Chapter 129 

“Where do you think you’re going?”

Jeremiah grabbed Ysildus’s forearm, his face full of wariness. Brillia had already taken a step back, intimidated by Ysildus’s overwhelming presence, but Jeremiah stepped closer instead. He looked like he feared Ysildus was about to whisk Alexa away.

“Where do you think?”

Ysildus smiled slyly and shook Jeremiah’s hand off. Despite the deadly aura he exuded, his hand tapping Alexa’s back was nothing but tender.

“I’m just taking her somewhere private to help her calm down. What’s the problem?”

Shameless. Despicable. Selfish b*st*rd.

“Alexa, don’t go with him. Tell us what’s going on…”

“She said she’s happy.”

Cutting Jeremiah off, Ysildus lifted Alexa into his arms.

“She said she’s happy because I’m here.”

…What?

Jeremiah and Brillia both widened their eyes. Sure, Alexa had said she was crying because she was happy, but she’d never said it was because of Ysildus. Still, Alexa, who should’ve denied it, was too busy sniffling to register what he said. Holding her in his arms, Ysildus strode off.

* * *

“Where are we going?”

Alexa looked up with teary eyes, her voice thick with congestion. Her tear-streaked, flushed face looked almost edible, like bread glazed with honey. Was that a bad thing to think? Ysildus’s lips curled faintly.

“Someplace where no one else is.”

“Why someplace with no one?”

She asked again in that same stuffed-up voice.

“So you can cry in peace.”

Alexa tilted her head. Now that he said it, it kind of made sense. If Ysildus was taking her somewhere quiet out of consideration, then she should be grateful. Better to cry alone than in front of Jeremiah and Brillia.

“You… You think of me like that, Ysildus…”

She gave a loud sniff as fresh tears spilled down.

“But?”

“But I… I keep thinking weird thoughts.”

“Weird thoughts? I’d like to hear them.”

Ysildus’s voice was gentle as he whispered. Alexa didn’t notice the swirling possessiveness and sinister undertone in his gaze. Her vision was hazy, and she didn’t have the mental space to process it anyway. She rubbed her eyes with the back of her hand.

“I mean… Bad thoughts…”

“What kind of bad thoughts?”

Ysildus kissed her forehead. The way he looked at her, like he might devour her at any moment, went unnoticed by Alexa. 

The wolves nearby, sensing the atmosphere emanating from him, instinctively held their breaths and pressed themselves to the wall. Watching Alexa, who had unwittingly become prey, their eyes were full of pity. 

If only she’d think the same dark thoughts as me. Ysildus grinned mischievously and blew lightly into her hair.

“Um… I thought maybe I should leave you… That this isn’t my home… Even though you’re being so kind to me… sniff…”

Who needs ten puppies when one well-raised dog is enough? That expression came to mind. Alexa sniffled hard, fresh tears falling thick and fast.

“Ah… So that’s what it was.”

Ysildus smacked his lips with mock disappointment. He’d already known what Alexa had been thinking. He didn’t think she was wrong. After all, he had no intention of letting her leave. So what did it matter? What mattered now was something else entirely. Something completely different.

He bent his head and kissed the tears on her cheek. The liquid that seeped between his lips was salty… and sweet. Like taking a bite of warm, honeyed bread, soft and comforting. At his signal, the flustered servants opened the bedroom door. The bedroom they now, somehow, happened to share.

Click.

The wolf’s den shut behind them, but Alexa didn’t notice. She was too busy crying. Ysildus gently laid her down on the bed. As she sat there, rubbing her face, he took off his outer garment. Stripping away anything cumbersome, he poured himself a glass of water. He knew all too well what made his throat so dry. 

Why is she crying in such a cute way… Ysildus refilled the cup and handed it to her.

“There. Drink some water now.”

“Water?”

“You’ll hurt yourself crying like that.”

His voice was soft and soothing. Alexa, once again touched by his kindness, accepted the glass. The lukewarm water sliding down her throat was just the right temperature to ease her thirst. Come to think of it, her throat did feel scratchy from all the crying.

