Completed ― How To Train the Wolf King – Accidentally Spending the Night Together and Triggering the Death Flag, I’ll Tame Him To Aim for a Happy Ending!

Chapter 1: The Villainess’ Splendid Graduation Ceremony

I have always had strange dreams.

Scenes of being packed in an iron box and transported somewhere, sparkling showcases, and myself running around frantically in response to unreasonable demands.

A single “book” gave me a ray of comfort in such daily life.

I realized that it was memories of my past life when I entered the academy.

＊ ＊ ＊

The prestigious Royal Academy, where noble children of the St. Legrand Kingdom spend three years from the age of 15.

The graduation party was being held grandly in the hall.

As expected of a school for nobles, although it was called an academy, the building was built luxuriously like a small castle.

However, it wasn’t because of the interior design by a well-known artist that the venue looked even more opulent tonight.

“I’m relieved to have reached this day safely.”

“It’s quite an accomplishment to see them off with pride.”

The teachers waiting in the hall whispered to each other with glasses in hand. Their expressions were uniformly proud smiles. They were waiting for tonight’s main characters.

At that moment, the students cheered.

“Look! It’s the seniors!”

The red door opened, and the graduates who had just received their diplomas appeared. Amidst the applause, the graduates elegantly matched in pairs.

As the last one did, a tall student with shining blonde hair appeared, and the applause grew even louder.

“Prince Serge!”

“Congratulations on your graduation, Your Highness!”

Under the chandelier’s light, the young man smiled gracefully. As soon as his sweet mask floated a smile, the girls in front of him stumbled and let out a yellow cheer.

Serge Louis Legrand. He is the younger brother of the king in this country.

While elegantly escorting a female student, the beautiful prince waved his hand with a smile. Amidst the noise of the female students’ excitement, however, a different kind of unrest was spreading among some of the students.

“Hey, hey. The student that His Highness is escorting…”

“Y-Yeah. That’s true.”

Quietly but surely, the unrest was spreading throughout the hall.

And it’s no wonder. At graduation parties, it’s mostly common for the prince to escort his fiancée or a woman who is a candidate for that position.

Serge doesn’t have a fiancée yet. However, there is a young lady who is considered a candidate. They had thought that Serge would escort ‘her’.

However, what Serge is escorting is the Baron’s daughter, who is hardly comparable to royalty. Moreover, she was originally supposed to be an orphan taken in by the church.

Flora Hermeia. That’s her name.

Now then. Ignoring the surprised students, Serge walked briskly with Flora. The prince, who was at the center of the graduating students lined up in a row, put his hand on his chest and smiled at everyone.

“To all the students and the teachers who have led us up to this day, we are grateful for providing us with this opportunity tonight, for the sake of us graduates.”

In response to Serge’s words, the graduating students elegantly bowed in unison. Amidst the applause, the prince looked over everyone with his gentle, sky-blue eyes narrowed.

“We have gained great knowledge at this academy. We have broadened our horizons, gained lifelong friends, and sometimes an irreplaceable partner. The time we spent here will become a treasure that will support us from now on.”

When Serge said “partner” and looked at Flora with a sweet gaze, Flora blushed and smiled happily in return. After gazing at each other for a while, he spoke up.

“On this beautiful day, I apologize for taking just a little bit of time. ——I, Serge Louis Legrand, am engaged to Miss Flora Hermeia, who is here with me.”

The teachers had probably been informed beforehand, as they applauded with gentle smiles. However, most of the students looked at each other in confusion.

Flora Hermeia. She had often been seen with Serge, and rumors had frequently circulated that they were in love.

At that moment, the prince unexpectedly let out a sigh of relief.

“And one more thing. I have come here today to put an end to it.”

The name he spoke next made the students hold their breath.

“Margaery Du Noel!”

In response to Serge’s urging to come forward, a young lady stepped out from the line of graduates.

She had beautiful silver hair that seemed to capture the stars in the night sky, deep blue eyes that shone with thoughtful light, skin as white as silk, and lips that were lightly tinted with pink. Everything about her was beautiful.

She was an impeccable, perfect lady. She was Marquis’ daughter, Margaery Du Noel, who had long been regarded as the prince’s partner, and was the daughter of the Prime Minister.

Margaery slowly turned towards Serge. Her steps were graceful, befitting the kingdom’s top lady. And yet, the tension in the hall increased with each of her steps.

‘Come to think of it, I’ve heard about this before.’ The current students dig up their vague memories.

There is a faction that does not approve of Flora, who is from a commoner background, being friendly with Serge and the students from prestigious families. Therefore, she was frequently harassed behind the scenes.

‘This is unbelievable.’ The current students gasped.

Marquis’ daughter Margaery was regarded as more suitable than anyone else to be Serge’s fiancée. Even if she hated Flora, who became intimate with Serge, bypassing her, it wouldn’t be strange at all.

The harassment that Flora received—’could it be that Margaery was behind it?’ Perhaps the prince is trying to reveal it in front of everyone from now on.

The current students are excited. If it goes as expected, the entertainment that will begin from now on will be top-notch. Scandals are the best entertainment when viewed from a third party’s perspective.

They secretly send hopeful glances to Margaery, who walks with a dignified look ahead.

They have been waiting for this. Like a love story that female students like. Like a big twist ending that depicts a love between people of different social status.

The moment when they become witnesses to the dramatic scene where Prince Serge condemns Margaery, the villainess!

Margaery, who was walking calmly, finally stands in front of Serge. Her posture is straight and beautiful, facing the prince with dignity while exuding a tense atmosphere.

The bright sky blue of Serge and the deep sea color of Margaery intersect.

At the moment when the expectations and tension of the gallery reach their climax, Serge and Flora move.

——And the two of them knelt before the villainess Margaery!

“Margaery, I offer you my eternal respect. I, Serge Louis Legrand, deeply appreciate you.”

As the students looked on in astonishment, Serge looked up at Margaery with sincere eyes. He kissed her hand with respect as she stood there with a beautiful smile.

“It’s thanks to you that Flora and I are together. If you weren’t a true friend, I would have kept my hidden feelings and faced today alone.”

“That’s all in the past.”

Margaery slowly pulled her hand away and urged them to stand up. Holding Serge’s and Flora’s hands, Margaery smiled with love.

“I just wanted my two dear friends to be happy.”

The teachers burst into applause, and even the students who were completely left behind clapped their hands for the time being.

‘What on earth is going on?’ Instead of a condemnation event, the parties are holding hands and smiling at each other in harmony.

Flora hugged Margaery with a beaming smile. Margaery was also happy, although surprised with her eyes wide open.

In such a dreamlike and beautiful scene, Margaery made a powerful victory pose that didn’t seem like that of a Marquis’ daughter, hidden under the compassionate smile of a saint.

(——Perfect. It’s going according to plan!!)

Chapter 2: Three Years of Margaery’s Pain

I have been having strange dreams since I was young.

Scenes of being packed into an iron box and taken somewhere. Showcases that glittered and shone. I found myself running around frantically, trying to keep up with unreasonable demands.

A single book gave me a ray of comfort in such daily life.

I realized that they were memories from my past life as soon as I entered the academy.

–

“Take a look. That person is the rumored Flora Hermeia.”

At the Royal Academy’s entrance party, a certain young lady whispered to “her”, and that was the beginning of everything.

“Despite being a commoner orphan, the Baron family took her in because she had magical abilities… ugh, how distasteful.”

The young lady shook her head with disgust. And that was when “Margaery” saw her—Flora—for the first time.

Certainly, she looked shabby overall. The material wasn’t bad, but her hairstyle was far from fashionable, and even her uniform didn’t fit properly for some reason.

Perhaps she had never been to a party before. She didn’t touch the food or drink and was huddled in a corner of the hall, looking troubled.

——At that moment, a passage from a story suddenly fell into her head like a revelation.

‘Flora was lonely. As a commoner suddenly thrown into the world of nobles, she had no friends who would smile kindly at her. Despite the glamorous setting, her heart was filled with gloomy thoughts.’

(…Huh? …Hmmm??)

Why did she remember that book? As she thought about that, Margaery became even more flustered. What was ‘that book’? Where did she see the cover that briefly came to mind?

Blinking her eyes, Margaery looked around. This was the Royal Academy, where the children of nobles attended. And it was the setting of ‘that book’. With that thought, Margaery’s head began to spin rapidly.

Flora Hermeia. She was the protagonist of ‘Cinderella Suddenly’, a romance novel that Margaery was obsessed with in her past life.

Past life. The idea was so sudden that it made her feel dizzy. However, it was clear that it was not a dream or delusion. Flora was the protagonist, and her partner was Prince Serge, who was in the same grade. The name of the hated villainess who interfered with the two was…

“Oh? Margaery-sama, what’s wrong?

“Your face is pale?”

“O-ohoho. I’m just a little tired.”

Margaery vaguely responded to the concerned young ladies while her eyes wandered.

Margaery Du Noel. She was a daughter of the Noel Marquis family and the beloved daughter of Jordan Du Noel, who served as the Prime Minister of this country. As the most suitable lady to be engaged to Prince Serge, she was a rival who stood in the way of Flora.

(Wait, wait!? The Marquis family, the Prime Minister’s daughter, it all matches up!?)

The knowledge from her past life and the memories of the 15 years she had lived as Margaery fit together like a puzzle. It was a situation that was not at all funny.

If the novel was correct, Margaery would take various measures to expel Flora from the academy. However, in the final scene of the first part, at the graduation party, she would be exposed for her misdeeds in front of everyone and ‘expelled’.

After various twists and turns, Margaery ultimately met a self-inflicted and unavoidable tragic end.

Margaery stumbled, but in the next moment, she regained her composure and stood up straight.

(~~~It’s unbelievable, but it’s fortunate that I can remember my past life now. There’s only one thing to do. I can’t be careless!)

Aim for the escape route from the destruction route. Aim for an escape from the villainy role.

In the next moment, Margaery leaped in front of Flora!

“Well, well, Flora-sama. It’s nice to meet you. I’m Margaery of the Noel family. Let’s get to know each other from now on. Have you already eaten the food? Let’s toast as a sign of getting closer.”

“U-um, nice to meet you…!”

“By the way, your uniform seems a bit big… If you like, I can give you mine. Don’t worry. I made too many of them and was in trouble.”

“Eh? U-um…”

“By the way, what are your plans for the weekend? There’s a salon I go to. There’s a trendy hairstyle that would suit you perfectly, Flora-sama.”

“R-Really!?”

“And also.”

Margaery leaned in close to Flora’s ear, whose eyes widened in surprise, and whispered softly.

“Please be careful. Flora-sama seems to have attracted a bit of attention.”

When she glanced at the group that had been speaking ill of her, Flora’s face was clouded with anxiety. To reassure her, Margaery lightly placed her hand on her chest.

“It’s okay. If I’m by your side, no one can easily lay a hand on you. So, Flora-sama, let’s become friends. I guarantee a comfortable school life for you, okay?”

It sounded like a scam, but she was serious. After all, her future was at stake.

Securing the position of the protagonist’s best friend was Margaery’s strategy, which she established in an instant.

The first premise was not to bully Flora.

However, it was not enough to simply refrain from interfering.

From the status of being the “Noel family’s daughter” and the “Prime Minister’s daughter,” rumors of Margaery’s engagement with Serge had been circulating even before they entered school.

If Flora were to be bullied by someone, Margaery would be the first to be suspected. Therefore, the only way was to become friends with Flora to the extent that she would not be suspected as the culprit.

“Y-Yes, I’d be happy to…?”

Flora was confused but extended her hand shyly. When Margaery shook her hand, a bell rang in her mind.

From then on, Margaery fought for three years.

She actively interacted with Flora, became her best friend, sometimes defeated the second and third villainous daughters and drove them away, and even acted as a cupid for Serge and Flora’s relationship.

And so, in the autumn of their third year, Margaery finally succeeded in getting Serge and Flora together. Of course, she made sure to remind them of who the biggest contributor was.

In other words, the scene that surprised the students at the party tonight was the result of Margaery’s three years of hard work!

Chapter 3: Did you spend the night with the Death Flag?!

“Thank you so much, Margaery. It’s all thanks to you.”

As the conversation turned to a pleasant chat, Serge spoke to Margaery again.

It wasn’t a formal greeting. As a close friend, Serge scratched his cheek bashfully with his finger.

“I want to protect Flora. I’ve had that feeling in my heart for a long time, but I couldn’t resolve the situation so smoothly on my own. I’m truly grateful to you.”

“I am too, Margaery-sama.”

Flora next to him also had tears in her eyes. By the way, thanks to Margaery’s three years of solid production, she had been reborn as a lovely beauty that everyone nodded to.

“If only I could have communicated my feelings to Serge-sama. I always thought it was just a dream from the past. But Margaery-sama pushed me forward.”

“Please stop it, both of you.”

Actually, she wanted to do a victory pose from the bottom of her heart. Margaery hid that impulse behind a beautiful smile and elegantly waved her hand.

“As I said earlier, I just wanted the two of you to be happy.”

“Margaery…”

“Margaery-sama…”

Serge and Flora, the perfect couple, both choked up at the same time. After exchanging a smile with each other, they modestly brought up the topic.

“Will you still meet with me after graduation? Will you still be friends with me?”

“Flora will spend time in the castle until she gets married. It’s easier to prepare for everything that way. I’d be happy if you could come and visit us from time to time too.”

Their sincere gaze was truly befitting of a protagonist couple. Margaery smiled, feeling oddly convinced that they were pure-hearted.

“I would be delighted. If you call me, I will come right away. Of course, I will also invite you to my house. Shall we make cookies together again during the season when the fragrant olive trees that Flora loves are in bloom?”

“Yes!”

Flora smiled brightly and hugged Margaery. “Oh my,” Margaery accepted it with a smile, but inside, she was grinning like a mischievous devil.

‘Has there ever been a villainess who avoided the destruction route so perfectly like me?’ Margaery waved goodbye to the two of them, who left arm in arm, and chuckled to herself.

In her past life as a company employee, reading romance novels during her spare time on the train or before bed was her bliss. Among them, there were many stories about the protagonist who reincarnated as the villainess in an otome game.

‘Even compared to those, this ending was so perfect!’

The likability of the heroine and hero was outstanding. Not only as a best friend, but also as a benefactor of love, she had built a solid foundation for a long and good relationship.

In addition, she had already made arrangements with her father at her home, so any other death flags that might have been ahead were already crushed.

(Oh no! My perfection is terrifying even to myself…!)

Margaery hugged herself with both arms and praised herself. It was now difficult to hide the laughter that was seeping out from within.

Looking back, she had been working as a foreign trader for high-end jewelry in her past life, and every day was filled with missions.

She knew her clients’ anniversaries better than they did, searched for hints in their daily exchanges, and found the true intentions behind their words.

After accumulating steady efforts, she presented a proposal that exceeded expectations with impeccable timing.

It was because of that confidence that she was able to overcome this challenge as well. Even though she felt like giving up many times, she encouraged herself, saying, “I can do it; I definitely can; I can do it,” and persevered.

(I feel like crying for some reason.)

In fact, her eyes were a little teary. If this were a sports-themed youth novel, this would be the part where she would be bathed in the sunset, shedding tears of emotion to her heart’s content.

There was nothing left to worry about. She just had to maintain a moderate relationship with Flora and Serge and spend peaceful days completely unrelated to the original work.

Being unrelated to the original work was important. She had spent three years living on the edge every day. ‘From now on, I wanted to enjoy a slow life without a care in the world.’

(What should I do? What should I do?)

Feeling liberated, Margaery skipped lightly. Those around her were surprised by the eccentric behavior of the “perfect lady,” but she didn’t care tonight. She felt like having a solo celebration.

After all, she had been reincarnated into another world. She could go on a journey for about six months. Maybe she would have some wonderful encounters. After all, this was a world of romance novels.

Maybe she should try opening a café in her territory. It was a common thing to do. She could use her hobby from her past life to open a bakery or bake cakes. Her father, the Prime Minister, would probably overlook it for about a year.

With her expectations soaring, Margaery walked lightly. There, a passing waiter elegantly pointed to a tray.

“Would you like some champagne?”

“Oh my!”

Her throat gulped. There were no age restrictions on drinking in this world. Even at the academy, alcohol was served on special occasions like today.

“Gladly.”

While maintaining the appearance of a lady, Margaery accepted it with excitement. As she sniffed it, a pleasant and high-quality fragrance wafted into her nose. Margaery narrowed her eyes in ecstasy.

When she put her lips to it, the bubbles tickled her throat. Margaery was completely elated by the pleasant sensation.

(How delicious!)

After work, a drink was truly exceptional. Perhaps it was the most delicious drink, even counting from her past life.

Margaery, who was getting carried away, emptied glass after glass. Tonight, she felt like she could drink as much as she wanted. She could even spend the whole night drinking.

The rich champagne smoothly disappeared down her throat. The night of the party grew late. Gradually, her consciousness became hazy and unclear——

——And now, Margaery’s face had turned pale as a sheet.

“Finally awake, huh? I’ve been waiting for quite a while.”

A voice that was deeply resonant and oozing with sensuality echoed in her ears.

The bewitching gaze was looking at her with pleasure.

The glossy jet-black hair that was like the night sky with the curtain of night drawn, and the red eyes that looked like fresh blood peeking out from underneath.

The slender face with a straight nose, exuded a somewhat androgynous beauty, and the body peeking out from the loosely draped robe was undoubtedly male, exuding an irresistible sex appeal.

Even just that was enough to make her want to cover her eyes, but the man pushed her into further despair.

“Sleeping soundly next to the king, you’re quite an interesting girl. As expected, you’ve spent the night with me.”

‘One night.’ The reality of it made Margaery feel like she was about to faint.

She was not naive enough to not understand the implications of the man’s insinuations. Moreover, ‘what did he say? Next to the king. Could it be a misunderstanding?!’

No matter how much she struggled, she couldn’t look away from the despair in front of her.

The man in front of her had a beauty that was entwined with a regal aura. Above all, he had the lustrous jet-black hair that only a select few of the Legrand royal family were born with. There was no mistaking the identity of the man in front of her.

“Your Majesty, Julius Lui Legrand…”

As she called out his name in a daze, the young king of St. Legrand Kingdom smiled with satisfaction.

He was the half-brother of Prince Serge and one of the characters in the novel. He was also known as the Wolf King of Legrand.

He was the other death flag that Margaery had kicked far away a long time ago.

Chapter 4: Drinking Mistakes, Really Scary

“You, someday you’ll mess up with alcohol.”

That’s what my mother used to say in my past life.

In my past life, I loved alcohol. With a strong constitution for it, whether it was a company drinking party or a gathering with friends, I enjoyed drinking delicious alcohol.

When I returned home feeling completely satisfied, my mother would say those words to me.

But I just brushed it off every time. Although there were times when things got hazy, I never completely blacked out, and I never had a one-night stand while drunk.

I thought I was immune to the so-called failures with alcohol. Even after being reborn, I believed that I could save myself before making any mistakes.

(And yet, this is what happened! I really want to punch my past self from last night!)

Still in shock, Margaery held her head in her hands.

She found herself reminiscing about her past life as a way to escape reality. She scolded and encouraged herself to face the hopeless situation. Then, Margaery slowly turned her deep blue eyes to the person next to her.

Then, His Majesty Julius-sama smiled charmingly.

“You look so scared and unfriendly. You were so obedient last night.”

(Impossible!!)

Deciding on a strategic retreat, Margaery shrunk back again.

The king was loosely wrapped in his robe, but it was clear that he was naked underneath. Fortunately, Margaery was also wearing a negligee, but that didn’t make her feel any safer.

After all, a young man and woman had spent the night together in the same bed and woke up in the morning. Could there be any more conclusive evidence?

(Mom, I’m sorry. I messed up with alcohol big time.)

Trembling, Margaery apologizes to her past life mother. She should have listened more carefully to her warnings. She should have asked for advice on what to do if she carelessly “failed”.

As for her current parents… she decides not to think about it. Just thinking about how they would react if they found out makes her head ache.

Then, she hears a chuckle from next to her. When she half opens her eyes and looks over, she meets the amused gaze of the king.

“Sorry. You make so many faces.”

Perhaps he sensed her disapproving look. The king shrugs lightly, trying to hold back his laughter. Margaery feels a secret thrill at the glimpse of his true nature behind his gesture.

But the next moment, Margaery’s expression turns serious at the king’s words.

“Don’t worry. I slept with an unmarried woman last night. I’ll take responsibility for it, of course.”

“…Huh?”

“What’s with that face? Did you think I was a heartless man who would take any woman to bed? I swear I won’t do such a thing, and my body will always belong to you.”

Now, she feels like she’s been hit with a huge declaration.

While Margaery is still stunned, Julius-sama continues to talk to himself, ignoring her. “So, what about the ceremony?” “We need to get engaged first.” “We have to greet your parents. The Prime Minister will come to the castle soon. Shall we go now?”

(Is this a nightmare? What kind of punishment game is this?)

Margaery gives up thinking and silently looks up at the canopy.

―Julius Lui Legrand, Your Majesty.

He is the young king who is the half-brother of Prince Serge and ascended to the throne a few years ago. Due to various circumstances, there is a rift between him and Serge, so even Margaery, who is close to Serge, has never met Julius outside of official events.

However, I have heard stories about him through my father, who is the Prime Minister. He is a very sharp person, sometimes so rational that he can be called cold-hearted. Once he sets his sights on something, he never lets it go. One of the reasons he is called the “Wolf King of Legrand” is because of his personality.

This is all the information I know as a Noel family daughter.

According to my memories from my past life, Julius is also a character from “Cinderella wa Totsuzen ni.” He appears in the second part called the “Bride Training Arc.” He is a new character that Flora, who has entered the castle, meets.

You might think, “Did she panic because she got involved with a character from a novel?” But the important point is the following:

Julius is Margaery’s second death flag.

Margaery, the villainess from the first part who was humiliated at the end, was “exiled” from her position as a candidate for the younger prince’s fiancée, but she appears in the second part with her resilience, using her resourcefulness and her father’s connections as the Prime Minister to revive herself as Julius’s fiancée. It was like a phoenix, and I couldn’t help but make a comment at the time.

Margaery, who has revived like a phoenix, naturally hates Flora and the others who humiliated her in front of a large audience. So she uses the rift between Serge and Julius to work behind the scenes to discredit Flora and the others.

However, at the end of Part 2, as a result of her past misdeeds catching up to her, Margaery dies without much fanfare.

The one who takes her life is none other than the King, Julius.

She gulps and holds her breath.

Calm down. What’s done is done. What’s important now is how to get through this crisis.

Mission Impossible, Is Possible. If I try, I can do it, I definitely can. I can do it!

Encouraging herself, she sits up straight on the bed.

“With all due respect, Your Majesty!”

“Hmm, what is it?”

Julius, who had been happily talking about something until now, closes his mouth and tilts his head. Margaery, feeling uneasy under his strangely innocent gaze, clasps her hands together and bows down – as if she were prostrating herself in her past life.

“You don’t have to take responsibility. Instead, could you please pretend that last night never happened!”

Chapter 5: His Majesty the Wolf Will Not Let You Go

Please forget about what happened last night.

After Margaery bowed down on her knees, the silence that followed was suffocating. As the uncomfortable feeling crept up on her, Margaery lowered her head and tilted it to the side.

(Ara? Why is Your Majesty not saying anything??)

It was clear that Julius was getting in a bad mood, but she didn’t know why. Julius himself probably didn’t want to take responsibility for this. After all, they had never even had a proper conversation.

As she tried to lift her face, her shoulder was pulled back abruptly.

A large hand grabbed her cheek as she widened her eyes and puckered her lips like a duck. Confused by the king’s strange behavior, Julius let out a chilling smile and twitched the corner of his lips.

“…Could it be that this isn’t the first time something like this has happened?”

“Huh?!”

“Well, maybe not. If that’s the case, I don’t know. My proposal is perfectly reasonable. How about you? After all, you’ve been playing with the king, toying with him, sneaking into his bed, and now you want to pretend like nothing happened. That’s quite an offer, Margaery du Noel.”

“Wha-what are you talking about? (Sneaking into his bed?!)”

Margaery widened her eyes in anger and instinctively shook off the king’s hand.

“I’m sorry to say this, but Your Majesty was supposed to attend the Royal Academy graduation ceremony as part of your official duties. Even though it was my own doing, I think it’s quite a behavior for the king to bring back a drunken female student and disfigure her. Do you think so?”

Since the founding of the academy, the kings had always attended the graduation ceremony as a tradition. The reason why Julius visited the academy yesterday was for that very reason.

Margaery chuckled as if she had hit a sore spot.

Despite that, Julius grinned.

“Do you not remember? Well, I guess that can’t be helped.”

“D-Did I say something strange?”

Margaery had a bad feeling as Julius narrowed his red eyes and put on a thin smile. Julius leaned his chin on his hand nonchalantly.

“While you were enjoying the party, I had finished talking with the headmaster and was about to return to the castle when I went out to the courtyard. In the shadow of the bushes, I found a dead body.”

“A-A dead body?”

“When I investigated, it turned out to be a drunken female student. Anyway, she was lying spread-eagled on the lawn. That was you, Margaery de Noël.”

Margaery’s face twisted. What was going on? At the beginning of the conversation, she already wanted to plug her ears.

Ignoring her, Julius continued with a cool expression.

“I called the academy staff. After all, even if she was drunk, she was still a young lady. But you cried and clung to me.”

According to him, if her classmates saw her in that state, it would be the end of her reputation. She begged him to take her away from the academy.

“The teachers tried to carry you to the infirmary, but surprisingly, you were strong. It was quite enjoyable to see the teachers’ faces turn pale every time you rubbed your tear-stained face against them.”

“I-I see. Is that all?”

Sweat dripped down her face. She replied as best she could, and Julius chuckled.

“I reluctantly put you in the carriage. I knew you were the Prime Minister’s daughter, so I tried to send you to the Noel family. But then you started crying again. ‘If my father found out about this, he would be angry. Since it’s too late, please don’t take me home.’”

It’s a dead end. Julius shook his head at Margaery, who was busy looking around.

“I can’t send you back to the academy. I can’t send you home. If that’s the case, the only thing I can do is bring you to this castle, right?”

“W-w-wait a minute!”

Margaery desperately resisted, shrinking herself.

She understood why she was ‘taken home’ to the castle. She was so sorry that she wanted to dig a hole and bury herself right away. But that’s that, and this is this.

Margaery jerked her finger at the signal of the counterattack.

“You should have just thrown a drunken little girl around somewhere. But to bring me to your bedroom…did you have ulterior motives after all?!”

“————That’s because you selfishly wanted to see me in this form.”

A voice murmured. The next moment, a soft breeze swept through the bedroom.

Margaery instinctively closed her eyes. When she finally opened them, she gasped in amazement at the pointed ears covered in black fur that protruded from the glossy black hair. The fluffy tail that swayed as if to show off.

Margaery opened her mouth in surprise.

——Atavism. The half-beast form that only the black-haired royal family can take, the same form as the first Wolf King. In the novel, it is only revealed once in an important scene near the end of the story.

Despite exposing it without hesitation, Julius, for some reason, narrowed his eyes proudly, like a real wolf assessing its prey.

“Listen, Margaery. Call me Yuri.”

“Huh? Ah, okay?”

“Yuri. When you call me, don’t use ‘Your Majesty’ or ‘Julius.’ Use that name. It’s your privilege.”

Margaery’s face twisted in fear at his words. Julius took a strand of her silver hair and kissed it.

He showed his fangs and gave her a fierce smile as she stiffened.

“Remember it well. I decided to show this form only to those I truly trust… Once you’ve seen this form, you can’t escape from me. I swear by the name of ‘Legrand’s Wolf King’ that I will definitely get you.”

Chapter 6: As expected of Your Majesty, you work fast

Legrand Kingdom’s first king, known as the “Wolf King of Legrand,” was said to have been granted magical power by the sacred beast Fenrir, which gave him the ability to rule the kingdom.

According to legend, every few generations, a black-haired prince with the power to transform into a beast like the first king is born into the Legrand royal family. In such cases, even if he is not the firstborn, the black-haired prince is destined to inherit the throne.

In the current generation, that prince was Julius. However, his birth was a bit complicated.

He was born to a maid whom the previous king had impregnated during a night of debauchery, as the queen had been unable to bear a child for a long time. Despite not being the legitimate heir, Julius was born with the power of the first king.

The Legrand Kingdom was divided on how to handle a child who was born with the power of the first king but was not the legitimate heir.

Ultimately, Julius inherited the throne based on his own abilities, but the turmoil leading up to that point created a rift between King Julius and Serge that still exists.

With such a backstory, King Julius made his appearance in the second part of the story. ‘To be honest, he is one of my favorite characters.’

Due to being born with many enemies, he was a lonely wolf with emotional scars. And she fell in love with him in an instant. The story of “Cinderella abruptly” remained in her head, not only the main story but also because she had been searching for Julius’ fan art and SS on the internet.

‘My favorite scene is when Julius opens up to the protagonist about his true feelings in the middle of the second part.’

Julius had been wearing the mask of the “Wolf King” that everyone sought. But for the first time, he let slip, “Serge is truly worthy of being king.” It wasn’t just about their birth. His younger brother was loved and supported by everyone. It was completely different from him.

Flora quietly shook her head. Julius and Serge should take each other’s hands and move forward. She would be the bridge between the two of them. So she asked him to face them.

Her straightforward words shook the heart of the lonely wolf. So Julius, in the form of the cursed beast that he had always cursed, visited Serge for the first time. It was a scene that fans of Julius couldn’t describe without tears.

But even in such an important moment…

(They showed it off so blatantly! With such a smug look! That’s cheating!)

In the Noel family’s mansion on the outskirts of town, Margaery was writhing with her face buried in a cushion in her private room.

‘The animation was amazing. Seriously, it was beyond godly. ‘

Even though she had seen the illustrations and fan art, the raw destructive power was on a completely different level. The gap between his handsome face and dog ears, and the swaying, elegant tail were a perfect match.

Perhaps that was why.

[For today, I’ll let you off the hook. Let’s meet again soon.]

Even when she was sent off with the eyes of a wolf that let its prey escape, and even now as she writhed, she couldn’t come up with a proper countermeasure.

“Why! How did this happen!”

Holding her shining silver hair, Margaery rolled around on the sofa.

Just when she thought she had avoided the path of destruction, she picked up another path of destruction. And with the option of a one-night stand. It would be impossible to say not to go crazy.

There was someone who sighed and shook her head at her.

“How long do you plan on doing that? If the situation improves, that’s fine, but to be honest, it’s a waste of time.”

“Anya is being mean!”

Margaery glared at the maid who was staring at her with a bewildered expression, pouting her lips.

Her name was Anya. She was Margaery’s maid and bodyguard.

When you hear the term “bodyguard,” you tend to think of a muscular, macho man, but she was not like that. She was a beautiful girl with cat-like, round eyes.

Despite her appearance, she was extremely skilled. They had been together since her father picked her up in some back alley.

By the way, Anya is also a character in the novel. She appears from the second part onward and acts as Margaery’s arms and legs, moving around like a spy.

Under her master’s resentful gaze, Anya shrugged her shoulders.

“Whether you cry or laugh, the fact remains that Ojou-sama was deliciously devoured by Julius-sama.”

“Stop it; don’t say it like that.”

“Then how about this? It’s called premarital sex…”

“Please stop it!”

Gyaa! she yelled, and Anya tilted her head. She was a disrespectful maid, even though she had a slightly cute face.

Furthermore, she was the only one who knew what had happened to Margaery last night. She had seen through the “reason” for her morning return that she had made up with her steel mental strength.

