Translator and Editor: Skye and Nabi

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Chapter 29

Viola sneaked a glance at Xenon’s countenance.

Obviously, all these conversations will also be reported to the duke. Hickson just so happened to create a good opportunity, and she decided to make full use of it.

“Vixen was trained as a secret killer. So, he doesn’t fit in a battle in a place like this.”

Vixen’s trick is a covert surprise. In broad daylight of the ‘let’s fight each other!’ situation, he learned the art of daggers that didn’t fit the battle he’s fighting with.

“On the other hand, uncle’s sword is a dominant sword. Now that Tundra has learned uncle’s sword style, he’ll have an advantage in this open battle.”

“So…?”

“As things stand, uncle seems to like Tundra?”

“Nevertheless, you still think that Vixen will win?”

Viola nodded and said, “He’s not up to Vixen in proficiency yet.”

No matter how much of a genius Tundra is, in Viola’s mind, the differences in their training period are too high. In the end, she concluded her thoughts.

“So, if he doesn’t make an obvious mistake, Vixen will win.”

“What do you mean by an obvious mistake?”

“Suddenly getting too excited to make a big move.”

“Like being drunk?”

At that, Hickson laughed loudly.

“If he is caught off guard and shows a gap on purpose… There might be a case like that. Since Vixen is still young, and from his personality, he thinks this is a game. So, there’s a chance for Tundra.”

Hearing her words, he gazed at Viola for some time, bewildered.

“What? Is there something wrong with my face?”

“Well…” He said, giggled softly before straightening himself.

“Viola.”

“Huh?”

“Be honest with me.”

“What?”

“How old are you?”

“Seven.”

“You’re not seven, are you? You look young, but you are actually not?”

A seven-year-old that is actually older?

‘I don’t know what he’s talking about.’

To be fair, Viola is a little stingy, anyway. But it is true because she was a twenty-one-year-old inside, though she couldn’t really advertise that.

It was then,

“Uwaah!”

A shout resounded.

* * *

“Uwaah!”

Tundra swung the wooden sword loudly.

Whoosh!

The sword tore through the air as Vixen laughed after lightly dodging Tundra’s wooden sword. “Hehe. He’s still clumsy!”

His movement is too big. Even though Tundra is fast, it quickly consumes his physical strength. Realizing this fact, Vixen was smirking happily.

‘I could see an opening.’

If he pokes it, it’s over.

“I shouldn’t poke him.”

For Vixen, Tundra is an easy opponent. A novice with a lot of openings. Even Tundra knew that fact himself, and that made him furious.

‘Damn it!’

His desire to win as a male lead was radiated. As he gets more excited, his body movements get bigger, and his body uses more strength. In the end, the more he swung, the more advantageous it was for Vixen.

It was then, at the corner of his eyes, Tundra saw Viola and Hickson talking to each other.

‘…Master?’

‘Viola!’

Tundra and Vixen discovered Viola almost at the same time. And, they had different thoughts.

“I can’t show her disappointment.”

“Good. I’ll show you how strong I am.”

Rather, Tundra regained its reason. His head became cold, and he let go of some of his strength.

‘I’m not as good as him at this. That’s why I have to aim for his gap.’

Now, it was Vixen who was off guard.

‘There’s only one chance. That little crack… that little crack…’

That’s where he’s going to attack. Tundra realized that he’d only get one shot. His reasoning subsided coldly. In contrast, now that Tundra is getting calm and collected, Vixen became a little excited.

‘Because I’m her older brother!’

Since he is older than her, Vixen wanted to show his strong side in front of Viola.

‘Let’s get it over in one go, then.’

In his mind, Tundra is just an underdog, and he could finish him at any time.

Pride and carelessness.

Mixed with the desire to look good to Viola, at that moment, his body is full of energy. Tundra bit his lip.

‘He’s coming.’

As Vixen’s movement is bigger than before. He could see through his movements and the openings. Tundra took a left and narrowed the distance between themselves. And, at that moment, he seized the opportunity.

The boy swung the wooden sword quickly.

Snap!

Something got caught in the wooden sword.

“Stop.”

Stepping in between Tundra and Vixen, Hickson grabbed Tundra’s wooden sword with one hand and held Vixen’s dagger with the other.

“It’s a draw.”

Obviously, Vixen is unable to accept such a result. He yelled immediately, “No way!”

Tundra then chimed in.

“What?! This doesn’t make sense!”

“I could have stabbed him in the heart!”

“And, you’d be decapitated instead. Did you forget? This is a longsword.”

If it were a real sword match, Tundra would have been penetrated in the heart, while Vixen would have been decapitated.

“I knew that! I was going to avoid it!”

“Yes, of course, you knew,” Hickson said, hitting Vixen, who was still yelling in the head.

Bam!

There was a sound.

Even though Hickson thought that he was just hitting him lightly, the sound everyone heard sounded like a car accident.

Vixen was upset.

“Why are you hitting me?”

“Because you’re being unreasonable.”

“Ugh…!”

The boy’s eyes were filled with life, angry.

“What?”

Again, he hit Vixen on the head.

Within the Verratoux Family, the only person who is able to hold the head of Verratoux Family pure blood is Hickson.

“I’ll kill you.”

“As much as you can.”

“Wait, I’m seriously going to kill you.”

Hickson scoffed loudly.

“Wouldn’t that be interesting?.”

Looking at the scene, Viola sighed unconsciously. That joke that came out, needless to say, was all true. Still, both were enjoying the situation, so she decided to step in.

“Vixen.”

“Viola, it’s not like I lost. Let me tell you what happened…”

“Here.”

Viola then pulled a piece of paper out of her arms.

“Huh? A contract?”

Peering at it, he realized it was a contract to grant wishes, which he had signed with blood earlier on.

“No matter how strong you are, you can’t kill him.”

“Why?”

“Because that’s my wish.”

“Huh?”

As Vixen glanced at the contract, his expression changed. However, his action still seemed unconvincing, so Viola opened her mouth again.

“Are you not going to follow through on the contract, brother?”

“Ha. I’ll do it…”

Vixen couldn’t hide his expression. Even if it seemed unfair, he couldn’t help it.

Vixen is a real do-it-it-all, and he’s still young, so he’ll go through stormy growth. Therefore, if he really happens to kill Tundra, a problem would arise. The male lead, who will be the centerpiece of this novel, will also disappear.

‘I can’t let him do that. The male lead needs to grow up great.’

So, she would ride the first princess line with the male character. That way, Viola will be able to stabilize this duke and transform this duchy full of life. She couldn’t let this perfect plan be ruined.

She said, “Keep your words.”

“Well, that’s…!”

“Since you are my brother, you will do that, right?”

“O-of course.”

“Then, you’ll keep your promise, right?”

“Uh, yeah…”

Although it felt like he was being cheated, Vixen couldn’t deny that Viola was not wrong.

As an older brother, shouldn’t he keep his promise? If he doesn’t keep his promise that is on the contract, his prestige as a Verratoux won’t stand.

Meanwhile, Tundra bowed his head quietly.

“I’m sorry to show you my shameful face. I wanted to win…”

Hearing his words, Viola turned and stared at every inch of his face. There are some small scratches, but there was no major wound visible.

“No, you did a good job. I’m fine as long as you’re not hurt.”

“….”

Tundra bowed his head once again.

‘Good job…’

In fact, he is a little pleased with this remark.

‘As long as you’re not hurt.’

Those words were very pleasing. He doesn’t know the reason. He doesn’t know why it felt so good to hear that she doesn’t want him hurt.

‘…I have to do well.’

With that in mind, he was determined to do better so that he will be able to defeat Vixen one day.

Tundra saw a possibility today. Even though it may take some time, he wanted to be praised more, so he must be stronger than Vixen…

Tundra and Vixen’s eyes met in the air.

“To do that… I might have to kill you, Vixen.”

Vixen also did not shy away from Tundra’s eyes.

He scoffed and said, “I’m going to kill you. Mixed species.”

To be honest, Vixen was angry seeing Viola praising her dog for doing well. He doesn’t understand why, but he didn’t like it.

‘Why did she only praise the dog?’

