In a hurry, Klaus, without unnecessary preambles, immediately blurted out the main question.

“Is Antonio part of the Lapelios family?”

Johannes, momentarily surprised, quickly composed his expression and stared at Klaus intently.

In response to his silent reaction, Klaus frowned impatiently and nervously continued his words.

“Antonio has been boiling with fever since yesterday and can’t regain consciousness. There seems to be a fragrance emanating from his body… I wonder if this is related to his current condition.”
Listening calmly to Klaus’s words, Johannes lowered his gaze and quietly spoke.

“If the Duke’s description is correct, then Antonio is likely a member of the Lapelios family.”

As Klaus’s speculation turned out to be true, his expression stiffened for a moment. The feeling of disbelief was even greater, but deep down, there was a sense of everything that had been questioned so far falling into place.

Was Roselia also a member of the Lapelios family? If so, it made sense that their scents were similar.

When Klaus’s mind became confused, Johannes calmly continued.

“And Antonio’s current state seems to be on the verge of metamorphosis.”

“Metamorphosis…”

Information about the Lapelios family was hard to come by except for the royal family, so Klaus asked in puzzlement, furrowing his brows.

Looking at Klaus with a calm exhale, Johannes slowly explained.

“It’s like a rite of passage for blood relatives with a scent. I should personally go and examine his condition. If it’s alright with you, let’s go to the Duke’s residence right away.”

Still filled with skepticism, Klaus nodded without saying a word, as Antonio’s condition was urgent.

Arriving at the Duke’s residence in the carriage, the two ignored the greetings of the servants and headed straight to Antonio’s room.

As soon as they entered the room, Johannes’s expression stiffened at the overpowering scent.

Approaching the bed where Roselia lay, Johannes, with a regretful expression, looked down at her.

If the circumstances were different, she could have received proper education at the Duke’s mansion and experienced the metamorphosis less painfully…

Feeling responsible for her current state, Johannes’s expression grew heavy.

Carefully wiping the cheeks that had become gaunt during his absence, Johannes assessed her condition.

Observing him from behind, Klaus gritted his teeth at the feeling of blood rushing backward and his stomach boiling.

It felt similar to what Klaus had experienced when Roselia was with Johannes before.

Not knowing Klaus’s inner turmoil, Johannes slowly turned around and calmly spoke.

“She will undergo metamorphosis today or tomorrow. Please listen carefully to my explanation.”

Klaus, suppressing the discomfort within, nodded calmly.

“Metamorphosis progresses more actively at midnight. At that time, no one should enter the room. Remember not to enter the room no matter what sounds you hear.”

“Why is that?”
“At the moment of metamorphosis, one cannot control their scent because they are in a state where they cannot properly perceive themselves. As you might guess, the scent is difficult for ordinary people to endure. So, no one should be by Antonio’s side.”

Having experienced the overwhelming scent that blurred his mind last night, Klaus immediately agreed, nodding his head.

“Please keep that in mind.”

“I’m considering examining Antonio’s condition a bit more. Could you please step aside for a moment?”

At Johannes’s polite inquiry, Klaus’s brow furrowed.

“Do I really have to leave?”

In response to Klaus’s guarded tone, Johannes looked at him with a calm expression.

It was a gaze that seemed to question if Klaus was feeling jealous in such a situation.

Klaus, who coughed awkwardly, left a message urging him to come out quickly and left the room.

After Klaus went out, Johannes approached Roselia again, sitting on a makeshift chair beside the bed and tightly holding her hand.

“Cecilia, listen carefully. When it feels like your chest is burning, don’t try to endure it. You must release everything without trying to hold it in.”

Though she seemed almost unconscious and unable to fully understand his words, Johannes spoke rhythmically, as if engraving the contents into her mind.

“If you release all the built-up scent in your chest, you will feel much better. So, don’t be afraid and let everything go. Understand? You can endure it well.”

Observing her exhausted breath, Johannes, feeling sorry for her, gently kissed her forehead.

“When everything is ready, I will come to take you again. So, please wait a little, Cecilia.”

With these words, Johannes, who had quietly risen, left the room.

Glancing at Klaus, who was waiting in front of the room with clenched fists, he silently bowed before leaving.

“I will take my leave now.”

“Is it okay to leave her like that?”

“At the moment of metamorphosis, the pain can only be overcome by the person experiencing it. Usually, metamorphosis occurs around the time of becoming an adult… Antonio is a bit late. Due to the outburst of suppressed energy, the pain will be more severe.”

At Johannes’s words about the severity of the pain, Klaus’s brow showed a deep frown.

“Painkillers…”

“It’s useless. Even if you use them, there won’t be any effect.”

With Johannes saying there was nothing they could do for Antonio, Klaus’s expression twisted in anguish.

Observing Klaus intently, Johannes calmly continued.

“I would like to stay by his side as much as possible, considering the circumstances…”

At Johannes’s words, Klaus, whose expression had been frozen with Antonio’s thoughts, contorted abruptly.