Chapter 10

You know that look you have when you hear the buzzing sound when you visit the dentist, and you scream, ‘It hurts! It hurts!’ ? Glick, a leopard and beast of prey, looks as pitiful as that.

But, I still had to say what I had to say because my life is precious.

[Promise me, or I’ll go.]

[……]

[Alright. I’ll just go then.]

[Wait!]

When I looked back at rattling sound, I saw him standing up again and hanging from the cage. I asked him with a grim face.

[You’re not gonna bite me?]

[Sigh…..]

[Then-]

[Fine. I won’t bite…..I don’t want to be sick anymore.]

[You’re really not gonna bite me, are you?]

[If I say I wont, I wont….why are you still doubting me…]

I almost laughed as he murmured that.

At first, he looked really aggressive as if he would pounce and bite me right away, but he’s not as scary as that anymore after exchanging a few conversations.

[Then I’ll ask them to get you out.]

As I went back from where Ains was and he questioned me.

“What did you do?”

“I need your permission.”

He looks confused for a second, but I didn’t see any particular hostility on his face so I completed my sentence with a smile on my face.

“Open the cage, please.”

“…….what?”

“…….I don’t see anything wrong with him on the outside, so I’m going to take a closer look.”

“Are you serious?”

“Of course.”

Ains’ expression became more serious. He must be wondering if I’m crazy but I wouldn’t be able to look inside Glick’s mouth if he’s in a tight cage.

“Alright. I’ll open it for you.”

“Your Highness!”

I heard the man’s voice shouting urgently, but Ains didn’t even blink. He looked at my face for a moment, and then he spoke very harshly.

“But I won’t take responsibility for your death if you died. You didn’t listen to anything I said. I hope you don’t blame me if he bites you.”

“Yes, it won’t happen.”

“…..You’re full of confidence.”

He murmured, and looked at the man standing next to him.

“Lock the door outside.”

“Wouldn’t it be better to call the knights? Isn’t this too reckless?”

“It’s all right. Go outside.”

“But Your Highness…. “

“Now.”

He looked like he had a lot to say, but the man eventually lowered his head and went out.

*kerchak**click*

The sound really made it clear that the door is locked outside. Thanks to this, there are only three beings left inside, the Crown Prince, me, and Glick.

Ains soon began to walk forward, loosening his arms. I followed him quietly.

Soon, he reached at the cage and took something out of his pocket. It was a small key.

When he unlocked the padlock, he pulled the iron chain that was winded around the cage, and the door that had been tightly shut finally opened widely.

“Come out, Glick.”

*jingle*

Glick raised himself up. His eyes were somehow on me.

He started walking slowly, loitering,full of superiority, like a tiger or lion I saw on TV. I hurriedly let a voice from my head.

[You remember the promise, right?]

[I’m smart.]

It meant that he remembered. I crouched down, but not too close, and matched my face to Glick’s to eye level.

“Nice to meet you, Glick.”

[What’s wrong with you?]

“Wha-“

Aigoyah. I swallowed the voice that was about to come out of my mouth, and asked again, this time in my mind.

[You already greeted me while shaking in fear earlier, so why are you doing it again?]

(t/n: lmaaaao he’s so savage!)

Why you ask? That’s because the prince doesn’t know you and I already said hello!

[Well, it’s much nicer to see and greet you up close. And when did I ever shiver?]

[You did. Having bad head makes you ugly.]

(t/n: my lungsss why is he like dis aghajsjak)

[Hahahah]

Hey, I did not. I didn’t trembled even if you’re a bit scary!

The more we talked, the more I could see Glick’s personality. Although he sounds fierce and intimidating, his style of talking was also unusual.

“Then I’ll take a look.”

I slowly reached out and touched his fur first.

Fortunately, Glick was quiet. After confirming that he did not show any intention to attack me, I slowly moved my hands and swept them along his back.

‘…It’s very soft.’

Maybe it’s because he was a big cat type of a beast, but it feels almost the same as touching a cat. I wanted to keep touching him, but I had something to do.

I gave up my regret and moved my hand. I then looked carefully into Glick’s face, front paws, hind paws, and anus. I know the problem is in his mouth, but I need to pretend that I didn’t know because the Crown Prince was looking.

Fortunately, Glick let me do what I need to do. He showed many signs that he’s annoyed to move but he still cooperated.

Thanks to that, I finished the check-up safely, and now I only have the final part that I need to check left.

After a brief sigh, I stroked Glick’s head one more time with a smiling face.

“Good boy. Now let me see your mouth.”

[You look ridiculous pretending to be nice in front of him.]

Move!

[Shall I just go?]

[…!]

[If you cooperate, I won’t go…. So stop talking.]

Why are you looking at me like that?

“Pfft..”

I snorted. It feels like I’m talking to a six year old.

I patted his lips while I was rubbing his head. Fortunately, Glick understood my behavior and opened his mouth as loud as he could.

Let’s see… Heuk!

“Oh, my God.”

I spoke unconsciously. As soon as I looked inside his mouth, I could see the a cut on his flesh on his right molar and white inflammation has already spread along the wound.

‘So this why you can’t eat. How painful must it have been?’