[Ojou-sama? You’ll tell me the truth, won’t you?]

As soon as she entered the room, Anya approached Margaery. When she tried to deceive her, Anya showed a devilish smile.

[If this isn’t going to be a conversation, be prepared. Maaasterrr! Maaasterrr! Maaasterrr! Do something!]

A panicked Margaery ended up spilling everything.

Margaery pouted, and Anya tilted her head.

“Why not consider the proposal from His Majesty?”

“Huh?”

“He’s the king, isn’t he? Isn’t it an honor? At least it’s better than being used and thrown away after one night. What’s the problem?”

“W-well…”

She couldn’t reveal the truth about the novel. If she suddenly talked about it, she would be thought of as crazy. But for Margaery, it was a matter of life and death.

After all, the other party was a death flag. Maybe she could avoid it by scheming, but she had no confirmation. Above all, she didn’t want to live in constant fear for her life from now on.

(No matter what, I have to avoid engagement with His Majesty!)

She swore firmly in her heart. Anya still looked at her strangely, but she seemed to have noticed something.

“By the way, I must say, you seem quite energetic. Are you not in pain?”

“Ah, well, now that you mention it…”

She was momentarily surprised, but quickly understood. Last night was Margaery’s first experience, but aside from a headache from a hangover and stress, she was feeling fine.

(I thought it would be tiring…)

Margaery blushed and looked down at her body. She had no experience, and in this life and the previous one, she had been busy with club activities and work, so she had no experience with romance.

The maidservant also looked at Margaery with a strange expression. Eventually, she muttered in a barely audible voice:

“Did His Majesty really lay a hand on Ojou-sama?”

“What did you say?”

“Nothing.”

When she asked again, Anya shrugged lightly. Instead of answering, she raised her eyebrows.

“In any case, if you really want to escape, you should hurry. The other party is the king of a country. If you hesitate, you’ll be caught in no time.”

“Hey, hey! It’s only been a day since yesterday, you know? Even the Wolf King hasn’t done anything yet.”

Margaery’s eyes swam with hope, but…

❂❂❂

“What did you just say?”

Right after that, Margaery, who had been summoned to her father’s study, was unable to accept the news she had just received.

The Prime Minister of this country, Jordan du Noel, glanced at his daughter and then dropped the letter he had just finished reading on the desk.

“I’ll say it again. You have been ordered to go up to the castle tomorrow. Julius-sama himself has ordered you to come.”

[You saw me in this state, and you can no longer escape from me. I swear on the name of the ‘Wolf King of Legrand’ that I will definitely get you.]

The voice of the Wolf King, faintly smiling and whispering, echoed in her ears.

The flowing handwriting was probably Julius himself. He had handed it to Margaery’s father, who was the Prime Minister. He understood very well that Margaery had no right to refuse.

(Did he already block my escape route?!)

“By the way, Margaery…what happened between you and His Majesty last night?”

He probably had a vague sense of something. The Prime Minister, who was feared as the king’s right-hand man, couldn’t hide his agitation.

However, Margaery just stood there in shock.

Chapter 7: Otou-sama’s eyes are serious

King Julius Lui Legrand was in a good mood from the morning of that day.

With a face so cool and composed that it was almost ruthless, he looked down on everything and everyone, a solitary wolf king who kept everyone at bay. But today, his surroundings felt somewhat softer. As a result, his beauty shone even more brightly, secretly making the women who worked in the castle’s offices flutter with excitement.

In such a king’s office, a man came to visit.

“She has arrived.”

“I see.”

In response to Prime Minister Jordan du Noel’s call, Julius stopped writing. He quickly put his quill back in its proper place and stood up.

“It’s a man’s shame to keep a lady waiting for too long. Let’s go immediately.”

But Jordan didn’t move. He looked at Julius with an unusual expression, as if he wanted to say something.

“What is it? Speak up.”

“Well, I’m afraid…”

The middle-aged gentleman bowed respectfully. But the next moment, he raised his face, shaking the decoration of his monocle with a clatter, and raised his middle finger vigorously.

“Don’t think you’ll get away with it if you make my daughter cry. I’ll do everything in my power to drag you down from the throne.”

“Is that a rebellion threat?”

“Depending on the situation.”

Julius stared intently at the Prime Minister, whose sharp eyes shone behind the monocle. After a moment, he let out a small smile.

“I don’t mind. I’ll keep it in mind.”

“Thank you for your kindness.”

As before, Jordan respectfully placed his hand on his chest.

Julius had bought this middle-aged man with a deep-set face who looked good in a monocle. I don’t know what Julius thinks of him personally, but he is a faithful man to his work.

He probably serves the “nation” rather than the “king”. He is a dangerous person in a sense, but on the contrary, the Prime Minister found comfort in his dry side.

On the other hand, Jordan is a family man who loves his wife and children. His love for his daughter, who looks exactly like his wife, is so great that he occasionally mentions her name even in conversations with Julius, who rarely talks about anything other than work.

The king muses on the day when the Prime Minister will question him about his daughter.

That one night. It’s about her. She probably hasn’t told the Prime Minister about it. But Jordan probably has a vague idea of what happened because of his daughter’s subtle attitude.

(Well, the Prime Minister’s worries will turn out to be groundless.)

He doesn’t intend to make her cry. At least not in this matter.

“Your Majesty Julius, is here!”

Prime Minister Jordan, who had entered the audience room earlier, raised his voice loudly. There was no need to introduce himself as it was not a formal occasion, but it was probably his fatherly consideration for “her” waiting in the audience room.

‘She is here.’

His heart is pounding. Even though he hasn’t been attached to anything before, it seems that he can get excited.

“Sorry to keep you waiting, Margaery.”

Trying his best not to reveal that he had come in a hurry, he climbed up onto the stage with all the dignity he could muster. Sitting on the throne, he elegantly crossed his long legs.

“I told you, we’d meet again soon.”

His lowered eyelids slowly lifted, revealing deep, sea-colored eyes that looked up at him.

Seeing her like that, the king’s face naturally lit up.

She knew it already, ‘the animation was really good.’

Margaery was once again amazed by Julius King, who appeared before her.

His long black hair for a man, his slanted, beautiful eyes, and his ruby-like bright red eyes that peeked out from them. His straight nose and his smiling lips were both androgynous, exuding a seductive charm. He was such a greedy existence that he even had dog ears and a tail added here.

(If only I weren’t the villainess Margaery, and he weren’t the death flag Julius…!)

She gasped. But there was no point in lamenting. He was undoubtedly Julius Lui Legrand, the death flag for Margaery.

While she was thinking about such things, she seemed to have been staring at him for a while. Suddenly, Julius narrowed his eyes with a pleasant expression.

“What’s wrong? You’re staring so much it’s making me feel embarrassed. Are you that happy to see me?”

“N-no, I’m sorry.”

“What are you apologizing for? I’m happy to see you. Really.”

Margaery plastered on a mask of a solid smile as she looked at her past life crush, Julius, who was oozing with sex appeal.

She wanted to enjoy her favorite god-tier artwork while writhing in pleasure, but right now she was the Marquis’ daughter. She had to smoothly brush off social niceties like a proper young lady.

This was just a game. That’s how Margaery tried to answer with a smile that was meant for others.

However, a piercing gaze from behind the king startled her the next instant. It was coming from Julius’ right diagonal back, specifically from the Prime Minister who was standing behind the king, Margaery’s beloved father, Jordan. He was staring at the back of Julius’ head with incredible pressure.

‘Kill you. Beat the wolf who dared to lay a hand on my daughter to a pulp.’ Margaery paled at her father’s appearance, which seemed like she could hear him saying those words any moment now.

(F-Father, calm down! You’re leaking your killing intent! You’re making a hunter’s face like you’re about to take down your prey three seconds before you actually do!)

“Oh, ohohoho…You’re funny, Your Majesty.”

If she continued like this, she would end up with a criminal in her family before the destruction ended. Feeling the crisis, Margaery quickly answered with a distant tone. Julius frowned dissatisfyingly.

“Yuri, right? I said you can call me that.”

“I cannot do that. Some people may find it disrespectful for a mere girl to call Your Majesty like that.”

“I see. It’s okay when we’re alone. That’s not a bad offer; I like it. But already, I think we’ve gone beyond that stage.”

(Father! Endure it! Endure it with all your might————!)

Margaery’s stomach twisted at Julius’s outrageous words. Her father’s eyes were now filled with killing intent as he flexed his hands, as if saying that he didn’t need any tools as a first-class hunter and could do it with his bare hands.

Then, suddenly, a small sound was heard. When she looked back, Julius was shaking his shoulders and laughing.

“Ku, hehe. Haha…!”

Margaery couldn’t help but be taken aback by his cheerful profile that revealed his true nature. At the same time, she realized. ‘I see.’ The king noticed Jordan’s gaze and was teasing him for fun.

(Stop it, it’s bad for my heart…)

Feeling exhausted, Margaery slumped her shoulders. If it’s bad for her heart, it’s bad for her stomach too. In fact, it seems like all her organs are about to give out.

Seeing Margaery like that, Julius looked at her with a pleased expression.

“Well, in any case, we won’t be able to have a conversation like this. I’m preparing some tea, so why don’t we move over there? I want to properly convey the details of the ‘request’ to you.”

Chapter 8: The tail seems to say as much as the mouth (Part 1)

Saint Legrand Kingdom, Royal City. Loire Castle. This castle, which also functions as a fortress, is located across the Loire River and boasts a stunning garden.

The green lawn is well-maintained and various flowers bloom throughout the year. In addition, you can enjoy a view of the rich valley right in front of you.

On the terrace located at the very back, overlooking both the valley and the garden, Margaery couldn’t help but feel unhappy despite the magnificent view before her.

The reason, of course, was the man smiling in front of her.

“I was hoping we could talk leisurely, and it seems you had the same idea.”

King Julius, holding a teacup, cheerfully lied. As soon as they were alone, he transformed into a beastman with wolf ears and a tail. He claimed that this was his true form and that it was easier to relax without having to keep up appearances.

There was no doubt that his elegant tea-drinking figure amidst the breathtaking scenery was picturesque. Moreover, he had the adorable dog ears that had pierced Margaery’s heart in her past life. He was probably unaware of it himself, but that only made him more annoying.

(Somehow, I’ve been skillfully manipulated.)

Margaery sighed as she also took a sip of her tea. However, if they had continued the conversation with her father present, Margaery wouldn’t have been able to handle it. As a result, she ended up having tea alone with the king, but she should accept that it was unavoidable.

Her father in this life, Jordan du Noel, was undoubtedly a gentleman who belonged in the category of handsome middle-aged men, and he had a close relationship with her mother that was enviable. He was a proud father, but he had a weakness of loving Margaery too much.

In the novel, it was largely due to Jordan’s behind-the-scenes maneuvering that Margaery returned as Julius’s fiancée in the second part. It seemed to be a move to show off to Prince Serge, saying, “You made my daughter cry.”

(His Majesty took my first time☆ I wonder what kind of face Otou-sama will make if I say that.)

Margaery trembled at the thought of the worst-case scenario. If she could just marry and take responsibility, that would be fine. But at worst, regardless of the flow of the novel, there was a possibility of heading straight for the destruction route.

“…gaery. Margaery!”

She was called and snapped back to reality. When she hurriedly blinked her eyes, Julius’s beautiful face was so close that their noses almost touched. Margaery literally jumped at the sight of his beautiful face, which filled her vision.

Julius frowned somewhat unhappily.

“What have you been thinking about since earlier? You have the nerve to leave the king behind and think about something else when we finally have some time alone.”

“I-I’m sorry, Your Majesty.”

Ignoring the fact that they were alone together, it was certainly a problem to be absent-minded in front of the king. Thinking about that, Margaery apologized sincerely. However, Julius’s face became even more unhappy.

“Call me Yuri.”

“Huh?”

“I said you can call me that…there’s no one else here.”

He stared at her with his red eyes, and Margaery was at a loss for words. He was strangely stubborn about this. It seemed that he wouldn’t let her go until she called him by his name.

After much hesitation, Margaery reluctantly called out the name as instructed.

“…Yuri, sama.”

“!”

Despite only calling out his name reluctantly, Julius widened his almond-shaped eyes and suddenly became very pleased.

“I don’t really need the ‘sama,’ but I’ll forgive you. You passed. From now on, make sure to call me that.”

He snorted with satisfaction. Despite his composed demeanor, his fluffy tail was vigorously shaking in the corner of Margaery’s vision.

“…”

Margaery couldn’t help but stare at the tail in silence.

(Huh? Is His Majesty really happy? He’s trying to act calm, but is he actually overjoyed inside?)

Margaery fell silent, staring at the tail unintentionally. She couldn’t understand why he was so happy just by calling out his name. Actually, the current situation was already a mystery in itself.

Until the trouble of spending the night together, Margaery had never had a proper conversation with Julius. Yet he declared that he would definitely obtain her and called her to the castle without delay.

It was as if he really…really liked her.

(Does His Majesty like me?)

Margaery quickly pushed the thought out of her head. After all, he was the king. Moreover, he was so charming. Despite being a solitary king who didn’t let people get close to him, he shouldn’t be so desperate for a woman after spending just one night with Margaery.

So why was Julius paying so much attention to her? It was simply because Margaery was a valuable commodity.

It may be immodest to say, but Margaery is beautiful. She would make a great queen. In addition, she has education and the strength to survive among the nobility. And to top it off, she is the daughter of Prime Minister Jordan. It’s understandable that Julius wants to add her to his pawns now that she’s no longer a candidate for Prince Serge’s fiancée.

However…

(Calm down, Margaery…whatever happens, I absolutely cannot agree to an engagement with His Majesty! I must endure this life long enough to become a grandmother and pass away in the company of numerous grandchildren. That’s the one thing I cannot compromise on!)

She placed her hand on her chest and took a deep breath. After admonishing herself in this way, Margaery cleared her throat.

“By the way, Your Maj…Yuri-sama. I have seen the imperial decree. It says that I am to support Flora Hermeia-sama, Prince Serge’s fiancée, and act as her attendant when she enters the castle.”

“To be precise, you will be her bodyguard and advisor.”

The king answered calmly and returned his cup to the saucer.

“Flora Hermeia was originally a foundling from the church. She is scheduled to enter the castle soon to receive an education as a queen, but she will face many difficulties due to her birth. When I was thinking about that, your face suddenly came to mind.”

‘How shameless.’ Despite Margaery’s disbelief, the king continued.

“I heard that you and Miss Flora were close at the Royal Academy. And you are a daughter of the Noel family, the Prime Minister’s daughter. If you are by her side, no one will harm Miss Flora, and she will have someone to consult with. So, will you accept?”

“I respectfully decline.”

Without hesitation, Margaery bowed her head.

——He was worried about his younger brother’s fiancée, who would soon enter the castle. But that was a blatant lie. His true intention was undoubtedly to call Margaery to the castle. He would definitely get his hands on her. He declared he would slowly fill in the moat and corner his prey.

As proof, Julius’ eyes gleamed with a cheerful color that has appeared and disappeared since this topic came up! He had the eyes of a carnivorous animal, enjoying the thrill of the chase.

However,

(I can’t let him underestimate me. I won’t let myself be caught so easily!)

Margaery swallowed hard while looking down. She hadn’t been breaking the death flag for three years for nothing. She had overcome similar situations many times before. This time too, she would surely escape from the future of destruction.

‘Now, it’s time for a counterattack!’ She gave herself a pep talk.

With that, Margaery choked back her tears and said,

“…I’ve reached my limit.”

“…Hmm?”

Julius raised an eyebrow as she looked up at him with teary eyes. ‘Good, he’s taking the bait.’ While smiling to herself, Margaery continued her convincing acting.

“I, actually, have feelings for Prince Serge.”

“You? My younger brother?”

“Prince Serge is a splendid person. He’s kind to everyone, sincere to everyone…but Flora-sama is also an important person to me. So I suppressed my feelings and supported both of them. But it was so painful!”

She choked up again and shook her shoulders. Then, Margaery tightly clasped her hands together.

“When we graduated, I felt relieved. I could avoid seeing both of them for a while. I want to face this painful feeling slowly…Please don’t ask me to serve Flora-sama until this pain disappears.”

‘How about that!’ Margaery smiled slyly under her hands, covering her face.

Margaery rejected the royal order. And for a childish reason, “I don’t want to serve my love rival.” And to make matters worse, her lost love was Julius’ half-brother with whom she had a delicate relationship. Julius must have been disappointed in Margaery two or three times over this.

(Come on, Your Majesty. Disappointed already. And throw away the idea of marrying me!)

With that thought in mind, Margaery stole a glance at the king.

Chapter 9: The tail seems to say as much as the mouth (Part 2)

(W-What’s this?)

Caught off guard, Margaery blinked.

She thought he was looking at her with disgust and displeasure, but King Julius was just staring at her intently.

Finally, feeling uncomfortable, he suddenly chuckled.

‘What is it?’ She felt like she had made a mistake somewhere.

Ignoring Margaery’s trembling, the king leaned back in his chair.

“Hmm? You’re in love with my younger brother? So, spending time with Flora Hermeia was actually painful for you… That’s quite different from what I heard, isn’t it?”

“What do you know?”

Her throat was dry. Margaery managed to suppress it and asked fearfully. The king answered with a clear sense of amusement.

“The night you graduated from the academy. I stayed at the academy until that late hour, talking with the headmaster, instead of attending the party. Do you know why?”

“N-No…”

“It’s about Flora Hermeia. I asked the headmaster for more information about her.”

(This is the first time I’ve heard of this?!)

Ignoring Margaery’s surprise, the king continued smoothly.

At the party, Serge announced Flora Hermeia as his fiancée. Margaery’s father, who was the Prime Minister, had informed him beforehand.

As a member of the royal family, it was necessary to understand the person who would become their partner. That’s why he had asked the headmaster for information about Flora.

“I heard an interesting story there. Flora Hermeia, who was initially ostracized due to her birth, found her best friend. That friend is you, the Noel family’s daughter, Margaery.”

“I-I see.”

“Due to her birth, Miss Flora often received harassment. However, it mostly stopped around the end of the first year. The reason seems to be you. You apparently took care of those who were bothering Flora, and kicked them out so they couldn’t harass her again.”

“W-Well, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Moreover, you actively played matchmaker for Flora and my younger brother. From setting up dates to choosing gifts, and even timing the confession. You took care of everything. The headmaster was impressed and said you were the Cupid of love for your brothers.”

“…”

Margaery turned her face away, sweating profusely.

‘What should I do?’ Everything she did to prevent the destruction flag in the academy arc was backfiring on her.

Julius probably didn’t know anything about their time at the academy. That was her excuse, but it was a complete mistake. This was what happened when a strategist got too caught up in their own schemes.

As if cornering her, the king leaned forward.

“You said it was painful to see my younger brother and Miss Flora together, but you were quite devoted. To be able to do so much for someone, even while your heart was breaking.”

“Uh, um, well, that’s…”

“Well, even if you’re really suffering from heartbreak, you don’t have to worry. I’m ready to embrace you, including all your pain.”

(Isn’t that already a proposal?!)

With a strangely manly line and a sparkling hand extended by the king, Margaery held her head in her hands.

However, it was not the time to despair. Despite her headache, Margaery desperately tried to come up with a way to get out of this situation. She needed to find a way out of this predicament as soon as possible.

‘Any reason will do. I must stay in the castle, no matter what!’

“…Is there no way you could accept the proposal?”

“Huh?”

The sudden meek voice surprised Margaery, who was about to counterattack with a heavy breath. She saw Julius, who had been like a hunter with his ears perked up like a fierce wolf, now looking down with a dejected expression.

‘What’s wrong? Why is he suddenly like that?’ Julius continued to speak, looking even lonelier despite Margaery’s widened eyes.

“My younger brother, who is still related by blood, has chosen a lifelong partner. As an older brother, I thought there might be something I could do for him. But maybe I went too far without considering your feelings…”

“Eh? Me? Uh, what?”

“I thought you could help me. But I didn’t think about your feelings and went too far…I’m sorry. Please forget what we talked about today.”

For some reason, her chest felt painful.

For some reason, her heart was throbbing. Even his pointed ears that stood out from his black hair were drooping, and his tail that hung down through his pants seemed somehow lifeless. Margaery groaned at the melancholy sight.

(What? Is it my fault? What’s with this atmosphere?)

In front of her was a beautiful king, looking down with a dejected expression like a discarded puppy. The air was uncomfortable and unpleasant.

A subtle silence hung in the air.

(Ugh…)

This was a trap. A clever trap set by the wolf to keep Margaery by his side. She knew that, but her conscience wouldn’t let her stand up and leave, making her feel guilty.

Finally, unable to bear it any longer, Margaery shouted.

“Y-Yes, I understand! I’ll accept it, I’ll accept it, okay!”

“Is that so?”

Suddenly, Julius’ face lit up brilliantly. Even with his expressionless but beautiful face, his sparkling smile was exceptional.

Margaery’s face twitched, but Julius grabbed her hand.

“It’s a definite decision. I won’t let you back out now.”

“Yes, I understand.”

“I told you before, you’ll be living in Loire Castle. Even if the Prime Minister objects, I won’t back down.”

“I said I’d accept it!”

She answered in a panic. Julius’ smile grew even wider. If this were a shoujo manga, he would have had flowers blooming behind him.

Despite his smile fading slightly, he tilted his head slightly, looking a little embarrassed.

“I’m happy. From now on, you’ll be right by my side.”

“…”

‘Well, yeah. That’s how it’s going to be. It’s not like I accepted the proposal for that reason.’

She wanted to argue back, but the happy smile tinged with shyness, the perky pointed ears, and the fluffy tail wagging in the corner of her vision stopped Margaery from making any rude comments.

In the end, she fell silent and looked up at the sky. And then, she screamed in her heart.

(Damn it all!!)

Chapter 10: Papa loves his daughter too much

Margaery fell into the Wolf King’s scheme and ended up becoming the guardian of Flora and Hermeia. She was given a room at Loire Castle.

One day, a carriage arrived from the castle. Before getting on, Margaery looked back at her family.

“Otou-sama. Okaa-sama, Eddie-onii-sama. I will fulfill my duty.”

“Take care, Margaery-chan.”

Her mother, Cheryl, smiled leisurely. She had flowing silver hair and deep blue eyes, just like Margaery, but her personality was very laid-back.

“Do your best, my dear Margaery…! You can come back anytime you want…!”

Beside her mother was her father, Jordan, who was sobbing. There was no need for an explanation as to why he was crying. In response to her husband’s tears, Cheryl placed a hand on his cheek and said, “Oh my, there there.”

“Papa is just feeling lonely. Are you going to be okay like this from now on? After all, someday Margaery-chan will get married…”

“The castle is nearby! We can see each other anytime you want!”

Margaery shouted in panic at her mother’s careless remark. But it was already too late. Her father became even more despairing and said, “G-Getting married…?”

Her older brother shrugged his shoulders in exasperation.

“Father will be able to see Margaery the most easily. As a guardian, she can move freely anywhere within the castle.”

Eddie, the eldest son, made a face and interjected. He was very caring and fond of Margaery. As a civil servant working in the castle, they would occasionally meet. It was a great relief for Margaery.

“Seriously, if there’s anything you can’t handle alone, let me know. And rely on Anya for anything. That’s why we decided to bring her to the castle.”

Anya slightly lowered her head in response to the glance directed at her.

It was her father who decided to bring her along, of course, as a maid and bodyguard. “It would be a disaster if spies infiltrated the castle,” her father had said, but it was needless to say who the “bodyguard” was really for.

“If you notice anything suspicious, report it immediately.”

Her father emphasized this to Anya while sniffing his nose. Then he tightened his face and gave Margaery a thumbs up.

“Don’t worry. If anything happens, Papa will start a rebellion in a snap.”

“I have no reason to feel relieved, and I really want you to stop being serious about that?!”

Margaery screamed at her father, who was smiling but had a serious look in his eyes.

She felt like her head would hurt if they kept talking like this. Margaery hugged her family one last time before getting into the carriage with Anya.

“Take care, Okaa-sama and Onii-sama! Otou-sama, please don’t do anything strange! Well then, everyone, goodbye!!”

“What are you going to do?”

Not long after they departed, Anya brought up the topic with Margaery, who was holding her head in her hands.

“What are you going to do? About what?”

“About master. He definitely suspects something happened on the day Ojou-sama came home in the morning. At this rate, the master might be the one to arrange the engagement between Ojou-sama and His Majesty.”

“Please don’t say that! I’ve been trying not to think about it!”

She covered her ears and crouched down, but it was the truth.

It seemed that King Julius had switched to a strategy of slowly hunting down Margaery, but it was troublesome that her father was keeping an eye on her.

(Doesn’t Otou-sama love me? Even if he treats the premarital affairs of noble ladies as damaged goods? If he finds out that His Majesty has laid his hands on me, he’ll definitely try to arrange the engagement…)

Margaery trembled at the future scenario that was not difficult to imagine. If her father, the astute Prime Minister, moved, there would be no chance for Margaery.

But…

“I’m sure… no, it’ll be okay. I’ve been preparing for this for a long time.”

Margaery repeated it to herself as if to convince herself. Then Anya asked with a face that showed no expectation.

“Why were you able to prepare for this years ago? I have a question, but I’ll listen. What did you do?”

“It’s the ‘my ideal person is someone like Papa’ strategy.”

Margaery answered solemnly, brushing her silver hair like a thread of silver.

This was the second strategy to avoid the death flag of Julius, which she had been slowly executing since regaining her memories of her past life.

“Isn’t my papa’s blonde hair wonderful?”

“Yes…uh, yes?”

“My beloved Okaa-sama has silver hair. And, Onii-sama and I also have silver hair. It’s a bit lonely being the odd one out, so when I compliment Otou-sama’s hair color, he gets really happy.”

[Otou-sama’s hair shines and sparkles in the sunlight, it’s really wonderful.]

Since long ago, when Margaery complimented him like that, her father would be overjoyed.

Taking advantage of that, Margaery repeatedly whispered to her father for three years.

[If I get married, I want someone with blonde hair like Otou-sama.]

Men aren’t judged by their appearance or anything like that. They say that you’re drawn to your destined partner. However, Margaery brainwashed her father like a witch, even though he seemed to agree with those words.

[If you ever find someone for me to marry, don’t forget. Make sure it’s a wonderful person with blonde hair. Definitely okay?]

“Yes. Uh, so?”

Anya tilted her head with an unclear expression. Margaery shook her head with kindness towards the clueless maid.

“Otou-sama wouldn’t easily arrange an engagement between His Majesty and me. After all, Julius His Majesty has black hair!”

Bang! Proudly, Margaery answered.

It was actually going well. Previously, when her mother joked about “Who will Margaery-chan marry?” and brought up the topic with her father,

[Is it His Highness Serge, who is the same age? Or the son of the Archduke, who is one year older? With Margaery-chan’s beauty, even His Majesty Julius could be a possibility…]

[I wonder if His Majesty Julius is around.]

Father immediately responded, “Oh, why do you think so?” while her mother tilted her head in confusion. The father looked at Margaery.

Jordan touched his own blonde hair and winked.

[Well… it’s Margaery and Papa’s secret, right?]

“So. Otou-sama wouldn’t voluntarily arrange a marriage between His Majesty Julius and me.”

Margaery brushed her hair and looked back proudly.

Anya listened to the conversation with a bewildered expression. But as soon as it was over, she took out a handkerchief from her pocket and began to lament.

“Oh, poor master. Thanks to Ojou-sama’s half-baked plan, he will suffer deep wounds in his heart.”

“It’s not half-baked! It’s a perfect plan, isn’t it?!”

“Is it really perfect? His daughter will be taken by a man who isn’t blonde, and his damage will only increase, won’t it?”

“That’s not true!”

Margaery shrugged her shoulders, and Anya sighed, looking at her with pity.

“Well… I don’t think the master would proceed with the engagement without Ojou-sama’s consent. In that sense, you may not have to worry too much.”

“Right! I think Anya is right!”

Margaery suddenly became cheerful. Anya looked at her with a distant gaze as she smiled.

“It’s only a matter of time before she’s eaten up…”

“What? Did you say something?”

“No, nothing.”

The carriage wheels rattled rhythmically.

Loire Castle, where the king was waiting, was only a short distance away.

Chapter 11: Heroine is a healer after all

As soon as Margaery arrived at the castle, she reunited with her classmate from the Royal Academy, Flora Hermeia.

Flora must have heard about her arrival time in advance. She caught Margaery as she was trying to enter the castle.

“Margaery-sama!”

Running up to her with a sparkling smile befitting a heroine, Flora looked up at Margaery.

(Ah, Flora-sama is still so cute.)

Margaery lifted the hem of her skirt and put on her “young lady” persona as a result of her comforting aura. She smiled at Flora.

“I’m glad to see you, Flora-sama. However, even if we are close, shouldn’t we properly introduce ourselves since it’s been a while since we last met?”

“I-I’m sorry. You’re right, Margaery-sama.”

Flora blushed and grabbed the hem of her skirt in a hurry.

“Even though you taught me so much at the academy, I’m still no good. I got too excited when I thought I could spend every day with Margaery-sama from now on.”

(S-She’s so dazzling…!)

Margaery felt like covering her eyes with her hands due to the heroine aura emanating from Flora.

Then, she heard the voice of another protagonist.

“Hehe, it seems like the lesson has already begun.”

“Your Highness Serge!”

The blonde-haired prince appeared under the sunlight, and Flora took on her ladylike demeanor again. Serge gently hugged Flora’s shoulder and smiled at Margaery.

“When I heard that you were one of Flora’s educators, I was surprised, but I’m really happy. With Margaery here, there’s nothing more reassuring. I’ve indebted you again.”

“Oh, not at all.”

‘This was a chance to accumulate virtue to avoid the destruction route.’ Margaery quickly judged and humbly showed her modesty, as she had done for three years at the academy.

“It’s for no one else but my dear friend. I’ll do my best to fulfill my duty.”

Anya muttered, “You were full of refusal at first,” but Margaery ignored her, of course.

However…

(They really suit each other.)

Margaery admired Serge and his partner, who were snuggled up together.

Even without the bias of being a favorite character in her beloved novel, they were both truly good people with a straightforward and sincere nature. They were pure and earnest, never arrogant, and always grateful to those around them.

To avoid the destruction route, she took the position of two friends and benefactors. At first, she approached them with ulterior motives, but it was also true that she had fallen in love with them purely.

Now she wanted the two of them to be happy. She genuinely thought so from the bottom of her heart.

(Although I want to go home whenever I have a chance…while I’m in the castle, I’ll do my best to be of help. It’s not like I’m deviating from the policy I had during my academy days by trying to repay my kindness!)

Margaery, who was always kind-hearted, made up her mind.

Since they couldn’t just stand there talking forever, Margaery and Serge headed to the courtyard at his suggestion. It was a different garden from the one where she spent time with King Julius the other day.

As they walked, the conversation turned to how they would spend their time from tomorrow.

“Flora-sama will receive lessons in history, culture, and manners. I will accompany her for all of them.”

“I see. You’ll be taking classes too.”

“My role is to support Flora-sama. If you have any problems, please consult with me. Of course, I will also point out anything I notice.”

With a smile, Flora blushed prettily.

“It’s like you’ve returned to the Royal Academy. But, you came all the way here for me, Margaery-sama. I will do my best with all my heart and soul to become a splendid fiancée.”

“Fufu, that’s right.”

Flora was so cute that Serge gently patted her head.

Margaery couldn’t help but smile at the peaceful and happy scene.

(Ah, it’s so healing. I’m glad they’re together.)

She felt more like a meddling relative than an otaku watching her favorite couple. ‘The air was delicious just watching the two of them being happy. Seriously.’

