Episode 8

The Tilender delegation returned with a response from Count Munsen.

The lengthy letter was filled with lofty rhetoric about the importance of the conflict, but ultimately, it boiled down to a simple challenge: “Fine, let’s settle this on the battlefield.”

On a day when snowstorms began to whip around the Grand Duke’s castle, Aiden led the Tilender forces out to battle.

As much as I had tried to ignore it, my husband seemed to genuinely enjoy fighting.

To an outsider, it might have looked like he was heading off on a leisurely picnic.

While it was likely meant to reassure me and Trevor, his bright smile, revealing a neat row of ten upper teeth, felt strangely out of place.

Even his crimson eyes carried a subtle glint of excitement, leaving me worried in more ways than one.

“You should head inside now. The wind is bitter,” Vitrain suggested as he stood beside me, watching Aiden depart.

I shook my head, tightening my cloak around me.

My son and his “best friend,” Siet, were rolling around in the snow not far away, accompanied by several members of the household staff.

Despite the departure of the Grand Duke and his soldiers, bearing the Tilender banners into a dangerous conflict, the atmosphere was anything but somber.

Trevor, oblivious to the gravity of the situation, was simply enjoying himself. But what about the others? Was this really fine?

“It feels like I’m the only one worried about Aiden heading to battle,” I muttered, glancing at the carefree staff chasing after my son and the frolicking wolf pup.

“Did the Grand Duke fail to assure you of victory?” Vitrain asked, tilting his head quizzically.

“No, he promised he’d win. But the Count’s forces number ten thousand, and ours barely exceed five thousand.”

“If the Grand Duke trained them himself, I’d wager each of his soldiers can handle ten opponents with ease. It’s precisely for moments like this that he diverted the capital’s guards, isn’t it?”

The remark was meant to be comforting, but something about it felt off. And then, an unexpected revelation caught me completely off guard.

“He diverted the capital’s guards?”

“You didn’t know? I heard the Captain of the Imperial Guard grabbed the Grand Duke by the collar over it.”

“Anna grabbed Aiden by the collar? Wait, then who’s guarding Brincia?”

“The Imperial Guard has been restructured around the Royal Family’s handpicked private guards.”

“Well, that’s a relief…”

The idea of Rottania’s loyal Imperial Guard keeping the capital safe was reassuring, but why did this still feel strange?

Matters of military strategy were Aiden’s domain, so I hadn’t been privy to the finer details.

Now that I thought about it, the reorganization of the Grand Duke’s forces had been faster than expected.

I’d assumed it was due to an influx of young volunteers, but was it actually because they’d filled the ranks with seasoned guards from the capital?

The reassurance that our troops were the empire’s best fighters did little to quell my unease.

Vitrain, misinterpreting my silence, offered another misguided attempt at comfort.

“Even if, by some absurd chance, the Grand Duke were to lose, you have nothing to fear. Fifty thousand northern imperial troops are standing by, awaiting your command.”

I blinked. Why would imperial troops await my orders, especially with their Supreme Commander standing right here?

And wasn’t the agreement to avoid imperial involvement from the start?

Yet Vitrain gazed into the distance with a look of excitement matching Aiden’s earlier expression.

Despite all my efforts to transform these men into civilized humans, the former beasts still had their peculiarities.

Taking a deep breath of the cold northern air, I exhaled slowly.

Even if parts of this didn’t make sense, I had already decided to trust them.

Resolving to bury my doubts, I turned to my son, who was still playing in the snow.

“Trevor, it’s time to come inside,” I called out.

“Yes, Mother!”

Trevor sprang to his feet and ran toward me but slipped on the snow mid-stride, landing face-first with a loud thud.

Startled, the maids rushed to him while Siet barked in alarm, circling Trevor protectively.

Trevor, surprisingly still, didn’t immediately get up.

Hurrying over, I found Siet tugging at Trevor’s clothes, trying to help him stand.

“Trevor, are you okay?” I asked, lifting him gently.

His little nose was red, and he clamped his lips shut, clearly trying to hold back tears.

Though it seemed he hadn’t seriously hurt himself, the fall had likely left him shaken and sore.

I cupped his face, brushing away the snow, while Siet whined softly and licked his hand.

“Does it hurt a lot, Trevor? Want Mommy to hold you?”

Trevor hesitated, visibly torn between the comfort of my arms and his determination to appear strong.

After a brief pause, he sniffled and declared bravely, “Trevor’s fine!”

Proud of my son’s resilience, I pulled him into a hug and smothered his cheeks with kisses.

Trevor giggled, his earlier pain forgotten, before wriggling out of my arms and bolting toward the castle.

