How to Raise a Dumb Wolf - Chapter 113

“…Yes!”

Les stiffened but accepted Carter III’s advice with complete sincerity. He composed himself and seriously reconsidered what he should say, his fist silently tightening.

After that day, he had thought carefully about Carter III’s words. It was true: although he and Aisha were lovers, they still kept too many worries to themselves. If they understood each other well enough, Aisha would not have needed to ask so cautiously what he thought after learning she might graduate. Ultimately, he had never frankly told Aisha his feelings. Unless he said, “As long as you wish it, I will remain beside you forever,” she could not know.

This time… was the same.

He did not expect Aisha to give him an immediate affirmative answer. He only wanted her to understand that he was ready to commit to marriage.

Major General Wolf unconsciously bit his lip. Without his realizing it, his wolf-like eyes grew still more determined and sharp as blades. After several seconds, he opened his mouth—

“Never mind. Let us stop here for today. Fawkes is tired as well.”

Carter III smiled at Les in the magical image and gently interrupted him.

“Words this important are better spoken directly to the person who ought to hear them than to me here, are they not?”

Les paused, confused by the sudden end to their conversation. But as a dutiful subject, he straightened his back and nodded in obedience.

“I look forward to your news, my child.”

The cat emperor swished his tail and nodded to Les with a smile, then signaled Fawkes to end the magic.

After listening for several minutes to ensure Carter III’s voice would not return, Les finally relaxed. A soldier’s relaxation still involved standing perfectly straight; only his shoulders lowered by an almost invisible degree, which probably did not help much.

Les paused, walked to the window, and looked toward the nearby Tower of Magic.

His heart was still beating rapidly. Every time he spoke Aisha’s name, his blood seemed to boil. The feeling was stronger than in any other circumstance. He had never been so nervous even on a battlefield.

Would she…

be willing to consider it?

Les sighed softly and stepped back into the room.

…

The appointed day soon arrived.

It was Sunday, bright and sunny, an excellent day of rest. Aisha woke early and prepared everything. As usual, she ran all the way down the Tower of Magic. But when she saw Les waiting beneath a tree opposite the entrance, she could not help pausing.

Both were punctual. Once they agreed upon a time, neither was often late. Sometimes Les arrived first and sometimes Aisha, so seeing him there should not have been strange. This time, however… something felt different.

The moment Aisha emerged, Les’s gaze found her. For some reason, he looked as though he had stood there all night without once looking away from the doors, locking onto her the instant she appeared.

And his appearance today was unusually formal. His hair had been combed with extraordinary care. Long beastfolk hair was difficult to manage because transforming from time to time made it hard to keep neat, and although Les was always clean and tidy, today’s styling was striking. Moreover, his military uniform had plainly just been pressed and was exceptionally crisp. Its dark cloth and tight belt emphasized his straight back and perfectly proportioned waist. The chest of his uniform, usually bare of decoration, was covered with medals of every kind, declaring at a glance that he was a soldier of remarkable achievement.

Les was already exceptionally handsome. Dressed like this, he drew attention even more readily. Few people walked the road so early, yet simply standing beneath the tree attracted most of their gazes.

Les’s eyes remained fixed on Aisha. His gaze was more intense and penetrating than usual, making her blush. Her steps slowed as she approached him, and only after several seconds did she hurry the final distance. Unable to meet his eyes, she did not know how to greet him naturally. After searching desperately for a subject, Aisha looked at the medals across his chest and asked, “…Why are you wearing your medals today?”

Les was an officer with many military achievements, so medals on his chest were perfectly ordinary. Yet although he often wore uniform out of habit and convenience, he kept the decorations off unless attending a formal occasion. Seeing them today inevitably surprised Aisha.

Les: “…”

He could not answer. He had been too nervous before leaving that morning, and some beastfolk courtship instinct had apparently stirred within him, making him believe that displaying proof of his strength might improve the chance of a successful proposal…

Les cleared his throat and avoided the question awkwardly. “…Climb on.”

“Huh?”

Before Aisha could react, Les naturally transformed into a wolf, his cold blue-gray eyes still fixed upon her. When she appeared uncertain how to approach, he paused, gently caught her collar in his teeth, and carefully placed her on his back.

Aisha’s face instantly exploded crimson. She often sprawled against the giant wolf, rubbed through his fur, napped upon him, and borrowed his warmth. But since discovering that he was Major General Wolf, she had never ridden him again. Now, imagining that every inch of her body pressed against an adult beastfolk man, she did not even know where to put her legs. Lying flat upon him was far too embarrassing, but if she sat upright… would Les find her too heavy? She might fall. And besides… besides…

Aisha’s face was red enough to drip blood, but countless worries left her unable to move. She could only watch herself being carried away. Even in Wold, riding a wolf—especially a giant one—had not become a fashionable means of transportation among high society. Aisha on a wolf’s back instantly became the focus of the street, even more conspicuous than the exceptionally handsome Major General Wolf beneath the tree.

Les saw nothing strange about it. Aisha was lighter than the supplies he carried on campaign. In beast form—or even human form—he could carry her for days and nights.

Aisha had not felt so mortified in a long time. She buried her face in Les’s fur to escape the attention and whispered, “Please put me down… I can walk on my own… Ah!”

Before she finished, Les began to run. The giant wolf’s stride was stable and swift, agile as wind. Air rushed past her ears, lifting the soft, dense fur and brushing it continually across her face until it tickled. Les ran smoothly, but he was still a running animal rather than a carriage, so some jolting was inevitable. Aisha instinctively clung to his neck and carefully grasped a small tuft of fur. Afraid both of falling and of hurting him, she did not dare grip tightly. Her body pressed still closer against his as she struggled, embarrassed, to keep her balance.

When Les finally slowed, Aisha breathed in relief. Still lying on his back, she cautiously lifted her face from his fur. They had reached the secluded forest they often visited, and no pedestrians remained nearby. Only then did she truly relax.

Les lowered her beside the river. Aisha felt relieved to stand on solid ground, but also faintly puzzled. She looked up at him, but before she could speak, the giant wolf leaned close and rubbed his head against her face, then her neck. Being nuzzled on bare skin by such a large animal was inevitably ticklish, but this was one of their usual games. Laughing, Aisha sank to the ground, pushing him away while rubbing the fur around his neck. She could not match his strength and ended up lying flat. Before she understood what had happened, the weight above her lightened. The giant wolf became Major General Wolf, braced over her, his blue-gray wolf eyes gazing down in tranquil concentration.

Aisha’s face heated instantly. She gazed back, her heart pounding.

All the strange details since they met that morning suddenly became clear. Les’s unusual solemnity and affection seemed to herald something special. A strange premonition set Aisha’s heart racing. At a loss, she remained quietly within the peculiarly intimate and silent atmosphere, waiting for him to speak.

Les swallowed.

The mood felt right. Since he had decided to speak today, he should express his thoughts and feelings clearly.

Naturally, Aisha did not need to answer immediately. To avoid pressuring her, he should choose his words carefully…

Les composed himself and mentally reviewed the speech he had revised so many times. Every muscle in his body tightened with nerves. Looking directly at Aisha, who lay beneath him with flushed cheeks and helpless eyes, he began, “I…”

“Yes.”

The next instant, Aisha looped her arms around his neck and kissed him softly.