While I was away at the Academy, our house’s hunting hound Roger gave birth.
I’d wanted to be by her side during the childbirth, but oh well.
“No pulling on your older sister’s clothes.”
To the relief of my worries, Roger and the five pups were all in good health.
I sat down in the yard and watched the tiny beings squirming eternally.
My dad, who should be talking with Linus right now, had enjoyed hunting since he was young.
He had a room just for his collection of hunting guns, and the dogs we raised in the mansion were all hunting dogs, such as retriever hounds or terriers.
Though he was busy now and didn’t have the time to go hunting, the dogs were getting chubbier with each passing day.
As I scratched the whimpering boy’s chin, I sighed.
“If only the people in the world were as easy to understand as you all are.”
I was sure I wasn’t deluding myself. Noah really had changed.
I wondered what Noah was thinking. Why was he being so gentle suddenly? And why was he being so good to me?
I did think of one possibility, a very big what-if possibility, but I erased that out of my mind. After all, it didn’t make any sense.
“Goodness.”
Since the magicians needed to relieve their travel sickness, the subjugation of the monsters would begin in earnest tomorrow.
I smacked my lips together as I muttered, “I want to go, too.”
That night had been scary, but since it had been the first time I’d used an attack-type of magic, it had also been very interesting.
I wasn’t sure if I should be saying this about something that had been dangerous, but it had been a little fun obliterating that monster.
After all, I’ve had so many magic spells concocted that I never had any use for. This saddened me a great deal.
If I was to make the Tower of Magic my goal, then was it so bad of an idea to gain experience like this?
Scratching Ben’s chin as he wagged his tail mightily, I grumbled, “I wanna go, I wanna go….”
“Go where?”
When I whirled around at the familiar voice behind me, there was Noah.
“Oh, Noah.”
I was this close to landing on my butt in the dirt.
Gathering Ben in my arms, I stood up.
“What’s the occasion?”
“The viscount says to come inside to eat,” Noah replied, gesturing towards the mansion.
“Oh, where did the time…”
After glancing at my clock with the puppies still in my arms, I looked at Noah again.
“You can go on inside without me. I’m going to give these guys something to eat first.”
“Should I help?”
“I wouldn’t refuse, but…” Before I could finish my sentence, Noah was already picking up Ben out of my arms.
His motions were deft. Had he dealt with a lot of animals before?
Yeah well, let’s not be so sensitive when he’s offering to help.
Shaking my head, I gathered the puppies.
Momentarily remembering that Ben uses a separate dish, I twisted my body around.
“Oh, for him…”
The puppy in Noah’s hand stretched out his tongue and began licking Noah’s face. Sticky saliva was smeared on his white cheek.
“Hey….”
How dare you do what I haven’t done yet.
… was not the problem!
“He must be excited to meet someone new.”
I pretended to send a flick towards Ben’s forehead. He was still panting happily. Goodness gracious.
“Let’s get some food for you guys too.”
I was calling in Ben and Roger and all the other dogs when I was struck by a question.
Was it okay for a precious ducal young master to be doing something like this? I myself did so because I liked being with them, but Noah was a guest.
I looked around to ask if he normally did things like this when he came on subjugations, and immediately, my worries vanished.
Standing against the wall of the mansion, Noah was smiling at the puppies as they ate. His warm golden eyes sparkled in the noon sunlight.
He must like animals.
… Adorable. An adorable person next to adorable things.
Mind blank, I could only stare at Noah.
“What’s his name?”
“That’s Ben, and that’s Roger, Brown, and Paul.”
After pointing out each of the eating dogs in response to Noah’s question, I hastily added, “I didn’t name them.”
“Cute.”
That would be you, Noah.
I looked dazedly at Noah petting the puppies before I suddenly thought, Noah is close to the Master of the Tower, and he has a high-ranking title. Not to mention his skills. Doesn’t that mean that he is kind of like the big shot around these parts?
“Noah. I, uh, I want to ask for a favor.”
Once I had organized everything in my head, I opened my mouth after some hesitation. Noah turned to look at me.
“The monster subjugation, could I possibly go as well?”
I’ve done it.
Feeling my heart thud against my chest, I waited with my hands fisted to my sides. Noah, who had been pursing his lips a few times, finally opened his mouth.
“This is a bit difficult.”
“Sorry?”
Furrowing his brows a little, Noah turned back to me.
“I’d like to tell you not to go because it’s dangerous, but then I’m worried you’ll think that I’m dismissing you.”