Suddenly, Flora smiled at Margaery.

“We should also thank His Majesty Julius. I heard that he was the one who called for Margaery-sama.”

At the sudden mention of Julius, Margaery looked at Serge.

Julius and Serge had different mothers. Moreover, Julius was born from a mother of lower status, but inherited the power of the first king, Serge was supposed to give up the throne to his older brother.

Due to these circumstances, the relationship between Serge and Julius was delicate. Even in the novel, they avoided each other until Flora tried to reconcile them.

Margaery wondered how Serge felt about Julius bringing up the matter with Flora. She looked at Serge with concern.

“It’s true. I wonder how I can thank my brother properly.”

There was no sign of discomfort on Serge’s smiling face, so Margaery decided to ask him directly.

“Have you talked directly with His Majesty Julius about this matter?”

“No, my brother is always busy…and as you know, we’re not that close.”

Serge chuckled wryly and shrugged his shoulders.

But later, Serge blushed and scratched his cheek shyly.

“But you know, I’m happy. It’s the first time my brother has shown concern for me like this. I wish I could express my gratitude honestly, but once things get awkward, it’s hard to fix.”

Margaery looked at him with mixed feelings.

Julius called Margaery to the castle purely to keep her there. The fact that it was for his younger brother and his fiancée was most likely just an excuse.

However, the fact that Serge was happy about what Julius did, no matter what the reason, was also true. It seemed like a waste that Julius didn’t know that.

[I have no friends who I believe in or trust. It’s different from Serge.]

Julius’ line from the novel suddenly came to mind.

(…They should just make up already.)

She knew from reading the novel that the rift between the two brothers was not an easy one to bridge.

Still, Margaery couldn’t help feeling a sense of frustration.

Chapter 12: Past life’s guess is too pitiful

“Something feels off.”

Margaery murmured while looking out the window.

She was in a private room prepared for her at Loire Castle. It was slightly smaller than the Noel family’s mansion, but it was more than enough space from her past life’s perspective.

By the way, Anya was out of the room. She was touring around with the maids provided by the castle to learn about the castle’s surroundings.

So, this was a complete soliloquy. She could express her gloomy thoughts without hesitation.

Julius and Serge——In the novel, the two brothers meet a sad end.

As it is well known in this world, Julius is not the Empress’s child. His mother was a maid who worked in the castle.

The Empress, who had trouble bearing a prince, hated Julius. It was even worse after Serge was born. After all, by then, Julius had already shown potential as the Wolf King. The Empress repeated like a curse, “If only that child Julius didn’t exist.”

According to the novel, Julius has been targeted by assassins many times since he was a child. There is no evidence that the Empress was behind it, but Julius thought so, and so did Serge.

So they both feel inferior to each other. The older brother and the younger brother both hate themselves. Even if they don’t say it out loud, they both think so.

Flora, the protagonist, tried to bridge that gap. It worked momentarily, but in the end, it backfired. And who broke it? It was Margaery.

Margaery, who hated Flora and Serge, tried to seek revenge by any means necessary. However, she was targeted and used by a group that didn’t like Julius.

Margaery had an assassin attack Julius and tried to frame Flora and the others as the culprits.

Unfortunately, the timing was bad. Just as he was about to reach out to his younger brother, Julius was pushed off a cliff. The sadness and despair broke him.

Julius easily defeated the assassin, but he believed the lie that Serge and the others were the culprits, which caused his magic to go out of control. By the way, in the novel, Margaery dies from being caught up in the magic going out of control.

Losing himself, Julius attacked the two protagonists. However, Flora awakened the power of the saint at the last moment and, together with Serge, stopped Julius’s magic from going out of control.

In the end, Julius regained his sanity. He reconciled with his younger brother, but unfortunately, Julius’s life was too short.

“…”

Margaery was speechless as she recalled the summary.

‘What a thing.’ She had thought the same thing in her past life, but King Julius was too pitiful. And what about the Margaery in the novel? What on earth was she doing?

(…Well, now I am that Margaery.)

With a sigh, Margaery slumped onto her desk.

‘I don’t intend to do the same thing as the novel. However, someone who doesn’t like Julius might hurt him. If that happens, will he curse his birth, hate his brother, and cause a magical outburst like in the novel?’

[I’m happy. You’ll be right next to me from now on.]

Julius’ shy face, wagging his tail, flashed through Margaery’s mind. Suddenly, she lifted her head and trembled with guilt.

(No, am I a terrible person?!)

She wanted to avoid the death flag and live a long life. But if the novel was correct, Julius was the one with the death flag.

If it had been before she had any involvement, she could have turned a blind eye. After all, he was her past life’s favorite character, but her own life was more important. But now, even though it was a mistake under the influence of alcohol, Julius was the one who had taken Margaery’s virginity. She felt like she would be finished as a human being if she left him alone.

But before that…

“…I can’t just leave him alone when he looks at me like that.”

Margaery pursed her lips. They were not bound by any means. It was more like, since she had accidentally picked him up, she had to take care of him until the end.

She ruffled her silver thread-like hair and shouted at the ceiling.

“Ahh~~! I didn’t want to get involved in the second part as much as possible because I could see this future coming!”

At that moment…

Knock, knock. Someone knocked on the door.

Who could it be? If it were Anya, she would come in without waiting for a response, and if it were another maid, she would continue calling out.

Could it be Flora? Come to think of it, when they parted in the garden, she said she wanted to visit Margaery’s room. She was full of energy and might have put her words into action.

“Hello? Who is it…?”

Without much thought, Margaery opened the door. She immediately regretted her recklessness.

“Oh? I came to check on you, thinking you were tired and resting, but you seem surprisingly energetic. It’s a luxury to relax in your room without even showing your face to the king.”

He made a sarcastic remark right off the bat. It was already like a family tradition, but it hit Margaery hard.

Julius, who appeared in front of the room like that, had the most unhappy expression he had ever shown to Margaery.

Chapter 13: Maybe, Maybe

As soon as he entered the room, Julius transformed with a gentle breeze. The fluffy tail that appeared swayed ominously in response to his displeased expression.

He walked straight to the sofa and sat down before being offered a seat. Then, he glared at her.

“You’re late. Too late. Why didn’t you come to see me right away?”

“Huh?”

Unexpectedly scolded, Margaery inadvertently asked back in surprise. But Julius seemed serious. He frowned while swaying his tail ominously.

(Even if you ask me why…)

She had no plans to meet him. She came to the castle as Flora’s educator, not to see Julius. No matter how many logical arguments come to mind, saying them would only anger him.

Reluctantly, Margaery turned on her lady switch and lifted the hem of her skirt.

“I am Margaery de Noël. I have come to the castle at the command of Yuri-sama. I deeply apologize for the delay in my greeting.”

“…Hmph.”

“And then.”

“And then?”

As if asking, his red eyes looked up at her. Margaery looked straight back at him and thanked him honestly.

“Thanks to Yuri-sama, I was able to reunite with an important school friend. Thank you very much.”

“Hmm, Is that so?”

Julius looked surprised, but quickly turned away coldly. But there was no doubt that he was happy. Unlike before, his tail was wagging happily.

(…How cute.)

She couldn’t help but stare at Julius, who continued to wag his tail with a cool expression.

Was this really the personality of Julius in the novel? A solitary king who closed his heart, didn’t trust others, and always had a cold smile on his face—that was how he was written.

At least he shouldn’t have been the type of person to suddenly barge into a room and approach someone with a wagging tail to express his emotions.

He seemed to have regained his good mood. He patted the empty sofa next to him.

“How long are you going to stand there? Should I carry you?”

“I apologize for intruding.”

Margaery hurriedly sat down, of course, a little away from him. Julius looked disappointed, but then put his hand in his pocket.

“I came to give you this.”

He handed her a necklace with a purple gem. It had a delicate design and was modest yet beautiful.

“…Thank you very much?”

Margaery tilted her head while thanking him and receiving the necklace. She liked it at first glance, but it wasn’t her birthday or anything.

Her doubts must have shown on her face. As he urged her to wear the necklace around her neck, he shrugged his shoulders.

“It’s like a talisman. I made it with my magic power. When you need help, touch the stone and call my name. I’ll receive it that way.”

“So, this is a magical tool?!”

Just as she hung it around her neck, Margaery was surprised, and her eyes widened.

“Cinderella Suddenly.” is set in a fantasy world of swords and magic. However, magic users are not common and are highly valued.

That’s why Julius was chosen as king instead of Serge, and Flora was taken in by the Baron family. Margaery also had a slight aptitude for magic, and was evaluated as a candidate for Serge’s fiancée.

Magic tools made by magic users with magic power are very expensive. Especially those made by magic users of the level of the Magic Academy are of high quality and rare.

Julius, who was born inheriting the magic power of the first king, is equivalent to a magic user belonging to the Magic Academy, and may even have more magic power. Just thinking about the value of the magic tools he made makes one dizzy.

Julius shook his head at Margaery, who was looking down at the necklace in fear.

“I can’t bear it if something happens to you. So please accept this as a way of helping people… and also.”

Julius gently reached out his hand. Margaery thought he was going to kiss her, but he touched the necklace she had just put on instead of her cheek or chin.

He pinched the purple gem with his rough fingers. Then he looked at her with soft eyes, as if he were looking at someone he truly loved.

“I chose this color because it looks like the color that is mixed with your blue and my red… It looks good on your hair, which is the color of the stars.”

“Ah!”

Even Margaery was taken aback by this. She panicked and looked away, but his sweet gaze and voice stuck in her head. She felt her face getting hot rapidly.

This must be a confirmation.

Blushing deeply and looking down, Margaery swallowed hard.

He declared that he would definitely get her, and his behavior of constantly approaching her matched his declaration. His strangely proactive and straightforward attitude…

“Um, Yuri-sama.”

Her throat was dry from nervousness. Margaery tried to speak despite her pounding heart swallowing her up.

“Please let me confirm. If I said something off the mark, please just laugh it off.”

“You’re being roundabout. Just say it already.”

Julius frowned, his beautiful face contorting.

Taking a deep breath, Margaery asked him boldly.

“Could it be that His Majesty, Yuri-sama, likes me?!”

Chapter 14: I will train His Majesty!

“Could it be that His Majesty, Yuri-sama, likes me?!”

Margaery blushed and waited for an answer. Julius’s reaction, on the other hand, was terrible.

“…Huh?”

At first, he muttered absentmindedly, looking like a prince from a fairy tale—in fact, he was a member of the royal family, and even a king. His beautiful face, lost in thought, was quite a sight to behold.

He pondered for a while, looking up and then down. After much deliberation, he muttered again, “Huh?”

Perhaps he didn’t hear the question well. Margaery thought so and tried to repeat the same line again.

But as soon as she opened her mouth, Julius stopped her with one hand.

“Wait, huh? What?”

While pointing one hand at Margaery, he covered half of his face with the other and looked down. After a moment, he looked at Margaery with an incredulous expression.

“What was going on in your head? Why do you think I care so much about you?”

“Maybe because I’m the daughter of the Prime Minister of the Noel family, and you saw some value in me.”

“That’s ridiculous! Is that the only reason I would show myself like this?!”

Margaery froze at the line that made sense only because she had read the novel.

Come to think of it, it was true. If he hadn’t inherited the power of the first king, Julius had always thought of the Wolf King’s appearance as a kind of curse.

That’s why he had been hiding his ears and tail, even if it meant consuming some magic, and he never transformed in front of anyone close to him. It was abnormal for him to be showing his wolf form so easily, like in the garden the other day and now.

However, Margaery’s confusion didn’t subside.

Throwing away the mask of a “perfect lady,” Margaery confronted the king.

“S-so, but but but! Yuri-sama and I, we didn’t talk until that night, right?! We were just acquaintances, right?!”

“…At least we spent a night together.”

“That’s true, but?! Of course, it was important to me?! It was my first time, after all?!”

“W-what, it was my first time too!”

After shouting, Julius quickly covered his mouth in panic. But once the words were out, they couldn’t be taken back. Now it was Margaery’s turn to stare at Julius in disbelief.

He awkwardly lowered his ears and stubbornly turned away.

Margaery stared at him intently.

“H-His first time? Yuri-sama’s?”

“…”

“Even though he’s the king? Even though he’s so wonderful? Even though it’s rumored that princesses from various countries are constantly proposing to him?”

“Oh, yeah! It was my first time! Sorry about that!”

Finally, Julius gave up and got angry.

Ignoring Margaery, who muttered “Seriously?” unintentionally, he absentmindedly stroked his own tail. Then, as if giving up, he muttered to himself.

“…It was my first time sharing a bed with a woman like that. In the first place, I don’t have a hobby of bringing anyone to my bed except for the women I truly want to be with.”

“…”

‘What was that? It was cute.’ Unintentionally, her heart was pierced with a pang.

Upon closer inspection, Julius’s white skin had a slight redness to it. It couldn’t be seen because of his beastman style, but his ears were probably also tinged with red. When she thought that she was the one making him show such an expression, she couldn’t help but feel her heart beating faster.

Hesitantly, she reached out her hand. She lightly tapped his hand on the sofa, and Julius immediately placed his hand on top of hers.

His red eyes glanced over at her. There was a slight blush and a tinge of regret in his eyes. The latter was probably because he knew that Margaery didn’t remember anything from that night.

(To forget everything like that…)

Margaery’s grip on Julius’s hand tightened. She looked back into his eyes and took a deep breath.

(I feel so guilty for forgetting everything…)

Apart from the fluttering feeling in her chest, she also felt a nauseating sense of guilt.

He had feelings for her that went beyond that night. On the other hand, she was just a mess. She didn’t even remember how it happened, let alone the details. This was the worst.

However…

She took a deep breath. Inhale, exhale. Then Margaery looked at Julius.

She had made up her mind.

It was her fault that she had built a relationship with him, who was a death flag. It was also her fault that she had unintentionally charmed Julius.

Above all, she wasn’t so rotten as to push away someone who was directing their feelings towards her so honestly with, “Please ruin yourself alone because I don’t want to die.”

“I understand how you feel.”

As a lady of the Noel family, Margaery straightened her back and placed her other hand on top of Julius’s. When she enveloped him with both hands, his fingers twitched.

Looking straight at the king with deep, profound blue eyes like the ocean, Margaery spoke.

“However, I have a condition.”

“A condition?”

“I want Yuri-sama to become a king that everyone loves.”

When she said that, Julius furrowed his brow slightly.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean exactly what I said. Yuri-sama has too many enemies. Even if I marry him, I won’t be able to sleep at night because I’m afraid of being killed. To start, please reconcile with Serge-sama. If you can do that, I will consider accepting Yuri-sama’s proposal.”

“…Is that the only way you’ll consider it?”

Julius looked thoughtful. She thought he might get angry or shake his head immediately, but he seemed to be seriously considering it.

But then Julius let out his true feelings, as if they were spilling out of him.

“…It’s impossible. Serge probably doesn’t even want to talk to me.”

“In that case, let’s forget about this conversation. I’ll immediately ask my father to arrange a marriage proposal between some princess and His Majesty.”

When Margaery waved her hand with a smile, Julius fell silent. The king seemed to deeply understand that, as a daughter-loving prime minister, he might actually do it.

——Margaery wasn’t being mean when she suggested this. It was a serious proposal that she had thought about.

In the novel, Julius was lonely. He was in conflict with the queen and her followers, and the other vassals didn’t truly believe in him. He had no one he could call a friend, and he couldn’t connect with his sibling either. On top of that, his fiancée was a villain. That’s why he broke down.

If Julius wasn’t lonely, if he had reconciled with Serge earlier and could truly trust him, if he knew that he wasn’t alone, then things might have been different.

It may seem like a small mistake, but by pressing the right button, the future can be changed.

“Let’s call it the Beloved Plan of the Wolf King.”

Margaery declared with a strong voice and shining blue eyes. She would successfully avoid the destruction route and survive her school life. Her heart burned with the same passion as when she made a firm pledge three years ago.

She elegantly placed her hand on her chest and smiled like a true villainess.

“Don’t worry. I will train Yuri-sama so that everyone will love him!”

Chapter 15: Ojou-sama out of place

‘Ojou-sama is a bit off.’

Anya had that impression from the first time they met.

With silver hair that seemed to capture the brilliance of the stars and deep, beautiful, and intelligent blue eyes like the depths of the sea, she looked like an impeccable young lady at first glance. By the age of 10, she had already acquired the dignity of a Marquis’ daughter.

But something was off. She felt that way from the moment they met.

Prime Minister Jordan du Noel himself led the investigation and destroyed the criminal organization that operated in the back alleys. Anya was once one of about 20 orphans who worked for the organization.

What made the Prime Minister great was that after dismantling the criminal organization, he took care of the orphans who were left without a place to go. He hired them as servants in Loire Castle, assigned them as apprentices in artisan workshops, or introduced them as footmen or maids-in-training to nobles.

In the midst of all this, he himself hired Anya to work in his mansion.

“She is Anya. She will be our new maid-in-training from today.”

Prime Minister Jordan – her master – introduced Margaery and Anya to each other.

Margaery, who was ten years old at the time, was so cute that she looked like a fairy, and Anya couldn’t believe they were the same species. However, she had the dignity of a noblewoman, and Anya knew what to expect at first glance.

She knew because she had peeked into the world outside from the back alleys. Children like her had pride in their bloodlines. As a result, they looked down on people at the bottom, like Anya.

‘It’s over. My life.’

Anya couldn’t help but sigh quietly, though she felt bad for her master. Being bullied by a child like this didn’t hurt or bother her, but it certainly wasn’t a comfortable way to live.

Meanwhile, her master continued to talk briskly. He explained that Anya came from a back alley and worked as a maid-in-training, mainly taking care of Margaery. He was telling his daughter all of this.

Anya was fed up and thought, “Stop it already.” Back alleys were a gathering place for criminals. There was no way someone from there could be normal. Even a 10-year-old child knew that.

Margaery would cry or get angry. She would scream that she didn’t want such an unknown person nearby.

That’s what Anya thought, but…

“Have you taken a bath?”

“Huh?”

She was surprised that Margaery spoke to her in the first place. For a moment, she didn’t understand the meaning of the question. She nodded hesitantly, still confused.

“Since I was picked up, I’ve been cleansing myself every day.”

“Really? I can smell the soap.”

Margaery leaned in and sniffed her. Anya was startled.

Ignoring Anya’s dumbfounded expression, Margaery snorted in satisfaction. Then she swayed her silver hair and turned around.

“Hurry up and go to your room. I’m in the middle of choosing clothes for our outing!”

Margaery’s words made her doubt her eyes and ears.

Is it all about appearance? Is that all that matters? Isn’t there anything else? She didn’t want to be disliked, but being accepted without resistance made her feel confused.

And then, there were often small eccentricities from her young mistress.

She would usually eat beautifully with perfect table manners, but sometimes she would sneak out with Anya and indulge in junk food in the city square.

She could effortlessly recite a sophisticated poem or play and impress those around her, but she would also enthusiastically preach to Anya about popular entertainment that the common people enjoyed.

One time, something happened. A child from another family who was visiting the mansion teased Anya and threw sand at her. Margaery then snatched a bucket from a nearby gardener and dumped all the soil inside on the child.

“I thought it was a new form of etiquette,” she said with a cool face, but it was clear that she was getting revenge for Anya. Although she was happy about it, it was not the behavior expected of a Marquis’ daughter.

“Ojou-sama, don’t you think you’re a bit strange?”

Anya had said it to her a few times, but Margaery seemed unaware and just tilted her head and said, “Really?” ‘What do you mean, “really?”’ It was enough to make Anya want to ask.

There were countless other examples. Margaery was off-kilter, but that “off-kilter” quality was undoubtedly her hidden charm.

Anyway, Anya had come to love her small, proud, and sometimes quirky mistress.

Margaery’s strange behavior became even more decisive on the day of the Royal Academy’s entrance ceremony.

After returning to the mansion from the ceremony, she was even more peculiar than before.

“I-I-I managed to become friends with Flora… Is it okay? This method is not wrong for avoiding the destruction route, right?”

Margaery muttered to herself as she got off the carriage. It seemed that even the congratulatory words from the servants didn’t reach her ears.

She hardly touched the luxurious celebratory dinner and locked herself in her room.

Anya became worried and secretly peeked into the room. There, Margaery was hunched over the desk, scribbling something with great enthusiasm.

Occasionally, she would let out a sigh or a groan, as if desperately trying to remember something. There were several crumpled pieces of paper scattered on the floor.

After watching for a while, Margaery suddenly burst into laughter.

“I can do it! I can do it!”

“Let’s aim, De☆Death Flag!”

She thought to herself as she watched her raise her fist. ‘Ojou-sama, you’ve finally gone crazy.’

However, for some reason, Margaery seemed more alive than ever. She was filled with a mysterious and sparkling motivation, and she felt the determination to stand up against a formidable enemy.

She had the same sparkle as before.

“…As expected, Serge-sama’s cooperation is essential for Love Julius-sama plan…and what else can I use…”

During the early days of her enrollment in the academy… no, it was the same sight she had seen many times after enrolling. Margaery was hunched over her desk, muttering to herself endlessly.

Anya gazed at this nostalgic scene that she hadn’t seen in a while with deep emotion.

It’s troublesome. ‘It seems that Ojou-sama has picked up some kind of problem again.’

She smiled wryly and shrugged her shoulders cheerfully.

Last time, she had no idea what was going on, but this time it was most likely related to King Julius. And Anya didn’t mind lending a hand for Margaery’s sake.

Rather, it was the opposite.

(…It’s about Ojou-sama. If I leave her alone, she’ll drown in her own schemes and fall into a pit.)

She made an excuse for herself in her mind, without telling anyone.

Then, as Margaery continued to mutter to herself, Anya approached her and gently tapped her shoulder.

Smiling at Margaery’s surprised gaze, Anya asked,

“What’s wrong, Ojou-sama? If you’d like, I can help you with anything.”

“A-Anya?”

“As you know, I’m quite useful. It will be for Ojou-sama’s sake.”

Margaery blinked her eyes. Anya secretly felt superior, knowing that she was one of the few who knew this vulnerable side of the perfect Margaery outside of her home.

However, the black wolf of Loire Castle might soon find out.

Margaery seemed to be troubled for a while, but she relaxed her expression with a hint of joy.

“Well, there is something I want Anya’s help with.”

“Of course, anything. Can you tell me the plan?”

Anya bent down, and Margaery leaned in close to her ear. Like a faithful watchdog, Anya waited for an answer with a serious expression. Margaery whispered with a serious face.

“You know, I want to turn King Julius into a fluffy hero who everyone loves.”

“Could you please speak in the Legrand language, Ojou-sama?”

And so, the night at Loire Castle grew late.

Chapter 16: Lessons need no mercy

The newly risen sun cast its light on the garden, covered in morning mist. In the faint haze, a man was running in the garden.

“One, two, one, two!”

He wasn’t alone. A small shadow was leading the way. Although he usually exercises moderately, the fast tempo set by the leader made him sweat slightly on his forehead.

He thought it was cold outside when he first came out, but now he even finds the chill of the morning mist pleasant. When he began to feel his limit, the leader clapped her hands.

“Ten laps completed! That’s it for today!”

“Haa…”

He involuntarily put his hands on his knees and hung his head. He was frustrated that the leader, who had been running at the same pace, wasn’t even out of breath. He wasn’t even bad at exercising, so what was going on with her?

Then, a relaxed voice came from beyond the morning mist.

“Oh my, Yuri-sama. Giving up after ten laps. I guess you don’t have much stamina after all.”

A slight breeze blew, revealing the figure beyond the morning mist.

The first person was Anya, a maid sent from the Noel family. She was the guide who ran with him. She had a more cheerful impression than usual because she had her hair in a ponytail.

And then there was Margaery, sitting at the garden table, elegantly lifting her teacup. After savoring the fragrant tea, she smiled.

“The Noel family’s training has only just begun, you know?”

With a clink, Julius was infuriated. He wiped the sweat from his forehead and pointed his finger sternly.

“Don’t you dare say that, Margaery de Noel, after making the king run early in the morning and then having tea time alone!”

“Ohohohoho.”

Margaery smiled gracefully at the angry king.

“Why did you go for an early morning run? Wasn’t your goal to reconcile with Serge?”

He seemed to have regained his composure. Julius grumbled discontentedly. When Anya delivered the message that read, “Let’s meet in the garden at dawn,” he responded happily, but this turn of events was unexpected.

On the other hand, Margaery nodded calmly.

“Yes, that’s the right approach.”

“How does that connect to running?”

“Well, warm-up exercises are necessary for everything… As they say, a sound mind resides in a sound body. I thought an early morning run would be perfect for Yuri-sama to rekindle his spirit.”

“Rekindle my spirit?”

Julius tilted his head. Margaery returned the cup to the saucer and elegantly stood up, crossing her arms.

“When I asked His Majesty to reconcile with His Highness Serge, what was his response?”

“…It’s impossible, right?”

“And then?”

“‘Serge probably doesn’t even want to talk to me’?”

“That’s right.”

With a snap, she pierced Julius with her blue eyes. She then approached the bewildered king and leaned in close.

Perhaps it was because she was looking up at him from such a close distance, but Julius’ cheeks turned slightly red. However, he didn’t look away and bravely said, “W-what?”

Margaery mercilessly poked his chest, which was covered in thin training clothes.

“Negative thinking! Pessimism! Delusions of persecution! Self-centeredness!”

“What?!”

At the sudden use of abusive language, even Julius couldn’t help but frown in irritation. However, Margaery didn’t back down and said firmly,

“Why do you think that? Serge-sama has never said anything like that, even once.”

“Wha-!”

Julius opened his narrow eyes and quickly averted his gaze.

‘Good. At least he seemed to be aware of it.’ She felt relieved about that.

——If you hadn’t been born, Serge would have inherited the power of the first king.

Julius, who had been subjected to the malice of the Empress and those around her since childhood, had very low self-esteem. In the novel, this fragility triggers a magical outburst.

A beautiful king who bears hidden wounds and suffers in silence. As a character in the story, he was delicate and charming.

But this was the real world. The avoidance of a death flag depended on whether Julius and Serge could reconcile. She couldn’t afford to have him mope around forever if she wanted Margaery to die peacefully.

(Julius-sama needs to stop being so negative!)

“What Yuri-sama lacks is confidence. The confidence to believe that he deserves to be here. The confidence to believe that he’s not wrong. Without that, he can’t truly face Serge-sama.”

“…Confidence, huh.”

The king’s eyes wavered, but there was no sense of aversion. He may have had some thoughts about not wanting to stay the same.

Margaery smiled and waved her hand.

“So, that’s it. Let’s continue our early morning runs to clear our minds. It feels great to run in the clear morning mist.”

“I don’t want to hear that from someone who was enjoying tea time.”

“By the way, running is just a warm-up. My role starts from here.”

She glimmered with excitement.

Margaery presented something to him with great anticipation.

“What’s this?”

He seemed to have a bad feeling about it. Julius nervously accepted the thick stack of papers, filled from top to bottom with writing. Margaery answered casually while pointing to it.

“This is a collection of hypothetical conversations for use with Serge-sama. It’s 100 pages long.”

“100 pages?!”

“I’ve put together 300 different conversations to match various situations. If you memorize them, even a monkey…or a wolf can reconcile with Serge-sama.”

“Of course, I’ve already memorized them.” Margaery proudly declared, leaving Julius speechless as he looked down at the papers in front of him. He didn’t even have to memorize this much for his coronation speech.

“Do I really need to memorize all of this? Didn’t you say I needed “confidence” earlier?”

“Even more so. It would be troublesome if you couldn’t speak at the last minute due to nerves, wouldn’t it? The achievement of ‘having worked hard for this day’ is important. That’s the purpose of this training.

By the way, memorization is not the ultimate goal. I will supervise everything from facial expressions and tone of voice to even gestures to make it perfect.

However, the first step is crucial for everything. Memorization is most effective when you move your body. So today, let’s do a read-through while doing some footwork.

Do you have any questions?”

“Blah blah blah.” Margaery proudly continued.

The king was stunned and looked down at the conversation collection. ‘If I gave in a little, what she said made sense… but memorizing 100 pages was reckless.’

When Julius looked worriedly at Margaery, Anya shook her head quietly.

“The woman you fell in love with worked hard to make this for you. Please give up and do as she says.”

“Alright then. Let’s start with the beginner’s ‘One-word Conversation: Greetings.’ Okay, let’s begin!”

“…Hi. Good morning, Serge.”

“Your voice is too quiet!”

“H-Hi! Good morning, Serge!”

“Louder!”

“HI!! GOOD MORNING!! SERGE!!!!”

“More cheerful!”

After that, Margaery’s lesson continued with scolding and encouragement.

Chapter 17: His Majesty the Wolf is sleep deprived

Julius the King stifled a yawn.

It was midday, with a gentle sunshine shining down. It was certainly a time when sleepiness was easy to come by, but it was rare for him to yawn.

“What’s wrong?”

Jordan, the Prime Minister, who had just come to deliver some documents, noticed the king’s condition and spoke up.

“If you’re tired, it’s no problem to sign it later.”

“No, I’ll finish it now.”

Rubbing his temple, the king slid his quill over the documents. With beautiful handwriting, Julius signed without much thought.

“It’s not that I’m feeling unwell. I’m just a little sleep-deprived and have some muscle pain.”

“Muscle pain? That’s unusual. Your Majesty has been training regularly, haven’t you?”

“I thought so too, but it seems my training was too light.”

Putting down his quill, he stretched lightly. Then, he accidentally let slip,

“It’s all Margaery’s fault…”

At that moment, the Prime Minister froze, but Julius didn’t notice. Despite the Prime Minister’s ominous atmosphere, he recalled recent events and let out a small laugh.

—It had been half a month since the early morning training began. As promised, Margaery’s special training was carried out every day without fail.

At first, the running was tough, but he had gotten used to that pace. She must have noticed that Julius had become more relaxed. Recently, simple muscle training has been added after running.

After that, they had a reading session of the hypothetical conversation collection. This was the most difficult part, and Margaery was pushing Julius hard.

(Actually, half of this hypothetical conversation collection was probably unnecessary…)

Remembering the contents, Julius chuckled.

There were 300 conversations arranged according to different situations. Margaery proudly boasted that they were arranged for situations that were likely to happen, such as “when they visit from the other side” or “when they attend a ceremony together.”

However, there were also some that made Julius wonder, “Do these really happen?” such as “when you accidentally meet in the bathroom” or “when you accidentally interrupt Serge-sama and Flora-sama’s date.”

The pinnacle was “when you take a bath together.” They were supposed to wash each other’s backs since they were siblings. The conversation collection had a note about it, but Julius couldn’t help but wonder about this culture that didn’t exist in Legrand.

Well, if you read it carefully, there were plenty of things to nitpick about in the conversation collection. However, it was still precious and dear to him.

[Well, it was quite a challenge, but if we consider all these situations, there shouldn’t be any omissions. Good job, Yuri-sama. I’m on your side.]

Margaery proudly puffed out her chest and smiled.

Although he felt that her efforts were slightly misguided, the fact that she made this for Julius was an undeniable truth.

He was now completely accustomed to the neat and orderly characters that lined up before him.

While writing this, how many times had she thought of herself? How much time had she spent thinking only of Julius?

(…She probably wrote that with all seriousness)

Julius couldn’t help but smile.

As Margaery had said, Julius lacked confidence.

Above all, he hated himself. So much so that he had come to hate the power of the Wolf King.

As the son of a maid who had been touched by the king, he still had the possibility of living in peace. In fact, at first, his mother was given a small house by the royal family, and there she quietly gave birth to Julius.

