The banquet ended successfully.
All guests have also left.
Cade had been away for a while to see off the returning guests. While returning first with Seth and Arban, I found Rosaria who had come to meet me on the first floor and ran for a hug.
"Rodaria!"
"Miss Irene! Did you enjoy the banquet?"
"It was so much fun!"
I laughed softly and immediately turned sullen.
"But there was a couple of mean things."
"Are you upset?"
Rosaria's expression, who bowed down and welcomed me, hardened slightly. I shook my head, fearing that Rosaria would be worried about me.
"Yes, but it's okay. Daddy showed up and solved it for me."
"Is that so? I'm glad the Lord was nearby."
"Yes!"
Come to think of it, so many things happened in one day. It feels like it took a few days, but it all happened in one day. I started telling Rosaria about the events of the banquet one by one.
"Rodaria. I met Uncle today?"
"…Uncle? Have you met Dante?"
"Do you know Uncle, Rodaria?"
"Because he's a close friend of the Lord's. The Ishelod family maintains a close relationship with our clan."
Although they quarreled, they were undoubtedly close friends.
I smiled with a nod.
"He told me I can keep calling him Uncle."
"Sir Dante? That's great, Miss Irene."
"Really? I also made a new friend too."
I was excited and told Rosaria about what happened at the banquet without a break.
"Really? What kind of new friend did you make?"
"His name is Sage and he's a tiger. We played Hide-and-Seek."
Rosaria, who was interested in hearing that I had a friend, paused the moment I said that my friend, was a tiger. It seemed to bother her that Sage was a tiger.
Because she has been telling me every time that roars are scary, I quickly added to let her know that Sage was not scary.
"Sage is nice. He told me to come to the North to play."
"…Did he say that himself?"
"Yes! He said he'd show me around if I go to play."
After the banquet was over, while everyone was preparing to return to the family, Sage came by.
-Irene. Next time, come to the North. I'll show you around.
-Really? Then I'll go!
I don't know if it will happen someday, but I promised in anticipation of the day I would visit the North to play.
"So when I grow up, I really want to play in the North…"
"Wait a minute, Miss Irene."
"Huh?"
Rosaria, who had regained her composure and was concentrating on my words, had a shocked expression this time. Eventually, she cut me off and started asking questions one by one.
"So you're saying that he invited Miss Irene to the realm where he lives?"
"Yes."
Rosaria's smile was distorted when I nodded my head hard, and she asked again as if to confirm.
"He told Miss Irene that he would show you around where he lives."
"Yes. Why?"
Is there any problem?
Seeing my puzzled self, Rosaria shook her head and smiled broadly.
"It's nothing, Miss Irene."
Soon, the twinkling purple eyes stared fiercely at somewhere in the air. Rosaria's voice softly echoed in the hallway.
"I sent you to escort, but how did she come back with a leech?"
(TL: Karma is going to have a bad time.)
* * *
The carriage going back to the north had left the southern border and was passing through the neutral area next to the border. As an area that no one owns, it exudes a peaceful atmosphere.
Sage, who was looking at the passing scenery out the window, called out to Muhella.
"Mother."
"Hmm?"
Muhella, who was looking at the work that had been put off by the banquet, raised her head.
It was the first time Sage, who was only looking at the window lost in thoughts since the start of the homecoming, opened his mouth.
However, even though Sage called her, he didn't open his mouth for a while.
The only sound in the air was the noise of the wheels of the carriage running on the meadows, and Sage's lips, which seemed unlikely to move, finally opened.
"When can I meet Irene again?"
Sage asked an unexpected question. Muhella put the documents aside and took off her glasses.
"Why are you asking that all of a sudden?"
"Just."
"Do you miss Irene already?"
"..."
"Why?"
Muhella asked, subtly stretching her words. Her blue eyes gleamed. When Sage averted his gaze, she grinned.
"If you don't tell me why, I won't tell you."
It was a very pleasant voice because she caught her child with a low guard. Sage sighed quietly and shut his mouth. However, Muhella did not give up. As the gaze persisted, Sage frowned.
"Aren't you busy?"
"I'm busy. But I'm willing to listen to my son's concerns."
Liar. It's because you're having fun.
It seemed like things wouldn't end if he didn't say anything. Sage felt like he was in a trap.
"It's not a big deal, so don't worry about it."
"I don't think it's trivial."
"..."
"Do you feel sad because it's your first friend?"
Sage didn't deny it. It seemed that way too. It may be because of that reason that he had an appetite while playing with Irene.
"I think so."
Of course, Muhella, who thought he would refute it, looked surprised.
I didn't know you'd say yes with that personality.
"That's possible. I think the next meeting will be a banquet next year. If the North also participates."
"Really?"
"Shall we?"
Sage had a hunch. He's going to get teased for this for a while. He shouldn't have brought it up. When his mother said they were going, he got a bad feeling.
"It's okay."
"Really?"
He doesn't fall easily. Muhella smacked her lips.
I thought I could hear his inside thoughts a little more, but it was for nothing.
Sage sullenly said.
"When can I have my next growth?"
Look at this.
Muhella held back the laughter from bursting out. He's already planning the next way because the situation doesn't go his way.
"I'm a bit sad. Do you want to become independent already?"
"I think it would be faster that way."
"It's still a long way from becoming an adult."
Sage's fine brows were wrinkled when Muhella shook her hands at once. She was inwardly surprised. He wants to see Irene again so much, he thinks he should become an adult faster to do it.
"Why are you asking for your next growth? It's just because you want to meet Irene?"
At first, she was skeptical, but by this time she had guessed. Even though he didn't seem to know.
Sage shook his head.
"I don't know about that. I'm going to see her after I become an adult."
"Oh, I see. You don't have a clear purpose, but you want to be an adult?"
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Just because. For some reason, I want to look at you like this."
Sage avoided her burdensome gaze.
Muhella was still looking at her young son for a long time, contemplating whether to cheer for him or stop him. It didn't matter that Sage was interested in Irene, but if he wanted more than that, it would be a tough road.
And it seemed like he already hoped for more than that.
When the Kiras clan had something they want, their instinct to achieve it grew stronger. In the eyes of Muhella, who went through the process before her son, she could see it clearly.
There's something Sage wants. Although it was still only at a cute level of interest for now.
Muhella laughed happily.
"Sage. Do you know how our clan was able to take over the North?"
"Because we're strong."
"That's right, but that's not all."
"Really?"
When a random question came in, Sage was vigilant in answering the question.
"Actually, there's something more important than that."
"What is it?"
Is there anything else besides being strong? The Kiras have long been known for possessing the most powerful pheromone amidst the werebeasts. The period of growth into an adult was significantly faster than that of other clans, and their sense of battle was superior.
Naturally, they have never been pushed back in territorial disputes.
But there was another reason besides that?
Muhella whispered as if telling a secret.
"Why do you think we reach adulthood earlier than other clans?"
"It's a trait."
When I was taking classes about the Clan, I remembered hearing that it was a characteristic of the Kiras. Muhella's pupils narrowed in a thin line.
"Yes, it's a trait. Because we are more obsessed with what we want than any other clan."
Sometimes to the point where it's very cruel.
Muhella laughed softly.