The Youngest Daughter of the Snake Family - Chapter 45

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 45
My ears perked up. Up until now, she’d been explaining things about the Bird Clan, so I’d naturally assumed the lesson would follow in that same direction—but it was nothing of the sort.
A way to live in harmony with Black Mamba going forward.
“……How? I’m a bird, though?”
“Therianthropes can reshape their pheromones and use them in various ways. The most fundamental ability is Therianthrope Transformation, and if you develop it further, you can use it for both defense and offense. ……Like this, for example.”
Kasana, who had been explaining, picked up a fallen leaf from the ground.
She then flicked it rapidly through the air.
Thwack. Thwack. Thwack.
Multiple leaves flew through the air and pierced straight through the hard bark of a tree, embedding themselves more than halfway in.
I couldn’t believe my eyes. What—what is this?
The leaves are embedded in the tree?
“Depending on how well you can control pheromones, the applications become limitless. This will be the ultimate direction of your lessons going forward.”
“Wow…….”
I couldn’t tear my eyes away. If I practiced, could I really do something that incredible?
“However, it’s still too early for you. It’s certainly a necessary learning element for protecting your body, but…….”
Kasana regarded me seriously.
Now we were getting to the main point. I leaned in to listen.
“You must be careful when using pheromones. Especially for young therianthropes, it’s dangerous.”
“Why?”
“Pheromones are like life force itself for therianthropes. If they’re all depleted, everyone dies without exception.”
“…….”
“For younger ones, even attempting Therianthrope Transformation alone can consume a considerable amount of pheromones.”
So what she was saying was that I could die just practicing transformation?
I was left speechless by this warning that came out of nowhere.
The lesson I’d been waiting for this whole time was so dangerous!
When I made a worried expression, Kasana shook her head.
“There’s no need to worry too much. As long as your guardian is nearby, it’s not really dangerous.”
“……I see.”
“Yes. However, there is one thing I need you to promise me.”
“What is it?”
“Promise me you’ll only practice Therianthrope Transformation when you’re with me.”
That was obvious. I’d already heard the explanation, so I understood perfectly. I nodded in agreement.
“Then shall we begin the lesson?”
“Yes.”
“First, you’ll need some external stimulus to sense pheromones.”
“External stimulus?”
“Yes. The method is similar to when you gave me your hand before, but it will sting a little.”
……Just how much will it sting?
Kasana stepped closer and gently took my hand. Soon after, pheromone entered through her fingertips.
A subtle sting emanated from my fingertips. In that instant, a strange sensation overtook me.
It felt as though something within me was stirring in disapproval of Kasana’s pheromone, moving in secret.
That something, coiled in darkness, was brimming with a chilling force. It felt strangely ominous.
……What is this? This feels wrong.
I instinctively pulled my body back. That was when it happened.
“Huh?”
“What is this…….”
Kasana’s eyes flew wide with alarm.
Because her pheromone had completely vanished.
Both Kasana and I stood frozen, staring blankly at each other.
Though I wasn’t entirely sure, if my feeling was correct, Kasana’s pheromone had been consumed in an instant.
“……Miss Aileen. Did you perhaps sense what pheromone is, just now?”
“No. I’m not really sure.”
It had happened so suddenly that I hadn’t had time to comprehend it.
Kasana slowly examined my body, then took my hand once more.
“Let me try once more. If you feel anything strange, tell me right away.”
“Yes, I understand.”
“When you feel pheromone inside your body, you must remember that sensation.”
“Yes.”
Kasana’s pheromone began entering carefully once again.
This time, it was a gentler force than before.
As Kasana moved about the room, her pheromone gradually intensified, and soon a sweet fragrance began to waft through the air.
“Huh?”
“It appears to have worked this time.”
“Wow. This is my pheromone?!”
“Indeed. It is the pheromone that Miss Aileen was born with.”
“Amazing!”
The soft, sweet pheromone enveloped my entire body in warmth.
I bounced with pride at having finally done it. Now I could begin learning the fundamentals of Therianthrope Transformation.
Yet at the same time, I couldn’t shake a peculiar unease.
It was completely different from the pheromone I’d felt at first.
It didn’t seem the same as before. It’s as if there were two pheromones inside me. Even though that shouldn’t be possible.
It feels like something else is hiding somewhere deeper down.
As I made my way back after class ended.
