Chapter 181: Side Story 37 

A nervous sigh slipped from Alexa’s lips.

What was she supposed to say to Ysildus? This was a proposal.

She fidgeted with the ring in her hand. Never in her life had she imagined spending this much money on a ring. But Ysildus suited extravagance.

So Alexa had chosen a ring with a small diamond, delicately and intricately crafted.

“Hoo… hoo…”

She slapped her cheeks lightly. Just thinking about saying anything to Ysildus made her heart pound uncontrollably. Her throat felt dry, her mind blank.

She began pacing around the room.

“What’s the matter, my lady?”

Startled, Alexa turned her head. She’d been so deep in thought, she forgot she wasn’t alone. One of the maids from Thersion, who had accompanied her, was still in the room… 

… and now watching Alexa with a worried expression, her nose twitching strangely.

Whatever Alexa was thinking about, it didn’t look good.

A maid from Thersion.

Which meant… her mindset was probably similar to the wolves’. This was one of the maids who’d excitedly joined in when they dressed up Ysildus and Terrun in gowns.

“Hey, so…”

“Yes, my lady?”

“When someone proposes in Thersion… what do they usually say?”

“Hm? A proposal?”

Alexa gave an exaggerated nod. Her eyes were practically sparkling with anticipation. The maid thought for a moment before answering.

“It depends on who’s doing the proposing.”

“Really…?”

“If it’s a man, they usually say, ‘I’ll let you live as the strongest and most beautiful wolf’.”

“…Huh?”

Alexa frowned, as if she’d just heard something deeply odd.

“And if it’s a woman, they say, ‘I’ll let you live as the biggest and strongest wolf.’ That’s kind of the default.”

“Ehh?”

That’s a proposal?

Alexa’s lips trembled. Of course, she knew Thersion valued strength above all, being a land of wolves…

“Oh! There’s another version, too. If it’s a woman proposing, she might say, ‘I’ll give birth to a strong and cute wolf.’ That one’s real. My sister heard that and ended up getting married.”

…That’s weird too.

Alexa gave a hollow chuckle.

Thersion really was something else. They said the kind of things Alexa wouldn’t have even imagined, like it was totally normal.

“Ah. There’s also a more trendy version of a proposal.”

“And what’s that…?”

“That one’s for men. ‘I’ll obey you for the rest of my life’.”

…Ruined.

How is that a proposal?! Alexa instinctively took a step back.

Where did things go so wrong? Why was obedience part of this whole proposal scenario?!

“Wolves submit to strong power, right? So the idea is, they’re saying they’ll submit regardless of power. It’s not about strength anymore, it’s about devotion. These days, gentle and well-behaved men are the trend, you know?”

“O-oh, I see…”

Alexa nodded with a completely unconvinced expression.

Sure, Ysildus was kind, but gentle and well-behaved? Not exactly. Not when he practically burrowed into her bedroom every night with that wickedly handsome face.

Of course! Not that it was happening every single night. Compared to Ysildus, Alexa had very little stamina. He was being considerate.

‘They said if you do it once…’

Now she finally understood that old saying: there may be people who’ve never done it, but no one’s done it just once. Truthfully, Alexa also enjoyed those moments with Ysildus.

‘Kya! What am I even thinking!’

Ahem.

She shook her head vigorously. Clearly, the wolves were not helping. Time for a new strategy.

If she said something like ‘I’ll obey you forever’ to Ysildus, she’d probably never leave the bed the next day. She was beginning to understand the real Ysildus now.

‘Just one more time.’

Every time she saw those red lips begging her softly, she couldn’t help but give in. She let out a deep sigh.

“But, my lady…”

“Yeah?”

“Have you noticed you’ve looked a bit pale lately?”

That was because Ysildus kept her up at night…

“And you’ve been eating a lot less.”

“Ah, I’ve just been feeling a little queasy. I’ve had a lot on my mind lately… maybe that’s why.”

Alexa shook her head. The real stress came from the Queen.

“But it’s going to be resolved now. I think I’ll be able to eat well starting tomorrow!”

“I’m glad to hear that… Is there anything you’re craving?”

