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Until now, I had not been able to enter the forest because it was dangerous.

There was no problem in going together with Rosaria, but I was warned every time I went somewhere near the area.

But this time, I was thrilled to hear that I’ll be taking classes in the forest.

“You did a great job. Congratulations, Miss Irene.”

“Yes. I’m going to take classes like Seth and Arban.”

Seeing that the two of them practiced in the forest, maybe they took a pheromone class then. I was excited to think that I would go through the same process as them both.

“Before that, there is one thing I need to check.”

“Check?”

“I’ll hold your hand for a moment.”

I reached out with a puzzled look and Kasana explained.

“We need to check to see if your pheromone has reached a stable phase.”

“I see.”

It seemed that the pheromone class had to be conducted when it was in a stable state.

Kasana, holding my hand, seemed to be carefully looking at something.

As the atmosphere became heavy, showing how important this was, I hardened my body to not move without reason.

After holding my hand for a long time, Kasana’s black eyes moved towards me.

I swallowed dry saliva. Is something wrong?

“..Why? I’m weird?”

“It’s not like that. You can just sit down comfortably.”

I looked up, leaning my body in anxiety towards where Rosaria was sitting. When our eyes met, Rosalia smiled.

“Rodaria, am I strange?”

“No. Don’t worry, Miss Irene. This is how everyone is checked. I did the same.”

“Okay.”

Kasana’s hand, who was checking the pheromone, fell. At the same time, my body which had been stiff from tension was released.

“How is it, Kasa?”

“It’s not a big deal, don’t worry. Miss Irene’s pheromones seem to have reached a stable phase.”

“Really? So, can I learn in the forest now?”

“You can go to the entrance of the forest for the next class.”

It was a very fortunate thing. I took a deep breath of relief and started to collect the class materials that Kasana had arranged one by one.

“Then let’s finish today’s class here.”

“Goodbye, Kasa.”

“Yes. I’ll be going then.”

I followed her to the front door and waved my hand. She seemed awkward while looking back at me as if she wasn’t used to being seen off like this every time she went back from class.

“See you tomorrow.”

“....See you tomorrow.”

Clack.

The door closed. I laughed while running to the bed and fell flat on my face.

I love it!

As I stomped my feet and rolled from side to side, I heard laughter from behind.

“Are you that happy, Miss Irene?”

“Yes. What should I do? Will I be able to do it?”

“Of course. You’ll have great success.”

“I’ll surprise everyone.”

I made an ambitious plan.

* * *

Clack.

The door closed and Kasana stepped out into the hallway.

Her eyes sank deeply.

Walking at a constant stride, she stopped in front of a door. Her destination.

Knock. Knock.

“Lord, this is Kasana.”

“Come in.”

After the permission was granted, Kasana went inside.

Cade, who was looking at the report, turned his gaze to her. Since he already knew why Kasana came to him, he immediately brought out the main point.

“What’s the result?”

Kasana’s black eyes flickered slightly.

Cade, who had guessed the result from that little reaction, shifted his gaze back to the report he was looking at.

“I understand even if I don’t listen to it.”

“Did the Lord already expect it?”

“I hoped it wasn’t the case.”

It meant that he had already expected it.

It was only then that Kasana understood why he had given such instructions. She felt her anxiety calming all the way down as she looked at Cade’s laid-back reaction.

Because Cade was well-known to be a person who finds things out faster than anyone else and makes dozens of plans in advance.

Kasana believed that this time too was such a case. That’s why she spoke with a much lighter heart.

“The Lord’s prediction was correct. It has been confirmed that the lady’s body has pheromones of different energy.”

“Explain.”

She opened her mouth, recalling Irene’s pheromone she had just felt.

“One was Miss Irene’s natural pheromone, and the other had a form similar to that of a Black Mamba.”

“I see.”

“But it’s a little different.”

“Different?”

Cade’s hand that was signing the paper stopped. At that moment, the cool red eyes turned to Kasana again.

