Chapter 163: Side Story 19

Violeta welcomed Ysildus’s group with genuine joy. At long last, she could cast off the ill-fitting robes she’d been forced to wear. And Ysildus had brought along the adorable Alexa and the beloved Terrun.

Violeta opened her arms and embraced Terrun, then swept Alexa into a hug. But when her gaze landed on Ysildus, she hesitated. He was staring at her with the same cold, glacial expression he always wore.

It had been foolish of her to expect any sort of human reaction from him. With a strained smile, Violeta stepped back.

“Was the journey difficult? I heard Prince Jeremiah went through quite an ordeal.”

“Thankfully, Jeremiah’s alright. He’s fast asleep right now. Have you been well, Lady Violeta?”

Alexa truly was the light and salt of Thersion, the lantern that lit up the dark. Violeta felt her heart brighten as she quickly took Alexa’s hand.

“Of course, Alexa! I’ve been well. Things were hectic and it was hard to adjust at first, but you know me. I pulled through like a pro.”

“Oh my. That’s exactly what I’d expect from you, Lady Violeta. You must’ve gone through a lot.”

Alexa blushed as she spoke, then gently channeled magic through their clasped hands. It was a spell meant to rejuvenate the clearly exhausted Violeta. Violeta felt a clear, sweet energy seep into her being. All the fatigue she’d accumulated seemed to melt away.

“Alexa…”

Where in the world had this precious child come from? She was far too good for someone like Ysildus. Violeta glared at him for no reason and muttered under her breath.

“You better treat her right.”

Ysildus only offered a smug smile, as if to say obviously. That infuriating look made Violeta click her tongue.

“We need to move Prince Jeremiah first,” a servant interjected into the touching reunion.

Jeremiah was now one of the most prominent candidates for the imperial throne. Assessing his condition was top priority, the fate of Temperchi hinged on him.

“Ah!”

Alexa nodded in agreement. The servant carefully lifted Jeremiah out of the carriage.

“Are you alright?” 

Violeta asked softly, seeing how pale he looked. Jeremiah managed a faint smile.

“Thank you for your concern.”

His fading voice made Violeta sigh and cluck her tongue.

“Humans, honestly.”

She gestured sharply.

“Hurry and get him treated. I assume you’ve kept the imperial physicians on standby?”

“Yes, Lady Violeta!”

The human attendants bowed quickly. Even the slightest mistake would earn them Violeta’s wrath, and no one wanted to see that.

“Jeremiah. Eat well and rest plenty, and you’ll recover in no time. You can overcome any poison with sheer willpower.”

“Thank you.”

Violeta patted Jeremiah’s back reassuringly. Ysildus watched the gesture with veiled irritation.

‘Who do you think brought this on in the first place?’

He had already uncovered the truth behind everything. Relentless tracking, like wolves following the scent of human rot, had finally led them to the man behind it all, who confessed everything. It had started with Count Jertho of the capital. His goal had been to kill Jeremiah and install a new imperial candidate.

But Jeremiah had seen through it all. He’d swapped the poison Count Jertho had prepared with something harmless. Rather than dying, he had turned the assassination attempt to his own advantage.

‘What a sly little fox…’

Ysildus swept his hair back with a frown. Alexa, noticing his expression, asked carefully, “Ysildus, are you feeling unwell?”

“Of course not.”

“You don’t look good. If something’s bothering you, you can tell me!”

Alexa said it with cheerful determination.

“I studied hard under my teachers! If you’re hurt, I can heal you.”

Ysildus bit the inside of his cheek. How could someone be so lovely? Alexa’s pure-hearted concern made him feel lighter, even though she had no idea what he was really thinking.

Everything felt extraordinary when he was with Alexa.

And Ysildus knew thousands of ways to catch her attention. It wasn’t for nothing that he read and studied so diligently. When it came to Alexa, he was a model student with top marks in enthusiasm and creativity. <How to Be the Perfect Younger Boyfriend> was a book he still reread regularly.

“To be honest… I think I got motion sickness, Alexa.”

The discomfort he felt over Jeremiah was masked as a minor ailment.

