Chapter 47
The Northern Visit
Angela arrived with Rita at the place Senika had predicted—Hale’s office.
Coincidentally, Eve was also there, having come to get documents approved.
That meant everyone essential for discussing Senika’s condition had gathered.
“Is something wrong?” Hale asked, his voice calm but sharp.
“The young lady has begun her adult transformation,” Angela replied.
The once emotionless expression on Hale’s face darkened immediately. He rose from his seat without a word and strode toward Angela.
“I’ll explain while seated,” she said firmly, and he stopped mid-step, backing away to the sofa.
For some reason, the plush seat that usually felt comfortable now seemed unbearably stiff.
“How is Senika’s condition?”
“It seems the transformation has just begun. Her condition wasn’t good, so I injected my pheromones to stabilize her.”
“Then…”
“She’ll manage to endure the day.”
At Angela’s report, both Hale and Eve stiffened, their expressions grave.
“But, Master,” Angela continued quietly,
“I don’t mean to blame you, but if you had informed me beforehand, I could’ve at least prepared something. Hiding the young lady’s condition from me didn’t mean I wouldn’t have noticed.”
Her tone wasn’t accusatory—only tinged with regret. Still, everything she said was true.
Eve already knew that when Hale had insisted they keep Senika’s condition a secret, it wouldn’t be possible to hide it from Angela for long.
If I could predict it, Hale must have as well.
But the secrecy hadn’t been about mistrust—it was to avoid the risk of someone overhearing.
While Eve debated whether to explain this, Angela cut in dryly,
“Oh, and I’m not curious about your reasons. No need to explain.”
Eve couldn’t help but think, That’s so like her.
Meanwhile, there was one person in the room who didn’t understand what was going on—Rita.
Having spent more time with Senika than anyone else, she grew increasingly frustrated as the conversation went on without her.
“I feel like I’m the only one here who doesn’t know what’s happening,” she burst out.
Everyone turned to her. Eve flinched—she had been so focused on Angela that she’d forgotten Rita was even there.
With Hale’s nod of permission, Eve began to summarize the situation.
“…And so, we’re discussing whether to ask the Black Dragon family for help.”
“What’s there to discuss? If that’s the only way, we should do it right away!” Rita shouted, her fists clenching tight.
She was genuinely hurt. She wanted to demand why no one had told her something so important.
But what mattered most now was Senika’s safety, not her own feelings.
That can wait. The young lady’s health cannot.
Rita met Hale’s blue eyes with unwavering resolve.
“I’ll go north,” she declared.
“Rita?”
Eve grabbed her hand in alarm, but Rita shook it off and continued,
“I’ve watched over the young lady longer than anyone.”
“…”
“Please, allow me to do something—anything—for her.”
Her determination was palpable. Not even Eve or Angela could stop her.
But Hale didn’t budge. His expression remained unreadable as he met her gaze.
“Please, Master. I beg you.”
“Denied.”
“Master!”
Even Rita’s desperate plea didn’t sway him. Hale’s voice rang through the office, cold and resolute.
“I’ll go to the north myself.”
The room fell silent. Shock rippled across everyone’s faces.
Eve was the first to recover. “You can’t leave the estate unattended.”
Rita and Angela nodded in agreement.
“It has to be me,” Hale said flatly.
“No, Rita or I can—”
Then, a crushing weight pressed down on them. Their lungs tightened; pain spread through their bodies like molten lead.
The overwhelming pressure was Hale’s pheromones—his dominance flaring like a storm.
“I said I’m going,” he growled.
After that, no one dared to object. His decision was final.
By the time the oppressive force lifted, everyone was trembling, barely managing to stay upright. Rita bit her lip until it turned white.
It wasn’t just the rejection that hurt—it was the helplessness.
Hale looked down at her trembling hands resting on the carpet.
“Rita.”
“…Yes, Master.”
“You’re coming with me.”
“…What?”
Rita’s head snapped up, meeting his icy blue eyes. For the first time, she sensed a flicker of consideration in them.
In truth, Hale had planned to go alone. But seeing Rita’s determination, he’d changed his mind.
“The rest of you—strengthen the estate’s defenses. No one leaves or enters while I’m gone.”
“You needn’t worry, Master,” Eve said with a confident smile.
Hale was grateful she’d be staying behind. With Eve—the woman who once guarded the western border crawling with beasts—he could leave without fear.
“Rita, we depart in thirty minutes.”
“Tonight? Even if we ride at full speed, we won’t arrive until dawn.”
“It’s urgent. That doesn’t matter.”
Hale misunderstood her concern. Rita wasn’t worried about the time; she was worried about arriving at the Black Dragon estate before dawn—an unthinkable discourtesy without prior notice.
But seeing his expression, she sighed inwardly. Forget it. He’ll handle it his way.
To Hale, only Senika’s wellbeing mattered.
Night fell completely, swallowing the sky in darkness.
Two horses galloped through a forest bathed in pale moonlight, their riders cloaked in black from head to toe. Every breath came out in frosty white puffs.
After racing for hours, the horses finally halted before a steep cliff. Below stretched a vast estate blanketed in white snow. The wind that whipped past was sharp enough to sting.
“…So this is the Black Dragon territory,” Rita murmured. “I expected something desolate, but it’s beautiful.”
“Oh? First time seeing it?”
“Yes. I’ve never gone farther than the imperial palace before.”
“I see.”
A cold gust blew, tugging back the hood she’d pulled low.
Her silver-white hair shimmered under the moonlight, flowing in the wind.
“Enough sightseeing,” Hale said.
“Weren’t you the one who paused to look first?”
“I wasn’t.”
He denied it instantly, then urged his horse forward again.
He’d been here a few times before—not often, but enough to know the terrain.
By the time the sky turned from pitch black to deep navy, they reached their destination.
Rita stared up in awe at the towering fortress before her.
This isn’t a mansion—it’s a tower.
Unlike the White Dragon family’s estate, which sprawled wide and low, the Black Dragon’s rose high enough to pierce the clouds.
If Hale hadn’t been beside her, she might have stood there staring all night.
She dismounted and stood next to him.
“Vivian,” Hale called.
He released his pheromones into the cold air, sending his voice upward toward the top of the tower.
Rita nearly choked. It was the height of impropriety.
No matter how urgent, to announce your arrival directly to the head of the family at this hour… Our master truly has no fear.
Less than a minute later, the heavy front doors began to open.
Before they were even fully ajar, Hale stepped inside. Rita hurried after him.
After a few steps, someone appeared, blocking their path. The moon slipped behind a cloud, hiding his face in shadow—but Hale recognized him instantly from his familiar pheromones.
“I didn’t expect the heir himself to greet us,” Hale said.
As the clouds drifted away, the young man’s face came into view—Jaius.
The boyishness from years ago was gone, replaced by a sharp jawline and confident gaze. His pheromones revealed he hadn’t yet completed his adult transformation, but judging from their strength, that time wasn’t far off.
“For esteemed guests like you, Master Hale, who else could come to welcome you but me?” Jaius said with a courteous bow. “Please, this way.”
Even though every movement must have pained him due to the growing pains of transformation, he led them lightly through the halls.
Inside the towering mansion were portals connecting the floors.
The moment they stepped onto one, the space around them shifted. Rita couldn’t tell what floor they’d reached, but it was far more lavish than the ground level.
“You really haven’t changed,” a voice said suddenly—sharp, irritated.
Rita frowned instinctively at the tone, but Hale only smirked faintly, as if he’d expected it.
