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IBP 83
The next day, it was time for breakfast.
Ruth was absent due to oversleeping, and Chloe skipped breakfast to prepare for the hunting competition.
As a result, the meal ended up being just the four of us: Duke Ardos, myself, Grand Duke Rivera, and Caligo.
“It is a blessing for our family to have three spirit beasts enter our household. Well done, Coco.”
“Ubu-bu-bu...”
“The veterinarian even said that you’ve tamed them all—the penguin, the snow leopard, and the rabbit, right?”
“Nue-eee...”
At that moment, Caligo gave a quiet nod toward the floor.
“If you look closely, it's not just that she tamed them. I think Coco made the penguin, snow leopard, and rabbit healthy through communion.”
“That's a relief. I was worried because they were originally sick.”
Just as the brothers of the Grand Duke Rivera's house said, the healthy snow leopard, rabbit, and penguin were crowding around my feet.
What caught my eye was the rabbit riding on the snow leopard's back while the penguin groomed its fur.
“My goodness. To think that rabbit would become so healthy. How did you even help treat them? Hmm? You must have something very special about you.”
Just as I was about to explain the exact reason.
The rabbit muttered gloomily near my feet.
“If you tell them I was shaking like a leaf, you're dead.”
...That mean villain rabbit.
Threatening a good puppy, just like that!
However, since I was too scared of the leopard—the villain rabbit's subordinate—I had no choice but to act humble.
“Just... just do it. Like reading their hearts.”
I saw Grand Duke Rivera let out a small laugh.
‘Hmph, he's laughing at me!’
I'm a very strong Coco...
But then, Duke Ardos declared solemnly.
“As expected... she is truly my daughter.”
“...Now that I think about it, you two make quite the pair, Duke Ardos.”
“Ahem. Perhaps it is because we are family; our personalities seem to be alike, Your Highness.”
...That's not it.
Because of the villain rabbit's gag order, I decided to just let them misunderstand.
But right now, there was something more important than spirit beasts.
I glanced at the newspaper lying right next to Duke Ardos's place at the table.
‘The participants for this hunting competition!’
That name written in the headline!
The mere mention of the name makes me angry—my sister's ex-fiancé, Marquis Gillen Amadeus.
‘Marquis Gillen Amadeus and Lady Dahlia Melomande are preparing to enter the hunting competition.’
To think both of them are attending the hunting competition.
‘That means this competition could be dangerous for my sister.’
I already thought the hunting competition was dangerous to begin with.
Especially since it was a competition where two people related to my sister's death were participating at the same time.
‘Just you wait! I won't let them touch a single hair on my sister's head!’
I bared my front teeth and let out a "Keke-kek" laugh.
After all, I know the future.
I know a little bit about how they will act in the future I remember!
* * *
Amadeus, a maritime island city surrounded by the sea on all sides.
If one had to pick the most famous person there, it would likely be Marquis Gillen Amadeus.
With kind, blue eyes that resembled the sea and green hair like the moss on a stone wall, there were evaluations that he was like the descent of a sea god.
That beautiful man, Gillen, was currently entering the port adjacent to the Imperial Capital after completing a long voyage.
“Gillen!”
“Ah, Dahlia. You even came out to meet me.”
Gillen, stepping off the ship, remained beautiful despite months of life at sea.
He pulled Dahlia, who was running toward him, into an embrace and kissed her cheek.
Their public display of affection, even with many people around, was fitting for a couple described as the "love of the century."
“I missed you so much!”
“My ever-lovely Dahlia.”
Lines that Coco would have called "slimy" sounded only sweet and romantic in Dahlia's ears.
“Is the business going well?”
“Ah...”
Dahlia hesitated for a moment.
“You are sufficiently beautiful and charming. However, there is just one thing lacking. As I've told you before...”
“You mean my ability.”
“Yes.”
“But, I've been working hard on the business, and my supernatural ability has improved a lot since I followed the method you taught me...”
“Well done. Since you're acting so cute, I have no choice but to let it slide again.”
A faint smile played on Gillen's lips.
