The Northern Mad Dog Is Wagging Its Tail

  “She ran away.”

 

  The Emperor muttered as he looked around the ballroom. Clearly, he had given her the freedom to dance one song, but he couldn’t see Britia and Sig anywhere.

 

  “Look here.”

 

  The Emperor snapped his fingers towards an attendant. He had instructed her to follow him at the party, but Britia neglecting her duties meant he had to call her immediately.

 

  The Empress noticed his thoughts and felt frustrated. She barely had a chance to support Sig finding a good person, let alone to see Britia act so recklessly.

 

  “Your Majesty.”

 

  The Empress called out to say something. Then the Emperor’s finger, which had been snapping, stopped. He glanced at her from the corner of his eye.

 

  How could there be such a stubborn person? It’s not that he looks bad, but he looks incredibly mischievous.

 

  The Empress bit her tongue inwardly. She was relieved that her son didn’t resemble his father. If he had, what would have happened? It would have been unbearable to have a man with such a chubby and sullen face around all the time.

 

  Just imagining it is horrible. It’s a great relief that he takes after me, always smiling brightly.

 

  “Why did you call me and not say anything?”

 

  The Emperor asked sharply. As he did, he gestured to the attendant who had hurriedly approached, signaling him to step back.

 

  “Did you call me for no reason?”

 

  “You said you would grant whatever I wanted, didn’t you?”

 

  Finally, the Emperor noticed her intention and crossed his arms. The way he slightly lifted his chin, as if telling her to speak up, was imposing.

 

  But inside, he was extremely anxious. The Empress’s expression was not good. It seemed like she was about to mention divorce.

 

  He had firmly stated that it was not allowed. However, if she insisted on signing divorce papers or something like that, what should he say then?

 

  “What do you want?”

 

  Should he show tears, like Britia did when she secretly cried after bringing up divorce? The Empress showed signs of confusion upon hearing those words, so maybe it could work. However, the Emperor didn’t seem like he would cry, even if he got angry.

 

  Where did Britia Lockhart disappear to at such an important time?

 

  The Emperor bit his tongue.

 

  “On Your Majesty’s birthday…”

 

  The Empress paused. The Emperor, who silently repeated the mantra that divorce was not allowed, narrowed his eyes.

 

  Could she possibly want a divorce on my birthday?

 

  “I will give you a sweater as a gift, so please wear it.”

 

  The Emperor felt relieved at the relatively simple wish.

 

  “I plan to knit the sweater myself.”

 

  As the Empress added that, the Emperor’s face stiffened.

 

  He tried to act as if there was no problem at all. However, the Emperor also realized that his face was starting to involuntarily twitch. He also noticed that the Empress liked it.

 

  The Emperor’s birthday was in August. It was clear that she wanted to make him wear a sweater in the middle of summer to make him suffer.

 

  “You have an unusual sense of seasons. Are you getting colder even in the middle of summer as you age?”

 

  “Yes. So I thought you might be in the same situation as we age together, Your Majesty.”

 

  The Empress gave a provoking smile.

 

  In truth, she was not good at sewing or knitting. The Emperor knew that well. When they had just gotten married, he had gotten angry at the scarf she made and scolded the maidservant.

 

  Asking why this pile of garbage was left rolling around in the bedroom.

 

  Unfortunately, the Emperor never suspected that the pile of garbage was the scarf she had diligently knitted for six months.

 

  ‘Can she really make a sweater with her mediocre skills by August?’

 

  Honestly, the Emperor, who didn’t want to wear it, hoped she would change her mind. With the limited time and her lack of skill and slow hands, it was realistically impossible for her to do it.

 

  “It would be better not to push yourself…”

 

  “I can do it.”

 

  The Empress interrupted and opened her eyes cautiously.

 

  “It will be enough.”

 

  Seeing her speak so confidently, the Emperor realized she had faith in herself. But what would happen if she couldn’t finish it by then?

 

  “Then I will offer you something you desire, Your Majesty.”

 

  As the Emperor imagined himself wearing an ugly sweater in the middle of summer, he cringed. However, after hearing her words, he felt somewhat relieved.

 

  If she did well, she might prevent any more talk of divorce. But once the sweater was completed, he would have no choice but to wear it.

 

  Should he pretend to understand for now and then later deny ever making such a promise if things didn’t go well?

 

  “I will fulfill any request. If you ask for a divorce, I will gladly do it.”

 

  The Emperor, who was contemplating, was hit with her playful words.

 

  “If you say so.”

 

  The Emperor clenched his teeth and glared at her. He planned to send someone to tear apart the sweater so it couldn’t be completed.

 

  Without knowing what he was thinking, the Empress looked at the Emperor with suspicious eyes. No matter how much she provoked him, it was strange that he accepted her proposal.

 

  He had said the Empress was the most beautiful in the empire and that he loved her. Britia couldn’t believe anything he said today.

 

  There’s no way he would ever think like that.

 

  The Empress was convinced that the Emperor had some hidden agenda.

 

—

 

  “You’re heavy, Duke-nim.”

 

  At the same time, Britia breathed heavily and spoke. Sig, whose legs still hadn’t fully regained strength, leaned on her.

 

  “I won’t apologize either. This is the price you paid to make me sad.”

