TSPCOB Chapter 26

Chapter 26

Aselin suddenly froze in place, eyes wide open.

The silver wolf she had once seen in the forest was now blocking the path to the mansion.

It was three times bigger than a normal wolf, and its bright blue eyes glowed as it started to pace around.

What the—why is that wolf here?

Aselin quickly hid behind a tree and let out the breath she’d been holding.

She was so startled that her heart felt like it had shrunk, and her arms and legs had gone weak.

Where did all the servants go? The area was completely empty.

She pressed herself tightly against the tree and looked around to see if there was another path to the mansion.

But no matter how hard she looked, there was only one way.

She realized she had no choice but to face the huge wolf if she wanted to go in. She let out a dry laugh.

While pressing her forehead with her hand, wondering what to do next, a memory came to her.

She remembered escaping danger before by feeding the wolf some crazy mushrooms.

Aselin took off her bag and started digging through it.

Please, let there be mushrooms.

She prayed as she stuck her hand into the bag and rummaged through it, but all she found were bottles of medicine.

Did I organize the bag too well after returning on time?

In her past life, she just kept putting things in without ever taking anything out.

Sometimes, she’d even find herbs from years ago that had aged inside.

Disappointed, Aselin put the bag back on and stood up.

Worried that the wolf might chase after her, she ran quickly toward the castle gate, where a line of guards stood.

She was about to leave through the open gate when she called out to them.

“Excuse me, there’s a wolf blocking the path.”

“……”

The guard didn’t even glance at her, acting as if she were invisible.

What the…? What’s wrong with them?

“I’m the Crown Prince’s apothecary. I can’t get into the mansion because of that wolf. Please help.”

“……”

The other guards were the same.

They stood stiffly, like toy soldiers with hard expressions.

She waved her hands above her head, pointed toward the wolf, and tried everything she could think of, but it was no use.

Just then, a bell rang from somewhere, and the guards lined up and walked out through the gate.

They seemed to be scouting the area, disappearing into the forest.

“That’s the wrong way! I’m over here! Can’t you see me?”

Frustrated, she shouted louder than she meant to. The wolf twitched its ears and suddenly turned its head.

Their eyes met from about 200 meters away—cold, gray eyes of a predator locking onto its prey. She felt like all the blood had drained from her body.

When she turned around again, even the guards had vanished.

She looked around for a place to hide, but it was already too late.

The wolf had spotted its target and was slowly, stealthily creeping toward her.

No matter how fast she ran, it would catch up in no time.

Aselin’s mouth went dry and her whole body started trembling.

Then she remembered something Anna had once said:

“Silver is really smart—it can tell friends from enemies and even understands human speech. Isn’t that amazing?”

 

Right. Silver and I have met a few times. Maybe it won’t attack me.

And would they really let a wild beast roam free if it were dangerous?

Predators know when something is weaker than them.

Don’t be scared, Aselin.

She rubbed her cold fingers together, then took a deep breath and bravely stepped forward.

Lifting her chin high and walking confidently, Aselin took a step forward. The wolf hesitated for a moment, then slowly started approaching again.

Finally, at the entrance of the garden, Aselin found herself face-to-face with the wolf. She swallowed hard and spoke.

“S-Silver. You remember me, right? We met before, didn’t we?”

The wolf crouched low and glared up at her, growling and baring its sharp fangs.

Even though she tried to appear calm, her hands were shaking as if ready to be bitten at any moment.

“I’m not dangerous. I just… need to get past. Can you let me through?”

The wolf didn’t move, still circling her cautiously.

It seemed to be checking out its prey by instinct.

The more it did, the more Aselin forced strength into her eyes and said firmly,

“Silver, if you bite me now, it’s the same as attacking Prince Claude.”

The wolf tilted its head at her warning.

Did it understand what she said?

Maybe Anna was right after all.

Aselin reminded herself of the wolf’s deep loyalty.

Then she bravely stepped closer and continued,

“Because I’m the prince’s apothecary. If I die, no one can treat his illness. You know what that means? You’ll never see him again.”

The wolf let out a whine, almost like it understood.

Even a beast couldn’t bear its master getting hurt.

