Chapter 104: A Story You Don’t Know
- Reira ☾⋆⁺₊✧ᶻ 𝗓 𐰁
- Nov 5, 2025
- 8 min read
"You're working hard."
Alicia's eyes widened at the shadow cast over her, but then she gave a small smile when their gazes met.
“I’m sorry, I was so focused that I didn’t notice you arrive.”
Alicia put down the pen she was holding.
“Is the translation going well?”
“It’s a language I haven’t used in a long time, so it’s slow going, but I’m gradually picking up speed.”
“Still, don’t overdo it. I never asked you to push yourself.”
Cabelenus’s eyes fell on the paper.
The paper she had just been writing on was densely filled with text.
The handwriting that filled the paper was as neat and tidy as Alicia herself.
“I know.”
“You say you know, but the amount has grown far too much. Are you really sure you’re not overdoing it?”
Cabelenus’s index finger pointed toward the stack of papers piled beside Alicia.
The stack of papers had noticeably grown thicker than the last time he saw it.
“It’s best to translate it as quickly as possible. Besides, there’s a lot of information to be gained from here.”
Alicia turned her head and looked at the mural on the wall.
On the wall, there was a painting of a pack of wolves gazing at the sun, alongside monsters.
“The story written here is very different from the myths told at the Temple of Prime.”
“There’s nothing strange about that. The temple has, for generations, shaped stories to suit its own tastes, so they can change however it wants.”
“Still, I’m cautious about believing that the story here is true. Above all, the person who recorded this…”
Alicia carefully went over the interpretation she had written so far.
The content written here was not just a simple story, but someone’s diary.
It wasn’t an objective record, but a record filled with raw, unfiltered emotions.
And, at the same time, a name that should never be mentioned was written there.
“Is it strange that Prime is a monster?”
“Of course it’s strange. He was definitely a god…”
Alicia couldn’t bring herself to speak any further.
The fact that the same being was both worshipped and hated was shocking, even to someone who didn’t believe in Prime.
“The temple revered him as a god. But, if you think about it, he wasn’t truly a god. He was merely a devoted servant of the god.”
“Even though you’re from the Empire, you’re surprisingly calm.”
“It’s not a bad story. It's obvious what would happen to the temple's standing if word got out that Prime, the god the temple once lamented for, was actually a monster."
“But we can’t reach a consensus based on what’s written here alone. You know that.”
The Temple of Prime had stood with the Empire from the very beginning.
No ordinary argument could bring them down.
In fact, the chance of being accused of blasphemy was even higher.
“Just make them believe it.”
“How?”
"We just need to give the monsters legitimacy. It’s about reversing the positions of the temple and the monsters."
"…Is that even possible?"
Alicia wrinkled the bridge of her nose.
Cabelenus reached out and gently smoothed the crease on her nose bridge.
“Of course, that’s assuming it’s possible to communicate with them.”
"Are you thinking of joining forces with the monsters?"
"If it’s necessary, I’ll do it without hesitation."
"…Will that really be alright with you?"
Alicia’s voice trembled.
She knew what monsters meant to Cabelenus.
Cabelenus smiled as he looked into Alicia’s worried eyes.
“It’s okay now.”
“But…”
“Really.”
“...”
Alicia wrapped her arms around Cabelenus’s waist.
Without a word, Cabelenus slowly ran his hand down her back.
He still couldn’t bring himself to like the monster’s blood flowing within him.
The extraordinary power had always been the beginning of every nightmare for him.
But unlike before, it no longer filled him with resentment.
Because of the monster’s blood, he couldn’t live an ordinary life. But that was precisely why he had survived, and why he had met Alicia.
“They’ll definitely show up again soon.”
“I suppose so.”
“And when that time comes, we’ll find out.”
‘Whether they are our allies or our enemies.’
Cabelenus held Alicia even tighter.
Alicia naturally leaned her body against Cabelenus.
・・・・・
“My lady, you’re up early.”
“It’s become a habit. But where are you headed, my lord?”
“Some business came up. I’ll be away for a short while.”
He thought he would leave without seeing her.
Fenrir couldn’t help smiling at the chance encounter.
“Then…”
“Ah, of course, I’m not leaving for good. I’ll definitely be back.”
Fenrir’s voice quickened.
“Alright. Please travel safely.”
“Of course. Oh, and about the cookies you gave me last time — I really enjoyed them.”
“Was it to your liking?”
“Yes, it was very delicious. You're really skilled.”
“I wouldn’t call it anything remarkable.”
Alicia gave a faint smile.
Thrilled by her smile, Fenrir spoke more enthusiastically.
“No, it was so delicious! I enjoyed it so much that even after finishing all the cookies you gave me, I found myself wanting the ones in His Highness’s office too.”
“The ones in His Highness’s office?”
“Yes. There were cookies in his office just like the ones you gave me.”
“Ah, I wasn’t the one who made those.”
“Y-you’re saying that you didn’t bake those, my lady?"
Flustered, Fenrir stumbled over his words.
The cookies in the office were almost identical in shape and taste to the ones she had given, so it was hard to believe she hadn’t made them.
“Yes. Those were baked by His Highness.”
“...His Highness?”
To hear something so bizarre — it seemed there was something wrong with his hearing.
Fenrir absentmindedly touched his ear.
“Michael played a little prank.”
“…Are you saying His Highness really baked those cookies?”
Alicia smiled, but Fenrir’s expression immediately darkened.
He suddenly remembered all the praise he had heaped on the cookies in front of Cabelenus.
“I guess he has talent. I only showed him how to do it once, but he was able to make them right away.”
“I-I see……”
Fenrir lifted the corners of his mouth, trying to smile.
But the shock he had received didn’t fade easily.
