I Became the Villain's Trainer-Chapter 89 - with illustration

Chapter 89

Today, on Alexa’s seventeenth birthday, heavy snow blanketed the world in white. As Alexa gazed out at the thick snowflakes falling, Terrun and Ysildus arrived.

“Alexa, look at the snow!”

The two shouted in unison, their eyes gleaming as they looked at her. Both of them loved to tumble and frolic in the snow like puppies whenever it fell. Alexa had already braced herself for their visit as soon as she heard the news of the snowstorm.

The Head Maid, with a determined expression, brought Alexa her outerwear. She knew all too well that Alexa would eventually be dragged outside by Terrun and Ysildus. Her duty was to make sure that Alexa wouldn’t catch a cold.

“Jane, how about this?”

“That would be uncomfortable for running. These fur boots would be better than shoes.”

“And what about this?”

“That’s too thin for Lady Alexa. Her ears would freeze. These fluffy earmuffs would be much better.”

“Thank goodness we have you, Jane.”

The Head Maid smiled warmly. Items approved by Jane were laid out before Alexa. If she wore all of them, she might end up rolling around like a ball… But Jane was utterly devoted to ensuring Alexa wouldn’t catch a cold, and the Head Maid shared that concern. Unlike the wolves who didn’t feel the cold, Alexa was delicate. The Head Maid promptly ushered the two wolves outside.

“What did Her Ladyship, Grand Duchess Essellia, say she’d do if you peeked into the ladies’ dressing room?”

“That... we’d never be allowed into Alexa’s room again.”

Terrun sulked as he answered, leaning against the wall. Beside him, Ysildus stood quietly. Only Alexa’s fiancé was allowed to intrude on her private moments, and Ysildus was determined to be that man.

‘Fiancé, huh...’

In noble society, engagements were typically arranged around the age of fifteen. Only Thersion was an exception to that rule.

‘But following the law is what makes one truly human, right?’

Of course, Ysildus, who had never cared for imperial laws and had no intention of doing so, was thinking whatever suited him best. Alexa was now seventeen. She was soon to debut in high society, just in time for her spring birthday. Alexa was cute, charming, and beautiful. No one would be able to resist her charm.

Even the wolves of Thersion Castle couldn’t help but lose their composure when they saw Alexa. Wolves without immunity would fare even worse. Ysildus swore he wouldn’t let any other foolish wolf steal Alexa’s side from him. Not that anyone would dare to do so with Ysildus and Terrun around.

But first, he needed to make things clear to that foolish Terrun.

“I’m going to get engaged with Alexa.”

Ysildus said firmly, not forgetting to exude a menacing aura. No matter how much he flexed his strength, Alexa never noticed.

“What? Who decided that?”

Terrun, abandoning his childish pretense, sharply questioned. Though his intensity didn’t match Ysildus’, he still held his ground. He leaned against the wall, feeling a trickle of cold sweat down his back.

“I did. Got a problem with that?”

Ysildus asked smugly. This foolish wolf had dared to challenge him. If it weren’t for Alexa, he would’ve already pinned Terrun to the ground and shown him who was superior. Ysildus bared his teeth threateningly.

“It’s Alexa who should decide. Are you ignoring her opinion?”

Terrun retorted, baring his teeth in turn. The Head Maid clicked her tongue at the sight of the two wolves growling at each other. What’s the point of all this fuss?

“Let Alexa decide,” Terrun challenged.

“She’ll choose me,” Ysildus replied arrogantly.

“How can you be so sure?”

“Alexa said she ‘likes’ me. Of course she’ll choose someone she likes.”

“If Alexa didn’t say it directly, I wouldn’t believe it. You despicable fox.”

Trying not to be overheard by Alexa, Terrun and Ysildus growled at each other in hushed tones. The Head Maid stepped in to mediate.

“That’s enough, both of you. Lady Alexa will be out soon. You can let her choose who she wants to dance with first.”

“At the debutante ball?”

Ysildus caught on quickly.

“Hmph.”

Ysildus glanced at Terrun, who confidently met his gaze.

“I’ve been studying hard. I just finished reading <101 Tips for a Beautiful Dance> recently. I’m well-prepared.”

“Do you think I’m any different? I’ve read <The Art of Dance at Your Fingertips>. I’m ready too.”

The Head Maid shook her head. She had noticed their frequent visits to the library recently. It was clearly for the debutante ball.

