Chapter 183: Side Story 39 – with illustration 

Alexa pressed her fingers hard against her forehead. Beside her, Ysildus was wearing a bright smile, the kind he wore when everything was going exactly the way he wanted.

Essellia furrowed her brows. When the mood between the two was that different, there was always a reason.

“What’s going on? Alexa, did Ysildus do something? Did he bother you or…”

“Mother.”

Alexa’s voice trembled.

“It’s terrible. Have you heard what Ysildus did?”

“What…?”

Essellia trailed off. Something Ysildus had done? There were quite a few things he’d done behind Alexa’s back. Her heart sank with a heavy thud. Had she found out about his cruelty? Or maybe that he looked down on humans? Just what exactly had he been caught doing?

Tension tightening her chest, Essellia swallowed hard. Everything about Ysildus was filled with potential to hurt Alexa. If she found out that every exception he made applied to her and her alone…

‘That could be frightening,’ Essellia thought.

She had told him to keep himself hidden, to live quietly. Grinding her teeth, Essellia glared at Ysildus. It wasn’t until some time had passed that Alexa finally took a deep breath and spoke.

“He said he imprinted with me! Without even talking to me first.”

“Imprinted?”

“Yes, Mother. He said if I die, he dies too. How does that even make sense?”

Alexa shook her head, her voice thick with tears. No matter how she looked at it, it didn’t make sense. The gap in lifespan between her and Ysildus was massive. And yet he had made that kind of decision on his own?

“That’s what this is about?”

“…What?”

“Oh, Alexa. You gave me quite a scare.”

Essellia’s expression brightened instantly, like a freshly ironed sheet. Only then did she sip her tea in complete composure, her entire demeanor relaxed. Alexa, meanwhile, was left confused. His lifespan had just been cut down to a speck of dust compared to hers, how could she be reacting like this?

Even if Essellia cared deeply for her, wasn’t this kind of decision too reckless to just accept? As Alexa wavered in confusion, Essellia offered an explanation.

“Alexa, wolves live absurdly long lives. Especially the direct descendants. Do you know what that means? It means they have to survive after everyone around them is gone.”

“That’s…”

“That might be the real tragedy, Alexa. I can’t even imagine Ysildus living on alone. He’s not strong enough to endure that kind of loneliness.”

“Mother, even so…”

“The length of a life doesn’t matter, Alexa. What matters is how full and happy that time is.”

Essellia glanced at Ysildus. In truth, she had been surprised by what he’d done, imprinting, of all things. But she understood his choice. Ysildus had no reason to endure a lonely life without Alexa. For him, happiness with her mattered more.

He probably couldn’t stand the thought of sending her off alone. Especially since he carried the intense possessiveness typical of wolves. If Alexa were to die, he might follow right after her without hesitation.

“The length of a life doesn’t matter…? But dying is…”

“An overly long life can become a curse. Some wolves have ended their lives in despair.”

Essellia leaned back in her chair. Though she wore a languid expression, it was clear her thoughts ran deep. Alexa leaned in, listening closely.

“They were the ones who couldn’t endure the dullness of a long life. Some starved to death, others died from loneliness. People say it wasn’t suicide, but what else would you call it? They ended their lives because they couldn’t take it anymore. The endless loneliness. Even I’m not sure I could endure it without Carlisle.”

Alexa’s eyes widened. She had never sensed even a hint of that kind of sentiment from Essellia before.

“In the midst of all that, imagine how much of a gift you must have felt like.”

“Me?”

Alexa pointed to herself.

“Yes, you. And Ysildus, and Terrun, and Jeremiah too. After the once-quiet Grand Duke’s castle filled with your voices, it felt alive again. Alexa, the world really isn’t that complicated. If you can be happy right now, then you’re already lucky. So many people never even find that. If Ysildus made that choice, it means you’re his happiness. So hold on to the happiness right in front of you.”

Alexa turned to look at Ysildus. His face was still the same, calm and composed. His expression didn’t seem to match the gravity of what had just been discussed. That he would end his life because he couldn’t bear the loneliness without her…

“Ysildus… you really feel that way?”

