Chapter 44

“Glick, I’m here!”

[You’re late.]

“I’m not late. I came 10 minutes early.”

He always says that I’m late whenever I go to him so I prepared a watch today.

I pushed my watch in his face and I saw his golden eyes shaking wildly.

Glick soon turned his head away from me sulkily.

I smiled silently and patted Glick on the back.

‘Why does he look so cute?’

Of course, it was up to Ruri to soothe the sulky Glick.

[Mr. Leopard, hurry up and eat!]

[Yeah, hurry up and eat, Glick]

The meat is fresher today.

I put the plate with the silver lid in front of Glick. Looking at it like this, it seems that its color is more vivid today.

After repeated invitations, Glick stood up to pretend that he couldn’t win and started eating the meat.

The plate became empty in a blink of an eye.

After emptying the bowl clean, Glick sat relaxed on the floor, licking his mouth with his elongated tongue.

His face was full of satiety. I was squatting in front of him, and I sat down on the floor with legs on both sides. Even though this was the floor in Glick’s room, it had the highest quality carpets like my room.

I thought I had to start talking, so I called Glick.

“I have something to say. “

[Tell me.]

“Starting tomorrow, Ains will be the one who’ll give you meat. “

[Why?]

“I’m going home.”

[What’s a home?]

“It’s a place where I was born and raised. It’s called Adella, and it’s a very pretty town with mountains and oceans.”

[Is it that pretty?]

“Yeah. “

[Take me with you, then.]

“…huh? “

[I want to see something pretty, too]

It was a proud and natural request that I almost answered ‘Yes, okay’. It seemed that he didn’t even think that I would refuse.

What should I say?

“….I don’t think that’s possible.”

Glick, who was grooming his front foot, raised his head.

*blink* *blink.*

He blinks his eyes a couple of times and asks indifferently.

[Why not?]

Why you say…

I could already see the villagers running away as soon as I got off the carriage if I take Glick with me.

However, I couldn’t tell the truth, so I quickly turned my head away to find an excuse.

“If we both go, Ains will be very lonely. Ains really likes you.”

[…..]

Did it work?

He snorted like a human, or sighed, and answered as if he couldn’t help it.

[Okay, then be sure to come the next evening.]

“………I can’t do that either. I’ll be back in about ten nights.”

It was not worth mentioning carefully. This time, Glick’s eyes began to shake like an earthquake.

‘Ten nights? You said ten nights?’

I can already read his though just by looking at his facial expression. I’ve never actually seen it, but I thought that’s how the child who lost his mother would look.

Eventually, Glick turned his head when he did the. I sweated a lot as I protested with my whole body saying, ‘I’m upset.’

“Are you angry, Glick?”

[………]

He’s angry.

I was at a loss, but on the other hand, I smiled softly.

He must be very sad that I’ll leave him behind. Is it because he likes me that much?

“I’m only going for ten nights. In the meantime, please keep Ains and Ruri safe. Okay?”

[……]

Finally, I issued an empty ticket.

“I’ll get you a present. You’re gonna love it.”

Fortunately, it worked. His round ears moved slightly, and only then did Glick look at my face.

I gently swept Glick’s soft neck without missing a chance.

“I’m so sad to think I won’t see you for days. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

[…I am not disappointed. I’m just afraid you’ll be bored.]

No, you don’t look like that at all.

Of course, I could never say that aloud. Ruri, who was watching us, fired her support.

[Ruri will play with Mr. Leopard. I’ll come to visit you every day. Ruri loves being with Mr. Leopard!]

Then Ruri looked over her head and asked Glick.

[How about Mr. Leopard? Do you like to play with Ruri?]

[……]

[Do you?  Do you?]

You have to answer well, Glick.

Looking enthusiastically at him with such eyes, I heard a late answer.

[….that’s better than nothing]

Pfft.

Anyway, he’s arrogant.

Fortunately, Ruri already knew how to talk to Glick. She spoke in a lively voice connecting the words without any signs of discomfort.

[If you’re okay with it, I’ll come and see you in the evening!]

Good job, Ruri!

[Are you not going with Maria?]

[I’ll stay.  I’ll be waiting with Mr. Leopard.]

[Okay.]

I could see his tail moving gently.

It seems that he’s finally feeling better.

I secretly breathed a sigh of relief and stroked Glick’s head repeatedly.

“You need to get along with Ruri. All right?”

Glick answered with a snout.

[Bring a lot of gifts.]

It was in the afternoon when the sun went down that Tyr visited the crown prince’s office.

“She just left.”

Instead of asking who left, Ains put another question in his mouth.

“The gift.”

“I’ve got everything on the carriage. We’ve harnessed outstanding escort drivers, and we’ve taken care of everything else you’ve ordered.”

“Good job.”

Ains ordered the knights -under the guise of horsemen-through Tyr to only walk along the main road where there are always a lot of people.

He also threatened to never move at night, because if they were unlucky, they could meet a band of bandits or robbers.

‘I should’ve added more people.’

With some belated regrets, Ains changed the subject.

“Did she say anything special?”

“Yes? “

“I sent her a present. “

Tyr replied quickly, realizing what he meant.

“Ah, she asked me to say thank you to your Highness. And…”

Tyr took something out of his coat. It was apparently a letter envelope, and Ains was handed over and quickly took out the letter paper inside.

[Dear Your Highness, The Crown Prince]

He smiled as soon as he read the first line. He was sure that she worked hard on it, but strangely, her handwriting was still loose.

The content was not long. It said thank you for doing me a favor, and, “Please take care of Glick.”

[I’ll be right back. Your Highness, stay a dog.]

Ains’ eyes were fixed in one place.

‘Dog? Did she write the wrong word? Does she mean ‘safe’? ‘

(t/n: she wrote ‘개세요 ‘ instead of ‘계세요’ lols. ) 

With a deeper smile on his face, Ains opened the drawer and placed the letter in it.

“How’s the preparation for the inspection? “

“It’s going smoothly,”

Ains nodded and rummaged through the pile of papers again. After a  few moments, a sentry guard who guarded the office came to tell an unwelcome news.

“Your Highness, Her Majesty,  the Empress has asked to see you.”

There was a faint crease between his eyebrows. Everyone knew that Empress Clopedia was not Ains’ biological mother, and although they were in each other’s positions, they only have a few personal encounters.

But the reason why she suddenly asked for an audience was obvious.

Pushing down the burning temples, Ains replied.

“Tell her I’ll visit her later.”

It was fortunate that he had a lot of work to do. Tyr gave him a worried look, but since he’s a wise man, he did not say any useless words to offend him.

It was in the late afternoon when the sun went down that Ains visited the Empress Palace.

Empress Clopedia was not the only one in the parlor. Roselia, who wore a dress that stood out even from afar, was with her.

‘I’m finally in the middle of the mountains.’*

(t/n: I’m not really sure about this but I think it’s an idiom like ‘trapped in a lion’s den’.) 

As he approached the table with a sigh, Roselia jumped up and welcomed Ains.

“Welcome, Your Highness.”

On the other hand, the empress folded her small fan, which she had been fanning slowly, and then faced Ains.

“You must be busy at work. It took you some time coming here.”

There was a thorn in her words, but Ains didn’t care. It’s not that I’m not. I was really busy.

Ains asked in a grave voice, thinking that he would not have come if it were not for the Empress’ call.

“What did you want to speak with me?”

Then a smile spread on the queen’s face. It was a smile that can make you feel cold even though she was smiling.

“I heard the good news. His Majesty asked me to be in charge of the prince’s marriage.”

“I see,”

Ains replied nonchalantly as if he already had expected this.

It wasn’t like there weren’t very few ways to delay marriage anymore.

In the Empire, there was a custom of receiving auspicious days from a retainer or a new woman before a large event was held for generations.

The imperial family was no exception. So if you do a little, you will be able to postpone your marriage once or twice. It was possible because the minister in charge of the imperial event was close to Ains.

(t/n: I didn’t understand the custom part that much so I just translated what’s written directly. )

The empress must also be well aware of the fact. By any chance, before she could do anything, Ains nailed it first.

“I’m going to visit the temple when the urgent matter is over. I don’t think you’ll need it, but if you need any help, tell me first.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Ains got up from his seat.

It wasn’t exactly a good reception, but there was nothing to catch. He did not deny the emperor’s order nor refused the empress’s help. Of course, he also added the assumption, ‘if necessary’ just in case.

“I’ll go now,”

Roselia who had been looking around hurriedly opened her mouth.

“Let’s have dinner together, Your Highness.”

“I have a previous engagement. Then, I hope you have a comfortable evening.”

Without losing his courtesy until the end, Ains turned his back on her.

After leaving the Empress’s Palace, he headed to the main palace where Glick was.

As usual, Glick greeted his master in a sour manner. But it wasn’t just Glick in the room. Maria’s beloved little bird was also with Glick.

‘Didn’t she say that its name is Ruri? ‘

It seems that it got interested in Ains’ face. It bows down deep enough to raise its small tail, it was as if it was recognizing him and greeting him.

But Ains found something else more interesting. Even though such a small animal was loitering nearby, Glick did not harm it. Far from it, it seems that they are getting along quite well from afar, so he let out a smile without realizing it.

Glick quickly emptied the meat plate as he was a gluttonous eater. After confirming that he had finished his meal, Ains took Glick out to the walking area after a long time.

The sun cast a reddish light all over the place. Seeing that the wind was showing signs of heat, he thought it would be midsummer soon.

Ains sat under a tree with Glick and looked at the distant mountains.

“Are you bored?”

Ains asked while sweeping Glick’s neck. It was also a reflection of himself.

Ahhh Glick and Ruri are sooo cute.  I’m kinda sad that Maria left them behind. Seeing (or reading lols) Glick loitering behind Maria with Ruri in his head would’ve been wholesome!!!