The Isolated Marchioness Just Wants to Make a Living - Chapter 107
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 107
That’s when it happened.
“Grrrrrrrr…”
The wolf-dog that had run from far away pushed against the middle of Maximus’s back with a thud, then ran to stand in front of me, baring its teeth.
“What a state I’m in…”
“A few leaves on your dress hem isn’t going to cause any major problems, Young Lady.”
Earlier, I hadn’t just tidied my dress hem. I had openly opened the scent pouch and let the tracking incense flow out.
If Maximus had regained consciousness, then the wolf-dog would have regained consciousness too, and the wolf-dog would be able to find me by following the tracking scent.
“Grrrrrr…”
Recognizing Maximus sprawled on the ground as an enemy, the wolf-dog glared at him murderously as if ready to tear him apart.
“It’s okay.”
I stroked the wolf-dog’s head and said hurriedly.
“Some dust got in my eyes for a moment, so I accidentally brushed against His Highness. Anyway, it’s really okay, wolf-dog.”
If I had harmed the prince for no reason, the wolf-dog could have been beheaded for the crime of attempting to kill royalty.
“He’s on our side, well, for now at least.”
At that, the wolf-dog looked at me blankly with a betrayed expression.
Maximus, who had gotten up and drawn his sword, frowned and asked.
“Young Lady, judging by the atmosphere it gives off, that doesn’t seem to be just a beast.”
Ordinary people would look at its appearance and think the wolf-dog was a wolf or dog. But perhaps because he wasn’t an ordinary person, Maximus seemed to have immediately noticed the wolf-dog’s ‘difference.’
“What exactly is that monster? Is it a monster you know?”
I immediately raised my eyes at the word monster.
“A monster, Your Highness? That statement was too harsh. The wolf-dog understands everything you say.”
And as if to prove it, I asked the wolf-dog affectionately.
“Can you find Alpheus?”
I was changing the subject in case Maximus kept finding fault with the wolf-dog.
Then the wolf-dog, who had been standing blankly, sniffed around and nodded its head. It seemed Alpheus was closer than expected.
“Good. Let’s go.”
Then Maximus asked.
“Then, then… what is this wolf?”
Even while saying ‘wolf,’ his tone suggested he found even that quite suspicious.
“It’s a dog that Leopold raises.”
“A dog?”
Maximus examined the wolf-dog carefully and said.
“Young Lady, do you not know much about dogs? Dogs don’t have fangs this sharp. Even being generous and calling it a wolf-dog would be giving it the benefit of the doubt.”
“Thank you for being so generous. It’s an honor.”
I answered politely.
“We’re actually working hard for improvement. Look, shake hands.”
When I held out my hand to the wolf-dog, it sighed once and placed its front paw on my hand.
“It’s more like a dog than a wolf, isn’t it?”
In fact, I also knew well that the wolf-dog wasn’t just an ordinary dog. And that it wasn’t a matter of effort either.
But to avoid immediate trouble, it was best to muddy the issue for now.
“It has a good sense of smell too. It will guide us to Alpheus.”
The wolf-dog nodded while glaring at Maximus.
Maximus said in a dubious voice.
“Young Lady, dogs don’t sigh or nod their heads.”
Sadly, since Maximus wasn’t Harrison or Alpheus, deflecting the point didn’t work.
“I think it’s because Leopold trained it well.”
So I threw Leopold under the bus for now. I meant don’t question me, ask Leopold instead.
Maximus thought for a moment, then suggested.
“Then how about you let me carry you or ride on my back for now. Your walking pace is honestly too slow.”
Maximus lowered his posture.
“Of course, even though you’re a little kid, we’re of opposite genders, so I know this kind of contact goes against etiquette, but it’s an emergency situation…”
That’s when it happened. The wolf-dog growled and pushed Maximus away with its front paw, then lowered its own body.
“Huh?”
I blinked.
“You want me to ride on your back?”
“Grrrrrr…”
The wolf-dog nodded.
Since I also preferred the wolf-dog over Maximus, I quickly climbed on.
Then Maximus couldn’t help but comment again.
“Young Lady, I’ll say it again, there are no cases of dogs carrying people.”
Since throwing Leopold under the bus was useless, I used my ultimate technique.