“I’ve got lots of medicine in this bag. If I don’t bring it, the prince might get sick again today.”

She shook the heavy bag in front of Silver. The wolf glanced down, seeming conflicted.

“Even so, you’re not going to move? Then I’ll just go.”

Aselin turned away and started walking slowly toward the gate.

“Grrrr…”

A low whimpering sound came from behind.

When she looked back, her eyes widened.

Silver had stepped aside, now sitting calmly on the grass with shining eyes, as if asking her to come back.

Despite being a wild beast, he looked kind of cute.

Aselin paused before passing by, then walked over to Silver and knelt beside him.

“Silver, you really care about Prince Claude, don’t you?”

The wolf twitched its ears back and forth.

Was that a yes?

Aselin watched him curiously, then smiled softly.

Maybe… you’re better than people.

After a moment, she pulled out a white-wrapped snack from her pocket.

It was something sweet she’d kept to balance out the bitter medicine—thankfully, she had a few left.

She unwrapped it to reveal honey-glazed dried sweet potato, which looked delicious.

Aselin placed it in front of the wolf.

“This is for you. Because your loyalty is beautiful.”

Silver just stared at the sweet potato without eating.

Aselin shrugged and popped one into her mouth, chewing slowly.

Silver tilted his head, fascinated by her changing expressions.

“Go ahead, try it. It’s really tasty.”

She placed the sweet potato in her palm and held it out to him.

Silver licked a bit of the honey and his eyes went wide like full moons.

He looked so cute that Aselin carefully reached out.

Her fingers touched his soft, fluffy fur.

She gently stroked from his head down to under his chin. Silver wrinkled his nose, closed his eyes halfway, and then began licking the sweet potato in earnest.

The sight made her smile.

As the warm sunlight bathed them, she started humming a happy tune.

“You treat Silver like a pet cat.”

A low voice suddenly interrupted.

Aselin looked up.

Prince Claude was walking toward her, his boots dirty and his black hood pulled back—he’d just returned from scouting, it seemed.

“Your Highness,”

Aselin quickly stood and bowed.

Claude removed his hood and walked closer.

He had a tall, strong build and looked like he’d been sculpted from stone—so perfect even the sun might get jealous.

Aselin’s gaze slowly drifted back to Silver, now sitting obediently beside his master.

“When I got to the house, Silver was here. At first, I was scared, but after I talked to him… he understood me. Isn’t that amazing?”

She smiled brightly.

Claude’s eyes slowly swept over her face.

Her silver hair fluttered in the wind, her skin was pale like snow, and her sky-blue eyes sparkled like jewels under the sun.

…An angel sent from heaven?

The thought came out of nowhere, and Claude’s brow twitched.

“Silver has magic, so he’s not like normal wolves. He won’t attack without my command.”

“Oh, so that’s why he was out here. I almost turned back without knowing that…”

Aselin laughed awkwardly.

Even then, Claude just stared at her in silence.

Then, he spoke.

“That song you hummed in front of Silver…”

“…”

“Have you ever sung that for me before?”

“If you mean earlier… Oh, the lullaby?”

Aselin suddenly remembered.

Her face turned red as she recalled the day she sang while trapped in his arms.

“It’s one my mother used to sing. On the day Your Highness had an attack… I sang it. I read in a book that music can help with healing, so…”

“Whatever it was, don’t sing it again.”

“…What?”

“You’re tone-deaf, off-beat, and completely hopeless.”

“Oh… I’m sorry.”

At her reply, Claude whistled sharply.

Suddenly, a pack of wolves appeared out of nowhere and surrounded him.

Under the warm midday sun, Claude turned slowly.

“So from now on, sing it only in front of me.”

He said it with a blank expression.

Thump—

Aselin’s heart pounded loudly.

Days and nights passed by in a blur.

Time flew faster than anyone could hold onto.

And finally, just three days before the founding celebration ball—

The morning of Aselin’s wedding to Alex arrived.

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• ❁ • ❁ • ❁ •By Freya• ❁ • ❁ • ❁ •

If you want to support the translation and the translator, you can buy a coffee~

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