Episode 88. Please hold on, Chris!
“Hey, ugh! Hey, ugh!”
Jennifer shook the carriage reins frantically.
The carriage carrying Adele and the silver wolf raced through the forest at full speed.
Boom! Boom!
Outside the carriage, the sound of swords clashing and screams still filled the air.
Jan’s soldiers and the WG 1st Unit members continued to fight.
But Adele couldn’t hear a thing. She just held the silver wolf’s side, which was bleeding from the torn hem of its clothes, and prayed countless times.
“Please, please...”
Just let him live!
Just as the silver wolf collapsed helplessly to the ground, Adele screamed and jumped down the cliff. She didn’t remember how she got down that steep cliff at all.
In the meantime, Zimmer had brought the carriage and carried the silver wolf, whose body was covered in arrows and blood. The Duke of Rodwell, who was still breathing, also rode along.
Jennifer, who had joined in the meantime, started to drive the carriage.
“He just lost consciousness from losing a lot of blood, so he’ll be fine.”
Zimmer said as if to reassure her, but Adele couldn’t relax.
No matter how much she tried to stop the bleeding, Christine’s side kept getting soaked with blood.
“Is he really going to be fine? Has he ever been injured like this on the battlefield?”
“Yes...”
Adele was discouraged by Zimmer’s shaky voice.
“You're not good at lying, Sir Zimmer.”
“I’m sorry. But he’ll really be fine. He heals from wounds much faster than ordinary people. I was surprised at first.”
“I guess it’s because he's a member of the wolf clan?”
“Since when... did you notice?”
Zimmer asked cautiously, and Adele smiled weakly.
“A while ago. I wasn’t very perceptive, was I? We’ve been together for so long.”
“It’s only natural, since you tried so hard to hide it from you, the Captain.”
“Since when did you know, Sir Zimmer?”
Zimmer furrowed his brows as if thinking.
“Well, I don’t know either. I think I just naturally accepted it at some point. Everyone is half-sane on the battlefield. In my case, I think it’s safer to be under a strong commander. That way, my chances of living long are higher.”
“Do you know anyone else in the Order? Jennifer seems to know.”
“Probably most?”
“Really?”
Adele was surprised. How could the secret that he was the Silver Wolf be kept so well when so many people knew?
“They all know it but pretend not to know. Even the Commander knows it but pretends not to know. It’s like an open secret. It’s something that everyone knows but keeps secret from the public.”
Zimmer rubbed the tip of his nose as if embarrassed, but Adele felt a little bitter.
“He trusts Sir Zimmer and his knights.”
“Don’t misunderstand. The Commander didn’t tell Adele because he didn’t trust you, but it must have been a different matter.”
“I understand. Because I hated the silver wolf so much. That’s why he couldn’t tell me.”
After acknowledging his existence like this, Adele was overcome with a plethora of emotions.
Sorry, pity, regret, relief...
What was clear was that her love for him had not faded or wavered at all.
He was just the same as usual, her Christine.
He had only changed in appearance, but his essence had not changed.
"It’s so horrible that a beast can mix with people and act like a human.”
Did he remember what she had said back then?
Was he hurt?
She wishes he would forget.
Right now, she just hoped that he would recover.
If that were the case, she thought she could accept any monster other than a wolf.
My wolf.
My beast.
My love, Christine.
The carriage, which had barely entered the city of Bluegale, stopped in front of the largest clinic.
It was a large, white, two-story building, and fortunately, the lights were on inside.
Someone came out, perhaps because they had heard the sound of the carriage hurriedly entering.
“What’s going on?”
It was a woman wearing a white bonnet and a white apron.
“This is an urgent patient!”
Zimmer shouted and turned to Christine. But for some reason, he did not return from his wolf form.
Adele and Zimmer looked at each other for a moment, wondering.
Should they take him into the clinic in his wolf form?
No, even though he was a wolf, he was clearly different from a normal wolf.
Moreover, this was the city of Bluegale, which was close to the Vatican.
If word of this suspicious wolf reached the Vatican, he could be in even more danger.
“I think the only way is to treat them and kill them all.”
When Zimmer whispered softly, Adele was shocked.
How could he say such cruel things with such a pretty face?
But Adele wavered for a moment.
She didn’t want to care what happened to other people. All that mattered to her was saving him.
