IBODBF 71

Chapter 71

“What?”

“They keep repeating that it can’t be delayed any longer.”

Annoyance flared sharply across Hale’s face.

“Right now?”

“Yes. They’re only waiting for you to arrive, my lord.”

Hale turned roughly on his heel and strode toward the conference hall.

The reason the elders had gathered was simple — to discuss Senika’s succession as head of the family. Since she had completed her maturation, it was a natural topic to address.

However, Hale’s stance and that of the elders were completely different. Normally, once Senika’s maturation was complete, preparations for her succession would begin, and upon completion, she would officially become the family head.

But the elders were refusing — claiming Senika lacked the qualifications. In other words, they intended to break the family’s long-established law.

The real reason, of course, is that Senika’s half-human.

It wasn’t that Hale didn’t understand their feelings.

That’s why he’d even offered a compromise — to appoint her as acting family head until she proved herself worthy in the way the elders demanded.

Yet even that proposal was rejected.

They had made it clear: they would never allow Senika to ascend to the position of family head.

“Tch. What are they even thinking…”

Hale clicked his tongue mid-thought. The outcome of the meeting was as plain as day to him.

Not every elder thought the same, of course. Some probably agreed with Hale inwardly.

But outwardly, most were allied with Richt’s faction — and therefore couldn’t voice their true opinions.

Hale understood that several elders couldn’t easily betray Richt, whose power rivaled his own. He truly did understand them… yet at moments like this, all he could feel toward them was resentment.

Even if some were secretly on his side, no one would stand up for him publicly. What could Hale possibly do alone?

Even as the head of the family, he couldn’t make such a monumental decision by himself.

That’s the whole reason the elders exist…

He sighed heavily, weighed down by frustration.

Following behind him, Theo seemed to share the same thoughts.

“My lord, what will you do?”

“What can I do?”

“Hmm…”

Theo couldn’t come up with any good ideas either. And at this rate, if they delayed even a few more days, the elders’ decision would soon become final.

Stalling for time wasn’t ideal — but until Hale found a real solution, that was all he could do.

They soon arrived before the grand conference hall. Hale paused, thinking deeply.

“…So, in the end, there’s no choice but to force their hand.”

“In the current situation, that might indeed be the only way,” Theo admitted.

Hale wanted to resolve things with words if he could. Though their positions differed, they were all part of the same family.

But reality seldom flowed as one wished.

If this meeting failed to reach a conclusion — if the elders clung again to their absurd obstinacy…

Then blood will inevitably be spilled.

The aura radiating from Hale grew tense and foreboding, making Theo swallow nervously.

After a long moment of silent thought, Hale placed his hand on the door handle and spoke quietly.

“It would be best to send Senika somewhere safe.”

“Somewhere safe, my lord?”

“Contact the Hwangryong clan. Tell them Senika will be coming.”

With that, Hale entered the conference hall alone.

Theo, hoping this meeting would finally settle things, turned away to send the message to the Hwangryong clan.

There are times in life when one must hear rumors they wish they hadn’t.

Like right now, for example.

“I heard the elders opposed it again in this meeting.”

“Why are they against it? Is there a reason the young lady can’t be the family head?”

On my way to the training yard, I spotted two maids cleaning the corridor, whispering together suspiciously — so of course, I hid and listened in.

I’d sensed the tense atmosphere around the estate lately, and now I was beginning to understand why.

“Well, it’s because…”

One maid trailed off, glanced around to make sure no one was nearby, and then lowered her voice to a whisper.

“The young lady’s half-human, half-dragon, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Well, rumor has it the lord made that up — that she’s actually fully human.”

“What?!”

“Shh! Keep it down!”

Both maids immediately checked the surroundings again and, reassured no one had overheard, sighed in relief.

Unfortunately for them, no matter how quietly they spoke, I could still hear everything.

“What? Wait, where did you even hear that?”

“From one of the maids who serves on the conference-hall floor!”

“If that’s true… isn’t it serious?”

“Exactly. Who knows what’ll happen to the family.”

“What if we end up ruined?”

“Hey! Don’t jinx it — words have power!”

And with that, the two maids gradually moved away. I didn’t bother stopping them to confront them — there was no point.

Still… this is bad, isn’t it?

I had no idea such rumors were circulating. Normally, Rita, Eve, or one of the guards would’ve told me. But this time, not a word.

The reason was obvious — they didn’t want me to know something unpleasant. They probably thought it was better to keep me in the dark.

But really, what should I do? A completely baseless rumor had somehow grown out of control.

Just what on earth did Father and the elders talk about to make people think that?

He never told me anything, so even if I wanted to know, I couldn’t.

My energy drained out of me. Knowing about the rumor made even walking to the training yard awkward — the knights must have heard, too.

They might not believe it… but then again, some probably did.

Honestly, I could even see why. Hardly anyone in the estate had ever seen me use my pheromones.

I couldn’t help it — my pheromones weren’t exactly normal in color.

“No, but still—!”

I blurted aloud in frustration, then quickly covered my mouth and headed for my room.

I mean, come on! Everyone saw me struggling through my maturation pains! Jeyas even came all the way from the Black Dragon clan to treat me!

Sure, officially it was for ‘diplomatic reasons,’ but everyone in the manor knew the real reason.

Wait… do they seriously think that was all an act?

The thought made me feel unjustly accused — more than a little bitter, really. Maybe I was overthinking it, but given how things were going, it wasn’t impossible that people believed that.

Should I start wandering around the manor, deliberately releasing pheromones just to prove it?

“Ah! My lady!”

“I was just about to come find you.”

Rita and Theo were waiting inside my room.

Theo turned and greeted me, suggesting they’d been talking before I arrived.

“What’s going on?”

“You’ll need to leave soon, my lady.”

“Huh? Leave where?”

“To the Hwangryong clan.”

For a moment, I froze. Surely I’d misheard.

I blinked, waiting for Theo to elaborate — but he just stared, silent, as if he’d already said everything.

I glanced at Rita; her expression mirrored my own confusion.

“…Why me?”

Since no one seemed eager to explain, I asked directly.

I couldn’t think of any reason I should go to the Hwangryong clan.

“They’ve extended an invitation to you, my lady.”

“To me? Why?”

“The clan head seems quite fond of you — don’t you remember?”

At Theo’s words, memories I’d forgotten resurfaced.

Back at one of the first banquets I’d attended after arriving in this world, the Hwangryong clan’s leader, Gabi Roten, had doted on me like a daughter.

Still, going now of all times felt… suspicious. Almost like I was being evacuated from the estate.

Was Father planning something while I was gone?

No way… he’s not going to start a war with the elders, is he?

My mind screamed warning sirens — telling me not to go.

“Do I really have to? Can’t it be postponed?”

“We’ve already delayed as long as possible.”

“But still, right now—”

“Remember when the young heirs of the Hwangryong clan visited here? Think of this as repaying that debt.”

But it wasn’t me who’d invited Rizley and Erisen that time — it was Father. Why did I have to repay it?

Granted, he’d done it for my sake… but still.

Ugh. Whatever. It didn’t seem like I had a choice. Theo wasn’t asking — he was informing me.

Even if I refused, they’d find some reason to send me anyway.