Chapter 165: Side Story 21

Unlike the lively blacksmith’s forge, the inside of Thersion Castle was serene. Alexa’s departure had left behind a deep silence. Essellia glanced out the window with a glum expression.

“Sigh. I just can’t get used to her being gone.”

“We feel the same way, Your Grace,” the head maid replied in a similarly downcast tone.

Any place Alexa touched always sparkled, but without her, that light had vanished. It was as if Thersion Castle had been swallowed by darkness in an instant.

“When is Alexa coming back?”

“Perhaps she’ll stay a little longer while she’s away?”

“Why?”

Essellia’s mouth dropped open in shock. These few days without Alexa were already hard enough. Was she expected to endure even more?

“Sigh. She mentioned wanting to learn new medical techniques while she’s there. And she’s also concerned about Prince Jeremiah.”

Essellia held her forehead. She swayed like someone who had lost all joy in life. But that afternoon, something happened that shook her out of her gloom.

The wedding dress from the Magic Kingdom arrived sooner than promised. It was the very dress Essellia had been longing to see for months. The moment the head maid confirmed its delivery, she ran straight to Essellia.

Revived with newfound energy, Essellia sprang to her feet. She had wanted to follow Alexa all this time but lacked a proper excuse. Now she had one: Alexa’s wedding dress. After checking its condition, she ran straight to Carlisle.

“Carlisle! Alexa’s wedding dress has arrived.”

“Ahem, has it now? Well, it better be worth every coin we spent.”

“It’ll make her shine more than anything ever has.”

Carlisle gave a satisfied nod. It should only be something worthy of Alexa to grace her wedding day.

“I’ve been thinking. What if we held the wedding in the capital?”

“The capital?”

“Yes. Come on, Carlisle. Even you have to admit that the Artanta Hall in the capital is breathtaking.”

They had lived long lives, developing refined aesthetic senses. Even seasoned wolves had to admit the Artanta Hall, built in the early days of the empire, was a marvel. Constructed entirely of soft pink rose marble, it was a luxurious structure reserved only for those granted imperial approval.

“And not just anyone can get married at Artanta Hall. Doesn’t that make it even more special?”

“Hmm. I suppose.”

Carlisle smiled faintly.

“Then I suppose we have no choice but to head to the capital as well.”

He closed the book in front of him with a sharp snap.

“Time to prepare for…”

Knock knock knock.

There were an unusual number of visitors to Thersion Castle that day. The steward entered the study, his face flushed.

“I was just about to call for you.”

“Actually, I have something to report first, Your Grace.”

Carlisle tilted his head, signaling for him to continue. The steward inhaled deeply, visibly tense. His jaw was stiff with nerves. Essellia narrowed her eyes, watching him closely.

Why is he hesitating so much? What is he about to say?

“S-someone has arrived from the mountains!”

“From the mountains?” 

Carlisle repeated, puzzled. The Thersion mountains were steep and inhospitable, hardly a place where anyone could live.

“L-Lord Dephensores, Lady Luna, and Lord Tenail have arrived!”

The steward’s voice trembled with awe, the kind felt by someone who had just laid eyes on legends come to life.

“They’re looking for Lady Alexa!”

“For Alexa?” Essellia’s brows shot up.

“Bring them to the drawing room immediately.”

“Yes, Your Grace!”

* * *

They could’ve arrived sooner, but Dephensores had delayed them. Transcendent beings who lived eternally had no real sense of time. To them, a whole day passed like an hour, and so they had lingered by the campfire without noticing time slip by.

And so, they had just missed Alexa.

“Alexa has already left?”

“That’s right, Lady Luna,” Essellia answered gently. 

No matter how familiar she might be with them, one had to tread carefully in their presence. Carlisle, too, preferred to avoid them, and today was no different. He had retreated to the Grand Duke’s chambers rather than greet them in the drawing room.

“Hmph. That wasn’t part of the plan,” Luna muttered, glancing at Dephensores.

They had come partly to entrust Tenail, but also because Dephensores wished to see Alexa.

