I Became The Villain's Trainer - Chapter 108

Chapter 108 

Jeremiah returned alone to the banquet hall because no one was willing to stand by his side.

The butler had discreetly advised him, ‘Your Highness, as an outsider, you too could be in danger. It would be best for you to leave.’ And indeed, the atmosphere among the wolves had grown razor-sharp.

Jeremiah could barely breathe. Even though he could see Alexa’s flushed face and her labored breaths through the gaps between the wolves, he couldn’t get close to her.

Karrolf, the most renowned physician in Thersion, rushed over, and various medicinal herbs and steaming water were brought in and out of Alexa’s chambers. In the midst of the chaos, the sign hanging on her bedroom door, engraved with ‘Alexa and Ysildus’ Room’, fell to the ground.

Jeremiah took a step back as he watched the wooden sign split in two. Just like the shattered sign, the perfect peace and serenity were completely destroyed. Thersion was now steeped in silence and an ominous dread.

The last thing Jeremiah saw before leaving was Ysildus’ face, his blue eyes glistening with an unreadable moisture. The man who had never once lost his composure was now wearing an expression of utter madness.

Jeremiah left the scene, knowing there was nothing he could do to help. The truth was, he simply wasn’t ready to face the death of someone he had given his heart to. And so, when he returned to the banquet hall, he found himself witnessing the commotion stirred up by Selina.

“Prince Jeremiah.”

Essellia called him gently. Jeremiah immediately recognized that she bore the same expression as Ysildus. A smile hiding a blade, glinting with poison.

“Yes, Your Grace.”

“Do you know that girl?”

Selina. The bold maid. He had encountered her a few times while she was running errands at the annex. He was aware that Selina had been deliberately seeking him out, putting in considerable effort to cross paths with him. She must have believed there was something to gain from him, hence her persistent pursuit.

Jeremiah had once told her that, in return for the help she had given him, he would offer his assistance when she needed it. That was why he had let her be. But did that mean he truly knew her?

“I wouldn’t say I know her well.”

Jeremiah muttered bitterly.

“I merely promised to lend her my aid.”

“To lend her aid, you say.”

Essellia raised a hand toward the maids. At that moment, Selina, who had been shouting Jeremiah’s name, was gagged. A strange chill crawled up his spine.

“Prince Jeremiah, you should come with me.”

Having extracted all the necessary information, Essellia pushed Jeremiah forward. He was compelled by an irresistible force to follow her. He blinked in a daze. None of it mattered anymore. Everything Jeremiah had ever cherished had always ended up broken or lost. His beloved animals, his loyal servant. Even his mother, in the end, had been ruined.

And the first person who had ever truly captivated him was Alexa. From the moment he set foot in Thersion Castle, Jeremiah had only been able to see her. Whether it was fate’s cruel jest, he could not say. The moment he had laid eyes on her… something had been taken from him, and he had yet to reclaim it. Jeremiah moved his feet slowly.

“Did that girl harm Alexa?”

Jeremiah asked in a calm voice.

“That seems highly likely, Prince Jeremiah. And she seems to believe you will protect her. Did you, by any chance, assist her in harming Alexa?”

Essellia inquired with a feigned kindness, her pace never faltering. Jeremiah clenched his fists. The dark underbelly of Thersion Castle was now laid bare before him. A side he had never witnessed while staying by Alexa’s side. The dungeon floor was stained with unidentifiable substances, filled with darkness and decay. Essellia tilted her head slightly and smiled serenely.

“There is no need to be afraid, Prince Jeremiah. If you’ve done nothing wrong, nothing will happen to you.”

The maids forced Selina into a chair and bound her. At Essellia’s nod, they removed her gag and stepped back.

“P-please! Your Highness, you promised me! I did nothing wrong!”

Selina thrashed, causing the chair to rattle violently.

“Irina.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

“Smell Selina’s fingertips. The stench of poison is not easily washed away.”

Essellia spoke softly, trailing her fingers along the row of bottles lined up against the wall. Now that Selina had been brought here, the truth was inevitable. Irina pressed her nose to Selina’s fingertips and sniffed.

“…There’s a faint scent of poison, Your Grace.”

“Selina. Lack of physical evidence does not equate to the perfect crime.”

Essellia turned to face Selina, a vial of pink liquid in her hand. Selina let out a scream.

“We wolves often find proof even in mere suspicions. Irina, make her drink this.”

The liquid was a truth serum. Once Essellia confirmed that Selina had swallowed it, she redirected her attention to Jeremiah.

“Prince Jeremiah, it will take some time for the drug to take effect. In the meantime, I’d like to hear your answer. You promised to help this girl, didn’t you? Did you assist her in harming Alexa?”

Jeremiah lowered his gaze.

“I did not.”

“Then, do you still intend to help her?”

Jeremiah glanced at Selina. Her head drooped, and she murmured incoherently as the drug took hold. His eyes turned cold, resembling Ysildus’ expression.

“I will not help her.”

“And why is that?”

“I trust you more than I trust her. I prefer Ysildus and Terrun over her. And Alexa is more precious to me than she is.”

Jeremiah spoke plainly. The helplessness and sense of deprivation he had felt since the incident had now transformed into anger. He clenched his teeth. Selina heard his words.

“Why?! Why is it always Alexa?! That wretched girl! I should have killed her sooner!! You said you’d help me. Was it all a lie?!”

She finally dropped her facade, cursing Alexa in a frenzied outburst. Jeremiah had once been under her enchantment, but it seemed to have had no effect. There was not a single trace of goodwill left in his gaze.

“We’ve found the culprit. Wouldn’t you agree?”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

“Selina.”

Essellia gently stroked Selina’s cheek. The girl, who had been thrashing violently, froze like a mouse caught in a cat’s grasp.

“There’s no way you orchestrated all this alone. Who helped you?”

“I… I…”

“If you tell me everything you know, I will let you live.”

Selina’s eyes darted around desperately. She couldn’t lie under the influence of the drug, but she could still choose to remain silent. Yet, no one here, neither the maids, nor Jeremiah, nor the distant Ruella, would spare her life. If she wanted to survive, she had to forge her own path. And if selling out Ruella would grant her that chance, then so be it. Selina’s lips trembled as she opened her mouth.

“T-the Magic Tower and the Spire…”

At that moment, she felt herself sinking into a thick, viscous swamp. Her fingers twitched, but when she tried to plead for mercy, no words came out. It was as if her mouth had melted away. The darkness of the abyss dragged her under. Her quivering eyelids fluttered shut.

* * *

“Click.”

Ruella clicked her tongue and sat up in bed.

‘Selina is dead.’

So, that foolish girl had finally decided to betray her. People truly were short-sighted. Did they really think Ruella would have sent Selina into Thersion without any precautions?

If Selina ever acted against Ruella or the Spire, she would die. That was why Ruella had laced her body with poison before sending her to the castle. Even a worthless pawn was better than none, but it was a pity to lose her. Still, the fact that Selina had begun to talk about Ruella meant…

‘So, she did poison her after all.’

Selina had done well planting the seed. Now, all Ruella had to do was wait for the results. Her eyes gleamed with amusement.

For some reason, she had a feeling that the Red Hair Clan of Thersion Castle would soon welcome the protagonist they had been waiting for. And for the fading light magic and the long-suffering crimson lineage, it had to be so.