“The wise Your Highness’s words are absolutely correct.”
Because I had confirmed earlier that he was allergic to imperial palace flattery.
“Then what kind of animal should I record this child as? I’ll write it in the Sears Family History Book exactly as Your Highness says.”
It was a way of speaking that would have greatly pleased the Crown Prince.
No, actually, I had to speak this way to safely leave the palace.
“In my foolish opinion, if we record it as a bird, it would overlap with the first Emperor’s anecdote and help spread Your Highness’s majesty for generations…”
“Stop!”
Maximus cried out in anguish.
“A dog! It’s a dog! It’s definitely a dog!”
As expected, Maximus was indeed the Crown Prince’s nemesis. He was opposite in everything from one to ten.
At the same time, the wolf-dog started running. It was tremendous speed, with wind whooshing past my ears.
* * *
Maximus kept falling behind but somehow followed the wolf-dog.
“It’s not for nothing that Alpheus considers him a comrade.”
I muttered while looking back.
“He’s also at an inhuman level.”
Even if not a special ability, he was definitely different from ordinary people. He wasn’t a military commander who achieved equal merit with Alpheus for nothing.
Before long, we were able to find Alpheus lying sprawled out.
When the wolf-dog poked Alpheus with its front paw, he stirred and got up.
“Uhhh… Hm? Bri-bri?”
I glared and threatened him.
“Get a grip. I’ve told you a hundred times that Bri-bri is forbidden. Just how many fewer brain cells do you have than me?”
Then Alpheus sighed deeply.
“So it’s not a dream. In my dream, Bri-bri called me Alpheus oppa.”
“That kind of dream is forbidden.”
I said coldly with my arms crossed.
Then Maximus came running from behind, panting and stopped.
“Alpheus!”
He hurriedly helped Alpheus up.
“Why on earth did you come all the way here so dangerously!”
I looked at Maximus with coldly disgusted eyes.
‘You’re the one who called him.’
Maximus grabbed Alpheus’s hand and shouted.
“What if something had happened to you in this forest!”
It was really absurd.
‘You’re the one who spouted all those cringeworthy words telling him to come.’
Though still a minor, his acting skills were impressive. He was too old-looking to be considered a child actor though.
“Just how much more must I owe you my life before you’ll be satisfied? Huh?”
“No, Your Highness!”
Alpheus answered energetically.
“Aren’t we comrades who fought back to back? Keeping faith is only natural. I believe Your Highness would do the same for me in the opposite situation.”
Not really.
“Hurry and get out of this place.”
As expected, Maximus didn’t give a definite answer and changed the subject.
“People suddenly woke up in an already impoverished territory. The Southern Region will now be thrown into chaos.”
At that, Alpheus tilted his head.
“Then shouldn’t we stay here? If there are people in difficulty, we should naturally help them!”
Maximus was flustered by Alpheus’s righteous statement.
“Huh? Uh…”
I watched this scene and thought.
‘Living together with Alpheus in the Northern Region couldn’t have been entirely comfortable.’
Maximus did have an easygoing and bold personality. His way of speaking, dress, and demeanor were quite free for royalty, and he was truly vulnerable to insincere flattery.
But despite that, he was political and cunning. He was different from Alpheus.
‘The Southern Region has maintained neutrality for a long time, and the territory’s situation isn’t good either. So he knows it won’t be much help to him.’
Of course, I knew how he had lived in the Imperial Palace a few years ago. So I didn’t find his behavior entirely disagreeable.
‘Well, he had no choice if he wanted to survive.’
He became quick at calculations at a young age. It was the same as how I matured quickly.
‘The Imperial Family’s circumstances aren’t well depicted even in the original work.’
I thought about the ending of the original work once more.
Alpheus achieved Northern Region independence with the female lead and left the Empire, so it was a happy ending personally.
‘But from the Empire’s perspective… can it really be considered a happy ending?’
He overcame various hardships with help from those around him, but since the Northern Region was the main setting, the situation of the entire Empire wasn’t well depicted.
‘Dark Magic and ancient curses didn’t appear at all either…’
This meant that the original work wouldn’t be of help with the difficulties we now faced.
‘So we have no choice but to find out directly.’
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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