Chapter 146: Side Story 2

The war was over.

Jeremiah had to return to the capital. Thersion had promised to make him Emperor, and they were just shy of the finish line. But that promise could only be fulfilled if Jeremiah went back to the Empire. And yet… 

He couldn’t stop clinging to it.

Jeremiah’s somber gaze lingered on Terrun and Alexa, refusing to let go.

“Terrun! Are you making cookies right now or just planning to eat them?”

When Alexa shot him a sharp look, Terrun puffed out his cheeks and answered.

“Both. I’m making them and eating them. Are you mad I’m eating them?”

“That’s not it… It’s just that you’re eating way more than you’re making!”

Alexa spoke clearly and firmly, snatching the cookie basket from Terrun. Right now, she and Terrun were baking cookies to bring to Karrolf’s clinic. Despite all their preparations, there had been injuries during the raid.

Naturally, that meant Karrolf, the most renowned doctor in Thersion, was overwhelmed. He had invited Alexa to his clinic, a clear request for help. For Alexa, this was her official debut as a doctor in this land.

It was the head maid who suggested Alexa bring cookies along, and that idea had roped in both Terrun and Jeremiah to help. Although Jeremiah wasn’t much help as he kept messing things up until the tools were taken away from him.

For Alexa, this was a welcome opportunity to make her wait for Ysildus a little more meaningful. Just sitting around waiting for him made each day feel unbearably long and empty. That’s when she had received Karrolf’s message.

As Alexa made cookies for those at the clinic, a soft flush colored her cheeks. It was as if she had regained the bright glow she used to have.

Jeremiah stared at her absentmindedly.

‘Will I never get to see her like this again…?’

His chest ached.

He knew in his head that he should remain nothing more than a friend to Alexa, but his heart would sometimes act like it was broken. That’s why he kept putting off his departure, again and again.

The problem was… he knew he wasn’t being rational, and yet the longer he stayed, the more attached he became.

And now, it wasn’t just Alexa. He was even starting to feel an aching fondness for the bear-like Terrun.

‘I don’t want to leave.’

That was the bottom line. Jeremiah let out a sigh. He didn’t want to let go of anything. Not Thersion, not the throne.

‘There has to be a way.’

He would think about it a little longer, just until Ysildus arrived.

Just until then.

* * *

Violeta wrinkled her nose.

A familiar scent.

Her hand opened the door without hesitation, as if confirming what she already suspected. The knights standing guard at the door scattered the moment they saw her.

“Well, that’s practically an invitation to come in.”

Nodding to herself, Violeta strode into the tower. Footsteps could be heard from above. Someone was here. Which meant someone had been locked away inside.

Everything Depier did rubbed her the wrong way. Without a doubt, he was up to something shady again. Fueled by that certainty, Violeta flung the door open.

“Ah! Who are you?”

A frail voice called out. It wasn’t what she had expected, and Violeta narrowed her eyes, scanning the room. It wasn’t luxurious, but it was neat and tidy, likely a reflection of the person who lived here.

Her gaze landed on a woman. She wore an old but clean dress.

“…Who are you?”

“…You’re the visitor here, so shouldn’t I be the one asking that?”

At those words, Violeta nodded and replied.

“Ah, I forgot to introduce myself. I’m Violeta, from Thersion. I’m currently handling affairs in place of the absent Emperor.”

“…What’s going on outside? I am the Queen. You said you’re from Thersion? Then… how is he? Is he doing well?”

The woman’s face, which had looked so dark and lifeless, suddenly lit up. She leaned toward Violeta, her lips trembling as she spoke.

“Jeremiah went there. He must’ve been about this tall when he left, so I guess he’s around this tall now. It’s been so long since I’ve seen him. He might even think I’m dead…”

Ah. The little prince.

Violeta finally realized where that familiar scent had come from. 

The woman before her was most likely Jeremiah’s birth mother. Now that she knew, her expression shifted subtly. As far as Violeta knew, the moment Depier realized Jeremiah had betrayed him, he had his mother killed.

