To be honest, when the man introduced himself as Arsene, I wondered if he was crazy.
“You’re Arsene?”
“Yeah, it’s been a while.”
Even though he was the one who dealt with X, I only started to question whether I could truly trust this man now. But when I think about it, except for people in the Grand Duchy, not many people know that I gave the big black dog the name Arsene.
Is this man in front of me really Arsene?
No, does it make sense that a dog has become a human?
I laughed self-deprecatingly at the thought. When I listed all the things I’ve experienced so far, a dog transforming into a human seemed like nothing.
I couldn’t help but let out a hollow laugh. The man claiming to be ‘Arsene’ laughed along with me, not knowing why I was laughing.
“Are you really Arsene?”
“How many times are you going to ask me that? How many times have I helped you?”
“As far as I remember…….”
I know it’s rude, but before my rationality could take control, my gaze scanned him from head to toe.
“Yeah, I didn’t look like this.”
“…That’s why I find it hard to believe.”
“I saved you so many times, why can’t you believe me?”
The man said, sounding really frustrated.
Even if Arsene the dog had turned into a human, I was still puzzled by the difference between the image I had of Arsene and this man.
I thought of Arsene as an affectionate, gentler version of him. Like Gilbert.
But this man in front of me……
I can’t say he’s affectionate, but I’d say he’s a long way from being gentle.
Still, the warmth in his brown eyes reminded me of the tenderness I felt in Arsen’s gaze, which made me feel subtly conflicted.
However, no matter how much I thought about it, his light-hearted tone and casual posture were different from the Arsene I had in mind, creating a sense of disharmony.
Although we couldn’t have conversations when he was a dog, as someone who had relied on Arsene emotionally for constantly saving me from danger, it was slightly, just slightly shocking to realize that Arsene was that kind of person.
“I was so excited to finally talk to you!”
He said, obviously a little offended when I said nothing and looked at him in disbelief.
“When I heard you were in danger, I rushed to your side! Especially when you were meeting that half-wit guy. I thought you would be most pleased to see me in this form, but the reception I got was so cold.”
“I’ve never been cold to you.”
I may not have been hospitable, but I wasn’t cold.
Startled by the man venting his dissatisfaction in an excited manner, I awkwardly patted his shoulder to calm him down.
“I’ve been watching you since you were playing with the ball. How could you do this?”
“I’m sorry, I believe you!”
“You’re lying. I don’t see any faith in your eyes.”
Saying whatever came out of my mouth to placate him, I suddenly remembered the day I first met him.
I was playing with a black ball when he made his first appearance at the Grand Palace.
I ran after him in a frenzy, and that first meeting is something only Arsene and I know.
“Are you really Arsene?”
“Do you believe me now?”
He relaxed, finally seeing the faith in my eyes that he’d never seen before.
I covered my mouth with my hands. He’s really Arsene.
Arsene became a human!
“When you say Arsene, you mean the black puppy, right?”
“It’s a dog, not a puppy.”
As Arsene answered, Rex remained wary of him. Arsen pointed out the error in Rex’s words, but he didn’t look too upset. Rather, he looked at Rex intently, as if he had piqued his interest, observing him closely.
Whether it was X or Arsene, I felt a mix of discomfort and pride in their significant interest in Rex. That’s my little brother.
“But why didn’t you tell me earlier when I asked?”
“I thought you noticed. The snake kept calling me ‘dog’.”
“I thought it was just an insult…”
I guess he was stating a fact.
“So you’re saying that X…… is a snake?”
“Don’t ever meet that bastard again. He’ll keep advising you with nothing but bad things.”
He’s not someone I can’t meet just because I don’t want to.
Arsene’s expression of shaking her hands was not good, as if he felt bad just thinking about X.
He even let out a frustrated sound as if he was tired of him. But Rex’s expression was equally unhappy.
“How can we believe you’re that dog?”
“Does your ability make sense?”
As soon as the man finished speaking, I examined Rex’s expression.
Rex appeared indifferent, but his face had turned pale. Blue veins stood out on his hand resting on his thigh.
“Well, I don’t care. I just need you to take care of Mary.”
Tensions rose between Rex and Arsene. Rex was completely silent. Due to the awkward silence that ensued, I prayed for a familiar scene to appear quickly.
In the orange sunset, I could see Conler Castle. I was away for only about half a day, but it was still nice to see it.
I can’t wait to get home, bathe and lie down, and then run to Logan and tell him what happened today. Can I take Arsene with me? I was worried because I didn’t notify them in advance that I was bringing a guest. I noticed earlier, he seemed very happy to be served.
I looked at Arsene sitting in front of me. He was looking out of the window with his chin resting on his right hand. As I looked at him, I remembered what he had said about good news and bad news.
“You said there was good news and bad news.”
“……Did I say that?”
“I heard it, too.”
As Arsene attempted to feign ignorance with a nonchalant attitude, my face began to scrunch up, but Rex, who had remained silent, fired back.
It seems we have the numerical advantage here. Arsene let out a heavy sigh that seemed to lift the weight off his chest.
“I’m on your side, Mary.”
“I’m on my sister’s side, too.”
“That’s not a problem. Are you saying that you’re on her side unconditionally?”
“I’m on her side no matter what.”
“It’s not getting through.”
As Arsene tried to speak seriously, Rex interjected from the side.
Arsene seemed displeased, but I found Rex’s actions cute, so I gently patted the back of his head. In response, Rex smiled for the first time since he got into the carriage.
“… Anyway, don’t worry. If anything happens, look for me right away. Just like you always have.”
Arsen concluded with those words. In his final remark, he looked at Rex, and there was a strange sense of superiority in his gaze.
Rex looked at me like a puppy who’d been deprived of a treat, but there was nothing to be said for that, considering that I sometimes thought of Arsene rather than Rex when faced with a difficult task.
“I’m home!”
And just like that, the breathtaking journey was over, and we arrived at Conler Castle. Lucas was waiting for us in front of the castle.
I expected to see at least two of the three brothers, but I was disappointed to see the front of the castle empty.
“I’m back!”
I shouted as brightly as I could to hide my disappointment, but Lucas’s expression, as he hugged my waist and lowered me to the ground, was not very pleasant.
“Why didn’t you come back sooner?”
The reproachful tone made me confused.
Was he that worried? It had only been half a day, and I had clearly said that it could take longer.
“The Master is awake!”
I jumped at the unexpected words and ran straight to Grand Duke Estin’s side. Lucas called my name repeatedly from behind, but I was in a hurry.
Come to think of it, I should probably explain to Lucas about Arsene behind him, but all I could think about was Grand Duke Estin.
The thought of him waking up in my absence was unthinkable. My heart was racing that no tears came to my eyes.
“Father!”
When I reached his room, I saw him leaning against the head of the bed.
He looked a bit frail, but his unique and intimidating presence was still as strong as ever, to the point where you couldn’t see him as someone who had been bedridden.
I rushed to him, calling him “Father,” but my jaw dropped when I saw his face. Inside the room were the three brothers and…….
“You’re here? Father has woken up.”
There was Tia Bluea. Grand Duke Estin was looking at Tia Bluea with such a friendly gaze.
