Chapter 8: Foolish as She

Hitana sat cross-legged on the bed, her face sullen, her delicate toes curling anxiously.

The sweet fruits on the table, which she would’ve devoured eagerly in the past, went untouched. The snow-haired girl had no appetite.

In the center of the room, Marina knelt, eyes closed in prayer.

The Lansmarlos family didn’t worship any gods, but at this critical moment, Marina was willing to try anything, no matter how fleeting, to help Hitana.

Knock, knock, knock—

The short, firm knocks made Marina’s eyes snap open.

She stood, brushed her skirt, and hurried to the door.

“Miss Marina,” a tall, refined maid in conservative attire greeted softly, “it’s time to go.”

“Thank you for letting us know… Hitana, come here!”

No longer using her usual affectionate nickname, Marina hoped Hitana would grasp the gravity of the moment.

“…Fine, fine.”

Though thoroughly reluctant, the young wolf, arms crossed and sitting on the bed, grimaced, hopped down, and padded barefoot to the door.

She glanced at her sister, then at the maid, before muttering, “Lead the way.”

“Please wait. Before we go, Miss Hitana needs some preparation.”

The maid raised an arm draped with clothing, saying gently, “Please change into these.”

“What’s this? Do I have to change to fight?”

Unsure of what she was supposed to do, Hitana frowned at the maid, instantly wary. “He’s not trying to trick me with some fancy outfit, then make me pay for ruining it, is he?”

The seasoned maid showed no reaction to Hitana’s brash words, calmly explaining, “You’ll accompany the master to a banquet tonight. Your current attire would disgrace his reputation.”

Marina froze, and Hitana, predictably, shrieked, “A banquet? Not a fight? Why’s he taking me to a banquet?”

“…The master needs a guard,” the maid sighed. “Miss Marina’s recommendation earned you this opportunity. Don’t squander fate’s grace, Miss Hitana.”

“A g-guard?”

Marina hadn’t expected Anselm to go this far.

But… could Hitana handle being a guard?

What if something went wrong…

Her once-cherished hope suddenly became a dilemma.

Marina’s only flaw—her weakness—left her paralyzed with indecision.

Hitana, however, spoke first. “Fine, I get it. Give me the clothes. We’ll change ourselves.”

She snatched the garments from the maid and glanced at her sister. “Help me change, Lina.”

“…Huh? Oh, um… okay.” Snapping out of it, Marina took a deep breath and bowed apologetically to the maid. “Sorry for the trouble. We’ll be quick.”

The maid nodded slightly, closing the door herself.

Meanwhile, Anselm, now in a silver-gray wolf-fur cloak and leaning on his snake-headed cane, descended the stairs.

Seeing the maid waiting at the door, he greeted warmly, “Merry, how’s our guard doing?”

The maid, Merry, gave a reserved curtsy. “She’s changing. My apologies, master, for wasting your time.”

Before Anselm could respond, a loud yelp came from the room, “What kind of clothes are these? I’m not wearing this!”

Merry frowned, about to knock, but glanced at Anselm first.

Seeing her young master’s amused expression, she stayed silent, standing quietly by the door.

“No way! I’d rather wear a bear hide than this… Lina, I’m not doing it!”

“I! I…”

Whatever the sisters discussed, Hitana’s voice—youthful and sweet yet oddly aggressive—gradually softened.

Anselm, now at the door, knocked and said cheerfully, “Miss Hitana, are you ready?”

“Wait!” A panicked cry came from within. “Hold on, I… I…”

“You don’t seem to like the dress?”

“What kind of shameless person would wear this in public?!” Hitana’s fury wasn’t contained by walls or doors—nor was the aura of foolishness radiating from her.

“L-Lord Hydra! Hitana was just rambling, please don’t take it to heart! She’s almost done changing!” Marina’s frantic voice rang out, accompanied by clattering noises.

Anselm leaned against the door, replying lightly, “If you don’t like it, don’t change.”

The maid’s expression shifted, but she held her tongue.

A moment of silence followed, then Hitana’s hesitant voice. “Really?”

“Of course. Hydras don’t lie. If Miss Hitana finds the dress so repulsive, wear casual clothes.”

Within two minutes, Marina opened the door, looking uneasy. “Lord Hydra, but… this might cause you to—”

“Cause what? Lose my noble grace?” Anselm chuckled. “I’ve already decided to bring Miss Hitana to the banquet. Why would I care about that?”

Though his tone held no mockery, Marina flushed red, unable to argue or respond.

“Like I’m guaranteed to embarrass you,” Hitana muttered, pushing past her sister to meet Anselm’s gaze head-on.

—Even though, not long ago, Saville’s slaps had left her too scared to look at him.

“Be your guard, right? Let’s be clear: I don’t know how to protect anyone. I just take down prey. Are you sure that’s fine?”

“Hitana!” Marina, anxious and exasperated, snapped, “You can’t talk to Lord Hydra like that!”

Hitana glanced at the floor, her words already out, unchangeable.

Anselm smiled at the future hero.

Her petite face and slender frame were far from the tall, mature woman in his memories.

The hunter’s outfit he’d prepared fit her perfectly, accentuating her youthful curves despite its simplicity.

Her beauty was flawless, her features so striking that even in her girlhood, she exuded an alluring charm.

But she was dim-witted.

To repeat, Hitana Lansmarlos, at this stage, was beyond foolish or impulsive.

Having read her life’s story, Anselm deemed “dim-witted” the only fitting term.

Arrogant, conceited, self-righteous, oblivious, short-sighted… every critique of a fool applied to her now.

Yet Anselm felt no impatience or irritation.

He had prepared for this far too long, so long that his hostility toward Hitana had nearly faded.

What remained was a dark desire.

—The dark desire to tame this violent, savage young wolf into a fanatically loyal hound.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep