Chapter 40

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 40

Chapter Title: Star Festival and the Ashen Wolf

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Elise had been Roxiana's closest friend. On any other occasion, she would have accompanied Roxiana to the Grand Temple, but that time, for some reason, she insisted on staying behind.

And then the family had gathered together.

'What did she say? That's right, she said we should gather to celebrate my return? That before I left for marriage, everyone should come together for a surprise party?'

If that were the case, then Ian and Naufride would have come to the palace without complaint or hesitation.

To celebrate the return and marriage of their one and only sister.

'You killed my family!'

The sword of Lucas, whom she had already accepted as family, and the lips of Elise, with whom she had lived like family.

'You cut off my family's heads and threw them down a well!'

She had tried not to cry, but the blood pouring from her bursting heart flowed down through her eyes. The truth she had tried not to think about stabbed and tore at Roxiana's lungs like thousands of blades.

The heart that had been quieted by the kindness she met in Torkan was instantly dyed black. Dark red emotions, like old blood, filled Roxiana's mind.

Wind blew around Roxiana. The calm sea raised fierce waves. The quiet sandy beach began to rumble deeply with a low hum.

At the sudden anomaly, Floyd, startled, grabbed Roxiana's arm to pull her up.

Just then.

Kwaaaaang—!

A massive wave came rushing in like a tsunami from the sea, accompanied by a roar.

Floyd reflexively pulled Roxiana into his arms and rolled to the ground.

The towering wave crashed over the two of them.

Shwaaaah—

Thanks to the cold seawater pouring over her head, Roxiana regained her senses. As she caught her breath, the rumbling of the earth subsided, the wind stopped, and the sea grew calm.

Only then did Roxiana realize she was drenched and pinned beneath Floyd.

Her whole body was freezing, but the places touching him were hot.

Her arms, her back, and their pressed chests.

Roxiana looked up at him.

Droplets clinging to his eyelashes, the tip of his nose, and his chin fell onto her forehead, plop, plop. He brushed her forehead with his thumb, but it was useless since she was already soaked.

The dark, damp emotion she had felt moments ago seemed like a dream.

"I'm sorry."

"Why are you apologizing, Princess? Don't tell me you think this was your fault?"

"......Yes. Sometimes they sync with my mood and act on their own."

Floyd burst into loud laughter.

Roxiana found it strange—was this really a laughing matter?—but he spoke in a voice laced with amusement.

"Then you and I both harbor mad creatures within us."

He moved away from her body and sat up, sweeping back the wet hair plastered to his forehead.

He gazed at the now-calm sea with the elegance of a southern god, then suddenly stood and grasped Roxiana's waist with both hands, pulling her to her feet. He picked up the coat from the ground and draped it over her shoulders.

"You'll catch a cold. Let's head back."

The knight captains were sitting atop the castle walls, drinking beer. During festival season, knights focused more on security than training, so the captains had more leisure time than usual.

"Hey, tomorrow I'm going to stroll the festival with Roelity."

Kain scowled at Adrian's words.

"Who's Roelity this time?"

"The lovely young lady from Viscount Lakean's family."

"What about that girl you met last time?"

"We broke up ages ago."

"It's been less than a month since you said you were seeing her."

"A month is a long time. There are plenty of women in the world who want me, and time is short. I can't invest too much in one."

"Why don't you train a bit instead?"

"Little brother, I'm stronger than you without training."

"Bullshit. Wanna go?"

Arsen, sitting nearby, grabbed Kain's wrist as he reached for his sword and said to Adrian,

"I hear the viscount's lady is quite chaste. Best not to approach her rashly."

"Wow, didn't expect you to meddle in someone's love life like this. Who knew Sir Chettek had such warm friendship in him!"

At Adrian's sarcasm, Arsen's grip tightened. Kain grumbled, his wrist caught.

"That guy's the one in the wrong, so why are you trying to break my wrist?"

"Ah, my apologies."

Arsen released the wrist with an apology. Adrian propped his elbows on the small table, interlocking his fingers, and asked,

"Kain, a raven came today, right? From Kanta?"

"Yeah."

"What'd it say? Who's on Kanta's throne now? Lucas?"

"Nah, they haven't even confirmed that much yet."

