My Wolf Prince

They argued often. Isaak had originally not been used to talking frankly and expressing his emotions, while Claudia was the opposite with, a straightforward personality, being simple, yet strong-willed.

Even though he thought of her as cute, because Isaak displayed a contradictory attitude, they would always clash.

But even then, though it seemed different, there wasn’t any hatred between the both of them. Until that day.

Thanks to Claudia, Isaak got close to Ralph and Alexis; and before he noticed, the times where he was by himself lessened.

Time passed quietly and soon Isaak was 14 years old and Claudia was 12.

「I, currently, am engaged to Alex.」

After she had told him this flatly, Isaak stopped moving.

「……Ha?」

「It had been decided long ago. My late mother and Alex’s mother were very close and made that promise.」

Isaak felt a chill creep up from his feet, his whole body turning cold.

(What with that. Such a thing. ……There is absolutely nothing I can do about that, is there?）

「……That’s great, huh.」

Isaak finally replied with a hoarse voice, though Claudia hadn’t noticed the change.

「Un. Alex is kind. I have always thought that it would be good to marry someone kind. Someone who is different my mean elder brothers.」

「…………」

「Since we are engaged, Father said that I should call him Alexis-sama, not Alex. He said it is a way of showing respect to one’s husband. But I am wondering, isn’t it a bit cold?」

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Claudia wasn’t acting differently, behaving as usual. Maybe it hadn’t sunk in yet. Nonetheless, she had accepted the engagement without resistance. Maybe it was because she was part of the royalty of this country and thought of it as only natural.

However, the same didn’t apply to Isaak. Unable to process it, he was just staring blankly ahead, which compelled Claudia to peer at him.

「How about Isaak?」

「…………」

「Ne~ Isaak.」

「……What?」

「How about Isaak — are you not engaged yet?」

Claudia inquired innocently, causing Isaak to resign himself with wrinkles on his forehead.

「……Don’t care.」

「But Isaak is the heir to the Lambertz family. Sooner or later, that kind of talk will come up.」

「Not going to be the heir anyway.」

「Why? You are the eldest son, aren’t you?」

「My younger brother will succeed the throne.」

「Why?」

「……Cause I don’t need it. Someone like me.」

Claudia was puzzled.

「I don’t think it is something you don’t need. Isaak is very excellent.」

「Said I don’t need it. It’s a nuisance.」

（I won’t need it. You have Alex after all.）

「That’s why, I won’t succeed the throne or get married. I am fine by myself.」

「But――」

「Anyways, it doesn’t concern you, alright?!」

Isaak couldn’t stand it any longer and raised his voice. As expected, Claudia’s expression clouded upon hearing that and a spark of anger and bewilderment began to appear in her eyes.

「What are you angry about?」

「……Shut up.」

「What Isaak said is not alright. Why did you say such a mean thing?」

（Aa, I am mean and unkind anyways. Unlike Alex.）

「If you do not explain properly, it won’t be understood, right? What you are angry about, say it properly!」

「A spoiled and naive ojou-sama like you wouldn’t understand!」

「What’s that? Did you think of me that way?」

Wrong. Claudia was someone who was lonely without a mother; she was someone who always worried for her friends; she was hardworking and was striving hard to control her magical powers — Isaak knew all of these aspects of her. And yet.

「Aa, that’s right. That’s why it is impossible for me, after all. I will not teach you anymore.」

Claudia’s face turned pale. From anger. No, from the shock she had received as well.

「Why!? Didn’t you promise?! You said you’d teach me how to control magical power!」

「Have Alex do it. Alex is kind after all.」

「Why do you say it like that? I did not say it in that way!」

Trembling and shivering, something could be seen faintly glistening in her eyes. Isaak panicked and looked away while hanging his head in shame. He was unable to face her directly.

「……How mean. I hate an Isaak who says such things!」

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At that moment, Isaak eyes widened. He heard a pounding and grating from deep within his heart.

Immediately shutting his eyes tightly, he began to delude himself.

（We’re not suited for each other anyway. That’s why it is okay if you hate me.）

Isaak lifted his head and wrung out a trembling voice.

「……Aa, I as well, really hate you.」

Isaak kept his head down until the end and didn’t know what kind of face Claudia had as she ran away.

Only after he was alone did he finally drop and loosen the fists he had been clenching with all his strength.