 

  Sig held her tighter as she tried to break free. His arms were stronger than his legs.

 

  “You went so far and disappeared. I barely found you, and now you’re ignoring me. And on top of that, you chose my brother right in front of me.”

 

  His voice sounded sad.

 

  “Because you made me sad, Duke-nim.”

 

  Britia, still unable to escape from his embrace, made a face and this time wrapped her arms around Sig’s waist, exerting force. It was an impulsive act, but his body was so sturdy that it wasn’t easy as she thought.

 

  “I was sadder than you!”

 

  Britia tried her best, her arms trembling.

 

  “I was, I was sadder.”

 

  Her efforts were in vain as Sig showed no particular reaction. He was still too strong for her to contend with.

 

  Instead of trying to grasp his waist, Britia shifted her focus to his tail. This time, she intended to hold onto it even more firmly than before.

 

  However, Sig didn’t fall for the same trick. He swiftly embraced Britia and lifted her up, keeping her hands away from his tail.

 

  “Ugh!”

 

  Still, reaching out her hand, Britia couldn’t touch his tail and became frustrated, eventually sobbing.

 

  “I was way way way more sadder than you, so I hate you, Duke-nim!”

 

  At Britia’s outburst, Sig’s lips parted in surprise. He looked at her with a face that seemed to have lost everything.

 

  “Since I hate you, let go of me!”

 

  Britia pushed Sig’s chest away and wriggled on the floor, her fallen legs kicking around. A spark ignited in Sig’s eyes for a moment.

 

  “I like you!”

 

  In a loud voice that sounded like a scream, Britia’s hand, which was pushing him away, paused.

 

  How do you respond when someone says they hate you?

 

  Britia’s heart was overwhelmed by the sound of his words, not knowing how to react.

 

  “I like you.”

 

  With those words, Sig gently released Britia and knelt down on the floor, falling down. He had pursued her with the window as his cane, driven by a desperate will, but he had reached his limit.

 

  “Duke-nim!”

 

  Surprised, Britia pulled his head closer and lay on his knees.

 

  “I thought you had been looking out for me all this time, but I didn’t expect it to be like this.”

 

  Sig, sweating coldly from the power of Britia’s earnest grip on his tail, sighed in admiration.

 

  “If you make me angry, this is what happens. Be careful next time, or I might just bite you.”

 

  She boasted, but deep down, Britia felt sorry for him. She knew he would suffer, but she didn’t expect it to be this difficult for him.

 

  “Did I make you so angry and hateful?”

 

  Britia couldn’t say anything in response to Sig’s question. Regret flooded her, wishing she had held him a little more gently.

 

  “Even if you hate me, I still like you.”

 

  Britia, who had declared that she wouldn’t apologize, now felt incredibly sorry for him. But then, Sig smiled.

 

  “Why are you smiling while sweating?”

 

  “I don’t know. Whenever I see you, I sometimes feel like smiling. Maybe it’s because I like you.”

 

 Britia’s heart pounded, but at the same time, it hurt. It wasn’t the kind of ‘like’ she wanted. Moreover, he had no intention of marrying her. She should give up. But it was difficult.

 

  I wish this man was my man.

 

  Britia sighed and gently touched her forehead against his.

 

“Duke-nim.”

 

  “Britia? Are you crying?”

 

  Noticing her trembling voice, Sig asked.

 

  “Britia.”

 

  “I like you.”

 

  Britia slowly raised her head to look at him. She felt her emotions welling up inside her.

 

  “I really like you. So much that I can’t turn back.”

 

  “…You don’t have to turn back.”

 

  “Because you keep acting like this, Duke-nim!”

 

  My heart feels like it’s going to burst!

 

  Britia shouted as if she were angry but swallowed her words. To calm herself down, she took a deep breath. The air felt hot and humid, as if summer was approaching.

 

  “I’ve decided.”

 

  Can’t give up. I’m going to make you mine.

 

  Britia widened her eyes and glared at Sig. He no longer had a cold sweat. Instead, he looked up at her with a puzzled expression. He looked cute and mischievous, but he no longer looked like a puppy.

 

  “I will never become your owner, Duke-nim.”

 

  Britia declared firmly.

 

  “Is it because you hate me?”

 

  “No.”

 

  “Then…”

 

  “Are you curious why I’m acting like this?”

 

  Britia raised an eyebrow as she gently stroked Sig’s forehead. Then she slowly bent down and lightly pressed her lips against his forehead.

 

  “If you’re curious, think about it yourself, Duke-nim.”

 

  She whispered as if it were homework.

 

  Sig began to suspect that she had decided to burn down his patience. When her soft lips touched his forehead, his sense of reality vanished. He felt like he was floating.

 

  “You still don’t understand? Should I give you a hint?”

 

  With a twinkle in her eye, she looked down at him, her appearance so beautiful. Sig realized, as he looked at her, that a person could sparkle like this even in moonlight.

 

  “Because I like you, Duke-nim. Hint over.”

 

  Britia said, closing her mouth abruptly.

 

  Sig was rejected without even hearing a reason he could understand. However, strangely enough, he didn’t feel discouraged. He even thought that it wouldn’t be so bad if she liked him.

 

 Wasn’t it his to become her dog?

 

 But Sig couldn’t figure out the meaning behind her words….