Who would’ve thought Alexa was Alexandria?

Dephensores, who had longed to reunite with a misunderstood and lost friend, looked visibly disappointed.

Seeing their reaction, Essellia carefully spoke up.

“Actually, we were about to head to the capital, where Alexa and Ysildus are.”

“And why is that? The capital isn’t exactly a friendly place for wolves,” Dephensores interjected.

“We’re planning to hold Alexa’s wedding at Artanta Hall.”

“…Wedding?” Dephensores tilted his head.

“Yes, Alexa and Ysildus.”

Dephensores let out a short, incredulous laugh. That brash little brat still wet behind the ears marrying Alexa?

He had known about their relationship, of course, but he hadn’t expected it to reach this point. Apparently, it was more serious than he had assumed.

“Do you think it’s alright for us to attend a friend’s wedding?”

Luna glanced at Dephensores as she asked.

“If you wish to come, by all means. Alexa would be delighted.”

“So you’re heading to the capital now?”

“Yes, Lady Luna.”

“Then we’d like to accompany you on the journey.”

Dephensores said softly. He wanted to personally celebrate the wedding of the friend he could never forget, and atone for the mistakes of the past. He smiled faintly.

Things were escalating far more than he had anticipated.

* * *

“A duel?”

Alexa nodded. She had told Ysildus everything that had happened, except for one detail: that she had overheard what they had said. She knew that if she mentioned that, the ever-combative Ysildus might do something reckless.

“What a pointless thing to do,” Terrun grumbled.

“Exactly. Alexa, I can vouch for your skills.”

Jeremiah, lying down, groaned as he propped himself up. Ysildus pressed him gently back down by the forehead.

“Patients should rest.”

“Thanks for the concern, Ysildus.”

“Who said I was concerned?”

Ysildus bared his teeth, but for once, Jeremiah wasn’t afraid. With Alexa beside him, Terrun stretched out on the rug, and Ysildus seated on the sofa. Everything felt perfect.

It was Jeremiah’s idea of paradise. If every day could be like this, he’d have no more wishes left.

“Oh, Ysildus. You’re just pretending not to care,” Alexa teased, poking his side.

“Well…”

Ysildus gave her a sidelong glance, then reluctantly played along.

“Yeah. I was so worried, I couldn’t even sleep.”

Alexa laughed, calling him a liar.

The four of them were enjoying themselves just like they had in Thersion until Ysildus suddenly broke the peace.

He had a card to play, one that could shatter the tranquility. He’d had plenty of chances before, but had held back out of consideration. He didn’t want to worsen Jeremiah’s already fragile condition, especially with his internal organs damaged from the poison.

“Ahem.”

Ysildus cleared his throat to draw their attention. Terrun turned his head toward him.

“Jeremiah. Since you’re feeling better, I thought I’d give you a present.”

“From you?”

Jeremiah blinked in disbelief. That kind of thoughtful gesture… from Ysildus?

Had it been Alexa, it wouldn’t have been surprising. But from him? That was shocking. Ysildus smiled faintly and nodded.

“Of course there should be a gift. You’ve come all the way to the capital. And you’re finally becoming Emperor, aren’t you?”

He raised his brows meaningfully.

Something felt off.

Ysildus only ever wore that expression when… 

“Your mother is alive, Jeremiah.”

The revelation made Jeremiah sit bolt upright.

“The Queen… she’s alive, Jeremiah.”

His face contorted. Alexa rushed to support him as he coughed violently, but even then, he refused to lie back down.

“You’re saying… my mother… That can’t be…”

“You’ll hear the details from Violeta.”

“Where is she?”

“She’s in the capital. Apparently, the Emperor really believed in that whole ‘darkness beneath the lamp’ thing.”

Ysildus’ lips curled into a crescent. 

‘There’s no way he’s doing this out of kindness.’

Terrun narrowed his eyes. As always, his instincts were correct.

He might have wrapped it as a gift for Jeremiah…

…but it was just as much for Ysildus himself.

He hoped this would finally sever Jeremiah’s obsessive attachments. Especially to Alexa.