I entered the Mansion with an energetic stride.
My mood soared with the satisfaction of finally accomplishing something.
Growl. My stomach rumbled despite having eaten lunch not long ago.
“Hmm. Why am I hungry already?”
My stomach’s clock was normally accurate enough that I didn’t need to check the time.
It seemed using the pheromone had taken its toll.
If I used pheromone frequently going forward, would I get hungry more quickly?
“Miss, would you like to have this?”
Mesis appeared from nowhere and held out his hand.
“Candy?”
“When you’re low on energy, you should eat something sweet.”
It was milk-flavored candy wrapped in clear packaging.
“And this is my favorite!”
I popped the candy into my mouth and savored it.
Since it hadn’t been large to begin with, the candy dissolved and vanished quickly.
Entering the Lobby of the Mansion, I spotted elders gathering one by one.
“Looks like there’s a meeting today.”
“Is that so? They usually start in the morning.”
“They sometimes hold them in the afternoon.”
I stole a glance at the interior of the Council Chamber nearby.
Since I hadn’t entered it yet, I’d put it off as lowest priority.
For some reason, it felt like I should get Kaid’s permission first, since he’d said it was an important place. I found myself drawn toward the Council Chamber and lingered near its entrance.
Peering around the edge of the door to sneak a look inside, Mesis mirrored my actions and hid alongside me.
“This is the first time I’ve seen someone hide so openly. Are you doing this on purpose?”
“But I am hiding, aren’t I?”
“……I suppose that’s true.”
Mesis looked confused by my use of the word “hiding,” yet his response was the exact opposite of what his expression suggested.
Inside the Council Chamber sat a long table made of glass in the center.
A large window adorned the wall, with flags bearing the family seal positioned at regular intervals.
It felt similar to the Study, yet different.
What struck me as odd was that the floor and walls appeared to be made of a slightly different material compared to the rest of the Mansion.
I’d always known the Mansion was built solidly, but the Council Chamber seemed unusually reinforced.
……It almost looked as though it were designed to prevent some unforeseen disaster.
Surely not? This was just a Council Chamber after all.
They wouldn’t be fighting here by force.
I deliberately pushed away whatever strange images had begun forming in my mind.
By the time I’d seen enough through the gap in the door.
I confirmed that the seats around the table were nearly all filled, then spun around to leave.
Thud.
“Oh?”
Someone was standing behind me. At first, I thought I’d bumped into Mesis, but he was still guarding my side.
When I turned my head to see who it was, Kaid was looking down at me.
“Father?!”
“What are you doing here?”
“I was just looking around.”
“Why are you sneaking around to look? That only makes you look more suspicious.”

“……I’m not being suspicious.”
I hadn’t meant to eavesdrop on the meeting’s contents, but being called suspicious made me feel oddly wronged.
I’d only wanted to peek in for just a moment!
When I shook my head firmly, insisting I wasn’t being suspicious, Kaid let out a soft laugh.
Then he turned his gaze toward Mesis.
“It seems you’re Aileen’s escort knight this afternoon.”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“I see. So you received a letter I never got my hands on?”
“…….”
“How fortunate. Aileen went to the trouble of writing it herself, no less.”
Mesis’s face went pale.
……That’s right. I hadn’t written Kaid a separate letter yet.
The longer Kaid’s gaze lingered, the more Mesis squirmed, cold sweat beading on his brow.
Did Kaid want to receive a letter too?
I’d thought he wasn’t particularly interested in such things.
Since his daily work involved reading letters from outside, I’d assumed he’d find them tedious.
I’d have to write him one next time.
“Why are you still out here, Lord Kaid? Shouldn’t the meeting have started?”
Baon, who had been the last to enter the Council Chamber, stopped in his tracks and turned back to ask.
It felt like it had been ages since I’d seen Baon. How long had it been?
“Baon! Hello!”
“Oh, Miss! ……But what are all of you doing gathered out here? The meeting’s about to begin.”
Baon held up the watch on his wrist.
It was just past four o’clock.
It really was time for the meeting to start. Reluctantly, I supposed I should head back.
Once I got to my room, I’d ask Rosaria for a snack.
I waved at Kaid as a parting gesture.
“Goodbye, Father. Aileen’s going now.”
But Kaid didn’t return my greeting—he simply watched me with an unreadable expression.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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