Messi told me other things besides this.

I also learned that the South is so rich in resources that there is little that can’t be found and that it has an unusually large number of allied clans.

However, because of the lack of spices, they are trying to maintain a friendly relationship with the West.

Wow. Messi is like a genius.

As I blinked my eyes, he shrugged and avoided my gaze out of embarrassment.

“What is it? That expression of surprise.”

“I thought that you didn’t know about those things. How do you know everything?”

“…First of all, I’m from a collateral family too. I’ve had all the basic classes so I know what I’m talking about.”

“Collateral?”

“They have the same roots as the Astrophel family.”

The roots are the same? Doesn’t that mean they have the same ancestors? I was shocked.

“Then you are a distant relative of Daddy?!”

It was the strangest and most shocking thing I had ever heard.

When I asked back in amazement, Messi shook his head, saying it wasn’t.

“It may have been in the past, but not now. Nowadays, even non-collateral members of the clan who have contributed to the family are recognized as collateral.”

“It was like that.”

“But that doesn’t mean there aren’t any real collateral members.”

“Is that person Baon?”

I remembered Baon that also had black hair. I was told that black hair and red eyes are only innate to people of the Astrophel family.

This is because when you go around the house, sometimes you see people with those characteristics here and there.

Not only Baon, but Rosaria also had red eyes. Messi nodded a yes to my words.

“That’s right. It’s complicated, isn’t it?”

“Yes. But is good to know.”

It was a little complicated, but it seemed to be vaguely understandable.

To put it simply, it meant that both the clan members with blood ties and members without them would be recognized as collateral if they made a contribution to the family.

I’ve been feeling it for a long time, but the South was very open-minded.

If it was somewhere else, I don’t think they would recognize someone as collateral simply because they made a contribution.

I asked softly, pointing north of the map. 

“By the way, Messi. How cold is it in the North?”

“Why are you asking that all of a sudden?”

“I have to go play later. Sage lives there.”

“……Ah.”

Messi had a complex, subtle expression on his face. He was hesitant to ask how to explain.

“…Do you know what it means to invite another beast to your realm?”

“What does it mean?”

Is there such a thing? I blinked slowly. I don’t know what it means. 

Come to think of it, I remember that Rosaria’s expression wasn’t very good when I told her that Sage had invited me over.

What the hell does that mean? When I shook my head that I didn’t know, Messi sighed deeply…

“I knew it. You don’t know.” 

“Yes.”

“…Then please listen to what it means from someone else. First of all, what I can tell you is…”

What can you tell me?

“It’s very cold in the north… and you’re not going to go there.”

“Why?”

“Because the Lord will never allow it.”

So give up.

Messi patted my shoulder.

Why won’t Cade ever allow it?

I tilted my head.

Without a word, Messi wiped away the picture drawn on the floor with his feet.

 * * *

The weekend was back. I didn’t have any plans today, so I was going to borrow a book from the library.

To brag for a moment, I could now read an easy book without Rosaria’s help.

It was a great development.

By the way, this expression was also found in a book!

I opened the library door and went inside.

“Hello.”

“You’re here again, Miss Irene. Have you read all the books you borrowed last time?”

“Yes.”

I handed the borrowed book to Media, who was managing the library.

Recently, I was mainly reading books that were popular with young beasts. What should I read this time?

After finishing my return record, Media smiled happily and pointed to the books stacked next to her.

“Do you see this?”

“What is it?”

“These are the books I ordered for you last time. What would you like to read first?”

Hmm. What should I read first? There was more text in this book than what I normally read.

It seemed a little difficult, but I thought it would be ok. I read most of the fairy tale books in the library, so there’s nothing to read.

Let’s read the thinnest one first.

“Then I’ll pick this one.”

“Oh, would you? They said it was a popular book in the West.”

“West?”

Are there different popular books in each area? Come to think of it, it felt a little different from the book I’ve read so far. 

