I Have No Intention Of Training The Male Leads - Chapter 20 Part 3

As Eve crossed the street and climbed into the carriage, William instructed the coachman to depart. The black four-wheeled carriage began to move.

As soon as she settled into her seat, Eve crossed her arms and glared at him.

“I told you to stop scheming behind my back.”

“No, that wasn’t my intention…”

“Leave Amelia alone. She made peace with Edward and is diligently learning how to be a successor. Why are you provoking her?”

“No, it’s just…”

“That was ages ago. What did you even say to her? Did you whisper in her ear, telling her to just go ahead and usurp the throne?”

“…I just wish that bastard was dead. It pisses me off that he’s always hanging around.”

“Watch your language, you little…! You’re a Grand Duke now! You can’t go around saying things like that!”

Eve slapped William’s thigh hard enough to leave a mark, scolding him for using the same crude Korean slang she often used.

It had happened a few days ago. Sometimes, in the middle of paperwork, Eve would be summoned by Princess Amelia for an unexpected tea party. That day had been one such occasion.

Amelia took a sip of tea, the scent of roses filling the air, and said with a knowing smile:

—I can’t thank you enough for getting rid of all the men who stood in my way.

—Haha, I’m not sure what I did to deserve such praise.

—Huhu… 

Amelia bore a striking resemblance to William. The young princess, with her peach-like cheeks and rosy lips, had midnight blue hair that shimmered like silk, her eyes a brilliant light blue.

However, her youthful face was as unreadable as a seasoned politician’s, and her large, delicate eyes, like polished blades, concealed a chilling aura.

—Lately, the dog you’re raising has been trying to catch my attention during walks. He’s cute, but I’m not very fond of dogs. I’d appreciate it if you could keep him on a tighter leash.

It was clear to anyone that it wasn’t about the dog. With a rough idea of what was going on, Eve just gave an awkward smile and repeatedly mumbled, ?It’s my fault?, ?I’m sorry?.

On her way back from the tea party, Eve subtly questioned a few guards stationed at the Crown Prince’s Palace and learned that Grand Duke William had visited a few days ago. She sighed, realizing that he had stirred up trouble with the princess, who had been living a peaceful life.

Eve, relaying their conversation to William, grimaced and gritted her teeth.

“If I hear anyone else tell me to control my dog one more time, I swear, I’ll strip you naked and stick you on top of the Angel Fountain in Helios Square, replacing the pissing cherub statue.”

“Ugh.”

“And I heard you harassed Basca at my house last week. I’m the one raising him now, so why are you so obsessed with tormenting him?”

“That wasn’t me.”

“Don’t bullshit me. Callisto confessed everything. Who are you trying to fool?”

“…That cotton candy brain.”

Eve had learned about Basilio’s whereabouts earlier that spring. A few knights from the Imperial Guard had been dispatched to assist the narcotics unit of the police department, who were short-staffed. Eve, wanting a change of pace, had volunteered for the mission. And there, in an opium den, she recognized a familiar face among the people being dragged out. It was a face she hadn’t seen in two years.

The man’s withdrawal symptoms were mild, indicating that he hadn’t been exposed to the drug for very long. However, he was in a daze, his mind clearly affected by something.

The Sidus Wolves, a gang with a notorious reputation built over many years, had crumbled overnight. Unsavory rumors about the boss’ competence began circulating after he returned in a broken state. Internal conflicts arose, dividing the gang into factions. To make matters worse, the Crown Prince, under the pretense of searching for the werewolf who had attacked the royal hunting grounds, launched a full-scale crackdown on werewolf organizations.

Moreover, Sidus had been a group controlled by the Second Prince, Reynold, making them a prime target for investigation. They had barely managed to avoid one crisis, only to be faced with the downfall of Prince Reynold. Ultimately, the Sidus family fragmented into smaller gangs, each following a different capo.

