Chapter 136 

Even after meeting Alexa, Dephensores’s days continued in monotonous silence. He had spent what felt like quite a long time in this subspace, yet hadn’t reincarnated. There had to be a reason for his continued presence.

“Hm.”

Dephensores squinted narrowly into the void. Something had undoubtedly changed. That change was likely the child named Alexa, the one who had pulled him into her own subspace.

“So she really was the key…”

Her life would be the one to lift the curse he had cast upon the Red Clan. And if that happened, Dephensores could finally return. Return to Lunaillia’s side. A thrill coursed through him. It had been a long wait.

CLANG!

A great reverberation rang out, powerful enough to shake not just the subspace but even Dephensores himself. His eyes widened. Auroras burst open across the sky like blooming flowers. It felt as if one of the shackles that bound him had finally fallen away. And at that exact moment… 

RUMBLE!

The ground beneath him began to collapse. The subspace itself was vanishing.

“Luna.”

Dephensores welcomed it with joy.

* * *

“Alexa.”

With a radiant smile, Alexa threw herself into Ysildus’s arms as he came to greet her.

“I did it…!”

“I know.”

Ysildus wrapped her small frame tightly in his embrace. He was well aware of the burden she had carried because of the Oath Seal.

Everyone had believed that Alexa would have to sacrifice her life to break the curse. That the curse had to be lifted for the Red Clan’s power to be restored, and only then could the Oath Seal be destroyed. Alexa lifted her head from Ysildus’s chest.

“I did it, Ysildus…”

“You did.”

Ysildus pressed a kiss to her forehead. Her tear-filled eyes stirred something ravenous within him. He lowered his lips, kissed away her tears, then stole a quick kiss from her lips.

“Mmh…”

A strange, bittersweet sound escaped Alexa, half laugh, half sob.

“People are watching, Is…”

“And why shouldn’t they?”

“Uuuuugh!”

Terrun let out a beastlike groan, rebuking Ysildus. Alexa leaned sideways to look past Ysildus. There stood Terrun, Essellia, Carlisle, and all the other wolves.

“Alexa.”

Essellia opened her arms to her. Alexa slipped out of Ysildus’s hold and ran toward her. The hem of her wide-spread dress fluttered like the wings of a tiny bird. Essellia smiled at the sight.

“I did it, Your Grace!”

It was an accomplishment worth boasting about, and Alexa wanted to share it with everyone present. This time, she had truly done something for Thersion. Finally, she could begin to repay all the kindness she had received. 

She sniffled and rubbed at her nose.

“I really did it! I’m so happy…”

Essellia nodded. Ysildus’s pheromones, left like a mark of ownership, clung to Alexa. Despite the awkwardness, Essellia wrapped her in a tight embrace. She hoped the bitter tears Alexa had shed before would now evaporate in her arms.

The wolves bowed their heads quietly to Alexa in reverence. She had lifted the injustice Thersion had long suffered under the Imperial Family.

What they had gained wasn’t just a human, it was the light and hope of Thersion. Ysildus strolled forward at a leisurely pace. Jeremiah slung an arm over his shoulder.

“Mind putting that arm down?”

“Should you really be that cold to the hero of the hour?”

Ysildus snorted at Jeremiah’s theatrical tone.

“You surprised me, I’ll admit. Within reason.”

“Oof.”

Jeremiah shrugged and let his arm fall.

“Ysu.”

Ysildus looked at him silently. Jeremiah spoke with quiet conviction.

“I’ll never betray you.”

“I know.”

“I’ll never abandon Thersion.”

“I know that too.”

“There’s nothing more important to me than you, Alexa, and Terrun.”

“I said I know.”

Ysildus replied, sounding almost annoyed. The three had spent every moment together since Jeremiah came to Thersion.

“I may be the first to… leave you behind…”

“I’ll stay by your side, Jeremiah.”

Ysildus replied without hesitation. It was the first time in a long while he’d spoken without sarcasm or jest, just pure sincerity. Jeremiah nodded.

