I Became the Villain's Trainer-Chapter 97

Chapter 97

The news of the new hope for the Red Clan had also reached Ruella.

‘Is Alexa the chosen one?’

The one destined to break this dreadful cycle was Alexa. The key to freeing Ruella from the tower had finally appeared! For the first time in a long while, Ruella was engulfed in deep euphoria. Yet, there was something she regretted – she should never have chosen someone like Selina from the beginning.

“To think the answer was so close all along…”

Ruella let out a sharp laugh. This news likely hadn’t just reached the tower but also the mages living in the Magic Tower. She could hear their excitement, and it resonated within her.

Impatience welled up. She needed to confirm once again that Alexa was indeed the legendary heroine. Ruella spread out a sheet of paper. It had been a while since she wrote a letter to Selina, and her face was glowing with joy.

* * *

Alexa tilted her head, confused. Not long ago, Terrun and Ysildus had shown hostility toward Jeremiah… but now, there was an odd atmosphere between them, as if they had formed some kind of alliance.

‘Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei.*’

It felt just like that. Ysildus was Liu Bei, Terrun was Zhang Fei, and perhaps Jeremiah was Guan Yu. The three seemed to be getting along as if they had sworn brotherhood, just like in a story.

‘Looks like you can’t escape the big arcs of a novel.’

Alexa smiled with satisfaction. The four of them were out on a spring stroll through the streets of Thersion Castle. With the Blue Moon Merchant Guild setting up shop in Thersion, something new had started to flow into the city – foreign goods.

When the sea, frozen during winter, thawed in spring, a backlog of imports would flood in, and the Blue Moon Merchant Guild was responsible for bringing some of those goods to Thersion. The Head Maid had advised Alexa not to hold back if there was something she wanted to buy. Even Aunt Jane had urged Alexa to indulge herself now, saying it was a chance to enjoy things she had never had before.

“Is there anything you want to get?” Alexa asked the three excitedly.

“Something I want?” Ysildus smiled gently, placing his hand naturally on the back of Alexa’s hand and whispering, “All I need is you, Alexa. You can have whatever you want.”

Alexa blushed slightly as she glanced at Ysildus, as if he were saying, ‘Take me.’ She cleared her throat and silenced the imp living in her mind. Get a grip, Alexa. There’s no way Ysildus meant that!

“Ehem. So, Ysildus doesn’t want anything?”

“You missed the mark, Alexa,” Terrun pointed out. Alexa cleared her throat again.

“Ahem. So, Terrun, is there anything you want?”

“I… I want to go to the bookstore.”

The bookstore…? Alexa recalled the books that Terrun and Ysildus had been reading recently. She had wondered where they were getting those kinds of books, and after venturing deep into the study, she had finally found the source – a large bookshelf tucked away in the corner, filled with strange books.

<Inside You, Too, is a Lady>

<How to Bridge the Gap Between You and Your Daughter>

<Bonding with Your Youngest Daughter: A Beginner’s Guide for Fathers>

Visit fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm for the best novel reading experi𝒆nce.

<How to Seduce the One You Love>

Alexa’s expression stiffened as she asked, “What kind of book are you planning to buy?”

Terrun answered seriously, “I heard there’s a new release: <An Honest Way to Make Her Yours>. I want to get that.”

Alexa’s face froze. Well, at least he wasn’t searching for books about becoming a lady.

“Terrun! Do you have someone you like?” Alexa exclaimed, her voice filled with emotion. Was this what it felt like when a sibling you’ve raised announces they’re in love? Alexa turned fully toward Terrun, her heart swelling with pride. But Terrun furrowed his brows and tilted his head.

“Someone I like?”

“Is it a crush? Is it someone I know? Someone I don’t? Who is it that you’ve fallen for?”

Alexa bombarded him with excited questions. Terrun puffed out his cheeks and finally responded.

“Do you really not know?”

“Huh? Of course I don’t. Am I the only one who’s been in the dark?”

Alexa felt a bit hurt as she glanced at Ysildus and Jeremiah. From their expressions, it seemed like they were in on something. Sure, she knew guys might have their own conversations as they grew up, but…

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

Terrun’s expression shifted to that of a mischievous bear as he gently grasped Alexa’s fingers and asked, “Do you really not know?”

“Huh?”

Suddenly, Ysildus grabbed Alexa’s hand.

