“I’ll get going then. I’ll probably return your dog tomorrow, depending on the situation.”
“But would your daughter be fine?”
“Pardon?” Rashid was unexpectedly taking interest in the terrified Haniel.
Haniel was still terrified, her head buried in the crib after seeing the dog. Reality was indeed harsh for the young child who couldn’t stand facing her eldest brother.
“Umm, she’ll be fine. Please don’t worry.”
“You’ll blame me again if anything goes wrong.” I could not give him a reply.
“Isn’t that so?” It was weird seeing some as perfect as him to worry over such things.
Of course, the worry wouldn’t be for Haniel but for himself instead. Of course, it was his first step forward to be this considerate towards an animal.
“What if there are any issues…”
“If you’re going to ask me to raise another animal or get another animal for me…”
“I was going to treat it for you.”
I was stunned at his reply.
“So don’t blame me if anything goes wrong.”
He shouldn’t have said that last sentence. I still laughed heartily in response. I knew very well that even if it happened, he wouldn’t have blamed me for it.
“Ah, I’ve got an idea.”
“…Hmm?”
I clapped, standing behind him, as he couldn’t shake off his displeasure. Indeed, the sudden change in expression for an ‘eureka’ moment was important.
“If Your Highness is so concerned over me looking after the dog, you can just give your orders. You did say that it would only follow your orders.”
“What?”
“What would you prefer, Your Highness? Mm, why don’t you say, ‘Please listen to the Duchess well, and don’t bite or harm anyone.’ How about that?”
Rashid was speechless. I knew too, how his temperament and influence combined would be received.
“Dog.” Rashid reached out to touch the dog on its forehead. Unlike how he treated Lady Melleo, power flowed through his fingers, as if casting some sort of spell on the large dog.
“If you defy, harm, or commit an irrevocable mistake towards Catherine and her daughter… Let’s see what will happen to you.”
Yelp yelp! Rashid’s smile alone was sufficient compared to any other threats, making the dog shiver in fear.
Even I, who had requested for the order, could only lower my head and listen in silence, not to mention the magical beast that was being implicated.
I had almost dragged it into my residence when the dog lowered its head into the handkerchief as it tried to stay out of trouble.
It would be fine.
The door finally closed as the dog licked affectionately at Rashid with gratuity.
—
“…Oh my, you must be quite surprised.”
Grrr.
The dog was on guard as it remained seated even though Rashid was no longer around. Finding it pitiful, I patted it on its neck as Selene approached me with a smile.
[Madam, you’re back? Ehhhhh?!]
“…Be quiet. Look, you’ve surprised it.” I signaled for Selene to lower her volume with my finger to my lips, and handed the crib with Haniel in it to her.
It was still amazing to see how Selene was acting like a proper nanny, taking over Haniel from me and sending her into the room.
[Madam! What happened? What did you pick up this time!]
“Selene, you should’ve followed His Highness out if you’re going to act like this.”
[Why on earth would I seek death?] Selene did not withdraw her anger and continued shaking in fear behind the door. But surprisingly, the dog, whose fur I had grabbed in my clutches, was the same.
Yelp.
“What’s wrong? Ah, is something the matter?” The dog’s fur started standing up as if it had noticed something strange from the quacking Selene. As expected of an ancient magical beast’s descendant.
Grrr.
“Stop it. Did you forget why I brought you here?”
They said you’re smart. The dog calmed down once more at my smile. The confusion of not knowing what’s going on on top of the fish jerky’s scent from earlier had the dog’s gaze turning dreamy, like how Haniel’s did when she fainted.
Grrrr.
“And you remember what your master said, right?”
I’m so proud of you.
I stood up after a while as I got tired from patting the dog. I walked towards the window and saw the already dark sky with the moon starting to show.
Bark! Bark bark! Grrrrrr.
The dog’s fur could not help but stand on its end once more as it witnessed my transformation into a black swan slowly starting from my fingers.
I’ve deceived you.
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