DVDD 18

Chapter 18

“Who’s there!”
“…Meow.”
It was a cat. The tension melted away.
“…Oh my, a cat in the palace…”
“My goodness, how cute!”

El, who had been tense, now smiled brightly and approached the cat. In fact, when she was in Korea, she had liked cats more than dogs.

“Why do animals keep sneaking in here?”
“I wonder. Where did this one come from?”
“Maybe there’s a doggie door…”
“Well, I don’t mind. Are cats treated poorly here?”
“Yes. There’s nothing we can do about it.”
“No, it’s just too cute!”

Animals like this are beautiful just by existing! El couldn’t understand it. The cat meowed a few times, then, when El tried to get closer, it stepped back three paces with a “meow.”

Giving up on approaching, she crouched down and watched. Feeling as if her head would burst, she turned around—and saw Sundubu sitting there, staring at her intently. When their eyes met, he looked at her with a pouty expression.

“Oh my, Sundubu seems jealous.”
At Lari’s comment, Sundubu growled lowly, shaking his head as if to deny it. El burst out laughing and soon approached him.

“…Your Majesty!”
“But you’re prettier.”

As she stroked his fur, he still seemed dissatisfied.
“…Grrr.”
“…Handsome?”

Finally, seeing his silent gaze, El laughed, leaned against a tree, and sank to the ground. Sundubu rested against her thigh and closed his eyes.

Birds chirped softly, and the warmth of his body made her feel relaxed. It was a peaceful moment.

El liked Sundubu, but knowing he was actually the Second Prince, she had no intention of letting him live his life as just Sundubu.

From what she had observed, he didn’t seem willing to reveal his true identity. After all, it wasn’t a secret one could easily share, especially since she had first met him in the form of a dog.

However, regardless of pretending not to know his secret, she now knew he was Sundubu—and the same person she had mistaken for a pervert. She couldn’t ignore the Second Prince entirely.

Besides, she had wanted to meet him at least once anyway. He had been exiled to this palace as a child due to a curse. In short, he likely had no human interactions all this time.

It had even come to light that Kopari, who would have been rotting in the underground prison, had framed his nanny to drive him away.

At first, El considered fetching the nanny. She wanted them to meet, but the nanny knew his secret, and revealing it naturally meant she would learn it too. El wanted to reveal everything in a way that would minimize harm to him.

So, she left the palace with only a few guard knights and Sundubu. She had considered disguising herself as a maid, but since Kopari had grievances with the noble faction, wandering freely was too dangerous.

They didn’t plan to go far, and she intended to ask the information guild to find the nanny.

“Here it is.”
“Yes, this is the most famous information guild.”
“Let’s go in.”

Anyone with money could use the information guild. El could have sent a maid, but it was an important matter, and having been cooped up in the palace, she was slightly bored—so she used it as an excuse to go out.

“Welcome.”
“I’m looking for someone.”
“What’s your status?”
“I’m a commoner.”
“Ah, then please wait here a moment.”

The receptionist stepped away, and someone else appeared.

“Who are you looking for? Do you know their name?”

He had a relaxed, almost rude posture, showing no manners. El’s two guards drew their swords and glared.

“You dare! Do you know who this is?!”
“Clearly a noble.”
“You’re a high-ranking noble, so show some respect!”
“Oh, and? What are you gonna do? You’re just here for info, right?”

The man smirked at the knights.
“I’m not planning to show respect, so if you’re not going to tell me what you want, get lost.”

“You insolent wretch!”

The two knights, their faces red with anger, aimed their swords at him—but El intervened.

“Stop it.”
“One!”
“I said stop. Don’t cause unnecessary trouble. As he said, I only need the information, and that’s enough.”

…El was the one who needed the information. The roles were clear. They could have forced it, but they wouldn’t try their hardest.

The knights reluctantly sheathed their swords. The man sat down across from El with a smirk and went straight to the point.

“Which commoner?”
“The one who served as the nanny for the prince in the palace.”
“The prince’s nanny?”
“The Second Prince.”

“Your Majesty!”

Sundubu flinched and barked. El gently stroked him to calm him down.

