I Will Protect You This Time

Almost An Year Ago...

The Fellmirr Empire Royal Castle.

The Emperor and Empress's Chamber…

It's late at night. Alicia and Theobald are lying on the bed talking about something.

"What?!"

Alicia jumped up.

"Yes, Al. Our Leo's mate has been chosen!"

"That-"

Calm down, Alicia. It doesn't matter who chooses. Don't get angry about the fact that I didn't know about my own Son's chosen mate. 

"T-That's unexpected."

"Huhu. Is it?"

Theobald replied with a goofy smile.

"So which Clan is she from?"

"Oh. She isn't someone from our Fellmirr, Al."

"Huh?"

What the heck is he talking about…?

"She is from the Loire."

"Theobald. My son will be mated with a girl from the Loire...?"

"Yes."

"T-That's unexpected."

"Thanks for understan-"

"You think I would say that?! How come you are telling me about this now, you d*mn wolf?!."

Alicia said while grabbing Theobald's collar.

"I am sorry, darling. It was decided suddenly."

"Tch!"

"Come on now, Al. Don't be angry."

"Shut up!"

"I am sorry."

"What about, Leo? Isn't he on an expedition in the Nuglobar Territory?"

"Ah… Don't worry! He will agree, Al."

"Y-You scum wolf! It's about his mate! How come he doesn't get to say anything?!"

"Don't worry, darling. He will agree."

Are you serious?! My Son will marry after a month or so and you want me to not worry?! And you are letting me know this right before a month too!

D*mn it! I should go for a walk. I need to calm down.

"Honey! Where are you going?"

"Your Majesty, the Emperor. Thank you for informing me about such an important matter so early. It wouldn't have been a problem if you would have informed me about this just the day before the wedding. Honestly, it wasn't necessary to inform me about this at all. I mean, what does it have to do with me, right? It's between the Emperor and the Crown Prince."

"Eek~"

Theobald flinched at Alicia's cold voice.

'She is smiling! But her cold eyes and voice… she is definitely angry! But she looks so cool! She is so beautiful when she is furious!'

"I am going to the garden for a walk, Your Majesty."

"What? In this dark night?"

"Yes. Do you have any problem?"

"No. Enjoy your walk, Hone-"

Thud*

Theobald flinched. 

"Sob* How can you leave me alone like this, Al?!"

*

*

*

D*mn it, Theobald. That sly Wolf!

How can he do that? 

Aghh! It's not like it's the forest he is doing something like this…

Even though everyone says, Theo is a kind Emperor. But I know for a fact that in reality, he is nothing like that. Behind that goofy smile and innocent face, he is more sly and selfish than one Beastman can be.

Sigh~

Thinking about Leo… That ungrateful son will definitely agree.

Sh*t…

I wish I had a cute daughter with whom I can share my sorrows. 

One might wonder, what about Azleza? She is my niece, after all.

But she is just like Leonus! Sob* They are both cold towards me. 

When she was young, I gave her cute things… But she…

< 

"No thanks, Empress!"

She rejected without a second thought.

"But you agreed to wear this yesterday."

"Yes. I deserve to be punished. Please punish me to death."

"Th-"

What is this kid talking about...

>

Another time…

<

"Look at this, Az! I have bought a matching dress for both of us."

"Please stop, Her Majesty."

"Huh? But why? Do you not like this?"

"It's nothing like that. It's just if you keep doing this people will think that I am your daughter-"

"What's wrong with that? You are like my daughter."

"I didn't finish my sentence, Her Majesty."

"Huh?"

"They will think I am your daughter-in-law. And I am not least interested in the Crown Prince or the position of Crown Princess."

>

And Leonus… That child would wear whatever I chose for him. 

Clothes didn't matter to him at the beginning. He never said 'No'. But one day…

< 

"Mother. I won't wear this."

"What? How come! Why?"

"It's uncomfortable to wear this while training."

"But.."

"I said no. So no."

>

That stubborn son. 

Anyways I wonder what kind of girl she will be. I heard that the girls of that Empire hate us or something. I hope nothing like that happens.

What if she is a spy? D*mn it! What if she knows Black Magic?!

Aghh~

I am going crazy.

Whoosh~

A sudden cold wind struck me.

It's getting colder. Well, it's almost Winter.

Hmm~

She is a human, right? Will she be able to withstand the cold weather of this Empire?

Hmm~ 

I should prepare something…

Whoosh~

Aghh! What with this chilly wind?! I should return to the castle.

*

*

*

Like that, days passed by. Leonus returned to the Castle after his Expedition.

And as I expected, he agreed without any complaints. Then departed to the Loire the next day.

It was a plan that he will go there in a week and return to Fellmirr in a week. And that punctual son of mine will definitely do so.

But contrary to expectations, he returned after a month and a week!

No way! 

And in those times, I was super eager to see the girl. I wonder how she will be. Please don't let her be a bad girl.

"Your Majesty, the Empress. The Crown Prince and the Crown Princess have reached the Castle!"

A maid hurriedly came running to my study and informed me.

"What? They have?"

I jumped up from my chair in excitement.

"Yes."

The maid replied.

I then hurriedly left my study and started walking towards the main gate of the Castle.

Uwaa~ Why am I so excited to see a human girl? 

Ughh! Nevermind. Let's just check her out first.

