The Northern Mad Dog Is Wagging Its Tail

  Britia blinked her eyes slowly once, then twice. She even touched her ears, wondering if there was something wrong with them.

 

  “Sig, I’m sorry. Can you say it again?”

 

  Britia, who thought he was going to propose, couldn’t understand why he suddenly started talking about dogs.

 

  “I want to be your dog.”

 

  Sig repeated the same words again, this time with more emphasis.

 

  Britia’s lips slightly parted as she hesitated. It seemed like her ears were really playing tricks on her.

 

  Considering all the events from demons to Huates that happened today, it was understandable that she was tired and confused.

 

  Britia decided to think that way.

 

  “You said ‘dog’…?”

 

  So, this time, she tried pronouncing the suspicious word herself. She believed that if she did, Sig would be surprised and say it wasn’t about being a dog. No, she wanted to believe that.

 

  But Sig just nodded, unaware of her thoughts.

 

  “Dog…”

 

  Britia repeated those words again and fell into deep thought. There was no doubt that Sig loved her. So, wanting to be a dog must be a kind of expression of affection.

 

  But why use the word ‘dog’ out of all the other sweet and nice expressions, even though he’s known as the Mad Dog of the North or the Emperor’s Dog?

 

  Like saying he’s your husband or a special person in your life, your one and only love!

 

  The word “dog” sounded completely different from what she expected and had a different feeling to it, making Britia’s feelings confused.

 

  “Initially, I was just happy to meet you. But over time, I realized I couldn’t be satisfied with just that. I kept wanting to stay by your side.”

 

  Britia’s cheeks grew warm.

 

  Look at that. He’s so good at saying honest and sweet words like that.

 

  While listening to Sig’s confession, Britia wondered why on earth he wanted to be a dog. Could it be a metaphor?

 

  “And then, my desires became uncontrollably stronger. When you touched me like this, I even wished you would touch me more.”

 

  Sig held Britia’s hand as he cupped her cheek.

 

  “I didn’t understand why I felt these emotions. I was just drifting without a clue.”

 

  Sig took a deep breath, his emotions overwhelming him.

 

  “I was confused about why I felt these emotions for someone who isn’t a friend or family. I couldn’t stop myself.”

 

  Britia found it amusing to see Sig trying so hard to convey his feelings. She could barely hold back her laughter, even though she asked the question herself.

 

  “Sig, do I mean that much to you?”

 

  Britia asked softly, her voice barely audible. Even though it was her own question, her insides were ticklish, making it hard for her to suppress her laughter.

 

  Could it be that she had too much confidence in his affection? It would be embarrassing if he said no.

 

  “I like you more than you think.”

 

  Sig’s confident response made Britia bite her lower lip slightly.

 

  Why does he confess with such happiness, wagging his tail? No wonder he can have so much confidence.

 

  “Even when I didn’t clearly realize the name of this feeling, it grew stronger…”

 

  “Stronger?”

 

  “…I don’t know what to do about it.”

 

  Sig smiled shyly as if he was unsure.

 

  His sparkling eyes, wagging tail, and the voice that became even softer when speaking to her, all of them were appealing to her, saying “I love you.” And the warmth she felt on the back of her hand was so intense.

 

  Does Sig know that she feels the same way?

 

  Britia was overwhelmed by how much she liked him. But right now, she didn’t feel the need to put it into words. She wanted to express her love in ways other than words.

 

  Britia lifted her heels slightly and slowly approached him. Although his confession was sweet, she wanted to set it aside for a moment.

 

  It’s time to kiss, she was certain.

 

  As Britia approached, Sig gently wrapped his arms around her.

 

  “I was a little scared.”

 

  “Sig, you don’t have to say it anymore… right?”

 

  Britia, who had been only looking at Sig’s lips, paused.

 

  “Little…?”

 

  Little was undoubtedly the name of his Direwolf back in Altheim.

 

  “That little guy always wanted to follow me wherever I went and would wag his tail vigorously when I petted him. I feel the same way too. I want to be your Little, like a dog.”

 

  Britia blinked her eyes, completely forgetting to do so.

 

  “Just like Little does to me, I also want to stay by your side and receive your love.”

 

  Her mind blanked out for a moment, and in that blank space, a big black dog popped up. For some reason, the dog was wearing an eyepatch and its tail looked just like Sig’s.

 

  “…Are you saying you want to be my dog?”

 

  “Yes.”

 

  “So, you mean you want to me to be your owner or something like that?”

 

  “Yes, exactly.”

 

  Sig’s response didn’t have a hint of hesitation. Britia’s lips trembled, and she suddenly burst into laughter.

 

  “It sounds so serious that it doesn’t sound like a joke.”

 

  “It’s not a joke.”

 

  “Haha… If it’s not a joke, then what would you want to do as my dog?”

 

  “If you allow me, I want to be loyal to you for the rest of my life.”

 

  Loyal for life?

 

  Britia couldn’t understand a single word he was saying. Her blank mind spun around. It felt like someone was playing a prank on her.

 

  But Sig’s gaze wasn’t playful at all. He was sincere, so it was only natural.

 

  She hadn’t mistaken Sig’s emotions. He loved Britia. However, he was making a serious mistake.

 

  He had been desperately searching for the name of this overwhelming feeling that he couldn’t control. It was something he was experiencing for the first time, so finding the answer on his own was difficult for him.

