Chapter 138 

Ysildus had left. That was all and yet, why did it feel so draining?

‘No, it’s not ‘just’ that… That’s exactly why…’

Ysildus had been part of Alexa’s life for so long. Naturally, someone who had shared so much time with her couldn’t possibly be dismissed with a word like ‘just.’ And of course, there were people watching Alexa listlessly wander about.

“Hm. Alexa looks completely drained.”

“She was actually cuter when she was trying to break the Oath Seal.”

It was Carlisle and Essellia. 

Having left everything to the next generation, they were now enjoying a leisurely life guarding the Grand Duke’s estate at Thersion, and they were more than satisfied with that. Violeta, Visten, and Karrolf had gone off with Ysildus, calling it their final sortie. As a result, the mansion did feel a little too quiet.

“The Oath Seal…”

Carlisle smiled faintly. She had definitely been much cuter when she was going around, full of resolve, studying how to break it. With those sparkling eyes buried in books, how endearing she looked. Of course, Alexa herself had no idea.

In truth, the Oath Seal was never a serious problem for Thersion. They had already secured a group of humans who sided with Jeremiah and Thersion as an alternative. The plan was to use them to overthrow the imperial capital and even relocate the entire governing system.

Still, seeing Alexa working so hard made it impossible to say there was no need. Even the celebration they’d thrown for breaking the Oath Seal had been nothing more than a game meant solely for Alexa. And yet now, she was completely dejected just because Ysildus had left.

“We’re going to need to give her some kind of event.”

Essellia muttered with a worried look. She showed not even a sliver of concern for Ysildus, calm as could be. Of course, the same was true for Carlisle.

“That’s a good idea. What kind of event should we plan?”

“Not long ago, Ysildus brought up marriage and had a dress commissioned.”

“Where did he commission it from? Don’t tell me he left it to those wolves who can’t sew to save their lives.”

“Of course not. While the wolves are fine for everyday dresses, wedding gowns are out of the question. The request was made to the Magic Kingdom.”

“Perfect.”

Essellia had also worn a wedding dress made in the Magic Kingdom when she got married. Wanting to gift Alexa the same level of perfection, she’d even resorted to a bit of blackmail to expedite the order. 

Normally, it would take about a year, but she had it pushed through in just four months, a remarkable feat. And the family heirloom ring was already glinting on Alexa’s finger. That meant the next step was…

“We’ll need to get her shoes made and start preparing for the wedding! It’s going to be the most extravagant wedding in the world!”

Essellia said, her voice filled with excitement.

“Alexa will look so beautiful.”

“She will, won’t she? Everything has to be perfect. We’ll let her choose whatever she likes.”

Carlisle nodded. If anything could lift Alexa out of her slump, this would be it. Besides, it was something that had to be prepared anyway. All the wolves had been present when Ysildus proposed to Alexa so there were no secrets there!

* * * 

Some of the territories along the route to the capital supported the Emperor, while others backed Thersion. A typical person would choose a route that avoided conflict as much as possible, in order to minimize damage. But Ysildus had chosen a different path. He intended to smash through every stronghold in his way.

The humans who followed him were a bit skeptical of that decision. Even in the final war meeting the night before they set out, some had argued that it was too much, but Thersion hadn’t listened to any of them.

“Maybe it’s not too late to turn back…”

“I can’t believe I came all this way trusting some greenhorn. What if we made the wrong choice…? Ahem!”

The humans fell silent, coughing awkwardly as they locked eyes with Violeta, who had appeared like a ghost. They may have scoffed at a woman going to war, but a single look from Violeta made them feel like prey in front of a predator. Rumor had it she’d served as a knight for Thersion for years, and it seemed the rumors were true.

“Never heard that Thersion’s knights have good ears? Run your mouths carelessly and you might lose your heads.”

“I-I meant nothing by it! Forgive me!”

As the humans hurriedly looked away, Violeta clicked her tongue. From the wolves’ point of view, breaking through human-held territories wasn’t difficult. Besides, when it came time to overthrow the imperial rule, making them kneel was a task that had to be done anyway. So why take a detour?