But that couldn’t be.
“Chris... can you hold out a little longer?”
“Hey, ugh! Hey, ugh!”
Jennifer shook the carriage reins frantically.
The carriage carrying Adele and the silver wolf raced through the forest at full speed.
Boom! Boom!
Outside the carriage, the sound of swords clashing and screams still filled the air.
Jan’s soldiers and the WG 1st Unit members continued to fight.
But Adele couldn’t hear a thing. She just held the silver wolf’s side, which was bleeding from the torn hem of its clothes, and prayed countless times.
“Please, please...”
Just let him live!
Just as the silver wolf collapsed helplessly to the ground, Adele screamed and jumped down the cliff. She didn’t remember how she got down that steep cliff at all.
In the meantime, Zimmer had brought the carriage and carried the silver wolf, whose body was covered in arrows and blood. The Duke of Rodwell, who was still breathing, also rode along.
Jennifer, who had joined in the meantime, started to drive the carriage.
“He just lost consciousness from losing a lot of blood, so he’ll be fine.”
Zimmer said as if to reassure her, but Adele couldn’t relax.
No matter how much she tried to stop the bleeding, Christine’s side kept getting soaked with blood.
“Is he really going to be fine? Has he ever been injured like this on the battlefield?”
“Yes...”
Adele was discouraged by Zimmer’s shaky voice.
“You're not good at lying, Sir Zimmer.”
“I’m sorry. But he’ll really be fine. He heals from wounds much faster than ordinary people. I was surprised at first.”
“I guess it’s because he's a member of the wolf clan?”
“Since when... did you notice?”
Zimmer asked cautiously, and Adele smiled weakly.
“A while ago. I wasn’t very perceptive, was I? We’ve been together for so long.”
“It’s only natural, since you tried so hard to hide it from you, the Captain.”
“Since when did you know, Sir Zimmer?”
Zimmer furrowed his brows as if thinking.
“Well, I don’t know either. I think I just naturally accepted it at some point. Everyone is half-sane on the battlefield. In my case, I think it’s safer to be under a strong commander. That way, my chances of living long are higher.”
“Do you know anyone else in the Order? Jennifer seems to know.”
“Probably most?”
“Really?”
Adele was surprised. How could the secret that he was the Silver Wolf be kept so well when so many people knew?
“They all know it but pretend not to know. Even the Commander knows it but pretends not to know. It’s like an open secret. It’s something that everyone knows but keeps secret from the public.”
Zimmer rubbed the tip of his nose as if embarrassed, but Adele felt a little bitter.
“He trusts Sir Zimmer and his knights.”
“Don’t misunderstand. The Commander didn’t tell Adele because he didn’t trust you, but it must have been a different matter.”
“I understand. Because I hated the silver wolf so much. That’s why he couldn’t tell me.”
After acknowledging his existence like this, Adele was overcome with a plethora of emotions.
Sorry, pity, regret, relief...
What was clear was that her love for him had not faded or wavered at all.
He was just the same as usual, her Christine.
He had only changed in appearance, but his essence had not changed.
"It’s so horrible that a beast can mix with people and act like a human.”
Did he remember what she had said back then?
Was he hurt?
She wishes he would forget.
Right now, she just hoped that he would recover.
If that were the case, she thought she could accept any monster other than a wolf.
My wolf.
My beast.
My love, Christine.
***
The carriage, which had barely entered the city of Bluegale, stopped in front of the largest clinic.
It was a large, white, two-story building, and fortunately, the lights were on inside.
Someone came out, perhaps because they had heard the sound of the carriage hurriedly entering.
“What’s going on?”
It was a woman wearing a white bonnet and a white apron.
“This is an urgent patient!”
Zimmer shouted and turned to Christine. But for some reason, he did not return from his wolf form.
Adele and Zimmer looked at each other for a moment, wondering.
Should they take him into the clinic in his wolf form?
No, even though he was a wolf, he was clearly different from a normal wolf.
Moreover, this was the city of Bluegale, which was close to the Vatican.
If word of this suspicious wolf reached the Vatican, he could be in even more danger.
“I think the only way is to treat them and kill them all.”
When Zimmer whispered softly, Adele was shocked.
How could he say such cruel things with such a pretty face?
But Adele wavered for a moment.
