Chapter 118 

She had no idea why the conversation had suddenly jumped in that direction. Alexa clutched Essellia’s hand tightly.

“I, I still haven’t even heard what happened over the past five years… And compared to Ysildus, it doesn’t even seem that extravagant! Trends are…”

Alexa rolled her eyes. She should’ve gotten used to Thersion’s extravagant spending on her by now, but she never did. Of course, five years was not a short time, and she understood they were happy. Still, saying they’d replace everything she owned? Even before she collapsed, there were plenty of clothes she hadn’t had a chance to wear. Alexa quickly came up with an excuse.

“Trends are! Something you create!”

And so she blurted out something along the lines of ‘I’ll be the center of the world.’ Essellia let out a short laugh.

“Oh, of course, Alexa. You’re absolutely right. You are the center of trends. The world has changed a lot. It’s now filled with people desperate to hold Thersion’s hand. The imperial family is nothing more than a sinking sailboat.”

“…A lot has changed, hasn’t it.”

“And you, Alexa, are at the heart of that change.”

Essellia poked Alexa’s forehead with her finger.

“You changed Thersion. Those selfish people who used to care only about themselves. And Thersion now holds the power to change the world.”

Alexa blinked her large eyes.

‘I became the one at the center of changing the world.’

It was a statement that made her chest swell. Alexa had only ever considered herself a passing extra. That was why she’d believed she needed to leave Thersion, the stage reserved for the main characters. But Essellia was saying that she was the protagonist. That this stage was made for her.

“…What about Jeremiah? What about Terrun? Are they doing well?”

“I was wondering when you’d ask. Of course they’re doing well. I’ll let you see them soon. We kept them away because we thought you’d be overwhelmed for a while.”

“What choice did Jeremiah make?”

She remembered the conversation she’d had with Carlisle some time ago. 

Back then, Alexa had said she would choose Thersion, but that it would be better to decide Jeremiah’s status after speaking with him. If the situation had changed this drastically, Jeremiah’s position must have shifted too. In the original novel Alexa knew, Ysildus was meant to become emperor. In that process, Jeremiah would be cast aside and live only as a pawn. Had that changed too?

“It was Ysildus who made the choice, Alexa.”

Essellia ran her fingers through Alexa’s soft hair. Even while Alexa had been lying unconscious, maids had been ordered to take delicate care of her hair. 

Everything had been prepared so the child wouldn’t suffer any discomfort when she woke. Thanks to that, Alexa’s red hair shone with a healthy gloss.

“Ysildus… did?”

“Yes. Ysildus chose Jeremiah. Carlisle wanted to destroy the imperial capital of those arrogant humans and build a new one in its place. But Ysildus had a different idea.”

“What did he think?”

“Ysildus decided to make Jeremiah emperor. He said he had no interest in human power struggles.”

Ah. Alexa let out a soft exclamation. That, too, was entirely different from the original novel. Instead of choosing the path to become emperor himself, Ysildus had deferred it to the human Jeremiah.

“Why would he make that choice?”

Strangely, she felt like she already knew the answer. Alexa’s lips trembled.

“You’re the one who led him to that decision, Alexa.”

Essellia bent down and kissed Alexa’s rounded forehead. It was a gentle, tender kiss, like one you’d give a child on the brink of sleep.

“Ysildus didn’t want to drag you into that kind of fate. Because he knew you were of the Red Clan, and that you were the sacrifice offered to the Wolf God.”

He had always been perceptive. When others stumbled, Ysildus had reached the answer in an instant.

“The Red Clan will surely come for you. The imperial capital, too. They want the power of the Red Clan for themselves. But Ysildus and Thersion have no intention of handing you over, so they had to make a new choice.”

“…That choice was Jeremiah?”

“He’s too soft-hearted to ever raise a sword against you.”

Her heart, which usually beat so quietly she could barely feel it, now thudded with force. The tremor traveled up to her eyes, and eventually tears welled up and fell.

“Why, why…”

“Alexa. Thersion never forgets a debt. You are a gift to us. That’s why we worried so much over the last five years, Alexa. We were terrified that you might never return.”

