I’m the Youngest Daughter of the Serpent Family
Chapter 40
Until now, I hadn't been allowed to enter the forest because it was dangerous.
It was fine if I was with Rosaria, but every time I went to the garden, I would receive warnings.
So when I heard that my lessons would take place in the forest this time, my heart fluttered with excitement.
“That’s truly wonderful. Congratulations, Lady Irene.”
“Uh-huh. I’m gonna take lessons just like Seth and Arvan.”
Seeing that those two had trained in the forest, was it pheromone lessons they took back then?
Thinking that I would be following the same steps as them made me feel giddy.
“Before that, there is one thing I must check.”
“A check?”
“I will hold your hand for a moment.”
When I offered my hand with a puzzled expression, Casana explained.
“I must confirm whether your pheromones have entered a stable phase.”
“I see.”
It seemed pheromone lessons also had to be conducted in a stable state.
Holding my hand, Casana appeared to be examining something intently.
As the atmosphere grew serious—making it seem quite important—I unwittingly stiffened my body, trying not to move.
After holding my hand for a long time, Casana’s dark eyes shifted toward me.
I swallowed dryly. Did something go wrong?
“…Why? Is something wrong with Irene?”
“It is nothing like that. You may sit comfortably.”
Feeling anxious, I leaned toward where Rosaria was sitting and looked up at her.
When our eyes met, Rosaria gave me a beaming smile.
“Wosaria, is something wrong with me?”
“Not at all. Do not worry, Lady Irene. Everyone goes through this check. I did as well.”
“Mm.”
Casana’s hand, which had been checking my pheromones, pulled away.
At the same time, the tension that had stiffened my body relaxed.
“How is it, Casana?”
“There are no major issues. It seems the young lady’s pheromones have entered a stable phase.”
“Really? Then we’re gonna do lessons in the forest now?”
“You may come to the forest entrance for your next lesson.”
Thinking it was an immense relief, I let out a long breath.
Casana began packing away the lesson materials laid out before her one by one.
“Then we shall conclude today’s lesson here.”
“Bye-bye, Casa. See you tomorrow.”
“Yes. I shall take my leave.”
I followed her all the way to the door and waved my hand.
Even though I saw her off like this every time, she still looked at me with an awkward gaze, as if she hadn't gotten used to it.
“See you tomorrow again.”
“…I will see you tomorrow.”
Click. The door closed. Giggling, I dashed to the bed and flopped onto my stomach.
I'm so happy!
As I kicked my feet and rolled from side to side, laughter sounded from behind me.
“Are you that happy, Lady Irene?”
“Uh-huh. What should I do? I’ll do well, right?”
“Of course. You will succeed splendidly.”
“I’m gonna surprise everyone.”
I made an ambitious plan.
* * *
Click.
The door closed, and stepping out into the hallway, Casana moved forward.
Her eyes were deeply sunken.
Walking with steady strides, Casana stopped in front of the door that was her destination.
Knock, knock.
“Head of the family, it is Casana.”
“Enter.”
Once permission was granted, Casana stepped inside.
Kaid, who had been reading a report, shifted his gaze to her.
Already knowing the reason for Casana’s visit, Kaid got straight to the point.
“The result?”
Casana’s dark eyes flickered slightly.
Guessing the result from that reaction, Kaid returned his gaze to the report he had been reading.
“I don't need to hear it to know.”
“Did you already anticipate this, Head of the family?”
“I did hope it wouldn't be the case, though.”
It meant he had already expected it.
Only then could Casana understand why he had given such an order.
And at Kaid’s composed demeanor, she felt the anxiety that had weighed on her throughout the walk settle down.
The Kaid she knew was a man who always discovered things in advance and laid out plans, so she believed it would be the same this time.
That was why she spoke with a much lighter heart.
“Your anticipation was correct. It was confirmed that there are pheromones of differing energies within the young lady’s body.”
“Explain.”
Casana spoke, recalling the pheromones she had felt from Irene just moments ago.
“One was Lady Irene’s innate pheromone, and the other was in a form very similar to that of a Black Mamba.”
“I see.”
“However, it is slightly different.”
“Different?”