“We’ve arrived. Let’s get off. Alexa, I think I’m feeling a bit nauseous.”

Ysildus turned and flashed a sly smile at Terrun and Jeremiah. He didn’t look nauseous at all. But it was enough to fool Alexa. She patted his back and opened the carriage door.

“Then let’s get off quickly. Did the carriage shake too much on the way? Ysu, do you need some medicine?”

As Alexa stepped out of the carriage with Ysildus, Terrun, who had just lost his moment with her, let out a bitter laugh. Jeremiah glanced briefly at Terrun and got off the carriage. Ysildus stood there, looking as smug as ever, while Alexa seemed to have gone off to buy medicine. Ysildus patted Terrun’s shoulder gently.

“Terrun, haven’t you learned not to drool over someone else’s things? It’s bad manners,” Ysildus chuckled softly. For Ysildus to talk about morals and etiquette… was the world ending? Terrun glared at him in frustration.

“But Alexa hasn’t agreed to anything!” Terrun protested.

“A fair point. But that doesn’t give you the right to cut in line, Terrun. I knew Alexa first.”

Ysildus tightened his grip on Terrun’s shoulder. Jeremiah, watching the scene unfold, suddenly felt a sense of déjà vu and instinctively took a step back. For some reason, his shoulder started to ache.

“Ysu! I bought the medicine!” Alexa’s voice called out.

In an instant, the menacing Ysildus transformed into a kind angel as he sensed her approaching.

“You’re going to the bookstore alone? Alright, Terrun. We’ll meet you at the dessert shop.”

Jeremiah swallowed nervously. Ysildus’ gaze locked with his. It seemed Jeremiah was next on his list.

* * *

Selina scrubbed the window until it squeaked. It had been some time since Prince Jeremiah arrived, and now, the fresh shoots of spring were tickling the earth.

Selina had succeeded in hiding in the shadows of Thersion. Although the watchful eyes on her remained, Alexa no longer harbored hostility toward her. Yesterday, for the first time in a while, a letter arrived from Ruella. It was a warning, sent to the now-idle Selina.

[Selina, remember the effort I put into getting you there. And don’t forget, there are others who could replace you.]

Selina’s hand trembled.

‘Replace me?!’

Selina had come to Thersion to fulfill Ruella’s grand plan. Ruella was waiting for a child of the Red Clan to break the curse that bound her. Selina, who had been sold at birth and lived through hell, knew little of the Red Clan’s curse, nor did she understand why Ruella was so passionate about it.

Ruella had cast various spells on Selina to help her enter this place, including an enchantment spell. But for some reason, the wolves of Thersion had accepted Selina without becoming enthralled by her, as expected.

She knew that if the spell wasn’t working, it was likely being blocked by another magic. After all, she hadn’t wasted her time while with Ruella. Still, for some reason, she couldn’t bring herself to tell Ruella. Perhaps the child Ruella sought was actually Alexa.

Alexa had tamed all the wolves. And with her red hair, she might very well be of the same bloodline as Selina.

Selina bit her lip. Lately, an overwhelming anxiety had been pounding in her chest – the fear that Ruella might discard her like a broken doll and choose Alexa instead. As time passed, her hatred and jealousy toward Alexa burned ever brighter.

‘When the time comes...’

Once she killed Alexa, fate would find a new candidate. If it wasn’t Selina’s turn even then, she would simply kill the next one. She would keep going until her turn came.

As Selina’s cruel thoughts took over, the sound of music drifted up from the hall below, as if trying to soothe her. But the wolves of Thersion, obsessed with turning Alexa into a swan, could never make a duckling into one.

Selina scrubbed the window harder, trying to drown out the music. Her reflection stared back at her from the now-transparent glass. Even if she couldn’t steer Thersion’s fate in her favor, she could always create a new destiny.

‘Yes… That wouldn’t be so bad.’

If the wolves wouldn’t have her and if Ruella was truly planning to abandon her, then perhaps Prince Jeremiah could become hers.

Selina’s lips curled into a slow, sinister smile. The wolves might be resistant to magic, but Jeremiah, being human, was different. Selina narrowed her eyes and smiled.

......

(*T/N: Liu Bei, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei are characters from the famous Chinese novel <Romance of the Three Kingdoms>. The three of them swore an oath of brotherhood and loyalty.)