Chapter 174: Side Story 30 

Alexa became aware of the others only after she’d been swept up in the whirlwind rush of emotions from Essellia and Carlisle. Her heart had been filled to the brim, warm, without the slightest emptiness.

Rubbing her nose, which had started to tingle for no reason, Alexa glanced around.

“Huh? Lady Luna…?”

“Alexa. It’s been a while.”

Luna waved and smiled. She was a friend, though not quite just a friend. And standing beside her were Tenail, and…

“…Lord Dephensores?”

Alexa lifted her head in surprise. What was he doing here?

“Lord Dephensores? Just call me Dephensores, Alexandria.”

Alexa faltered. Dephensores parted his lips but said nothing. With a sigh, he ran a hand down his face. Where was he supposed to begin? Even someone as shameless as Dephensores found it difficult to speak now.

They had met again at the end of a long misunderstanding. All of it had stemmed from Dephensores’ emotional misjudgment. He raked his hand through his hair.

He had thought he knew enough about Alexandria. But in hindsight, he had known nothing. On what basis had he assumed she would betray him? Even though he knew the kind of person she was.

If he’d only thought a little more, he would have realized it was all a misunderstanding.

“…Alexandria.”

This time, Alexa spoke first.

“Please, just call me Alexa.”

Dephensores glanced sideways at her.

“…Why? You don’t like ‘Alexandria’?”

“I don’t remember it.”

Alexa replied brightly.

“It’s a past I can’t recall, so ‘Alexa’ feels more comfortable, Lord Dephensores. Also…”

Dephensores stiffened. If she chose to curse him or scorn him the way he had once done to her, he would have no right to protest.

Even if Alexandria didn’t remember anything, Dephensores did. Forgiveness was hers to give. Just because she didn’t remember didn’t mean his actions hadn’t happened.

“Please don’t dwell on everything that’s happened.”

Alexa shrugged nonchalantly.

Everything that had happened, summed up in a single sentence.

Dephensores went completely still. He stared at Alexa, holding his breath. He had never once played the subordinate, but at this moment, he was one through and through. Everyone else looked on in mild surprise at how small he suddenly seemed.

“What’s with the blushing bride act… Doesn’t suit you,” Carlisle muttered with a smirk.

Essellia jabbed him in the side. Carlisle clamped his mouth shut as Dephensores shot him a sharp glare. But when he turned back to Alexa, his expression softened again.

“You say not to dwell on it?”

“I probably don’t remember it because I didn’t hold onto it. Something else must have mattered more.”

Alexa blinked gently.

“What do you mean?”

“Exactly what I said. I like Lady Luna. And you, Lord Dephensores, don’t seem all that bad either.”

There was only warmth in her gaze.

“Who I was in the past probably made those choices because something else was more important. Then I likely let it all go. So please, don’t carry the burden either. You’ve been lonely for so long, haven’t you?”

“Alexa…”

Dephensores let his hand fall limply at his side. If she had yelled or cursed at him, maybe he would’ve felt better.

‘Why is she so kind… and adorable…’

Ha. He sighed deeply.

“Let’s stop talking about the past. It’s all been settled now, hasn’t it? I think it’s better to talk about the future. When you keep revisiting painful stories… I’ve already forgotten them, but you’ll only get hurt, Lord Dephensores.”

Alexa shook her head lightly.

Dephensores covered his mouth with his hand. Somehow, her kindness made him even more embarrassed. He rubbed at the corners of his reddening eyes.

“I’m just really happy right now. So can’t we all be happy together from now on?”

Dephensores bit his lip hard, then let go.

“…If you have a wish, say it.”

“Huh?”

“Any wish, say it. Whatever it is, I’ll make it happen. I may not look like it, but I am a god.”

He boasted unnecessarily.

“W-What?”

“I’ll stand behind you. You know what that means, right? It means the world is now under your feet.”

Alexa gave him a stiff smile.

Uh… what? Did I just conquer the world by accident…? Was that what this meant?

Dephensores repeated himself firmly.

