Chapter 78 - Please Save Us
Chapter 78 – Please Save Us
Alice and Cora humored me for a while before they excused themselves to attend to their duties. Apparently, those two big sisters only freed their morning schedule to check on me. They were busy, just like Teresa, Priscilla, and Sally. Especially with the upcoming mating season.
Since I was the only one who had nothing to do in the palace, I decided to take a walk in the garden. I couldn't keep sulking inside the room. I would lose my mind if I thought about last night inside the same room where it all happened.
"Hmm?" my brows rose when I heard a rustle from behind me. I jumped in surprise, catching someone walking in a crouching position while crossing the gravel path of the main garden of the palace. I tilted my head, watching as the person who seemed to be sneaking out slowly turned his head to me.
As soon as our eyes met, I blinked twice wordlessly. He smiled awkwardly, still frozen in his stance.
"Ivo, are you hiding from someone?" I asked when I figured Ivo wouldn't speak first. Just when I asked, I perked up to see people looking around. Surely, this place was always busy and was always trying to catch someone as the knights were running through the open hallway connecting the inner palace to the other palace.
"Shhh…! Luna, please don't tell them I am here!"
My eyes landed on Ivo once again and saw him putting a finger in front of his lips. It was not like I thought of catching the knights' attention and telling them Ivo was here. I pressed my lips into a thin line before marching towards him, squatting down with my arms on my knees so we could talk at eye level.
"Can I ask why they are chasing after you?" I asked out of plain curiosity.
Ivo let out a deep sigh as he revisited the reason he was sneaking out. "Alpha Hugo is trying to kill everyone. At first, he is being kind, and then, when he got disappointed, he just drags everyone to spar with him."
"Pardon?"
"Luna, did you fight with him last night or what? Alpha Hugo is trying to kill everyone! He is squashing everyone like bugs!" Ivo exclaimed before he covered his lips with both his hands. He stretched his neck and looked around, checking if someone heard him, before sighing in relief.
"Hugo is trying to kill everyone? Ivo, you shouldn't exaggerate things so much, you know?" I frowned. "I heard he usually trains everyone whenever he is in the capital, so I'm sure he is only doing his job."
His nose scrunched up in dismay. "Luna, I know Alpha Hugo is just doing his job, but he is being too much today!" he intoned but still watched his tone from raising.
"I wouldn't sneak out to do other important things if he isn't being too much. At this point, he will kill everyone, including the pack."
My frown remained while studying Ivo's expression. It didn't seem like he was lying — if anything, he was probably exaggerating. But considering Hugo's personality, he would surely take this opportunity to get even with the knights who kept him up all night when we arrived in Ronmin.
"The crown prince isn't helping since he was watching the training leisurely," Ivo continued with a grumble as he sported a bitter look. "I can't. This training is how everyone will die. I'd rather finish the paperwork to get pardoned."
"Hmm… then, good luck on that." I waved weakly, making him furrow his brows.
"Luna, what do you mean, good luck with that? Aren't you going to stop Alpha Hugo's madness?"
"How can I stop him?" I tilted my head and blinked innocently. "It's not like I am strong enough to fight him. I don't want to get squashed like a bug too."
I jolted when Ivo clapped in front of me. "What are you saying? In this empire, your strength is incomparable! Alpha Hugo wouldn't even stand a chance if you wink at him!"
"Ivo, how can you say…"
"Luna, please do us all a favor. Didn't you tell Winter you will save us if you have the capabilities? This is the time for that!" He rubbed his palms against each other as he looked at me as if I could save humanity. "Please go to the training grounds and save the empire and us. I will surely buy everything you want and offer my salary next month to you! I just can't die here or I can stand another second having people sniffing my scent."
A shallow breath slipped past my lips, as Ivo was more stubborn than I thought. He would buy me everything I want? But I didn't want anything at all. I pondered about his offer and thought of humoring him.
"I will try." I nodded, watching his eyes lit up. His bright countenance didn't last long, as his brows furrowed when I raised a finger.
"But in one condition."
"Luna, are you perhaps a greedy person and want everyone's salary?" he asked in dismay, causing me to chuckle lightly.
I shook my head. "I don't want your money. Just listen first, alright? First off, I don't know if I can do anything to stop Hugo from killing every single one of you. So, if I died, I would like to receive lots of white roses and get buried under the oak tree — your rendezvous point back in Everfell." The side of my lips stretched until my eyes squinted a bit.
"Ah?" Ivo's blanky looked at me before he asked, "Luna, are you a lunatic?"
"I am being realistic since you're begging me to march to a dangerous place." I clicked my tongue lightly. "But if I survived, I would like to ask for something else instead of money."
"Huh? What is it…?" his brows furrowed as his eyes narrowed, casting me a look of doubt.
"Hehe." The corner of my lips stretched even wider, making his expression worsen.
"Luna, you look like an angel but your shadow has some horns…"
"Oh, come on, Ivo.. It's nothing much."