“Ah, that monstrous prince… I heard he got married.”
“They said she was falsely accused and exiled, so find her for me.”
“Not just any commoner, but the prince’s nanny. Expensive.”
“I have the money.”
“Good, half upfront.”

The man held up five fingers. Though El had only managed the palace budget for a short time, the sum was in the billions, and she handed the money over without hesitation.

“Wow, noble, you’re generous.”
“….”
“I said 500 gold. Well, I’ll find her as quickly as possible with what I got.”
“…Ah!”

Perhaps worried she’d ask for the money back, the man quickly left. El thought she’d need to check the market rate more carefully next time.

Strange stares followed Sundubu as they walked through the streets. People looked at Sundubu, then at El, and realizing she was a noble, turned their heads in silence.

After learning Sundubu was human, she had fed him human food cautiously. It had caused no problems, so she continued feeding him that way. Normally dogs shouldn’t eat seasoned or sweet food, but he was human.

They arrived at a café famous among nobles. As soon as they entered with Sundubu, the difference in stares from the street was immense.

“Welcome…!”

The staff froze, staring at Sundubu.
“I’m sorry, but dogs aren’t allowed.”
“Hm, really?”
“Yes, please leave.”

It was a polite refusal. El, however, had no intention of leaving. The newly assigned chef was skilled, but it wasn’t the same as seeking out a renowned café.

“Then we’ll use the outdoor terrace.”
“…No, that’s also not allowed.”
“Hm. It’s not indoors, so why not?”
“…Excuse me?”
“I said, why not?”

The staff didn’t know, but the nobles inside surely recognized her. Perfect—she would use this opportunity to boost her notoriety, ensuring no one dared send her invitations!

“El opened the door!”

El furrowed her brows in annoyance, and whispers of noble ladies reached her ears. Yes, yes, talk all you want. She gleefully caused a scene. Shouting and acting stubborn, the staff panicked and called the owner.

El offered to pay double or not leave, so the owner had no choice but to ask the nobles on the terrace for permission. They agreed, perhaps curious about El.

Once seated, the staff brought a menu, but El didn’t look at it.
“Two of the most expensive cakes, one less sweet. And two cups of black tea. One is for Sundubu, so cool it down.”

“What? A dog… eating cake and tea?”
“Is that a problem?”
“Ah, no…”

Ordinary people would be shocked at the idea of a dog eating cake they couldn’t even afford. But the staff, recognizing her as a wealthy noble, didn’t dare protest and wrote down the order.

“Your Highness, it’s been a while since I last saw you here.”

A noble lady in an elaborate dress, fanning herself, approached. It was Lady Robadin, whom she had seen at the banquet.

“…You are…”
“Yes. You remember me?”
“…Who was it… I don’t usually remember unimportant people.”
“Excuse me? Unimportant…?”
“…Ah! Lady Robezin?”
“Robadin.”
“Ah, Lady Robadin. My apologies.”
“….”

Pretending not to remember, Lady Robadin shivered in embarrassment. Those who accompanied her also greeted El; most were people from the banquet. They seemed to enjoy gathering in groups.

“Since fate brought us together, may I join you?”
“Yes, please sit.”

This lady, too, didn’t know when to give up. Most would have left after such embarrassment, yet she insisted on sitting. Curious and bored, El let her.

“You seem to really like dogs, Your Highness.”
“Yes.”
“It suits you well.”

…This was likely a subtle jab: liking a useless dog means you are useless too. Almost a silent war, swords not drawn.

“Hohoho, thank you for saying that.”
“…Are dogs common in Sahad?”
“No.”

Research suggested Sahad wasn’t any different. As a kingdom valuing practicality more than Lenne, they might have hunting dogs, but gentle dogs like Sundubu were uncommon.

“Really? Then Your Highness must be a mutant.”
Robadin covered her mouth and laughed haughtily.
“I suppose I am a bit unusual.”

El, unaffected, replied casually.
“But keeping dogs isn’t bad.”
“They’re useless, though.”
“Judging life only by usefulness, Lady Robadin, you seem rather heartless.”
“…Excuse me?”
“You seem like someone who would discard anyone around you if they were useless.”
“Oh, no, that’s quite a leap…!”