However, the situation changed drastically when it was discovered that Julius had black hair. The baby was separated from his mother and hidden by the king to prevent the queen, the now queen dowager, and those around her, from realizing the existence of a black-haired baby.

And when Julius turned five, his existence was made public. At that time, Serge, who was just conceived in the queen’s womb, was born.

[My child is also a boy. Why! Why!! Why!!!!]

After Serge was born, Julius heard the queen’s half-crazed screams of despair many times. The first king’s power or the customs of the kingdom, his father, seemed to have answered only one-sidedly.

With eyes full of lament, weakness, and hatred, the queen glared at Julius.

If only that child didn’t exist. If only that child had never been born.

Julius, who was still young, bit his lips until they bled.

If he had not been born, his birth mother would not have weakened and died. If he had not been born, the queen would not have suffered from hatred.

…If only he didn’t have the power of the first king. If he had been an ordinary, unremarkable boy.

He might have been able to live a decent life as an abandoned child without catching the attention of the royal family. Then his mother wouldn’t have had to suffer from postpartum complications or have her child taken away by the king.

A world that could have existed, a gentle and peaceful world.

If only he had such strength.

Was it because he kept cursing himself like that? Margaery de Noel was a girl who shone brightly in Julius’s eyes.

Despite being a bit scatterbrained, she never gave up. Whenever she was knocked down, she stood up with her head held high. She was so positive from the bottom of her heart that it made him envious.

She was like the North Star, guiding him on his way at night. That’s what he thought.

And this girl was thinking of him, worrying about him, and offering him her help. Just that was enough to fill his heart.

He still hated himself, as usual. But maybe he could take a step forward without being ashamed of himself, at least to the extent that he wouldn’t embarrass her. It was the first time he had thought that way.

(Maybe you really are my guiding star.)

He smiled naturally at that moment.

“Your Majesty.”

Suddenly, his shoulder was grabbed. The Prime Minister, who had completely focused his gaze, was looking at Julius with an intense spirit.

“What do you mean by lack of sleep? What do you mean by muscle pain? And how is it all Margaery’s fault? What does that mean??”

(…Huh?)

When Julius realized that he might have caused a misunderstanding, the Prime Minister approached him with bloodshot eyes.

“I will make it clear today. Your Majesty, what have you done to my dear Margaery?!”

“It’s a misunderstanding, Prime Minister. Rather, it’s more like I’m at her mercy.”

“My daughter approached you?!”

“No, that’s not what I meant.”

By the way, the Prime Minister’s misunderstanding was not resolved until he left the office in tears and was scolded by his daughter Margaery.

Chapter 18: “Progress, OK.”

In the afternoon courtyard, vibrant greenery and colorful flowers bloomed as three men and women chatted.

“I dozed off during class…,”

Flora said this with a dejected expression.

“It’s like old times at the academy, isn’t it?”

Serge chuckled.

“Flora-sama is doing well. Please don’t be too hard on yourself,”

Margaery comforted Flora with a loving gaze.

Margaery discreetly turned around and beckoned Anya, who was standing in the corner. The called maid quickly approached.

Margaery received something handed to her and smiled again at Flora.

“It’s mint chocolate. It refreshes your mind and helps you stay awake.”

“Margaery-sama…”

Flora’s eyes became teary.

She reached out and picked up a piece of chocolate, then wrapped her small lips around it.

Placing her hand on her cheek, Flora exclaimed,

“It’s delicious! Your kindness, Margaery-sama, brings tears to my eyes!”

“I prepared it for you, Flora-sama. Now, please enjoy it to your heart’s content.”

“I will…! I’ll eat it and do my best in the evening classes…!”

“Yes, that’s the spirit.”

Margaery smiled and offered the chocolate, while Flora happily ate it.

Serge couldn’t help but burst out laughing at the two of them.

It was the blank time between morning and evening classes.

Taking advantage of this, Margaery held a small tea party to refresh Flora. Although it was decided hastily, Serge happened to be free and immediately came when he was asked.

“What kind of class was it? Flora got sleepy.”

After laughing for a while, Serge wiped away his tears and asked.

“She’s always so motivated; it’s unusual.”

“It was a history class…”

“That’s Flora’s strong suit, right?”

Serge tilted his head in surprise. As he said, Flora, who came from the church’s orphanage, was knowledgeable about history and religion.

Margaery smiled wryly and answered in place of the shrinking Flora.

“It’s because of the teacher’s voice. The professor who came today was Professor Bennett.”

“I see.”

Serge nodded in understanding.

Professor Bennett is a historian. He rarely teaches because he is a researcher, but he is a well-known scholar affiliated with the Royal Academy.

It is a very valuable experience to take his class. However, unfortunately, his tone of voice is too soothing. His voice is exquisitely inviting to sleep. Even during their academy days, most of the students who eagerly gathered for the professor’s special lectures were rowing their boats in magical drowsiness.

“I hate to say it, but it can’t be helped with Professor Bennett.”

“But, Margaery-sama was awake the whole time.”

Flora glanced at Margaery. In response, Margaery nodded with a smile.

“I’m knowledgeable about pressure points that can wake you up. The space between your eyebrows, the top of your head, your middle finger, and the base of your thumb…a less noticeable one that I recommend—is around your hand. If you’re interested, I can teach you later.”

“You’re amazing.”

Serge was impressed, half in disbelief. Beside him, Flora tightly squeezed Margaery’s hand.

“Please, I would love that! I need to be able to stay awake, no matter what. I might have important ceremonies where I can’t afford to be sleepy.”

“Fufu, I see.”

While smiling at Flora, Margaery suddenly remembered the morning class.

It wasn’t just because of the pressure points that she didn’t feel sleepy.

It was because the content was about the history of the saint.

(Saint Flora, huh?)

She secretly gazed at Flora’s profile as she talked happily.

The origin of the saint dates back to the time of the first king. The first saint was Lyra, who later became the queen. She was known for sealing the spirits of the calamity, called the demons, in the Valley of Lamentation with the first king.

Since then, when a black-haired king is born, a saint also appears in this country. Usually, the power of the saint is born in a woman with magical power paired up with the king.

(First Saint Lyra. Second Saint Luna. Third Saint Emilia. Fourth Saint Liliane. Come to think of it…they all awakened when a Wolf King was present…)

Thinking about it again, it was a question.

In the novel, Flora also awakens as a saint during Julius’ reign. The Wolf King and the Saint Is there any meaning to their regular appearance in this country?

(I remember in my past life, there was speculation that the mystery of the saint would be revealed in the third part.)

Margaery pondered this.

After the Academy Arc in Part 1 and the Bride Training Arc in Part 2, “Cinderella Suddenly” comes to a close.

After the death of King Julius, his half-brother Serge succeeds him as king. Flora, who has awakened the power of the saint, stands by Serge’s side as his queen. The Kingdom of St Legrand welcomes a new dawn, and that’s where the story ends.

However, among fans, there were rumors of a phantom third part. The reason was that there were many settings that were not deeply explained, such as the “Wolf King who is born regularly” and the “saint who awakens at the same time.”

Fans were excited that these mysteries would be the theme of the third part.

(I was also looking forward to it, but… before that, the author died in an accident.)

She sighed and closed her eyes.

Margaery didn’t know if the third part really existed or if the mystery of the saint was solved. At this point, her honest opinion was that she didn’t want any more events or mysteries to arise.

While lost in thought, she was called out.

“So, Margaery… Margaery?”

She was startled and noticed that Serge and Flora were both looking at her.

Margaery cleared her throat and smiled.

“I was a little lost in thought… What is it?”

“Do you meet with His Majesty, my brother?”

“His Majesty?”

She blinked at the sudden mention of his name. It seemed like the topic had changed completely while she was lost in thought.

Serge scratched his cheek, looking troubled.

“I’m going to meet my brother officially… You’ve met him before, right? I wanted to hear what you talked about beforehand.”

‘Yes!’ Margaery did a fist pump under the desk.

She had heard from Julius that the two of them hadn’t met yet. Julius had been avoiding it on purpose, but it seemed like he had finally made up his mind. He had also mentioned this morning that he was looking forward to it.

(Julius-sama is also on board! I have to do my part to make sure things go well!)

Margaery smiled coolly, feeling incredibly excited inside.

“I didn’t have a deep conversation with him, but… His Majesty seemed to be concerned about Serge-sama. He said he wanted to do something brotherly for him once in a while.”

“My brother said that…”

“Yes. His Majesty had a very kind look in his eyes at the time. I was very impressed.”

It was a lie.

In actuality, she pressured him under the dog ears and fluffy tail and couldn’t say no.

However, things can be said differently. And, it was true that Julius was somewhat concerned about Serge.

–

[…So, how was it?]

Early in the morning, Julius suddenly asked Margaery this after talking to Serge.

Interrupting his stretching, the king looked up at her. Margaery tilted her head in confusion.

“What do you mean, how was it?]

[My half-brother and his fiancé. Did they both seem happy to see you?]

[Yes, we’re having fun like we did in our academy days, thanks to you.]

[I see.]

The king gave a curt response and went back to his stretching.

‘Was he probing for the upcoming meeting?’ Margaery briefly thought so, but when she caught a glimpse of his profile, he seemed a little happy.

Seeing that, Margaery couldn’t help but grin.

(Oh my. He really did think about Serge-sama.)

Margaery had thought that he had called her solely for his own benefit, but it seemed that wasn’t the case.

As expected, all they needed was a small push as siblings. With that, they could step forward together.

–

With newfound confidence, Margaery said to Serge:

“Don’t worry. His Majesty is surely looking forward to meeting you too.”

–

–

But then Julius spoke with a chilling voice and sharp gaze:

“If I’m in your way, don’t hesitate to get rid of me. Although, I don’t think you can kill me.”

Julius’s voice was freezing, and he had a sharp gaze.

Serge’s face was tense and pale.

Hiding behind a pillar, Margaery trembled at the sight.

(Why…why did it have to come to this?!)

Chapter 19: Strategy is a crumbling thing

Less than an hour had passed since the pleasant afternoon tea party when the incident occurred.

As Margaery was about to head to her evening lecture after parting ways with Serge, Flora suddenly looked flustered and said,

“I’m sorry, Margaery-sama. I left my handkerchief at the tea party.”

“Oh, shall we go back and get it?”

If she left it at the tea party, Anya, who was cleaning up, should have picked it up. Thinking so, Margaery asked, and Flora hesitated for a moment before nodding.

“Yes, please. It’s an important item given to me by Serge-sama. Margaery-sama, please go ahead…”

“No, I’ll go with you. We still have time before the lecture starts.”

With a smile, they turned back on the path they came from. The evening class was Madam Elsa’s etiquette lesson. Even if they returned to the courtyard and headed back, they would have plenty of time.

As they chatted, the two headed towards the courtyard. It was when they reached a certain corridor.

“I can’t take it anymore. Please help me, Serge-sama!”

A man’s voice echoed from around the corner. Margaery and Flora looked at each other and pressed themselves against the wall. Then, they peeked around the corner.

There was Serge, whom they had just parted with. He looked troubled as he listened to someone.

(Isn’t that the back of Minister Freed?)

He was short and chubby, and looked nothing like the delicate beauty of the queen dowager, Titania. But he was the Foreign Minister and the queen dowager’s brother, Lucius Freed.

He was a man who came into this country with the Empress when she married from neighboring country Agrina and became a vassal of the Legrand royal family.

He was the one who advocated for Serge to become the next king and has had many conflicts with the current king, Julius.

(Father said that he’s a troublesome person because he can’t be treated lightly due to his position in the neighboring country…),

Margaery recalled her father’s rare complaint and furrowed her eyebrows. Judging from the way he was confronting Serge, it was not a peaceful scene.

Unaware that Margaery and the others were watching with bated breath, Minister Freed sighed in exasperation.

“I have said it many times. This is the perfect opportunity to form a military alliance with Agrina and expand our territories together. Yet, His Majesty refuses to listen to me. It’s because I’m the younger brother of Her Majesty the Empress that he’s on guard!”

“No, that’s not it. His Majesty has his own thoughts. It’s not like he’s not listening to you just because you’re the one proposing it…”

“Then why doesn’t His Majesty meet with High Highness Serge? Isn’t it typical of King Julius to distance himself from those close to Titania-sama?”

“Well, that’s…”

Serge was caught off guard and stumbled over his words. Minister Freed sighed as if to say, “I knew it.”

“If he wishes for the development of our country, he should not miss this opportunity. Yet, he is not only ignoring the words of his vassals and trapped by past grudges, but also hesitating to go to war…The name of the Wolf King is crying.”

“Hey! Watch your mouth!”

“It’s not just me. Everyone is saying it,”

The minister persisted, unrelenting despite Serge’s changing expression.

“Julius-dono was not fit to be king.”

At that moment, the air froze, not just as a metaphor.

“If you think that, then draw your sword and face me. It would be more efficient for both of us.”

Freed’s throat made a sound, and the minister turned pale like a small-minded person. Serge’s voice trembled.

“…Brother.”

Margaery also held her breath.

Julius appeared from the depths of the corridor, with an expression that Margaery had never seen before.

The sharp and perfectly symmetrical face had lost all expression, leaving only the cold red eyes piercing through the minister. He wore black clothes on his slender body and walked slowly, like a beast aiming for its prey’s vital points.

There was no trace of the sulking from being forced to run since early morning, or the joy and embarrassment from Margaery’s words. This was not the same Julius as before.

He was the wolf King of Legrand. That was the only fitting way to describe him now.

“Freed.”

When he called his name in a freezing voice, the minister jumped up. Julius slowly bent down without paying attention to it.

“No matter what you say, I have no intention of invading other countries. If you really don’t like it… too bad. We may have to start a war within the country, not elsewhere.”

The minister was now a pitiful prey. Julius coldly declared, as if his sharp fangs were biting into his throat.

“It must be tough to look up to an unwanted king. I sympathize with you. But remember this, if you bare your fangs, I won’t show mercy. I swear in the name of the Wolf King, I’ll hunt you down.”

“Ah, yes…”

The minister trembled and eventually shouted, “Please forgive me!” before running away like a rabbit.

And so, only the half-siblings remained in the corridor.

“Serge-sama…”

Flora murmured with concern, and Margaery swallowed nervously beside her.

The atmosphere between Julius and Serge was terrible. If Margaery had nothing to do with them, the tension would be enough to make her turn and run.

But…

(Oh?)

Margaery suddenly realized something.

Come to think of it, this might be a chance.

(Scenario 118: “If you encounter His Highness Serge and are bad-mouthed.” Yes! It was properly listed in the scenario collection!)

She felt as if the cloudy sky had cleared up.

Could there be such a bad coincidence? She had written it with doubt, but her prediction had come true!

Moreover, they had read Case 118 this morning. She had diligently prepared, and the scenario conversation was firmly in her head.

(My stomach was in knots, but it was God’s guidance! God was on my side so that His Majesty and His Highness Serge could reconcile!)

With renewed hope, Margaery looked at Julius.

Looking at Julius’ frozen expression again, it seemed like he was trying hard to remember the expected conversation he had learned.

(Do your best, Your Majesty! The important thing is consideration and compassion! After reassuring him that you don’t think of him as the same as those who spoke ill of you, subtly bring about reconciliation!)

She squeezed his hand tightly and sent him her thoughts.

—However-

“It’s good, isn’t it? Even such a small-minded person is on your side. If you become king, he’ll surely be happy to serve you.”

(…What?!)

She almost blurted out, but quickly covered her mouth. In the meantime, Julius looked down coldly at his half brother as the Wolf King.

“It’s not just him. There are many voices that want you to become king. If they gather, it’s not a dream to bury one wolf… Before that, it might be a good idea to hunt them all down.”

“Your Highness…!”

Serge paled and held his breath. He desperately spoke out before it was too late.

“I will restrain them. So please, please just punish them…!”

“I’m not sure about that.”

Julius smiled thinly. His dry, cough-like laughter echoed through the corridor and dissipated.

“If I’m in your way, don’t hesitate to get rid of me. Although, I don’t think you can kill me.”

Serge’s expression stiffened. “Your Highness,” he called out, but Julius didn’t answer the fading call.

The two brothers passed each other without a word.

(Wha-whaaaaat?!)

Margaery was at a loss for words at such a development.

Where was the reassurance? The reconciliation? The fluff and love plan? He not only cruelly pushed him away, but also deepened the rift with a reign of terror.

(What is that person thinking?! Does he have any motivation?!)

Margaery was furious like a boiling kettle for a moment.

(Oh…)

As he passed by Serge, Julius’ expression returned.

The color of agony floated on his well-structured face.

Self-blame. Regret. Self-loathing. These complex emotions intertwined and cast a dark shadow.

“Uh…”

A sigh leaked from his thin lips.

“Serge is truly suitable to be king. Not me.”

His line from the novel floated and melted in her mind.

“Ma-Margaery-sama! Margaery-sama!”

She jerked back to reality after having her sleeve pulled. When she blinked and turned around, Flora whispered in a panicked tone.

“His Majesty is coming this way! We need to hide quickly.”

“Huh? Oh, what?!”

Realizing that she had been eavesdropping, Margaery turned pale. But it was already too late, and the sound of footsteps echoed crisply. The beautiful king appeared, flipping the hem of his cloak lightly.

Under his fluttering black hair, his red eyes widened.

‘This is bad.’ She had to apologize. Just as the pale Margaery was about to bow deeply,

Julius ran away like a rabbit.

“Eh?!”

While she was screaming in shock, the king’s back was getting farther and farther away. Margaery was stunned, but then she suddenly came to her senses and turned to Flora.

“I’m sorry. I’ll be a little late for the evening lecture. Can you please tell the teacher?”

“E-Eh? Where is Margaery-sama going?”

“I’m going to stop His Majesty!”

“Eh?!” Flora screamed as Margaery grabbed the hem of her skirt and started running. Fortunately, she could still see Julius’ back. The distance wasn’t too far to catch up.

With a thud, Margaery kicked the ground.

And so, the chase began.

Chapter 20: I want to tell you not to cry

The people passing by Loire Castle all had their eyes widen at the sight they saw.

The beautiful Wolf King ran at full speed without looking back, and chasing after him was the lovely lady Margaery de Noël.

“Your Majesty!! Julius-sama!!”

“Wait, Your Majesty!!”

“Stop! Please wait!!”

“Yuri-Usu-sama!!”

Margaery ran like a ninja, lifting the hem of her dress, and her deep blue eyes were fixed on the back of the King like a sniper. Despite moving so vigorously, her silver hair was not even slightly disheveled, and it was truly remarkable.

Through the corridor, hall, kitchen, and training ground, they finally arrived at the greenhouse.

Just as they reached the garden, the king screamed in terror.

“How can you keep up with me, Margaery de Noel?!?!”

He was panting heavily.

On the terrace of the garden, where they had tea together once, the two of them breathed heavily.

Leaning against the brick of the flower bed, Julius groaned enviously.

“Why, how can you run so fast…?”

“Unfortunately, I used to do early morning running to train myself for a while.”

“So you were already experienced!”

After opening his eyes in surprise, Julius hung his head in exhaustion.

“Truly, you are an unexpected person,” he muttered.

(It seems like Julius-sama is back to his usual self.)

Taking a deep breath, Margaery stole a glance at him. He must have been very tired. His transformation had worn off halfway, and now Julius was in his half-beast form. The sight of him sighing with his ears drooping was pitiful and cute at the same time.

The cold and frozen shadow of the Wolf King is nowhere to be seen in him now.

However, that is also a side of Julius.

He sits on the ground, holding his knees, and buries his face as if tired. Margaery turns to him again.

“Why did you run away?”

Julius’s ears twitched slightly. Instead of answering, he hugged his knees even tighter, pretending not to hear. Margaery had no choice but to squat down as well.

“No silence allowed. Otherwise, I won’t call you Yuri-sama ever again.”

Julius flinched slightly. Eventually, he answered in a resigned tone.

“I was scared. Scared of disappointment.”

His tail, hanging down, showed no energy. He continued quietly, still looking down.

“I talked to Serge, but I got carried away and couldn’t make use of anything you did for me. And then you appeared in front of me, and before I knew it, I was running away.”

“It was the worst,” he said. The voice that came out was filled with self-loathing, just like the shadow he showed in the corridor when he parted with Serge. He was screaming with his whole body that he hated himself.

Margaery closed her eyes, seeing that he still wouldn’t look up.

Then she let out a short sigh.

“It’s the worst for both of us. I also realized my mistake just now.”

Julius gasped. His black tail curled up tightly.

“…Margaery?”

Julius was bewildered, and she called out his name.

It was no wonder. Margaery had embraced him, enveloping him in her arms.

The wind blowing from the Lowera River ruffled their hair as they stood close together. Holding all of his confusion, Margaery spoke.

“I forgot to mention, but I am on your side.”

“…Huh?”

“You may not understand, but we’re in this together. So now that it’s come to this, I can’t just give up on you. Even if Yuri-sama runs away or gives up, I’ll chase after him and knock some sense into him.”

“But…”

“But nothing. In other words, you’re not alone anymore.”

And so, Julius lifted his head, drawn in by Margaery’s words.

Under the cloudless blue sky, her silver hair sparkled. With her deep blue eyes, she smiled straight ahead, taking everything in.

“So please, don’t hate yourself so easily anymore.”

Julius’ almond-shaped eyes widened.

If only he had told Julius sooner.

That he wasn’t alone. That he had a friend to share his troubles with.

Of course, when it came to the future, Margaery was lacking. What was needed was a capable vassal who could stand between the opposing ministers and lords and connect them. That was Serge, the younger brother of the king and the only one who could do it after their late father, the Prime Minister.

However, Margaery was not one to abandon someone either. In fact, she was more serious than anyone else about worrying about the future of the Wolf King.

He no longer had to suffer alone. The Wolf King’s plan to be loved was already one step ahead.

His soft black hair swayed in the wind. In between, she felt something sparkling in his eyes. However, he immediately looked down, so she couldn’t confirm it.

While averting his face, he groaned.

“…I hate that about you.”

“Huh?”

At the sudden declaration of “hate,” Margaery’s eyes widened. Then Julius continued to grumble resentfully.

“It’s been like that since we first met. You keep stepping into my weak spots. You mess around as much as you like.”

“Eh? Yuri-sama, eh?”

“It’s unfair. It’s cowardly. You have no sense of delicacy. How much do you have to toy with people to be satisfied?”

“Huh?!”

Margaery, outraged, threw away her ladylike mask and got angry.

“W-What about me?! I’m worried about you, Yuri-sama…”

“I know.”

With a sigh, Julius buried his face in Margaery’s shoulder.

“I hate that about you, but I like it.”

“Huh?!”

At his straightforward words, Margaery was the one who gasped this time.

The weight that was transmitted to her shoulder was a sign of his trust. Realizing this, Margaery felt a little embarrassed.

(…He really likes me, doesn’t he?)

In the corner of her vision, she could see the tail that had been drooping earlier now wagging happily.

She had been drawn to something strange, but since she had already gotten involved, there was no turning back.

Margaery always followed through with what she started. That was her pride.

And now, for the first time, she heard his heart.

“No matter how much I’m hated, it doesn’t matter. I’ve always thought that, but when I see you, I become envious. I want to face my younger brother and everyone else properly. That’s what I wish for now. Margaery, can I become like you too?”

“It’s not about whether you can or cannot. If you want to, you can become it.”

Placing both hands on his shoulders, Margaery asserted.

She smiled like a shooting star at Julius, who raised his face.

“I told you, didn’t I? I will take full responsibility and train Yuri-sama until the end.”

Chapter 21: ‘Villainess’ best friend (1)

When Flora Hermeia entered the Royal Academy, she was filled with anxiety.

Her magical aptitude had suddenly been discovered, and she was taken in by the church. She entered the Royal Academy after only a month.

The Baron and Baroness Hermeia were kind and good people, but they didn’t have enough time to teach her the ways of the nobility. For Flora, attending the Royal Academy, where only children of nobles gathered, was nothing but a trial.

At the academy party right after the entrance ceremony, Flora felt like a needle in a haystack.

The piercing gazes were half curious and half unpleasant. Either way, Flora felt uncomfortable and could only cling to the wall, not daring to touch the food or drink.

But the nobles wouldn’t leave her alone.

“Look at her. That’s Flora Hermeia, the one we’ve heard about.”

Whispering. But loud enough to hear. Mocking voices pierced her ears.

“She’s an orphan, but her magical ability manifested, and the Baron family took her in…ugh, how distasteful.”

Flora shrank back.

She knew better than anyone that she was out of place. She didn’t really want to attend the party.

But if she left too early, she might worry the kind Baron and his wife. Besides, maybe she could make friends. She had a tiny bit of hope and expectation. That was her mistake.

(I was foolish…)

Regretfully, Flora bit her lip. There was no one who would talk to her, a commoner. She didn’t have the courage to start a conversation herself, nor was there an atmosphere where someone would approach her.

Could she really last three years here?

Just as Flora’s chest was about to be crushed by anxiety,

a silver-haired beauty jumped in front of her!

“Well, well, if it isn’t Flora-sama. Nice to meet you. I am Margaery of the Noel family. Let’s get along from now on.”

Flora was stunned by the sudden fast-talking girl.

She was so beautiful. Her silver hair was well-groomed, and her skin was as smooth as porcelain. Her blue eyes peeked through long eyelashes, shining with intelligence.

There’s such a beautiful person here. If she hadn’t made such a sudden appearance, Flora would have been mesmerized by her for a while.

Ignoring Flora’s surprise, the student who introduced herself as Margaery continued with a friendly smile on her perfectly arranged face, speaking rapidly.

Let’s have a toast. I’ll give you a uniform. And finally, let’s go to the salon together on the weekend.

The speed of the development, which was unexpected for a first meeting, left Flora with nothing to do but blink. But the next moment, Flora’s expression clouded.

“Please be careful. Flora-sama seems to have attracted a bit of attention.”

With a gesture towards the hall, Flora immediately understood that Margaery was referring to the gossip about her being whispered everywhere.

However, before Flora’s chest could be filled with gloom, Margaery put her hand on her chest with a radiant smile that dispelled all her worries.

“Don’t worry. If I’m by your side, no one can easily lay a hand on you. So, Flora-sama, please be my friend. I guarantee a comfortable school life for you, okay?”

Flora gulped at Margaery’s sparkling smile.

She was probably just being kind, but it was too much to say.

(I-It’s too suspicious…!)

It was the kind of invitation that came from shady business. Even the sisters at the church had been saying it until their mouths went sour. Sweet words always have a catch. Don’t be fooled by bad businessmen.

But…

(What a strange person!)

She managed to hold back the urge to laugh.

Although it was highly suspicious, the blue eyes looking at her were clear. She had seen many people visiting the church every day, so she knew that Margaery was not a bad person. On the contrary, she was a good person.

She wanted to talk to this person. As soon as she thought that, her frightened heart suddenly felt lighter. She felt the eyes and voices that had been so scary before rapidly moving away.

“Y-Yes, I’d be happy to…?”

When she reached out her hand, Margaery shook it back with a beaming smile.

She was as beautiful as a goddess, as perfect as a princess, and yet a little eccentric friend.

It was the moment when she met her best friend.

Flora’s days were suddenly filled with color after meeting Margaery.

She was so happy that her previously gloomy school life became enjoyable. Every day, Flora was filled with happiness.

“Margaery-sama!”

Every morning, Flora’s heart would skip a beat as she saw Margaery’s hair shining like silver threads in the morning sun, and she would run towards her. Margaery would always turn around and frown, saying:

“Flora-sama? I’ve told you many times, you should start with ‘good morning’ first, shouldn’t you? You can’t even greet properly, you’re disqualified as a student of the academy.”

“Hehe, sorry.”

When she stuck out her tongue, Margaery’s expression softened. Despite her words, she was also happy to see Flora. It made Flora feel tickled and happy.

“Good morning, Margaery-sama.”

“Yes, good morning.”

As she was taught, Flora lowered her head while holding the hem of her skirt, and Margaery responded with perfect manners.

She behaved like a lady, and was so beautiful that it was mesmerizing. Flora had even come to enjoy learning the painful manners of the nobility, wishing to be like her.

After exchanging morning greetings like this, the two of them laughed together.

Since they started spending time together, Flora had learned that Margaery, who was known as a perfect lady, had quite a charming side to her.

“Flora-sama, have you heard? The bakery on the main street is releasing a new melon bread today!”

Surprisingly, Margaery seemed to like the taste of the common people, and would come running to Flora with information like this.

Moreover, she had a strangely commoner-like side to her, despite being the daughter of a Marquis.

“Moreover, look at this. Our excellent maid won a shopping voucher for the main street in the lottery. With this, you can get the new melon bread for 100 dollars cheaper!”

“A shopping voucher…? Margaery-sama, you’re interested in that kind of thing too.”

“Of course! I won it, so I should use it properly. It would be a waste otherwise.”

Margaery showed off her shopping voucher with sparkling blue eyes, looking proud of herself.

As she happily suggested they go to the bakery together on their way back, her profile was so different from her usual noble and unapproachable demeanor that it was hard to imagine.

There was a side of her that only Flora knew. Thinking about that, Flora couldn’t help but feel happy.

One day, a turning point event happened.

Chapter 22: ‘Villainess’ best friend (2)

The day that became a turning point.

The lunch break was over. Flora was looking for Margaery to go to the next class when she accidentally found her surrounded by other noble girls in the courtyard.

Feeling a tense atmosphere, Flora quickly hid behind a tree. Peeking out, she saw the girls complaining to Margaery with complicated expressions.

“This is strange! Why is Margaery-sama paying attention to that kind of girl?”

Flora immediately realized that “that kind of girl” referred to herself.

The one who was leading the complaint was the Count’s daughter, who had also spoken ill of Flora at the party after the entrance ceremony. She was a student who had a tendency to choose her friends based on their social status and often caused problems.

(I guess I’m still disliked.)

Flora chuckled to herself while still hiding.

She had been glared at by that Count’s daughter many times. She had thought that it was because she was a commoner and didn’t suit her taste, but seeing it being said so clearly still hurt.

Ignoring Flora’s drooping shoulders, the Count’s daughter continued to complain.

“That girl is shameless! She’s getting close to His Highness Serge?! How dare she do that to Margaery-sama…! She’s probably flirting with him and using her charms!”

(What? Me getting close to His Highness Serge? …Ah!)

Flora was taken aback by the Count’s daughter’s words.

Recently, there was an incident where Flora’s handkerchief was taken by the cat owned by the academy’s principal.

For some reason, Margaery suddenly said, “Oh, I just remembered something I have to do!” and disappeared, leaving Flora to chase the cat alone.

Fortunately, their classmate and neighbor, Prince Serge from the same grade, happened to catch the cat.

(Indeed, I thanked His Highness Serge and had a brief chat with him that time. Since then, I’ve been greeting him when we pass each other… but being close to him like that!)

Flora turned pale.

Prince Serge was a wonderful person. He was kind, just like his appearance, and he smiled at Flora without any discrimination, just like he did with Margaery.

However, Flora had no intention of being like that with him. It would be a lie to say that she wasn’t attracted to him at all, but he was someone from a completely different world, and she knew that Margaery was rumored to be Prince Serge’s fiancée candidate.

Even if they were a good match, she had no intention of taking Prince Serge away from Margaery.

She might have given Margaery the wrong impression with her reckless behavior. She might have hurt her feelings.

The fear of being hated by Margaery made Flora feel like she was about to jump out of her skin.

“…I see. Since the villainess Margaery is no longer functioning, another person will take on the role of the villainess.”

“Huh?”

Margaery muttered something under her breath. The Count’s daughters didn’t seem to hear her, and they all looked puzzled.

In the midst of it all, Margaery declared loudly.

