Chapter 177: Side Story 33 

Alexa shot a glance behind her at Ysildus, then slammed the door shut with a loud bang. Right after that, a strange sound followed.

Click.

Click?

Ysildus let out a small chuckle and reached for the doorknob. But sure enough, it had locked that no matter how much he twisted it, it wouldn’t budge.

“Alexa. Don’t tell me you’re kicking me out?”

“That’s right!”

A sharp voice rang out from inside. Ysildus’s eyebrows twitched.

“Why?”

“Why don’t you go ask Jena to let you stay the night?”

Alexa shouted, cheeks puffed out in a pout.

Sure, she had danced with Terrun too, but she had to stand there all night listening to people say how great Jena and Ysildus looked together. Even though Ysildus had only danced one song with Jena and come right back… the image kept replaying in her mind.

“You’re the one who said you didn’t want to dance with me, Alexa.”

Ysildus leaned against the door, a soft smile on his lips. Seriously, how could someone be this adorable in everything they did? He smacked his lips, recalling the night he had spent with Alexa not long ago.

It must’ve been around this time of night too.

The same kind of night had fallen. Alexa had been nestled in his arms, carrying that sweet scent of hers. Ysildus wanted to relive that moment again tonight.

“Th-that’s because… it looked like you liked dancing with Jena…!”

“What about me, then?”

“Huh?”

Ysildus figured he might as well go for something more this time. Alexa had just pointed out that he danced with Jena… 

So he could return the favor in kind.

“You danced with Jeremiah and Terrun too, didn’t you?”

“T-that’s…”

“No different.”

Alexa swallowed hard.

The voice through the door was calm. Ysildus pointed out something so obvious, so matter-of-factly, that Alexa hadn’t even thought of it.

“So it’s okay for Alexa, but not for me?”

Ugh.

Alexa pressed a hand over her chest. That was textbook hypocrisy! And she didn’t want to be that kind of petty person.

‘I really, really hate it when you dance with Jena.’

Alexa paced the room. How could she flip this situation in her favor?

Wait a minute.

Was it really the same thing with Terrun and Jeremiah as it was with Jena?

“Terrun and Jeremiah don’t even see me as a woman! But Jena does see you as a man!”

Excellent point, Alexa. She patted herself on the back.

“Are you sure about that? About Jeremiah, I mean.”

Ahem! W-what does he know?! Alexa’s eyes darted nervously.

Of course, if Ysildus had told her not to, she wouldn’t have danced with Terrun or Jeremiah. But now she felt a strange urge to push back. They were talking about Jena, so why were Terrun and Jeremiah even being brought up?

“…So you did like dancing with Jena, huh?”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“You do like her, but since I won’t let you get close to her, now you’re bringing up Terrun and Jeremiah…”

Ysildus wiped a hand down his face. He was seconds away from bursting into laughter. But if he laughed now or pushed just a bit more, Alexa might really sulk.

And Ysildus knew exactly how to handle a situation like this.

“I’m telling you I was jealous too, Alexa.”

His voice came through in a gentle whisper.

“I’m saying I wish I were the only one who gets to dance with you.”

“Th-then what about Jena…”

“I’d never say I don’t like you, Alexa. Today… I just wanted you to know how I felt.”

“What…?”

“I wanted you to feel just how jealous I was.”

A smile curled on Ysildus’s lips. The best weapon, after all, was honesty.

No need to be embarrassed over something like this. The sharp-eared wolves might lose sleep over overhearing him, but so what? If these words could win Alexa’s heart, he’d say them a thousand times over.

“That’s why I did it. Lady Jena means nothing.”

Thud!

The door that had been shut swung open. Alexa stood there, cheeks flushed red.

Compared to her flustered expression, Ysildus’s face was infuriatingly calm.

Why did she always have to be the one who got embarrassed?! She cleared her throat awkwardly.

“…I won’t dance with them either. Even if Terrun or Jeremiah ask me, I’ll say no.”