“It was as if.. it’s not alive.”

“That wouldn’t be possible.”

Pheromones were akin to the life force of werebeasts. If it did not move, it was safe to say that the life of the beast was as good as lost.

“When my pheromones approached, there was no response.”

“That’s why you said it didn’t seem alive.”

“That’s right.”

When someone else’s pheromone approached, pheromones are bound to react instinctively.

In particular, when a stronger or higher ranked pheromone than its own approached, it would defend or attack. It was a set reaction in either direction.

However, Irene’s pheromone was strangely silent.

It was like holding its breath while waiting to see what happens.

Moreover, such an approach was one of the hunting methods adopted only by higher predators.

Kasana could never erase that strange sensation that made her feel like prey.

“It felt like it was watching, knowing I couldn’t hurt Miss Irene.”

“I don’t know if you remember what you reported, but I think you said that Irene can’t handle pheromones yet.”

“I remember. Indeed, Miss can’t deal with pheromones yet.”

“Then you must be well aware that there is a sense of ambiguity in what you are reporting to me.”

“....”

“What you’re saying now sounds like the pheromone is acting with an ego of its own.”

That was impossible.

No pheromone could go against consciousness.

That was only the case when a beast was eroded by pheromones and lost all reason.

Irene wasn’t such a case, so it made even less sense.

“Interesting.”

Cade burst into laughter at the increasing mystery.

“There’s nothing ordinary about my daughter.”

“....”

“Is this the fun of raising daughters?”

I don’t think so.

Kasana swallowed her words, which reached the tip of her throat. Cade was probably the only one who could laugh at such an important matter.

“Shall we proceed with the pheromone classes as scheduled?” (Kasa)

“Yes. Manipulating pheromones is an ability that Miss Irene absolutely needs.” (Cade)

“I see. Do you have further orders?”

“For the time being, keep this to yourself.”

“..Are you going to keep it a secret from Lady Rosaria?”

“Yes.”

Shouldn’t Rosaria, who is always by Irene’s side, be aware of it?

Kasana looked at him with questioning eyes.

“If Rosaria changes her attitude out of the blue, those around will notice. It’s only a matter of time before rumors spread.”

“Are you saying that someone will leak it to the outside world?”

“There are people everywhere who wonder what’s going on in my family.”

There was no place to be relaxed. Emergencies always happen when you don’t expect them to.

Rosaria was the perfect match for Irene, but she was too dedicated, and overzealous devotion can be poisonous at times.

She would have searched the continent to find a solution for Irene, but at the same time, it was a very dangerous method.

From time immemorial, those who covet the South often target the young heirs of the Astrophel family. The moment the hyenas who are looking for an opportunity sniffed something, Irene would be under their fire.

No, maybe..

It may have already started when Irene came to the Astrophel family.

“For the time being, don’t let Rosaria know.”

“Understood.”

Kasana, who understood what Cade meant, bowed her head.

“It’s a fine day, isn’t it?”

“....What?”

She was confused by the weather small talk that came out from nowhere. As if thinking about something, Cade tapped his desk and narrowed his brow.

“It’s about time you come. You seem to have a lot of patience.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m sure you’ll want to go outside and see new things.”

He murmured, flipping through the calendar with a more serious face than ever.

At his incomprehensible words and actions, Kasana looked back on her memory to see if there were words she had not heard.

“I’m sorry, but what are you talking about?”

“Kasana.”

“Yes.”

“Did Irene say something about wanting to go outside?”

Cade asked while looking back and forth at the calendar with his chin on his hand. Kasana was speechless and shut her mouth.

She had recently heard that Cade allowed the two Young Masters to go out on the condition that knights escorted them. But she thought that he did not allow Irene because she was still young.

That may be one of the reasons, but.. did he do it on purpose?

Do you want to see Irene running up to you to beg?

“Aren’t you looking forward to it, Kasana?”

Cade’s lips rose mischievously.