“Is that okay? Flora-sama is my best friend. From now on, I won’t allow anyone to speak ill of her in front of me!”

“What…!”

“Besides, His Highness and I have no relationship whatsoever. If Flora-sama has become close to His Highness, I would support her with all my might.”

The Count’s daughter’s face turned red as she listened to Margaery’s words. She was about to stomp her feet in anger.

“Why! Why is Margaery-sama like that! Always defending Flora-sama! Taking her side! That girl is not suitable to be by Margaery-sama’s side!”

(Always?)

This might not be the first time that the Count’s daughter has complained to Margaery about Flora.

Thinking about it, Flora suddenly remembered that when she first entered the academy, her textbooks and shoes would go missing, or she would find herself covered in mud without realizing it.

At those times, Margaery would smile and say, “I just remembered something I need to do,” before leaving somewhere.

The next day, as usual, new textbooks and shoes were placed on Flora’s seat.

Margaery might have bought them for her. She had thought so many times, but Margaery always avoided the question and didn’t tell her.

So she wasn’t sure, but maybe Margaery wasn’t just preparing new things for her, but also finding and stopping the culprit who hid or dirtied her shoes every time.

(She never said anything to me about it…!)

Flora’s heart suddenly became warm as she thought about it. Margaery just smiled and said, “I don’t know,” when Flora asked her about it.

Mixed feelings of happiness and joy overwhelmed Flora, and she struggled to hold back tears.

Unaware of this, Margaery had a complicated expression on her face. She seemed to be reconsidering why she was protecting Flora, as the Count’s daughter had asked her.

But suddenly, Margaery let out a smile.

“Well, that’s right. There was another reason, to begin with.”

She wasn’t acting like a perfect lady. From the bottom of her heart, she looked helpless and troubled. With that strange expression, Margaery shrugged her shoulders.

“Surprisingly, I fell in love with that child.”

Under the sun, Margaery answered shyly, her silver hair swaying. Flora would never forget that moment.

Since then, Flora believed in Margaery more than anyone else. Even after falling in love with Serge and sharing her feelings with him, her feelings for Margaery never changed.

So when it came to Margaery, she had more sensitivity and confidence than anyone else.

“I’m going to stop His Majesty!”

At the corridor of Loire Castle, Margaery followed King Julius, leaving Flora behind.

Her expression gave it away. Margaery had something more important than anything else, probably even more important than Flora.

It was difficult to express the emotions that came up at that moment in one word.

It wasn’t exactly happiness, nor was it sadness.

It’s not exactly happiness, nor is it sadness.

I want to congratulate them. I feel lonely. I want to support them.

Perhaps everything is mixed up in a complex way, tangled up so much that it can’t be unraveled.

She consistently thought.

–

“――Has class ended?”

After a considerable amount of time had passed, Margaery appeared alone and looked at Flora with a puzzled expression. Flora stood up, brushing off her skirt, and smiled as she explained.

“I asked Madam Elsa to reschedule tomorrow’s class. When I told her that Margaery-sama had urgent matters to attend to, she kindly agreed to change it.”

“Oh…Flora-sama, you didn’t have to go through all that trouble just for me.”

“It’s alright. Besides, I have something I want to talk to Margaery-sama about.”

When Flora spoke frankly, Margaery tilted her head. Despite always having a composed face, she was bad at hiding things. Flora secretly thought it was charming.

“Let me ask you directly. Did something happen between His Majesty Julius and you?”

“Ah!”

Margaery gasped, and her blue eyes trembled. Although she always had a calm demeanor, she was bad at hiding things. Flora thought it was charming, but kept it to herself.

“Also, is there something troubling you? Maybe something related to His Majesty or even Serge-sama?”

“Why do you say that?!”

Margaery tried to continue, but covered her mouth with her hand. Flora pressed on, looking at her with concern.

“Please let me help you!”

“Huh?!”

Margaery was surprised and opened her eyes wide. Flora didn’t back down and leaned in further.

“I want to be of help to Margaery-sama. Everything I have now is all thanks to you. I can’t repay you for everything, but I want to do something in return!”

“But, but…”

“Please.”

Flora grasped the beautiful hand of her lover, like a white fish.

Looking back, it all started three years ago when she suddenly appeared in front of her and made a suspicious sales pitch.

Flora didn’t have the gift of gab like Margaery. Her vocabulary, quick thinking, and smooth tongue were all inferior to Margaery’s, and she couldn’t come up with any clever lines.

However, she wouldn’t give up on conveying her feelings.

She wrapped her hand around hers, and Flora smiled like the sun.

“Because I love you, Margaery-sama!”

Chapter 23: Every good story has a flip side

The next morning, Margaery was restless.

No, she appears calm on the surface.

She seems to be enjoying the morning garden elegantly, holding a steaming teacup in her hand.

In reality, from the moment Margaery sat at the garden table, she had been glancing over at the morning mist. Her eyes seemed to be both expecting someone to appear and afraid of their arrival.

——At that moment, the person she was waiting for arrived.

“Good morning.”

(Eek?!)

Her shoulders shook at the low voice. The tea cup trembled a bit, but it was within the acceptable range. Encouraging herself, Margaery smiled and turned to Julius.

“Good morning, Yuri-sama. Did you sleep well last night?”

“Ah, yes.”

“Please look. The mist is a little thinner this morning, and you can faintly see the surface of the Lower River. It’s fantastic and beautiful, isn’t it?”

“…Ah, yes.”

“….”

“….”

“”….””

Unable to bear the silence, Margaery clattered the cup back onto the saucer.

(Why isn’t he joining the conversation?!)

She trembled while leaning over the desk with both hands.

Yesterday, she accidentally hugged Julius in this garden. Moreover, it was on this garden terrace, which was the meeting place for Margaery and Julius every morning.

‘Why? Why did I do such a bold thing?’

After returning to her room last night, Margaery groaned loudly and rolled around on the bed. However, the sensation of hugging him wouldn’t disappear easily. The scent of his cologne and the texture of his hair that swayed lightly kept repeating in her mind, tormenting her.

To be honest, just being in the same room was overwhelming for Margaery. She had considered retreating and leaving it to Anya due to her poor health, but she had talked too big. She couldn’t run away now, and her pride wouldn’t allow it.

So she tried to hide her desire to escape and maintain a normal, adult demeanor.

(Oh, come on, is that all you can say?! Are you a broken radio or CD, for heaven’s sake?!)

It was when she was holding her head in frustration that she was called out.

“Margaery.”

She jumped when she was called out softly. When she tried to look up fearfully, Julius placed his hand on her head.

With a satisfied expression that Margaery had never seen before, Julius slowly stroked her head and said,

“Thank you for yesterday… thanks to you, my heart feels lighter.”

“Uh, um…”

“I’ll try my best to face everyone this time. To be recognized by them… by me. From today on, I’ll do my best. Please take care of me.”

“…Y-Yes.”

After managing to answer, Julius smiled softly.

He stroked Margaery’s head once more before leaving with a satisfied expression. Then, he turned his back and started stretching as usual.

Margaery couldn’t help but think seriously as she watched him stretch his arms and legs.

(Huh?? I like him.)

Maybe it was because Anya was nearby. Julius, who was doing warm-up exercises eagerly, was still in human form.

But she felt like she could see his invisible tail swaying. Julius, who started walking forward, was so brave and cool that it felt like her heart was being squeezed.

But what was that expression he had earlier?

Margaery tried not to think about it, but Julius was her favorite from her past life. He was her perfect type. Not only was he dazzling, but he smiled so happily. It was unfair. His face was also insanely attractive.

And above all…

(Did he just say ‘I'(俺 ore)? Did he refer to himself as ‘I’ (俺 ore)?)

Julius referred to himself as ‘私’ (watashi). It was obvious since they met in this world, and it was also the case in the novel.

So Margaery had never heard him refer to himself as ‘俺’ (ore). He didn’t know her, and it was definitely a side of him that he didn’t show to others.

TL: Same (I) in translation, but “Ore” is used in the conversation with someone close to you while “Watashi” is very formal.

(Isn’t that cheating? The side of him that only I know about… I can’t handle it anymore…)

Heat gathered on her cheeks.

The secretly cute animal ears, the animal tail style, and the red eyes that eloquently express his inner thoughts. Despite his arrogant attitude, his touch is always gentle.

All of it is special and known only to Margaery.

She vigorously shook her head to cool down her boiling thoughts.

(No, no, I can’t let this happen! My current goal is to break Julius-sama’s and my death flags! Until I can guarantee that, I won’t let myself be bound by Julius-sama!)

It might already be too late, but there was no one to stop her. With a futile determination in her heart, Margaery clenched her fists.

Anya sighed and advised her mistress.

“Ojou-sama? It’s very heartwarming to see you in maiden mode, but besides making various faces, isn’t there something you need to tell His Majesty first?”

“Who’s in maiden mode?! Oh, right.”

To start over, she coughed deliberately.

And Margaery called out to Julius, who was stretching his shoulders,

“Yuri-sama, do you have half a day to spare? Preferably with a break for lunch.”

“If I adjust my schedule, it’s possible. What is it for?”

“There’s a place I want to go with you.”

Julius turned around as if he had been hit by a spring. In his momentum, his wolf ears popped up, but he didn’t even notice as he muttered to himself.

“…Calm down. It’s Margaery we’re talking about. It’s not a date. This isn’t a date invitation. It’s probably something else. Got it, me?… Huh? Is something wrong?”

“I was thinking of inviting you on a date.”

When she answered with a smile, his tail popped up this time.

Julius was flustered and turned bright red, “Huh? What?!” Margaery thought to herself, “Gotcha,” and continued to sell her idea.

“The location we’re heading to is a beautiful lake surrounded by blooming Lurikasou grass. Do you know it? It’s on the royal family’s property, so there won’t be any disturbances. By the way, I’ll prepare a homemade lunch for us. How about it? Are you interested?”

“That sounds suspicious.”

Julius had been listening with shining eyes, but halfway through, he frowned skeptically. He put his hand under his chin and asked directly.

“There are too many benefits for me. What are the drawbacks?”

“It’s a double date.”

Margaery answered casually, and Julius groaned, “I knew it!”

She continued with a smile as he held his head in his hands.

“By the way, even if Yuri-sama rejects me, I will still go on the picnic. In that case, I will be a third wheel accompanying Serge-sama and Flora-sama on their date. I’m sorry, so I still plan to prepare a homemade bento.”

“I see. So if I don’t participate, my younger brother will eat my share.”

“That’s right. Depending on how you look at it.”

He understood quickly, which was helpful. Margaery smiled wickedly at him as he frowned in frustration.

And then, she presented the ultimate choice!

“Will you choose the cooking of the woman you love or run away from the double date with Serge-sama? Which one will you choose, Yuri-sama?”

What will be Julius’s answer————?

Chapter 24: Rough treatment is sometimes necessary (1)

The promised day had perfect weather with not a single cloud in the sky.

The temperature was just right, making it the perfect day for a picnic. The sunlight filtered through the trees, and the birds chirped happily. The situation was perfect.

In the midst of it all,

“Wow! What a beautiful lake!”

Flora’s voice rang out as she saw the clear lake reflecting the color of the blue sky beyond the green path. She wore a casual style with a large ribbon on her chestnut-colored hair and a white dress.

“The lake surface is like a mirror reflecting the forest. That’s why it’s called Mirror Pond.”

Margaery smiled in response to Flora’s sparkling eyes. She wore a lavender-colored dress with a wide-brimmed white hat, making it easy to move around. The amethyst necklace peeking out from her chest matched perfectly.

The small azure flowers that resembled her eyes swayed gently in the wind, like a blue carpet.

Taking a deep breath and feeling comfortable, Margaery turned around with a smile.

“The Lapis Lazuli flowers seem to be in full bloom too… I’m glad we came. Serge-sama? Yuri-sama?”

However, unlike the two happy girls, the reactions of the two men behind them were not so great.

“…Huh? Y-Yeah!”

Serge was clearly distracted by something other than the flowers.

“…Yeah.”

Julius was no longer even looking at the flowers. By the way, Julius had turned his face away with a stern expression and Serge was glancing at his brother with concern.

Despite the refreshing scenery, an awkward atmosphere filled the air.

With a smile on her face, Margaery gently moved away from the half-brothers. She then grabbed Flora’s arm, who was absentmindedly munching on almonds that she had taken out of her pocket, and pulled her towards a shady spot.

In a hushed voice, Margaery pleaded with her friend, who was casually eating almonds.

“This is bad, Flora-sama! Wasn’t the picnic too much of a hurdle for those two?! They didn’t say a word to each other on the way here!”

“Hahaha, it’s okay. They both seem a little nervous, but they’ll get used to it eventually.”

“It’s not just a little nervousness, they’re practically staring at each other!”

Julius’ frown deepened, and Serge kept glancing at his brother. They seemed to be stuck in a stalemate, unable to find a way out.

(Setting the stage for reconciliation at a picnic was too much of a rough treatment…)

Margaery groaned as she held her aching stomach.

Even she didn’t expect to go on a picnic with the half-brothers. So she hastily put together a conversation plan, but judging from their behavior on the way here, it didn’t seem to be very helpful.

As she leaned against a tree with her head down, Flora smiled calmly.

“Well, well. We succeeded in taking the two of them out of the castle. Let’s just patiently observe their behavior.”

“Well, yes, that’s true, but…”

“Oh! Margaery-sama, that spot over there seems perfect for the four of us to sit together. I’ll go spread out the sheet!”

Flora ran happily, looking like she was having the time of her life. Margaery couldn’t help but feel relaxed watching her and reluctantly followed her.

Now then, why did these four people decide to go on a picnic in the first place?

It turned out that Flora was the one who came up with the idea.

After calming down Julius, who had run away after arguing with Serge and returning, Flora, who was supposed to be receiving queen education, was waiting for Margaery.

To Margaery’s surprise, Flora asked if there was anything wrong with Serge and Julius and said that she wanted to help if there was any trouble. She suddenly said such a thing.

At first, Margaery was confused about what to do. However, upon further thought, Flora was the one who mediated between the half-brothers in the novel and was successful, albeit temporarily. If she was willing to cooperate, she would be an invaluable ally.

So she decided to tell Flora that she wanted to reconcile King Julius and Prince Serge. Then Flora suggested, “Why don’t the four of us, you, me, and those two, go out together?” Margaery agreed to it.

(I hope this child didn’t just want to have a simple picnic…)

Margaery watched Flora humming and arranging things on the sheet with a suspicious look.

Certainly, Julius had many enemies, and was not well-liked by Serge’s mother. Because of these two, it was impossible to have a frank conversation without being bothered by the eyes and ears around them.

Therefore, it might be a good idea to escape outside the castle. That’s why Margaery decided to carry out the double date plan, which could be considered reckless in a way.

(…No, no. It’s enough that they cooperated with me. I can’t blame them! I have to think about how to break the stalemate!)

Regaining her composure, Margaery tightly squeezed her hand.

――Despite her determination, Julius and Serge were still standing awkwardly behind her, but she decided not to think about it at this point.

Then, Flora, who had finished arranging the lunch boxes, approached them quietly.

“I met His Majesty up close again, and he’s such a wonderful person.”

“Huh?”

“I had a bit of a scary impression of him… He’s different from Serge-sama, but he’s so beautiful.”

Margaery looked back at Flora, who was gazing at the back of the group. As soon as she saw Julius, she immediately understood what Flora was trying to say.

Did he give up talking to Serge? Julius was alone, standing and looking up at the trees.

Just leaning against the tree with his arms crossed, he looked like a painting. The way he was illuminated by the sunlight filtering through the trees and squinting his eyes was almost like a fantasy.

Margaery felt proud for some reason when she saw Flora, who seemed to be fascinated by him.

“That’s right, that’s right. And His Majesty is not just good-looking. When you talk to him directly, he shows a mischievous side, which is surprisingly cute.”

“Is that so?”

“Oh yes! And it’s not scary at all. Yuri-sama may not be good at socializing, but it’s just because he’s clumsy. He’s actually a very kind person, with a quick mind that makes him anticipate things and become cowardly. Margaery-sama knows this very well.”

“I see, I see. Margaery-sama knows that side of him too.”

Flora looked at Margaery, who was speaking passionately, with a lukewarm expression. But suddenly, she smiled like the sun.

And then, she dropped a bombshell.

“By the way, Margaery-sama, you really love His Majesty, don’t you?”

Chapter 25: Rough treatment is sometimes necessary (2)

“Margaery-sama, you really love His Majesty, don’t you?”

Margaery was momentarily surprised by the cheerful statement. As soon as she understood, she gasped and exclaimed.

“What, what?!”

She sensed Julius looking over at them, so she quickly covered her mouth. When she peeked, he tilted his head curiously, but then returned his gaze to the trees.

‘It’s okay. He didn’t seem to hear the conversation.’ Margaery breathed a sigh of relief and used the same excuse as before.

“N-No, that’s not it! I’m just fulfilling my duty as the Prime Minister’s daughter. I don’t have any special feelings for Yuri-sama.”

The ‘failure’ on the night of the graduation ceremony was a kept secret. In addition, she wanted to put her relationship with Julius on hold until she could avoid the death flag.

So she explained to Flora that she was ‘tasked by her father to connect Julius and Serge’ as the reason for wanting to reconcile the two. She thought it was a good excuse, but for some reason, Flora seemed suspicious.

“But you and His Majesty are close, right? Even today, you brought the Wolf King to the picnic.”

“Well, since I took on Flora-sama’s request, I’ve had a few opportunities to talk to His Majesty. I was able to ask him for a favor.”

“But Margaery-sama is really trying her best. Even today, you were so determined, saying ‘even if the world turns upside down, I’ll drag His Majesty out of the castle!’”

“That’s why there’s no ulterior motive!”

“Besides, that’s it.”

Margaery was about to argue back with a rough breath when Flora playfully poked her with her index finger, but she swallowed her words.

Flora laughed cheerfully and said with conviction,

“Today, Margaery-sama has been following His Majesty with her eyes all the time, haven’t you?”

“Wha-!”

Margaery couldn’t help but gasp. She was aware that it was a hit on the mark.

(No, no! I was looking at Yuri-sama, but only because I was wondering if I could talk to Serge-sama. There’s no deeper meaning to it…)

She tried to come up with excuses, but her confidence began to waver. Since the incident in the garden, she had been strangely conscious of him.

…But, in the first place, Julius was her favorite character from her past life. She happened to become close to him and learned various aspects of him. She even accidentally spent a night with him and hugged him like that.

That’s why she was excited. She was just excited and restless.

So…

“Absolutely not.”

Her heart was pounding and it was painful.

Margaery pressed her chest tightly and gently averted her moist eyes.

“I definitely don’t like him…”

The wind blew through the trees, shaking her silver hair. Margaery’s figure, shrinking and holding her chest, was like that of a love-struck maiden, but unfortunately, she was not aware of it herself.

Flora looked at her beloved friend with affectionate eyes. Then, suddenly, she clapped her hands.

“Well then! Shall we ask His Majesty too?”

“…Huh?!”

“Yes! I have a question for His Majesty!”

Without waiting for a response, Flora energetically raised her hand.

Meanwhile, Julius, who was as idle as ever in a distant place, blinked and looked over here.

“What about me? What is it?”

“What kind of relationship do His Majesty and Margaery-sama have?”

“Huh?”

“Hold, Hold on a second!”

She interrupted in a panic, but it was already too late. Serge had also been curious for a while and was clearly interested, glancing at his brother.

As for Julius, who was asked, he blinked slowly in surprise. His eyes briefly turned to Margaery.

‘Please don’t say anything strange.’ Margaery sent a silent plea, blushing. Whether it got through or not, Julius let out a relieved smile.

Then he shrugged his shoulders as if it was nothing.

“I confessed that I like her, but her response is on hold. That’s the kind of relationship we have.”

“Yuri-sama likes Margaery?!”

‘What kind of relationship is that?’

Margaery held her head in her hands, and Flora’s eyes sparkled happily with a “Well!” expression. Serge, on the other hand, turned to his brother with a startled expression.

“Is my brother in love with Margaery?!”

“That’s right. I want to complain a little about whether it’s unrequited love or not.”

“My brother has unrequited love… Is that so…?”

“What do you think of me?”

Julius glared at Serge with red eyes. Serge shook his head in a panic.

“N-Nothing! I just realized that even my brother has that kind of thing.”

“What do you think of me?”

Julius sighed and dropped his shoulders in exasperation at Serge’s surprised expression.

“Oh my, look at that,” Margaery noticed. The two of them, who had been so awkward before, were suddenly talking naturally. They seemed to have realized it late themselves and looked at each other in surprise.

While everyone else was surprised, Flora, as if she had known from the beginning, put her hands together as usual and suggested they talk more while eating.

“Shall we talk more while we eat? I’m getting hungry.”

Margaery was taken aback but then urged Julius to join in.

“I-I’m in too! I prepared a lunchbox, after all. Right, Yuri-sama?”

“…Sure.”

Julius seemed tense for a moment, but then nodded as if he had regained his composure. He turned to Serge, who was still blinking, and tilted his head.

“Let’s go, Serge. It’s a man’s shame to keep a lady waiting.”

“Y-Yes!”

Serge’s eyes widened in surprise as his name was called.

For a moment, Serge was stunned, but then his face lit up and he quickly followed his brother’s back as he started walking.

“Yes, brother! I’m also very hungry!”

“That’s good. Sit down quickly.”

Serge happily sat next to him, while Julius treated him coldly. However, it was clear from his slightly reddened ears that his attitude was just a cover-up for his shyness.

It was like they were already close brothers.

“Hey, are you okay?”

Flora whispered to Margaery.

The fun picnic had only just begun.

Chapter 26: The Secret Thoughts of His Majesty the Wolf (1)

“Lunch, open up!”

In response to Flora’s cheerful voice, the cloth covering the basket was gently removed.

Inside were piled sandwiches and fruits. In another basket, a meat gratin with a crispy brown top was steaming and looked delicious.

Julius and Serge, who peeked inside, simultaneously exclaimed, “Wow…”

Margaery and Flora proudly puffed out their chests at the sight of the two of them with shining eyes.

“This is truly a homemade dish that we prepared ourselves. It was supervised by the Noel family’s chef, so we guarantee the taste.”

“We wanted to make a lunch that would make you happy as soon as you opened it, so we also paid attention to the colors. Margaery-sama and I talked a lot and had so much fun making it.”

“It certainly looks delicious.”

“And the colors are beautiful too.”

Julius was fidgeting as he peered into the basket. Beside him, Serge was also excitedly admiring the sandwiches.

‘Good. The reaction was great.’

Margaery and Flora smiled at each other and clapped their hands together.

“Well then, shall we start?”

“Let’s eat!”

The voices of the four people merged together. Julius was a little embarrassed, but he also joined in.

Now, which one should they eat first? Should they start with the meat pie, which was carefully kept warm with magic, or the potato salad with a strong pepper flavor? Margaery leaned forward, secretly licking her lips.

But before they could start, Julius asked,

“Which one did you make? I want to eat that one.”

“Huh? Um, we made the meat gratin together, and the sandwich depends on the ingredients. I made the egg sandwich mostly.”

“Okay, then let’s eat that next.”

As soon as he said that, Julius reached for the egg sandwich and took a bite, just as he had declared. It was a little unbalanced but cute to see the beautiful king munching on a sandwich.

(He wants to eat my homemade cooking. That’s what he meant, right?)

As soon as she realized it, heat gathered in her face.

It was true that she had lured him with her homemade cooking, but he seemed to have really looked forward to it.

Feeling both happy and embarrassed, she couldn’t calm down. So Margaery deliberately acted cold towards the beautiful king who kept munching on his sandwich.

“So, how is it? I’m pretty proud of it, to be honest.”

“It’s delicious. And there’s a little bit of eggshell in it.”

“Huh?!”

Margaery turned around abruptly, while Julius swallowed hard. She panicked when she saw Julius reaching for another egg sandwich as if nothing had happened.

“Hey, wait a minute?! What did you just swallow?! Spit it out properly, spit it out!”

“It’s not harmful. It’s just eggshell.”

“That’s not the point… It’s clearly a failed dish with eggshells in it!”

“I like it. It’s homemade and that’s what makes it good. And you panicking like that is cute and makes me feel good.”

Julius grinned, leaving Margaery speechless. But thanks to him, her face turned even redder as he looked down at her with even more satisfaction.

Flora looked extremely pleased, while Serge had a face as if he had accidentally drunk sugar water.

After a while, Serge whispered to Flora.

“My brother, he said it was unrequited love, right? They’re not dating, are they?”

“That’s not allowed, Serge-sama. As outsiders, we should just enjoy the tension and not make any rude comments.”

“Enjoy the tension?”

Serge blinked in confusion as Flora pointed her finger at him. Then he turned his gaze back to Margaery and the others.

“I was surprised by both Brother and Margaery. We spent three years together at the academy, but I’ve never seen her like this before.”

“…Yes, that’s true.”

Flora smiled a little sadly, but then quickly regained her composure and spoke with enthusiasm.

“That’s why I’m happy. I want His Majesty Julius to work hard and make Margaery-sama happy!”

Unaware of Flora’s determination, Margaery and Julius were still arguing over the sandwich. After smiling at their playful exchange, Flora leaned forward again.

“So, I want to hear about how you two first met. How did you become friends?”

“Huh?!”

Margaery, who was trying to take back her egg sandwich from Julius, stopped abruptly and looked at Flora. Julius, who was asked about the reason, pondered for a moment.

“If it’s the trigger, then it’s probably when I attended your graduation ceremony…”

“Wait, wait, wait?! Hold on a second?!”

The conversation was about to take a completely unexpected turn, and Margaery interrupted in a panic.

Flora and the others were surprised, but that was not important now. Margaery grabbed Julius’ arm forcefully and pulled him away, turning her back to the two of them.

Chapter 27: The Secret Thoughts of His Majesty the Wolf (2)

Margaery grabbed Julius’s arm, who was staring in surprise, and restrained him tightly. She whispered in his ear as he was pulled down.

“Don’t you forget?! What happened that night is a secret to both of us! It’s a secret, you know?!”

“Huh? No, wait. I’m not going to talk about that. So calm down.”

“How can I calm down when I’m being dragged into this? If we leave it to Yuri-sama, who knows what he’ll say to whom.”

“Do you have zero trust in me? It’s okay, it’s okay.”

“But!”

“Besides, that.”

Julius interrupted Margaery’s continued protests. He looked puzzled at her questioning expression and continued with a slightly reddened face.

“…It’s hitting my arm.”

“….”

——A few seconds later, with a red cheek from the shape of her hand, Julius coughed.

“Uh, so, let me tell you about when I met her.”

(He hit brother…)

(He hit him…)

Flora and Serge both internally commented. By the way, the culprit who left a handprint, Margaery, turned her back with a red face and indignation.

After coughing again, Julius slowly blinked his long eyes and began to speak.

“On the night of the graduation ceremony at the academy, I happened to have a chance to talk to her alone. We didn’t talk for long, and I didn’t hear much. But her words saved me. That was the beginning.”

“…Huh?”

Margaery was the one who made a foolish voice.

If they weren’t going to talk about the “secret,” she thought they would just make up some random story to change the subject, but the atmosphere was different.

Rather, the quiet voice and gaze that resonated deeply conveyed the truth of what was just said.

(My words saved Yuri-sama…?)

Ignoring Margaery’s surprise, Flora and Serge pouted dissatisfied.

“It would be nice if you could tell us a little more in detail.”

“His Highness is right. We want to know specifically what kind of exchange you had.”

“As if I would easily tell you. It’s our precious memory. By the way, it’s useless to ask Margaery. She has no awareness of having won me over.”

Saying that, Julius turned his back with a “pfft”. His beautiful profile seemed to be seriously cherishing the events of that night.

(What happened between His Majesty and me that night?)

After enjoying champagne at the party, Margaery’s memory was completely lost. All she remembered about Julius was the shock of accidentally hitting a death flag and ending up in bed with him, and the surprise of his fluffy ears and tail style.

(…If I ask, will he tell me?)

She secretly glanced at Julius’ profile as he skillfully dealt with Serge and the others who persisted.

She wanted to know. She wanted to ask. What did she say, and what did he think?

But if she found out, she had a feeling she couldn’t turn back.

It was because she was drunk. She didn’t remember. That’s why that night was dismissed as a “drunken mistake.”

However, if she knew what they talked about on that day and what he said, something would change inside her. It would change everything.

At that time, she wondered how she should face Julius.

Margaery was filled with a slight sense of unease. Flora looked at her, blinking her eyes.

“Shall we talk a little, just the two of us?”

Shortly after finishing their meal, Julius invited Serge, who was surprised but readily agreed.

Glancing at Margaery, she made a fist and nodded in encouragement. With her support, they walked along the Mirror Pond with Serge.

They walked through the greenery, smelling the scent of trees, soil, and clear water. The only sounds were the faint rustling of leaves and the footsteps of the two of them.

With each step, Serge’s presence grew larger. At the same time, Julius’s heart began to beat faster and faster.

What should he say to his younger brother?

He let out a faint sigh to release his tension. However, he couldn’t stop thinking about his recent bitter failure.

He was the legitimate heir to the throne, a child of the queen loved by everyone and with high popularity. On the other hand, he was the despised child who had usurped the throne from his beloved younger brother.

He had always felt guilty towards his half-brother Serge. If only he wasn’t there. If only he wasn’t born with the power of the Wolf King. Serge’s mother wouldn’t have broken down, and Serge would have become the rightful king of this country.

…He thought he was hated. He thought it was only natural to be hated. He convinced himself that he was hated, resented, and even wanted to be killed.

Therefore, Margaery’s remark hit him hard and pierced deep into his heart.

[Why do you think that way? Serge-sama has never said anything like that even once.]

She was right.

He never tried to see things from his half-brother’s perspective. He never tried to understand his true intentions.

He had simply closed his heart and mind, believing that cutting him off and driving him away was the only option.

He had continued to turn his back on Serge.

“…”

They were about to complete half a lap around the pond. However, the first words didn’t come out smoothly.

Just as he began to feel anxious, he sensed a sigh of relief behind him.

“This is really a pleasant place. The scenery is beautiful, and the air is delicious.”

The speaker was, needless to say, Serge. When Julius turned around, Serge was squinting his eyes and looking at the lake.

Julius was disappointed by his relaxed attitude. He was the only one who was nervous. Apparently, his younger brother was simply enjoying a post-meal stroll.

Suddenly, Julius relaxed his shoulders and chuckled.

“Yes, that’s right. Is this your first time coming to this place?”

“I think so. I’ve heard about the mirror-like pond, but I’ve never been here before. Have you been here before, brother?”

“A few times. The forest is a good place to think. It’s quiet, and you can be alone without being disturbed by anyone.”

“Hehe, that’s a response befitting of my brother.”

Serge chuckled and shook his shoulders. His laughter caused his soft blonde hair to sway slightly. He had the same thin and glossy blonde hair as the tragic queen who had broken her heart and body, once known as the fairy princess, and had been ill since Julius appeared.

However, his sky-blue eyes reflected Julius straight ahead.

“Brother, I always thought you hated me.”

“…What?”

Julius widened his almond-shaped eyes.

The world fell silent. Only Serge’s voice echoed in their world.

“When my brother was in pain…when my mother, uncle, and those around us blamed you, I couldn’t do anything. Not just at that time, but even now, I haven’t been able to help my brother in any way. I thought my brother was disappointed in me for that.”

And so, Serge smiled softly.

“That’s why I was happy today. I was able to talk to my brother. We drank and ate the same things, and I was able to hear about his important feelings for someone special. It was like we were back to those days…like we were real brothers again.”