“What about the other guys?”

“Of course not! I don’t even like dancing that much…”

Alexa gave a small, bashful smile.

“So from now on, you’re only allowed to dance with me too.”

“I promise.”

Ysildus stepped through the open door. He leaned toward Alexa and brought his lips to hers, the kiss he’d been craving all this time.

And he whispered, “I only want to do things with you, Alexa. Whatever it is.”

Alexa squeezed her eyes shut.

Why is he so good at kissing…

Once again, it was a night where she fell completely under Ysildus’s spell.

* * *

Jena and Sylvia were convinced they had won Essellia’s favor. They truly believed they could win over Jeremiah and Ysildus. So, as Count Jertho advised, they accepted the offer to enter the palace as Essellia’s attendants.

“It’s an honor to meet you, Your Grace.”

“We’ve long wished to meet you. We’ve heard so much from His Highness the Prince.”

Essellia gave them a faint smile.

Carlisle, Tenail, and the two divine beasts who usually stayed by her side had already run off to avoid the humans. They couldn’t stand the smell, said it was bad enough already and didn’t want to make it worse.

On top of that, Jena and Sylvia seemed to have drenched themselves in makeup and perfume. The overpowering scent was especially harsh on the wolves’ sensitive noses.

“Thank you for coming. I’ve been in need of assistance lately, and I didn’t expect anyone to volunteer like this.”

Essellia gestured to the head maid.

“Bring it.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

With utmost care, the head maid and her staff brought forth a wedding dress. Every flowing layer shimmered with jewels, like the Milky Way had been woven into fabric.

“It was completed in the Magic Kingdom and just arrived. I intend for this to be worn by Ysildus’s bride.”

Essellia pictured Alexa wearing it.

Cute, lively Alexa. How stunning she would look in this dress. She wanted to give her nothing but the best the world had to offer.

Jena, upon seeing the dress, began dreaming another dream of herself in it.

The Grand Duchess had clearly stated that it was meant for Ysildus’s bride. That meant Sylvia had no chance from the start. Jena cast a smug glance at her.

“Are you preparing for a wedding?” Jena asked sweetly.

Pulling out a wedding dress so soon could only mean one thing: the ducal family must’ve gathered here to choose Ysildus’s bride. If she hadn’t caught their attention, there would’ve been no reason to summon her.

That meant she was the chosen one.

“That’s right. I called you here to help prepare for the wedding. The Ninth Prince, Jeremiah, has granted us use of the grand Armadillus Hall in the imperial capital. We must transform it into a magnificent wedding venue. But since I’ve been staying in Thersion, I don’t know much about the capital. That’s where I need your help.”

“I’ll do my very best.”

“I’ll assist with all my heart, Your Grace.”

Though Sylvia pouted, she agreed without resistance. It couldn’t hurt to stay on Essellia’s good side. Besides, she was sure she would be the one getting married at Armadillus Hall.

“Just think of this as a dress rehearsal.”

Essellia looked between the two girls. She could see right through their silly little schemes.

Let them chase after dreams, they would only end up helping her prepare the perfect wedding for Alexa.

Still, since they were noble ladies of the capital, they’d have access to the best florists, gardeners, patisseries… and they’d know the finest musicians and poets.

That was what Essellia wanted.

Let them think they were the clever ones. Essellia stood above them. And Ysildus was even higher. It was a battle of foxes.

These days, Alexa and Ysildus were so sweet together, they were probably giving the wolves cavities. Even Terrun, usually oblivious, had started avoiding the two when they were together.

But if Jena and Sylvia tried to stir up trouble between them…

‘They’ll pay for it.’

Essellia smirked. Their first punishment would be the humiliation of preparing Ysildus and Alexa’s wedding with their own hands.

“When are you thinking of holding the wedding?” Jena asked with an innocent blush.

“Two weeks, at most. I want everything done by then.”

She couldn’t wait for that day to come.

……

T/N: Why are there so many delulus in the world?