Chapter 182: Side Story 38 

Ysildus slowly knelt down on one knee.

He had devoured countless books in preparation for today. Essellia had been the strongest supporter and biggest help to the couple that was Ysildus and Alexa. For Ysildus, who was unfamiliar with human ways, she had somehow sourced an enormous number of books from who knows where.

Among them were titles like <Proposals and Marriage>, <How to Propose Like a Beloved Husband>, and <A Proposal That Lasts a Lifetime>.

These were the books Ysildus had recently studied with great focus. The wolves of Thersion and Alexa’s sensibilities were worlds apart. Ysildus wanted Alexa to have everything she deserved. And if that meant studying, then study he would.

The one thing all three books agreed on was this: ‘A proposal is a once-in-a-lifetime memory.’

Humans, it seemed, dreamed of fairy tale-like proposals. Fortunately, the imperial garden was acceptable enough for such an event. There were flowers. There was a ring. And Alexa was beautiful. All that remained was Ysildus’s proposal.

He kissed the back of Alexa’s hand. Then, raising his head to gaze at her, he spoke slowly.

“Alexa. I’m not like you. We think differently, we like different foods, we eat in different amounts. You eat like a bird.”

Excuse you, not true.

Alexa bit down on her lip to stop herself from protesting. Ysildus was doing something for her. Her heart swelled like a balloon full of anticipation. Her heart pounded, this time in a different way.

“But still, I promise you this. I will spend my life trying for you. I’ll never do anything that would make you sad, and I’ll do everything I can to make you happy for a lifetime.”

Alexa savored a single word.

Lifetime.

Alexa’s ‘lifetime’ and Ysildus’s ‘lifetime’ were not the same. They might be madly in love now, but what about after time passed?

“…Even when I become an old lady?”

“Even then.”

“Even if… even if I no longer suit you?”

“That won’t happen. I want to be with you for every remaining moment of your life. Will you allow me that?”

Alexa’s eyes wavered.

She thought about the time she had left. Ysildus still had a long life ahead, but Alexa? She might have seventy years at most. They would live at different speeds. When he said for a lifetime, she couldn’t help but be reminded of that reality.

And along with that thought came another – Luna.

He had said she would eventually be curious about Luna’s story. Told her to come find her anytime. Luna, the one who had crossed into divine realms in a human body.

Alexa’s heart thumped, this time with a different meaning. Now, it really was time to start thinking seriously. Ysildus had just said he wanted to spend every last moment of her life with her.

“I love you, Alexa.”

Ysildus whispered in a languid tone. He slipped the ring he had prepared onto her right hand.

“It’s the oldest and most worn ring I had recut. They say possessing an old gem brings lifelong happiness. My mother gave it to me for you.”

Alexa sniffled.

Everything they had been through flashed before her eyes like a reel of film. Tears flowed, and she couldn’t speak. She had to answer, but tears kept streaming down her face at the thought of a promise to make her happy forever, such a romantic notion, so unlike a Thersion wolf.

Because Ysildus always met her where she was.

He kissed her palm.

“Let me be yours forever.”

A beautiful wolf knelt before Alexa. No one had ever received a proposal like this. It was the kind of vow only someone of Thersion descent could make. And somehow, it made her smile.

“I’ll live for you.”

Alexa gave a firm nod.

“Mm…! Me too. I’ll live for you too, Ysildus.”

It had started out messy, but ended in a perfect proposal.

* * *

“Imprint?”

Ysildus gently caressed Alexa’s back as he held her in his arms.

“Yeah. Wolves have something called an imprint. It’s the process of recognizing a lifelong mate.”

“We did something like that? When?”

“The day I first took on a human form.”

“Oh…!”

Alexa lifted her head from his chest. Ysildus kissed her softly.

“Are you okay?”

At his languid question, Alexa replied, “I think so. We decided to live for each other, didn’t we?”

She spoke with a shy face.