“Serge…”

Julius held his breath. He felt like he saw a glimmer of tears in Serge’s eyes.

Distant memories——gentle scenes of the past——brushed his heart. The time when Serge was young and Julius had not yet been officially named as the next king.

The five-year age difference between the brothers made Serge a perfect playmate. The young prince Serge somehow became attached to Julius and sneaked into the northern palace where Julius was staying, stealing glances from the queen’s eyes.

Without any constraints or bargaining, just peaceful days of playing with his young brother. Those days would never come back. That’s what Julius thought.

He finally realized that his brother had the same feelings as him.

A feeling of the mist in front of him clearing away gently… No, it was surely Julius’ heart that had been cloudy. She was like the first star in the night sky that shaded the light.

Julius suddenly smiled and shrugged his shoulders, causing his black hair to sway.

“It’s the same for me. I thought you hated me too.”

“Brother?”

“Yeah. I’m the thorn in his side, the usurper who took what was supposed to be yours. And I’m also the one who deeply hurt your mother. With all of that piled up, it’s only natural to be hated, right?”

“Well, as for me…”

“I see. I understand now… No, actually, I realized it a long time ago. I just couldn’t acknowledge it.”

He didn’t want to be resented—He wanted to be resented. He believed it was his atonement for destroying the world of his younger brother who had admired him.

“Sorry.” Serge’s lips tightened as he smiled wryly at Julius. After smiling at his brother who looked like he was about to cry, Julius tightened his expression.

“I’m starting to feel the limits of ruling this country alone. There are ministers and lords who still despise me and wish for you to become king. The rift will eventually tear the country apart and cause great chaos. I need your help. I need your assistance, Serge.”

With his red eyes fixed on Serge, Julius faced him as a king. Serge gasped and knelt down, placing his hand on his chest.

After taking a deep breath, Serge answered sincerely and directly.

“I, Serge Lui Legrand, will be your loyal subject forever. As a brother who shares your blood, I vow to dedicate myself to supporting you.”

“…I see.”

As if drawn in, Julius also knelt down. He met Serge’s surprised gaze and softened his almond-shaped eyes.

“Serge, my brother. I’m counting on you.”

“Yes…!”

After a long detour, their hands finally joined together.

Chapter 28: Almost Answered

“The two seem to be having a good conversation.”

Flora held her hair back as it fluttered in the wind while looking at the two from a distance.

On the other hand, there were two girls left sitting on the sheet. They were full and enjoyed the beautiful flowers while basking in the warm sunshine.

Margaery also nodded as she watched Julius and the others.

“They must have a lot to talk about. They’ve been talking non-stop since they got there… I’m glad.”

She breathed a sigh of relief as the words overflowed from her heart.

From a distance, the atmosphere between Julius and Serge was gentle. Slowly but surely, they were filling the gaps in their time with each other, layering their words.

Serge said something, and Julius widened his eyes. After a moment’s delay, he shook his glossy black hair and laughed happily.

Margaery’s heart overflowed with warmth at such a peaceful scene.

(I’m glad. I’m so happy for you, Yuri-sama!)

Her favorite character’s happiness was so precious to her. No, was he even her favorite character anymore? Watching him work hard every morning, she felt like a proud mother watching her son grow up.

‘Well done, my child!’ Margaery wiped away her teary eyes gently.

“——Margaery, do you think I can become like you?”

Julius asked, revealing his vulnerable heart while his eyes trembled with anxiety and hope.

Margaery didn’t know what Julius meant by wanting to become like her. But at least, Julius had won.

He reached out to Serge, lighting a fire in his fearful and stubborn heart and breaking out of his shell.

(…I won’t let Yuri-sama’s courage go to waste.)

She calmed her excited heart with a small sigh.

As if the joy she had been feeling just a moment ago was a lie, Margaery quietly opened her eyes and gazed ahead with her blue eyes, determined.

She would protect this happy scene no matter what. She wouldn’t let Julius fall into loneliness again, like in the novel. No matter what happens from now on, she will protect this bond until the end.

After making that vow, Margaery turned to face Flora.

“Thank you very much for today, Flora-sama. I don’t know how to thank you enough.”

“W-Wait, please raise your head, Margaery-sama! I did it because I wanted to. Besides, it’s a little strange for Margaery-sama to thank me.”

“Ah…well, that’s true.”

It was completely true. Margaery, who was pointed out, laughed awkwardly to hide her embarrassment.

Then Flora smiled charmingly and tilted her head.

“Julius-sama is special to Margaery-sama, isn’t he?”

“…That’s not true.”

“I can tell even if you try to hide it. Margaery-sama, you work so hard when it comes to His Majesty. I’m almost a little jealous.”

At the unexpected words, Margaery blinked in surprise.

Flora stretched her arms forward and looked up at the sky, letting the wind carry her. The gentle breeze that blew through made the ribbons on her hat flutter lightly.

“I was helped a lot by Margaery-sama during our time at the academy. Whenever I was in trouble, she would come flying over and gently lend me a hand… Margaery-sama was my hero.”

“Flora-sama?”

“So, to be honest, I felt a little lonely. But when I saw how hard Margaery-sama was working, all those feelings disappeared.”

Flora smiled, and it was like a big sunflower blooming under the sun.

“Margaery-sama is my hero, my benefactor, and my precious friend. That’s why I want her to be happier than anyone else. If I can be of any help, I’ll be happy too.”

Margaery was taken aback by Flora’s dazzling smile and innocent words, and eventually looked away.

“…I’m not the kind of person Flora-sama thinks I am. I’m really not that great of a person.”

She tightened her hands on her knees.

“When I first spoke to Flora-sama, I had ulterior motives. I approached you for my own sake.”

Guilt seeped through her heart like thorns.

It was all to avoid the impending doom flag. That was the only reason it started.

Of course, it was all for the sake of not being in a bad situation, but she also hoped that they would help her in a pinch. It was a hypocritical act with ulterior motives, nothing more and nothing less.

Julius was the same. She didn’t know what she blurted out while drunk, but she was determined to escape from him. She tried to escape to her own safe zone, thinking only of herself and her own safety, ignoring the death flag that awaited him.

And yet, she was such a selfish and self-centered person. ‘Why did Flora… Why did Yuri-sama…’

“So you don’t have to think of me as that important.”

Margaery smiled awkwardly.

She thought she was a fool. She had worked hard for three years to earn their favor, but now it was all for nothing.

Margaery was prepared. Would Flora be sad or angry? What should she say to apologize to her, who would cry and feel deceived and betrayed?

But then…

“I knew it, you were up to something when you talked to me, Margaery-sama.”

Flora answered brightly and nonchalantly, and Margaery was left speechless.

It was like she heard a hallucination. Flora waved her hand happily at Margaery, who was shaken.

“No way. I knew it! When I first met you, Margaery-sama, you seemed so suspicious.”

“Uh… what?”

“If I become friends with you, I guarantee a comfortable school life, right? It sounded too suspicious. I thought it was a new kind of scam!”

“S-Scam?!”

Margaery was left speechless as Flora laughed loudly.

So, those three brilliant years that she had thought were perfect, had stumbled right from the beginning.

‘What was that? It was too embarrassing.’ Shocked, Margaery leaned forward, blushing.

“I-If you had just told me earlier, wouldn’t it have been better?! And why did you suspect me so much and still try to become friends with me?!”

“Well… I didn’t think you were a bad person. You seemed like a good person, actually. And besides, it seemed interesting!”

“Is your sense of adventure too much?!”

Margaery held her head in her hands at Flora’s innocent words. She couldn’t say it was her place to speak, but she wished her friend would be more careful when choosing her friends. At least, she shouldn’t get involved with people she thinks are suspicious.

Margaery felt dizzy, but Flora smiled happily as ever.

“But thanks to that, I had so much fun for three years. I was so anxious before entering the academy, but it seems like a lie now… And I think I’m not the only one who thinks I met an irreplaceable best friend, right?”

Margaery was at a loss for words as Flora peered into her face with her bright green eyes. It was annoying to admit it so honestly. Flora was so confident in her words.

So at least, she would resist by pursing her lips.

“It’s a secret. If you’re my best friend, you should understand even if I don’t answer, right?”

“Yes, I understand completely. It’s so obvious that it’s laughable.”

Flora laughed happily, making Margaery pout even more. After laughing for a while, Flora tilted her head lightly.

“Isn’t it the same with His Majesty Julius? At first, you didn’t have any intention, but you couldn’t leave him alone. Before you knew it, you fell in love with him for real. The hunter becomes the hunted. It’s so like Margaery-sama.”

“As you say.”

“But isn’t it hitting the nail on the head?”

Instead of answering, she glared in frustration. It was so painful that she couldn’t deny it. Although becoming close to Julius was completely unexpected, it was like an accident.

She looked at the mirror pond, drawn there by the gentle wind tickling her cheeks. Julius was still talking to Serge on the opposite bank.

“…I wonder what he thinks of me. Actually, I don’t even know myself.”

He must have been told something by Serge. After tilting his head, Julius turned to look at her.

She couldn’t see his expression from this distance. But she was sure he smiled. And then he lightly waved his hand towards her.

That smile. That gesture. His figure, with his black hair swaying in the wind and waving with a smile. Margaery’s heart was filled with a ticklish and warm feeling.

“I don’t know, but…I want Yuri-sama to keep smiling. That’s the only thing I’m sure of.”

She wanted him to be happy. She didn’t want him to feel alone anymore. What should she call this feeling?

How should she convey it to him?

“I think it’s wonderful.”

Flora nodded vigorously at Margaery, who was staring at Julius as if drawn to him.

“I think Margaery-sama’s feelings are very, very wonderful!”

“Therefore, there’s no need to rush,” Flora said gently, placing her hand on Margaery’s.

Her smile, like the sun, showed a glimmer of hope. The answer was almost within reach. Margaery had a feeling about it.

Chapter 29: I hate being chased

At that moment, when the two smiled at each other, a sudden, strong wind blew.

“Ah!”

Flora cried out softly as her white hat was carried away by the wind.

“Wait!”

She hurriedly stood up and chased after her hat, but it flew up in the wind again and again, making it difficult to catch.

Flora was running around in a panic trying to catch the hat, and Margaery eventually stood up as well.

“Are you okay? Oh, look! It’s over there now!”

“I-I can’t catch it at all~”

Flora gave a pitiful voice as she stumbled after the hat. It was somehow cute, and Margaery chased after her with a wry smile.

“It can’t be helped. Look, it’s going to fly away again! Run, run!”

“Y-Yes!”

They repeated this several times, and before they knew it, they had entered the forest. However, they could still see the Mirror Pond faintly beyond the trees. If they turned back, they could easily return.

Finally, Flora caught the hat and breathed a sigh of relief, her shoulders dropping.

“I finally caught it…! I’m sorry, Margaery-sama. I made you run around.”

“We wouldn’t have entered the forest if we hadn’t run around like that. Let’s go back to the pond. His Majesty and the others might be surprised if we’re gone.”

Margaery was about to step forward with a smile, but suddenly stopped.

Flora turned around in a hurry, but all they could see were the quiet trees of the forest. ‘Was it a misunderstanding?’ Margaery strained her ears just in case, and Flora tilted her head.

“Margaery-sama? What’s wrong?”

“No, I just felt like I heard a beast’s growl or something.”

“A beast?”

At that moment…

Zazazazaa! The sound of leaves rustling echoed, and a large black shadow fell in front of the two of them.

“Ahh!”

Flora screamed and jumped onto Margaery. While catching her, Margaery widened her eyes.

“Anya?!”

A person who jumped down from the trees like a cat, agilely lowering their body and preparing for battle. It was Anya, the maid and bodyguard hired by the Noel family.

As it was a secret meeting between King Julius and his younger brother, neither Julius nor Serge had any guards with them, so Anya was the only one on alert. Using her sharp eyes and ears, Anya had been watching for any abnormalities from the trees.

With her back still facing them, Anya looked sharply ahead towards the forest where she had heard the growl earlier.

“I’m sorry, Ojou-sama. They suddenly appeared within range.”

“What came?”

Instead of answering, Anya quickly lifted her skirt. Under the fluttering fabric, leather belts wrapped around both legs were revealed. She quickly drew a small knife from there and mercilessly threw it towards the trees.

Immediately, something ominous jumped out from between the trees and cried out, “Gyan!” before rolling over.

“Ahh?!”

“Demon beast?!”

While protecting Flora, Margaery was amazed. The demon beast, which looked like a fox, was trembling on the ground with a knife piercing its forehead.

‘Why was there a demon beast in a place like this?’ This forest was a leisure spot used by the royal family. She had never heard of a demon beast appearing in this forest before.

Anya grabbed Margaery’s arm as she widened her eyes in surprise.

“They’re still coming! Ojou-sama, this way!!”

Amidst the sound of rustling leaves, a thin, high-pitched voice could be heard.

Serge blinked and swallowed his words as he turned around.

“Did you hear something just now?”

“…Yeah.”

Julius narrowed his red eyes and turned his attention to the other side. Then, he furrowed his well-shaped eyebrows.

“Margaery is not here. Neither is Flora Hermeia.”

“Huh? Oh, you’re right.”

Serge tilted his head while looking across the river.

‘It’s strange. My heart is restless.’

Margaery’s maid, who also serves as her bodyguard, is quite skilled. Even though they run together every morning, her movements are still impressive compared to those of ordinary maids.

So, there shouldn’t be any need to feel so anxious about a small matter like this.

He recited an ancient spell with his mouth. Suddenly, a wave of magic surged from bottom to top, transforming Julius into his true form.

Serge was taken aback when Julius suddenly transformed into the ‘Wolf King’ form for the first time. He had a look of admiration and excitement mixed in his eyes as he choked up.

“Brother, your appearance…!”

“Quiet.”

Julius silenced her with one hand and closed his almond-shaped eyes.

While taking on the form of the Wolf King, Julius’s magical power and physical abilities both increased. In particular, his hearing and spatial awareness, which could also be called his sixth sense, improved dramatically.

With his black ears perked up, he sharpened his senses.

The outline of the forest gradually emerged, lured by the sound of the wind rustling the leaves. The sound of fish jumping in the water, the rustling of grass, the restless sound of the horse they brought, and the gusts of wind rushing through the trees.

With a snap, the sound of a thin twig breaking echoed as a foot stepped forward with force.

[Ojou-sama! Over here, quickly!]

[Ah?! There are more demon beasts than before!]

[Why?! Why are there demon beasts in a place like this?!]

With heavy breathing, three girls rushed in a panic. Excitedly chasing their prey, demon beasts ran through the trees, showing their fierce fangs.

The demon beasts resembled foxes and lived in groups, skilled hunters who cornered their prey in packs.

——There should be no such thing in this forest.

What emerged was Margaery and her friends desperately running away from the pack of demon beasts.

“Margaery is in danger.”

“…Huh?”

Serge muttered in a low growl, his expression tense. Julius sharply shouted at the sky-blue eyes that stared intently.

“So is your fiancé. Follow me, Serge!”

“Yes!”

Without hesitation, Julius ran towards the direction he ‘saw’.

Chapter 30: I say don’t stand before regrets

“Kuh!”

Anya threw her small knife as she turned around. It hit the nose of the demon beast at the front, but as it fell, a new demon beast chased after Margaery and the others.

“Ugh! They keep coming one after another… It’s so annoying!”

“Kyaa! They keep increasing more and more!”

Anya clicked her tongue, while Flora ran with all her might, her face turning pale. Margaery was in a state of confusion as she ran with the two of them.

(Why are there demon beasts in this forest?! There was no such scene in the novel!)

Demon beasts only inhabit places filled with miasma. Around the capital, there was only the Black Forest, a day’s ride away by carriage from the city walls. Margaery had never heard of demon beasts living in this forest, which was free of miasma and managed by the royal family.

However, a large group of demon beasts was now approaching from behind. There were already dozens of them. They were fierce beasts resembling foxes, and flames occasionally flickered from their mouths. Even if they climbed a tree to escape, the demon beasts would burn it down with their flames.

If it was an attack aimed at Julius, it was possible. But Julius was the Wolf King. If he took on his true form, his magical power should be enough to easily wipe out these demon beasts. If he was the real target, they should have sent even more powerful demon beasts.

(No, I can’t think about that now!)

Anya might be invincible in a one-on-one fight, but Flora would soon reach her limit. Even for Anya, it would be difficult to eliminate this many demon beasts while protecting the two of them on their backs.

At this rate, they would all be wiped out. Margaery quickly made a decision and shouted to the two of them as she ran.

“I’ll lure the demon beasts! Anya, evacuate with Flora-sama! After getting past the demon beasts, meet up with His Majesty and the others, and inform him of the situation!”

“Eh?!”

“That’s reckless! I can’t follow that order!”

Flora was shocked, and Anya immediately shook her head. But Margaery smiled fearlessly at them.

“This is not self-sacrifice, but a calm tactic based on the situation! Hey, Anya. You have the highest combat power among the three of us, but who has the fastest legs?!”

Anya gasped at Margaery’s words. She understood the meaning. After hesitating for a moment, she nodded.

“Good luck, Ojou-sama. We’ll be back soon with His Majesty!”

“I’m counting on you! It won’t take long!”

“Eh?! But, that’s… Ahh?!”

Flora was still confused, but her objection turned into a scream as Anya quickly grabbed her and jumped high into the trees.

“Margaery-samaaa…!”

Flora’s hands reached out towards her as she and Anya disappeared into the greenery. Margaery’s blue eyes shone as she watched them disappear from the corner of her vision.

(I didn’t expect to use it in a place like this… but I can’t hold back now!)

She would lure all the demon beasts and clear a path for Anya and the others. With that determination, Margaery took a deep breath and shouted.

“Release magic! Code, ‘Courage to run away, running away is winning’!”

Silver magic wrapped around Margaery’s feet. In an instant, it took the form of wings and lifted both of her feet off the ground.

“Let’s go! Here I come!!”

With her feet hovering just a few millimeters off the ground, Margaery kicked off into the air with great force. Then, with agility that was incomparable to before, she began to run through the trees.

This was Margaery’s last resort. She had developed a strengthening magic that only enhanced her “escape” ability, just in case she needed to run away with all her might.

(My feet feel light!)

As she kicked off into the air, Margaery’s eyes shone. Of course, this was her first time using it in practice, but she was able to pull away from the demon beasts much more than before. While adjusting to not leave them behind, Margaery’s mouth formed a smile for the first time.

For the three years since she regained her memories, Margaery had not only worked on her plan to become friends with Flora and the others. She also improved her physical abilities with early morning runs and efficiently wrapped her remaining magic around her feet to create a momentary, incredible speed to escape.

This was Margaery’s insurance. She had devised a plan to survive even if her scheme failed, and she was caught up in Julius’s magic rampage, just as in the novel.

“Hey, you demons! I’m your opponent!!”

With her silver hair fluttering, Margaery leaped through the gaps in the trees. Perhaps because she had the luxury of provoking them, dozens of demon beasts were chasing after her. If this continued, Anya and the others would be able to safely leave the battlefield and return to Julius and the others.

(All I have to do is escape and I win!)

She kicked a tree in her path and changed direction. Suddenly changing direction allowed her to distance herself from the demon beasts again. While confirming this, Margaery calmly calculated her next move.

It wouldn’t take Anya and the others more than a few minutes to meet up with Julius. If he knew the situation, he would come to her aid. The problem was whether he could find her location, but with the power of the Wolf King, it should be possible.

She had to hold out for seven or eight more minutes. If she could do that, Margaery would win.

(I can do this!!)

With confidence, Margaery smiled boldly.

However…

“Eek?!”

Her vision suddenly opened up, and she panicked and hit the brakes. It was a split-second decision, but the right one. She had stopped at the edge of a cliff that was about thirty meters high.

‘This is bad. It’s a dead end.’ She felt relieved that she didn’t fall, but that feeling was short-lived. She suddenly remembered that fact and panicked, turning on her heel to leave.

However, it was already too late. Demon beasts emerged from between the trees, growling.

“Ah, ahaha, this many…”

Their eyes glinted, and flames leaked from their snarling mouths. Margaery laughed dryly as she was surrounded by them.

Why was it always like this?

It was the same with her plan to become friends with Flora. It was the same with the incident where she had a relationship with Julius outside of the plan. She always made a mistake at the most critical moment, even though she had planned everything perfectly. It was true that those who drowned in their own schemes were often warned.

Despite struggling and persevering until now, it seemed like it was all for naught. She had managed to buy some time to let Anya and the others escape, but it wasn’t enough to meet up with Julius. By the time he found her, Margaery would have met a gruesome end.

She wanted to collapse and sit down, but she resisted the urge. Her pride and dignity wouldn’t allow her to kneel.

She barely held onto her breaking heart. But at the same time, all that came to mind for Margaery was the person with glossy black hair.

(…Yuri-sama)

That shocking encounter where he exuded a magnificent sensuality and smiled at her with an entwining gaze.

(Yuri-sama)

The way he teased Margaery and her father when they were summoned to the castle, shaking his shoulders with joy.

(Yuri-sama)

The sincerity with which he spoke about wanting to change himself with a trembling voice.

Despite thinking that it was the worst possible timing, she couldn’t stop these thoughts from raging through her heart like a storm, while also enveloping her softly like feathers.

‘I wanted to see him. I wanted to see him. I wanted to see him.’ The heat that burned within her made her heart smell like it was scorched.

Ah, really. If it had to come to this in the end…

“…I should have just admitted that I loved him.”

As the words spilled out, tears streamed down her cheeks.

“Grrr!” The demon beast screamed in front of her and kicked the ground. It was a signal for the others to attack. As she watched them in slow motion, Margaery prepared herself for death.

Unconsciously, her hand reached for the necklace that person had given her.

“Margaery, where are you?!”

Startled by the sudden voice, Margaery opened her eyes wide. But all she could see were demon beasts jumping at her. ‘Have I finally gone insane?’ In her confusion, Julius’s voice echoed in her head again.

“Where are you, Margaery!! Call me! Call me!!!!”

Ah, she realized. The voice was coming from the jewel. It was the necklace he gave her, with an amethyst embedded in it.

She became absorbed in it and grabbed the necklace around her neck. Dodging the demon beasts that were jumping at her, she leaped towards the cliff behind her and shouted.

“Yuri-sama, I’m here! Margaery is here!”

In an instant,

a flash of light ran through. Margaery’s feet left the ground, and she felt a sense of floating. Her body began to fall, but warm arms embraced her.

With one arm around Margaery’s shoulder, King Julius calmly set his sights on the sky with his burning red eyes. He mercilessly spat at the demon beasts jumping towards the cliff.

“Disappear. You beasts.”

After that, she didn’t know what happened. Something like a black shadow flew out of his outstretched arm. It became the head of a giant wolf and devoured the falling demon beasts one after another.

(So strong…)

Margaery watched the scene in amazement. The black wolf swept away all the demon beasts as if licking them, then disappeared like a mist.

“It’s okay now.”

When the last mist melted into the wind, his voice echoed in her ear. But she had no strength to answer.

She remained in his arms as the sky gradually moved away. After seeing his black and her silver dance in the sky, Margaery’s consciousness suddenly cut off.

Chapter 31: That day, you were burned into my heart

She was an uncivilized girl. Honestly, that was his first impression.

“I’ll get scolded by my father~. Please, don’t take me home~.”

The girl occupied the opposite side of the carriage, whining and half-crying. Julius sighed for what felt like the umpteenth time in front of her.

It all started when he found her collapsed in the courtyard of the Royal Academy. He showed a little bit of compassion and spoke to her, and that was his downfall. Before he knew it, he was caught up in her pace, and now he found himself taking her home in his carriage.

Margaery De Noel. That was the name of the drunkard in front of him.

(I took her in because she’s the Prime Minister’s daughter, but I misjudged.)

Julius frowned as Margaery continued to whine and say, “I can’t go home~. My father will scold me~.”

He thought she was already quite drunk when he found her, but he didn’t expect it to be this troublesome. He wanted to push her back to the academy now.

“Okay, okay. I’ll handle it. So don’t worry.”

He waved his hand casually and then lost interest, looking out the window.

‘A perfect lady, huh?’ Julius furrowed his brow at the words of the academy director.

When he heard about Flora Hermeia, who the academy director praised, he thought it was the girl in front of him.

A goddess full of love, always with a bird’s-eye view, guiding everyone towards a better direction.

(. . .Is this a goddess?)

For some reason, the image in his head didn’t quite match up. Far from being a perfect lady, she seemed to be so drunk that she didn’t even know who the man with a sour face in front of her was.

After thinking for a while, Julius gave up. It didn’t matter what she said. The carriage was heading towards the Noel family’s house. If he could sell one of his debts to that Tanuki Prime Minister who he couldn’t read his mind, it would be a great help.

Despite trying to come to terms with it, the girl in front of him was still noisy.

“Oh, that tree! I understand, you know. I’ve figured it out. This road leads to my house, doesn’t it?”

“. . .”

“I don’t want to go home! I don’t want to!”

“Then what do you want me to do?”

Giving up on ignoring her, Julius got angry. However, the girl, with her beautiful face made hazy by alcohol, just looked at him with a dazed expression. Her defenseless gaze exuded a sensuality that made even the cautious Julius feel choked up.

(It’s like she’s asking me to attack her. . .)

To dispel the wicked thought that had briefly crossed his mind, he ruffled his hair.

She was already a beautiful girl. Her silky silver hair shone like it had captured the stars, and her big, hazy eyes were so blue that they seemed to suck you in. When she clung to him at the academy, she even had a sweet fragrance.

Julius will warn the Prime Minister not to let his daughter drink heavily outside. Half out of resentment and half out of kindness, he sighed heavily.

“…Anyway, come back to the castle with me. You’ll be the one inconvenienced if rumors start spreading.”

“Huh?”

“Don’t get deeply involved with the Wolf King. You are on Serge’s side.”

The daughter tilted her head in confusion. Her expression still showed that she didn’t know who Julius was.

Feeling slightly frustrated, Julius gave a faint self-deprecating smile.

Of course. This girl can remain so innocent because she doesn’t even have a hint that the person in front of her is the Wolf King.

If she knew the truth, she would turn pale and shut her mouth, as if trying to escape.

Everyone is like that. They are watching each other’s moves, trying to figure out which side to take―the king or the prince.

Among them, she chose Serge, not him.

It would be a mistake to get involved with him―Julius.

At that moment, the lady sat up abruptly. Contrary to Julius’s expectations, she asked him something unexpected.

“Do you hate Julius-sama?”

“. . .Huh?”

“You hate Julius-sama, don’t you?!”

Julius was taken aback and couldn’t retort immediately. He would never forget this moment for the rest of his life.

The daughter looked at him so seriously, it was hard to believe that she had been drunk and passed out just a moment ago.

With ruby-like red eyes blinking, Margaery leaned forward.

“Excuse me, everyone. It’s all wrong to say that Julius-sama is scary or cold. He’s actually very delicate and clumsy!”

“Huh? Uh, well. . .”

“He worries about how his existence has caused chaos in the kingdom. But he faces the country with sincerity to fulfill his duty as a king. And he overturned the invasion strategy that the previous king was trying to promote against neighboring countries because there are many enemies. It’s just that the invasion faction is shouting because the Empress doesn’t like His Majesty.”

Julius couldn’t help but hold his breath at her sharp but accurate criticism. It was a fact that the previous king had planned military aggression against neighboring countries, although it was not generally known. There were also invasion factions among the ministers and feudal lords who opposed Julius.

However, after thinking for a moment, he shook his head. She was the daughter of Prime Minister Jordan De Noel, a noble family. It wouldn’t be strange for her to know the internal affairs of the kingdom to some extent.

Nevertheless, her intelligence was more than enough to show. Margaery told Julius straight with a serious expression.

“I respect the strength of that person who tries to protect the kingdom and peace. I don’t know who you are, but I won’t forgive anyone who insults His Majesty Julius in front of me.”

Julius was taken aback by the strength of her gaze.

‘Respect? Did she say respect?’ He shook his head in confusion.

You’re on Serge’s side, aren’t you? You’re on the side of my half brother. You don’t need to protect Julius. You don’t need to flatter him

. . . There’s no need to say it as if you truly believe it.

“Did your father tell you to say that?”

Julius felt happy, but his timid heart made him look away from her kind intentions. He refused with a trembling voice.

“You were a candidate for my half brother’s fiancée, weren’t you? Did he choose another girl? Is it a retaliation against him? Did your father tell you to get close to the king to get back at my half brother?”

But Margaery laughed with her nose. She laughed lightly, as if blowing away Julius’s fear and anxiety.

“You say such strange things. I don’t want any retaliation. After all, I wanted both of you to be happy.”

And then. Margaery put her hand on her chest. She tilted her head gracefully like an actress, and smiled so beautifully and cunningly that it was almost scary.

“My heart is mine. No one can dictate who I love.”

‘How can he express the feelings he had at that moment?’

Captivated by her blue eyes, Julius couldn’t move for a while.

She smiled so nobly. Her dignified gaze was so straight.

Dazzling. Dazzling. Dazzling.

He wanted her.

Before he knew it, he had placed his hand on hers. Perhaps because she was drunk, her hand was warm like a baby’s.

Julius asked as if praying,

“Do you like the Wolf King?”

Had she been drunk again? Margaery, who had been so determined earlier, suddenly slumped and smiled weakly.

“I like him. I really do.”

She added that he was her favorite, but her words didn’t reach his excited heart.

His heart was pounding so hard it felt like it might burst out of his chest.

He knew it was strange. They had just met, and there was still so much they didn’t know about each other.

But she was so vivid that he didn’t care about anything else. She was dazzling and intense, and she burned brightly in his heart.

He wanted her. He didn’t want to give her to anyone else. Driven by that feeling, his lips spoke naturally.

“…If the king said he liked you too, would you laugh?”

Margaery burst out laughing.

“No way. That’s impossible.”

“It’s not a lie. It’s true.”

“Huh?”

‘Believe me, please.’ He pleaded desperately, and Margaery swayed her body. Eventually, she showed a teasing red tongue.

“It’s impossible. . . but if you show me your wolf form, I might believe you.”

“Okay.”

Without hesitation, Julius nodded. He looked at Margaery like a kneeling knight.

“I’ll grant that wish.”

And then he invited her.

As he lifted her up like in a fairy tale, Margaery giggled ticklishly. Her bell-like voice, her joyful smile, everything about her was precious.

“How is it? This is what you wanted.”

She lay on the bed, looking up at him with sparkling eyes. As he covered her, Julius swayed his tail as if to show off.

“It’s like a dream. . .really, like a dream. . .”

He wasn’t sure what made her so happy. She blushed slightly and repeated the same thing. Seeing her so happy, Julius couldn’t help but smile wryly.

“You’re weird. Did you really want to see me like this so badly?”

“It’s not weird. It’s been a dream for so long.”

“A dream, huh. That’s a bit exaggerated.”

He laughed lightly, but didn’t feel bad. He had always hated this form, but if it could make her happy, he didn’t mind showing it to her as much as she wanted.

Margaery hesitantly reached out her hand, like a white fish, towards Julius.

“Um. . .is it okay if I touch you?”

“I don’t mind. If you want to, go ahead.”

Julius bent down to make it easier for her to touch him. Her slender fingers, her delicate touch, gently touched his ear. Her playful fingers were ticklish and sweet. Julius closed his almond-shaped eyes as if to cuddle.

When he opened his eyes again, his red eyes were flickering with heat.

“Margaery. I also want your permission.”

He begged her with an innocent gaze.

“I want to touch your cheeks, your skin, your lips. I want to engrave myself on every part of you.”

He gently touched her cheek. He couldn’t tell if the heat he felt was his or hers anymore.

“――Margaery. I love you.”

