Chapter 98
The fact that Terrun and Ysildus have accepted Jeremiah suggests that they’re up to something. Those two, with their exclusivity, would never acknowledge him without a hidden agenda. Alexa might see Terrun and Ysildus as innocent and adorable, but Selina was different. She knew their true nature all too well. As a wolf herself, she instinctively understood what was going on.
Hadn’t she seen them baring their teeth and growling behind Alexa’s back more than once? She had even faced death threats from Terrun herself.
Selina brushed her cool neck, feeling a chill. These thoughts were causing her to drift. Why bother with Alexa’s dangerous position when it would be easier to ride along with Jeremiah and become the protagonist of a new fate? A sly smile crept across her lips.
* * *
After spending the morning wandering around the city and practicing her dancing, Alexa was utterly exhausted. She collapsed onto the couch, gasping for breath, while Terrun and Ysildus looked at her with worried expressions.
“You’re too weak.”
“Exactly. Alexa’s too weak. Maybe the supplements aren’t working. Maybe we should change her doctor,” they said in turn.
Alexa opened her mouth to protest. She wanted to explain that this was normal, but today, she had an unusual amount of courage, likely due to the presence of another human – Prince Jeremiah.
She was convinced Jeremiah would take her side. After all, unlike Terrun and Ysildus, he had always lived among humans.
“Jeremiah,” she called out to him with familiarity. Startled, Jeremiah’s eyes widened.
“Why?”
“Why are you so surprised?”
“I didn’t expect you to call me. But why did you?”
“Well, why wouldn’t I?”
“Why... would you?”
“We’re friends, aren’t we? And as friends, I can call you, can’t I? Anyway, Jeremiah, do you think I’m weak too? Isn’t my stamina pretty normal?”
Alexa spoke with frustration. She had been treated as abnormal in this strange land, even Jane seemed to have been swayed by the people here, siding with the Head Maid. Alexa couldn’t help but feel unfairly judged.
‘Ah, that’s what this is about,’ Jeremiah thought, smiling. He finally understood why Alexa had called him. The people of Thersion were certainly overprotective of her. He had assumed Alexa found it normal, but evidently not.
For Jeremiah, building a relationship with Alexa had become something more delicate yet unavoidable – like a task he had to complete. After all, as long as he was ‘close’ to her, Terrun, Ysildus, and the other wolves wouldn’t harm him. He had figured that out through careful observation.
His report to the Emperor had left out any mention of Alexa, which was possible since no one traveling with Jeremiah knew the significance of Alexa in Thersion. Now that he had joined the wolves, he needed a safety net, and Alexa had become both a curiosity and that net.
“I don’t know. I’m not tired either,”
“What? Isn’t that because you’ve been trained?”
“How about you train in swordsmanship too, Alexa?”
“No way.”
“No, absolutely not.”
Terrun and Ysildus stepped forward, baring their teeth, blocking Alexa’s path. She pushed them aside and shook her head.
“I have no talent for it, so I’ve been learning magic lately,” she said.
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“Really?”
That’s great.
“Do you think I could join in on magic lessons too?”
“Magic lessons?”
“Yeah.”
Terrun and Ysildus glared at him sharply, but he persisted. Every word and step he took now were paving the way for his future. If he truly grew close to Alexa and won her over, Thersion could be within his grasp.
“I know a bit of magic already. Learning together would be more fun. I’ll ask Grand Duchess Essellia if I can join.”
“Mm... That’s not a bad idea,” Alexa agreed.
She blushed, feeling embarrassed by how Brillia always treated her like a genius. Maybe if Jeremiah joined, Alexa would finally be seen as an ordinary girl. Nodding, she gave her consent.
Jeremiah, if the story played out as it should, would become an ally to Terrun and Ysildus in the future. He was even destined to assassinate the Emperor, after breaking a contract.
Learning magic might prove useful for the role he was destined to play. The moment where Terrun and Ysildus would have to turn back from war was approaching, and Jeremiah could feel the mixture of fear and anticipation that accompanied it. Alexa had already come to terms with the fact that Terrun, Ysildus, and Thersion had become inextricable parts of her life.
