I Became the Villain's Trainer-Chapter 86

Chapter 86

News spread that the Ninth Prince would be spending spring in Thersion. It took less than a day for the word to reach Alexa, circulating swiftly throughout the city. While soaking in the bath, Alexa overheard the gossip of the maids and bowed her head.

‘Already?’

It was about two years earlier than when this event occurred in the novel – the time when the Ninth Prince would reside here. In the story, he arrives right after Ysildus undergoes his second growth and spends a season with him before departing for war. If the Ninth Prince was arriving now, did that mean his departure would also be moved up? Alexa organized her thoughts.

‘No, that’s not right.’

As much as the Emperor was eager to bring ruin to Thersion, he wouldn’t be reckless enough to send children into battle to face defeat. The Emperor was a figure driven by greed for Temperchi, and he certainly had no knowledge that Ysildus had matured earlier than expected.

The Ninth Prince, Jeremiah, had long been pushed down in the royal succession line due to the lack of a strong backing. His only connection to Thersion was that he was of similar age to Ysildus. Jeremiah had no affection for his father; his devotion was reserved solely for his mother.

However, the Emperor used his mother against him, shaking Jeremiah’s life to its core. When things didn’t go as planned, the Emperor had her killed to set an example for Jeremiah. This act spurred the Ninth Prince to turn his back against the Imperial Family and align himself with Thersion.

‘The Imperial Family offers no solutions. If we do nothing, they will continue to crush Thersion.’

They would greedily snatch everything from Thersion, like persistent weeds. Alexa’s role was to remind Thersion of who the Ninth Prince truly was. The choice and decisions would rest with Carlisle, Essellia, and Ysildus.

Alexa’s thoughts concluded. The protagonists were them, and Alexa had no intention of getting involved in their narrative. The maids whispered amongst themselves as they watched her lost in thought.

“Is she unwell?”

“Not unwell, just deep in thought, it seems.”

“Do you think she’s struggling with her homework?”

“Nonsense. She enjoys studying. It must be the dancing that’s exhausting her! Didn’t she practice again last night?”

“Her dedication is adorable.”

“She doesn’t have to push herself so hard.”

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“Can’t Young Master Ysildus and Young Master Terrun dance in her place?”

The maids shared sympathetic looks. Alexa’s diligent nature was certainly endearing. She had no idea that the maids and servants would gather near the ballroom just to watch her fumble through her dance lessons, awkwardly moving her arms and hesitating on her steps.

[‘She’d be mortified.’]

[‘She even dislikes being called ‘Lady’.’]

So, it remained a secret among the servants.

* * *

After her bath, Alexa changed into a home dress adorned with a large ribbon at the waist. The maids draped a thick robe over her shoulders, hearing that she had something to discuss with Carlisle. Alexa slipped into her pink fur slippers and stepped out into the hallway.

“Where are you going?”

Terrun and Ysildus, having just finished their evening training while Alexa bathed, followed her.

“I’m going to see His Excellency. Ysu, Terrun, would you like to come?”

Terrun and Ysildus exchanged glances before stepping back politely. With a bright smile, Ysildus told Alexa, “Go on ahead. We’ll wait here.”

“We’ll be waiting.”

Terrun repeated Ysildus’ words like a parrot. Neither particularly wanted to accompany her when it came to meeting Carlisle. Carlisle was a powerful figure, and his presence alone was enough to unsettle both Ysildus and Terrun. There was no expectation of fatherly affection from him, and Carlisle didn’t expect it from Ysildus, either. At most, they could act like awkward family members when Alexa was around.

“Why not? His Excellency would be happy to see you. He is your father, after all, Ysu.”

“It’s fine, Alexa. I have a book to read.”

“I have a book to read, too.”

Terrun interjected to divert Alexa’s attention. Suspicious, Alexa glanced between them and, with a hint of curiosity, asked.

“Can I ask... what book you are going to read?”

“<How to Be a Proper Princess>.”

“<Manners for a Lady>.”

They answered in unison. Alexa’s face flushed red, but she had no further argument. After all, during today’s dance lesson, she had trampled on Ysildus’ feet, leaving them bruised and battered.

