I Became the Villain's Trainer-Chapter 92 - with illustration

Chapter 92

Jeremiah mulled over the injustice he had faced. It had only happened three hours ago.

It was Essellia who eased the icy tension. She stepped in front of Carlisle and offered the western annex to Jeremiah and his entourage. Though Jeremiah’s attendants insisted they stay in the main building, Essellia warned that for safety’s sake, it was better not to.

Having just heard Thersion’s secret from the Emperor, Jeremiah understood that Essellia’s suggestion was indeed a consideration for their safety. With Jeremiah’s agreement, the imperial envoy was directed to the western annex. Although the eastern annex was larger, it was currently under construction.

“This treatment is intolerable! Staying in an annex, not the main building?”

“Dominique, we’re in Thersion. There’s no need to expect better treatment here than what we get in the Imperial Palace.”

Jeremiah’s tone was calm. Sure, it was unfair, but wasn’t the room here better than his bedroom in the palace? His attendant, Dominique, wore a sorrowful expression.

“Still... you’re an Imperial Prince...”

“Isn’t this place nicer than the palace? Look on the bright side. At least there’s no more training.”

“Well...”

Dominique grudgingly conceded. As Jeremiah pointed out, even the neglect here was better than the royal treatment back at the palace.

“But who was that girl from earlier?”

“Ah...”

Two things now occupied Jeremiah’s thoughts. The Emperor had told him that Ysildus might not have become fully human yet. However, there was no sign of the young wolf anywhere.

The second was the identity of the mysterious girl. From her red hair, she appeared human, but she was staying in Thersion. Moreover, Carlisle’s reaction to Jeremiah’s interest in her was alarmingly hostile.

“I’ll find out soon enough,” Jeremiah muttered to himself.

* * *

As Jeremiah had predicted, the opportunity to meet Thersion’s most cherished children came sooner than expected.

“Dance practice, you say?”

“Yes, Your Highness. A grand debutante ball is planned for May. If you’re still staying at Thersion by then, you’ll be invited to attend.”

Essellia spoke warmly.

“I suppose so.”

“And as royalty, you’ll be expected to set an example. How about joining our children in their dance practice?”

When Jeremiah had arrived, he had imagined all sorts of things. He had heard the Emperor call Thersion’s wolves nothing more than monsters and killers countless times.

The emperor had slandered Thersion, saying they deserved to be sent straight to the guillotine. So, Jeremiah had braced himself for the possibility that the wolves would kill him the moment he arrived – or throw him in a dungeon, at the very least.

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Yet, Thersion had treated him with nothing but civility. The only time Carlisle had bared his fangs was when Jeremiah had shown interest in the red-haired girl. And now, they were talking about dance practice. It was a far cry from the grim expectations Jeremiah had held, thinking he’d be starved and locked away. As a forgotten Imperial Prince, Jeremiah had never practiced dancing before.

“…Am I even allowed to do this?”

Jeremiah blushed slightly as he asked, feeling unexpectedly giddy. He had never pictured himself dancing.

“Of course. We plan to host a perfect debutante for Alexa,” Essellia replied, omitting the implied pressure that Jeremiah should practice well enough not to ruin it. “Alexa just turned seventeen. She’s so small, lovely, and adorable.”

Jeremiah wasn’t sure why Essellia added that, but he nodded.

So, the mysterious girl’s name was Alexa, and the debutante ball was for her. That wasn’t too strange. Noble girls often placed great significance on their debutante ball, as it was a once-in-a-lifetime event.

“I’d like to join the practice. However, I’m not very good at dancing, Grand Duchess.”

Jeremiah accepted her invitation.

“That’s perfectly fine, Your Highness. Just do what you can.”

Led by Essellia’s hand, Jeremiah soon had all his questions answered – though in an unusual way. His narrow views were about to be shattered.

“Wait...”

Jeremiah’s face paled as he surveyed the hall. He had expected to see girls in dresses and boys in formal wear, but there was nothing ordinary here.

“Yes, Imperial Prince Jeremiah, you’ll be dancing with Ysillia. Oh, his real name is Ysildus.”

Essellia gestured toward a man in a purple dress, who waved at Jeremiah with a mischievous grin. The short-haired, well-built man smiled flirtatiously.

