Chapter 49

Fluffy, soft and cuddly.

Is this the supreme heaven...?

"Wow! This one is so friendly!"

Michel, face, face!

Yeah, but I understand!!

"Michel, look at this one too! It has a tail!"

Round eyes and perky ears. A wagging tail. A friendly little one expressing joy with its whole body.

I might just buy them all!

Don't worry! The Duke's estate is so large!

"But, what kind of shop is this?"

"I'm not very familiar, but I know that recently, small animals bred to be kept indoors have become popular among the nobility."

"Just rumors, I guess."

"Maybe it's starting to become popular among the common people too."

I see.

What's popular among the nobility often becomes popular among the common people too.

Especially something that appeals to people's hearts spreads quickly!

Indeed, they are cute!

"But, they're quite expensive, aren't they?"

"Probably because they were originally a noble's pastime? I think the prices will come down a bit more soon."

It seems Michel is a cat person.

He's been holding only those kinds of animals.

Maybe he gets along well with them because he's whimsical like a cat.

Here, it's like a matchmaking event where you can touch and interact with the ones you like while looking for a compatible one.

By the way, I'm a dog person.

I find their loyalty to their owners cute.

However, the Verdigo Earl's family and the Lindvold Duke's family don't keep pets. They have horses for carriages, but no small animals as pets.

"I think I'll buy one after all..."

Healing is important!

"Let's do it! How about this one?"

Michel, this one is your favorite, huh...

Even though you were holding several, you treated this one specially, right?

It is cute, though.

"Michel, why don't you keep it yourself?"

"I'm currently staying at the Duke's estate, so it's a bit difficult... But if my master keeps it, I can take care of it too, right?"

For your own sake...

Well, that's fine.

"But, if I buy one now, what will my husband say...? We should talk to him first, or it might cause problems, right?"

"It's fine! Look, the current Claude-sama seems to forgive anything for Reisha-sama's sake."

Ah, that.

The trust-building period.

To be honest, I haven't been angry with my husband since I heard that story.

I understood there were various circumstances, and he seemed to be reflecting...

He did apologize, after all.

"So, I'll take this one. I'll buy this one with my own money!"

I smiled and said to Michel.

"No way. I'm a dog person."

"Really! Then, how about keeping two? I'll take care of one! Maybe Claude-sama is a cat person!"

"Probably a dog person. He seems to prefer loyal ones over whimsical ones."

"Why do you sound like a married couple? But Claude-sama likes Reisha-sama, so he might prefer whimsical cats—"

"Okay, okay."

I casually brushed off Michel and watched the lively ones running around or playing energetically.

Even though they are said to be suitable for indoor keeping, it's still unclear how big they will grow.

Well, if they are large as puppies, they will probably become large dogs.

"They're all so cute."

"They are cute, aren't they?"

Michel followed me with a sulky look, turning his head away.

I thought I shouldn't show a sweet face, so I looked around.

Then, I noticed a basket in the back.

It was a sturdy basket, and I think each one was in one of those.

However, there was one basket with an unusually sturdy cage.

"That one—..."

"What? You want that one?"

Michel looked surprised at me.

"Um..."

The one in the small cage seemed to be isolated, growling and baring its teeth as if warning not to come closer.

"Hmm, Reisha-sama... Do you have a desire to tame a cheeky one like that...? Claude-sama is also cheeky, after all. He's not easy to handle..."

Michel said with a smirk, glancing at me.

Shut up, Michel!

"Excuse me, I'm interested in this one."

"Ah, I'm sorry. This one is a bit—..."

When I asked the shop person, they hesitated and said it wasn't recommended.

It's for sale, but it doesn't get along with anyone and bites when touched.

The source is unclear, and the shop is at a loss about what to do.

They said that if other ones don't find homes, they might be sold as mousers or farm dogs, but this one, being unfriendly to people, might be euthanized.

I couldn't stay silent after hearing that!

The shop person tried to recommend other ones, but I was set on this one.

Even if it doesn't work out, I decided to take it.

If it doesn't work out now, it might become friendly with some love and care.

Dogs are smarter than cats!

"Reisha-sama, are you serious?"

"Is that bad?"

"…If you get hurt, I'll be killed by Claude-sama, you know?"

"Then, I'll have you killed, I guess?"

"That's cruel! Aren't I your best friend!?"

I don't have any best friend candidates left, Michel.

I asked the shop person to unlock the cage.

Then, I slowly opened the door.

The little one, still on guard, just growled at me. It didn't try to run away, as if it knew it was futile.

To avoid scaring it, I slowly extended my hand.

As expected, it bit me fiercely.

For a puppy, its sharp canines were strong and it hurt when it bit down.

This world is a place of the survival of the fittest. You have to show who is stronger to win.

We stared at each other, our eyes locking.

Its eyes had a mysterious color.

The same blue as mine, yet strong and wistfully wavering.

The staring contest didn't last long.

Then, it slowly released its teeth, as if giving up.

It then licked the bleeding spot.

Hehe, I won!

"It's so cute."

"Are you thinking you won? Reisha-sama. You look like you accomplished something... Anyway, first aid!"

Michel took my hand and asked the shop person for medicine.

While Michel was tending to my hand, the shop person took the little one out of the cage.

It was surprisingly calm, unlike its previous growling.

Actually—...

This one is a bit dirty, but it feels so good!

The smooth fur feels like it's sticking to my hand, and it's irresistible.

I want to bury my face in it!

"I'm buying this one! I've decided on this one!"

"Okay, okay, do as you please."

You're saying that like you're not interested, but you paid for it, Michel!

The big eyes were staring at me, and I nuzzled my cheek against its soft fur.

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