I’m the Youngest Daughter of the Serpent Family
Chapter 45
My ears perked up. Since she had been explaining about the Bird Clan up until now, I thought the lesson would naturally follow a similar direction, but that wasn’t the case at all.
A way to live and blend in with the Black Mambas from now on.
“…How? I’m a bird.”
“Beastfolk can transform their pheromones and use them in various ways. The most basic ability is beast transformation, and with a bit more advanced application, one can use them for defense and offense. …Like this, for instance.”
As she explained, Casana picked up a fallen leaf from the ground.
Then, she flicked the leaf swiftly into the air.
With sharp, successive thuds, several leaves flew through the air, piercing the hard bark and embedding more than halfway into the tree.
I couldn’t believe my eyes. W-What was this?
The leaves actually stuck right into the tree!
“Depending on how you wield your pheromones, their applications are limitless. This is the ultimate direction of the lessons Lady Irene will be receiving from now on.”
“Whoa…”
I couldn’t take my eyes off it. If I practiced, would I be able to do something that amazing too?
“However, it is still too early for Lady Irene. While it is certainly a necessary learning element to protect yourself…”
Casana looked at me with a serious expression.
It seemed the real point was about to begin. I listened closely.
“You must be cautious when using pheromones. It is especially dangerous for young beastfolk.”
“Why?”
“Pheromones are like a beastfolk’s life force. If they are completely depleted, anyone, without exception, will die.”
“…”
“When one is still young, merely attempting beast transformation can consume a considerable amount of pheromones.”
So, was she saying I could die while practicing beast transformation?
I was left speechless by this sudden warning.
To think the lesson I had been waiting for all this time was so dangerous!
When my face clouded with worry, Casana shook her head.
“There is no need to worry too much. As long as a guardian is by your side, it is not that dangerous.”
“…I see.”
“Yes. In return, there is one promise you must make.”
“What is it?”
“Promise me that you will only practice beast transformation when you are with me.”
That went without saying. Having heard the explanation, I understood completely. I nodded in agreement.
“Shall we begin the lesson, then?”
“Yeah.”
“First, in order to sense your pheromones, you need a little external stimulation.”
“External stimulation?”
“Yes. The method is the same as when you gave me your hand last time, though it will sting a little.”
…Just how much will it sting?
Casana stepped up to me and gently took my hand. Soon, her pheromones flowed into my fingertips.
A faint prickle of pain registered at the tips of my fingers. In that moment, a strange sensation seized me.
It felt as if something that didn’t welcome Casana’s pheromones was secretly stirring.
Coiled in the darkness, it brimmed with a chilling aura. Somehow, it felt a little eerie.
…What is this? It feels weird.
I instinctively pulled my body back. That was when it happened.
“Huh?”
“What on earth…?”
Casana’s eyes widened in sheer shock.
Her pheromones had vanished completely.
Startled, both Casana and I stared at each other blankly.
I wasn’t entirely sure, but if what I felt was right, Casana’s pheromones had been devoured in a single breath.
“…Lady Irene. Did you happen to… sense what that pheromone was just now?”
“No. I’m not really sure.”
It had happened so abruptly that there was no time to figure it out.
Casana examined my body carefully, then took my hand once more.
“Let us try one more time. Please tell me right away if you feel anything strange.”
“Yeah, okay.”
“When you feel the pheromones inside your body, you must remember that sensation.”
“Okay.”
Casana’s pheromones began to carefully enter me once more.
This time, it was a gentler energy than before.
As Casana’s pheromones traveled here and there and gradually spread, a sweet fragrance suddenly began to drift into the air.
“Oh?”
“It seems we succeeded this time.”
“Wow. Is this my pheromone?!”
“Yes. It is the pheromone you were born with, Lady Irene.”
“Waaah!”
The soft, sweet pheromones felt as though they were wrapping warmly around my whole body.
I bounced on my heels with the pride of finally having accomplished it. With this, I could now learn the basics of beast transformation.
Yet on the other hand, I couldn’t shake a slightly strange feeling.
Because it was completely different from the pheromone I had felt at first.
It definitely wasn’t like this earlier. It’s almost as if there are two pheromones inside my body. Even though that should be impossible.
Or should I say it felt like something else was lurking somewhere deep down below?
On the way back after the lesson was over, I stepped into the mansion with energetic strides.