“Hello, Your Highness. I’m Ysillia.”

“No, it’s Ysildus!” Alexa quickly corrected him.

“This is Alexa, Alexa Eneroff. She’s the adopted daughter of Count Eneroff.”

“Greetings, Your Highness.”

Alexa sighed as she greeted him. The red-haired girl called Alexa wore a brownish suit. It wasn’t odd; she looked quite cute in it, but... wasn’t she supposed to be the star of the debutante ball? Shouldn’t she be in a dress? And beside her stood another boy in a sky-blue dress.

“This is Terrsia. His real name is Terrun.”

“Hello.”

The boy nodded and took Alexa’s hand.

“I’ll be dancing the first dance with her. Your Highness, you can dance with Ysillia.”

Dance like this?

“I said it’s Ysildus, not Ysillia!”

Alexa muttered, looking upset. But that wasn’t the issue... Jeremiah stood there, his mouth agape. This was not the kind of debutante he knew, yet no one else seemed to find it strange. And they had even gone so far as to change their names with confidence.

Jeremiah glanced between the three of them. The boy called Ysildus stepped forward lightly and extended his hand toward Jeremiah.

“Shall we dance, Your Highness?”

Wow. Jeremiah’s partner was much taller than him. This was... weird. Jeremiah swallowed hard.

* * *

Jeremiah, Ysildus, Alexa, and Terrun began dancing to the music. Countess Eneroff clapped enthusiastically, as if everything was falling into place. Thankfully, Jeremiah wasn’t a complete novice, and he quickly caught up with Ysildus’s graceful movements. Where Jeremiah faltered, Ysildus filled in the gaps.

“You’re quite a good dancer.”

Jeremiah cleared his throat and spoke to Ysildus. Despite wearing a dress, Ysildus was the heir of Thersion. Jeremiah figured he needed to foster some closeness. Ysildus tilted his head and whispered back.

“I think so too.”

Wait... that was definitely informal speech. Before Jeremiah could object, Countess Eneroff’s voice echoed through the hall.

“Wonderful! Perfect! Lady Essellia, it’s almost flawless!”

“Is it? Thank you for the hard work, Countess Eneroff.”

Essellia smiled kindly.

“Alexa, you did well.”

“I didn’t do anything.”

Alexa shook her head. She hadn’t expected Ysildus to actually dance with Jeremiah, nor did she think he would accept. Yet here he was, dancing nonchalantly while Jeremiah, visibly pale, was being dragged along by him.

‘I’m normal, after all!’

Alexa felt a surge of relief. In this strange place, she had often felt out of place, but seeing Jeremiah’s stunned reaction reassured her. Finally, after a long silence, Jeremiah stammered.

“Is this really... how we’re supposed to dance?”

“What’s so strange about it?”

Essellia tilted her head.

“Well, it’s just...”

“Ah, Ysillia and Terrsia are better dancers than Alexa. There’s no need to force someone to do what they’re not good at. Right, Alexa? Our Alexa has plenty of other things to focus on besides dancing. She’s learning magic and studying medicine too.”

Jeremiah finally understood what Essellia had meant by ‘just do what you can’. It really was that simple – only do what you’re capable of. Essellia handed Alexa a glass of iced tea. She gently wiped the sweat from Alexa’s brow, her expression full of concern.

“You’re going to exhaust yourself. Drink up, Alexa.”

Alexa silently sipped her tea. She barely broke a sweat, but arguing that she wasn’t actually tired would only earn her more sympathetic looks. Esselia turned her gaze toward Jeremiah.

“Do you understand now, Your Highness?”

Her look said that if he didn’t, she’d kill him on the spot. Jeremiah awkwardly nodded. This was the second time in Thersion that he had felt his life was in danger – both for the same reason.

Alexa Eneroff? Who in the world is she?

Ysildus and Terrun flanked Alexa, folding their arms and staring at Jeremiah. It was clear: stay away from her. Although Alexa hadn’t asked for this attention, it was the day she was indelibly etched into Jeremiah’s memory – for the most absurd of reasons.

(T/N: I was wondering why Ysildus and Terrun were wearing dresses when I first saw this illustration. I laughed out loud when I finally found out why hahaha)