Chapter 9: Temperamental as She

When Anselm stepped off the carriage, a middle-aged noble, who had been waiting at the grand manor’s gates for who-knows-how-long, hurried forward, bowing with utmost deference.

“I’m terribly sorry to waste your time on us common folk, Lord Hydra.”

The man, Durham Ironstone, was the most powerful figure in and around Chishuang Territory aside from Count Chishuang.

Though also a count, his backing rivaled Chishuang’s, allowing him to remain secure here—noble power struggles Anselm found dull but ripe for exploitation.

Anselm waved a hand. “No need for formalities, Lord Ironstone. We both know tonight’s talks are crucial for Chishuang Territory’s future. Besides…”

His approachable, courteous smile, praised by capital nobles and captivating countless noblewomen and maidens, spread across his face. “Am I so unapproachable?”

“No, no, of course not! Lord Hydra’s mercy is renowned throughout Chishuang Territory, plain for all to see,” Ironstone replied without a hint of panic, his expression fervent with admiration, as if he’d forgotten who blasted Count Chishuang’s head off and strung him up for public scorn.

“I’m certain tonight’s banquet will conclude splendidly.” The middle-aged man bowed again, gesturing. “Allow me to lead the way.”

“By all means, but one moment—” Anselm nodded, then raised a brow, glancing at the carriage.

“Hitana, why are you still inside?”

“…”

The snow-haired girl, cheeks slightly flushed, pushed open the door with a scowl, trudging to Anselm’s side, her reluctance practically written on her face.

Ironstone looked surprised. “This is…?”

“My guard, still green, pardon the sight. She seems… hm, too fond of the heated carriage,” Anselm said with no trace of displeasure, smiling at Ironstone.

“I told you, I don’t know how to protect anyone,” Hitana muttered, arms crossed, brows furrowed, hastily changing the subject. “But taking down prey inside? No problem. I can do it now.”

“You go to your banquet, I’ll handle who needs handling. Any issues?”

Her blunt words made Ironstone visibly awkward.

He wanted to assure the banquet’s safety, but Anselm seemed to ignore her, leaving him unable to say more.

He gestured forward, leading the way, hiding his wry smile.

When Hitana, unrelenting, pressed, “No answer? Then I’ll take it as a yes. I’m going—”

She turned eagerly, only for Anselm to press a hand on her head.

“Hitana.”

Before she could bristle, Anselm said leisurely, “Don’t waste the opportunity Marina fought for you.”

“So far, you’re worth nothing to me.”

“…”

The slender girl trembled slightly—not from fear, for Anselm sensed that familiar aura: wild, ferocious, brutal, like an untamed beast, defiant and feral.

After two or three seconds, the girl in her hunter’s outfit turned back expressionlessly, kicking off her shoes to stand barefoot in the snow.

Knowing why, Anselm feigned curiosity. “What’s this for?”

“Hunting habit,” Hitana said, her tone laced with sharp ferocity. “Since you think I’ll embarrass you no matter what, this shouldn’t matter, right?”

“As long as you fulfill your duties.”

“…Hmph, don’t get scared later, young master.”

Anselm, following Ironstone into the manor, paused briefly, then smiled with interest. “Later? Are you certain something’s about to happen?”

Ironstone’s heart skipped a beat, and he turned to speak, but Anselm raised a hand to stop him.

Hitana crouched, her hands and feet touching the ground like a true beast, her hips raised high.

From Anselm’s view, he could see her full, rounded curves—unfitting for a girl—her deep waistline, and the graceful arcs outlined by her taut outfit.

“…Hostility,” she murmured, eyes closed, sniffing the air. “Six, eight… thirteen in total. Five on the roof, six inside, and two… I can’t pinpoint. They’re elusive.”

She stood, grinning, her sharp canines glinting stunningly in the snowy moonlight.

“You’ve pissed off a lot of people,” she said, barely hiding her glee.

Anselm shrugged. “But aren’t you the one handling them, Hitana?”

Her face darkened, the fleeting thought of letting these people kill this bastard crossing her mind.

But her basic intelligence reminded her that while Anselm might not die, she and her sister certainly wouldn’t fare well.

“Then why not let me take them out now?” Hitana’s pretty face brimmed with irritation. “Wasting time! If something happens, will you blame me?”

Anselm sighed, watched by the stunned Ironstone. “If I wanted to dismiss your worth, I’d have broken you that night, dear Miss Hitana.”

Despite his preparation, Anselm felt a rare, profound exasperation.

—Hitana growing into the Heavenly Wolf Empress was a miracle among miracles, proof of fate’s terrifying power.

“Until this banquet ends, you only need to follow my orders.”

Sensing the dark emotions stirring within, Anselm cut the conversation short. “And my order is to stay by my side and protect me. That’s all.”

Hitana clicked her tongue, responding with heavy sarcasm, “Got it, got it, great Lord Hydra.”

—She seemed oblivious to what Anselm meant by “broken,” or she’d have lost it on the spot.

Anselm used the moment to steady his mood, smiling at Ironstone. “A slight delay, but no matter, Lord Ironstone.”

“No matter” hit Ironstone like a cue.

He nodded, smiling as if he’d heard nothing, and said warmly, “Indeed, no matter, Lord Hydra. This way, please.”

But as he led Anselm, he couldn’t suppress the turmoil within.

Who was that girl?

Hydra’s plaything?

Why else would she dare speak to him like that?

Ironstone considered himself lenient, but if a guard or servant spoke to him that way, they’d be slapped, flogged, and exiled in one go.

For a less-tempered noble, turning them into redacted and tossing them into the slums wouldn’t be surprising.

Was this young viper truly that merciful?

Nonsense!

Anyone who believed that would soon share Count Chishuang’s grave.

All Ironstone could pray for now was that this seemingly dim-witted guard could actually protect Lord Hydra.

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