Chapter 80
Not long ago, a guest staying at the inn was stabbed to death. I think his name was Girion. After his death, the inn was shut down. Since it was close to the Thersion Castle, it was under Thersion’s jurisdiction, and she heard it was by the orders of the Grand Duke. It was a stroke of luck during a time when she had no idea how she was going to make ends meet. Jane flashed a grin as big as a washbasin.
“Great! I will become a maid. I just need to take good care of Lady Alexa, right?”
“Of course, Jane. But first, you’ll have to sign a confidentiality agreement, ensuring that you won’t disclose anything you hear or see in Thersion.”
Essellia placed a document on the table. It already has Essellia’s signature. The document threatened Jane’s life if she was to reveal any secrets. However, the higher the family, the more secrets they are bound to have, and keeping them is expected. As long as the money earned here could cover her daughter’s tuition abroad, nothing else mattered. Essellia pointed to the third clause.
“In return for keeping all this secret, I will sponsor your daughter’s tuition.”
Since Carlisle intended to expand his influence outside, establishing ties with a human like this wasn’t a bad idea. Fortunately, research showed that the innkeeper’s daughter was attending the academy with excellent grades. That meant she could be employed at the Thersion Castle in the capital right after her graduation. This plan was the result of careful calculation.
The Blue Moon Merchant Guild was looking for talent. All of Thersion’s wolves, except Carlisle, were slow in their calculations. They needed to nurture talent to compensate for this. Including the innkeeper’s daughter among such ranks wasn’t difficult. Without further hesitation, the innkeeper stamped her seal on Essellia’s proposal, sealing the contract between them.
“I’ll look forward to our cooperation.”
“I will do my best!”
With that, Jane became a member of Alexa’s followers. She’s also the first human, aside from Alexa, to stay at the Grand Ducal Castle, though Jane didn’t realize the significance of this.
* * *
Karrolf concluded that Alexa’s health had recovered. This meant she was no longer to be treated as a patient on the verge of death. She could now go for walks, read books, and even interfere in Thersion’s affairs, as she had before. Thanks to Alexa, Terrun narrowly avoided his fate, escaping with just a scar on his cheek instead of losing an eye. Though it left a deep gash, the scar would remain.
She heard Violeta laughed at it, saying Terrun looked more manly with the scar. Terrun had been warned by Visten and Violeta, knowing he would be injured, to protect his face first if a fight broke out. There were still many future lessons to be taught, but Visten and Carlisle had locked the door on them…
Fate was moving swiftly. Events were accelerating, and things destined to disappear had vanished. This meant that the arrival of the Ninth Prince, Jeremiah Temperch, at Thersion could also happen sooner. Therefore, Alexa needed to discuss this with others. Karrolf did a final check on Alexa’s ankle.
“You’re fully healed. It should be thanks to the rest you’ve had. But don’t overexert yourself yet, Alexa.”
“Yes, Teacher!”
Thankfully, Karrolf had given up teasing Alexa since it made lessons difficult. Having declared Alexa fully recovered, Karrolf allowed her to resume her studies. At long last, after three weeks, she could attend lessons again. Alexa was overjoyed.
Terrun and Ysildus were dragged off by the knights who had come to fetch them for training and lessons. Unlike Alexa, they were taking proper management lessons along with swordsmanship. Karrolf cleared his throat and asked.
“Have you met Lady Lunailliah?”
“Yes, Teacher!”
“Good. What did you think when you heard Lady Lunailliah’s story?”
“Lady Lunailliah said that, in the end, life converges into one.”
“That’s right.”
“Until now, you’ve taught me about how to distinguish between werewolves and humans... It’s a little bit confusing.”
“What you need to understand is that all life is connected as one. The medicine you learn should be applied without distinction between people or races.”
Karrolf smiled warmly. In his younger, more passionate days, he had followed battlefields, treating both allies and enemies without discrimination. Though he had suffered many hardships because of this, he never regretted it, knowing that all life was equally valuable.
Karrolf practiced what he had learned from Lunailliah. He believed Alexa also needed to establish a proper understanding of life, as a sound value system is the first step to becoming a true doctor.
Karrolf continued with the theory lesson, answering Alexa’s questions and recommending new books for her to read. Teaching Alexa, who eagerly asked questions, was a joy. She gave immediate feedback during lessons, questioning what she had learned. Their exchanges benefited both of them, fostering a true teacher-student relationship.
‘This is what a true teacher and student are like!’
Karrolf thought with a moved expression. The time flew by as they immersed themselves in the lesson. Today was no different. As their lesson ended, they began tidying up.
“What is today’s homework, Teacher?”
“Alexa, this time, your homework is to observe the cells of humans and werewolves. You know it’s different when you see it in person, don’t you agree? There are also many wolves around.”
Karrolf chuckled heartily as he spoke like a wolf.
“I’ll arrange to have a human blood sample sent to you.”
Alexa’s face showed slight unease. The way he boldly claimed this made her think he might procure some random human’s blood.
“I’m also human, Teacher! You could just take my blood.”
“That is absolutely impossible, Alexa! How could I let someone as delicate and fragile like you... I’d be in serious trouble if the Grand Duke found out.”
“But using blood from someone we don’t know...”
“I’ll take care of that.”
Alexa realized something. Though the wolves around her acted kind and gentle, they weren’t truly so. They only pretended to be meek in her presence, doing what they had to behind her back. Well, she had known that much, but seeing him laugh so heartily made it clear…
‘They’ve got a long way to go before they’re human.’
Alexa mused absently. She wondered if Thersion should become more human first before trying to claim the throne. Alexa finished her lesson and, after completing her theory class, headed to the training grounds where Ysildus and Terrun were receiving their swordsmanship training.
“Alexa!”
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Terrun, who had been rolling on the ground, suddenly got up and waved at Alexa. Terrun remained the same over time. According to the wolves’ growth patterns, next year, Terrun would undergo significant growth. After that, she might not see that bright smile of his anymore.
‘I supposed I’d miss it a little.’
In the story, Terrun was portrayed as reserved and stoic. Although Alexa was reshaping and changing the world, could she change someone’s essence? Alexa waved back at Terrun. Shortly after, Ysildus, who had been sparring with Terrun, turned his head. Ysildus had already surpassed Terrun in height. Whatever was going on with his growth plates? Alexa gazed at her legs with a slightly gloomy expression.
Look at those long legs, Alexa. What’s going on here…? It was a bit frustrating. Alexa felt like she had been eating well and getting enough sleep, but her growth seemed to have stalled. Watching those kids sprout up like bean sprouts made her feel a bit of relative deprivation. But then again, what’s the point of worrying? Some things just don’t happen no matter how hard you try. Alexa clicked her tongue and pouted.
“Ysildus!”
Walking slowly, Ysildus grabbed Alexa’s hand. Startled by the sudden touch, Alexa asked Ysildus.
“I thought you were waving for me to hold your hand.”
Then he smiled serenely, his face utterly disarming. It was a smile that could melt Alexa’s heart. She giggled and shook his hand.
“Well, that wasn’t my intention... but whatever. Right?”
Terrun, who had come running, grabbed Alexa’s other hand.
‘This feels like we’re in kindergarten.’
Alexa gently held both of their hands. She reasoned that children might just enjoy holding hands, and decided not to overthink it. It was a stark contrast to how she had reacted when Ysildus held her hand before.
‘I’m a grown-up now.’
Alexa thought proudly and asked the two, “When will you be done?”
“Not yet.”
“Why?”
Ysildus and Terrun responded in turn. Essellia had warned them that if they didn’t stick to their scheduled time, they wouldn’t be allowed into Alexa’s sunroom or bedroom. For Ysildus, though, it was a warning he could easily disregard.