Taming the Protagonist

Chapter 16: Her Wish

Though the study’s commotion was loud, the soundproof barrier ensured Hitana survived leaving it.

As for the glass… no matter what.

Saville never pried and would handle it.

Anselm was mostly satisfied with this taming session.

Not perfect, but everything crucial was executed flawlessly.

“Just at the end, I couldn’t quite rein in my emotions.”

Anselm rubbed his forehead. “If it weren’t Hitana, someone might’ve noticed something. Too fervent.”

“That’s not a lapse you should have, Anselm.”

He reflected, viewing his overzealous finale as a significant error.

Though this lapse was… hard to prevent.

That morning, Anselm dreamed of that future—the majestic, stunning figure, that earth-shaking battle, the noble, mighty Heavenly Wolf Empress.

To him, it was merely one of many vivid impressions Hitana Lansmarlos left.

That untouchable, lofty woman who challenged the Emperor and Dragon King had her shell stripped, dignity crushed, weeping weakly atop him, subject to his control and taming—

The immense, indescribable pleasure overwhelmed even Anselm, making his emotions hard to restrain.

Thankfully, every prior step was flawless.

From the start, Anselm never planned to bind Hitana with her family or village.

Not because it was too base, but because, to Anselm, it was… utterly unreliable.

Anselm understood human hearts too well to gamble on them.

Throughout this taming, only one thing was his true focus.

—Hitana’s pride.

Near akin to arrogance, it drove the ups and downs of her life, her suffering, but also forged the Heavenly Wolf Empress’s… pride.

Denying her ability, her talent, then scorning her character, trampling her pride to nothing, making her doubt her life and self after her rage subsided, forcing her to shatter her own dignity—

Then granting her value, affirming her.

Anselm destroyed Hitana’s pride, then offered her a chance to prove it.

Normally, Hitana could leave, proving she could rise without Anselm.

But Hitana was Hitana because, in matters of self and pride, she’d unhesitatingly choose the most forceful, yet hardest path.

—Not proving “Hitana doesn’t need Anselm,” but “Anselm isn’t worthy of her loyalty.”

That was the absurd pride that brought her endless trouble.

“The dear Heavenly Wolf Empress won’t think of leaving me now. Even if I left Chishuang Territory, she’d likely follow.”

Anselm stretched, exhaling softly. “For now, some simple training to stabilize her emotions, then we move to the next phase.”

He stood, leaning on his snake-headed cane, heading to find Hitana, who’d run off to Marina.

Anselm always acted swiftly.

He didn’t expect to change Hitana’s demeanor or speech quickly, but surface adjustments were feasible.

Though Anselm had told Marina he cared little for noble decorum, claiming he didn’t care at all was a lie.

At least, if not for crafting an image of tolerating Hitana, he’d never allow her to trail him in a hunter’s outfit with messy white hair.

To Anselm Hydra, who followed his desires, beautiful people should wear beautiful clothes—noble decorum aside.

It was simply what he wanted to see.

***

“So… it’s really like that?”

Hitana gritted her teeth “Those garbage nobles look down on me too much! And you, Lina! Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

Marina looked helplessly at her sister. “I did, Hit. What would you do besides get mad? Would you accept it?”

“I… I’m not that unreasonable! Didn’t I just accept it now?”

Hitana tugged at her collar sheepishly.

Marina’s gaze fell on the seemingly plain black leather collar.

She’d wanted to ask about it but feared upsetting Hitana.

It looked a bit…

Hit wouldn’t have been… that with Lord Hydra, right? No, no, impossible.

Hydra isn’t that kind of man, and even if he were, he wouldn’t fancy Hit.

Marina mused—*better worry about yourself, Marina.*

Her face flushed at the thought.

Hitana, absorbed in her irritation, didn’t notice her sister’s flush.

She fantasized about leaping three ranks, becoming a crowned champion, crushing those scornful nobles, then maybe giving Hydra a chance to be her lackey.

Hmph!

The sisters sank into their odd fantasies until a knock sounded.

“Hitana, I’m here for you.”

“Eek!” The snow-haired girl yelped, springing up. “What for?!”

“I’m not big on rules, but some things you need to do now. Come out, or shall I come in?”

Hitana glanced at her sister in a gauze dress, warning sharply, “Don’t come in! I’m coming out.”

She dashed to the door, flashing Marina an “all good” gesture, and stepped out.

Marina stared at the closed door, then at the empty room, feeling a hollow pang.

If only I could do something for Lord Hydra like Hit does, Marina thought.

Outside, Hitana stood with her arms crossed, her expression sour. “It hasn’t even been that long, and you’re already ordering me around. What for?”

“I need you to change… your appearance,” Anselm said, eyeing her up and down. “We’re going to Bernahl’s shop to have him make new clothes in a day. Then we’ll trim your hair.”

Hitana blinked twice. “What? Trim my hair?”

“Is that a problem?”

“No way I’m cutting it! I like my hair just fine, I don’t care—ngh!”

Her body jolted, collapsing softly to the ground.

She struggled to lift her head, itching to roar, “Hy—mmph!”

“You really don’t learn, do you, Miss Hitana?”

Anselm sighed, looking at Hitana curled up, cheeks flushed and twitching slightly. “Didn’t you just cry not long ago? How do you forget so quickly?”

Feeling the tingling current from her neck coursing through her body, occasionally dipping below her abdomen, Miss Hitana swore inwardly—

One day, she’d pin this bastard down and shock him a hundred times!

But before that dream came true, Miss Hitana would endure many things far more agonizing than a hundred shocks.