 

 Then, he finally found something similar. It was a familiar feeling to him. If he had thought a little more calmly, he might have reached the real answer, but he didn’t have the luxury of time right now.

 

  Harty pretended to leave but was secretly listening to the conversation from behind the curtain. Sig, with his sharp senses, noticed this fact.

 

   He didn’t want Britia to be taken away by Slanford.

 

  Due to jealousy and competitiveness, Sig’s mind became restless, and he couldn’t make calm judgments. He only had the thought of quickly making Britia his own. He didn’t even realize how he wanted her in what way.

 

  But Britia had no way of knowing what Sig was thinking right now. All she heard was strange talk about being a dog and loyalty.

 

  “Do people use that kind of expression when they propose in the North?”

 

  Britia tried her best to interpret Sig’s words within her understanding.

 

  “As far as I know, they don’t. Are you curious about the proposal customs in the North? I can ask Evry about it for more details.”

 

  “It’s not that I’m curious… It’s just that what we’re doing now, what Sig is doing…”

 

  A proposal, right?

 

  Britia swallowed her words. If he thought of himself as her owner and thought of her as a dog, it meant something completely different, especially when it came to sharing the same bedroom.

 

  No, wait. There are other clues.

 

  “You did that today. We didn’t have time to prepare, but you said you wanted me to accept it next time. What was that?”

 

  When Britia saw him looking at her hand and speaking, she believed without a doubt that he wanted to give her a ring. However, she suddenly remembered a past incident where she misunderstood a box with a handkerchief as a box with a ring. Anxiety overwhelmed her.

 

  Could it be?

 

  “Next time, did you mean you wanted me to wear the dress you made?”

 

  “…The dress?”

 

  Britia’s mouth hung open in surprise.

 

  Oh my goodness. Does that mean everything was just her misunderstanding and confusion?

 

  “Let me confirm this one last thing.”

 

  No, that can’t be. This time, it wasn’t just her own misunderstanding, but everyone around her was making a fuss about it too. Crave, Hailey, Kyra even Harty were convinced that Sig’s proposal was a matter of time.

 

  “Sig, when do you plan to get married?”

 

  “Married?”

 

  With a trembling heart, Britia nodded her head. In response, Sig raised an eyebrow.

 

  “I haven’t thought about it yet, so I don’t know. I always vaguely think that someday it will happen.”

 

  “…Well, at least an engagement then?”

 

  Britia closed her eyes tightly, holding onto a flicker of hope.

 

  “I haven’t made any decisions.”

 

  Sig shattered that hope into pieces, thankfully.

 

  Britia slowly stepped back and distanced herself from him. Sig, wagging his tail without knowing anything, looked like a loyal dog waiting for commands from its owner.

 

  Not a metaphor, but a real dog. Woof woof. Bark bark.

 

  Her confused and anxious heart settled at the sight of him.

 

  Oh, I see. It was all a misunderstanding. He didn’t need a wife, but rather an owner, and he just liked her as a dog.

 

  “Britia?”

 

  Sig called out to Britia. Her face turned redder and she trembled slightly, even her body.

 

  “Are you okay? Are you feeling cold?”

 

  Sig tried to take off his clothes to give them to her.

 

  That’s why! I fell for his actions and he stole my heart just like that!

 

  Britia became angry, even at his eyes that knew nothing, his innocent wagging tail, and his gentle voice that worried about his owner.

 

  “Since it doesn’t seem okay, I’ll go inside. Excuse me.”

 

  As Britia turned coldly away, Sig was surprised, and his eyes widened a little.

 

  “Britia.”

 

  Sig called out, but she didn’t respond and opened the terrace door. She met the gaze of a few curious onlookers who were watching the terrace. Harty, who was standing next to the curtain with his mouth wide open, was among them.

 

  How happy they would be if they knew that Sig had no intention of marrying her. Especially this man, Harty Slanford, who liked to meddle in things. It’s no wonder people said he didn’t match with Duke Turas!

 

  Britia gritted her teeth and passed by Harty, who was out of place.

 

  “Britia!”

 

  Sig followed after Britia, who had gone inside and left him behind.

 

  “If you’re angry with me, please tell me why!”

 

  “Duke-nim.”

 

  “Britia, why don’t you call me Sig…”

 

  Sig’s words trailed off as he saw her cold expression when she turned to face him.

 

  “Duke-nim, I need some time alone to think, so please don’t follow me.”

 

  Britia emphasized “Duke-nim” and spoke with strength before leaving the reception hall.

 

  Sig couldn’t call her again, and he couldn’t chase after her either. He stood frozen in place, his face pale.

 

  It was the first time he had received such a firm refusal, without even a slight possibility of being followed. Sig didn’t know what to do.

 

  ‘What did I do wrong? I just expressed my feelings to her. Did I act too hastily? Is that why she got angry?’

 

  He didn’t even realize that he had mistakenly used the wrong name in the midst of his emotions, thinking he had finally understood.

 

  “Sig, what are you doing standing there?”

 

  At that moment, the Crown Prince appeared beside him and asked, seeing Sig frozen like a statue. Sig’s face, which slowly turned to look at him, was filled with distress.

 

  “Uh!”

 

  The Crown Prince couldn’t withstand the sudden force of Sig rushing towards him, almost falling backward.