Chapter 49
Chapter 49
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 49
Chapter Title: Why Summon the High Priest?
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Why on earth was the High Priest showing up at this point?
Moreover, wasn't the current gloomy atmosphere all because of the trouble with that High Priest?
Why invite someone they already disliked into their own home?
"Why call the High Priest?"
Claude asked in a voice laced with pure disbelief.
"You're calling the High Priest who said those awful things to Lara? Theodor. What on earth are you thinking? Looks like I'm not the one upsetting Lara after all—it's you."
"I-I'm fine."
Lara quickly spoke up in a small voice. Theodor glanced at her and let out a sigh. He didn't seem eager to face the High Priest either.
"I need the High Priest's help. It's unavoidable."
"Oh? And why would the great Theodor, who handles everything on his own, need the High Priest's help? Now that's intriguing."
"Anima."
Claude's eyes widened in surprise at Theodor's answer.
"...You're relying on human divine power now?"
"If there's a way, shouldn't we try it?"
"What about Wolfkin pride?"
Theodor let out a light chuckle, as if he'd heard something ridiculous.
"Was that ever important? If I'd clung to my pride, I wouldn't even be here right now."
"No, you were plenty proud even when your grandfather was alive. Don't pretend otherwise. Not unless you have no conscience at all."
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
Claude shook his head, thinking Theodor could be just as shameless as himself in moments like this. Then his gaze shifted to Lara, whose expression naturally looked complicated. Her uncertain eyes still seemed timid.
"... ."
Claude, who had been silently watching Lara, finally spoke.
"Lara. I'm your teacher, right? You can ask anything you're curious about."
Lara looked up, surprised by Claude's unexpected words. Perhaps reading her eyes, Claude cleared his throat and added,
"You're always so quiet, kid. You must have questions. Right?"
"Don't talk nonsense. I've been right here—why would Lara ask you?"
Theodor replied coldly. Claude narrowed his eyes at him.
"There are things she might not feel comfortable asking you directly, you idiot."
"You saying Lara finds me intimidating?"
"Can't you tell from how tense she gets around you?"
But Lara couldn't agree with Claude.
I'm not intimidated by Theodor—I just don't want to bother him.... Could that even count as being intimidated?
Theodor fell silent. Panicking that he might believe Claude, Lara blurted out anything.
"N-No, it's not that."
"Hmm...."
"I won't be intimidated."
Theodor was even at a loss for words at Lara's determined tone, like she was making a vow. Claude snorted.
"Sure, sure~ That's what the young lady says, Your Grace Duke Theodor. Good for you. Congratulations."
"... ."
Theodor, unmoved by Claude's words, seemed to finally agree after seeing Lara's reaction.
Claude found it amusing how long it would take these two obtuse people to advance—especially since Theodor openly called Lara his bride.
And in these matters, it was always Claude's victory, so watching Theodor struggle right beside him was quite enjoyable.
'If it were just for fun, definitely Team Theodor....'
But life didn't run on 'fun' alone.
And that was always the biggest problem for Claude.
Claude added another spoonful of sugar to his cold coffee. It tasted discordant now.
On the way back to the mansion, Lara kept replaying Claude's words in her mind.
'You must have questions. Right?'
Of course. She had tons of questions. What exactly was Anima? When and where had Theo been attacked by it? Why hadn't he told her...?
But her thoughts always stopped there.
Why didn't he tell me? Obviously.
He had no obligation to tell her anything.
Because of that, Lara and Theodor spent a slightly awkward time in the carriage. Theodor was lost in thoughts about everything that had made her uncomfortable, while Lara chose silence over asking him anything.
The two spoke at the same time only after dinner, in Lara's room.
"Lara."
"Theo."
Theodor, having pondered half the day, and Lara, mustering her courage, aligned perfectly like meshing gears.
Theodor watched her blink her clear eyes in surprise, then said,
"You first."
"Okay."
Lara nodded.
He surprisingly wasn't stubborn about things like this.
"You said you were attacked by Anima.... Are you hurt?"
