I Became the Villain's Trainer-Chapter 70

Chapter 70

Alexa’s gaze swept over the snow-covered ground, where blood trickled down from the wolves’ paws.

“They must have returned from hunting! Will we be having fresh meat for dinner tonight? Something other than jerky, I hope,” Selina murmured excitedly.

Ah, I guess that’s it, Alexa thought, stepping forward with determination. It’s been two years since she ended up in the wolves’ den. This was nothing.

“Your Grace!”

Alexa called out, raising her voice to get Essellia’s attention. Essellia turned towards Alexa, her porcelain-like face pale, with splashes of red on her cheek.

“…Alexa?”

Essellia’s expression wavered as she quickly moved towards Alexa, shielding the scene behind her. But it was too late; Alexa had already seen it, the wolves’ movement revealing what lay behind.

“I guess... it wasn’t a beast,” Selina whispered.

And she was right. The one hunted by the wolves this time wasn’t an animal but a human. Blood still oozed from the mouth of an unknown man whose neck had twisted unnaturally to the side. Alexa involuntarily took a step back, her face turning pale. Essellia sighed and caught her.

“Alexa, are you frightened?”

Essellia’s voice was gentle, but her eyes still bore traces of murderous intent. Alexa quickly shook her head. This is a fantasy world based on the medieval era. And this place is Thersion. It’s not a land for humans but for wolves, Alexa reminded herself.

Essellia observed Alexa and stifled a sigh. Of all times for this to happen. Fortunately, Alexa was a bright and perceptive child. If explained, she would understand and accept the situation. Essellia knelt down to meet Alexa’s eyes.

“Alexa, this is nothing. That man was merely caught trying to climb over the walls of Thersion,” Essellia explained softly.

Recently, mercenaries have been particularly aggressive. The Imperial Family, for whatever reason, had been sending assassins continuously, which had made Carlisle and Visten especially vigilant. There was no need to investigate the source; those who crossed the wall were to be killed on sight. They were about to dispose of the body by burning it after confirming his identity when Alexa stumbled upon the scene.

“Alexa, this is something that must be done for safety–”

“I understand, Your Grace,” Alexa interrupted, shaking her head gently. “There’s no need to look so troubled. I’m not a child,” Alexa reassured.

This is a place where killing a person is as easy as swatting a fly, Alexa reminded herself once more. When in Rome, do as the Romans do. This was something Alexa had to adapt to. Even if this were not Thersion but a human kingdom, those attempting to climb over the walls would not have been left alone.

“Alexa.”

“That person was in the wrong.”

Essellia looked at Alexa intently, then removed her gloves, revealing her white hands beneath, stained with blood. With her marble-like hands, Essellia caressed Alexa’s face.

“Shhh... Don’t be scared, Alexa.”

It was only then that Alexa realized she was indeed scared. Essellia’s face softened with tenderness as she frowned slightly.

“Nothing will happen to you. I promise.”

Alexa nodded vigorously. Seeing that Alexa was gradually calming down, Essellia let out a sigh of relief, her smile returning.

“What brought you here, Alexa? To come out in this cold weather,” Essellia asked, her gaze briefly resting on Selina, who quickly hid behind Alexa under the weight of Essellia’s chilly stare.

“I wanted to ask you a favor.”

“Go on.”

“Are there any reading clubs or gatherings in Thersion?”

“Ah, so you want to spend time with girls your age? Now that you mention it, you’re at that age,” Essellia nodded thoughtfully.

Alexa had always been a bit mature for her age. Essellia gently patted Alexa’s head.

“There are plenty of social gatherings.”

Essellia said, already considering forming a new reading club for Alexa. It would need to be composed of girls who were sociable but not threatening, and they certainly couldn’t look down on Alexa.

‘Before that, I should give Alexa a title,’ Essellia thought.

She hesitated at the idea of giving Alexa Thersion’s surname because of Ysildus. And yet, the children were too young to marry… Surely, there must be a vassal willing to adopt Alexa as a daughter. With these thoughts, Essellia smiled warmly.