Essellia stroked Alexa’s cheek with the back of her hand, wiping away her tears as she smiled with a loving expression she showed no one else.

“I’m just grateful you came back like this. I’m prepared to do anything for you. That’s the only reason Thersion chose to act… to protect you. You don’t have to feel burdened. This is something we want too.”

“Y-Your Grace…”

“We can’t lose you.”

Alexa opened her pink lips slightly, then lowered her head. What was she supposed to do now? There was nothing more she could offer… The only thing left, she didn’t even have the courage to do. She spoke.

“…I don’t know the future anymore. The future I knew has already ended.”

“That’s alright. That was never why we kept you by our side.”

Come to think of it, Thersion had never once demanded information about the future from her. They were always just grateful whenever she voluntarily shared anything that came to mind, as if it didn’t matter whether she knew the future or not. They never tried to use her. They embraced her. Sniffling, Alexa continued.

“If I don’t die, the curse might go on forever…”

“Even if Lunailliah or Dephensores turn their backs on us because of that, we’ll still choose you. They may have created us, but the one who gives us life now is none other than you.”

“…I-I don’t have anything left to give.”

“That’s alright. What you’ve already given us is more than enough.”

Essellia’s gentle voice washed over Alexa. It broke down the walls of caution she had built inside, and the things that flowed in bloomed into a garden of vibrant flowers. She had always thought of herself as someone destined to wander without a home, but this place… this was her home.

‘You fool.’

* * *

Even after that, Essellia remained by Alexa’s side, recounting all that had happened during her absence. How Ysildus, Terrun, and Jeremiah had attacked the Mage Tower and the Spire. The countless civil conflicts with the Imperial Knights. The shifting political climate caused by neighboring countries now looking down on Temperch and eyeing its borders.

Essellia hid nothing from Alexa. She told her everything. And Alexa was given one more day. One more day to gather the strength to open the door on her own and step back into the world.

The next morning, Alexa broke her five-year absence and opened the door herself. Those who had waited with bated breath turned to look at her.

“Alexa!”

Terrun rushed toward her. But just before she could throw herself into Alexa’s arms, Ysildus grabbed her by the scruff of the neck.

“Where do you think you’re shoving that bear-sized body?”

“I’m not a bear! I’m a wolf!”

Terrun scrunched up her nose as she replied. Ysildus let her go like tossing a sack, and Terrun, already crying, stumbled forward.

“Terrun…”

“Sniff… I missed you, Alexa. I was so scared you’d never wake up…”

“Alexa. I was worried too.”

Jeremiah stepped forward, pushing Terrun behind him. He was afraid Alexa might faint again at the sight of such a mess. Terrun, as big as she was, sniffled pathetically.

“Jeremiah. Have you been well?”

“Of course. I’ve just been quietly waiting for you here. Without you, even magic lessons were no fun.”

Jeremiah grinned and shrugged.

“Grand Duke Carlisle. Baron Visten. Lady Violetta… Head Maid, Aunt Jane… all the maids…”

Alexa gave them all a deep bow.

“I’m sorry for worrying you. I won’t let that happen again. I’ll take my medicine diligently and exercise too.”

“Ugh…”

The first to cry was Visten. It had been the wolves’ failure to protect Alexa, and yet she was the one apologizing! Apologizing! Sniffling like Terrun, Visten poked Carlisle in the ribs.

“Your Grace, say something! Please?”

“Ahem… I was worried, Alexa.”

Pushed forward by Visten, Carlisle awkwardly patted Alexa’s head. She gave him a radiant smile.

“Thank you…”

Spring had returned to House Thersion.

* * *

Where there is light, there is always shadow. The brighter the light, the darker the contrast. Thersion was no exception.

“Did we get an answer from the Red Clan?”

“Yes, Your Grace. They say a revelation has descended. That Lady Alexa must be killed by the hand of a wolf to break the curse.”

“…So the entire Red Clan knows now. And that message must have reached the imperial capital as well.”

Carlisle curled his lips into a sinister smile.

“Exterminate all surviving members of the Red Clan.”

“Yes, Your Grace!”