She didn’t want to care what happened to other people. All that mattered to her was saving him.
But that couldn’t be.
“Chris... can you hold out a little longer?”
She whispered in his ear while carefully brushing his fur, and he narrowed his eyes as if answering, then closed them again. It must have been very difficult for him, as he exhaled hotly. Adele held back tears and made a decision.
“Let’s just transfer the Duke of Rodwell to the clinic.”
“What about the captain?”
“I have an idea.”
“...I understand.”
Zimmer hesitated, but didn’t argue with Adele’s decision. At this moment, she must have been the one who wanted to save Christine more than anyone else.
The infirmary lady who had talked to Zimmer went inside after a while. Soon, people brought a stretcher and loaded the Duke of Rodwell.
They only glanced at the bloody wolf in the carriage and hurriedly ran to load the Duke. The Duke’s condition was just as critical as Christine’s.
Zimmer, who had accompanied the Duke to the infirmary as the Duke’s guardian, returned after a while.
“How is the Duke?”
Zimmer shook his head with a dark face.
“Tell his family quickly and prepare for his death. I can’t guarantee how long he will live.”
A heavy sigh escaped Adele’s lips. In a critical situation where every second counted, she had to make the wisest decision.
“Then, Sir Zimmer, go to Empress Isabella. The Emperor must never find out first. Hurry!”
The Emperor had entrusted Christine with the assassination of the Duke of Rodwell. He was a traitor who had planned to send soldiers and Stone to attack him.
If the Duke made a mistake, he would blame Christine and get away with it. Furthermore, given Christine’s condition, he would not be able to confront the Emperor for the time being.
So he had to stay alive at least until Isabelle arrived.
That way, he would not be falsely accused.
“You’re saying that Miss Adele would take care of the Master alone?”
Of course, Zimmer thought the same as her. However, he did not move forward, leaving Christine and Adel alone, who were almost dying.
Adele smiled brightly instead.
“Don’t worry, Jennifer is here and the Knights will join soon.”
“Don’t worry!”
Jennifer, who had been exhausted from driving the carriage, shouted again.
“And I’ve also thought of the right person to treat him. So hurry up and do it, Sir Zimmer!”
Zimmer could no longer hesitate when Adele urged him.
“Damn it, then I’ll only trust Miss Adele! Jennifer, if you two make even a little mistake, you’ll die by my hand!”
“Don’t worry. I swear it on my middle finger.”
Jennifer smiled and raised her middle finger at Zimmer.
After a while, as Zimmer rode away on the horse he had borrowed from the clinic, Jennifer folded her fingers and turned to Adele.
“Let’s go quickly. But where?”
“Greenhill.”
“Greenhill?”
Even if they rode all night in a carriage to Greenhill, they would arrive at dawn. She was worried whether he would last until then.
But Adele said firmly,
“Because there’s a doctor I can trust.”
Jennifer didn’t argue anymore at those words. He knew that, like Zimmer, she was the one who wanted to save him the most.
“Then I’ll run at full speed from now on. I’ll go!”
As the carriage started to move, Adele hugged the silver wolf tightly with a prayerful heart.
“Chris, I made a good decision, right?”
He opened his eyes with difficulty and closed them again, as if answering her question.
Adele was moved by the sight of him trying so hard to respond to her.
“I’m sorry. Please hold on until then, please...”
The dawn sky was becoming bright blue.
Mark, who had woken up early in the morning, went up to the second floor as usual.
Jade and Pauline were fast asleep, lying on the beds next to each other.
Pauline was the son of a village drunkard whom Adele had once saved, but now she was living with Mark’s family as if she were one of them.
And thanks to Pauline, he was able to put his worries to rest.
Because he was so busy, he never had enough time to spend with Jade. At the same time, he was always worried about his young son, who was alone.
However, since Pauline came, Jade seemed busier than Mark.
He taught Pauline letters and numbers, and the two of them went out and played with the neighborhood kids. Then, he would fall asleep early in the evening.
Thanks to that, Pauline and Jade had grown up a lot in the past few months and were quite young.
“You should still cover yourself with a blanket when you sleep. You’re catching a cold.”
Mark pulled up the blanket that Jade had kicked away and covered himself with it.
“Dad...?”
Jade opened his eyes slightly, probably because of that.
