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

Chapter 76: Who is the messenger 2

Why do you have that expression?

Ernesta felt a strange tightening in her chest and couldn’t put her question into words.

“Understood, Your Majesty. I will take care of this letter. Now, Knight Commander, Vice-Captain, let’s go.”

Constanze gave a refined lady-like bow and spoke to the men.

“We deeply apologize for causing you so much trouble. Please forgive us with your generous spirit.”

“It depends on the Emperor’s reply…Ernesta, what do you think?”

“Eh…!”

She was surprised at the abrupt question. The development was too fast for her to keep up, but she desperately tried to think with her slow mind.

“First of all… I would like to thank you for healing my mother.”

Ivan widened his eyes in surprise, then immediately smiled wryly. Theodor had the same expression, realizing that she had said something out of place, but there were still some things she needed to convey.

“I am not in a position to forgive or not forgive, so I will not say anything further… On an unrelated note, I just want to say one more thing. I am glad to have met you for once. Please also send my regards to His Majesty the Emperor and wish him well.”

Ernesta slowly bowed her head.

She and her birth parents had already become too distant. Expressing her gratitude directly was complicated due to the complexity of her life so far, and there were two people she regarded as her true parents.

But still, she hoped for their well-being, even if they never met again.

“You…”

Constanze murmured absentmindedly. Seeing her vulnerable expression, Ernesta felt a pain in her chest, but Constanze nodded before she could say anything.

“Yes… You too, take care.”

❂❂❂

“Don’t I even get a greeting? How unfeeling of you.”

As Isolte was leaving the store, she called out to the person who was about to pass by. With a wry smile in her plea, Constanze stopped in her tracks and told her two guards to hang back before finally turning around.

“Because I have no face to show for it.”

Isolte shook her head and deepened her wry smile at the embarrassed expression she had seen before when they worked together as student and teacher.

“That’s not true. After all, you came to help Ernesta, Princess.”

“… How long have you been watching?”

“Since I could understand your intentions.”

Constanze was probably pretending to be under the emperor’s orders and came to help Ernesta escape. She must have been prepared to even help her family flee the country if she wished.

“I know well how difficult that palace is for women to live in. I’m glad that you have the courage to come.”

“Finally. Unlike you, it took me eighteen years to find mine.”

Constanze did not bother hiding her self-deprecation. Although it was unclear what she was feeling inside, there was one thing that was certain: this Empress has not fundamentally changed since her days as a princess. She was expressionless, yet crying inside that day, and she still is.

“That child will be fine. I’m sure Ivan will protect her well.”

“Yes. I think so too.”

Isolte knew exactly who she was referring to without having to ask. So she nodded clearly.

“Thank you, Isolte. I’ve always thought that I had ruined your life, but that wasn’t the case.”

“Of course not, Constanze-sama. I chose to be here myself.”

Isolte laughed heartily.

It was a good decision to raise Ernesta back then, and she was genuinely happy about it.

Perhaps her straightforward feelings had been conveyed, as Constanze also smiled nostalgically.

“I really loved your lessons, Isolte.”

“Oh, that’s an honor! As an instructor, those are the best words to hear.”

The past cannot be erased. It is an absolute fact that all people share.

That’s why there are rare things. If one has a heart, they must each carry something that should not be erased and live even if it is painful.

“Goodbye, Isolte. Be happy.”

“Yes, and you too, Constanze-sama.”

After the greeting, Constanze elegantly turned on her heel. The guards who had been waiting by the wall joined her, and they quickly boarded the carriage beside them.

Isolte never stopped waving goodbye until the carriage slowly disappeared down the main street.

❂❂❂

“Hmm, I didn’t know that happened. Too bad, I would have liked to see them frustrated,” said Konrad as he tore off a piece of bread during dinner, prompting Ernesta to give a vague smile.

“I don’t think they were really feeling frustrated or anything…”

“Is that so? Well, it doesn’t matter. For now, I’m just disappointed to know that our country’s leader is a moron.”

Despite his impudent comment, Konrad seemed somewhat relieved. He was probably still angry about the incident, but this might have brought them to a compromise.

“Hahaha! You talk too much, little brother. Well, just don’t get too caught up in things.”

Theodor gave a hearty laugh. Yes, he had also been invited today, making it a lively dinner.

Ivan seemed to still have not forgotten about the previous incident, and he had initially opposed Ernesta and himself sitting together. Theodor had also declined the invitation at one point, but when she told him that she really did not care anymore and that he was welcome to come, they both reluctantly agreed with a wry smile.

“Hey, kids gotta eat meat. Ivan brought a wild boar for us!”

Theodor piled some grilled herb-covered boar onto Konrad’s plate without permission. The dining table, where chairs had been brought up from the second floor, was like a festive occasion, with dishes crammed together.

