CH 3.10

As I stared at my husband who was trying to force this whole mess on me, that large lump suddenly began to squirm and move.

I had thought it was big when it was lying down; my, it was enormous.

It was probably more than two meters long.

As I recall, Vancouries are said to be two meters, but it was probably more than that. Of course, there are individual differences, but even so, it was huge.

On my feet, I think its head is almost around my chest.

It approached me slowly, but the fact that neither my husband nor Michel took a stance suggests that it wasn’t hostile.

I certainly didn’t feel scared.

“Um…H-How do you do?”

It sniffed me repeatedly.

I somehow feel like it turned into a predator.

“Eh, do you think it’s safe to touch it?”

“Don’t ask me.  I’ve heard that Vancouries let people touch them during the shearing season, but only by selected people. I don’t know what the criteria is…Hmm, if they don’t like it when you touch them, I think you just have to stop. They wouldn’t just bite you out of the blue.”

That’s reasonable enough, Husband. Sure enough, even he doesn’t know much about Vancouries.

But why doesn’t he take the initiative and touch it himself?

I wonder if he wants to make a human sacrifice out of me.

It’s a huge beast that’s within easy touching distance if I just reach out my hand.

So, I stretched my hand with trepidation.

It looks fluffy, but it is smooth to the touch. The softness of its fur is irresistible, as if it is about to fall out of your hand, yet surprisingly firm.

Its fur is much firmer than that of the little pup.

Moreover, it’s really smooth.

“It’s so docile.”

“Yeah…It’s hard to believe that this is a wild beast. It’s as if it’s been tamed.”

When I leaned down to hug its thick neck, it took the initiative to approach me on its own. I hugged it and buried my face in it.

Mmmmm!

It feels so good!!

“Didn’t you say it was time to trim their fur this year? Is that why it has such fur?”

Its fur does seem overly long.

Ignoring my words, my husband stared at the large beast in front of him carefully.

“I think it would be closer to say that it understands your intentions, Risha, rather than being accustomed to people…”

My husband commented pensively, as if pondering over something.

It’s true that as soon as I reached out to the large beast, it put its face closer to mine…Wasn’t that a coincidence?

“Well, it’s a beast shrouded in mystery. A Vancoury case.”

Oh, so that’s how you’re going to conclude it, Husband?

I thought you were going to pursue it, but you probably think it doesn’t matter.

“That aside, what are you going to do? As the owner?”

Husband asks, looking up at me from below.

“I’m not the owner yet…”

“You must be a splendid owner. It’s a loyal dog, I’d say, no?”

It’s not a dog, though, is it?

“Canines won’t disobey a superior animal if there is a clear hierarchy, whether it’s a house dog or a wolf in the wild. This makes me believe that this guy is a canine.”

“There’s no need for your overly calm analysis, Husband.”

First off, I don’t think it matters if it’s a wild dog or cat.

The strongest is the winner, and there are no exceptions. It’s only natural to follow the strongest.

But when I think about it that way, I don’t understand why this beast in front of me or the little one would follow me.

No matter how you look at me, I’m not the strong one. At least, if it’s only in terms of appearance, my husband looks much stronger than I do.

Or rather, there is no doubt that he is a strong man.

In human society, it is natural to follow the strong. With that in mind, the human race are also animals after all.

Animals that can reason, talk, and communicate.

To be honest, I know it’s fine to go against a strong husband, but I’m somehow repulsed by it.

I mean, I can’t be blamed if things started that way, right?

He’s been quiet lately, but I’m always on the lookout for him because I never know when he’s going to strike.

I don’t want to let my guard down, even though there’s an air of enjoyment about me these days!

“Excuse me, will you let my husband touch you?”

Not just my husband, but the others as well.

Husband shrugged and extended his hand.

He went on to touch its neck, as if caressing it, but it doesn’t seem as friendly as with me, but it has no choice but to let him pet it. That’s how it looked to me.

“You’re acting like an adult who treats a child.”

I know exactly how that feels!

It’s not that the large beast doesn’t like it, but it finds it annoying. It’s like saying, Just deal with it, or something like that.

“For now, it seems harmless. But I still think we should ask the owner what she wants.”

I say, I’m not the owner yet!

Husband dismissed the servants who had gathered around and walked back towards the mansion.

The two beasts followed behind.

Glancing behind him, Husband let out a sigh and ordered Michel.

“Michel, do something about them.”

“Wa-what?! Why me? Why don’t you ask Risha-sama to do something about it!”

Yes, why was I brought here, otherwise?

But I can’t do anything, either, Michel. 

“I’d rather have them both inside, is that okay? That would be a problem if the house is small, but the duke’s mansion is so large that passing this guy wouldn’t be a problem, right?”

“Sounds like an idea a cleaning servant would bemoan.”

Ah, cleaning.

Sheds of fur are going to fly…

I can picture the servants frantically cleaning and purifying the house. They are so disciplined, cleaning the house without leaving a single speck of dust.

Still, I think it’s better for small indoor animals, but we’re dealing with a big beast.

I think they’ll be shedding a lot. Plus, their coats are a bit long.  

Ah, but…

“Come to think of it, I don’t think he was shedding any hair at all…”

“Come to think of it, he did.”

Husband shot back, as if he remembered too.

I’m pretty sure that when I was lifting that little furball and carrying him around, he wasn’t shedding any hair.

At least, there was hardly any hair on my dress, and I think the same was true when I washed it and hung it to dry.

“Okay, then? It’s more of a distraction from work to have them here. Don’t they bother you?”

That’s true.

If such a conspicuous creature is sitting there, even if you try not to care about it, you’ll be bothered.

“That’s why please allow, Claude-sama.”

When Michel asked Husband for permission, he looked up at me and said, “Tell them to behave.”

I’m telling you, I’m not their master!

Above all, I don’t know whether they will listen to me.

The only thing I know is that they don’t hate me.

Anyhow, that seems to be enough for my husband. It looks like these two will be left in my care. 

Hmph, I don’t mind!　

Mofumofu[1] is the best!

As long as they don’t shed, there’s no problem with having them on the bed!

These thoughts ran past my mind as I looked at them.