Their fate was now hers as well. She hoped that Terrun and Ysildus would achieve their goals unscathed. Though she hadn’t finished the novel, she wanted them to live happily ever after. To that end, she was ready to support them.
“Alright,” Jeremiah said, satisfied.
Meanwhile, Ysildus, who had been observing the sudden shift in conversation, buried his face in Alexa’s lap in an obvious attempt to gain her attention. With a soft voice, he whispered:
“Why don’t I have magical talent?”
“Huh?”
“I can’t do magic, so I can’t attend classes with Alexa.”
Jeremiah frowned at Ysildus’ antics.
“Unbelievable...,” he muttered to himself before quickly closing his mouth.
He couldn’t afford to forget what Ysildus was, despite his playful behavior. Just earlier in the city, he had seen the true nature of Terrun and Ysildus.
[‘Terrun mentioned going to a bookstore. Don’t you have anywhere to go?’] He had asked, his tone laced with thinly veiled threat.
What place would Jeremiah have to visit in Thersion, a place completely foreign to him? Clearly, staying close to Alexa was his best option for survival. But watching Ysildus smirk, Jeremiah quickly realized that such a response wouldn’t be enough. So, he came up with an absurd reply:
[‘I’ll follow Terrun to the bookstore to keep an eye on him. Haha!’]
Ysildus had laughed, as though Jeremiah had answered correctly. This was a lesson he needed to remember: Ysildus was no gentle wolf.
As Ysildus continued his antics, Jeremiah reminded himself that he had to tread carefully.
“Ysildus, just because you can’t learn magic with me doesn’t mean we’re any less close.”
“But I could be pushed aside from being your closest friend...”
“No way! Ysildus!”
“Then promise me, Alexa. Promise that you’ll always think of me.”
“Huh?”
“When I was just a wolf pup, I remembered you. Now it’s your turn to keep your promise.”
Ysildus said as he lifted her hand and kissed her fingers, a gesture that felt almost sacred thanks to his appearance. Jeremiah and Terrun could only watch as the scene unfolded.
“Well, I guess so.”
“You’ll always think of me, right?”
“Alright, I promise!”
Alexa said, falling once again into Ysildus’ trap. Both Terrun and Jeremiah let out resigned laughs. No matter how clever a human or how skilled a bear, there was no defeating the fox in a wolf’s skin. Terrun quickly jumped in.
“Alexa, what about me? Will you think of me too?”
“Of course... I promise!” Alexa exclaimed.
Jeremiah, sensing that things were getting out of hand, quickly interjected. He couldn’t bear the thought of being completely sidelined.
“And what about me, Alexa? We’re going to attend magic classes together. We’re friends too, right?”
“Of course, Jeremiah!” she replied, smiling.
Ysildus, content, leaned back with a satisfied expression. The bizarre standoff continued until the Head Maid came to fetch Alexa for her evening bath. She left to wash up before dinner, leaving behind an empty teacup and three lingering figures. Ysildus immediately took her seat and crossed his legs.
“So, Jeremiah.”
Jeremiah gulped.
“Since when did you and Alexa become ‘friends’?” Ysildus asked. Terrun, who had once been an ally, now betrayed him, siding with Ysildus.
“Yeah! Since when did you become ‘friends’?” Terrun echoed.
Ah, this is driving me crazy.
Jeremiah rubbed his temples, struggling to keep up with the wolves’ rapid shifts in demeanor. Think.
‘How am I going to get out of this?’
It was a situation where, if he wasn’t careful, his soul might get sucked right out of him. Just because Ysildus was smiling didn’t mean it was a friendly one, and just because Terrun looked like a bear didn’t mean he actually was one. With a resigned smile, Jeremiah finally spoke.
“By ‘our relationship,’ I mean just being friends, right? No matter what I do, I can’t wedge myself between the bond you share. The time and memories you’ve built together… those aren’t mine.”
It seems that was the right answer.
“Alright. I’ll let it slide this time.”
Thanks so much, Jeremiah thought sarcastically. Ptui!