Violeta spurred her horse forward. Reaching Ysildus’s side, she spoke with a sneer in her voice.

“You really think you can do this with such cowards?”

“Violeta. Their usefulness ends with the assault on the imperial capital. Even though the Oath Seal has been broken, who knows what kind of backlash it might cause? If the wolves kill the human Emperor, it could provoke rebellion. That would be a bigger headache.”

Ysildus shrugged. Like Carlisle, he loathed unnecessary complications. That was why he planned to leave the dirty work to the humans, simply to avoid the nuisance.

“Ah. We’ve arrived.”

Ysildus narrowed his eyes at the towering fortress before them. A banner bearing a double-headed eagle flew from the ramparts.

“This is the estate of Count Marco.”

A human had ridden ahead and was now reporting back. Next to the double-headed eagle was another flag, a black one bearing the image of a white wolf. It signified that the territory had allied with Thersion rather than the imperial family. Ysildus smiled softly.

“Looks like we’ll have a nice, comfortable rest here.”

His voice was as carefree as if he were on a picnic.

* * * 

Jane and the head maid joined forces to dress up the languid Alexa in full splendor. Alexa tilted her head, confused. She hadn’t heard about any plans today.

“Uh, where am I going?”

“That’s a secret. Lady Essellia will tell you.”

“She’s right, milady.”

From their smiles, it didn’t seem like anything bad. Once Alexa was fully dressed, Terrun came to escort her, cheeks puffed, looking thoroughly annoyed.

“Terrun?”

“…Her Grace, the Grand Duchess, told me to bring you.”

Terrun spoke stiffly and held out a hand. Alexa placed hers on his arm and followed his lead.

“Terrun, where are we going?”

“No idea…”

“Then what’s with that face?”

“I said I don’t know!”

Terrun pouted petulantly. His face looked like someone had just stolen the fried rice off his plate, probably Ysildus’s doing. Alexa poked him in the side.

“S-Stop that!”

Alexa poked him again.

“S-Seriously, cut it out!”

And again. Poke.

“Pfft… I said stop!”

At last, Terrun burst out laughing and shouted at her.

“Ugh, what is wrong with you! Your face is clearly sulking. Did Ysildus say something before he left? Or did Jeremiah refuse to play with you? Or… are you just hungry?”

“I’m not!”

Terrun stomped his foot.

“Then what is it? I promise I won’t tell anyone, just tell me.”

Terrun glanced sideways at Alexa’s round eyes and let out a sigh. He scratched his head and bounced his leg nervously.

He had never done anything like this before, so how was he supposed to do it coolly, gracefully? The thought of mimicking Ysildus made him want to die. And it’s not like he’d seen anyone else do it either. He had read a lot of books, but… love wasn’t something you could learn from the page. Now that he was in the moment, all the text in his head had flown away. 

Terrun swallowed hard.

[“You can’t just let it end without saying anything, Terrun. You have to give it your all.”]

It was as if he could hear Jeremiah whispering in his head.

[“Once she’s married, it’s over. Really over.”]

[“Are you going to confess too?”]

[“Of course I am.”]

Jeremiah had secretly convinced Terrun that he should make his move after shaking Alexa up. But then Essellia had declared she was preparing for Alexa and Ysildus’s wedding. That was cheating! Essellia always favored Ysildus. First letting him sleep in Alexa’s room, now planning a wedding… Terrun spoke, his face twisted with frustration.

“…It’s just…”

“Yeah? Tell me.”

What should he say? Terrun tried to choose his words carefully. Will you marry me, Alexa? Or maybe I really like you, Alexa. No, those all felt too ordinary. If he was going to confess, even if he got rejected, he wanted to say something impactful. After agonizing over it, Terrun finally said what had been spinning in his head all along.

“Why are you marrying Ysildus?”

“Huh?”

“You don’t even know how mean he is… Why are you marrying him? You should marry me instead!”

Terrun grabbed Alexa’s hand with a desperate expression.

“I like you too, Alexa!”

Alexa stared at him, utterly dumbfounded.

……

T/N: That’s cute… and a little dumb hahahaha