I Became The Villain's Trainer - Chapter 81
Chapter 81
He was the heir to Thersion, possessing enough power to disregard such matters. Simply put, Ysildus was stronger than Essellia.
However, Ysildus chose to obey Essellia. The reason was obvious – because Alexa would have wanted it that way. Alexa, being human, was more comfortable with human customs than with the hierarchy of wolves. He didn’t want to trigger her wariness, as he was infatuated with her. Ysildus flashed a smile, one that resembled Carlisle’s.
“Is there anything you want to do?”
“Should we go out and eat skewers? I got permission.”
Even after the festival ended, the Blue Moon Merchant Guild continued selling skewers in Thersion. They weren’t afraid of the wolves since they weren’t human, and selling skewers was quite profitable. This, too, was something Alexa had changed. The Blue Moon Merchant Guild usually sold beer while acting as information brokers – operating separately, of course. But now, beer has been replaced with skewers.
‘Spicy ones for expensive information, mild for cheap information – is that it?’
Alexa laughed to herself and shook Ysildus and Terrun’s hands.
“We’re going to eat skewers?”
“Of course.”
Ysildus answered succinctly. Then he tightened his grip on Alexa’s hand.
“I want ten,” Terrun answered seriously.
“I want two.”
Alexa smiled and matched his response. She had heard that while she was lying unconscious, Ysildus and Terrun had stayed by her side. Upon hearing this, Alexa felt touched. She couldn’t help but feel a bit sentimental. Was this what it felt like to see well-raised puppies? Though she had never had a child, it felt like she was a parent.
Alexa said, “It’s my treat! Pick whatever you want to eat!”
The people of Thersion were very generous to Alexa, and her wealth continued to grow day by day.
‘Hmm… Come to think of it, how much wealth do I have?’
She thought she might already have enough to open a shop outside of Thersion if she leaves. She decided to check with Visten next time.
* * *
When Alexa returned from her short outing with Terrun and Ysildus, something unexpected was waiting for her.
“Auntie?”
“Lady Alexa!”
Oh no!
At the innkeeper’s call, Alexa took ten steps back, goosebumps rising on her skin. Jane, who usually shouted at her, calling her a lazy girl, was now beaming, addressing her as ‘Lady’. Alexa shook her head with teary eyes.
“Please, just call me Alexa!”
“That can’t be. You’re a Count’s Young Lady.”
Aunt Jane spoke firmly. Alexa knew that there was no way her opinion would be accepted in situations like this. It seemed that people in Thersion became as stubborn as pumpkins whenever she was around.
Resigned, Alexa sighed deeply and said, “Then… do as you please. But what brings you here?”
Despite being scolded daily, she couldn’t help but feel a strange sense of nostalgia, her heart softening.
“I’ve actually started working as a maid here at Thersion Castle. I’m here to serve you!”
“What?”
Alexa looked at the Head Maid standing behind Jane as if to confirm the truth. The Head Maid nodded.
‘What’s going on?’
A human working as a maid in the Grand Duke’s castle in Thersion? It was something she had never imagined. Alexa’s eyes widened. Terrun and Ysildus, who were coming in while eating skewers, were so shocked that they nearly fell over.
Until now, Thersion had never employed humans aside from knights. When Alexa first came to the Grand Duke’s castle, it was expected that she wouldn’t stay long for that reason. As expected, Terrun frowned, holding skewers in both hands.
“What’s going on?”
“What is that, Young Master Terrun? She’s Jane, and she will be working here from now on.”
The Head Maid spoke sternly, glancing between Jane, Alexa, and Terrun to gauge his reaction. But it was Ysildus who noticed her subtlety, not Terrun.
Ysildus smirked mischievously and said to Alexa, “Is she someone you like, Alexa? Then I like her too.”
His voice was sweet, like honey melting away, with no trace of dark intentions or hidden motives. Terrun stared at Ysildus in disbelief.
‘This despicable fox!’
A fox in a wolf’s disguise. As Terrun reeled from shock, Alexa realized that well-raised puppies were worth more than ten puppies. Even when Ysildus was a wolf pup, he would never leave Alexa’s side when she was sad, either snuggling close or staying by her side. Thinking back on Ysildus’s behavior, it wasn’t so strange.
Ysildus was always on Alexa’s side! Moments like these made her question whether she even needed to leave Thersion. Well-raised puppies had a way of softening her heart. Ysildus smiled warmly, offering the skewer in his hand to Alexa.
