The Childhood Friend of the Villainess in a Romance Fantasy

Translator: Elisia

Editor/Proofreader: TempWane

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A lone wolf was walking across the snow-covered plain.

Its fur was as white as the snow piled around it, blending seamlessly with the pristine landscape.

Although there was only one wolf, it was not alone. Following behind were a group of horses, all herbivores, keeping their distance from the wolf as though wary of approaching too closely. The horses followed from a significant distance, hesitant to come near the leading wolf.

And on the wolf’s back, someone sat without even the aid of a saddle.

Yet, his appearance was not that of someone who would recklessly mount a wolf without any equipment.

His pale skin, radiant under the sunlight, and golden hair shining brilliantly spoke of noble lineage. His well-trained physique, evident even through his clothing, was refined yet robust.

Above all, his attire was luxurious—a kind of clothing that no poor man could afford, and even high-ranking nobles might hesitate to buy due to its exorbitant price.

Yet this person, dressed in such opulence, was riding atop a wolf without a saddle, stirrups, or even a bridle.

“Lobo, stop.”

At the sound of his commanding, powerful voice, the wolf came to a halt.

Those following from a distance also stopped immediately, as if in reflex.

The golden-haired young man didn’t even glance back at them but instead seemed lost in thought for a moment.

“……”

Sitting still on the wolf, deep in contemplation, he eventually raised a hand from where it had been stroking the wolf’s back and pushed aside the hair falling over his forehead.

A small scar was revealed at the edge of his right eyebrow. But even that scar, rather than detracting from his appearance, seemed like an embellishment that accentuated his princely visage.

“Lobo.”

When he called its name, the wolf raised its head, its ears perking up. Seeing this, the prince gave a slight smile and spoke.

“Do you remember the scent of your siblings or your parents?”

“……”

The wolf made no sound but slightly turned its head, tilting it toward the prince.

“I see.”

Though the wolf didn’t reply in words, the prince nodded as if he understood perfectly.

“In that case, follow that scent.”

With a small smile at his lips, the golden-haired prince gave the command.

“I believe she will likely be near them.”

The wolf barked once, as if acknowledging the command, then sprang forward.

The prince, as if accustomed to this, leaned forward and clung to the wolf’s back, his hands lightly gripping its fur.

“Your Highness!”

A shout came from behind, a bit too late, but the prince didn’t bother to command the wolf to stop.

It had been years since he’d felt such freedom.

As they ran, he was once again reminded of the Delkis way, a lesson she had shared long ago.

*

Snow and Gray had never had pups since then.

The reason was unclear. While Northern wolves were beasts that could often be found further north of Delkis, the people of Delkis had never bothered to study their habits in detail. This was partly because their meat had a strong odor, but also because they were far more aggressive than herbivores cornered in desperation. Being predators themselves, their movements were unpredictable and varied.

While Delkis people could generally win against them in fights, there was no reason to endure the risk of injury or bloodshed for an unnecessary battle.

Thus, I didn’t know why the two hadn’t had pups. It was common knowledge that wolves experienced regular mating seasons, yet since we’d moved south from Delkis, I hadn’t seen Snow or Gray—or any wolves in their pack—exhibit such behavior.

Perhaps the climate was affecting them.

Certain animals are known to stop reproducing when their environment changes.

In some ways, I felt relieved by this, though I also felt guilty toward my wolves.

“Awooooo—!”

I cupped my hands around my mouth like a megaphone and howled. From afar, a responding howl echoed back. That sound was unmistakably Gray.

Soon after, the sound of something large running reached my ears—

“Ah!”

—and I toppled backward.

Luckily, the thick snow cushioned my fall, so there was no loud impact or injury. Some snow slipped into the collar of my coat, but it didn’t feel too unpleasant. When you wander through mountains and forests, it’s common to misstep or sink into what you thought was solid ground. If one worried about snow getting into their clothes, they’d never be able to traverse these snowy landscapes.

In truth, I found such sensations a bit nostalgic. When I was younger—though I suppose I’m still at an age that could be called “young”—I would often trip and roll around, not yet familiar with my surroundings.

The fact that I rarely got hurt back then was thanks to being a Delkis native.

“Haha, wait, Gray, that tickles!”

I tried pushing Gray away as he licked my face, but before long, I was jostled around by the other wolves that came bounding in, making it difficult to stand.

After much struggle, I finally managed to stand and unfasten the leather bag that had become covered in snow during my fall.

The smell of raw meat wafted out.

I grabbed a chunk of meat and tossed it into the air. Gray jumped up to snatch it.

Next was Snow, followed by Brown… one by one, I threw chunks of meat to all fourteen wolves. By the time each wolf had received a piece, the bag was almost empty, shrunken and wrinkled.

The sound of chewing filled the air.

Strictly speaking, there was no need for me to bring them meat like this. Even if I divided it up, it wasn’t nearly enough to fill the stomachs of creatures their size.

The six wolves born in Delkis—including one that had left with the prince and now only five remained—had all grown significantly in the five years since. Along with them, the rest of the pack, totaling fourteen, had followed me south.

Naturally, they couldn’t accompany me into the heart of the Grand Duchy of Grattanmount.

Even in Delkis, where the people were used to seeing these wolves, special permission was required for them to enter the castle. It wasn’t surprising that the average citizen here, unfamiliar with wolves of this size, would be wary. Moreover, finding space within the crowded duchy to accommodate fourteen wolves, each over two meters tall at the shoulder, was nearly impossible.

Their large size also meant they required plenty of space to run and roam.

I couldn’t leave them just outside the castle walls either. While Delkis was surrounded by dense forests, the Grand Duchy was situated in the middle of open plains. The psychological strain of such an environment would’ve been difficult for forest-dwelling wolves to endure.

So, I’d let them roam the nearest forest.

Although the duchy’s hunters weren’t entirely happy about it, the arrangement had been approved by the Grand Ducal House. The wolves had since shared the forest, albeit awkwardly, with the hunters.

It had taken quite some time to get here, and I had to learn to ride a horse along the way.

Most horses wouldn’t approach the wolves, no matter how much training they’d undergone. Fortunately, I’d been given one of the few exceptions.

I’d tied the horse near the forest’s edge and entered with just the bag. Even well-trained horses couldn’t help but fear wolves. They were simply enduring the proximity, not overcoming it. If even moose weren’t swayed by my abilities due to fear, it was only natural that horses would feel the same.

*

Still, despite all the hassle, I went to such lengths to come here because I didn’t want to sever my bond with these wolves.

If I left them unattended for too long, they might forget me. To be recognized as the alpha, I needed to periodically prove my worth to them.

Whether this was enough, I wasn’t entirely sure.

Gray, who had been happily chewing on his meat, suddenly lifted his head.

“What is it? Are you finished eating?”

Noticing there was still a bit of meat left, I asked, but Gray simply perked his ears and stared toward the forest’s edge.

Then—

“Huh?”

I heard it too—something running toward us.

“Grrrr…”

Gray growled low in his throat and charged in the direction of the sound.

“Ahhh!”

A man’s voice cried out.

What emerged from the bushes was a wolf with snow-white fur, like Snow’s.

Though it seemed a bit younger, it was nearly the same size as Gray.

The white wolf charged directly at Gray, paying no heed to the man clinging desperately to its back.

“Wait! Lobo!”

The man with hair that was usually neatly styled now thoroughly disheveled shouted desperately.

Though he had grown significantly taller since the last time I saw him, I recognized him immediately.

“…Your Highness?”