“I’m asking you. Why were you angry?”
Tundra hesitated for a moment before opening his mouth.
“It’s because Sir Jeremy disregarded the procedures and codes and acted against the nobility’s etiquette.”
“Oh, you’re lying.”
Jeremy chuckled and laughed heartily.
His eyes formed crescents.
“You’re jealous.”
Tundra locked eyes with Jeremy.
Their gaze clashed in mid-air.
“You said I’m jealous?”
“Yeah, jealousy.”
Tundra wanted to say, “Don’t talk nonsense,” but he couldn’t.
Jealousy.
Perhaps what Jeremy said was true.
After finishing his rational judgment, Tundra nodded his head.
He had to admit what needed to be admitted.
“I think I was jealous.”
Biolla’s heart instantly calmed down.
‘Hanjun oppa didn’t feel jealous towards me…’
Hanjun always treated Han arin as family.
He was always warm and considerate, but he never treated Han arin as a woman.
If there was jealousy, it came from Han arin, not Han jun.
“I guess I feel more at ease this way.”
A difference between Han Han arinjun and Tundra became apparent.
If it were Han jun, he wouldn’t have mentioned jealousy.
“Do you know about my aspiration, Sir Jeremy?”
“Yeah. Being a pet, an interesting dream.
But is that for real?”
“Yes.”
Tundra was sincere about his dream of being a pet.
So whenever he had spare time, he studied diligently about being a “pet.”
I met several people who raised dogs multiple times and listened to their stories. I also had consultations with emerging professionals in the field of dog training.
“Some dogs tend to show significant attachment to their guardians and jealousy.”
“Ah.”
“While it can be somewhat controlled through training and such, I haven’t received such training. That’s why I think I feel jealous.”
Viola wanted to say something.
That’s talking about real dogs!
You’re a human, after all.
And Jeremy! Why do you suddenly have such a convinced expression?
“So, you felt jealous?”
“It seems so.”
He lowered his head deeply.
“I’m sorry, Lady Viola. I dare to feel jealous.”
Jeremy chuckled as if finding it amusing.
“You’re talking as if you really were a dog.”
“Because being a pet is my dream.”
The content of the words was absurd and funny, but the attitude itself went beyond seriousness to solemnity.
But Jeremy was also serious.
“I like people with convictions.”
“I believe the value of convictions cannot be judged by others.”
Jeremy tapped Tundra’s shoulder lightly.
At first glance, it seemed like encouragement.
“I support your dream and conviction.”
In that moment, Viola trembled slightly.
Those words had appeared multiple times in the novel.
“I support your dream and conviction.”
However, the literal meaning of the words was never the case.
In the novel, it was expressed like this:
[That was a phrase Jeremy often used when he felt strong competitiveness.]
Viola felt a slight urge to cry.
In which part of Tundra’s conviction (?) did he feel strong competitiveness?
‘Where on earth?’
Even Han Arin, a devoted reader, found Jeremy to be an unpredictable character.
The author even left a review on their blog saying, “Actually, I feel like Jeremy is a character who I don’t know where he’ll go. When I come to my senses, he’s already running wild. I think Jeremy is like that.”
As a prime example, Jeremy is a lunatic character who gets kidnapped out of curiosity.
Jeremy walked away.
“Anyway, let’s explore the ruins together. See you in three days.”
While saying that, he glanced at Viola and Tundra, then smirked.
He intentionally uttered provocative words.
“Since I’m your ‘oppa,’ can I speak informally in private? See you in three days, adorable Viola.”
Three words pierced Tundra’s ears.
Oppa.
In private.
Adorable.
Unbeknownst to anyone, Tundra clenched their lips, growling softly.
***
Viola felt sorry for Tundra’s appearance.
They looked like a little puppy drenched in rain.
“Was it embarrassing for you as a dog?”
Drenched in rain and with their tail curled up, they seemed to be shivering.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be jealous.”
“It’s okay.”
Instead, Viola felt quite pleased.
Now Tundra realized the distinct difference between Kang Hanjun and Jeremy.
“Why do you keep apologizing when a dog acts like a dog?”
Viola gently stroked Tundra’s waist.
As if a owner petting a dog’s back.
Upon feeling that, Tundra’s mood quickly improved.
