Chapter 15

The Astrophel family held weekly Elder meetings.

Again this time, Cade, who was looking around the elders who were arguing over the boring agenda.

What is she doing by now…probably poling around somewhere in the mansion.

Cade, who was briefed on Irene from time to time, smiled. It was cute to see a small thing wandering around in a mansion crawling with Black Mamba.

It didn’t matter where she went because everyone knew Irene was growing up as the youngest in the family, but on the other hand, it bothered me.

What if that little thing wants to look outside the territory?

Should I sweep the places she’d like to visit in advance?

Cade touched his chin with a frown.

Where is the famous tourist spot?

It would be better to ask Baon to draw up a list as soon as possible.

When Cade was openly preoccupied with something else, the arguing elders shut up.

Their gazes all went at once to their master.

‘Who are we talking to now?”

The vassals, who were exchanging their eyes in unison, made a trembling face.

“Lord.”

In the end, Geras, who was sitting closest to Cade, called out with a low cough.

Awakened from his imagination, Cade looked at Geras.

“What’s going on?”

“We are in the middle of an important meeting.”

“You think I don’t know that?”

“Then why don’t you focus on the meeting?”

“I’m listening, so keep going.”

Cade beckoned to resume the meeting. Watching the situation, Baon was familiar with the current Cade.

They might faint when they find out that a colorful snake doll is coiled up on one side of the sofa in his office.

‘Well, Miss Irene is definitely very cute.’

Seeing as Cade, who is always cold to everything, have such a changed atmosphere as compared to before, Miss Irena indeed had a great ability.

Apart from the fact that she was simply cute, there was something in her that one could not explain exactly. She seemed to be quick-witted, but sometimes looked just like any other child of her age as she listened to adults well.

Baon smiled faintly and hurriedly became serious the next second when he made eye contact with Geras.

And he had the audacity to act like he had done nothing.

“We’re discussing a very important issue, my Lord. Stop thinking about Miss Irene and focus.”

“I know. Small dwarfs are swarming around the territory, right?”

Those hyenas. Cade kicked his tongue annoyingly.

There were often small skewers peeking at the gap because a new number of people were assigned to the border every quarter.

In particular, it was even more troubling because the east side had no quiet day.

It was time for the discussion to come again.

“Maybe we can just leave it alone. They’re scared of us anyway.”

“If you turn a blind eye to me, they’ll keep crossing the line.”

“Let’s set an example. To quell dissatisfaction among the neighboring clans.”

Elders representing each region expressed their opinions with a word of guidance. Caid turned his head out of the window in a dull way.

“Take care of it yourselves.”

This would be the answer the elders were waiting for. Black Mamba was not a restrained clan, rather, they welcomed the battlefield.

Until now, they had been holding their breath to maintain a good relationship with other Clans, but they didn’t have to do that to people who were running wild without knowing their place.

The mouths of the retainers twitched when Cade gave permission to run wild as much as they wanted.

“Then, is it okay to expand the territory as an example?”

“Well, since you’re doing it, expand it to a place with good water and air.”

“…what?”

The vassals asked back with a puzzled face to make sure they heard it correctly.

“The west would be nice.”

Come to think of it, I think I received a letter saying that someone would give me a white sand beach in exchange for a mine.

There are so many mines that you won’t notice even if some were gone.

Cade began to think seriously.

Let’s a suitable area.

It wouldn’t be bad to go to a place where the days are warm in winter. I think it would be nice to build a few villas.

Cade stood up from his seat.

“If you’re done talking, let’s call it a day.”

The elders followed and prepared to leave one by one. In the tumultuous atmosphere, as Kade was leaving the conference room, he felt an unstable energy growing closer and stopped his steps.

“Well, I think it’s Rosaria’s energy.”

Baon, who was beside me, mumbled curiously. Some elders seemed to have already sensed the energy and it was not long before Rosaria showed up.

She had an unappealing nervous face. It was far from the usual relaxed Rosaria, so everyone’s attention was focused on her.

“My Lord!”

“What’s going on, Rosaria?”

“Miss Irene is now…!”

Cade’s eyes were wide open.

───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────

When they arrived in front of Irene’s room, pheromones were leaking out of the hallway. It was as sweet and fluffy as cotton candy.

The sweet scent vibrated, so all the surrounding areas were bitten.