“Siet, let’s go!”

“Woof!”

With a joyful yip, Siet bounded after him, her short legs struggling to keep up.

I considered scolding Trevor for running but decided to cheer for my growing, adventurous son instead.

As I watched him race toward the gates, Vitrain, walking beside me, remarked admiringly, “The young master takes after the Grand Duke—so strong.”

“More like adorable, just like his father,” I quipped, echoing Vitrain’s earlier praise but redirecting it.

Caught off guard, Vitrain gave me a reluctant, sheepish glance.

Smiling knowingly, I raised an eyebrow until he begrudgingly nodded in agreement.

* * *

After spending a few anxious days, despite everyone assuring her not to worry, the news of victory arrived almost anticlimactically quickly.

Just one battle—one decisive encounter—and everything was resolved.

Count Munsen swore never to covet Tilender’s lands again, and Aiden sent a letter saying he would return as soon as the negotiations over reparations were complete.

She traced Aiden’s handwriting with her fingertips, reading his letter over and over again.

If he were here, she would have embraced him.

She would have celebrated with him, praising him for his efforts.

Thinking of Aiden, she felt an unbearable longing to see him.

Aiden needed to know—he who had been so nervous, fearing she might leave for Brincia alone—that he wasn’t the only one who hated being apart.

Watching her as she couldn’t tear her eyes away from the letter, Vitrain offered a gentle smile and a suggestion.

“Shall we go meet him?”

“Meet him?”

“If Your Majesty goes to greet him, it will raise the soldiers’ morale. Though I’m sure the grand duke will be the happiest of all.”

“I’ll be happier. Vitrain, that’s a great idea.”

She immediately got to her feet.

With Amy and Vitrain organizing the escort, and Trevor jumping with excitement at the thought of meeting his father, they boarded the carriage together.

During the journey, they exchanged letters and decided to meet in the Forest of Wolves, where they had once gone on an outing.

Perhaps because of her eagerness, they arrived at the forest before Aiden and Count Munsen’s negotiations were complete.

Siet, now back in its homeland, wagged its tail enthusiastically, leaping about, and Trevor, equally thrilled, ran after his furry friend.

“Trevor, don’t wander too far.”

As she called Trevor back just as he was about to enter deeper into the forest, the boy stomped his feet anxiously and shouted for her.

“Mother, Siet went that way!”

Following Trevor’s pointing finger, she heard Siet barking in the distance. Beyond that, there was a familiar howl.

“Mother! That way! Siet!”

Trevor hopped with impatience, desperate to follow his friend. Guessing what might be ahead, she moved in that direction.

As the long howling grew nearer, Amy and Vitrain stepped forward to stand guard.

“Your Majesty, allow us to check if it’s safe.”

She stopped Vitrain as he drew his sword and turned to smile at the two.

“It’s alright. It’s someone I know. Amy, don’t be too alarmed. I’ll be right back.”

Amy opened her mouth as if to protest, but her figure soon faded like a shadow.

Turning back, she saw Siet rolling on its back and yipping joyfully before a towering figure—Totuga.

“A wolf!”

Trevor clung to her skirt and shouted. This time, he didn’t recklessly dash forward but alternated his gaze between her and Totuga, his face filled with anticipation.

“Mother, the wolf! Can I pet the wolf?”

“That wolf is fine. Go ahead.”

When she nodded with a smile, Trevor clung to Totuga’s foreleg.

The benevolent spirit lowered itself, allowing both Trevor and Siet to climb onto its broad back.

Once the children were safely seated, Totuga turned to her and spoke.

“My friend.”

“Totuga. Have you been well?”

“I called to express my gratitude. Thanks to you, the forest is at peace.”

“It’s not my doing but Aiden’s. I’ll make sure your thanks reach him.”

“I watched the battle outside the forest. I wanted to help, but it wasn’t necessary.”

“I’ll let him know you were willing to help.”

She replied with a laugh, and Totuga’s red eyes narrowed slightly.

She wasn’t skilled at reading a wolf’s expressions, but it felt like he was smiling.

After gazing at her intently for a while, Totuga’s massive tail swished broadly.

“Come see me in the fall. I will send the strongest pup born next year.”

Hearing this, she thought it was Totuga’s way of repaying Aiden for protecting the Forest of Wolves.

While Trevor would be delighted to have another wolf companion, she felt guilty about taking yet another wolf that should grow up in the forest.

“There’s no need. Siet is already more than enough, and I’m grateful.”

“You’ll need another friend next year.”

Totuga’s cryptic gaze was directed precisely at her belly.