I Became the Villain's Trainer-Chapter 95

Chapter 95

As Ysildus had promised, Carlisle allowed Jeremiah to attend the dinner. The people of Thersion seemed to believe that even if Alexa were to tear down and rebuild the castle from the ground up, it would be the right thing to do. In any case, the evening feast with a new guest commenced. At first, Jeremiah attempted to sit next to Alexa.

However, before he could even lower himself into the chair, Terrun had already taken the seat. With a disgruntled expression, Terrun clattered the chair and said, ‘This is my seat, Your Highness.’ Jeremiah had no choice but to back down; arguing about seats would have been childish.

Jeremiah reluctantly picked the seat next to Terrun. He chose not to sit beside Ysildus because there was something about him that felt dangerous.

He’d heard Ysildus had the blood of a wolf god, but sometimes he seemed more like a fox – his exterior and interior were so different. It was as if his surface was crispy while his inside was tender – something like that. Anyway, Jeremiah safely avoided the minefield and sat down. Alexa, seemingly indifferent to the battle over seating, began her meal.

This chapt𝓮r is updat𝒆d by ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom.

“Alexa, try this.”

“And this too.”

Ysildus and Terrun piled food onto her plate in a competition, which was finally brought to a halt by Essellia.

“That’s enough.”

As usual, the dinner was nothing short of peaceful. Jeremiah was too busy rolling his eyes, taking in the scene before him, as if the wolves of Thersion revolved around Alexa like the center of the universe.

“Your Highness, how is the meal?”

Essellia asked Jeremiah, who flinched, snapping out of his daze as he watched the bickering between Alexa and the wolves. Hastily, he stuffed his untouched food into his mouth and nodded.

“Yes, Your Ladyship. Everything is to my taste.”

“That’s a relief. Thersion’s food is often prepared to Alexa’s liking, so it might taste a bit bland.”

“It’s fine.”

“You are the first guest Alexa has invited, so we must treat you properly, right, Alexa?”

Suddenly called upon, Alexa blushed and lowered her head.

“Thank you…”

“Oh no, that’s not what I meant. Alexa, when you enter society, you’ll make many friends. I hope you will always feel free to invite them over.”

The implication was clear: don’t be shy, bring your friends anytime. Essellia’s eyes sparkled as if she were meeting her child’s friends for the first time.

‘…Isn’t Ysildus her actual son?’

Yet Essellia seemed to have no interest in Ysildus, focusing all her attention on Alexa. But it wasn’t just Essellia.

“Yes, Alexa, I’m looking forward to seeing what kind of friends you’ll make. If you ever get a boyfriend, don’t forget to introduce him.”

Even Carlisle was talking like that to Alexa. If Essellia was like a mother eager to meet her daughter’s friends, Carlisle seemed like a jealous father.

“Oops.”

Jeremiah almost shoved a piece of meat up his nose while watching the scene unfold. As he wiped his face with a napkin, the table erupted in commotion.

“Mother, Alexa’s best male friend is me. Right, Alexa?”

“Huh?”

Alexa, caught off guard, widened her eyes. Jeremiah was curious about her response. Terrun, who was beside her, was grinding his teeth. Ysildus and Terrun exchanged fierce glares, as if a barricade had been erected that neither would cross.

Jeremiah wondered if he could ever set foot in that space. He wasn’t sure why, but when Alexa didn’t respond immediately, Ysildus tilted his head and smiled sweetly.

“Alexa, you haven’t forgotten what you said yesterday, have you?”

“Huh?”

Alexa’s long lashes fluttered in confusion. Her face was a mixture of panic, and as she tried to cover Ysildus’s mouth, her effort was in vain. His mischievous lips moved.

“You told me I was your beloved puppy, remember?”

Clatter—

Alexa dropped her fork. Ysildus didn’t miss a beat, slipping his fingers between hers. Jeremiah watched the scene, dumbfounded.

“Was that a lie?”

“N-no!”

Alexa shook her head, her face turning bright red. Terrun, beside her, protested.

