“Kasion, that puppy…?”
“The knights of the duchy recently had a search dog give birth to puppies. I picked the smartest and best-looking one to protect your new home.”
That’s exactly what I said after he took Dertis away… How did he hear it?
I hesitated, unsure whether to open the gate or not. I hadn’t invited anyone to my new home yet, and here he was, showing up with such an obvious gift—his intentions were clear as day. After a moment of hesitation, I opened the gate halfway and peeked out.
“Kyaa, Kasion! Why is this puppy so cute? How can it be so adorable?” I ended up opening the gate wide after seeing the puppy’s appearance.
I crouched down to meet its eyes. Despite being a stranger, the puppy wagged its tail as soon as it saw me. Unlike someone else, this little one was truly lovable.
“It seems you like it.”
“Yes, I love it…”
But then I flinched, realizing how easily I was tempted. I had already crossed the threshold and was standing right next to Kasion, almost pressed against him because he subtly pulled the puppy closer to himself, making me step forward.
I quickly straightened up, regaining my composure. “It’s certainly cute because it’s a puppy. But why bring such a young one here?”
“I told you, I thought it would make a good guard dog for your house. This breed is particularly loyal and intelligent.”
Indeed, its bright eyes made it look intelligent. It seemed to have already recognized me as its owner.
“But you know I have the knights of the marquisate.”
“If an intruder enters your home, this one will latch onto their throat without hesitation.”
“…It won’t bite the owner, will it? That seems dangerous.”
“I already told you, it’s one of the most loyal dogs to its owner.”
The puppy continued to wag its tail and sniff at the hem of my dress as if it had already taken a liking to me.
“But… I’ve never raised a dog before…”
Honestly, I was uncertain. Raising a dog requires knowing how to feed it, groom it, and bathe it properly. It’s a serious responsibility.
“I’ll teach you.”
“…” Realizing his intention, I narrowed my eyes.
Something was suspicious. I had mentioned the idea of getting a puppy to Lireania after Kasion had already left. How did he know and show up with a puppy right on cue? And he even got the exact breed I hadn’t even spoken aloud. Does he have some hidden power like mind-reading?
“That, I’m just worried I might not take proper care of such a fine military dog…”
At that moment, the puppy placed its paw on top of my shoe and comfortably rested its head on it. Why was this puppy so forward?
“It seems this one has already accepted you as its owner…”
“…”
“This breed can get depressed and waste away if it’s abandoned by the person it recognizes as its owner.”
That sounded like a lie…
“If you don’t want it, I’ll take it back. If it’s strong enough, it’ll survive on its own…”
“No! Kasion, don’t you understand the value of life? How could you bring it out to choose a new owner so carelessly?” I quickly picked up the puppy. “I’ll take care of it.”
The puppy seemed to understand me as it leaned in and licked my cheek.
“Aren’t you going to give me the leash?”
Was it because I was being fickle? Kasion’s eyes turned cold. Moreover, the leash was pulled taut. Wait, did that mean he was pulling the leash right now?
“Kasion?”
“Here it is.”
Kasion handed me the leash after I shook my hand at him a few times.
“Then, I guess we’ll see each other next at my brother’s wedding, right?” I said, subtly holding onto the gate with my hand. It was a hint for him to leave. I wasn’t ready to tug on his leash just yet. He had come too soon, and I had no plan. But…
“Are you telling me to leave like this?”
Did he have mind-reading abilities or something? Kasion seemed to sense exactly what I was thinking, and he pushed his large hand through the gate, grabbing it.
A brief standoff ensued, with me trying to close the gate and him holding it open. It might have looked evenly matched, but unfortunately, I was a weak young lady. I was no match for his battlefield-hardened muscles.
“Pardon?”
“I brought you a gift personally, and you won’t even offer me a cup of tea?”
“Did you come from the imperial family?”
“What are you talking about?”
Well, he’s acting just like the princess and the crown prince. Showing up unannounced…
“All the servants of the marquisate are busy preparing for my brother’s wedding.”
“I remember you knew how to make tea yourself. And you were good at it.”