If Tundra had a tail, it would have wagged happily.
Just a moment ago, they had an expression that seemed like they would burst into tears at any moment, but now they had a look as if they owned the world.
“Truly like a dog in a pack.”
Before they knew it, Tundra regained their peace of mind.
Meanwhile, Zenon entered Viola room and asked, “By the way, Tundra, how did you realize the fact that Jeremy is here?”
Viola raised an eyebrow in surprise.
“Tundra knew about it?”
“Yes. They stood in front of the door for a while. It seems like they noticed the presence of Jeremy a while ago.”
Viola shifted their gaze towards Tundra.
“You knew about it?”
“Yes, I knew.”
“How?”
“By the scent.”
In an instant, Tundra’s nose twitched.
Their nose twitched as if detecting a scent, just like when dogs sense a particular smell.
Upon seeing that, Zenon grinned.
“You recognized Jeremy by the scent? Does it mean the smell?”
“No.”
“Then?”
“It has Mana’s distinct scent.”
Viola doubted their own ears.
“Mana’s distinct scent?”
Viola had gone through the novel “The Shadow of Bellato” multiple times and had even completed reading the author’s guidebook.
However, the phrase “Mana’s distinct scent” never appeared.
“It’s different for each person. I smelled Jeremy’s scent.”
“I see. It’s a fascinating phenomenon.”
It was a completely unmentioned detail in the novel.
It seemed that the protagonist Tundra had gained a new ability that didn’t exist in the novel.
“It should be fine, right?”
Zenon asked again.
“Do I have that kind of scent too?”
“Yeah. But your scent changes every day. That’s why I don’t like it.”
“Why?”
“It feels deceitful and cunning.”
“Oh, harsh evaluation. But we’ve been together for five years already, and that’s the extent of your evaluation?”
Tundra nodded without hesitation.
“I’m hurt.”
Zenon claimed that he wasn’t hurt with a completely unaffected expression, and Tundra didn’t particularly pay attention to that.
“Then, what scent do I have to you, my lady?”
“The scent of longing.”
Tundra’s words were straightforward.
Without a moment of hesitation, they said, “The scent of longing.”
“I’ve known your scent for a very, very long time.”
“A very, very long time? How long?”
Zenon’s smile deepened.
“It’s been five years since I met Lady Viola.”
“No. I’ve longed for Lady’s scent for much longer than that.”
Viola’s expression twitched slightly.
She didn’t understand what nonsense Tundra was talking about.
“What nonsense is this?”
“It’s not nonsense.”
Tundra’s expression was serious.
It seemed sincere, not a lie.
“Why, if it’s not nonsense?”
“I knew your scent from the moment I first started smelling it. I’ve known your scent for a very long time. It was the first smell I experienced, but it felt familiar and nostalgic.”
Tundra was honest about their emotions and thoughts.
“Dogs don’t need deep thoughts.”
Even though Tundra as a person might not know, they thought that Tundra as a dog could be honest.
Viola had told them to be that way.
“It felt like the thread of a long-standing connection was touching me.”
A faint smile appeared on Tundra’s face.
“Somehow, I feel like I’ve lived to meet you, my lady. The scent tells me that.”
***
That night, Viola stayed up all night with wide-open eyes.
They pondered Tundra’s words.
“The scent of longing. A long-standing connection.
And one more thing.
‘Somehow, I feel like I’ve lived to meet you, my lady. The scent tells me that.’
Upon hearing those words, an inexplicable pain gripped their heart.
They buried their face in the blanket.
“Why would you say such things with that face!”
It felt somewhat strange.
I knew very well that Tundra didn’t lie.
It was merely a sincere expression of their true feelings and thoughts, without any hidden intentions.
That’s why I was even more confused.
“Tundra is just a faithful companion dog.”
They said they studied a lot about dogs.
They studied so diligently that they unknowingly imitated the behavior of a dog with genuine sincerity.
“They say dogs never betray their owners.”
I heard that they only live for their owners and dedicate their lives to them.
I had heard that for a dog, the owner is everything in the world.
So I thought Tundra was in the process of shaping themselves that way.
“Yes, Tundra is that kind of character.”
A character who always accomplishes what they set their mind to.