“You won’t leave this world alone.”

Human lifespans were pitifully short compared to wolves’. Jeremiah would inevitably leave before the others.

“…Please take care of my descendants, too, Ysildus.”

“What, now that I saved you, you want the whole package?”

Ysildus joked, but didn’t refuse. If Jeremiah became Emperor and Thersion once more raised its sword for the Imperial Family, it would be on different terms this time. Not due to a binding pact, but born of loyalty and goodwill. What the heroes of the past had failed to achieve, they had finally accomplished now, after all this time.

“Why aren’t you coming?!”

Terrun waved at them from afar. Ysildus and Jeremiah quickened their steps. An invisible bond, firm as bedrock, had been sealed between them.

* * *

Night fell, rich and full. Essellia and Carlisle opened up the storage and hosted a small banquet. Thersion shared in the joy of having broken free from the Oath Seal. Among the ones celebrating were Alexa and Ysildus.

“Ysu! Look at that!”

Terrun and Jeremiah were dancing together. Terrun had a skirt wrapped around him and a headband with a big bow. Children twirled around him, laughing joyously. Jeremiah, now Terrun’s gentleman escort, took his hand and spun him around.

“Eee! So pretty, sister!”

“Right? Line up if you wanna dance with me!”

Thersion really never changes. Alexa giggled, bouncing in place.

“What? Do you want to dance too?”

“No… Not really. I’ve forgotten everything.”

Alexa mumbled, flustered. Ysildus chuckled softly and took her hand.

“If you’ve forgotten, then learn again. I still remember.”

“Then…”

Ysildus sprang up and gently led the hesitant Alexa to the dance floor. She moved awkwardly under his lead.

“This isn’t working…”

She stepped on his foot and mumbled, cheeks flushed. Though she danced the lead part, her body just wouldn’t cooperate.

“It’s okay. You’re cute anyway.”

Ysildus swiftly kissed her cheek. She had no idea how irresistibly adorable her blushing face was. He wanted to devour her whole. He blew out a breath, trying to calm his desire.

“Alexa.”

“Yeah?”

“I’ll be leaving Thersion for a while. There’s something only I can do.”

Alexa nodded slightly.

“I know…”

She knew what Ysildus had to do. Even if they were laughing and dancing now, war loomed ahead. The Imperial Family was still tightening its grip around Thersion’s throat.

“I will come back.”

“I believe you.”

“When I return…”

Ysildus smiled gently. Under a sky scattered with stars, he seemed to shimmer. The wicked little wolf released his pheromones to tempt his mate. Around them, those who picked up the scent twitched their ears and noses. 

Alexa, of course, wasn’t immune. She felt her cheeks heat up for no reason. A wonderful scent wafted from Ysildus.

‘Wh-why am I like this…?’

Was she possessed by a lust demon or something? She couldn’t stop staring at his lips. Her body was heating up, as if she were on fire.

“Uh… um…”

Alexa struggled to stay focused. Her fingers and toes curled, her heart fluttering.

“Wanna get married?”

Ysildus’s smile deepened.

“M-married…?”

No matter how hard she tried, her mind was going blank. Her eyelids fluttered. Ysildus was putting all his energy into seducing her. Her flushed face sent a jolt through his soul. He wanted her.

“Yes. Marriage.”

Ysildus whispered sweetly.

“Alexa. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. What about you?”

What should I say…? Alexa stared blankly. Her heart beat tenderly. She liked Ysildus too. She was so completely in love, she couldn’t imagine a day without him. Even though she knew he would be leaving Thersion soon, just the thought of it had made her feel so sad.

‘I… too…’

I love you, Ysildus. Alexa nodded.

“Me too. I want to spend forever with you, Ysildus. I can’t be without you either.”

She rose up on her tiptoes, and Ysildus leaned down to meet her halfway.

“I love you…”

Alexa kissed him on the lips.