Both of their dresses were scheduled to arrive this week. Though there was still some time before the debut, they needed to adjust the fit and make any necessary design changes.

Soon, the much-anticipated Alexa stepped out of her room. Terrun and Ysildus rushed to ask her.

“Alexa! Who are you going to dance with at the debutante ball? Who’s going to get the first dance?”

Terrun asked aggressively, while Ysildus, in contrast, asked gently.

“Alexa, who will you choose?”

He smiled sweetly as he intertwined his fingers with hers and fluttered his eyes playfully. Ysildus smiled knowingly. Terrun’s foolishness amused him.

“Huh?”

Wasn’t this already decided? Alexa’s expression went blank. She had assumed she would be dancing with Ysildus. Then, a thought struck her.

‘Why did I think that was a given?’

Suddenly, she felt flustered. Why had she always considered Ysildus her automatic partner? Though the atmosphere around her had certainly encouraged it, she realized she could say no. The people of Thersion never disregarded Alexa’s opinions.

Hiding her confusion, Alexa glanced between the two with their expectant eyes. The fairest way, she thought, was to let fate decide.

“Rock, paper, scissors.”

“Huh?”

“What do you mean?”

“You two play rock-paper-scissors. Whoever wins gets the first dance. That’s fair, isn’t it?”

Alexa withdrew her hands from the two wolves and stepped back. Terrun and Ysildus opened their mouths to protest, but before they could say anything, Alexa declared:

“Rock, paper, scissors!”

One won, and the other lost. In just a few seconds, their fates were sealed. Alexa raised the winner’s hand.

* * *

As per Essellia’s request, the draft designs for Terrun and Ysildus’s dresses were completed. The designer in charge this time had brought twenty dresses, and the final choice was handed over to Alexa.

‘Why on earth do I have to pick something like this?’

Alexa wore a blank expression. It reminded her of those scenes she used to see on TV: the bride walking in to try on her wedding dress, with the groom waiting for her. And now, Alexa had become that groom.*

“Just choose the one that suits them best.”

Essellia casually said as she handed a warm cup of hot chocolate to Alexa.

“…I really don’t have an eye for these kinds of things, Grand Duchess.”

“Even if you pick the worst one, those boys will still love it. And Alexa, have some confidence. You’re simply charming.”

…What does that have to do with anything…? Alexa sighed. Soon after, Ysildus and Terrun entered, dressed in gowns. Alexa looked back and forth between the two. Seeing these two burly adolescents in dresses was, to put it mildly, not ideal.

“Alexa?”

“Is there any color other than yellow?”

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Alexa cautiously voiced her opinion. For some reason, she had become surprisingly serious about this strange situation. The two wolves, now dressed in new gowns, struck poses as if they were models straight out of a brochure.

Alexa, with a grave expression, said, “The deep blue feels a bit too mature. The green one too.”

“If that’s Alexa’s opinion, madam, don’t we have other options?”

“Of course, we do!”

Alexa, now completely immersed in the role of a picky groom, began inspecting the dresses. And then, she found the perfect ones.

“These! They look amazing!!”

Ysildus wore a dress full of lavender lace, while Terrun was dressed in a pale sky-blue gown. Both dresses had lace that rose beautifully over the chest area, which left a particularly strong impression.

“Alexa.”

Ysildus called out to her in a mischievous tone.

“Hm?”

“Do I look pretty?”

Then he gave a delicate smile. Essellia, seeing Ysildus with a face that resembled Carlisle’s, dropped her teaspoon in surprise. Like father, like son…

Not to be outdone, Terrun also asked.

“And me? Do I look pretty?”

“…Both of you look pretty…,” Alexa replied.

With the debutante ball fast approaching, Alexa wasn’t entirely sure if this was all okay. But in the midst of their playful moment, Essellia dropped a bombshell.

“Oh, one of you will need to enter with the Ninth Prince. He’ll be staying here until summer, after all.”

Essellia sang her words, and Alexa whipped her head around in shock.

Wait... they’re both men... Hold on a second, Duchess?!

......

(T/N:* This reminds me a scene from the Taiwanese drama ‘It Started With A Kiss’ where the groom wore the gown for the bride.

Hahaha the Grand Duchess is really not holding back and going all out at letting Terrun and Ysildus wore gowns, even accompanying the Ninth Prince hahahahaha)