“Craving…?”

“Since your worries are over, I’ll make sure we prepare a lot of things you’d like. But only if you promise to eat plenty tomorrow.”

Alexa blinked.

Now that she mentioned it, a few dishes did come to mind. Spicy kimchi stew, packed with aged kimchi… or maybe sweet and tangy bibim noodles.

She smacked her lips without realizing it.

“…Kimchi stew.”

“Sorry?”

“Oh no, never mind.”

Alexa shook her head. There was no way they could get that here. Kimchi stew? That was way too Korean.

“I just… want something spicy and tangy.”

“Alright, Lady Alexa.”

She didn’t want to trouble them by asking for something impossible. The people of Thersion would search the whole world if it meant getting her what she wanted.

* * *

Alexa summoned Ysildus to the garden. It was right after dinner. Though Alexa had enjoyed a lively meal with the wolves of Thersion, Ysildus had been so busy, she didn’t even catch a glimpse of him. 

She paced nervously through the garden. The moonlight gently illuminated the shy blossoms just beginning to bloom, creating a mystical atmosphere. It was a beautiful garden, definitely romantic enough for a proposal. She fidgeted with the ring case in her hand.

“What do I even say!”

Her heart felt like it was about to leap out of her chest.

What if Ysildus could hear it thumping this loud?

She continued pacing anxiously. 

“Alexa? Didn’t you say we were going for a walk?”

Ack!!

Ysildus’s sudden voice made Alexa turn around in pure panic, her face drained of color. Her mind went completely blank.

She had rehearsed what to say… but now, all she could do was clasp her hands and mouth wordlessly. She couldn’t remember a thing. Her nostrils flared as nerves overwhelmed her.

If she opened her mouth now, her heart might literally jump out.

“Alexa?”

“G-g-give me your child!!!”

…Seriously?

Alexa blinked in a daze.

Why did it come out like that? Was she… asking for a child now? Wait, is that even possible in this world?

She suddenly found herself questioning the science and technology of this universe. Horrified by her own words, Alexa slapped both hands over her mouth.

Alexa… what the hell did you just do?

Ysildus stared at her, his Alexa, red, white, and blue all over with embarrassment. She really was an adorable little creature. She was practically trying to bury herself in the ground out of shame.

He wanted to savor the moment… but he didn’t want to make her cry.

“Alexa. You want to marry me, right?”

Ysildus spoke up, trying to guide the conversation. From her expression and the overall situation, he could pretty much guess what had happened.

“You were trying to propose, weren’t you?”

Alexa nodded miserably. It was a disaster. Her arms went limp. She sighed and held out the ring case.

“You’re right, Ysildus. I wanted to ask you to marry me. I never imagined I’d end up saying something like that… Let’s just forget the whole thing.”

Ysildus burst into laughter. Even pouting, Alexa was unbearably cute. He looked down at the glittering ring and resisted the urge to pull her into a tight hug.

He held out his hand.

“Go on. Put the ring on me.”

Cursing her completely unromantic self, Alexa slid the ring onto his finger.

“…It’s a little loose.”

She fiddled with it in disappointment. She’d guessed the size and guessed wrong.

Ysildus took the ring meant for her and slipped it onto her finger. Such a ridiculously adorable thing to do.

Clearly, Alexa was trying to kill him with cuteness. He smacked his lips and kissed her on the cheek.

“Resizing a ring is easy. The hard part is finding the courage to do this.”

“But… I totally ruined it.”

“It was the most intense proposal in the world.”

Of course. From a man’s perspective, maybe. Even if Thersion was open-minded and free of prejudice, it couldn’t completely defy nature.

Alexa slumped.

“Well, if I could… I’d give birth to a child for you, too.”

“…Huh?”

“I’ll talk to Dephensores about it.”

“No, no, no!!”

She couldn’t throw the world into chaos over a proposal!

“I have something to confess too, Alexa.”

Ysildus smiled softly. That beautiful smile captured her entire heart.

……

T/N: If Ysildus is given a chance, he would really take the chance to get pregnant and give birth in place of Alexa, and that would be totally hilarious hahahaha