But when I got down, she wasn't there.

"Huh? Where is she?"

"Her Majesty, the Empress. Greetings."

"Leonus! Where is she? I want to see her."

"I understand that Your Majesty is eager to see her. But not now. She is tired and needs to rest."

My eyes widened at his words. What is he saying? Is this really my arrogant son who doesn't care about anything or anyone else?

Aghh~ This is making me even more interested to see her.

But I had to hold it in until the evening. Honestly, why do these few hours feel like a decade! Although I was impatient until their arrival. But not like this.

S*it! I want to see her badly.

And when it was time…

"Her Majesty, the Empress Alicia Cedric Carados Fellmirr is entering the room."

A knight announced my presence. 

Hmm. I wonder if she is too tired for the Ritual. Will she be okay? 

Thinking that I entered the room.

My eyes widened seeing her for the first time!

S-So pretty! Her pale skin, Red lips, and her lashes are long too! 

Oh my gosh! Her hair! It's so long. She is just like a doll. 

Her face matched perfectly with her Golden hair and purple eyes.

She… I need to talk to her.

"Greetings, Her Majesty, the Empress."

Isabella gracefully bowed and greeted me.

'Oh, dear! Her voice is pretty too.'

"Greetings! Everyone, leave us alone."

Yes. I need to see if she is a spy first.

And when the maids left the room, I walked towards her.

"Kyaa~ You are so cute~"

I said while cuddling her. Dear lord! I don't think I can judge if she is one. She is too skinny for one. And her aura…

It's so pure...

"Oh, dear! I can't believe this! How come my stubborn son got a Pretty mate like you! Are you an angel? Kyaa~ You are so cute~ But why are you so skinny?! Aghh! You have to eat more! That Leonus! He can't even take good care of his one and only mate… … …"

After that, she went to the Ritual. I didn't visit her after the Ritual, as she might be embarrassed.

But anyway, I left a dress for her. Although I don't know if she will wear it or not.

But she wore it to the banquet! And later, she said she liked my choice a lot and wouldn't mind if I continue doing so.

So kind~

This is it! This is the daughter I wanted! 

But after the day of Ritual, she collapsed. I was so worried.

How can such a young girl faint?! Is it because of the weather? Is it because she is a human?

I have to take better care of her. 

After that day, when she recovered, I always had tea-time with her. It's the best. Both of us can chat like real mother and daughter!

Although she didn't join any of the family meals. I sent a maid to inform her about the Family meal.

But her maid stopped my maid from meeting her. And when I summoned that maid...

< 

"Greetings Her Majesty, the Empress."

"Hmm. Raise your head."

"Thank you."

"So, what's your name?"

"It's Anne, Her Majesty."

"So Anne. Why didn't you let my maid meet the Crown Princess?"

"It's a sad story, but please don't ask My Lady for any meal."

"What?"

How dare she! She is just a maid! Isabella has to say that herself.

"She is used to eating alone in the Loire."

"What? Alone?"

Huh? What is she talking about?

"Uh- That. That's how every royal of Fellmirr has their meal. They eat in their room."

"Is that so?"

"Yes. Anyways as there were many people during the journey, she couldn't eat properly and as a result, collapsed because of weakness."

>

Now that I think about it, whenever her family is mentioned she starts to tremble. 

At first, I thought she was really sad thinking about them and probably is trying to hold back her tears.

But not anymore…

I can clearly see the terror in her face whenever her family is mentioned. To be honest, I wanted to deny that. It will be too tragic if it really is the truth. 

So I waited for their arrival before the Hunting Competition. I can be sure after seeing her reaction.

And the first day, when we were welcoming the Aristocrats from the other Kingdoms and Empires, she looked so nervous. I thought that it was probably because she was seeing so many people together. Or probably

But when the Royals of Loire didn't show up, she looked relieved more than sad.

D*mn it! Even though I don't want to believe this. But it is the truth. They definitely did something to her.

Honestly, I was glad they didn't show up before the hunting competition. They probably won't come.

But contrary to my expectations, they did. And on the day of the Competition at that! 

Isabella… Her face looked so pale hearing about them. 

S*it! I shouldn't have invited them.

"Isabella…"

She didn't say anything.

"Let's go together, child."

Yes. I will protect you, dear. As long as I am there, nothing will happen to you. 

So-

"Don't worry, child."

Your mother is here…

.

.

.

Anyways that's it for my POV.

Honestly, my daughter-in-law is so cuteeee~. I hate to admit it but she is the best mate for Leonus. 

I mean, did you see how often he smiled when he was with her!

He is definitely in love. And there is a secret about Werewolves, when they fall in love with someone… … …

Oh, what? You wanna know? 

Don't worry you guys will know soon.

Anyways now I want to see my Grandchildren as soon as possible. No matter who they look after, all of them will be cute! 

Although I said to Isabella that I want to have at least 6 grandchildren. To be honest, I want more. But of course, I can't scare the child, can I?

It will already be a year of their marriage this winter. How come there's no sign of my Grandchildren!

Should I teach her something about seduction and stuff? And I should give her some advice about Mating.

Well, I definitely should If I want to see my grandchildren soon. 

Yes. I will do that when we return to the Castle after the Hunting Festival. 

Hmm. Hmm.

I definitely should.