“But Dahlia, no matter how much I love you, there are limits to what love alone can achieve in this world.”
Gillen smiled softly and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
“So, Dahlia. I am asking you.”
He changed his tone and asked coldly.
“Is your work progressing well?”
Dahlia whispered with an awkward smile.
“...Of course, it's going well. Though there are some... very minor problems.”
Gillen scanned Dahlia's expression from top to bottom.
“Good. Then, shall we have a meal?”
“I'd love to!”
Dahlia tried to hide her anxious expression as she linked her arm with Gillen's.
She felt as if she were being pushed further and further into a corner.
“What is it? Your expression is dark, Dahlia.”
“No, I'm just worrying too much about what to eat.”
Dahlia smiled sweetly, her eyes curving. Gillen looked at her as if she were lovely and smiled back.
* * *
A small dinner party arranged to celebrate Gillen's return.
Gillen, who had been reading a stack of newspapers he'd missed, wore an intrigued expression.
“Chloe returned just before her berserk state, huh...”
Marquis Gillen Amadeus put down the newspaper and recalled the past.
“...Gillen. If you're going to leave me, just get lost already.”
The last time he saw Chloe was just before she went berserk.
She had said those words while buried in a damp darkness.
“The you that I loved wasn't like this, Chloe. I hope you fare well.”
As he politely closed the door of the mansion where she stayed and walked away.
Chloe had spoken toward him.
“Your tongue is quite long for someone who cheated. Just get lost faster.”
“Cheated? Not at all. I simply loved two people.”
“...Get lost.”
“I loved your ability, and I loved Dahlia's charm. It would have been better if you had been a bit more charming, but well...”
He smiled brightly and closed the door completely.
“But that's not the case anymore, right?”
Having finished his reminiscence, he looked at Dahlia before him.
She was still beautiful and full of charm.
Just like when she first approached him.
However...
‘As expected, Chloe's ability was superior.’
Comparing his current fiancée and ex-fiancée with total indifference, he wiped his lips with a napkin and spoke.
“If Chloe has overcome her berserk state, I should meet her once.”
“...Why meet Chloe, darling? Weren't you done with her?”
Dahlia's charming voice dropped slightly.
Dahlia was always sensitive about Chloe's affairs, so he had expected this.
In truth, he felt a slight prick of guilt even as he said it.
‘Even if she doesn't look it, she's surprisingly jealous.’
Gillen looked at Dahlia and soothed her like a child.
“Oh, dear. Dahlia, don't misunderstand.”
“...”
“I have no intention of requesting a private meeting. Chloe is quite upset with me, after all.”
Dahlia looked speechless.
It would be more normal to say she was extremely angry, not just "upset."
But Gillen, perhaps lacking any such awareness, shrugged and spoke skillfully.
“But you see. Chloe might want to meet on the day she returns to society after so long, right? I'm simply wondering if I should agree to a meeting if she asks.”
“Ha...”
“Above all, right now, the only one I love is you, Dahlia. You know that, right?”
At those words, Dahlia's expression, which had been suppressed by excessive stress, regained its vitality.
“I know. That's why we're engaged.”
“Of course, of course. You won't be jealous, will you?”
Seeing him coax her and play along, Dahlia felt relieved out of habit.
“Of course not. A modest lady does not harbor such ugly jealousy.”
“...A good attitude, Dahlia.”
“I'm just thinking of ways to prove how valuable I am to you lately.”
Dahlia rose from her chair and wrapped her arms around Gillen's neck.
She pressed her lips to Gillen's cheek and smiled lovably.
It was her own charm-filled expression of affection.
Gillen, not seeming to dislike it, wrapped his arm around her shoulder and asked.
“Ah, Dahlia. The hunting competition is tomorrow; is it alright to exhaust yourself like this already?”
“Of course.”
Dahlia's eyes narrowed.
“...After all, we don't really need to do any proper preparation, do we?”
Gillen chuckled and stroked her cheek.
“That's true. As expected, you're clever, Dahlia. Truly the woman I chose.”
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