Lara wore an expression full of worry, as if he'd just come from a battle.
Theodor narrowed his eyes. It was amusing how this human girl, barely a snack for a wolf, fretted over him.
"...I'm fine."
He'd gotten some blood on him, but it wasn't his. The one the Anima had thrown itself at with its life was unharmed, and its master's goal hadn't been achieved.
Theodor felt instinctive disgust at the act of sending Anima to him knowing that.
But he couldn't tell her everything.
He didn't want to.
He didn't want to add more worries to those anxious eyes looking at him.
"That's a relief...."
"Yeah."
"Your turn now, Theo."
Theodor gazed at Lara for a moment before speaking.
"You're curious about Anima, right? I'll tell you."
Lara's eyes sparkled. She always marveled at how Theodor seemed to read her mind.
Oblivious that her emotions shone plainly on her face.
Theodor carefully selected what she could know and began.
"Anima are different from Beastkin. We call beings that are neither human nor beast Anima. Some beasts recorded in history that caused great harm to humans, or exceptionally clever ones, were also Anima. Anima can't take human form like Beastkin. They can't speak human language either."
Lara listened quietly to Theodor's story. Beastkin—that referred to him. She knew he rarely talked about himself.
"Ordinary humans can't distinguish Anima from beasts, but Beastkin can. We sense their wrongness clearly."
"Are all Anima dangerous?"
"Depends on who's asking. But Anima rarely target anyone stronger than themselves. In most cases, Beastkin are stronger than Anima."
"Then...."
"The Anima that attacked me wasn't acting on its own will. Anima are hard to tame, but once they pledge loyalty, they follow their master to the death. The master can command the Anima that serve them."
Lara's face paled. She hesitated before murmuring,
"So someone else sent the Anima after you, Theo."
Lara was quick on the uptake. Though she didn't know the details, fear flickered in her eyes at the thought of someone targeting Theodor.
But contrary to her fears, the Anima's target probably wasn't him.
The Anima's goal—no, its master's goal—was likely Lara herself.
The one who sent the Anima at Theodor aimed to pressure him by wasting its life.
The Anima that ambushed Theodor, and the Lycan illusion that had attacked Lara in the Aren mansion before that.
It was like nets closing in from all sides.
This situation wasn't good, but it did stir Theodor's instincts. The only problem was Lara.
"No need to worry, Lara. I won't let anything put you in danger."
"What about you, Theo?"
Lara rarely countered him like that.
"You're the one in danger."
Her mismatched eyes held clear anxiety.
Theodor faced her anew, thinking: A wolf causing anxiety to his bride. Disqualified in every way.
"I don't want to just watch you get hurt while knowing nothing."
Lara clenched her fists, bowed her head, then looked up at him again. Her trembling voice showed how much courage she'd summoned.
"I hate seeing you hurt. I hate finding out later. So, if because I'm your bride.... If I have even a little right to know...."
"... ."
"Tell me what I should do, what I can do, and what I shouldn't."
Bride.
Theodor let out a soft breath and smiled.
Hearing that word from her lips for the first time sounded different from when he said it.
As Theodor smiled, the tension in the air eased. Lara blinked, her cheeks flushing late as she gazed at him quietly.
"Is that what you wanted to say?"
"Yes."
"Alright."
"...Huh?"
"We'll do that."
Theodor stood up. Stunned by the easy permission, Lara stared blankly at him.
"Time for bed, Lara."
Theodor nodded toward the bed, indicating she should lie down. Already in her nightclothes, Lara lay down hesitantly.
Theodor pulled the covers over her.
With only her eyes peeking out from the white blanket, she looked like a rabbit hiding in the snow.
"Good night, my bride."
His greeting woke Lara further instead.
Confused, rolling her eyes, she saw he planned to stay until she slept and quickly squeezed her eyes shut.
She thought she heard laughter from somewhere.
Good night, my bride.
Good night, my bride....
Theodor's voice echoed in her mind, mingled with his lazy chuckle filling her room, making Lara's heart pound.