“Sorry. Sleep more. It’s still dawn.”
However, his son, who had the habit of being a frog, rubbed his eyes to wake up.
“But I had a dream.”
“Dream?”
“A dream where Mrs. Adele came to our house and baked cookies.”
Mark’s heart ached at the sound of Adele’s name.
Was there something he hadn’t sorted out yet?
“I see. It must have been a good dream.”
“Yeah, but isn’t she coming now?”
“Probably... I guess so.”
“Why? I miss her. Adele sent me a text saying she misses me, too.”
Mark smiled bitterly and gently ruffled Jade’s bangs.
“But you have Pauline.”
Jade shook her head.
“Since you have Pauline, it would be better if you had Adele too. Dad, Mom, sister, and I. It would be a pretty picture.”
He was talking about a family picture.
Jade’s family pictures always had just his dad and himself.
Mark sat on Jade’s bed and stroked his cheek.
“Does Jade want a mom?”
“Yeah, a pretty mom like Adele who’s good at cooking.”
“Yeah, let’s think about it. But Adele can’t.”
“Why? I’m fine. Adele likes me too.”
Then the child’s eyes sparkled as if she realized something.
“Oh, really, does Adele hate Dad?”
“Hmm... Well? But I’m sure there’s someone she likes more than Dad.”
“That Count Weiss back then?”
Mark was surprised. He thought he was still a child, but he already knew all that.
He felt like he was revealing his true feelings to his young son.
“Hey, sleep more.”
As he was getting up from the bed, Jade quickly shouted.
“Dad, that guy hates beans!”
“Huh?”
Mark turned around as if to ask what he meant, and Jade grinned.
“Dad said that you should eat beans to become strong and healthy. So that Count Weiss might be weaker than Dad.”
“Well...”
“I’ll help you, Dad. Fight that guy! I fought that guy and won!”
Mark barely held back his laughter as he looked at Jade, who was so serious.
“Dad’s a pacifist. And I don’t think Adele would like Dad more because I won in a fight.”
Because he could never say that he couldn't win a fight with Count Weiss.
Jade's face became sad.
"Dad, I hate you! You idiot!"
Mark sighed as he watched his son cover himself with the blanket.
He thought he would feel less lonely thanks to Pauline, but wasn't he?
It seems that the empty space in his heart that only a mother can fill is still the same.
“Let’s just transfer the Duke of Rodwell to the clinic.”
“What about the captain?”
“I have an idea.”
“...I understand.”
Zimmer hesitated, but didn’t argue with Adele’s decision. At this moment, she must have been the one who wanted to save Christine more than anyone else.
The infirmary lady who had talked to Zimmer went inside after a while. Soon, people brought a stretcher and loaded the Duke of Rodwell.
They only glanced at the bloody wolf in the carriage and hurriedly ran to load the Duke. The Duke’s condition was just as critical as Christine’s.
Zimmer, who had accompanied the Duke to the infirmary as the Duke’s guardian, returned after a while.
“How is the Duke?”
Zimmer shook his head with a dark face.
“Tell his family quickly and prepare for his death. I can’t guarantee how long he will live.”
A heavy sigh escaped Adele’s lips. In a critical situation where every second counted, she had to make the wisest decision.
“Then, Sir Zimmer, go to Empress Isabella. The Emperor must never find out first. Hurry!”
The Emperor had entrusted Christine with the assassination of the Duke of Rodwell. He was a traitor who had planned to send soldiers and Stone to attack him.
If the Duke made a mistake, he would blame Christine and get away with it. Furthermore, given Christine’s condition, he would not be able to confront the Emperor for the time being.
So he had to stay alive at least until Isabelle arrived.
That way, he would not be falsely accused.
“You’re saying that Miss Adele would take care of the Master alone?”
Of course, Zimmer thought the same as her. However, he did not move forward, leaving Christine and Adel alone, who were almost dying.
Adele smiled brightly instead.
“Don’t worry, Jennifer is here and the Knights will join soon.”
“Don’t worry!”
Jennifer, who had been exhausted from driving the carriage, shouted again.
“And I’ve also thought of the right person to treat him. So hurry up and do it, Sir Zimmer!”
Zimmer could no longer hesitate when Adele urged him.
“Damn it, then I’ll only trust Miss Adele! Jennifer, if you two make even a little mistake, you’ll die by my hand!”
