I Became the Villain's Trainer-Chapter 57

Chapter 57

Ruella opened the letter. The letter, filled with nothing but whining, soon became a sacrifice on the fireplace. Ruella didn’t want such a weak being.

A being who could do anything with her own hands. And a being who could bring about the downfall of a wolf.

That was what she hoped Selina to be. As the woman adjusted her face, her once smooth features twisted into a grotesque expression. Her eyes, now starkly white, reflected nothing. The woman stared at her reflection in the mirror. With clenched teeth, she searched the vanity with urgent hands and retrieved a small jar of ointment.

At times, the face that had been clawed by the wolves throbbed with pain. The woman slathered the ointment generously on her face. It seemed that the pain subsided only after a stinging sensation spread. She had never forgotten the day she first received this scar.

It had been a rainy day. Strangely, whenever something significant happened in Ruella’s life, it was invariably a rainy day. When Ruella first arrived at the spire. And when she couldn’t resist the nagging of her master and headed for Thersion. It was there that she received this scar on her face.

Even when she escaped Thersion and became the master of the spire. Ruella was inhaling the bitter arsenic. This dreadful spire would never release its hold on her. Had she known it would turn out like this, she might have spared her master’s life and not coveted the spire. The spire was like a living thorny hell.

Even if she escaped the spire, if she did not return within the set time, the pain would flare up. Her master had called it the curse of the spire. The only way to break free from this curse was for Selina to succeed. Even for her clan with red hair and blue eyes, to be freed from the curse.

Ruella chose Selina because of her uniqueness. She had red hair and blue eyes and, at the same time, bore a faint trace of wolf blood. Ruella considered this as what made Selina special.

She had watched over Selina for a long time to confirm if she could lift the curse. Fortunately, Selina knew how to protect her own, had determination, and showed traits of acquiring what she desired.

Not only Selina but Ruella also set her sights on Alexa. However, compared to Selina, Alexa seemed insignificant. With her reddish-brown hair and muted blue eyes, anyone would see Selina as the protagonist and Alexa as the supporting character.

But her expectations were wrong. Alexa entered Thersion’s without anyone’s help and established herself among the wolves. According to Selina’s letter, filled with envy, Alexa seemed to have monopolized all the wolves’ affection.

“Should I have brought Alexa with me?”

Ruella stared at the walls of the spire, which seemed to wriggle somehow. This was the Tower of Traitors, Tenebrae – a prison without bars, created by the wolf god’s method. She wanted to escape from here. At first, she had believed that killing her master would set her free from the tower. But instead of becoming free, she had become Tenebrae’s new guardian spirit, while her master had met his end with a smile of contentment.

Ruella covered the mirror in annoyance.

“I should have chosen the right one.”

Ruella’s face flashed cruelly as she murmured. Now, the only thing Ruella could trust was the greed and desire within Selina.

* * *

Something’s strange. Alexa thought that once Ysildus became human, his obsession with her would disappear. Ysildus only followed Alexa before because he was just a small puppy and needed  a guardian.

But why is this happening? Alexa looked back. Terrun and Ysildus, who had been following her, both stopped.

“… I need to go to the bathroom.”

“Mm.”

“Mm.”

The two nodded in unison, responding as if they were mirrors of each other.

‘What’s going on?’

Alexa hesitated before moving forward. The servants accepted their roles as though it was only natural. Now that Ysildus had become an adult, there should be many responsibilities awaiting him…

He needed to study, make his formal debut in society, and begin training to become the heir. But the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess seemed content to let Ysildus do as he pleased. Terrun, too, stuck close to Alexa, except for the basic training hours.

‘What is this?’

It was really strange. The feeling remained the same even during Alexa’s study time. Ysildus and Terrun lounge comfortably, taking a nap, while Alexa was the only one diligently finishing her homework. The assignment she was working on involved the correlation between incest, ether, and, finally, declining birth rates.