So if they consider being a “companion dog” as their dream, they have the setting of doing their best to strive for that dream.
“So, a new ability that didn’t exist in the original story has been added.”
Furthermore.
“I suppose they also felt a longing and familiarity towards my scent for a long time.”
That’s how Tundra’s character is developing the situation.
Viola had to accept that.
“Ah, my head hurts.”
Unbeknownst to me, the bright morning sunlight seeped through the window.
The chirping of bluebirds could be heard.
“I must have fallen asleep.”
Coincidentally, Zenon was sitting in front of the bed, waiting.
“You kicked the blanket off again without fail today.”
“When did you arrive?”
“I arrived two hours, twenty-five minutes, and eight seconds ago. Taking care of Lady’s health is also part of my duty, so I covered the blanket for you again.”
Zenon smiled playfully.
“You shouldn’t have indulged yourself so much.”
Would this deceitful body even bother with indulgence?
Viola was about to say something but stopped.
There was no need to appear as if she was disregarding Zenon’s sincerity for no reason.
Just as Tundra faithfully fulfilled their role as Tundra, Zenon was faithfully fulfilling his role as Zenon.
“What about the appointment with Viscount Seal?”
“We have agreed to have breakfast together at the Sunrise Hall in two hours.”
“okay. You don’t even know the contents of Viscount Seal, do you?”
“yes. I only know it as a place for the Princess and the Viscount to socialize.”
Last night, Viola secretly sent a letter to Viscount.
[I know that you’re carrying a child. So I would like to have a conversation with you.]
Thanks to you, the breakfast gathering was arranged.
Zenon, who seemed slightly excited, said, “The dress code for the Sunrise Hall is yellow.”
Zenon opened the dimensional space and pulled out a total of thirty-eight yellow dresses.
The dresses, magically unfurled, were dazzling to the point that they hurt the eyes just by looking at them.
“Is there something simpler and cleaner?”
What’s with that big ribbon in the middle of the waist, and the excessive chiffon lace, and the embroidered extravagance with gold thread?
It had been five years since I was reincarnated into this world, but I still couldn’t adapt to fashion.
“I’ll go with this one.”
It was a relatively simple yellow silk dress.
It didn’t cling too tightly to the body, nor was it too loose, so it didn’t seem uncomfortable to move around in.
“This one?”
Zenon seemed a bit disappointed.
“How about this one?”
Zenon pointed to a layered dress adorned with elaborate lace and sparkling accessories.
There was a great anticipation in Zenon’s eyes.
It felt like the joy of humanity encountering a doll for the first time was buried in his eyes.
“Zenon, do you still not know my taste?”
“I do know, but…”
Immediately, Zenon lowered his waist gracefully.
“I’m sorry. I was too eager.”
It was a polite and warm tone, but Biolla couldn’t help but feel a sense of unease.
She didn’t inquire further about what he meant by being too eager.
“Zenon… It’s like he’s opening his eyes to a new world.”
After various twists and turns, it was already 9 a.m.
Viola received Zenon’s escort and headed to the Sunrise Hall.
The door to the Sunrise Hall opened.
There, a not-so-large rectangular dining table was visible.
It was a size that could accommodate about eight people.
A sumptuous feast was already prepared there.
“Lady Viola, please come in.”
Someone stood up from their seat.
A noble lady with rich brown hair.
Her name was Ilail, and she would later become the mother of the Archmage Bengus.
After a brief exchange of greetings, Viola took her seat.
Both the people in the market and the butler were taken aback.
“I want to have a private meal with Lady Viola.”
“Understood. I will withdraw, my lady.”
Just before the meal was about to begin,
Lady Ilail asked a question.
“Lady Biolla, how did you know that I have a child?”
It was a fact that she hadn’t revealed to anyone, not even her husband, Viscount.
It was quite surprising to Lady Ilail in its own way.
But more shocking words followed.
“Is that the only thing you know?”
“What do you mean?”
“I also know that the child’s father is not Viscount.”
Thunk!
The fork in Lady Ilail’s hand slipped and fell to the ground.
—————————————————————
Translator Note:
This chapter was translated by Bree.
Next chapter will be released tomorrow. To read chapters in advance support us on Patreon!!