“Feel what?”

“That if I’m not around, you’d be lonely? That life would be dull?”

Ysildus kissed her forehead.

“What did you think all the things I said to you meant, Alexa?”

He gave her hair a gentle tug.

“Ow.”

“Don’t forget. I can’t live without you. I’ve never once imagined a life without you in it.”

Ysildus smiled serenely. Since the moment he was born and became human, Alexa had always been there in his life. That was his blessing. He had met his mate before the emptiness of life could ever settle in. Alexa, being human and living such a short life, probably didn’t understand how extraordinary that was.

She probably didn’t realize how irrelevant imprinting was, or how insignificant the length of his life truly was to him. Ysildus honestly couldn’t understand her hesitation.

Alexa pulled her hair from his fingers. Fidgeting with it, she spoke quietly.

“Same for me. I’ve never imagined a life without you, either. It’s just… I wonder if we’re being too certain about this. There’s still such a long road ahead. Nothing lasts forever, right?”

“Then let’s be the ones to prove that eternal love does exist.”

Ysildus leaned toward her. Within Alexa’s wide, bright blue eyes, Ysildus shimmered. He smiled the most beautiful smile in the world.

“Let’s show everyone that forever can exist. So they can believe in everlasting love.”

“That sounds like something out of a fairytale…”

“Living like a fairytale doesn’t sound so bad.”

Alexa smiled helplessly. She could never win against Ysildus. He always…

…always said just the right thing at just the right time. Alexa gave a small nod.

Like Cinderella and her prince in a storybook, with a storybook ending… 

And a storybook wedding.

* * *

A grand wedding was held, so beautiful, not a single soul could find a word to criticize it. Though not without its share of commotion.

“I’m the bride! I’m the main character today! It’s my wedding, so why is she–?!”

“Please mind your words, Lady.”

Thersion’s maids stepped in to block Jena. Dressed in white from early morning, she had burst in and was now causing chaos.

“Lady Jena,” Essellia said coldly, “Did I ever give you reason to hope for something like this?”

“W-what…?”

Jena stammered, unable to challenge Essellia.

“I asked if I ever said such a thing. When did I ever say I would have you marry Ysildus?”

“B-but… everyone assumed…”

“Everyone? Sounds like your delusion.”

Essellia sighed in exasperation.

“Typical of the uneducated.”

A sharp smirk tugged at the corner of her lips.

“Your Grace, Grand Duchess!”

“I’ve known for some time what kind of nonsense you’ve been spreading about Alexa. I still invited you, thinking it would help you reflect as you watched the preparations. Not so you could make a spectacle of yourself. Lady Jena, why would I ever accept someone as tactless and impolite as you to be the Grand Duchess?”

“B-but… she’s adopted! No one even knows her bloodline!”

“A bloodline that disappears the moment you die is meaningless. At least in Thersion, it is.”

Essellia’s eyes gleamed as she stared Jena down. Fear crept in. It felt as though she were staring down a wolf, sharp fangs grazing her throat, that terrifying, savage glint in Essellia’s eyes.

“You should know better than to speak so carelessly. My children are just as precious as yours.”

With a flick of her hand, Essellia dismissed her. Jena’s tear-smeared makeup was so unsightly it needed to be wiped away as soon as possible. As the maids clamped their hands over Jena’s mouth and dragged her to her feet… 

The doors opened, and in walked Alexa and Ysildus. The perfect bride and groom. Their radiant smiles outshone even the morning sunlight.

Jena, disheveled and held back by maids, stood in stark contrast to Alexa, who was nobly beautiful, her hand in Ysildus’s. The difference was striking.

In this joyous wedding, Jena was nothing more than an unwelcome guest. And the cruelest part of all… 

Alexa didn’t even notice she was there.

T/N: Imagine Jena’s rage, knowing full well she helped with Ysildus and Alexa’s wedding hahahha

Just look at their smile, there’s no space for another person (on another note, Ysildus’ shoulders looks like a massive wall hahahaha)