I looked straight up at Ains and said with a worried, chaste face.

“He have a serious wound in his mouth.”

“There’s a wound in his mouth?”

“Yes, it’s almost as big as a thumbnail, but it still must have hurt a lot.”

But Ains was still expressionless.

“Why would I believe you?”

“What?”

“Nobody have ever told me that there is a wound in Glick’s mouth.”

“….”

Of course, you idiot.

(t/n: she really called him idiot oh my goood.)

Who in the right mind will open and look inside a hungry leopard’s mouth filled with sharp teeth, without any anesthesia?

I would never even try it myself if I don’t have the ability to communicate with animals. Besides, Glick is too fierce and sensitive because of the wound.

I want to snap that back at him but I think my life is more precious, so I smiled instead and answered mildly.

“Just look inside his mouth and see for yourself.”

Nevertheless, there still a spark of doubt in Ains’ face.

My goodness. You’re just as suspicious as Glick! You really are his owner… Is this why Gerard said that you two are the same in everything? Hmm, I think he’s right though.

“Just try it for once. Do you think I will lie to the Crown Prince of this country?”

“…is that so.”

Fortunately, he looked convinced even though it was a bit late. Ains’ eyes were on me again.

“What do I do now?”

Unfortunately, I don’t have the ability to make him a medicine because I’m not a pharmacist. Then….

“Do you have any medicine for inflammation?”

“There’s a herb, I think.”

“Then prepare it for me. But I’m going to put it inside Glick’s mouth, so don’t use any poisonous herbs. Also, I’d like to ask you to make a stick with a thin soft cotton rolled at the tip. It’s kind of looks like this.”

I drew a small club-like figure with my fingers. Ains nodded, and soon looked behind him and raised his voice.

“Tyr, come inside.”

Then the door opened and the man from earlier came.

So his name is Tyr. It suits him.

He seemed a little nervous to see the leopard out of the cage, but he bravely came close without backing down.

Ains soon ordered him to bring the things I asked for. Shortly after, Tyr came back with it.

“Here you go.”

This is good.

Stretch out my hand and pick up the stick with the cotton rolled up on the tip along with the bowl that contains the medicinal herbs.

(t/n: I’m not sure about translation of the stick here but I think, it looks like a cotton buds?)

Now all I have to do is apply this to Glick’s mouth.

“……”

I suddenly changed my mind and looked at Ains. I smiled and pushed the stick towards him.

“Here you go. You can apply it on Glick’s wound.”

Then Tyr chimed in.

“How dare you give orders to your Highness?”

“Or would you like to do it, Mr. Tyr?”

He looked very embarrassed. I saw his eyes shaking. See? You can’t even do it.

“I think Glick would be more reassured if the Crown Prince did it rather than me, who’s a stranger to him.”

It sounds like I’m making up excuses, but it really was true. Just thinking about the memories of working at an animal hospital, sick animals often felt much more calm and stable in the arms of their owners than in the a vet’s.

“Give it to me.”

“Yes, here you go.”

After taking over the stick, Ains personally bent his down on one knee and faced Glick .

“Open your mouth, Glick.”

Glick glanced at me. He looks confused.

I opened my mouth without a sound, signaling him to do the same, and at last, Glick opened his mouth slowly.

[Don’t bite.]

[Hmph. You’re just scared and talking too much.]

Ains, who had no idea what we were talking about, soon slipped the stick with medicine into Glick’s mouth.

I watched them with a nervous heart.

Glick flinched in surprised. The stick must’ve touched the wound deeply already. You have to bear it well.

After a while, as Ains rose up, I hurried to ask him.

“Is it done already?”

“I think so.”

This time, I looked at Glick and asked inwardly.

[Are you okay?]

[Shit, it’s not delicious.]

It’s a herb, so of course, it’s not. But did you just say shit?

[Don’t swallow.]

[I won’t swallow. It tastes awful.]

Glick looked expressionless on the outside but in my eyes, he looks just like a young child who’s complaining about eating his least favorite food.

[Good boy. You held it in.]

[Hmph.]

He turns his head and curls up with his front legs folded.

‘You really did a great job.’

I unknowingly, smiled at him like a proud mom.

(t/n: yess, that leopard will be your baby and Ains is the daddy sksksk)

He must have been suffering a lot, but he endured it as promised and I felt proud of this pretty child. Maybe I should keep it a secret that I will have to keep applying medicine until he gets better for now.

Do you know that saying that there’s a big difference in temperature before you go and after you go to the bathroom?

Hoo-hoo, that’s exactly how I feel right now. I was very nervous as I followed Tyr into the palace before, but now, I feel so light-hearted like I’m walking on clouds.

Glick was lying on his stomach next to me. I couldn’t touch him because he’s back in his cage, but every time I looked at the place where he was, I ended up smiling.

Why am I still here, you ask? Well that’s because of Ains who’s still suspicious of me.

Glick and Maria’s interaction is golden lmao. The novel description says that Ains is a tsundere, but I think Glick is the tsundere while and Ains is a kuudere? Anyways, they’re so kyooot

And I keep writing Ahin instead of Ains, I think my brain is ded lols.