The hand Kaid had been using to sign documents paused.
Only then did his chilly red eyes turn back to Casana.
“It was as if… it wasn't alive.”
“That shouldn't be possible.”
Pheromones were akin to a beastman’s life force.
If it wasn't actively alive, it was safe to assume the beastman’s life had ended.
“Even when my pheromone approached, there was no reaction whatsoever.”
“So that is why you said it didn't seem alive.”
“That is correct.”
When another’s pheromone drew close, it was natural to react instinctively.
Especially when a stronger or higher-ranking pheromone approached, a reaction was bound to occur—whether it was defensive or offensive.
Yet Irene’s pheromones were strangely tranquil.
As if holding its breath, biding its time.
And that manner was one of the hunting methods employed by apex predators.
Casana could never erase the bizarre sensation that had made her feel like prey.
“It felt as though it was watching, knowing it could not be harmed.”
“I believe I heard that Irene cannot manipulate pheromones yet. I wonder if you remember what you reported yourself.”
“I remember. The young lady cannot manipulate pheromones yet.”
“Then you must know very well that there is a contradiction in your report.”
“……”
“What you just said makes it sound as though the pheromone is acting with an ego of its own.”
That was impossible.
There was no way a pheromone could act contrary to one's consciousness.
Such a thing only applied when a beastman was consumed by their pheromones and lost their reason.
Since Irene was not in such a state, the logic did not hold.
“Fascinating.”
At the increasingly mysterious situation, Kaid let out a chuckle.
“Not a single thing about my daughter is ordinary.”
“……”
“Is this the joy of raising a daughter?”
I don't believe that's quite it.
Casana swallowed the words that rose to the tip of her tongue.
Kaid was probably the only person who would laugh over such a grave matter.
“Shall we proceed with the pheromone lessons as scheduled?”
“Yes. Manipulating pheromones is an absolute necessity for Irene as well.”
“Understood. Do you have any further instructions?”
“Keep quiet about this matter to those around you for the time being.”
“…Are we to keep it a secret from Lady Rosaria as well?”
“Yes.”
Shouldn't Rosaria, who was always by Irene's side, be aware of this?
Casana looked at him with questioning eyes.
“If Rosaria’s attitude changes, those around her will notice. It would only be a matter of time before rumors leak out.”
“Are you saying someone might leak it to the outside?”
“Those curious about what goes on in my family are lurking everywhere.”
Nowhere was safe. Unforeseen situations always arose when least expected.
Rosaria was the ideal person to entrust Irene to, but she was too devoted.
Excessive devotion could sometimes turn poisonous.
Rosaria would scour the entire continent to find a solution for Irene, but that was an exceedingly dangerous method.
Since ancient times, those coveting the South often targeted the young heirs of the Astrophel Family.
The moment the hyenas waiting for an opening caught scent of it, Irene would face their concentrated barrage.
No, perhaps…
It had already begun the moment Irene came to the Astrophel Family.
“Let Rosaria remain unaware for the time being.”
“Understood.”
Understanding Kaid’s meaning, Casana bowed her head.
“The weather is nice.”
“…Pardon?”
At the sudden remark about the weather, bewilderment crept onto Casana’s face.
As if lost in thought, Kaid tapped his desk and furrowed his brow.
“It should be about time for her to come visit. She has an unnecessary amount of patience.”
“What do you mean?”
“She should be wanting to go outside by now.”
With a face more serious than ever, he flipped through the calendar and muttered.
At his incomprehensible words and actions, Casana momentarily searched her memory to see if there was something she had missed.
“I beg your pardon, but what are you referring to?”
“Casana.”
“Yes.”
“What do you think Irene will say when she begs to go out?”
Resting his chin on his hand, Kaid flipped the calendar back and forth and asked.
Casana fell silent, at a loss for words.
She had recently heard news that the two young masters had been granted permission to go out on the condition that escort knights accompanied them.
She had assumed Irene was not granted permission simply because she was still young.
While that was likely part of the reason… could it be that he had done it on purpose?
Just because he wanted to see Irene come running and begging him?
“Aren't you looking forward to it, Casana?”
The corners of Kaid’s mouth curved up mischievously.