The Unwanted Princess Becomes Loved in the Werewolf Kingdom and Becomes Queen!

Chapter 69: Nostalgic Homeland 1

After three weeks, Ernesta returned to Weisbergk.

As soon as she arrived at North Star, she was swarmed by her family, and at the same time, she was able to confirm Isolte’s safety, causing her to burst into tears she had been holding back on the way.

Isolte had already found out about their plan, and she scolded her severely. However, in the latter half, her mother hugged her in silence.

Soon after, a welcome home party started. Ernesta’s mother’s home cooking was as delicious as ever, and Ernesta couldn’t help but smile.

The time spent with her family flew by quickly. Before they realized it, the men had fallen asleep in the living room, leaving only the mother and daughter in the quiet room.

Isolte pulled out a blanket and covered the men who were rolling around on the sofa. The wooden interior of their house had the same warmth, and the scene of their family was very nostalgic.

Ernesta poured wine from her souvenir into two wooden mugs, and Isolte approached the dining table with interest.

“Oh, what’s that?”

“It’s red wine, a specialty of Shenka. I was surprised too, but Count Engeberg had it loaded in the carriage for us.”

At the party, she didn’t offer it because Bruno and Konrad couldn’t drink. It was understandable for the still-child Konrad, but since Bruno just slept with ale, it was the right decision.

Meanwhile, Isolte was eagerly pulling her favorite mug cup towards her.

“Oh, Count Engeberg sure knows how to please me?”

“Do you know him, Mom?”

“I do. We’re fellow educators.”

Isolte haphazardly arranged the remaining dishes and placed them on the dining table. They sat down at the table again and raised their glasses for a toast.

The alcohol that Ernesta hardly touched as a substitute burned her throat mercilessly. She couldn’t even taste the expensive wine, and quickly returned to her mug cup on the table.

“I didn’t know that. I had no idea.”

Count Engeberg is a history teacher and currently assigned to His Majesty the Emperor. I am a geology teacher and responsible for the princess… Her Majesty the Empress. I was indebted to him back then, but I can’t forgive him for what he did this time.

Isolte carried something ominous with her. It seemed she was angry about taking her daughter away without even saying hello.

“Mom! Count Engeberg always helped me. Besides, I’m the one who decided not to tell you anything!”

“I know he means no harm. That’s why I had nowhere to direct my anger.”

Anger. Ernesta can understand Isolte’s state of mind when she uttered that word, but it’s not a feeling that fits well with Ernesta.

From the period when she was the substitute, until this moment, it has been a continuous struggle. However, it was a limitless darkness, unrelated to the feeling of anger.

No, to put it simply, she was always angry with herself. She was foolish enough to become involved in the scheme without thinking.

“You look terrible.”

Suddenly, Isolte laughed bitterly, catching Ernesta off guard.

“You’re always able to handle everything, but this time you couldn’t hide it. Since you came back, your face has shown emotions that I’ve never seen before. And, you didn’t eat much either, even though you said it was delicious.”

“…you notice?”

“Yes. If you don’t want to talk about it, I won’t ask. Now, drink this and take a bath and go to sleep.”

Isolte takes a bite of sauerkraut, then casually tilts her wine glass. Although she had been drinking ale since the party, there was no sign of drunkenness. This is quite a feat for such a heavy drinker, but Ernesta, who is not related by blood, did not inherit this trait from her mother.

That’s why a sip of wine makes her head feel light and fluffy. As she makes excuses in her mind, assuming her emotions are heightened, Ernesta starts to reveal her feelings in a hushed tone.

“Mom, I did…a terrible betrayal. Everyone was so kind and welcoming to me, free from the historical conflicts between us. And yet…”

Although her storytelling was disjointed, Isolte listened attentively with quiet eyes. The oil lamp was the only source of light in the room, and it flickered along with the trembling voice and heavy snores.

“I lied. I left without saying thank you or anything. It’s terrible, isn’t it? This can’t be solved with just an apology… But I can’t even apologize anymore. He trusted me. I promised to wait for him. But I left him behind when he went to war.”

Ernesta had nowhere to vent her regret.

Even though it was so painful, she couldn’t regret meeting them.

Through this short yet long adventure, Ernesta learned of the sadness that lay between humans and werewolf tribes. She saw the great divide that could not be easily overcome and experienced the efforts of those who strove to bridge it, and learned of their hearts and wonderful culture.

