Chapter 169: Side Story 25 

There’s an old saying that goes, ‘Speak of the devil and he shall appear.’

And just like that, Ysildus showed up the moment they began talking about him. 

Alexa pressed a hand against her pounding heart. Their ancestors must have had the gift of foresight… They had clearly left that proverb behind for moments exactly like this.

With an awkward laugh, Alexa quickly shook her head.

“It’s nothing.”

“Nothing, my foot.”

Ysildus naturally rested a hand on Alexa’s shoulder, possessiveness plain in his gesture as he looked around them. Anyone who met Ysildus’s gaze instinctively shrank back and lowered their heads. His gaze finally landed on Terrun.

“Terrun?”

“Mm? Oh. People were just jealous of Alexa. I mean, she’s so pretty and charming.”

“Terrun!!”

Alexa waved her hands in protest.

Terrun pouted. How was I supposed to keep that to myself after seeing that look? Of course, Terrun respected, liked, and loved Alexa, but survival came first. So Terrun started spilling everything.

“One of the kids’ guardians asked Alexa to prescribe some medicine, but it turned out they had already gotten antacids from another doctor! I guess that doctor got offended and started yelling. And… well, that’s what happened!”

Alexa went pale. She would’ve preferred they were just jealous because she was cute. She pressed a hand to her forehead. 

Sure enough, Ysildus was now glaring murderously in the direction Terrun had pointed. The moment Terrun began speaking, the culprits had started flinching and now looked desperate to disappear into the walls.

“I see. So that’s what happened.”

“Stealing patients is unethical, isn’t it?! The medicine could take time to work! How would they even know which one helped?!”

The doctor in question shrieked, clearly determined to win against Ysildus no matter what.

Ysildus responded with a radiant smile. Feeling uneasy, Alexa tugged on Ysildus’s sleeve. She gave a strained smile and shook her head.

“Looks like he’s trying to win with volume since he can’t win with skill.”

“Cough!”

“Ahem!”

“I heard he’s been pulling strings and using his connections to bring in patients.”

Ysildus’s tone remained gentle.

“Is this a clinic or a social club? And he wants to talk about ethics? Hah…”

What a mess. Alexa clicked her tongue. The doctors who’d just been verbally skewered by Ysildus couldn’t even lift their heads, as if their spines had been shattered. She tugged his sleeve again, a silent plea for him to stop.

“We have somewhere to be. Let’s go. Terrun, you too. Clara, please look after Cornelly.”

“Yes, Miss Alexa.”

Leaving Clara, who was on duty today, behind, the three of them stepped out of the infirmary. Alexa cast Terrun a sidelong glance. He had been so talkative a moment ago, but now he was humming to herself and pretending innocence. Alexa gave him a firm smack on the side. Then she turned toward Ysildus.

“Ysildus! I told you not to…!”

“Those kinds of people only bow to power, Alexa.”

“I know that.”

Alexa pouted.

“But I should be the one dealing with that kind of filth.”

“Why?”

“Because I promised to show Alexa only beautiful and happy things.”

Ysildus replied gently.

“Only beautiful and happy things…? But how? I…”

Alexa fell silent, lips pressed tightly together, unsure how to put her feelings into words. How do I even explain this? She didn’t love Ysildus so that he could bear her burdens. Her expression darkened.

A one-sided relationship is bound to wear someone out. She didn’t want to turn Ysildus into that kind of person.

Sensing her thoughts, Ysildus suddenly reached out and took her hand. Her small, delicate fingers rested snugly in his palm. Holding it, only just big enough to fill half his grasp, he spoke sweetly.

“Alexa. I’m telling you this is how I feel. I know that’s not how you feel.”

Alexa stared at him, eyes wide.

“Just do what you want to do.”

“Huh?”

“I’ll always take your side, always do what’s best for you. I’ll take care of every hard and unpleasant task, and if anything like earlier happens again, I’ll be there to protect you.”

“But…?”