The sound of the sheets rustling echoed. As if drawn to each other, they melted together. Julius tried to kiss her――――.

From those lips, a soft snore escaped.

“Huh?”

For a moment, his mind froze. When he hurriedly sat up, he sank into the white sheets and saw Margaery sleeping soundly. She was sleeping so deeply, muttering in her sleep and looking comfortable.

“Margaery? Hey, Margaery?”

He shook her shoulder gently, but all he got in return was a happy snore.

Then he realized. She wouldn’t wake up. She would sleep until morning.

“No way. . .”

He felt drained. He felt completely drained from the bottom of his heart.

He stumbled and fell next to her.

He put his hand on his forehead and looked up at the canopy as if he had given up.

. . .Well, depending on how you look at it, it might have been a good thing. She fell asleep just before the kiss. Even if they had connected physically, she might not have remembered it tomorrow. There was even a possibility that she wouldn’t remember their conversation in the carriage.

(But I’ll still resent it. . .)

He glared at her happy sleeping face. It was even more annoying that she was muttering in her sleep, saying things like “I won’t drink anymore.” even in her dreams.

“This girl. This girl.”

As he gently pinched her cheeks, Margaery squirmed and giggled. But there was no sign of her waking up, and gradually Julius’s anger dissipated.

‘Well, it’s fine.’ He frowned while watching over his sleeping beloved.

Whether she remembers or not, he will never let her go. He will bind her tightly like thorns and make her his own.

To start with, he’ll surprise her tomorrow morning. It might be quite a shock, but it’s also revenge. After all, she had thoroughly stirred up his heart.

Besides, didn’t she say it herself? That she likes him too.

Rolling the words like a talisman in his mouth, he too slowly let go of his consciousness and fell into a light slumber.

Chapter 32: I want to be happy with you

She had a dream.

She thought it was a dream from her past life.

She was in one of the rooms of the rental apartment she had in her past life, lying on the sofa and reading a book. T

She was holding the fourth volume of “Cinderella wa Totsuzen ni” (Cinderella Suddenly) – the second part of the Bride Training Arc.

She was wearing her favorite loose-fitting parka dress and had her hair casually tied up in a bun. Her favorite pastime on holidays was to prepare a cup of tea and read her favorite book.

“Uwaaah! Julius-sama, you’re so noble! I want to protect that smile!”

The page she had opened was the scene where Julius and Serge reconciled. She was so moved by the power of the illustration that she rolled around on the sofa.

Why? Why won’t the author let Julius be happy? Why do they have to make him walk down an unhappy path?

If only there was a world line where Julius could smile. If only someone could save him.

Then, she heard a voice from somewhere.

――Is it okay to leave it to someone else?

She put down the book and stood up. She looked around, but all she could see was her familiar room. Her favorite cushion, the stack of unfinished books, the mug with a dog print, and the half-eaten cookie.

――Do I have to be that ‘someone else’?

To love Julius? Who does Julius love? Who does he want to smile at? Who does he want to smile at?

Who does he want to be happy with?

As she stood up, a figure appeared in the mirror. It wasn’t the ‘her’ in the baggy hoodie dress with a bun on her head. It was a girl she had never seen before, with shining silver hair that reached her waist and an elegant dress.

She was drawn to touch the mirror, and the girl on the other side did the same.

Touching the mirror, she realized. The voice was hers.

She wanted to be happy with that person――.

Slowly, her consciousness surfaced.

A soft scent tickled her nose, and Margaery opened her eyes as if guided by it.

(Where am I. . .?)

She focused her eyes, she immediately recognized it as her room in Loire Castle. But for some reason, her head still felt a little confused. It was probably because of the dream she had just seen. She didn’t remember much, but she felt like it was a dream from her past life.

‘When did I return to my room?’ As she tried to get up, she felt something strange in her right hand. She looked over there and her eyes widened.

“Yuri-sama. . .”

Julius was there, holding Margaery’s hand and sleeping with his arm as a pillow.

Margaery remembered. Being attacked by the demon beasts in the forest. Hearing a voice when she thought it was all over. Losing consciousness in Julius’s arms as he rushed to her.

Through the black hair that covered his face, she could see his beautiful sleeping face. He exuded a glamorous charm, but his sleeping face was just a little childish.

(He saved me, didn’t he?)

The image of him protecting her with his arm and annihilating the demon beast came to her mind.

With his red eyes burning, Julius, the Wolf King, shot straight through the demon beast to protect her. When she thought about it being his profile to protect her, she felt a ticklish and embarrassing sensation.

As she gently stroked his hair, Julius flinched slightly. His long eyelashes fluttered, and his narrow eyes slowly opened. As soon as his red eyes reflected Margaery, he jumped up.

“Margaery you’re awake!”

He placed his hand on her shoulder. Julius’s face, which peeked at her with “How do you feel?” and “Are you in pain?” was so desperate that Margaery couldn’t help but laugh.

“I’m fine. But why is Yuri-sama in my room?”

“I apologize for entering without permission. But I wanted to be by your side when you woke up.”

“This is a lady’s room. Please show some restraint.”

“Is this the time to be showing restraint? Someone important collapsed.”

After saying that, he looked away as if remembering something. Then, he smiled a little bitterly.

“Although your maid scolded me for it.”

“That’s probably true.”

As she giggled, he finally seemed to relax. He gently narrowed his eyes and stroked Margaery’s hair.

According to him, Margaery had apparently suffered from magical intoxication. It was a symptom that often occurred in humans who were not used to using magic, caused by continuously using magic in a crisis situation where they were being chased by the demon beasts.

After carefully giving Margaery the water from the pitcher and the fruit that Anya had apparently prepared, Julius looked at her again.

“You did something reckless. Facing the demon beasts alone.”

“Well, there’s nothing I can say to that.”

“You called me too late. What did you think I gave you the necklace for?”

“I’m sorry for that too. Are you angry?”

“I am.”

With just a glance, the answer came back immediately. But contrary to his words, Julius reached out his hand carefully, as if touching something fragile.

“But I’ll forgive you. As long as you’re alive, that’s enough.”

He hugged her. Margaery realized that the faint scent that woke her up was his scent.

Julius’s arms were wide and warm. Even through his clothes, she could feel the sensation of his well-trained body and the heat of his chest. It was comfortable and happy, and she felt so fulfilled that she could fall asleep, but at the same time, she was restless and couldn’t calm down.

Was it because she had become aware of her feelings for him? Her heart was pounding and she felt the heat gathering on her face.

“Y-Yuri-sama, um. . .”

“Oh, sorry.”

He flinched lightly and panicked. It seemed that he had unconsciously hugged Margaery. But she felt lonely when his warmth left, so she instinctively grabbed his arm.

“Wait, it’s not what you think.”

“Margaery?”

“It’s not that I didn’t like being hugged, it’s just. . .”

Julius’s eyes widened in surprise as Margaery turned her face away and blushed. After hesitating for a moment, he spoke up.

“There’s something I need to confess to you. About that night.”

Without needing an explanation, Margaery knew he was referring to the day they first met. She blinked and waited for him to continue.

“When I said we shared a bed that night, it was a lie. . . Well, it wasn’t a lie in the literal sense, but that’s all it was.”

“Huh?”

“You and I didn’t cross the line.”

Margaery’s eyes widened at his straightforward statement.

According to Julius, when they were about to take things further, Margaery fell asleep. The source of the discomfort she felt the next day finally became clear. There was nothing between them after all. At least, not in terms of physical intimacy.

“Why did you lie like that. . .”

“I was frustrated. That nothing happened between us.”

Julius frowned and shrugged his shoulders in a troubled manner.

“Or maybe not. The truth is, I just wanted you so badly. I wanted you so much that it felt like my heart was burning. So I lied. If there was a physical connection between us, you wouldn’t be able to easily leave me. Even if you didn’t remember, there would be a strong bond between us. In other words, I was scared. I was afraid that when I woke up, you would be gone.”

Margaery was taken aback, while Julius shrank like a scolded puppy and averted his gaze.

After a while, Margaery tilted her head.

“Why did you decide to tell me?”

“Because I want to earn your trust.”

His red eyes moved and caught Margaery. Even in the darkness, his eyes were still beautiful.

“When I saw you surrounded by demon beasts, I was furious that you didn’t call for help sooner. But it’s ridiculous to ask you to trust me when I’m lying. So I thought I should be sincere, so that you would be the first to ask me for help.”

His big hand tightly grasped Margaery’s hand. While looking straight at her, Julius frowned.

“Are you disappointed? In my weakness and lies?”

Julius, who asked the question, seemed a little anxious. If he were in his beastman form, he would have lowered his triangular ears.

Still, Julius spoke honestly to Margaery, with the intention of being sincere.

Margaery reached out her hand to Julius and flicked his forehead with her finger. He let out a small scream, “Ow.”

Margaery smiled at Julius, who was holding his forehead and looking surprised.

“That’s the end of your punishment. I’m a believer in not punishing honest people.”

Then, Margaery gently touched Julius’s hair. She delicately stroked his black hair, as if debating whether to touch it or not.

“Thank you for talking to me.”

“. . .Mm.”

After a moment of surprise, Julius smiled. It was the sweetest smile she had ever seen from him.

Then he stood up in the darkness.

“Well, I’ll go back to my room. You should rest too. You’re not feeling well yet.”

“Are you leaving? . . . Will you sleep with me?”

Like that night. If she said it with a mischievous tone, Julius would glare at her and say, “Are you stupid?”

“I don’t have the confidence to resist you twice. Besides, I haven’t even received an answer yet. Can I do that?”

“You tried to touch a drunk girl, and yet you say that?”

“I can’t argue with that.”

Julius pouted his lips and then laughed. He turned towards the door and lightly stepped towards it.

“Goodnight, Margaery. Have sweet dreams.”

“. . .Yuri-sama!”

As he reached for the door, she called out to him. He turned around, looking puzzled. Margaery stared straight at Julius, bathed in the moonlight shining through the window.

“I heard that Serge-sama and Flora-sama’s engagement ceremony has been scheduled. They will officially introduce Flora-sama there.”

“Oh, I heard from your father that it’s set for a month from now.”

“On that day, could you escort me?”

Julius opened his eyes wide, as if caught off guard.

Margaery knew what it meant for an unmarried woman to appear with the king in public.

Julius probably understood that too and correctly interpreted what Margaery meant when she asked him.

Excited, he took a step towards her.

“Margaery, that’s. . .”

“Goodnight, Yuri-sama.”

She smiled and Julius swallowed his words. Margaery almost burst out laughing at his frustrated expression, as if he wanted to confirm the truth.

Eventually, he seemed to give up and smiled wolfishly.

“The answer is yes. I’m looking forward to a month from now. See you.”

With that, he finally left the room.

As soon as the door closed, Margaery collapsed onto the bed. Her cheeks were hot, and her heart was still pounding. Unable to stay still, she hugged her pillow for no reason.

She had said it. She had finally admitted it. Well, to be precise, she couldn’t say that she had honestly conveyed her feelings, but he had understood.

(Yuri-sama, I love you)

She whispered with her lips and squirmed alone from the ticklish feeling.

She still felt his scent lingering in the room. Even such a trivial thing made her heart flutter. Margaery’s consciousness gradually melted into a happy dream.

Chapter 33: Tonight, we’re forever

It was a busy day from the morning.

Margaery took a bath first thing in the morning, combed her hair, and applied scented oil. She was polished and made more beautiful by the maids, led by Anya.

The finishing touches were makeup and hair styling. The other maids had already left, and only Anya remained in Margaery’s room. The only sounds in the room were the two of them breathing and the faint sound of hair being brushed.

Today, she tied up her shining silver hair that she usually let down. This revealed her slender neck and décolleté line, making her so attractive that one would want to be drawn to her.

A thin chain swayed around her neck, and a necklace with an amethyst embedded in it shone on her chest. “He” would surely be pleased. It looked like a violet star shining on her white skin.

Finally, a light pink was applied to her lips, subtly and modestly, so as not to detract from her natural beauty.

“It’s done.”

Whispered by Anya, Margaery slowly opened her eyes.

She was wearing a pale violet dress that sparkled like scattered snowflakes. Silver strands of hair fell gently on her revealed white skin.

The silver-based eyeshadow wrapped her deep blue eyes in a fantastic way. It was a wonderful job that could rival the title of “perfect lady,” if she said so herself. She wouldn’t look inferior standing next to that breathtakingly handsome person.

“You look beautiful, Ojou-sama.”

Anya smiled at her through the mirror. Margaery shrugged and laughed at her gently spoken words.

“It’s all thanks to Anya. Everyone is skilled.”

“You’re too modest. Ojou-sama is always beautiful. It’s just that today is exceptional. His Majesty will surely say the same.”

“What’s the point of praising me if it doesn’t change anything?”

She looked forward to a month later. As promised, the king would come to her room to pick her up. The thought crossed Margaery’s mind, and she blushed and turned away.

Anya sighed and then suddenly looked serious.

“Ojou-sama has been surprising me since graduating from the academy. First, you came back in the morning with His Majesty, then you said you couldn’t marry him. Then you went up to the castle and started talking about ‘love Julius plan’ or something incomprehensible.”

“. . .I’m sorry.”

“And now, today. Fufu. I really can’t get enough of being by Ojou-sama’s side.”

Anya shook her shoulders with a happy expression, and there was no sign of anger or amazement. She seemed to be genuinely enjoying it, thinking it couldn’t be helped.

This was probably Anya’s way of congratulating her. Her twisted “congratulations” wasn’t straightforward.

So Margaery twisted her words and laughed.

“I don’t want to indulge in the feeling of doing it on my own. I’m going to keep causing you trouble, Anya.”

“It’s okay. I can’t bear to see Ojou-sama fall into a pit where I can’t see her. After all, my Ojou-sama is a bit clumsy.”

“I appreciate you saying that!”

After a moment, the two laughed together like close sisters.

Anya lightly clapped her hands together and quickly gathered the cosmetics, then picked them up in a flash.

“Well then, Ojou-sama. Please wait patiently until His Majesty arrives. There’s still time, would you like me to prepare a drink?”

“Then, I’ll have grapefruit. The freshly squeezed, refreshing kind!”

“You’re so demanding. I’ll prepare it right away.”

After bowing respectfully, Anya left with the luggage in hand.

The engagement ceremony between Prince Serge and Miss Flora of the Hermeia Baron family was scheduled for exactly noon today. This was the first time Flora would be presented as his fiancée in public.

After the engagement ceremony, there would be a standing-style engagement party. The orchestra was also invited, and a splendid party would be held from evening until night.

Margaery would also attend the party. As none other than the partner of King Julius Lui Legrand.

‘With all my love to my one and only.’ She hugged the small letter that came with today’s dress to her chest.

This was her resolution.

Tonight, Julius would propose to her. And Margaery would answer with a smile. Happily.

When she was alone again, Margaery couldn’t calm down and checked herself in the mirror several times.

Would he compliment her? Would he be happy? Would he narrow his eyes and say she was beautiful?

Today, more than anything, she wanted him to praise her. Today, more than anything, she wanted to have his gaze all to herself. Not just today, but forever, she wanted him to look at her with those soft eyes that were only for her.

So when she heard the knock on the door shortly after Anya left, she literally jumped up.

“Y-Yes, who is it?!”

Margaery, who had just turned around in front of the mirror, stiffened in surprise as she answered.

‘Was it Julius?’ He was quite early for their appointment, but maybe he couldn’t wait and came to pick her up. Perhaps Anya had thoughtfully sent him as a messenger while preparing juice.

Thinking such things, Margaery hurried to the door.

She adjusted her bangs and took a deep breath. She suppressed her excitement with a cough, but her eyes sparkled with love as she put her hand on the door with a radiant smile.

At that moment, Margaery was completely off guard. She was so excited about this day that she was acting out of character.

“Yuri-sama?”

Without suspecting anything, Margaery opened the door, hoping to see the young king with his glossy black hair and red eyes smiling kindly at her. But the person on the other side of the door was not her beloved.

She was suddenly pulled by the arm and dragged out of the room. A large cloth was stuffed into her mouth to prevent her from screaming. She felt suffocated by the sickly sweet smell and her vision began to distort rapidly.

It was always like this. Margaery was careless. Just one step away, and important things slipped through her fingers.

‘I was looking forward to the party with Yuri-sama.’

As she thought about such things, Margaery’s consciousness was swallowed up in confusion.

Chapter 34: Shadows over the Wolf King

The first thing she felt was a headache, followed by fatigue.

Her head, arms, fingers, and various parts of her body were numb and difficult to move.

Frowning in discomfort, Margaery reluctantly opened her heavy eyelids. Immediately, she coughed at the musty smell of dust.

‘Where is this?’ It was dimly lit and the air was bad. It felt like a basement. She could barely maintain her vision because of the small grated window near the ceiling that leaked light.

She had been kidnapped. As soon as she realized this fact, she wanted to scream, but managed to hold back. Anya had said before that it was important to maintain sanity in a crisis.

(Calm down. Stay calm, Margaery. You would have been more surprised if Yuri-sama was in front of you when you woke up, right?)

She took a few deep breaths to calm herself. Margaery, who had somehow regained her composure, looked around again.

She was in a rough stone room. It was too dark to see clearly, but it didn’t seem very spacious.

Straw was piled up in the corner of the room, and Margaery was lying on top of it. She was still wearing the dress Julius had given her. Her hands and feet were tied, but her mouth was not gagged. She wasn’t injured. Yes, she was okay.

(The necklace Yuri-sama gave me. . .it’s safe, but I can’t touch it.)

She felt relieved at the sparkling necklace on her chest. Even in this situation, it lightened her heart to know that there was something connecting her and him.

However, if the necklace is still safe, then it might not be a kidnapping for ransom. The fact that she was taken while alone in her room suggests a planned crime.

(Come to think of it, didn’t Otou-sama mention that there’s a dungeon in Loire Castle?)

It’s a makeshift prison for intruders or prisoners. It’s a room that remains as a remnant of when Loire Castle functioned as a military base, although it’s not usually used.

It’s unclear how much time has passed since she lost consciousness, but the light shining through the window suggests it’s daytime. It wouldn’t be easy to take a girl out in broad daylight like this. It’s safe to assume that she’s been locked up in an unused dungeon in the castle.

As she was thinking about this, dry applause and a sticky voice echoed from the dim room.

“Have you woken up, Miss Margaery De Noel? As expected of Jordan’s daughter. Even in this situation, you are beautiful.”

Margaery was startled and looked up. She hadn’t heard any footsteps. Had they been lurking in the darkness, waiting for their prey like a snake?

The sound of clothes rustling and a clatter as the dungeon door opened. Margaery’s eyes widened at the person who appeared calmly in the light along with their footsteps.

“Minister Freed. . .?”

It was the Foreign Minister of the Legrand Kingdom and the younger brother of the Queen Mother――Lucius Freed, the man who caused the rift between Julius and Serge about a month and a half ago.

Freed clapped his hands happily at Margaery’s puzzled expression.

“Excellent answer. As expected, you know well.”

“What do you mean? Why are you asking this?”

Ignoring the cheerful minister, Margaery furrowed her well-shaped eyebrows. A single drop of sweat ran down her forehead.

For some reason, the minister today felt different. He was a typical small-minded person who could only bark behind the scenes. When she casually asked about Julius’ incident, her father had said the same thing.

However, what about the man in front of her? He had a plump body and a solid posture, and his expression showed an unreadable ease as he looked at her with a cheerful gaze.

Freed’s presence reminded her that he was the younger brother of Queen Titania, and even though he was at the bottom of the royal family, he still had the dignity of being a prince of the neighboring country, the Agrina Kingdom.

Freed maintained a gentlemanly attitude, which made him even more eerie. The minister put his hand on his chest respectfully, as Margaery became more cautious.

“Why? Do I have an obligation to explain that to you? …No. You can just be a captive princess. A pitiful sacrifice to bury the wolf.”

“I hate beating around the bush.”

Suddenly, Margaery burst out laughing. In that moment, she searched for a way to resolve the situation in her head.

Where was this place? What was the aim? Was there a way to escape? How could she contact the outside? She had to extract some information. Something.

While desperately thinking, she smiled confidently at the minister.

“You also want me to ask, don’t you? What you’re planning. What will happen next? That’s why you waited for me to wake up, right?”

“Heh, hehe. Good. Very good. You are too wonderful.”

Freed chuckled a little.

While laughing, the minister spread his arms. His round glasses shone white in the faint sunlight. Peering through the glasses with eyes filled with pleasure, the minister twisted his lips and answered.

“Very well. In recognition of your courage and nobility, I will tell you. It’s about my long-cherished desire, the plan to exterminate the detestable wolf!”

Let’s go back 24 years.

When Princess Titania of neighboring country Agrina came to the Legrand Kingdom as a bride, the two countries exchanged secret missions.

It was a plan to form a military alliance in the near future and attack the small principality of Kenneth, which bordered both countries.

The reason was the cursed land spanning the three countries, the Valley of Lamentation. Powerful magical resources were discovered there, where the first Wolf King had sealed the “Spirits of Calamity.”

The Valley of Lamentation was designated as a forbidden territory and a no-man’s land by the three countries.

They agreed not to enter or touch it, and to seal it again if the calamity were to awaken, watching carefully for any abnormalities in the seal.

Agrina broke that agreement. They formed a team of magicians and sent them to the Valley of Lamentation.

The stones they brought back were imbued with powerful magic, even in the tiniest of fragments. It was unclear whether it was due to the spirits sleeping in that land or the power of the Wolf King who sealed them. What was important was that the land was a treasure trove of incredibly powerful magic stones.

Agrina rejoiced and immediately sent mining teams to extract all the magic stones they could.

However, there was a problem: the Kenneth Principality.

Although smaller in size, the Kenneth Principality was a magical country where most of the people possessed magic. It was also the country that strongly advocated not entering the Valley of Lamentation. If Agrina began full-scale mining, interference from the Kenneth Principality could not be avoided.

That’s when Agrina set its sights on another neighboring country, the Kingdom of Legrand.

Perhaps due to the pride of the first Wolf King who defeated the spirits and the reassurance that a new Wolf King would be born periodically, there was surprisingly little aversion to the Valley of Lamentation in the Kingdom of Legrand.

The previous king accepted Agrina’s proposal. The two countries secretly swore to destroy the Kenneth Principality and share the territory, resources, and above all, the magic stones sleeping in the Valley of Lamentation.

However, in the midst of the preparations for the secret invasion of Kenneth, a prince with the power of the Wolf King, Julius, was born.

Due to the sudden issue of a successor, the previous king put the invasion on hold. While this was happening, he fell ill and passed away without making any progress. Julius, who became the next king, opposed the invasion of Kenneth and broke the agreement with Agrina.

This was the part of “Cinderella Suddenly” that had been told so far.

“I’ve always been resentful.”

Freed gritted his teeth and spat out the words.

“Titania-sama. . .my older sister, threw herself into marriage for the sake of the agreement between Agrina and this country. Otherwise, who would have offered themselves to the previous king? He was a rough, arrogant, gluttonous man. He was unbearable.”

Julius trampled on that determination. With eyes burning with hatred, Freed twisted his lips.

“The legitimate successor who inherited the power of the black-haired wolf. . .my poor sister. Despite being born from the belly of a woman of unknown origin, his existence caused so much suffering for my sister.”

“Wait, are you saying that you sent assassins when His Majesty was young?”

Margaery interjected, surprised. Freed clapped his hands happily.

“Exactly! You catch on quickly. Yes, it was me. I sent assassins to that detestable wolf child many times. Many, many times, I tried to kill him!”

But he couldn’t kill him. Freed sighed deeply, looking disappointed.

However, behind his round glasses, his cruel smile remained unchanged.

“So I changed my plan. If I can’t kill him, I’ll make him self-destruct. ――The stage is set, and now I just have to wait for the fuse that will lead the wolf steadily to its death. And I finally found that last piece.”

That’s you, Miss Margaery De Noel.”

Chapter 35: I can’t hear you scream

“To make the Wolf King self-destruct.”

Margaery blinked at Minister Freed, who spoke with eyes filled with pleasure.

“How can you make Yuri-sama self-destruct…”

She stopped herself mid-sentence and gasped.

It was a question that didn’t need to be asked.

In the novel, Julius met a certain end. A strong, lonely, pitiful king.

“Magic overload. . .”

Freed’s eyes widened with interest at the words that slipped out unintentionally.

“Well, well. I never thought there would be someone in this country who could have that possibility. You never cease to amaze me.”

Margaery looked away from the delighted Freed.

The Wolf King was absolute in the Legrand Kingdom. She didn’t think there was any weakness to exploit. The awe and respect directed towards Wolf King elevated him to a god-like status.

However, even Wolf King had weaknesses. An overwhelming amount of magic power that a human body couldn’t handle. Sometimes, that strength threatened the king.

“Miss Margaery, do you know anything about the Saintess?”

“Huh?”

Margaery tilted her head at the unrelated question. He was pleased to know that there were things only he knew. Freed grinned smugly.

“The Saintess. An existence that appears near the Wolf King, supporting the king and healing the people. ――Have you ever wondered why they are born in this country periodically?”

“W-well. . .”

“No, it’s not unreasonable. In the Legrand Kingdom, the Wolf King is absolute, and the Saint is also sacred. Why doubt the gods when born in a peaceful world? Only outsiders have doubts. If you investigate too eagerly, you’ll end up being one of those who plan to kill the gods.”

Then Freed spread his arms in a theatrical gesture.

“I consider the Saint to be the ‘collar’ of the Wolf King.”

“‘Collar’?”

“A limiter that keeps the king in human form. A safety valve to prevent massive magical power from going out of control. That’s why they were born.”

The first Saint, Lyra. The second Saint, Luna. The third Saint, Emilia. The fourth Saint, Liliane. And the Saint of the novel “Cinderella Suddenly,” Flora Hermeia.

What does it mean to call them collars?

“Isn’t it strange? Those born with magical power, especially those with strong magical power, often suffer from magical intoxication or lose control of their power. However, the Wolf King never shows any signs of it. Is it the blessing of the sacred beast that gave him power, or is it a unique constitution? To investigate this, I secretly searched through the records of the kings, their close aides, and the royal physician from generation to generation.”

And he realized it. The Wolf King is not a unique constitution or a god. They are also just human beings.

“The kings from generation to generation also had symptoms that seemed to be magical intoxication. Nausea, dizziness, sudden fever of unknown cause, and sudden drowsiness. The symptoms are different, but they tend to be seen in magical intoxication.”

However, they all uniformly lacked records of symptoms that could be attributed to magical intoxication at some point.

As they followed numerous records, they discovered a certain change that occurred at the same time.

“So, you’re saying that’s the awakening of the Saint?”

“Exactly. After each Saint’s awakening, there are no records of the Wolf King experiencing magical intoxication.”

The Saint’s proof. It was an extraordinary power of healing and blessing. Those who received the Saint’s blessing temporarily increased their physical and magical abilities, becoming stronger.

“But those were just byproducts. From here on, it’s my hypothesis, but the Saint’s true ability is to enhance the Wolf King. By stabilizing magic itself, it reduces the physical burden caused by handling vast amounts of magic. That’s why the kings of each generation were able to perform miracles that ordinary people couldn’t, without causing magical outbursts.”

“That’s. . .”

While shaking her head, Margaery instinctively thought that Freed’s theory was correct. Because in the novel, Flora awakened as the Saint precisely in Wolf King’s critical situation.

Julius, who was exhausted by a violent magical outburst, died. Nevertheless, the only reason he was able to regain his sanity in the end was that the Saint was the counterpart to the Wolf King.

“The Wolf King and the Saint are two halves of one whole. They are like a pair bound by magic. They become perfect only when they are paired. Paradoxically, the Wolf King before obtaining the Saint is incomplete. Like the current King Julius.”

“That’s why I isolated him,” Freed twisted his lips.

“By keeping Prince Serge away and inciting the influential members of my sister’s Faction, we never let the seed of hatred die and nurtured the roots of grudges, building a trench of thorns. And what happened? The king is now a mass of distrust. He hates himself, trusts no one, and in the true sense, no one can approach him. He’s a lonely king who thoroughly excludes others, remaining incomplete.”

As long as the king doesn’t open his heart, the saint will not be born. Without obtaining half of it, Julius becomes more and more unstable. That distortion will eventually burst with a small trigger.

For example, something like the unfortunate misconception that attacked Julius in the novel.

“The preparations are complete. The king, who is covered in distrust, trusts and forgives no one. If we stimulate his dark and closed heart, a tremendous amount of magic power will burst out and devour the king himself. I’ve been waiting for that opportunity for a long time. ――And then, you appeared.”

“At first, you were a nuisance.” Freed shook his head and sighed.

“You easily entered the heart of the king we isolated. I even felt a sense of crisis towards that man who was visibly regaining his soft expression. Moreover, you have magical powers. I was worried every day that you might awaken as the Saint.

However, on the other hand, it was also a stroke of luck. If we lose the woman he trusted so much, what will happen to the king’s fragile heart? I thought that your death would be the key to destroying that wolf of a man.”

“. . . So, you were the one behind the demon beast attack in the forest the other day?”

With conviction in her voice, Margaery looked at Freed, who grinned.

“Yes. Yes, that’s right. I released the demon beasts in the forest to kill Margaery De Noel, a woman with magical aptitude who is also close to the king. Well, I didn’t expect you to have the skills to escape from the demon beasts, so I failed.”

“So you kidnapped me. To make sure you kill me this time.”

“Yes. I will torture you, break your spirit, and thoroughly humiliate you before destroying you like garbage. ――All to destroy that man.”

With a clanging sound, the iron bars opened, and several men entered. In the dim light, Freed frowned regretfully as he commanded the men.

“It’s a shame to lose such a smart woman like you. A real shame. But it can’t be helped. ――Disappear, Margaery De Noel. For me. For my long-cherished desire to hunt down the hated wolf.”

“Oh, my. You talk big, but in the end, you rely on others. Don’t you have the courage to kill a single girl?”

The large men approached her, but Margaery refused to be intimidated. She couldn’t let these people be happy. With that in mind, she racked her brain for a way out.

Was there anything she could do? Any dramatic breakthrough?

(The necklace given to her by Yuri-sama. . . If only I could touch it, I could call for Yuri-sama. . .!)

Her hands were tied behind her back. Unfortunately, she couldn’t reach the necklace.

In the meantime, the men closed in on her. It was like a huge cage was closing in on her.

Should she pretend to be scared and cry out for them to release her restraints? Or should she try to enrage them and have them rip off the necklace? The latter was a gamble, but she might be able to touch it while they were distracted.

――However, as if mocking her plan, one of the men reached out to touch the necklace at her chest.

Seeing Margaery pale as the necklace was touched, Freed pitied her and said,

“It’s useless. We already know that this necklace is your trump card from the incident in the forest.”

He pulled the necklace hard. The chain dug into her soft skin, causing pain.

“――Goodbye, Margaery de Noel. It was nice talking to you, such a beautiful woman.”

With a snap, the chain was ripped off.

As if that was the signal, the men jumped at her. The grotesqueness of their hands trying to touch her made Margaery tightly close her eyes and scream――.

But.

“――Don’t touch Margaery.”

Just like before, a sharp flash ran through the cell.

Then came the muffled screams and the sound of people falling.

She opened her eyes fearfully and was surprised.

In front of her was a back. A black back that shielded Margaery and emitted tremendous magical power.

“Don’t you dare touch my Margaery with your filthy hands!!”

With his tail swaying and flames of anger burning in his red eyes, Julius barked like that.

The king, Julius, had spoken in that way.

Chapter 36: Death flags suddenly

“Why. . .”

The flickering black magic and the surging pressure hit Minister Freed directly, causing him to fall to the ground.