“An imprint, huh… it kind of sounds romantic.”

“If you die, I die too.”

“…What?”

It had sounded romantic… until that. It was like something straight out of a novel. The thrill of the word ‘imprint’ had swept her up for a moment, but then… 

“What do you mean by that???”

Alexa’s eyes flew wide open.

“Exactly what it sounds like. It means our fates are bound.”

Ysildus kissed her fingers.

Even in the deepening mood, Alexa couldn’t stay composed. If I die, he dies?! Their lifespans were so vastly different! She pushed him away and shouted,

“Ysu!! What the hell did you do!!?”

* * *

On both of Alexa’s hands sparkled rings that were clearly for ‘proposal use.’ Anyone could tell just by looking. Yet no one dared ask where the ring came from. It was Thersion business, and when it came to Thersion, it was best not to get involved.

“…So you finally got it?”

Carlisle was an exception.

“That idiot kept his mouth shut the whole time like he took after someone.”

Alexa scratched her cheek.

In truth, she’d heard something even more dramatic than a proposal: the imprint. When she’d shouted at Ysildus, he’d just said, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, ‘I can’t imagine living in a world without you.’ Now she was seriously thinking she needed to see Luna, and soon.

Right after the wedding, at least.

“I’m just glad he finally found his rightful place. Congratulations, Alexa.”

Carlisle smiled in satisfaction. He was relieved that his foolish son wouldn’t be losing Alexa.

“Thank you, Father.”

“So, you’ve finally learned what marriage means.”

“Yes. I really had no idea.”

“Essellia said she couldn’t wait any longer. Said she only came to this foul-smelling capital because of your wedding. Thank you… for coming to us.”

Oh no.

Alexa dabbed at her eyes. To hear words like that from the legendary Carlisle himself…

“Since you came, so much has changed. Alexa, it’s because of you that we are who we are now. You brought the breeze of spring into the cold, fierce land of Thersion. Without you, the wolves of Thersion wouldn’t be as they are today.”

“Father…”

“Always be happy. The strongest, coolest father in the world will protect you.”

Carlisle said with smug pride. Alexa beamed and nodded.

“Yes!”

* * *

Meanwhile… 

Jeremiah kept his promise to Alexa. The only reason he visited the palace where the Queen resided was for Alexa’s sake, so that the Queen could no longer torment her.

He faced the Queen with a hardened expression.

“It’s been a while, Mother.”

They were a mother and son with a long, painful history, both had abandoned each other. Anger, hatred, and guilt twisted in Jeremiah’s chest all at once.

“Jeremiah…! How have you been? Is your injury better? Are you okay now?”

The Queen had never expected to see Jeremiah again, and she spoke in a rush. She had planned to visit Cornelly again today. Hearing about him through Alexa had been enough. But now, how could she possibly face Jeremiah?

“You don’t need to worry, Mother.”

Jeremiah’s tone was cold.

“Just carry on as you always have. Just as you once sent your young son into a living hell.”

“Jeremiah…”

Her hands trembled.

“There’s no need to make that face. You abandoned me. And I abandoned you.”

“Jeremiah, you… you don’t need to hold on to that. You made the right choice. I was weak and pathetic for not being able to protect you. So it’s okay to hate me.”

Jeremiah raked a hand through his hair.

He had known this would happen. He’d known it would make him feel like this. That’s why he hadn’t wanted to come.

“Don’t look at me like that, Mother. Don’t look at me with those eyes…”

It had almost been easier when he thought he was alone in the world. Having blood relatives still alive only left him more conflicted.

“Jeremiah. Even if today is the last time, that’s okay. I just needed to know you were all right. If that’s what you want, I won’t take a single step outside this palace again. So please, don’t make that face…”

Why now?

Jeremiah closed his eyes. She could’ve just pretended not to know. Could’ve just passed him by.

His heart ached.

A bond he couldn’t sever had come back to him.