Kain repeated the conversation he'd had with Floyd earlier that day. Adrian listened with interest and said,

"I see. So Lucas deliberately deceived his fiancée's family. How pitiful. Does the princess know?"

"Our lord said to shut up about it. You shut up too."

"Hmph. No fun. If the princess finds out, she might seek revenge. It'd be a sight if she used that weird power for it."

Arsen furrowed his brow.

"Don't be flippant, Adrian. As if that power could accomplish any revenge."

"Of course, the princess's power alone wouldn't cut it. But our lord's behind her. If she wants revenge, he'd probably help. Might as well swallow up Gania while we're at it."

"Nonsense! Torkan may look stable, but dangers lurk inside and out. Starting a war now would mean heavy sacrifices—don't you think of that?"

"Come on, Arsen. It's just talk. Can't I even joke around?"

"Don't even joke about it."

"You stiff bastard with no sense of humor. Keep scowling like that your whole life, and your furrowed brow will push right to the back of your head. That'll be worth watching."

As Arsen moved to retort Adrian's merciless mockery, the tower door burst open, and Hexston entered. He carried a large basket in one hand, containing a gray wolf pup about the size of a forearm.

"Whoa, what's that?"

Adrian showed interest, and Hexston grinned, setting the basket on the table. Arsen sat with arms crossed, unable to take his eyes off the pup, while Kain cautiously approached and reached out.

"Grr!"

The pup bared its teeth and lunged, so Kain yanked his hand back and said,

"Feisty little thing. This isn't a dog, right? A wolf?"

"Yeah. Cute, huh? Born in the circus troupe. This one's the only one with a different color. The others are brown."

Listening to Hexston's explanation, Arsen thought,

'Ridiculously cute.'

Adrian asked,

"What're you gonna do with it? You said you wouldn't raise pets till the kids are grown. And wolves are wild, no matter how small. Not good around children."

"I'm not raising it."

"Then? Gonna dump it on Arsen?"

Arsen shook his head.

"Sorry, but I already have three dogs, no room to spare. I could make space for one more, but I doubt the dogs would get along with a wolf. Still, if there's nowhere else, I could try."

Hexston laughed incredulously.

"Hey, who said I'm giving it to you? This is......"

As Hexston started to explain, the tower door opened again, and this time a thoroughly soaked Floyd entered. Kain's eyes widened.

"Swimming under the moonlight, my lord? You didn't start another fire and jump into the sea, did you?"

"No. Just some business......"

At that moment, the pup, which had been glaring at the knight captains from the basket, spotted Floyd and began growling fiercely, baring its teeth. Its fur bristled in full alert. Floyd extended his hand toward the pup.

The pup managed to sink its teeth into Floyd's hand, but he shook it off nonchalantly and grabbed it by the scruff, lifting it up.

The pup flailed its short legs to escape.

"What's this?"

"A gift for the princess."

"For the princess?"

"Yes. Seemed like she was particularly drawn to it earlier. Didn't you notice?"

Floyd recalled Roxiana at the circus. Come to think of it, she had kept glancing toward the wolf enclosure.

He'd thought she was scared.

'Doesn't seem like the princess who scares easily......'

Anyway, among the men gathered here, Hexston was the only one with successful romance and marriage, so he knew women's hearts best.

"You think the princess wants this?"

"Yes. Very much so."

"It's too fierce."

Floyd worried if it was safe to entrust the pup—still trying to bite his hand—to that delicate princess.

What if it accidentally swallowed the little princess in one gulp?

"I oppose. The pup lost its parents, so it needs delicate care. I'll take it."

Arsen shot to his feet, hands outstretched. Hexston slapped them down hard.

"You said you had no room."

"I'll make some."

"Forget it. My lord, raising something means taking responsibility. This pup will be a little light for the princess."

"What if it swallows her?"

"How could it swallow the princess?"

"She's small."

"She is. But it's even smaller."

"Hmm."

Floyd stared down at the pup for a while. Its dusty clump of ash-gray fur resembled the color of his eyes.

"My lord, if the princess tames it well, it'll make a fine guard for her. Beasts are sharper and quicker than humans."

At Kain's words, Floyd made his decision.