“I guess I’m not used to traveling by carriage. After riding for days, my stomach’s not feeling great.”

He pressed a hand to his forehead.

“What? Do you have a headache too?”

Alexa immediately looped her arm through his with concern.

“Lean on me. I’ll help you walk. Once we get you some medicine, you’ll feel a lot better.”

Ysildus leaned on her ever so lightly, just enough to look pitiful, never enough to burden her. He was careful, knowing that Alexa was smaller, more delicate, and not as physically strong as the others. Draping an arm over her shoulder, he feigned weakness like a pro… only to lock eyes with Terrun.

‘What are you looking at?’

Baring his sharp white fangs, Ysildus shot Terrun a pointed glare. Terrun let out a disbelieving laugh.

“That-that-that fox-faced b*st*rd. Where did something like that even come from?”

He’s an embarrassment to all wolves!!

Terrun swallowed his outrage.

* * *

The news of Prince Jeremiah’s safe arrival reached Count Jertho as well. It meant the boy had survived the long journey and defeated the poison.

“Talk about luck.”

There were rumors that a renowned doctor resided in Thersion. It seemed those rumors were true.

It was a doctor named Karrolf who had laid the foundation for medicine in Temperchi. That was hundreds of years ago. Now, another doctor with the same name was said to live in Thersion. Apparently, he even shared the same surname. He must have inherited not just the name, but the medical skill of his famed predecessor.

People had once said the original Karrolf could bring back the dead. It was entirely possible he’d neutralized Jeremiah’s poison. Or… perhaps the real problem was that Prince Jeremiah was far more cunning than expected.

“Sigh. Have the fools been dealt with?”

“Yes, Count.”

“Then I’ll go to the capital tomorrow. We have to act before Jeremiah fully recovers. A man’s body is weakest when his spirit falters.”

“Um, well…”

“What is it?”

“Thersion has shut the gates to the imperial city. They announced that no one will be allowed entry until Prince Jeremiah recovers.”

“What?”

Count Jertho shot up from his seat, fury twisting his face.

“They think they can do whatever they want!”

“A large number of Thersion knights have already arrived. The capital is swarming with men bearing their crest…”

“Are they trying to take over the empire?!”

Jertho slammed his cane against the floor. Thersion’s insolence knew no bounds.

“To think they’d block me, Count Jertho, from entering the palace!”

“…I’m sorry, but yes, that’s the case.”

So Thersion feared nothing now. Count Jertho’s lips curled into a grotesque sneer.

“If that’s how they want to play it, I’ll respond in kind. Prepare a banquet.”

“Pardon?”

“Spread the word that we’ll be selecting a candidate for Empress. Make sure the news reaches not just Temperchi, but other countries too. Send telegrams, and get the rumor circulating fast!”

“Yes, sir!”

The advisor didn’t know what his master was planning, but it wasn’t his place to question. He would simply obey.

Such a rumor would prompt foreign nations to send potential brides. After all, marriage alliances were the most powerful form of diplomacy. If one of their daughters bore Temperchi’s heir, their family would gain influence over the empire’s future.

Jertho was about to ignite a spark beneath the matter everyone was already watching closely. No matter how stubborn Thersion was, they’d have no choice but to open their gates.

“Oh, and bring the two girls in.”

“Yes, Count.”

The advisor opened the door, and two young girls from the Jertho family entered, both impeccably mannered and thoroughly trained. Count Jertho studied them carefully. They were among the most promising within the family. Even the niece sent by his wife’s side of the family pleased him greatly.

“I intend to present you both at the banquet. Are you prepared?”

“Yes, Count.”

“Yes, Granduncle.”

“If you do exactly as you’re told, you will rise to the highest ranks of the empire. I have faith in you.”

“We’ll do our best.”

The girls smiled sweetly.

A new storm was gathering on the horizon.

Count Jertho was particularly curious about how that country girl from Thersion would react. From what he’d heard, she was a commoner who’d been adopted by the Eneroff family.

‘There’s no way our girls would lose to someone like that.’

I’ll seize control of Thersion. With that dream swelling in his chest, Count Jertho smiled.

This upcoming banquet would be the perfect first step toward making that dream come true.