CH 42

Gritting his teeth, the Emperor asked the Grand Chamberlain, “How is the Ninth Prince’s preparation going to Thersion?” 

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Have the Ninth Prince killed people?” 

There is a clear difference between a prosecutor who kills people from a prosecutor who doesn’t. Wolves are fearsome as they don’t hesitate to kill. In order to deal with such people, the Ninth Prince must also become a monster. 

Understanding the Emperor’s meaning, the Grand Chamberlain said, “I will call for the death row inmates and work hard on training the Ninth Prince.” 

The Emperor nodded arrogantly. The thought that the Ninth Prince was a young child only 14 years old – he was just a scapegoat to be sacrificed for his purpose. 

(T/N: Poor Jeremiah T_T)

∘₊✧──────✧₊∘

The Grand Duke and the Grand Duchess’ bedroom finally opened. It meant that their personal time was finally over, and the wolves are back to their daily lives now. 

The first thing the Grand Duke did after the door was opened was to find Visten. Wolves follow their instincts first and foremost. He had been confined inside that room for a while because of that instinct and now, he had to figure out what happened to Thersion while he was away. 

The Grand Duke’s sapphire-like eyes shone. He of course knew about the Duchy’s general situation. Carlisle smoked a cigar. A thick cloud of smoke obscured Carlisle’s view. But that didn’t mean that his wolf eyes could be covered. 

It wasn’t long before the door opened, and he heard Visten’s footsteps.

“Your Excellency the Grand Duke. Visten is here at the behest of the Lord.” 

The polite Visten stood upright with Carlisle’s permission. 

“Baron Visten, it has been a while since we’ve met each other like this, right?”

“Yes, Your Excellency.”

“I heard you’ve been taking good care of Thersion. Thersion now had preferably more support than before.” 

“It was all…” 

His words of compliment about Alexa were cut off. Carlisle put his finger on her lips and said ‘shh’. 

“You don’t have to try so hard, Visten. I have to intent of killing that child yet.” The Grand Duke’s lips curled up. “It is until we find out how that little human knows about the future, what the Emperor’s intentions were, and the reason why she saved us.” 

The Grand Duke pressed his cigar against the ashtray. Seeing the embers quickly disappearing, the Grand Duke tapped his lips. 

“Humans easily betray. There was no law that a child wouldn’t do it as well, right? Just as you’ve been doing so far, keep an eye on that child and get information as you need. Who else can I trust beside you?” 

Murderous intent was swirling inside the Grand Duke’s eyes, which were gently bent. 

“Now, I am ready to listen to you. No rhetoric and just facts, understand?” 

“…Yes, Your Excellency.” 

Visten was momentarily taken aback, but he relaxed because Alexa’s neck wasn’t falling off now. 

According to what the Grand Duke wanted, Visten told him honestly what she had done for Thersion. After hearing all the details, the Grand Duke slowly stretched his lips. 

“Looks like that little human is great. Her name was… ah, was it Alexa?” 

It was somehow creepy how he said the child’s name under the guise of kindness. Visten bowed his head even more. This was why I wanted to take out Alexa from here first….

Fortunately, the Grand Duchess is showing favor to Alexa. Among the existing wolves, the only one who could oppose the Grand Duke was Essellia, the Grand Duchess. He was a little reassured that she was showing Alexa favor.

“Yes, Your Excellency.” 

“I will let that child eat breakfast,” the Grand Duke said haughtily. 

It means that he plans to invite Alexa to their table. It also means that Alexa can eat with them anytime. 

Visten swallowed his saliva. Those who can only sit there were the Grand Duke, the Grand Duchess and Ysildus. Violeta, Visten and Terrun only inherited the Grand Duke’s blood – only blood-related from the direct line descendants of the previous generation. But he says he was inviting Alexa to that place, a human being. 

“She’s my son’s master, so shouldn’t I at least do that?” 

It seems that Visten would have an upset stomach even before eating. But Visten had no right to refuse. 

“Open Thersion again and let in those who come and go as before. Kill those human knights if they become a bother before you send them out.” 

Shivers run down his spine. He didn’t say anything about the human knights, but he noticed. The knights were like toys to ease boredom. It was his mistake for underestimating the Grand Duke’s five senses. 

Visten answered him, ““Yes, Your Excellency.” 

“If all those arrogant things from the imperial family keep on coming to this place… we’ll have to think of another way.” 

The Grand Duke looked lost in thought for a moment before he smiled cynically. 

“How is Ysildus? Has he stopped complaining about his food and being grumpy?” 

“Yes, Your Excellency. He often follows Alexa.” 

“Of course, she’s his master.” 

It sounded sarcastic, but his low voice made it hard to guess. 

“Leave Ysildus to Alexa as usual. We don’t know what he will do if we suddenly take her away in front of him.” 

Insignificant and small, Ysildus was after all Carlisle’s son. Besides, didn’t the people say that Ysildus took after Carlisle’s temper? 

Carlisle buried himself in his office chair. Sleepiness starts to creep in his system. 

(T/N: Oh, so they do not sleep during the one week? The stamina hahahahaha)

∘₊✧──────✧₊∘

Finally, a week has passed. The gates of Thersion were once again opened under the Grand Duke’s orders. That means that Karrolf can also go back inside. Alexa could also go out. 

Alexa usually doesn’t pay attention to the outside world. It was because she grew accustomed to her stable life and forgot what situation she was in. Now, I should think of how to live outside now while slowly getting out of here. Alexa thought so. 

And as usual today, even when Alexa was thinking of something else, the maids were making a fuss and dressing up Alexa. 

“We should tie her hair up. Like this.” 

“Is that so? Or why not tie it up at this level and do it like this?” 

“That looks good too.” 

“I like the former better.” 

Alexa’s dress today was pink as the maids said it looks good on her. It was just when the maids were fussing over how to style Alexa’s hair, the door to Alexa’s room opened wide. The maids bowed in surprise and Alexa jumped up. 

“No, you don’t have to stand up.” 

The Grand Duchess shook her head and came in holding something in her hand. The Grand Duchess waved her hand to the maids and greeted Ysildus hovering on her feet. 

“Did you sleep well, my son?”

“Arf!”

Still, Ysildus greeted her in a kind way, probably recognizing her as his mother. 

“It’s been a week, Alexa.” The Grand Duchess spoke softly as she opened the box in her hand. It was filled with accessories for ladies suited for Alexa’s age.  

Alexa’s eyes were wide open. The Grand Duchess looked at Alexa’s usual accessories and frowned. She lifted the box toward Alexa. 

“It’s yours. Try using this. What on earth are these crude things…? Did Visten only buy these?” 

Crude? Alexa’s eyes got bigger. What the Grand Duchess lifted was a necklace made with the finest rubies, but she said it was crude. The Grand Duchess rummaged through her accessories and picked them all, as if she didn’t like it at all. 

“Dispose everything. Visten has always been stingy in spending money.” 

Not at all! Alexa’s eyes were wide open and stared at all the accessories as the maids went out to dispose of them all at once at the Grand Duchess’ words. Those were also bought at very high prices. Of course, the one brought by the Grand Duchess was more valuable, but…. 

“Goodness. Alexa, are you eating properly? Why can I only see your eyes popping out of your face?” 

It’s not… I was just very surprised…. 

Before Alexa could even answer, the Grand Duchess instructed the maids to do this and that. Soon afterwards, a line of snacks with high sugar content came in for Alexa to eat. 

I think I will die of diabetes if I eat all of that….