“Well… that’s true.”
“Since I’m here at the marquisate, I’d like to have some of your special Mellin milk tea. I thought about it the whole time I was at the war front. Didn’t you write in your letter that you’d make me some if I returned safely?”
I rolled my eyes at Kasion’s words. Honestly, I didn’t remember what I had written in those letters. I had just crammed in every nice thing I could think of.
Seeing me hesitate, Kasion lowered his gaze slightly. “I survived the battlefield with the thought of drinking that milk tea again. If I could have it… I think I could forget all the bad memories from the war…”
I was defeated. I wasn’t heartless enough to refuse him after hearing that. Besides, wasn’t this a good thing? I discreetly crossed my three fingers behind my back.
* * *
“Aenix, didn’t I tell you not to provoke the duke? Why did you harass and covet the woman the duke cherishes?”
The emperor scolded his eldest son loudly. But Aenix couldn’t accept the reprimand.
“Your Majesty, we carry the most noble blood in the empire. Why should we cower before the duke?”
All he had done was offer the position of crown princess to the woman the duke confessed to.
“Tsk, tsk… I taught you better since you were young, so how did you turn out like this?”
“What’s so great about that pact? As rulers of the empire, we hold the power over the life and death of all imperial citizens, and the duke is no exception.”
“You foolish child. If you want to harm the duke, you’ll have to give up your position as crown prince! Now get out of my sight—I can’t stand to look at you.”
Aenix gritted his teeth as he returned to the crown prince’s palace, furious with the Emperor’s passive attitude. How could the highest person under heaven be so concerned with the young duke?
“Your Highness, you’re back.”
“Where are the new ones?”
“They were brought by him.”
“Impressive.”
“Yes. He said he wanted to see Your Highness since it’s been a while since he returned to the capital.”
Why did he come up after hiding from his relatives?
“Didn’t he say he bore a grudge against the duke?”
“Yes, he lost everything because of the duke and was expelled from his family.”
“Good, that works out nicely.”
There were plenty of ways to deal with the duke without breaking the pact.
“Tell him to join me for fun tonight.”
* * *
“Where’s Selvia?”
I returned to the Marquisate. My new house still doesn’t have any permanent servants.
“She went to your house, Milady. Did you miss each other?”
How unfortunate. Well, the blue rose tunnel is off-limits to the staff, so it’s no wonder we didn’t run into each other. If she had gone through the front gate, she would have met Kasion. But why hasn’t she returned?
“Milady, where did the puppy come from?”
“Kasion brought it.”
“What? The duke? All of a sudden?”
The maids suddenly started fussing, looking tense. I suppose that makes sense. To me, he’s just a gruff friend of my brother, but to them, he’s a fearsome noble. He’s not the least bit friendly, and no matter how well they serve him, he never lets anyone get close. But he’s strict about mistakes. No wonder they’re nervous.
“He said he wanted some milk tea. It’s short notice, but get it ready. He should be walking over from next door right now.”
“Yes, Milady.”
The maids began to move, looking dismayed. But I was smiling constantly. Finally, it was time to start filling in the grave I had dug for myself.
With the puppy in my arms, I headed to the marquisate’s front gate. Kasion was slowly walking toward the marquisate at a leisurely pace.
“Butler.”
“Yes, Milady.”
“Escort the duke in.”
At my command, the butler politely opened the gate and welcomed Kasion. His expression seemed particularly pleased today as if he were thoroughly satisfied.
“Please have a seat, Kasion.”
I waited at a table set up in one corner of the garden. The puppy had already nestled comfortably beside my chair and fallen asleep. Kasion glanced at the puppy before sitting down.
The maids began busily bringing out the ingredients for the milk tea. I watched the scene for a moment before discreetly extending my hand to him. His nose twitched in response, something I hadn’t seen in a while.
“What do you mean?”
“I’m asking for the promise you made, Kasion.”
“What promise?”
Suppressing the smile that was trying to escape, I spoke with a serious face. “A written pledge that you won’t confine me, no matter what.”
The wrinkles on his nose deepened more than before.
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