With his red eyes shining in the dim light, the minister screamed out.

“How! How did you find this place?!”

“Do I have an obligation to answer you?”

Julius answered succinctly and lightly waved his right hand. Just that was enough to send one of the men who had just gotten up stumbling and crashing into the stone wall.

The other men screamed and tried to run away, but Julius didn’t let them escape. Mechanically hunting down the consciousness of each man one by one, he headed straight for Freed.

Slowly but steadily, the king approached Freed, who trembled in fear. Even so, Freed calmly looked around the room and nodded as he saw the necklace rolling on the ground.

“I see. You added another trick to the necklace, didn’t you? For example, if a third party damages the necklace, the location would be transmitted to you. . .”

But, however.

“Shut up.”

Julius interrupted Freed’s words with a low voice. Suddenly, a shadow burst out of Julius’s shoulder, transforming into a huge wolf that bared its fangs at Freed. The sharp teeth gouged into his shoulder, causing Freed to scream.

Looking down at him with terrifyingly cold eyes, Julius spat out his words.

“Who said you could speak? Who said I would listen to you? Who said it?”

The shadow covering him suddenly grew larger. In the midst of the magic storm blowing like a tempest, Julius shouted, his black hair fluttering.

“Who said I would spare you?!”

“Tch!”

Freed clicked his tongue while protecting his wound. The next moment, the minister stroked the empty space with his bloodied hand, and a black hole appeared there, swaying.

As soon as the minister rolled into it from his back, the hole disappeared as if it were a lie.

Margaery was amazed by the phenomenon that happened before her eyes.

“W-Where did the minister go?!”

“It’s a type of teleportation magic. If we follow the magical trace, we can find him soon.”

Julius answered calmly and turned on his heel.

Margaery was startled by the face turned towards her. Light seemed to have been drained from his red eyes, as if all emotions had frozen over due to anger and hatred.

“Yuri, sama…”

Margaery was speechless.

He was consumed by murderous intent, and he was magnificently beautiful. Even Margaery felt a chilling sensation that made her shudder.

Julius walked straight towards Margaery, who couldn’t move. He then hugged her as she trembled.

Margaery noticed that he was also trembling.

“I won’t forgive him. Lucius Freed.”

Despite the gentleness of his embrace, his voice was hard and resolute in her ear. He growled with a pale anger, boiling with rage.

“――I will definitely kill him with my own hands…”

The next moment, Margaery was under the sunlight.

Her vision blurred into white due to the sudden transition from the dimly lit place to the bright one. She instinctively covered one of her eyes with her hand and realized that she was no longer restrained.

After blinking several times, she finally realized where she was.

It was one of the attractions of Loire Castle, a large garden overlooking the Loire River and beautiful flowers. Margaery and Julius were waiting there every day for special training. Julius had apparently used his teleportation magic to fly from the underground dungeon to the garden.

(Why the garden. . .?)

Julius held Margaery in his arms and looked down at the garden with a chilling gaze. When she asked him quietly about her doubts, Margaery heard a scream.

“Blood! There’s blood!”

“Help! Get a medic! Someone, call a medic!”

The people dressed up for the ceremony were making a fuss.

It didn’t seem like much time had passed since Margaery was kidnapped. The guests invited to Flora’s engagement ceremony were apparently strolling through the garden to pass the time until the ceremony.

Minister Freed was among the gentlemen and ladies who were looking in that direction.

It was probably due to the wounds inflicted by the shadow wolf. Blood was seeping through his beige ceremonial clothes, and the red that spilled from his staggering body was staining the well-manicured lawn.

“How are you, Minister Freed?”

A middle-aged gentleman who was one of the high-ranking officials approached him with concern.

At that moment, Julius waved his hand. A gust of magical wind blew, and Freed’s body was blown away as if it had been hit by an invisible hand.

As screams rose, Margaery thought it was a bad situation.

Julius’s eyes only reflected Freed. While Margaery couldn’t forgive what Freed had done, she couldn’t let the king show a scene of purging a high-ranking official without any evidence in front of many people.

“Yuri-sama! Wait, Yuri-sama!”

She tugged at his clothes, but Julius showed no sign of looking at her. Instead, he gazed at the fallen Freed with his lifeless eyes and spoke in a cold voice.

“What’s wrong? Is the game of tag over?”

Freed gritted his teeth.

He stood up and touched the empty space again.

It was another space-time transfer. Margaery was on guard, but Freed didn’t enter the black hole.

Instead, about ten demon beasts, the same ones that attacked them in the forest, jumped out from inside.

“Demon beasts!”

“Demon beasts have appeared?!”

As soon as they saw the demon beasts, the people who had gathered in confusion began to scatter like bees.

“Run, run!! King, your people are seeking salvation!”

Freed laughed as he protected his wounds. Even Julius clicked his tongue at the people who were running away in fear.

“Damn it. Dirty tricks. . .!”

At that moment, a familiar voice echoed in the garden.

“What’s going on?”

He must have rushed over after hearing the commotion. Serge, dressed in white formal attire for the engagement ceremony, jumped in. Behind him was Flora, looking anxious.

Serge’s eyes widened in horror as he saw his brother, Freed, and the people fleeing from the demon beasts.

“What is this. . .! Why are there demon beasts in the castle?!”

“Serge-sama, Flora-sama! Watch out!”

Margaery shouted as one of the demon beasts jumped at the two from behind the hedge.

“Kyaa!”

Flora screamed. Serge instinctively hugged her, while Margaery could only watch helplessly.

The demon beast’s sharp fangs and claws were tearing apart their pure white clothes.

“Serge-sama! Flora-sama!!”

Through the gaps in their outstretched fingers, Margaery could see the two of them crouching down.

――But.

A black gust of wind raced through the garden. With short, anguished cries, the demon beasts fell one after another. The demon beast that had attacked Flora and the others also fell to the ground in the same way.

“. . .Haa, . . .haa.”

Julius let out a rough breath. The black wolf melted away as he extended his hand.

The next moment, Julius fell to his knees.

“Yuri-sama?!”

Margaery couldn’t support him alone, so she crouched down with him. The people’s cheers reached their ears.

“It’s His Majesty! His Majesty has swept away the demon beasts!”

“Long live King Julius! Long live the Wolf King!”

“Can you hear me, Yuri-sama? Yuri-sama?!”

Contrary to the people who were boiling with joy, Margaery rubbed his large back and desperately called out to him.

(This is bad. His magic is about to go out of control. . .!)

He kneeled down, hunched over, and looked in great pain. His breathing was rough, his beautiful black hair swayed with surging magic, and his red eyes shone unnaturally from time to time.

It was probably triggered by the fear of almost losing his loved one, and the strong anger and hatred towards the culprit. Furthermore, the wide-area magic he used to save everyone from the demon beast became the trigger.

“It’s started. It’s started.”

Freed, who noticed Julius’s change, blushed with excitement.

“It’s over. Everyone will die because of your magic going out of control, Julius!!”

“Magic going out of control?” “No way.” The people began to stir. It seemed that the belief that the Wolf King would not go out of control and the thought that they could not abandon the king who saved them were slowing everyone down.

In the midst of this, Serge, who was saved by Julius, approached Margaery with a worried look.

“Margaery, what happened? Is my brother. . .”

“Don’t come!”

Julius shouted angrily, pushing aside his rough breathing.

To Serge, who stopped in his tracks, Julius gave orders while shrugging his shoulders up and down.

“. . .Evacuate everyone and seal off the garden with a barrier. Got it? No matter what happens, never release the barrier. . .!”

“B-But!”

“Hurry up!!”

The silent screams spoke volumes about the limited time they had left. Serge’s face tensed up, but ultimately he chose to fulfill his duty as the king’s brother. With a heartbreaking determination that tore him apart, he shouted to the people:

“Everyone, evacuate! Those who are safe, assist the women, children, and the injured! This garden will be immediately sealed off by a magic barrier!”

“Serve you right! You usurper!!”

The guards who rushed over restrained Freed, who was laughing loudly. He couldn’t escape anymore since he was bound by magic-restraining ropes. As he was dragged away, he continued to laugh triumphantly until the end.

Despite being reluctant to leave, the others headed towards the designated castle. On the other side, the palace magicians began to chant spells.

An invisible prison was gradually being constructed to minimize the damage.

Chapter 37: A saint just for you

Haah, haah.

Rough breathing echoed in her ears.

While stroking Julius’s back, which seemed to be in pain, Margaery continued to call out desperately.

“Yuri-sama. Can you hear me, Yuri-sama?”

There was no response from him. He could hear her, but he seemed to be struggling to suppress the swirling magic that was about to burst out.

In the midst of that, Serge pulled her shoulder.

“Margaery, you have to evacuate too!”

“But!”

She was about to argue, but Margaery swallowed her words.

――She didn’t want to abandon Julius. She couldn’t abandon him. Margaery wasn’t the only one who thought that way. Serge also had a face that looked like he was about to cry.

But. . .

Margaery herself didn’t know what to do and was at a loss.

Julius had an enormous amount of magic power as the Wolf King. If his magic power went out of control, his life would be in danger. The last hope was the awakening of the Saint, but if it was too late, it would be the same as in the novel. It wouldn’t be in time to save his life.

(Will the Saint even appear in the first place?)

A terrifying thought made her body tremble.

Flora awakened as the Saint in the novel. However, everything surrounding Julius’s environment and the circumstances that led to his magic power going out of control were too different from the novel. And if Freed’s theory of “soulmate” was correct, would Flora and Julius have that kind of bond now?

If the Saint didn’t appear until the end. . .

“. . .Ah, ga. . .!”

Julius’s body trembled violently. Magic spewed out like smoke, and a black pillar of magic rose up.

His fingers struggled in agony in the air. Serge finally pulled Margaery away, who was about to reach out to him.

“He’s coming! I can’t let my brother hurt you!”

“Ah. . .”

Through her blurred vision, Julius collapsed. Had he let his guard down because Margaery had moved away? The black magic spewed out even more, threatening to swallow him up.

In the moment when she collapsed, Julius looked over at her. Margaery saw him as Serge held her and pulled her away.

Julius was also crying. It was unclear whether his tears were due to the unbearable pain or sadness. But in the last moment, his red eyes caught Margaery’s gaze.

Then, he smiled.

He smiled at Margaery, as if he was relieved.

Something inside Margaery snapped at that moment.

Before she knew it, she had shaken off Serge’s arm and was running towards Julius, just one step away from the barrier.

“Margaery! Margaery!!”

“Margaery-sama!”

She heard Serge’s and Flora’s voices from behind.

But Margaery didn’t stop walking.

The warning sound had been ringing in her head. This was the situation she had feared. Julius’s magic went out of control in front of her, and she was caught up in it. It was the end of the Wolf King and an unfortunate accident where the villainess Margaery was punished.

Her former self would have run away to avoid the destruction flag. She had manipulated schemes to avoid the death flag. She had vowed to survive no matter what.

It wasn’t that she wanted to die.

It was just that she had found someone she wanted to live with.

“Yuri-sama!!!!”

Julius lifted his head again at the voice that reached him despite the raging storm. His barely sane eyes widened as he caught sight of Margaery.

Why, his eyes asked.

(I won’t give up no matter what!!)

Margaery gritted her teeth and reached out her hand. Then, she wrapped her legs with magic to resist the raging magical wind.

She struggled like that, to not lose her precious person. To protect the person she loved.

“You’re going to become ‘someone,’ right?”

A voice sounded in her mind.

“Margaery, run away! I’m done for. I don’t want to hurt you, only you!”

In the center of the storm, Julius shouted. His fingers and parts of his face had already begun to transform, but he still tried his best to help Margaery escape. However, Margaery shouted back in desperation.

“I don’t want to hear it, no complaining like that!”

“What?!”

“Besides, what about ‘His Majesty the Wolf’s Plan to be Loved’? I promised to train Yuri-sama to be loved by everyone! If you run away because of a magic surge, it will affect my reputation!”

“But, this isn’t the time to. . .”

“No! This is exactly the time!”

As soon as Margaery declared it, Julius opened his eyes wide.

His suspiciously shining eyes reflected Margaery. She should look at herself more. She should fill her own head. Yes, Margaery grinned.

If the Saint is the counterpart to the Wolf King.

If the king and the Saint are connected as soulmates.

The king. Julius. He is.

His ‘collar’ is――.

“I ask Yuri-sama!”

Margaery put her hand on her chest and looked down at him with a radiant expression.

“Who is the one you think of the most? Who is in your heart? Your. . .”

She extended her hand, which was on her chest, to Julius.

“Who is your ‘collar Saint’!!!!”

――He thought she was beautiful.

Margaery’s blue eyes, which fluttered silver hair that seemed to capture the brilliance of the stars, pierced him straight through.

How strong that gaze was. How many times he had wished to monopolize those eyes.

How many times he had begged to obtain that radiance.

“. . .It’s you.”

His fingertips, which were turning into sharp claws, reached out to her as if being drawn in. He touched Margaery with careful hands so as not to hurt her delicate skin.

With narrowed red eyes, Julius carefully told her those words.

“Margaery De Noel. You are my Saint.”

The people who were watching screamed. It was because a pure white explosion occurred beyond the barrier.

“What, what happened?!”

“What about His Majesty?! What happened to Julius-sama?!”

“Margaery―――?!”

The last desperate cry came from Jordan De Noel, Margaery’s father and the Prime Minister. He had rushed over upon hearing the commotion, but by the time he arrived, the barrier had already been sealed. Even so, he had tried to enter and was restrained by Margaery’s brother, Eddie.

People looked at each other with worried expressions. The guests, the high officials, and the palace magicians all knew that the king had protected the people from the demon beast and had struggled to let them escape.

They were all concerned about the king, who had been at the center of the explosion, and the girl who had returned alone to his side.

“Margaery-sama. . .”

“. . .”

Among them, Flora clasped her hands together as if in prayer. Serge, who was holding her shoulder, also stared beyond the smoke with bated breath.

Then, something flickered beyond the white smoke, and Flora exclaimed, “Ah!”

“Did someone move just now?!”

“Really?!”

Serge gasped, and the others were also excited.

Immediately after, the view split apart like clouds, revealing a scene.

In the middle of the garden, where the flowers had fallen due to the aftermath of the storm, two figures stood.

One stood tall, while the other was held in their arms. They embraced each other, just like in the final scene of a fairy tale.

The sunlight shone straight into the garden, which was faintly smoky. It was like a ladder of angels, and everyone was speechless at the picturesque scene.

The two who were embracing slowly lifted their faces. Silver and black. The two turned around, their colors fluttering, and were enveloped in a soft atmosphere as if the previous commotion was a lie.

Julius smiled awkwardly, almost embarrassed, at the people who were captivated by them.

“――Let me introduce you. The goddess who saved me. She is the current saint.”

Thump. The girl, Margaery, landed on the ground.

Her silver hair shimmered in the wind. Margaery, who stepped forward like a lady, elegantly lifted her skirt and bowed as if she were a performer.

“For those who I am meeting for the first time, nice to meet you. For those who know me, good day. My name is Margaery De Noel.”

Margaery smiled defiantly at the stunned people.

“Don’t worry. Now that I have awakened as a saint, there will never be another commotion like today. After all, I am someone who aims to make Julius-sama a king loved by everyone.”

As people exchanged looks, skeptical of the sketchy catchphrase, “Recruiting…? Pyramid scheme…?”

Margaery, with her blue eyes sparkling, placed her hand on her chest and declared:

“I will train Julius-sama… no, Yuri-sama, for all eternity!”

Chapter 38: Homely inauguration ceremony

“Yes! The certificate of sainthood is complete!”

The seal was stamped with a cheerful sound. Eddie, Margaery’s brother and the kingdom’s magic secretary, laughed nonchalantly as he dried the certificate.

“After the handover of the certificate, Margaery will officially become the saint of our Legrand Kingdom. Congratulations on your appointment! Let’s give her a round of applause!”

“Okay! That was too easy!”

Margaery couldn’t help but retort at her smiling brother.

As she looked at the fluttering certificate, she made a strange face.

“I know it’s a bit much to ask, but. . . isn’t there something more emotional or dramatic?”

Eddie chuckled and shrugged his shoulders.

“Don’t be ridiculous. Normally, we would have a grand unveiling to show off our saintly lady’s presence. But in Margaery’s case, she made such a flashy debut before the certification. I can’t think of anything more extravagant than that.”

“I see.”

Margaery also looked around, shaking her head.

Indeed. It was a grand finale from the birth of the saint, who narrowly escaped from the attempted kidnapping and murder by a high-ranking official, to the Wolf King’s magical rampage. Looking back, it was such a flashy unveiling. Even the novel version was surprised by the extravagant production.

As she pondered, Eddie smiled and said, “And also. . .”

“Anyway, Margaery will soon have another debut, right? It’s okay, you can combine it with that. Too many ceremonies are kind of annoying.”

“Isn’t Onii-sama treating me carelessly today?! Where is the kind Onii-sama?!”

“Huh? Well, it’s just that. . .”

Eddie smiled, glancing around. The Prime Minister of Legrand and Margaery’s father, Jordan, were there, the latter holding a handkerchief soaked with tears.

“Margaery. . . my cute angel Margaery. . . you’ve become a saint. . . you’ve grown so splendidly. . .!”

Eddie shrugged his shoulders, pointing to her father who kept muttering to himself.

“He’s been like this since this morning. It’s getting annoying.”

“I’m sorry, Onii-sama. I apologize for my father’s behavior as well.”

Margaery quickly lowered her head, sensing the situation.

Meanwhile, her father continued to press the handkerchief to his face, crying like a child. As always, the representative of the dandy and cool uncle (the Prime Minister) crying like a puppy was quite a sight.

――After that.

Julius was safe, having managed to stop the out-of-control magic. Although he was a little exhausted, he had no after-effects and immediately began to deal with the aftermath of the incident.

It was a major incident that could shake the country, involving the kidnapping and attempted murder of the Marquis family’s daughter by the Empress’s own brother, considering the tension between the Empress and Julius.

However, things seemed to have settled down unexpectedly peacefully. This was largely due to the efforts of Julius and Prime Minister Jordan De Noel.

At the time, Julius had almost purged Freed, but now he had detained the minister and thoroughly investigated his past crimes. Based on that, Prime Minister Noel had made arrangements with the Empress faction, the war faction, and even neighboring countries.

He had confessed and evidence had been presented. It was material that could destroy each faction or even lead to war.

Margaery’s father used it as bait to quickly resolve various “problems” that had been difficult to deal with until now. His skill was so great that he was truly the Wolf King’s right-hand man, and even his opponents were impressed.

As a result, the uneasy shadows surrounding King Julius had been somewhat removed. Furthermore, his skill and his attitude of fairly judging even rebels had gained support, and his allies had increased significantly.

After the post-processing was completed, Margaery’s canonization as a saint was officially announced.

After shedding tears of emotion for a while, her father suddenly wiped away his tears and looked serious.

“Margaery, as your father and as the Prime Minister, I am proud of you. And I believe in you. There is no woman in this country who can fulfill her duties better than you.”

Still, he couldn’t help but ask. Her father shrugged lightly and received the certificate from Eddie. Then he handed it to Margaery.

“The Saint is hope. The light of the people. It comes with great responsibility and many difficulties. ――Will you accept it?”

“Of course.”

She nodded firmly and quickly accepted the certificate that was handed to her.

The certificate had Julius’s signature and Margaery’s signature. It was a pledge that the Wolf and the Saint would join hands and serve the country.

To be honest, the talk about serving the country was added later.

“After all, I wanted to become a Saint.”

Margaery held the certificate of sainthood in both hands and showed it off with a smile that was innocent like a young girl. Her father and brother looked at each other, amused by her expression of joy as if she had obtained a treasure.

After they both laughed, they continued alternately.

“Saint Margaery, .”

“I entrust you with,”

“”His Majesty and the kingdom!””

Chapter 39: A perfect ending that makes everyone happy

Several days had passed since the good news of Saint Margaery’s birth had spread throughout the kingdom.

The day had finally arrived.

The king standing in front of the door took a deep breath and exhaled.

(Calm down, me. Keep calm. . .)

He felt restless and excited. If he let his guard down, he felt like he would get carried away easily.

He was wearing a white ceremonial outfit, which made him a little nervous since he usually wore black, which was the symbol of the Wolf King. But if it made her happy, this outfit wasn’t so bad.

He cleared his throat softly and coughed once. Then he knocked on the door.

“Who is it?”

“It’s me. Julius.”

After Julius answered, there was a moment of silence, and then the door opened quietly with a click. When the king, who was eagerly waiting for his beloved, straightened his back――swish! Several knives jumped out from inside the door!

“. . .?!”

A knife was stuck in the wall behind him, swaying back and forth. He grimaced, not knowing what had happened, and then a voice came from inside the room.

“I apologize for this. I just wanted to be prepared in case something happened.”

“That’s more than just being prepared?!”

He blurted out, and Anya, a maid from the Noel family, still holding the knife between her fingers, looked up at Julius with a fixed gaze.

Then, footsteps could be heard from inside.

“Anya, what’s going on?! Ah, there you are!! Yuri-sama, are you okay?!”

(Oh no.)

Julius choked up at the sight of his beloved Margaery, who had come out in a panic. Her beautiful silver hair was loosely braided, and her delicate décolletage was exposed. The pale violet color emphasized her slender upper body, and the bottom flowed elegantly.

She looked like a fairy who had descended to earth. Seriously, he thought so.

He could feel his hidden tail wagging uncontrollably at the cuteness of his beloved, but he didn’t realize that and was stumbling at the sight. Margaery shook her head and said,

“Anya, the last time I was kidnapped seems to have been very traumatic for you that you wouldn’t let anyone in. And when someone came, you threw knives blindly.”

“It’s not blind. I’m aiming properly. Just barely missing.”

“That’s not the point! What world has a maid who threatens the king with a knife?!”

“But Margaery-sama, there’s a possibility that this person is also a kidnapper disguised as His Majesty Julius. . .”

“That’s impossible?!”

Julius was stunned by their argument. Despite being beautifully dressed, their exchange was too ordinary.

With a slight chuckle, Julius remembered how she was. Despite sometimes acting strangely, her words and thoughts were straightforward. He fell in love with her strong and resolute core.

Chuckling softly, Julius extended his hand.

“I’d like to keep watching your cheerful self, but unfortunately, it’s time.”

He finally remembered why the king had come to pick him up. Margaery looked up at him with a sudden realization on her face.

As soon as her eyes, surrounded by long eyelashes and a blue hue, met Julius’, her small lips parted slightly. Then, her cheeks blushed with a fine texture, and she averted her gaze shyly.

Julius was relieved by her adorable reaction. Good. Her response was excellent. That’s why he dressed up.

With amethyst earrings that matched Margaery’s necklace, the king urged his beloved once more.

“Come, Margaery. Let’s go together.”

“Yes.”

Blushing, Margaery placed her hand on top of the other’s. She squeezed it tightly and pulled her forward, her eyes sparkling as they stepped forward.

“I’m so happy!”

And now, the two of them stood side by side, holding hands under the clear and bright sky.

“Congratulations!”

“Congratulations, Your Majesty! Prince Serge!”

The invited guests clapped happily as the main characters appeared.

The engagement ceremony, held in the church within the castle grounds, had already ended, and the scene shifted to the engagement party. The venue was the memorable garden of Loire Castle, in many ways.

As the season grew warmer and the engagement ceremonies of Julius and Serge, the two royal family members, coincided, they decided to switch to a garden party earlier than planned.

“I never thought we would have our engagement ceremony on the same day as my brother.”

Serge laughed mischievously and looked at Julius. Julius looked a little embarrassed at the happy expression of his younger brother with bright sky-blue eyes.

“You can blame me. It’s because I caused a magical outburst and ruined your special day.”

“Not at all. I’m happy about it. We’re together with my brother.”

“Me too! Right, Margaery-sama!”

“Ah! Wait, Flora-sama! Please behave appropriately in public!”

Margaery scolded Flora while being surprised as she hugged her tightly, bouncing her flaxen hair. Then she looked at the scene in front of her again.

In the beautiful garden illuminated by bright sunlight, many smiles could be seen. There were not only the dignitaries due to Julius and Serge’s relationship, but also their friends from the Royal Academy gathered in the back. And in front of them were Margaery and Flora’s families, headed by their crying father Jordan, who was still crying today.

What did they look like in their eyes?

King Julius was alive and laughing with Serge next to him. Flora was still very cute today, clinging tightly to Margaery’s arm.

These were happy and enjoyable days that Margaery, who had just regained her memories, could not have imagined.

At that moment, an idea flashed through her mind.

“Could this be the perfect true ending that everyone laughs and welcomes. . .?”

“Huh?”

“What?”

“Um?”

She had meant to say it to herself, but her voice was louder than she thought. Julius, Flora, and Serge all tilted their heads in confusion.

With all eyes on her, Margaery panicked. She waved her hand and looked away from them.

“N-No, it’s nothing. I was just thinking that today was the kind of day I had been aiming for.”

It started as a fight to avoid her own destruction, but it gradually turned into a struggle to protect the important people around her.

And now, her beloved ones were smiling beside her. That’s why today was Margaery’s perfect true ending.

She suddenly felt that way.

“Fufu, Margaery-sama, you say such funny things!”

Flora chuckled, and Serge followed suit, shaking his shoulders.

“Seriously. Sometimes you say the most unexpected things.”

“Flora-sama! Serge-sama! Did you really think that about me?!”

Margaery protested, blushing at the cheerful Flora. She wanted them to tell her important things like that sooner.

But before she could complain any further, Margaery was gently pulled back.

“――By the way, where is the ending? You and I, will it start from here?”

Kyaa! A small scream that was about to spill out was swallowed back as their eyes met.

When did he transform? The beautiful king, with his black hair swaying in the wind, smiled happily. He looked up at Margaery, whom he had lifted up, with an affectionate gaze and tilted his head as if begging.

“My dearest, my saint. Will you train me?”

As he asked, his large tail swayed once.

She thought it was unfair to ask like that. He was cute, cool, and lovable, and she wanted to spoil him.

So Margaery wrapped her hands around Julius’ cheeks.

“I will make Yuri-sama the happiest wolf in the world. So please be prepared.”

“I hope so.”

Their foreheads touched. Without thinking, they laughed together.

“I love you, Margaery.”

“I love you too, Yuri-sama.”

They rubbed their foreheads together as if to cuddle, and both raised their voices at the same time.

“May happiness be with our future!”

Chapter 40: Epilogue: I spent the night with the Wolf King…? (Last Chapter)

“You’re cute. You’re beautiful. I love you.”

A low and sweet voice echoed in her ear repeatedly.

Every time he whispered, Margaery’s mind melted, and she blushed and fidgeted.

“Uh, um, Yuri-sama. . . I understand enough already. I understand, so, please, no more.”

“Why?”

With the sound of rustling clothes, Julius’ terrifyingly perfect face peered into Margaery’s. His perfectly beautiful face was filled with an affectionate smile, causing her to let out a small scream.

As if trying to comfort her, Julius stroked Margaery’s head.

“I’ve always loved you so much. This is not enough to express it.”

“Ah!”

With a snap, his lips brushed against her ear for a moment. That alone made Margaery scream inwardly (Kyaaaaa?!?!).

The two of them were in Julius’ private room. The glamorous banquet was over, and the sun had long since set, with the moon rising in the sky.

Margaery was in his room at this hour because Julius had invited her, of course.

(After this, won’t you come to my room? Well, if you’re invited like that on the night of the engagement party, you have to be prepared to some extent. But even so, this is too much for me to handle. . .!)

Suppressing her pounding and noisy heart, Margaery writhed in discomfort.

Since inviting her to his room, Julius had been sticking close to Margaery and whispering love words like “beautiful” and “I love you” endlessly.

Julius looked stunning in his formal attire with his cute animal ears and tail. It was enough to make anyone weak in the knees with a series of critical hits.

It was unbearable to hear Julius, who had exceptional beauty, whisper such things to her. Objectively, Margaery thought she was also good-looking, but he was oozing with sex appeal. She wanted to hear compliments directed at herself.

“Margaery, I love you. . .”

Right after he gently stroked her cheek, she heard a kissing sound above her head. He probably kissed her hair. Without even checking, Margaery covered her face with both hands.

(It’s impossible! I’m going to die even though there’s no death flag!!)

Trembling, Margaery desperately tried to think.

She had no memory of it, but apparently, she had gone to bed with Julius once before. She couldn’t believe she had endured it. Just sitting next to him made her heart race, and yet, how could things have escalated further. . .

As she thought about it, she suddenly realized.

Ah, that’s right. Maybe we were drinking at that time!

She turned to Julius with a sudden idea. It was a complete turnaround from earlier when she was shy and avoided eye contact.

“Yuri-sama, let’s have a toast!”

“Huh? A toast?”

Julius blinked in surprise at her sudden proposal.

While the king tilted his head in wonder, Margaery continued to chatter proudly.

“That’s right, cheers! People have been deepening their friendships by drinking together since ancient times, haven’t they? It’s also called a drinking occasion, isn’t it a good opportunity to get to know each other?”

“Well, I’ve never heard that word before, but I think you and I know each other pretty well.”

“That’s fine! The night is still young, so let’s toast together while looking at the moon. It’s quite romantic, and the mood will only get better and better.”

“I see. You have a point there.”

Julius thought deeply, his ears twitching slightly. Margaery smiled to herself at his serious expression.

The real purpose, of course, was to get drunk. It was hard to bear while sober. If she drank and got drunk, she felt like she could handle his overwhelming sex appeal and overflowing love.

“Okay, I’ll arrange it right away. Please wait here.”

Unaware of Margaery’s scheme, the king stood up bravely and went to call the attendant who was waiting in the next room. Margaery gave him a thumbs up, making sure he couldn’t see her.

But Julius didn’t go to the next room, instead he pushed her down.

“――Did you think you could get away from me?”

Julius pinned Margaery to the sofa, a predator’s wolfish grin on his face. Margaery was just confused, looking up at him.

“Eh? Eeh??”

“Just so you know, I’m not repeating the same mistake as last time. Today is a no-alcohol day. It seems like you have a troublesome constitution that makes you want to drink despite being weak.”

“What! I’m not weak! I’m not!”

“You’re surprisingly unconvincing. That’s what the girl who passed out in the garden at night says.”

Julius restrained the struggling Margaery and grinned.

“Relax. We’ll have moon-viewing sake another time. Tonight’s just postponed.”

Instead, he unfastened the clasp of his chest and showed it off to the blushing Margaery.

From his relaxed white formal wear, his masculine neck and collarbone peeked out.

Exuding an incredible sensuality, Julius narrowed his red eyes and smiled seductively.

“I’ll make you drunk tonight. To engrave what we’re about to do into your memory.”

Margaery’s throat tightened in shock.

――How can he say such lines without feeling embarrassed? But whether it was because of Julius or her own weakness for him, she couldn’t help but find it charming. Not only that, but it had enough destructive power to sink Margaery, who was already on the verge of collapse.

“. . .I-I’m at my limit.”

“What?”

“Please go easy on me next time. . .!”

Margaery murmured like a dying message, and her head swayed to the side. Julius, who was startled, checked on her and found that she had fainted.

“What? Huh? That can’t be true. Margaery? Hey, Margaery?!”

Julius panicked and lightly slapped Margaery’s cheeks, but it was in vain. Margaery had completely passed out and showed no signs of waking up.

“Wake up, Margaeryーーー?!?!”

The pitiful wolf’s tragic howl echoed through the bedroom.

Did she continue to sleep soundly until morning?

Did the pitiful wolf finally receive his reward upon waking up?

It was a secret between only the saint and the wolf.

――The End――

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