Just imagining the Grand Duke of Schwarhan making cookies made his stomach churn for no reason.
“Still, I’m relieved. I was worried it might not suit your taste. If it’s alright with you, I’ll bake it for you again sometime.”
"Really?"
“Baking isn’t difficult, after all.”
“Since you put it that way, I will shamelessly look forward to it.”
Still, the fortunate thing was that even in the bleak reality, a glimmer of hope remained.
Fenrir barely held onto his composure, his eyes gleaming.
Alicia quietly looked up into the man’s eyes, which were reminiscent of greenery.
The truth was, ever since hearing that Fenrir was the chief lord’s youngest son, she found herself paying more attention to him.
Because now, few remembered her as Princess Neustein.
Every time she looked at Fenrir, it felt strange, as if she were seeing remnants of her past.
But Alicia didn’t make a point of showing that fact.
After all, it was in the past, and Fenrir was very young at the time.
There was no way he could remember a brief engagement with someone whose face he had never seen.
It was better to focus on the present moment rather than dredging up stories from the past.
“I’ll bake plenty of cookies, so take care on your way.”
“I suppose I’ll have to, if only to eat my lady’s cookies.”
After bidding Alicia a final farewell, Fenrir turned away.
Yet, before long, he found himself glancing back unconsciously.
However, unlike him, who couldn’t take a step forward easily, she never once looked back until she was completely out of sight.
・・・・・
“We meet again.”
“...”
“Being in prison has really worn your face down compared to the last time I saw you.”
Fenrir smiled faintly as he looked at the face beyond the bars.
The man trapped in the cell no longer bore the beauty he once had.
His once-lustrous silver hair was tangled, and the eyes visible through the strands were bloodshot and fierce.
“…Did you come here to mock me?”
His cracked lips moved slowly.
“What do you think?”
Fenrir let out a sly smile.
“If you’ve seen all my misery, then get lost. I don’t need the likes of you—”
“Shall I save you?”
“…What?”
“Don’t you want to get out of here?”
James’s eyes wavered as Fenrir flaunted the ring of keys before him.
But it lasted only for a brief moment.
“And if I leave, what then? I won’t even be able to live as a painter anymore."
James raised his arms and sneered.
He could no longer hold onto anything with his trembling hands.
"Was that the Grand Duke’s doing?"
"Yes. He’s the one who did this."
A voice laced with anger slipped from between James’s tightly clenched teeth.
He still vividly recalled Cabelenus staring him down as he snapped the tendons in his hands.
“Then you have even more reason to come out. Shouldn't you take revenge?”
“You’re talking absurdities.”
“So you’re going to stay here? Even though it’s obvious you’ll die?”
“...”
Fenrir’s gaze fell on James’s hands.
This wasn’t a problem that would end with just the wounds.
The wounds that hadn’t been properly treated were rotting away.
"If that happens, it will turn out the way the Grand Duke wants."
“...”
“Because he can deliver such a horrifying death: one where you suffer day by day in a filthy prison, tormented by the pain of your flesh rotting away, slowly wasting away to death."
“…What exactly do you want from me right now?”
James struggled frantically.
But his body, tightly bound in chains, could only move so much.
"Didn't I tell you? I said I’ll save you.”
“Did you think I wouldn’t know that you’re the Duke’s subordinate?”
"I'm just pretending."
Fenrir tilted his head while keeping his hands in his pockets.
The moment his smile vanished, the man’s face instantly took on a sharp, piercing expression.
“I am Fenrir Roaquin, the sixth son of Palamar, Chief Lord of Roaquin. And I was Alicia’s fiancé.”
“…What did you just say?”
"Judging by your surprise, it seems you didn’t know."
“I….”
“It’s fine. Now you know.”
Fenrir used the keys to open the door.
James reflexively stepped back at Fenrir’s sudden closeness.
“Alicia’s full name is Alicia Neustein. She was once the princess of Neustein.”
"—That is, until the Grand Duke took everything from her.”
Fenrir leaned his body toward James.
James gave off a foul smell, but it wasn’t unbearable.
“The Grand Duke not only destroyed Alicia’s homeland, but he also sent her parents and siblings to the guillotine.
“...”
“In the end, she not only lost everything, but is also living alongside the murderer who killed her parents and siblings. Moreover, she’s even being deceived by him.”
Fenrir’s face twisted as if in genuine pity.
Even in the midst of it all, he didn’t miss the subtle shifts in James’s expression.
“I want to take revenge on the Grand Duke. And I want to rescue her from his clutches.”
“…But why are you trying to save me? You saw exactly what the Grand Duke did to me, didn’t you?”
“I don’t have the strength to take revenge on the Grand Duke myself, but I know how to make it happen.”
“You know how?"
James frowned.
“I want you to act as my proxy.”
“You’re asking me to be your proxy?”
“I’ve always harboured resentment toward Roaquin, and recently my hatred has deepened. However, it isn’t easy to approach the Emperor directly.”
Fenrir smiled gracefully.
“So you want me to approach the Emperor on your behalf? That’s ridiculous. I’m not even a noble — I’m a commoner."
"There’s no need to worry about that. Making you a noble isn’t all that difficult."
“…I can become a noble?”
James’s eyes wavered.
“I’ll take care of everything needed for the plan — clothing, identity, nothing will be lacking.”
“...”
"Are you hesitating?"
“…How am I supposed to trust you?”
Fenrir just laughed outright at James’s hostile glare.
"Why are you laughing?!"
“Then will you die?”
“What?”
“You’re free to refuse. After all, plenty of people hold a grudge against the Grand Duke. It doesn’t have to be you.”
It didn’t have to be him.
Fenrir smiled gracefully and brushed James’s shoulder.
Driving a person to their limits was an easy task for him.
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