Chapter 51

After listening to Edgar’s story, I decided to discuss the plan for a tea party with Lady Natalie.

“I want to invite Lady Natalie to this palace for a tea party next time. I’d like to set up a table in the front courtyard and enjoy tea while watching the wolves. Do you think that would be okay?”

“N-Natalie-sama and…?”

Edgar’s tail lost its strength, and his dog ears drooped.

Lady Natalie’s family is known for being harsh on beastmen, so they might not welcome her.

“Lady Natalie herself doesn’t have any ill feelings towards beastmen, and she even said she likes dogs and wolves, but do you think it might be difficult?”

“N-No problem!! However, if I’m there, I might end up making a poor impression…”

Edgar lowered his head.

Recently, he had been able to talk to me normally, but when we first met, he was very nervous and suspicious.

He might not be comfortable with unfamiliar people, especially humans.

Given the longstanding tensions between beastmen and humans, it’s natural.

On the contrary, it’s quite remarkable that he has opened up to me, a human, in such a short time.

The slicker brush has done a great job.

“Could we schedule the tea party on a day when a wolf keeper other than me is responsible for the wolves’ walks?”

“Yes, I understand. If the wolves aren’t feeling well on the day of the tea party, we don’t have to force them to go for a walk. I’ll ask the wolf keepers and the wolves to cooperate within their limits.”

“Of course! If the wolves can be appreciated, we wolf keepers will find it rewarding to take care of them.”

“Thank you. Lady Natalie isn’t used to animals, so I plan to let her observe the wolves from a distance first.”

Lady Natalie has a strong love for fluffy things, but she has little experience interacting with live animals.

She has never had a pet and has only touched horses.

The other day, she was talking to a tiger cat, which was quite unusual.

As the day of our meeting approached and she became increasingly nervous, she happened to see the tiger cat crossing the courtyard.

Unable to bear the rising tension, she sneaked away from the maids to get some fluffy comfort.

She approached the tiger cat but didn’t get too close for fear of scaring it away. Instead, she confided her nervousness, which she couldn’t share with humans.

I hesitated to let Lady Natalie touch the wolves right away.

The wolves are well-trained, but they have sharp claws and teeth and are as large as big dogs.

Even though Lady Natalie loves fluffy things, she might be scared when she meets the wolves, and wolves are very sensitive to human emotions.

To avoid any mishaps, it would be better for Lady Natalie to observe the wolves first.

I plan to start with smaller, calmer, and easier-to-pet animals.

While thinking about which animals to let her pet, I petted the wolf that had arrived, then said goodbye to Edgar and returned to the palace.

I decided to make a suggestion to Butler Bogdan, who greeted me.

“Would it be possible to bring our companion animals to this palace?”

“Yes. I’ve heard that when beastmen live and work here, they often bring their companion animals with them.”

There are 13 beastmen living and working in this palace.

We give them a full day off regularly so they can return home to their companion animals.

It’s like a fluffy holiday.

Many companion animals prefer to spend time near their beastman owners.

I’ve heard that in workplaces with many beastmen, it’s common to allow companion animals to accompany their owners.

However, since I am a human and from a foreign country, the beastmen here have been cautious about bringing their companion animals.

“I’ve heard that some companion animals can be resistant to unfamiliar places, so I won’t force anyone. But if the companion animal and its owner want to, they are welcome to bring them here.”

Honestly, I really want them to bring their companion animals.

Companion animals often feel more at ease near their owners, and I would enjoy seeing various fluffy creatures.

Especially the canine companion animals, with their perky ears, floppy ears, brown, gray, and white fur, large and small breeds, and various temperaments, which I have been looking forward to.

“Thank you, Lady Letitia. I’m sure the other beastmen will be delighted.”

“I’m glad to hear that. But I have one request, if you don’t mind.”

“What is it?”

“When Lady Natalie comes for the tea party next time, I’d like to let her pet a companion animal that isn’t shy around people. Is that possible?”

“Yes, that’s fine. If you’d like, my companion animal would be honored to be petted by you and Lady Letitia.”

“Thank you. Could you bring your companion animal from home during your next day off and let it get used to the palace?”

“Understood. Where should I have my companion animal wait while I’m working?”

“I plan to build a doghouse at the back of the palace. I also want to create an exercise area if possible.”

I imagine something like a dog park in Japan.

I want the companion animals to have a spacious place to relax and play.

For this, I have obtained permission from His Majesty to make modifications around the palace.

Now that I have the permission, I don’t intend to hold back.

“An exercise area? That seems like a lot of trouble…”

“Don’t worry. I’m doing this because I want to. However, I would like to know what kind of exercise area would make the companion animals happy, as their owners.”

“It’s very kind of you to consider our opinions… Some of the companion animals are quite large, so a spacious exercise area would be necessary, which might require clearing some of the forest. The construction time and costs could be significant.”

“It’s fine. I plan to do the logging myself.”

“Lady Letitia?”

“I have magic. I want to use it to keep my magical skills sharp and to help with the palace’s renovation plans.”

An unused tool rusts.

Recently, I’ve only been reciting refining spells, but I’ve been thinking about various ways to use magic.

Since I have ample magical power, I don’t intend to hold back when it comes to fluffy things.