My spirits were high with the sense of accomplishment that I had finally achieved something.
A soft growl rumbled from my belly. Even though not much time had passed since lunch, my stomach already felt empty.
“Mmm. Why am I hungry already?”
My belly clock was usually so accurate that I didn’t even need to check the time.
It seemed to be because I had used my pheromones.
If I used pheromones often from now on, would I get hungry quickly every time?
“My Lady, would you like this?”
Mesis appeared out of nowhere and held out his hand.
“Candy?”
“When you’re out of energy, you need to eat something sweet.”
It was a milk-flavored candy wrapped in clear cellophane.
“Dis is my favorite!”
I popped the candy into my mouth and rolled it around.
Since it wasn’t very big to begin with, the candy melted away in no time.
Stepping into the mansion’s lobby, I saw the elders gathering one by one.
“Looks like there’s a meeting today.”
“Is there? They always used to start in the morning.”
“Sometimes they’re held in the afternoon as well.”
I stole a glance into the conference room through the opening.
Because I hadn’t been in there yet.
For some reason, it felt like somewhere I shouldn’t enter without Kaid’s permission, so I had pushed it to the very bottom of my list.
Since they said it was an important place. Drawn in as if guided, I loitered near the conference room.
When I hid behind the door to peek inside, Mesis mimicked my actions and concealed himself as well.
“I’ve never seen someone hide so boldly while peeping. Are you doing this on purpose?”
“I am hiding, though?”
“…I suppose so.”
Mesis wore a look that showed he clearly didn’t understand how this counted as ‘hiding,’ yet he dutifully gave an agreeable answer.
Inside the conference room, a long glass table sat in the center.
There were large windows along the wall, and banners bearing the family crest stood at regular intervals.
It gave off a feeling similar to, yet different from, the office.
What was a bit intriguing was that the floor and walls seemed to be made of a slightly different material compared to other areas.
I already knew the interior of the mansion was sturdily built, but the conference room looked exceptionally reinforced.
…Almost as if designed to prevent some sort of catastrophe in advance.
No way, right? It’s just a meeting room.
It’s not like they would brawl with brute force in here.
I did my best to dismiss the wild imagination popping into my head.
Just as I had gotten my fill of looking through the crack in the door, I took one last glance confirming that the seats at the table were nearly filled, and spun around to leave.
A light thud stopped me.
“Mmm?”
Someone was standing behind me. At first I thought I had bumped into Mesis, but he was standing right beside me.
When I turned my head to see who it was, Kaid was looking down at me.
“Daddy?!”
“What are you doing here?”
“I was looking around here.”
“Why hide if you’re just looking around? It makes you look all the more suspicious.”
“…I’m not suspicious.”
It wasn’t as if I was trying to eavesdrop on the meeting, so being called suspicious made me feel unfairly accused.
I was just going to look for a tiny second and leave!
When I vigorously shook my head to insist I wasn’t suspicious, Kaid let out a soft chuckle.
Then, he turned his gaze to Mesis.
“It seems you are Irene’s escort knight for the afternoon.”
“Yes, my Lord.”
“Right. I hear you received a letter that even I haven’t received?”
“…”
“You must have been thrilled. Having Irene write a letter for you in person and all.”
Mesis’s face turned stark white.
…Oh, right. I hadn’t written Kaid a separate letter yet.
The longer Kaid’s gaze lingered on him, the more flustered Mesis grew, breaking into a cold sweat.
Did Kaid want to receive a letter too?
I thought he didn’t care much about things like that.
Since his daily routine was reading correspondence from outside, I assumed he would dislike it.
I should definitely write him one next time.
“What are you doing out here instead of heading inside, Head of the family?”
Baon, who was the last to enter the conference room, paused his steps inside and asked.
It felt like forever since I had last seen Baon. How long has it been?
“Baon! Hello!”
“Oh, if it isn’t the young lady. …By the way, what is everyone gathered here for? It is almost time for the meeting to begin.”
Baon showed the watch on his wrist.
It was just past four o’clock.
It really is time for the meeting to start. It’s a shame, but I should stop looking around and head back.
When I get back to my room, I’ll ask Rosaria for a snack.
I waved my hand to Kaid in farewell.
“Bye-bye, Daddy. Ireeng’s going now.”
Yet Kaid didn’t return my farewell, only staring down at me quietly.