And for the first time in her life, she fell in love.

“I know Mom will think it’s my fault if I say something like this. But I’m in pain. I don’t know what to do…!”

The face reflected in the red water was twisted, grotesque. Yes, it was definitely a terrible face. This would surely cause worries.

But she couldn’t stop. It was embarrassing. To be so dependent…

“It’s been so long since you depended on me.”

Prompted by the very gentle voice, she lifted her face. Isolte’s smile only grew, and her expression was that of a mother filled with loving kindness.

“You did a great job, Ellie. You don’t have to remember, and it’s okay to forget. Those feelings are yours, so do what you like with them. If it hurts, talk to me like this. You can talk to Dad, Konrad, your friends, anyone. Rely more on those around you.”

“…Mom.”

“Hm?”

“Can I hug you?”

It was an almost unconscious request. To this sudden wish, Isolte responded with a cheerful smile, spreading her arms wide.

“Come here!”

Ernesta jumped into her mother’s embrace without hesitation. The arms that hugged her back were incomparably stronger and more powerful than they had been when she had been lying on bed.

“You grew up to be a kind, good child. You never made me any trouble, and in fact, you’ve helped me a lot since you were young. I’m sorry. Thank you…”

Isolte’s voice was gentle, and it seemed to seep quietly into the dimly lit room.

She didn’t think that these feelings would ever be lost. But she wondered if someday she would be able to pray for them with a calm heart.

❂

“Nee-san, Nee-san. I’ve been calling you.”

Ernesta heard someone calling her name.

There’s only one person who calls her that. But why is her younger brother so irritated?

“Hey, wake up already. It’s already noon.”

Noon? Is it noon in the morning or in the afternoon?

“Twelve noon?!”

“You’ve been asleep all morning. That’s what I’m saying.”

Ernesta sat up like a pendulum and found herself facing her brother with a bewildered look.

Behind her was a familiar view of her room, and memories of yesterday soon flooded back to her.

She had talked to Isolte, cried, and got drunk, and then she had no memory of anything.

“How are you feeling?”

“I’m fine, I guess.”

“Well, that’s a relief.”

Turning his back to her, Konrad was indifferent as usual. While smiling inwardly at his adolescent cuteness, Ernesta received her brother’s kindness.

“Thank you, Konrad.”

“I didn’t do anything, though.”

“That’s not true. I should thank you, really.”

The usual attitude, the usual expression. Ernesta was happy that her parents cried tears of joy, but she felt at ease watching her brother’s usual behavior.

He had supported their mother well. He had really grown up without her realizing it. She wondered whether he had grown taller again in these three months.

“Did Konrad carry me, by any chance?”

But to that question, he frowned, looking genuinely annoyed.

“Huh? Give me a break. Dad carried you like any normal person would. I’m not built to carry a grown-up like you. Are you still half asleep?”

“Y-Yeah…! I know!”

Ernesta turned red and avoided eye contact. He sounded as if her weight was so heavy. There couldn’t be many people who could carry a human alone unlike a certain werewolf.

Oh, right. Ivan used to carry her a lot, so that’s what made her think of that weird idea.

Ernesta, who had thought it through that far, erased her expression and concealed her blushing face.

It comes to mind at random times. Without any warning, it stirs up her defenseless heart and then leaves her there, with nothing else to do.

“…Well, anything’s fine, but I hate that grim face of yours.”

“Uh, sorry…”

“I get even more irritated when you apologize. Hey, who’s making Nee-san have such a face?”

Konrad had anger welling up in eyes that closely resembled Isolte’s.

As always, his strong sense of justice and compassion for those in trouble or those who are sad are his admirable traits inherited from his parents.

“I’ll go knock some sense into them. So, who is it?”

“I’ll just take your goodwill. It’s no one’s fault that I have a gloomy face.”

“Hmph…whatever. Do as you please.”

Konrad stood up in frustration, grabbed the doorknob, and without turning back, said in a voice that did not hide his anger.

“I don’t really care, but it pisses me off to see you force a smile. You should just be down if you feel down.”

With a loud noise, he closed the door. Then the sound of his footsteps echoed down the hallway, followed by a message that sounded like a fit of anger, saying, “It’s time for lunch!” Upon hearing that, Ernesta couldn’t help but burst into a smile.