“Then what about me? Alexa, what about me?”

“You…”

Alexa closed her eyes tightly in distress. Jeremiah now understood Alexa’s position within Thersion Castle. She was like a small rabbit surrounded by wolves, all vying for her attention.

“Can’t I just love both of you?”

Alexa mumbled with a pout.

“Well, there’s no reason you can’t. But I’m the one you love most, right?”

Ysildus’s voice dripped with sweetness as he gently coaxed her, all while exuding the menacing aura of a wolf, pinning Terrun in place. Jeremiah, trained in swordsmanship, felt the chill in the air, his hair standing on end. While Terrun was silenced by the pressure, Ysildus finally got Alexa to respond.

“Y-yes… of course!”

Ah. Jeremiah let out an internal sigh. This place was indeed a strange world revolving around Alexa. And Jeremiah was just the unwelcome intruder. Should he report Alexa’s existence to the Emperor?

As if sensing Jeremiah’s thoughts, Carlisle cast a glance his way. He wore the same smile as Ysildus, but who knew what that smile would become if anything were to harm Alexa? Perhaps that was why—

‘I can’t tell Father about this.’

And so, Jeremiah decided to keep Alexa a secret, a hidden part of Thersion.

* * *

Throughout the entire dinner, Jeremiah never once took his eyes off Alexa. This was the reason Ysildus and Terrun had grown even closer.

After Alexa finished her meal and went off to study, Ysildus and Terrun reeled Jeremiah in like a fish caught on a hook.

“Your Highness.”

Jeremiah, who had been on his way back to the guest house, reluctantly responded to their call. He knew they wouldn’t harm him, but he couldn’t ignore the fact that these two possessed the instincts of wolves.

“We need to speak with you. Do you have time?”

Ysildus asked casually, as if it didn’t matter if Jeremiah declined. But Jeremiah understood that if he walked away now, he would never receive such an offer again. So, he nodded.

“All right.”

Ysildus and Terrun led him to Ysildus’s cold, rarely-used bedroom. The bed, which seemed untouched, caught Jeremiah’s eye. It didn’t look like a place where anyone actually slept.

‘Does he sleep elsewhere?’

It was possible. As the precious heir of Thersion, his real bedroom might be hidden somewhere. While Jeremiah pondered this, Ysildus served him tea.

Even while looking up at Jeremiah, it felt as though he were looking down on him. When their eyes met, Jeremiah swallowed nervously. Terrun sat with his usual grumpy expression, adding to the oppressive atmosphere, like a thug ready to extort a passerby.

“Jeremiah.”

“What?”

Hearing his name suddenly, Jeremiah blinked in surprise. Ysildus smiled as if he hadn’t misheard. His lips curled into a sly grin.

“Didn’t you hear me? Jeremiah.”

There was not an ounce of reverence in his soft voice, as if Jeremiah, an Imperial Prince, were nothing more than a feather to be flicked away.

“How rude!”

“Jeremiah, rank is no shield in Thersion. You know that, don’t you? You’re nothing but a card the emperor can play and discard at will.”

Jeremiah clenched his teeth. Before he could snap, Terrun pressed down on his shoulder. Ysildus, meanwhile, leisurely rolled an apple in his hand, casually perching on the edge of the table.

“What are you doing?”

Ysildus asked, completely at ease.

“Jeremiah, don’t you want the Emperor’s throne?”

His voice was calm and smooth, as if he were offering a simple apple rather than an Empire. Jeremiah’s mouth gaped open, unsure how to respond.

“Don’t you want to be Emperor?”

Ysildus asked again, driving the point home.

“What are you talking about?!”

If the Emperor overheard, Jeremiah would be executed on the spot. Ysildus’s expression shifted, his gaze turning icy as he looked down at Jeremiah.

“I’m telling you, I can make you Emperor, Jeremiah.”

His eyes were sharp, cutting through any pretense.

......

(T/N: Why do I feel like... Ysildus has some manipulating / gaslighting tendencies? Or is it just me??)