As she drank, Ysildus undid the top button of his shirt. The tension eased slightly. He knelt before her, resting by the edge of the bed. Taking off her dainty shoes, he naturally set her feet on his thigh.

“Huh?”

“You must be exhausted from all that crying. How about a short nap?”

“N-nap…?”

Now that he mentioned it, sleeping didn’t sound like a bad idea. Alexa clutched the glass tightly, visibly flustered. She could feel the firm muscle beneath her feet. 

Ysildus placed both her feet on his thigh, then gently grasped her ankles and ran his hands along her feet. Alexa’s eyes grew round.

“W-wait! Ys, Ysildus!”

What do you think you’re doing?! she wanted to yell, but Ysildus’s fingers slowly unfastened her garter belt.

“It looks uncomfortable.”

He gave an innocent shrug and a playful smile. As if to say there was no ulterior motive. But the red tongue licking his lips was anything but innocent. Alexa’s face flushed scarlet.

Speechless, she bit her lip as the empty glass slipped from her hand. The cup rolled across the blanket until Ysildus caught it with his other hand. He set it down carefully on the floor before resuming. He hooked his fingers into her stockings and slid them down.

“I-I can do it myself!!!”

Alexa finally found her voice and shouted, but Ysildus shook his head.

“I want to do it for you, Alexa. What are you thinking right now? Don’t tell me… are you having naughty thoughts?”

“N-no! I’d never think something like that!”

Alexa shook her head fiercely. Her face was burning red, but Ysildus pretended not to notice. After all, he had been the one to plant such ideas in her head. Still, he had no intention of doing anything to her today. Not when she was emotionally drained. This was merely to lift her spirits. And, of course, indulge himself a little.

He removed the other stocking, and Alexa collapsed backward onto the bed. Overwhelmed by the emotional rollercoaster, her body gave out. Her heart was pounding furiously. Covering her face with both hands, she whimpered.

Ysildus’s eyes gleamed at the sight of her lifted feet, but fortunately, Alexa didn’t see it. She turned over and crawled clumsily to the center of the bed, burying herself under the blankets. Ysildus let out a low chuckle as he watched her hide.

“Alexa.”

“…What.”

“You’re okay with keeping the dress on?”

“……Call Madam Jane… Please…”

Ysildus’s laughter grew louder.

“Alright. But just this once.”

Just what is ‘this once,’ exactly…? Alexa buried her face into the pillow.

* * *

Unlike the gentle spring breeze of Thersion, a northern wind was sweeping through the Imperial Palace. Those injected with the refined blood of wolves groaned in pain. As Ruella had suggested, the imperial knights were being transformed, turned into beings with special powers.

The surviving mages from the tower were leading this initiative. They specialized in light-based magic and had barely managed to survive after the fall of the Red Clan. Clinging to their dwindling power, they’d been conducting experiments to amplify their strength.

Thanks to that, this current project was progressing smoothly. The Crown Prince walked slowly between the beds of those restrained and moaning.

“Hmph. So these are the only ones who made it?”

“Yes, Your Highness. It requires surpassing human limits…”

“What happened to the failures?”

“Ahem. They… perished, Your Highness.”

“And the cleanup? We can’t let word get out.”

“We incinerated the bodies.”

“Good. Tell the families whatever lie is suitable and offer them compensation.”

The Crown Prince stroked his chin, visibly pleased. Those who had survived the experiment now slept in agony. Their first mission had already been decided. The Emperor, having placed full trust in the Crown Prince, had left this matter entirely in his hands, but…

“Are they ready for action?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Perfect.”

The Crown Prince’s lips curled in satisfaction. Their first mission: assassinate the Emperor. So that the Crown Prince could ascend to the throne himself.

“Send them discreetly to my chambers.”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

He would be the one to achieve greatness in place of the incompetent Emperor.

……

T/N: Ysildus’ flirting though 

The Emperor’s son is more brutal than his father, niceee