He wants to get a compliment from her, too…

Frustrated, the thought kept on going. Viola didn’t even ask him if he was hurt or not as well. He fought with a dagger as well!

The sound of his heart resonated, but Vixen didn’t hear it.

‘It’s annoying.’

He just thought he was annoyed at her for no reason.

Tundra went closer to Viola.

“By the way, Master…”

He knelt down on one knee. It looked like a young knight taking his oath as his eyes were filled with an unidentified, powerful longing.

Tundra was like a dog who strongly craved snacks.

* * *

A few days ago, Tundra witnessed a shocking scene.

A big dog with gold fur.

It was a scene in which a lady, who was presumed to be the owner, looked at the barking dog and grabbed the hem of her clothes. However, what’s even more surprising is that the lady gazed at the dog as if it seems rather cute.

The dog even licked the lady’s face. It was a devastating scene for Tundra.

‘I don’t understand why…’

Common sense had never made sense for him. Thus, Tundra secretly bought a book called 「 Ultimate Guide for Dogs Language 」 considered to be the exclusive possession of the ladies.

And, the content is full of shocking information.

‘Dogs beg the master to play…?’

The scene of the dog biting and shaking her clothes was the scene of it begging the owner to play.

‘…Now, he’s begging for a snack?’

It is also said that the behavior of the dog depends on its characteristics and education. Some dogs lie down and peep at their owners with adorable eyes, others bark at their owners for snacks, and the rest simply just lie down and protest.

Sometimes they can be upset and happy, sometimes their emotions are unfiltered.

Then, Tundra realized a new fact.’This is what a dog is….!’

They are creatures that begged to play, protested, whined, wagged their tail, acted cute, annoyed to get snacks, and interacted emotionally with their owner.

‘Ah. It’s a lot more different than I thought…’

That was when he got to know the new word.

And from that day on, his dream is to become a pet dog.

* * *

“By the way, Master…” He said, kneeling down on one knee.

‘What is it?’

That desperateness is enough to make Viola sting. He had a serious look that almost looked like a reverence, and then he finally uttered something.

“I’ll be a good dog…”

He put his head forward, leveling his knees down in a calm manner. It was as if he was saying, ‘pat my head this instant.’

Seeing the scene, she was bewildered inside.

‘…Dog?’

For Viola, who lived in South Korea in the twenty-first century, the word ‘dog’ is very familiar. Still, she isn’t used to that word being attached to humans.

‘What the hell is he talking about now?’

It was as though he knew exactly what it meant when he said that he’s going to be a good dog. The situation is just bizarre.

“So, you’re a dog…?”

“Yes, I said I’d stay with you.”

That was true. Still, what does it have to do with a dog?

“The place next to you is called a pet…”

‘Ah…’

Being the one next to her is to be a pet. And, he is a dog… So, that means his dream is to be a pet dog?

“Being your pet dog is my dream.”

“….”

“But, you have not given me permission yet?”

‘No. Wait a minute…’

Is that how things are supposed to go…?

Recalling everything, Viola remembered Tundra said he wanted to be a dog to play with her. Moreover, it is true that there is a contract between them.

‘Though what does it mean that he wants to be a dog?’

Viola is bewildered inside but soon raises her arms. As a master, she thought she could do this much.

Pat, pat!

She patted his head gently. At that, Tundra’s eyes slowly formed like a crescent moon.

“That is today’s compliment.”

She could see the madness forming in his crescent moon eyes.

‘I don’t think this is right. Isn’t this a bit off…?’

Nonetheless, she decided to let it go for now.

“I’m glad.”

“….”

She stared at Tundra with an expressionless face. Not knowing how to react, Viola just continued to look at him silently.

‘One second. Two seconds…’

Remembering what had happened before, it’s dangerous if she gazed at him for more than five seconds.

‘I’ll avoid looking at him for now.’

However, she made sure to make it seem like she was ignoring him, not avoiding him. As soon as Viola was about to shift her gaze away.

Clap! Clap!

Hickson clapped his hand lightly.

“Now, I know, Viola. Your secret.”

Hickson’s gaze was fixed at Viola.

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