It was no surprise that Basilio, with his permanently injured ankle, was no longer welcome in a gang that valued strength above all else. His whereabouts remained unknown after that. Then, after a long period of silence, he resurfaced in an opium den, a shell of his former self.

Eve took Basilio in, bringing him back to her mansion. However, it wasn’t an act of agape or pity.

After receiving a pay raise, Eve had used her savings to purchase a two-story mansion in the Central District, moving out of Alberic’s place and taking three of her most trusted maids with her.

The mansion was spacious enough for the four women, but she was concerned about security and had been considering getting a guard dog.

Basilio now lived on the first floor of Eve’s mansion, restrained by a collar, chains, a gag, and a muzzle typically used on large, powerful Tosa dogs. Thanks to Eve’s consistent care and provision of meals, he had learned to greet her with a wag of his tail (figuratively, of course).

Sometimes, on sunny days, she would take him for walks in the backyard, keeping him on a leash. Basilio was generally docile. However, there were times when he would regain his senses and lash out violently, making it impossible to remove his restraints.

Aside from those moments of lucidity, he had adjusted fairly well to his life as Eve’s dog. The maids, who had initially been horrified by the sight of Eve putting a collar on the gaunt, hollow-eyed man, had now come to find him quite endearing, their eyes following his movements whenever he wagged his nonexistent tail.

Anna, the most fearless of the maids, had even been caught by Eve secretly scratching Basilio under his chin and behind his ears, blushing in embarrassment.

Eve was convinced that his regained attractiveness played a part. As he received proper nourishment, his muscular physique filled out, and his handsome features gradually returned. She believed all women harbored a secret desire to put a collar on a handsome man.

Eve clicked her tongue, lecturing William. Basilio always seemed to end up with bruises and scratches after William’s visits.

“Why do you insist on tormenting him when he already tries to bite his own tongue off and acts suicidal whenever he regains his senses?”

“…He’s just putting on a show. He’s too cowardly to actually kill himself.”

“Again, with the nasty words! My maids get upset when they see him hurt! If you’re going to hit him, at least do it where it won’t be visible!”

“…Why am I always the only one getting scolded?”

William’s shoulders slumped, and he pouted, but Eve wasn’t fooled by his dejected act.

“Well, who told you to go off the rails on your own? I’m not going to touch you until you fix that bad habit of yours. Tonight, you’re just going to be tied up.”

“Noooonaaa.”

“Who’s your ‘noona’? I don’t have a younger brother, Your Highness.”

“…..”

William sulked, his eyes pleading with her, but Eve looked away, staring out the window.

The sun was beginning to set. She watched the people bustling through the streets.

The memories of her past still haunted her, resurfacing every night. Some memories morphed into nightmares, suffocating her. There were times when her soul, unable to bear the weight of her cruel, relentless past, would scream in agony.

But time slowly healed the deep wounds, and her mind, fortified by her experiences in another world, learned to endure the pain.

After much contemplation, Eve had decided not to hold them accountable for the sins of their past selves. She chose to forgive the transgressions committed within those endless loops of time.

Keeping them close was her way of keeping them in check, preventing them from straying from the right path. And if they chose to pledge their allegiance to her in the process, well, that was simply inevitable.

The believers, kneeling at her feet, begged for the mercy of the Daughter of God. Eve could neither heal their wounds nor offer them the love they desired, but she could offer them her presence.

She still hadn’t fully grasped the Goddess’ intentions. She couldn’t fathom what the divine had sought to achieve through those endless repetitions, nor why she had summoned her hubae’s soul to this world. She could only vaguely speculate that the Goddess had granted her these opportunities because she wanted Eve to be happy.

There were no clear answers to her questions. But life didn’t always provide clear answers. Some things just happened. People could live their lives without knowing the reasons behind certain events. That was life.

In any case, Eve was living a relatively happy life after reaching the ?ending?. 

Today was yet another peaceful, uneventful day.