“But I won’t cross any lines.”

He lifted her fingers to his lips and kissed them. The soft pressure made her cheeks flush red. His smile brushed against her fingers as she tried to pull her hand back, feeling strangely flustered, but he held her fast. He whispered again.

“I’m not trying to hurt you, or make you suffer.”

“…”

“Honestly, earlier… I wanted to throw those b*st*rds out.”

“You probably wanted to kill them.”

Terrun muttered bitterly. Ysildus’s face stiffened and he bared his teeth at him. Terrun coughed awkwardly.

“I-I suddenly remembered I have a really urgent appointment! Gotta go!”

He bolted.

Ignoring him, Ysildus turned back to Alexa with another dazzling smile. She blinked, her head spinning a little from the sheer intensity of his gaze.

“I wanted to throw them out, but I didn’t. See?”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means I won’t do anything that would upset you.”

“But that’s not it… I wanted to say that I can handle difficult and painful things too.”

“Then that just breaks my heart.”

Ysildus slid his fingers between hers and interlocked them. He kissed the back of her hand, then her wrist, and then, somewhere a little deeper, against her skin.

Alexa’s lips trembled. You seductive devil. Ysildus had a knack for bending the mood entirely to his will.

“Then when I’m having a hard time, Alexa can take care of it for me.”

“What?”

“That’s what it means to be husband and wife, doesn’t it?”

“H-husband and wife?!”

Why now… Why say that now?

“Yeah. Husband and wife. We’re going to be married soon. I’ll handle the tough stuff for you. You just take care of me.”

Ysildus’s eyes curved with a gentle smile. Of course, Alexa would never find out even if anything did happen, but his sweet words completely disarmed her. Alexa nodded.

“I-Is that okay?”

Somehow, this felt even more romantic. Like she had someone fully on her side. She nodded again.

“Alright.”

Ysildus leaned in toward her. He’d been eyeing her every time she flinched, and now, at last… 

He pressed his lips to hers.

Ah.

A glint flickered and vanished from Ysildus’s blue eyes. His arms tightened around her. He parted her lips and slipped inside. Fingers lightly threading through her trembling hair, he drank in her breath.

Only after a long moment did he finally let her go, Alexa panting in his arms. His satisfied smile said it all as he looked at the Alexa he’d just unraveled. With his thumb, he wiped her lips.

“It’s smudged.”

Alexa quickly covered her mouth with her palm. Her face was flushed like a ripe tomato. Unable to hold back, Ysildus leaned in and bit her cheek softly.

If only I could swallow her whole.

The hungry wolf grinned.

* * *

“I didn’t mean to be this late… Cornelly’s sick and currently being treated. I apologize for informing you so late.”

“Is it serious?”

At the maid’s question, Alexa quickly shook her head.

“His leg is broken, but he’s still young and the treatment went well. As long as the bone sets properly, he should be fine. But he’ll have to stay in bed until it heals, and after that, he’ll need rehab.”

“Understood. I’ll head to the infirmary at first light tomorrow.”

“Yes!”

Alexa answered brightly. She had imagined the Queen’s residence would be cold and somber, but it wasn’t. On the contrary, it gave off a warm, inviting feeling.

Without realizing it, Alexa stole a glance deeper inside.

‘Jeremiah’s mother…’

Jeremiah hadn’t said a word about the Queen. He’d simply remained silent, focusing on his recovery. She knew it wasn’t her place to get involved. But still, she was curious. What kind of person was the Queen? Before her thoughts crossed the line, Alexa stepped back.

“Then I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Yes, Miss Alexa.”

The maid closed the door behind her. Alexa turned away, suppressing a lingering sense of regret.

“Are you done?”

“Yeah.”

Ysildus, who had been waiting nearby, held out his hand to her. Alexa took it with a flustered smile. For the moment, the Queen was forgotten. That kiss from earlier still lingered vividly in her mind, tormenting her.

Oh no. All I can think about are his lips.