A feeble presence was felt in the room. It was Baon who reacted first.

“She must have finished humanization.”

“I guess so.”

Cade pretended to be calm and turned the doorknob around. The moment he stepped inside, he took a deep breath.

“Rodaria…?”

“Miss Irene!”

The child was very small.

The child, who had an anxious look at the sudden change, smiled brightly at ease when she found Roseria.

With white silver hair, the child was hiding under the blanket, hugging a pillow tightly. She seemed to be scared even if she tried to hide it.

“Aren’t you cold?”

“Yeah, I’m cold.”

“I’ll get you dressed quickly.”

Rosaria, who took out a sky blue dress from the closet, hurriedly dressed the child. The little one that appeared from under the blanket was all white, except for the red cheeks and pale red eyes.

Cade’s gaze didn’t fall from Irene.

He walked carefully to the child. His lips, which had been closed, finally opened.

“Irene.”

“Yes······.”

“Irene Astrophel.”

Although it was a common awakening, he was overwhelmed with emotion. It was a strange feeling.

Was it because the child, who he thought was gone when it was still in the egg, survived and even humanized safely?

This moment came as a special one and Cade bent his knees.

“My Lord?”

Baon called in surprise.

When he met the eye level with the child, the child’s light red eyes opened round. Cade’s mouth, which had been gently loosened, rose playfully at the moment.

“You’re still short.”

“······.”

“This is why you can’t hunt alone.”

Oh, my God.

Baon touched his forehead. This was because Irene’s face soon turned into a tearful look.

Irene, who tightly hid behind Rosaria’s legs, chewed her little lips.

“I can.”

“No way.”

“I can!”

She seemed to be so upset that tears were forming in her eyes.

“I’m good at hunting, too!”

“Of course, Miss Irene will be able to catch any prey she want as well!”

Rosaria was at a loss for comfort. She was also embarrassed by the situation, not knowing what to do.

I heard from Hestia in advance, but knowing it and experiencing it in person were two different things.

I expected Irene to be small, but this is······.

“She looks about three or four years old.” (Rosaria)

“Aren’t they usually humanized by the age of ten?” (Cade)

“…ungh.”

The child was about to cry. Rosaria, who belatedly broke up her thoughts from the shock, hurriedly cut off the conversation.

“No! It’s an unusual case to start with the size off a 10-year-old. Miss Irene is not small, right?”

Everyone has to say so. Rosaria’s purple eyes glowed frighteningly. Baon, overwhelmed by the momentum, turned his head away.

This is because they have never seen anyone spend their childhood in a size as young as Irene.

Especially the top predators. And because of that fact······.

‘It was amazing in itself.’

The little thing was moving and the three pairs of eyes that fixed on Irene couldn’t fall. Cade looked unhappy at the child, still hiding from him behind Rosaria.

“Irene.”

“Uhng······.”

“Come here.”

“No! You said I was small.”

The chubby cheeks were full of wind as if they were already sulky, but despite her strong sulk, Cade had to try hard to get his rising lips to stand still.

He knew that if he couldn’t stand it and laughed here, she wouldn’t get over it.

He decided to try to appease Irene. It was the first time he has ever done it, making even the viewers feel awkward.

“You are not small.”

“…really?”

“Yes.”

Irene let go of her sulky look at that one word.

Only then did the child, who had a bright complexion, come forward with a big smile. It was still difficult to walk on both feet, but Cade waited until the child came to him. When the little one finally reached out, he lifted the child lightly.

He felt unfamiliar with the small hands and body that hugged him tightly.

It was so light that it would fly away if you blow it.

It’s small and light. And it was weak.

Cade, who slowly loosened his arm, poked her in the cheek as he always did. The cheeks like glutinous rice cake softened.

She rolled her eyes in his arms and held his collar tightly, putting quite a lot of strength on her hand.

“This is how it felt.”

(TL: this is when Cade usually touched her beak when she was a bird.)

“I feel a little strange.”

Rosaria looked thrilled by Irene’s long-awaited humanization. Baon also had a strange look on his face, he felt different because he had managed the eggs for three months.

Maybe it’s because everyone was watching without saying a word. But Irene leaned over Cade like she was hiding herself from the stares.

Both ends of his mouth rose beautifully.

“Congratulations on your safe humanization, Irene.”