“Don’t worry. I swear it on my middle finger.”
Jennifer smiled and raised her middle finger at Zimmer.
After a while, as Zimmer rode away on the horse he had borrowed from the clinic, Jennifer folded her fingers and turned to Adele.
“Let’s go quickly. But where?”
“Greenhill.”
“Greenhill?”
Even if they rode all night in a carriage to Greenhill, they would arrive at dawn. She was worried whether he would last until then.
But Adele said firmly,
“Because there’s a doctor I can trust.”
Jennifer didn’t argue anymore at those words. He knew that, like Zimmer, she was the one who wanted to save him the most.
“Then I’ll run at full speed from now on. I’ll go!”
As the carriage started to move, Adele hugged the silver wolf tightly with a prayerful heart.
“Chris, I made a good decision, right?”
He opened his eyes with difficulty and closed them again, as if answering her question.
Adele was moved by the sight of him trying so hard to respond to her.
“I’m sorry. Please hold on until then, please...”
***
The dawn sky was becoming bright blue.
Mark, who had woken up early in the morning, went up to the second floor as usual.
Jade and Pauline were fast asleep, lying on the beds next to each other.
Pauline was the son of a village drunkard whom Adele had once saved, but now she was living with Mark’s family as if she were one of them.
And thanks to Pauline, he was able to put his worries to rest.
Because he was so busy, he never had enough time to spend with Jade. At the same time, he was always worried about his young son, who was alone.
However, since Pauline came, Jade seemed busier than Mark.
He taught Pauline letters and numbers, and the two of them went out and played with the neighborhood kids. Then, he would fall asleep early in the evening.
Thanks to that, Pauline and Jade had grown up a lot in the past few months and were quite young.
“You should still cover yourself with a blanket when you sleep. You’re catching a cold.”
Mark pulled up the blanket that Jade had kicked away and covered himself with it.
“Dad...?”
Jade opened his eyes slightly, probably because of that.
“Sorry. Sleep more. It’s still dawn.”
However, his son, who had the habit of being a frog, rubbed his eyes to wake up.
“But I had a dream.”
“Dream?”
“A dream where Mrs. Adele came to our house and baked cookies.”
Mark’s heart ached at the sound of Adele’s name.
Was there something he hadn’t sorted out yet?
“I see. It must have been a good dream.”
“Yeah, but isn’t she coming now?”
“Probably... I guess so.”
“Why? I miss her. Adele sent me a text saying she misses me, too.”
Mark smiled bitterly and gently ruffled Jade’s bangs.
“But you have Pauline.”
Jade shook her head.
“Since you have Pauline, it would be better if you had Adele too. Dad, Mom, sister, and I. It would be a pretty picture.”
He was talking about a family picture.
Jade’s family pictures always had just his dad and himself.
Mark sat on Jade’s bed and stroked his cheek.
“Does Jade want a mom?”
“Yeah, a pretty mom like Adele who’s good at cooking.”
“Yeah, let’s think about it. But Adele can’t.”
“Why? I’m fine. Adele likes me too.”
Then the child’s eyes sparkled as if she realized something.
“Oh, really, does Adele hate Dad?”
“Hmm... Well? But I’m sure there’s someone she likes more than Dad.”
“That Count Weiss back then?”
Mark was surprised. He thought he was still a child, but he already knew all that.
He felt like he was revealing his true feelings to his young son.
“Hey, sleep more.”
As he was getting up from the bed, Jade quickly shouted.
“Dad, that guy hates beans!”
“Huh?”
Mark turned around as if to ask what he meant, and Jade grinned.
“Dad said that you should eat beans to become strong and healthy. So that Count Weiss might be weaker than Dad.”
“Well...”
“I’ll help you, Dad. Fight that guy! I fought that guy and won!”
Mark barely held back his laughter as he looked at Jade, who was so serious.
“Dad’s a pacifist. And I don’t think Adele would like Dad more because I won in a fight.”
Because he could never say that he couldn't win a fight with Count Weiss.
Jade's face became sad.
"Dad, I hate you! You idiot!"
Mark sighed as he watched his son cover himself with the blanket.
He thought he would feel less lonely thanks to Pauline, but wasn't he?
It seems that the empty space in his heart that only a mother can fill is still the same.
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