“Have another one.”
“Thank you, Ysu.”
Alexa knew how significant it was for a dog to share its food with someone else, especially Ysu. Even though she knew he was now a human, it was a deeply emotional moment for Alexa, who had once cradled pup Ysu in her arms. With gratitude, she accepted the skewer. Watching them, Terrun looked gloomily at his own skewer.
‘I could share mine too!’
Terrun quickly held out her skewer to Alexa.
“I’ll give you mine too!”
“No, Terrun should eat more.”
This wasn’t right. Watching Terrun chew slowly with a crestfallen expression, the Head Maid clicked her tongue. How could one wolf be like a fox and the other like a bear? A fox, a bear, and a rabbit – it was quite the sigh-inducing scene. The Head Maid turned to Jane.
“As you can see now…”
“Yes, Head Maid.”
“These children are a bit unique. Please take good care of them.”
“Yes!”
Jane smiled broadly. Regardless, she had no intention of missing out on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Alexa seemed to be doing well. It didn’t seem like she had been sold to a wealthy family to spend her days scrubbing floors. She appeared to be eating well and wearing fine clothes.
She wasn’t just a Count’s Young Lady in name only! Those gathered around were observing Alexa with their own thoughts. Though she was unaware, Alexa had a certain magnetism that drew people in – especially wolves.
* * *
Alexa went to see Visten after dinner that evening. She wanted to put into practice what she had decided during the day.
“You want to know about your wealth?”
“Yes, Baron Visten.”
Alexa nodded, slurping on her chocolate tea.
‘I’m going to get fat if I keep doing this.’
She was eating so well these days that her cheeks seemed to be getting rounder. Alexa briefly drifted into a daydream, touching her cheeks. Meanwhile, Visten was pondering over Alexa’s question. She had suddenly brought up the topic of her wealth, which made Visten reminisce about the past. Alexa had once told him that her dream was to save money and open her own shop or store after entering the Grand Duke’s castle.
‘Even after becoming a Count’s Young Lady, she still…?’
She had also mentioned that she wanted to learn medicine to secure a livelihood in the future. If things didn’t work out, she could at least open a private clinic. If things went well, she could become the resident physician of the Grand Duke’s castle. Both options were, in many ways, unacceptable. Especially because it implied that Alexa still intended to leave the Grand Duke’s castle. As these thoughts raced through Visten’s mind, the images of Ysildus, Terrun, Essellia, and finally, Carlisle flashed before him.
‘Does the Grand Duke know about this…?’
It seemed unlikely. The wolves of Thersion were sincere to Alexa.
If that were the case…
‘Would the Grand Duke be pleased if he knew that Alexa was thinking of leaving…?’
That didn’t seem likely either. He would bet both his hands that Alexa leaving the Grand Duke’s castle would result in a bad outcome for everyone involved. Visten shuddered, feeling a chill run down his spine. He, too, was opposed to Alexa leaving the castle. In the past, he had believed that Alexa would be able to manage well even outside the castle.
But now, he doesn’t think so. Alexa was smaller, weaker, and more precious than he had imagined. Outside, there wouldn’t be a Head Maid to take care of her, no Ysildus or Terrun to protect her. There would be no resident physician or a chef to prepare the desserts she loved, nor the chicken expert Visten had brought from his hometown.
‘Heavens!’
Alexa might starve to death if she went outside!
With a pale face, Visten told Alexa, “No!”
“What?”
Wait, Visten. Visten quickly reined in his thoughts, realizing he needed to think fast. Suddenly telling Alexa ‘no’ wasn’t going to work. She wouldn’t accept it. Alexa was a sharp and pragmatic girl. He needed to approach this matter carefully.
“No. I was thinking about something else for a moment… We should discuss it with the Grand Duke and then sort it out after. I think it’s time for us to draw a new contract.”
“Ahh… I see.”
Alexa agreed, though she didn’t think it was necessary to go to such lengths. Still, it made sense to discuss it with Carlisle, now that Thersion’s Master is present. That allowed Visten to take a breather.
‘We have to find a way to keep Alexa!’
(T/N: After Alexa was hurt, Thersion people will only hold onto Alexa even more haha)
We are currently recruiting. CN/KR/JP Translators/MTLers are welcome!
Discord Server: https://discord.gg/HGaByvmVuw