“Do you know him?”

The woman asked desperately. When Violeta didn’t respond, the woman grabbed her arm.

“Jeremiah went there to save me. I’m the terrible mother who drove that terrified boy into danger. All I want is for him to be alive and well.”

“Jeremiah is doing well in Thersion.”

Violeta finally answered, with a sigh in her voice. She couldn’t turn away from the woman who now wore the face of a mother. Two particular wolves came to mind, Visten and Terrun, who always dulled her edge.

“Jeremiah grew up well, and he’s still doing fine in Thersion. He’ll be returning to the capital soon.”

“He’s coming back? Then Depier won’t just sit back and let that happen.”

“Emperor Depier is dead.”

“…Oh my god!”

The woman turned pale and stumbled. She had lived cut off from the world for so long, unaware of anything that had happened. The moment Jeremiah left, Depier had locked her in this place, and she had never once stepped outside since.

“Please, tell me everything. I want to hear it all.”

Violeta glanced at the hand clinging to her arm and let out another sigh. She couldn’t shake the feeling that her idle curiosity had just dragged her into something incredibly troublesome.

* * *

A refreshing breeze brushed against his cheek as Ysildus pressed forward without hesitation. He was finally returning to Alexa.

Beside him, an equally massive wolf ran at full speed, Dephensores. Taking hidden paths through the depths of the forest, they raced toward Thersion.

The great wolves moved with a graceful, fluid rhythm. Not even the rustle of underbrush could be heard. They’d left everything behind, even the knights who had been following them, along with Violeta. They had to return as quickly as possible.

‘Alexa.’

The memory of Alexa’s small hand gripping his own. The way she adorably pouted, urging him to hurry back. Her many expressions flickered through his mind one after another.

Longing and possessiveness boiled in his chest. He would never again leave her behind and go off alone. He had to stay by her side, always.

He didn’t want to see her wear that sad expression ever again. Just thinking about how he’d left behind the lovable Alexa, the one he wanted to scoop up and devour, was already more than enough.

His blue eyes gleamed sharply. On top of that, imagining Terrun and Jeremiah wagging their tails at Alexa in Thersion right now…

A bear cub and a fox.

The tail-less bear was probably wiggling his butt, trying to be cute, while the fox was likely scheming to charm Alexa and turn the situation to his advantage.

Of all things…

Ysildus’ eyes narrowed.

A bear that could do tricks and a fox with too many tails, what a terrible combo. Not that Alexa would ever see them as men when she had him!

Ysildus pushed himself to run even faster toward Alexa.

* * *

Alexa, Terrun, and Jeremiah arrived at Karrolf’s clinic.

“Hello, Master!”

“Oh, Alexa. You really came. I can’t tell you how relieved I am…”

Karrolf looked at the useless tagalongs beside her and gave them a once-over.

“I’m truly grateful.”

Terrun bared his teeth in a grin, and Jeremiah just smiled innocently, his expression unreadable. Tch. Karrolf clicked his tongue and turned his head.

“Come inside.”

“Wait, Master!”

Alexa pulled out the biggest cookie from the basket and handed it to Karrolf.

“I made this one especially for you. It’s way bigger than the others.”

She explained softly, emphasizing that it was made just for him.

“For me…? Especially?”

“Yes, Master! Thank you for always teaching me so much.”

She smiled brightly.

“Is it my birthday today?”

Karrolf stared at the cookie with eyes that sparkled for some reason. He carefully held it in his large hands, overcome with emotion.

“Thank you, Alexa. This is the most touching gift I’ve ever received.”

“It’s nothing, really.”

Alexa waved her hands with a flushed face.

“No, Alexa. What matters is the thought behind it. Since you put your heart into this, it’s the most precious thing to me.”

Alexa blushed and laughed bashfully.

Honestly, people in Thersion were just too much… Ahem.

……

T/N: Both Dephensores and Ysildus is rushing back to their lovers’ side

I’m glad Jeremiah’s mom is still alive