“I’ll look into it and see if I can get you in a suitable group.”

“Thank you!”

“But you’ll need to learn how to dance to attend social gatherings.”

“Dance?”

Alexa’s eyes widened, clearly not having considered that aspect.

“Yes, dance. It’s the highlight of social events. You’ll be turning seventeen soon, aren’t you?”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

“That’s perfect. In the Empire, they host debutante balls for young ladies turning seventeen. Is your birthday in spring?”

“Yes… In May!”

As she answered Essellia’s questions one by one, Alexa’s face grew increasingly uneasy. Essellia seemed excited, but why did Alexa feel so anxious? Alexa forced a smile.

“There’s plenty of time. Alexa, let’s prepare for your debutante ball. I’ll need to check if Countess Eneroff has time. She’s the best chaperone in Thersion.”

“A chaperone?”

“A chaperone is a person who trains young ladies preparing for their debut. Many line up a year in advance for Countess Eneroff’s lessons. But for you, she’ll make an exception. You’re taking etiquette lessons already, right?”

“Yes. Twice a week.”

Alexa pursed her lips. All she wanted was to make friends her own age, but now she had a lot more on her plate: a chaperone, a debutante ball, dance lessons… Alexa stared blankly at Essellia. How could she forget that this was a noble household?

“Alright. I’ll write a letter to Countess Eneroff,” Essellia said with a bright smile.

Alexa hesitantly asked, “I’ve never danced before… Is it difficult?”

Essellia burst into a hearty laugh.

“There’s nothing easy in this world. But Alexa, if you have a sense of rhythm, it won’t be that hard.”

Oh no. Alexa despaired. Han Yu-hee had not a speck of musical talent.

* * *

“Why are you sending mercenaries from elsewhere? Even paying for them yourself?”

Girion asked the scruffy-haired man. They were staying in a village near Thersion, at an inn run by a middle-aged woman who seemed to constantly complain about a particular child.

“Anyway. Where has Alexa gone this time? That ungrateful brat.”

Despite her grumbling, she seemed to miss the child, judging by the wistful look on her face.

“Bring us some beer.”

Girion called out to the innkeeper, then turned back to the scruffy-haired man, who let out a faint sigh while surveying the inn. Giron was determined to get an answer before letting this go.

New novel 𝓬hapters are published on freёwebnoѵel.com.

“I need to assess their strength. No one knows the skill level of the mercenaries we’ve sent better than I do. How long it takes them to be discovered, how quickly they get caught and killed – I’m calculating all of that.”

“I heard there will be a festival in Thersion,” Girion asked casually.

The scruffy-haired man remained silent, putting Girion in a difficult position with nothing to report back to the Emperor, who was constantly pestering him about when that damned Thersion would finally be brought to its knees.

“Thersion is too closed off to allow outsiders in, even for a festival.”

“Then are you planning something for another day?”

“No, it has to be that day. It’s when their forces will be most scattered.”

What the hell is he talking about? Girion frowned. Communicating with the scruffy-haired man was always a challenge. His thinking seemed so different from that of ordinary people. The mercenary group had stressed that he was of mixed blood, with both Red Hair Clan and Thersion lineage, but Girion couldn’t understand why that mattered.

“We’ve been paid, so this mission must succeed. Got it?”

“You can trust me. If not, I won’t make it out alive.”

The corners of the scruffy-haired man’s lips curled under his disheveled hair. He had dyed his red hair a dark brown on the way here, making his appearance even more unkempt. Watching him, Girion recalled the Emperor’s orders.

The Emperor had concluded that Thersion had no future. He secretly instructed Girion to kill the wolves, claiming that the people of Thersion were cursed to spend their childhoods in the form of wolves.

Girion had only shared this information with the scruffy-haired man. And once the mission was complete, the scruffy-haired man would also meet his end at Girion’s hands, as the Emperor wanted no secrets of Thersion to leak out.

So money wasn’t the issue. The important thing was to complete the mission. The scruffy-haired man’s gaze turned toward the castle of Thersion.