoke quietly.
"We'll go and come back too, then."
"Didn't you say you were staying here?"
"On second thought, if we look too serious, I think Aileen will feel anxious."
Anxiety was contagious.
If she saw them still in the clothes they had worn on their trip, Aileen might feel sorry.
It seemed best to show her that they were as okay as possible.
Hearing Set, Arban seemed to have a change of heart and pushed himself off the wall he was leaning against.
"I think you're right, big brother. I'll go and come back too. And let's bring that other photo. She was really looking forward to it."
Kaide let out a small laugh. He didn't know when the two of them had become capable of such mature thoughts.
"A rather admirable thought."
"We'll be back before Aileen wakes up."
Kaide gestured for them to go ahead. The two bowed their heads and headed for their rooms.
Left alone in the hallway, Kaide gazed out the window.
The image of Aileen's wrist going limp while Hestia was examining her wouldn't leave his mind.
Kaide covered his eyes.
He had almost lost another one. First Estella, and now Aileen.
Kaide sensed a presence nearby and, lacing his voice with pheromones, opened his mouth.
"Karma."
"Yes, Gajunim."
Karma appeared at his call.
He had been lingering near Aileen after hearing news of Kaide's return.
Karma looked as if he wanted to know what had happened, but he didn't ask.
"From this moment on, report every single matter concerning Aileen to me without exception."
"Yes, I understand."