Alexa often referred to herself as cursed with ‘a lack of talent’. Carlisle, noticing her distress, had once considered abolishing dancing from debutante balls entirely – overturning centuries of tradition. It took Alexa’s desperate pleas to stop him from ruining what could be considered the dream of every girl.

‘But why does he come to watch me dance when he’s so busy?’

Alexa sulked as she walked, wondering if the feeling was akin to performing for parents. The more people watched, the worse she performed. Yet, she didn’t think she’d do much better even without an audience.

She shuffled on, lost in thought. It seemed increasingly inevitable that Ysildus and Terrun would be the ones wearing dresses. Reaching Carlisle’s office, Alexa knew the door was always open for her, so entering was easy.

“Alexa.”

Carlisle greeted her with a languid smile as he rose from his desk to the sofa. Essellia, who was also present, signaled the maid to prepare refreshments for Alexa.

“What’s wrong? Your face says it all.”

Essellia asked warmly, brushing her long fingers gently along Alexa’s cheek.

“It’s nothing... I think I’m just hungry.”

Alexa made every effort not to mention anything about dancing. The last thing she wanted was for her discomfort to upend the social customs of Thersion’s elite.

“There will be food soon. Just wait a little longer.””

Essellia rummaged through the table, finding a caramel, and placed it into Alexa’s mouth.

“Feeling better?”

Though she wasn’t hungry, the sweetness melting in her mouth did lift her spirits. Alexa nodded. After all, being around those who excelled in everything only made her feel inadequate, but dancing wasn’t the most important thing in her life.

“So you like caramel.”

Carlisle murmured to himself. From that day on, his office was always well-stocked with caramel, though Alexa never knew why.

“So, what did you want to tell us?”

Essellia asked, knowing that visiting this late usually meant Alexa had something important to say. While Alexa had the freedom to move around, her bedtime was non-negotiable. The Head Maid had emphasized the importance of her health many times, and Essellia wholeheartedly agreed.

“Ah, yes!” Alexa nodded. “I saw something about the Ninth Prince, Your Excellency, Your Ladyship.”

“The Ninth Prince?”

“The one who’s coming soon?”

“Yes. I know what kind of person he is.”

The Ninth Prince had never known true parental affection. His mother used him as a bargaining tool for her own survival, and the Emperor paid him no mind. Being the Ninth meant there were eight Princes ahead of him.

Jeremiah grew up in such an environment. In fact, he was the secondary male lead Alexa cherished most in the novel. Not just for his story but because he seemed like the kind of gentle, sophisticated man from the city.

“Could you tell us about him?”

“He... is a kind and pitiful child. And he doesn’t get along with the Emperor. His Majesty holds the Ninth Prince’s mother and uses her to threaten him, so the Ninth Prince was forced to do things he doesn’t want to do.”

Unlike before, the Grand Duchy now have Carlisle, Essellia, and a legion of elite knights. Alexa hoped that Jeremiah wouldn’t meet an unjust death for being forced into unwanted actions.

“If he’s being coerced, he could become a threat to Thersion,” Carlisle remarked with a smile.

“That might be true... but I don’t believe it’s his will,” Alexa replied.

“Then, Alexa,” Carlisle clasped his hands on his lap, “if the Ninth Prince tries to harm Thersion, what will you do? Will you take his side and protect his secret... or will you side with Thersion and expose him?”

Carlisle spoke in the gentlest tone imaginable, but Essellia shot him a suspicious look, as if warning him to stop. Carlisle merely shrugged, feigning innocence.

“… I’d choose to reveal his secret.”

Fortunately, Alexa’s answer pleased Carlisle, whose intense aura noticeably softened. Essellia sighed in relief and caressed Alexa’s cheek, wondering how anyone could want to harm such an innocent girl.

“Why did you come to that decision?”

“I don’t think he’d want to hurt anyone either. I thought maybe you could help him, Your Excellency.”

Alexa smiled bashfully.

“Me, help him?”

“Yes. Your Excellency is a kind person, after all.”

Well, then. Perhaps it was time to play the role of the kind wolf. Carlisle grinned broadly, revealing his teeth.