Tomorrow was the day Karrolf was supposed to arrive. As Alexa put aside her sense of unease and focused on finishing her homework, she redoubled her efforts.

Knock, knock –

“Alexa.”

The voice belongs to Essellia.

“Yes.”

Essellia strode in with purpose and, with a warmth rare for a wolf, surveyed the room. She glanced at Alexa, who was studying, and at Ysildus and Terrun, sprawled out in relaxation. Essellia placed a plate in front of Alexa.

“Have a snack while you do this.”

“Thank you.”

“Hurry up.”

Seeing Essellia’s unwavering gaze, as if she wouldn’t look away until Alexa ate, Alexa eventually put down her pen and picked up a cookie. There was something irresistibly compelling about Essellia.

Essellia watched Alexa eating the cookie with an almost artistic appreciation. Feeling the pressure, Alexa hunched her shoulders. She averted her gaze and took a sip of milk mixed with honey that had also been brought. While searching for something to talk about, she noticed the two idle figures who showed no signs of moving.

“But... Your Grace.”

“What is it?”

“Do they not have to study? Ysildus is the Grand Duchy’s heir...”

They’ve been lounging around like a grasshopper for days. Alexa had never seen students so idle, even in Korea. Of course, there were children who gave up on their studies, but even they put effort into something. She had thought the academic zeal in this world was formidable, but now she was worried she might have offended Essellia and was watching her closely.

But Essellia, to her surprise, burst into hearty laughter.

“Don’t worry, Alexa. Those kids are growing well for their age. Wolves grow very quickly at this time of year. They grow taller and bigger every day.”

That much was clear. Especially Terrun, who seemed to have grown nearly 20 centimeters since they first met. It felt like he grew overnight.

“Health comes first. Ysildus will be aware of what needs to be done. When he feels it’s necessary, he’ll start studying.”

In the novel setting, he obviously... Alexa tilted her head in confusion.

“Carlisle and I have taken a long-term view. Wolves have a long life. Besides, Carlisle and I still have a long way to go. I want to leave Ysildus and Terrun to their own devices.”

“Ah...”

Thinking about it, Carlisle and Essellia were still around. There was no need for Ysildus to shoulder the burden of being the Grand Duke at such a young age. The fierce and survival-driven life was no longer Ysildus’ to endure. Alexa nodded, understanding.

“When those kids act too stupid, feel free to teach them a lesson, Alexa.”

“Me...?”

“I think I’m still learning a lot from you.”

Essellia’s gaze shifted to the two lounging figures. The sunlight was reflecting off their pale faces. While innocent Alexa might not notice, Ysildus seemed to be aware... Essellia dismissed the thought with a small shake of her head.

No matter what, Ysildus would never reveal his true instincts and nature to Alexa. The cunning boy seemed to have already figured out what Alexa feared and dreaded.

“Alexa, how are you feeling?”

Essellia lightens the mood.

“I’m fine. Thank you for your concern.”

“What happened that day...”

“I still don’t remember anything.”

Alexa responded with a pout. Essellia shook her head, signaling that there was no need to remember it. Ysildus would likely recall the events of that day clearly. His silence might indicate he had some sort of scheme in mind – just like his father.

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After exchanging a few more words with Alexa, Essellia stood up. She had her own tasks to attend to. As Thersion’s Mistress, she needed to complete preparations for the coming winter.

The first snow had already fallen at the northernmost part of the Thersion fief the day before. Soon, the biting cold would make its way down. Before that, the grain stores needed organizing, and the hunted meat had to be processed and preserved. Alexa saw Essellia off.

“Uhh...”

Alexa had more or less finished the assignment Karlolf had given her. She closed the book and nestled between Ysildus and Terrun. Thanks to the warm wolves, the room was cozy even without a fireplace. Feeling comfortable, Alexa decided to indulge in a nap, now a well-established habit. As soon as she closed her eyes, sleep quickly overcame her.

......

T/N: As long as time allows it, there will be 2-3 advanced Chapters every three days. One advance Chapter will be unlocked every four days.