Ernesta quietly laughed, watching Ivan react with a sour face to the usual antics of his friend, as she enjoyed such a fun meal for the first time in a while. What a kind scene this was—a man who had once been the leader of the anti-alliance faction and humans sitting around the same table.

“Hey, I’m not a kid! Next year, I’ll be working at a nearby observatory as a researcher!”

Konrad responded, unaware of the circumstances, and like usual, he voiced his displeasure and threatened others. It was unusual for his prickly nature to not be aimed at Ivan so far.

“Oh really? Then you better eat meat, boy. You won’t get any girls looking all skinny like that.”

“I’m grateful for the food, but what’s up with this guy?! I can’t stand someone who seems to lack even a shred of intelligence like him!”

“What did you say?! I also suck with smart brats like you!”

Finally, a fight broke out. Like water and oil, they might be more similar than expected.

It seems like the parents have the same feeling, as everyone had a lukewarm smile on their face.

“Theo, calm down. It’s unbecoming to get so worked up.”

With a wry smile, Ivan tried to stop them, but Isolte poured some alcohol into Theodor’s mug.

“I can tell you’re quite a drinker. Shall we have a drinking contest?”

“Oh, this should be interesting. I am strong, ma’am.”

It started on that end too. Bruno had already hit his limit, and it was already a mess.

“Oi…Konrad, get me some water.”

“Dad is the worst! Hang on a sec!”

As Konrad stood up in a fit of anger, Ernesta added water to her father’s mug from the pot next to her.

“Here you go, Dad. Drink as much as you can.”

“Ah…”

Bruno tilted the mug while feeling drowsy. But after he drank it all, he couldn’t hold up and fell down on the floor.

“Oh no, Dad, are you okay? If you’re going to sleep, at least go to the sofa.”

“It’s fine… It doesn’t matter for the last time.”

Ernesta tried to wake him up by tapping his shoulder, but unfortunately, there was no response from her father who had fallen face down. Then, Ivan quietly stood up. Konrad, who had been stuffing his mouth with food while being astonished at his father’s behavior, also lifted his head.

“Well then, shall we take him to his room?”

“Huh? Just leave him. It’s no use. Fine, I’ll help.”

“It’s okay, Konrad. There’s no problem.”

When Ivan turned into a werewolf, he easily picked up the large man as he said he would.

Ernesta was momentarily pale at the ridiculous situation of having a king take care of a drunkard.

“I-I’m sorry! I can’t believe I’m making you do this…!”

“Don’t worry, it’s light.”

To call the muscular man light while carrying him. The strength of the werewolf tribe is definitely not to be underestimated.

“Wow, you’re amazing. So cool.”

Even Konrad, who was not easily impressed, expressed his admiration as he stood up with a bottle of water and a mug.

“I’ll bring Dad some water and then go to sleep. Good night, Nee-san.”

“Good night, Konrad.”

In the living room with the three of them, the two heavy drinkers were quietly comparing drinks beyond common sense. The sound of wine bottles and mugs being placed on the desk was unnaturally loud, and the living room was filled with tension like some kind of game.

“Fufu… You’re good, aren’t you?”

“It’s been a long time since I had alcohol. I feel like I can drink as much as I want.”

The two of them, with an unfathomable smile, also had a tolerance for alcohol like a swamp.

Ernesta decides to leave them alone and leaves the living room. Then, she ran into Ivan still in his werewolf form in the hallway.

“Ivan, thank you so much. Is everything okay?”

“Yeah, he’s fast asleep. I’m a little worried about the hangover, but it’s the last night, so he decided to let loose.”

Upon receiving Ivan’s serious gaze, Ernesta gave a lonely smile.

Yes, this would be the last time they would spend together as a family.

It was Ernesta who suggested that they return to Shenka tomorrow, as everyone was waiting for the king’s return.

Ivan suggested that they take it easy for a while longer, but there were too many reasons to leave quickly, such as Engeberg being under house arrest.

The family was surprised by the sudden departure, but they soon understood.

“You have a great family. Just by watching, I can tell you were well-raised and care deeply for them.”

“Yeah, that’s right. I love them so much.”

As she nodded with narrowed eyes, his golden-haired hand was petting her head. Blushing at the gesture that had never happened before, Ernesta turned to him with a questioning look.

“… Well, this much can be forgiven.”

Ivan looks somewhat disgruntled.

As she tilted her head at his mysterious muttering, he petted her head more strongly.

“You can come see them again. This is not a farewell for life.”

“…But, I’m being selfish.”

“It’s not selfishness. It’s actually me being selfish. That’s why I’ll definitely bring you back here.”

Perhaps he was gentle because he knew more sadness than anyone else.

Ernesta smiled and thanked him in a small voice.