Episode 11 — The Wolf and the Crown Princess
“Didn’t Lucy tell you?”
Yvonne’s voice was calm, but her eyes were sharp as she looked at him.
“She said you were injured. You shouldn’t be moving so much.”
As she spoke, her gaze shifted toward Lucy.
The maid only sighed, her expression one of helpless frustration, and gave a small shrug.
Of course, she had told him — she had begged him to rest. But Ricardo Ignacio Aldric was the Wolf of Naha.
A wild creature didn’t obey anyone’s orders — not even the Emperor’s.
Yvonne exhaled quietly, watching the man lounging on the sofa with that unbothered, faintly amused expression.
“If your wound worsens, don’t you dare blame me later.”
“You seem awfully busy this morning, Your Highness.”
Ricardo didn’t even lift his eyes from the papers he was holding as he spoke. His tone was teasing — almost mocking.
Yvonne frowned, confused. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
He finally looked up, crimson eyes gleaming like embers. Then, a crooked smile curved his lips.
“I simply wondered why you were wandering about before dawn. You must not be much of a sleeper.”
Her back straightened. “A woman destined to be Empress can’t afford to waste the morning in bed.”
It was a perfectly composed answer, but Ricardo’s smirk didn’t fade.
“I hear your loyalty to Sildron and His Majesty is quite… impressive.
Though it’s a shame your devotion goes so unrewarded.”
“You insolent—!”
Lucy, unable to restrain herself, took a step forward — but Yvonne raised a hand, stopping her.
His words stung, yes. But they weren’t lies.
Even those outside the palace knew how coldly the Emperor treated her.
And that, more than anything, was what burned.
In her first life, she had refused to see it.
She had shut her ears, told herself she was loved — until the day she watched the Emperor’s mistress crowned as Empress.
Only then had she realized how deep her delusion had been.
“As a citizen of Sildron, I only do what is right,” she said quietly. “It’s natural to serve one’s country and Emperor.”
Ricardo’s eyes glinted with dry amusement. “For someone saying that, your eyes look rather bloodshot.”
“……”
“They look like a frightened rabbit right now.”
She had no excuse. It was true she hadn’t slept a wink last night.
How could she, knowing that the infamous Wolf of Naha was in the next room?
Still, she reminded herself over and over — He’s injured. He can’t harm me.
“…Are you really comfortable like that?” she asked softly. “Nothing hurts?”
Ricardo tilted his head, gaze turning sharp and mischievous.
“Couldn’t sleep, could you? Because we’re sharing the same space?”
“How dare you—!”
“Lucy,” Yvonne said quietly, her tone cutting through the air. “Leave us.”
Lucy froze. “Your Highness! You can’t! He’s mocking you!”
“It’s fine,” Yvonne said firmly. “I’ll handle him.”
If the day came when the Wolf of Naha tore down Emperor Frederick’s empire and bathed Sildron in fire,
Then Yvonne would gladly endure his arrogance until that moment.
Thud.
Lucy finally left, her steps echoing in protest.
Yvonne turned back to Ricardo. “I don’t think I said anything wrong.”
He chuckled, leaning back slightly as sunlight streamed through the curtains, painting golden lines across his bare torso.
Scars — dozens of them — crossed his skin like battle-worn badges.
He was beautiful in a dangerous way.
A man shaped by war and blood.
Yvonne, raised as a noble daughter and trained all her life to become an Empress,
had never once stood before a man like this — wild, half-naked, and so utterly unashamed.
Even her marriage to Frederick had been… distant.
A marriage without touch. Without warmth.
And yet, standing here, her heart beat too fast.
She couldn’t look away — because if she did, he’d think her just another timid girl.
She needed him.
The Wolf of Naha was a weapon she intended to claim — to use.
“I’ll admit,” she said quietly, meeting his gaze, “I didn’t sleep because of you.”
Ricardo’s lips curved into a faint, knowing smile.
“Am I allowed to take that as I please, Your Highness?”
“……”
“The cold and unloved Crown Princess turns out to be rather captivating,” he murmured.
“But don’t worry — I’ve no intention of crossing the line. That would be treason, wouldn’t it?”
His words flowed like velvet — smooth, teasing, dangerous.
Yvonne couldn’t help a short, humorless laugh.
“Sorry to disappoint you, but I’ll pass. I already have His Majesty…”
Her words trailed off, eyes narrowing.
Ricardo’s red eyes gleamed like coals, the hunger in them impossible to miss.
Strong features, a proud nose, that mocking twist of his mouth — he looked every bit the predator he was named for.
“You’re not my type,” she said flatly.
Ricardo let out a chuckle. “And I have my own preferences, Your Highness. You’re not one of them.”
“So,” she said coolly, “you’re saying I’m not your kind of woman?”
“Do you need me to repeat it for you to understand?”
Yvonne tilted her head, feigning curiosity.
Ricardo watched her for a moment — then suddenly stood.
“I told you not to move—!”
Before she could finish, he crossed the space between them in two swift steps.
She froze as his shadow fell over her.
“Tell me,” he murmured, voice low. “Am I really that unpleasant to you?”
She couldn’t look at him — there was nowhere to look but at him.
She tried to step aside, but he moved faster, placing both arms against the wall and caging her in.
He smiled — a quiet, dangerous smile.
If he leaned any closer, their skin would touch.
The scent of him — cold steel and something wild — filled her lungs.
She knew she couldn’t let him have the upper hand.
She couldn’t push him, couldn’t scream. That would ruin everything.
So she stayed still, forcing her breath to steady, and finally spoke.
“…I have a question for you.”
“Anything,” he murmured, lowering one arm.
His fingers brushed against her hair, tucking a loose strand behind her ear. The gesture was gentle, intimate — like a lover’s.
Yvonne’s heart fluttered, but she didn’t let it show.
“Why are you here?” she asked. “In the Imperial Palace.”
“……”
“I checked the visitor records for the entire month. Your name wasn’t there.”
“Is that so?”
“Which means,” she said slowly, “you came here secretly.”
Ricardo’s eyes darkened.
He took a slow, deep breath — his chest rising and falling heavily.
“If I did sneak in,” he said quietly, “would you hand me over to the Imperial Guard?”
“No.”
The word came out instantly — sharp, unhesitating.
His brow arched slightly. “No?”
Yvonne lifted her eyes to meet his crimson gaze.
“I’m the one who sheltered you. The innermost chamber of the Empress’s Palace — for your safety.”
“……”
“Do you think I’d let you die so easily?”
And then she smiled — faintly, knowingly.
A cold blue glint flickered in her eyes, like cobalt flame catching the light.