“If someone bothers you, tell me. If you need anything, tell me. Just trust me…”

“Why say something so useless when I’m already here?”

Carlisle cut in. Dephensores let out a dry laugh.

“You clearly don’t get it. Assess the situation properly, Carlisle. I’m her blood family. You’re her in-laws. You get what I’m saying?”

Carlisle bared his teeth. Dephensores bared his right back. Sparks flew between them. The tension made it seem like a fight could break out any second. Alexa could only laugh awkwardly.

‘Is this a parenting story now…? Like one of those where the youngest daughter’s got all the powerful people behind her…’

Alexa shook her head.

Well, not that she minded.

* * *

And just like that, some big shots settled into the Imperial Capital.

These big shots, it must be said, still had perfectly functioning legs, and yet, instead of paying a visit to the esteemed Young Lord, the couple planted themselves right in Alexa’s clinic.

Crossing their legs as they sat, they stared down not only the passing visitors but each of the doctors working inside.

“That one?”

“Sorry?”

“That one, I said.”

Essellia pointed at one of the physicians. Alexa followed her finger and quickly shook her head as she locked eyes with the nervous doctor.

“No! Not them!”

“Then what isn’t it?”

“Sorry?”

“Alexa. I’ve heard the whole story, you know.”

“…You have?”

Who was the snitch with the loose lips? Alexa swallowed hard. Of course, there was one very obvious suspect. None other than Terrun. So that’s why he’d been oddly absent today.

“It was Terrun, wasn’t it.”

Alexa rubbed her face.

“It’s such a blessing you’ve got someone as honest as Terrun by your side.”

Carlisle, no longer able to contain himself, stood up and cracked his neck from side to side. Watching him, Alexa pressed her palm against her face. This was madness.

But somehow… it felt reassuring.

She lifted her chin high.

See? I told you I’ve got powerful backers too.

* * *

Order had been restored.

Ysildus stood by the window with his arms crossed. He really didn’t like how the people of Thersion had barged in uninvited. 

But aside from that… the way Carlisle and Essellia stirred up the capital was very much to his liking. They’d even flipped the clinic upside down, apparently.

“That’s not bad,” Ysildus said with a sly smile.

It might actually be a good idea to use Carlisle and Essellia to get rid of some of the annoying pests. Ysildus tilted his head.

“Now, who should I get rid of first?”

The Queen? Or Count Jertho?

A delightful dilemma.

If Alexa so much as showed the slightest discomfort, Carlisle would handle everything. And if that meant killing someone, well… no problem.

“How’s the banquet coming along? How many days left?”

“About three, sir.”

“Ah.”

He hadn’t even been paying attention, and yet the time had flown by. Ysildus gave a soft chuckle.

“We’ll need to set aside maybe five seats for the banquet.”

“…Sir?”

The attendant looked startled.

Dephensores, Lunailliah, Tenail… They all needed to get a proper look at the world this time around. And it wouldn’t hurt for Alexa’s side to look solid and influential. Especially since Count Jertho seemed to be preparing quite the performance.

“Is Alexa’s dress ready?”

“Yes, Lord Ysildus.”

Then that’s settled.

Looks like Count Jertho should be the first to go.

* * *

Today was the day Count Jertho had poured a fortune into. The day to choose the new Empress. More precisely, the day he planned to seat his niece on the throne. Count Jertho beamed with satisfaction.

Fortunately, the Ninth Prince had arrived just in time to grace the event with his presence. The turnout was just as extravagant as he’d hoped. This banquet had two main stars: the Ninth Prince and Ysildus.

“Looks like they’re really going to choose the next Empress. With the Ninth Prince recovered, I’m guessing the coronation will be moved up.”

“Seems likely, doesn’t it?”

“They must be planning to place the Empress beside him soon. Count Jertho probably…”

“By the way, is that the Young Lord from Thersion?”

“Nothing wrong with forming ties with Thersion. It’s the dominant power these days. My daughter’s about the right age to marry too…”

But that seat’s already taken. Count Jertho smirked.