“Yes. The recommended books for each clan are slightly different. Since each person has different personalities, there are differences in what they learn when they are young.”

“I see.”

“So far, all that Miss Irene has read were recommended popular books for young beasts in the South.”

It felt a little strange. So what I’ve read so far is the preferred direction of growth in the South?

There are a lot of stories that usually say you have to look around and live together in cooperation.

…But it seemed to me that people were acting as they please without paying any attention to their surroundings.

For reference, the next most important thing is ironic, ‘I’m good on my own.’

I don’t know which side of the rhythm to match, but I think people might probably want to find the middle point and match it appropriately.

“Then I’ll go now.”

“Yes. Have fun reading and come again.”

“Yes.”

I left the library and headed to my room. I was going to stay in the room without going out today. I raised the straps of the suspenders that were drooping down from my shoulders and diligently headed for the room.

Now that I have developed stamina, I was able to go back and forth between floors without difficulty. Before that, I was tired too easily to even think about that.

“Rodaria, I’m back.”

“You came early, Miss Irene. Have you decided on a book to read today?” 

“Yes. This one. Media recommended. It’s popular in the West.”

“I’ll prepare snacks for you.”

“Un. Thank you.”

I sat on the sofa and laid on a cushion. I was slowly reading the book, page by page when I suddenly heard the sound of the door opening.

It was Arban.

Rosaria who prepared the snacks distributed them on the table and welcomed Arban.

“Welcome, Young Master Arban.”

Arban nodded roughly and walked straight to where I was. I put down the book and curiously looked back at him.

“Brother Arban?”

“Hey.”

“Yes.”

His red eyes were staring at me with a burdensome look, and they narrowed even more. Why are you looking at me like this? As he leaned back, Arban folded his arms and sat down on the sofa opposite me.

“Did you take a pheromone class last time?”

“I did. Did you remember about that?”

“Who remembered…! So, was it successful?”

“No. I haven’t felt my pheromones yet.”

“Yet? Then when can we go on a trip?”

Aha. That’s why he came to the room. Seeing him come to me on the weekend and ask questions, it seemed like he was quite upset.

Arban coughed and quietly brought out the main point.

“…When do you think you’ll be able to succeed?”

“Maybe I can succeed in a few days?” 

Arban let out a deep breath. He seemed frustrated because I didn’t answer an exact date. He stood silently, immersed in thought for a long time, and opened his eyes to call me again.

“Hey.”

“Uh?”

“If you want to be good at shapeshifting, you have to think that pheromones are evenly distributed throughout the body.”

In an instant, laughter erupted. I was wondering why he didn’t say anything…..

“Hehe. I see.”

“…What are you laughing at?”

“Brother Arban, have you been thinking about it so far to tell me that?”

I guess he must have been sitting without going back because he wanted to tell me how to easily succeed in shapeshifting.

Arban, who coughed and avoided my gaze, murmured.

“I didn’t worry too much about it.”

Rosaria, who was watching from the side, was seen smiling happily.

“Since the Young Master taught her directly, Miss Irene will be able to do it soon.” (Rosaria)

“…Anyway. So when are you going to class?”

“Not today because it’s the weekend.”

“Then what are you going to do now?”

“I’m going to stay in my room.”

I pointed to the book I was holding. I was originally going to read this, but I think it’s more fun to play with Arban, so I’ll put it off for a while.

But what should I play with?

As I was looking around the room for something to play with, I suddenly remembered what Messi said yesterday.

“Ah, right. Brother Arban.”

“Yes.”

“Brother, do you know what it means to invite someone to your house?”

“……What?”

Arban paused at my question and asked.

“Who said that?”

“Sage.”

“…Who is he?”

“Huh? A friend.”

But why are you reacting so sensitively?

Arban’s expression slowly began to wrinkle at my words that he was a friend and suddenly he got up from his seat.

“That means he wants to marry you!”