“Come to think of it, I forgot for a moment, but what did you say was difficult earlier? Is there anything I can help you with?”

In the midst of the warm atmosphere that had been forming, Canis suddenly asked me.

Did I say something was difficult?

“Earlier? Ah.”

That’s right. I was just thinking about how to meet Aspeiran.

This is perfect timing. Canis is Aspeiran’s closest aide and the high-ranking captain of the guards in the castle, so he should know well about how to meet the lord.

I willingly shared my concern.

“I have something I’d like to say to the lord, but I don’t know how to meet him. Could you perhaps tell me how to request an audience with the lord?”

“An audience?”

Canis rubbed his chin, deep in thought.

“Regular officials have to submit a separate audience request through an aide or servant, but Lady Shuria should be able to go directly to the office. Lady Shuria has a similar position to Prom, the head of the research institute. Is it urgent?”

I nodded. Then Canis said heartily.

“That’s great! As it happens, the lord is nearby. He briefly stopped by the training grounds to observe the knights’ training. Let’s go together!”

“N-Now?”

“Yes! Isn’t it urgent?”

“It is, but…”

S-Still, this is too sudden. Besides, I haven’t even planned how to persuade Aspeiran yet!

But Canis didn’t give me a chance to refuse.

“Then let’s go, Lady Shuria! I’ll guide you!”

Canis herded me towards the training grounds like a sheepdog. I had to helplessly follow his lead.

Somehow, meetings with Canis always seem to end like this, or am I mistaken?

“So… you came to see me?”

Canis and I nodded vigorously at Aspeiran’s question.

Aspeiran sighed as if exasperated and wiped away his flowing sweat. I gulped.

‘Moistened… my favorite…’

Droplets fell from his dark brown hair, which had become a bit deeper in color than usual.

His pale cheeks had gained a slight flush, and his body, wrapped in a thin, tight-fitting top, had a perfect balance like a sculpture.

I stared intently at Aspeiran, not even blinking, so as not to miss a single moment of this precious scene. Aspeiran slightly frowned.

Then he covered my head with a huge towel that was lying nearby.

“Ah! I can’t see!”

“My lord? Why did you do that?”

Canis quickly removed the towel, helping me as I struggled. Aspeiran furrowed his brow again at Canis’s question.

“…I just had a very unpleasant feeling.”

“Unpleasant, you say?”

“Never mind. Just tell me why you’re here.”

Aspeiran crossed his arms and leaned against a tree, throwing the sweat-soaked towel to the side.

Then his truly amazing biceps became even more prominent… Hot, that’s not it.

I mentally slapped my cheeks repeatedly. Having my favorite right in front of me seems to be gradually blinding me with desire.

Before Aspeiran could send me away feeling uncomfortable, I quickly got to the point.

“I came to make an urgent request to you, my lord.”

“A request?”

Aspeiran asked, brushing back his curly hair. I took a small deep breath, then stood with my hands clasped politely.

“My lord, could you possibly spare some time for me once a day?”

The moment I finished speaking, the knights circling the training grounds suddenly shouted, “Woah!”

I unconsciously turned my gaze in that direction. Why are they doing that? Did they see a squirrel or something? But there was nothing on the training grounds except the knights.

Aspeiran also turned his gaze towards the training grounds. The knights who met Aspeiran’s eyes quieted down again.

After quickly settling the commotion, Aspeiran said to me.

“Continue. You’re asking for time, but for what reason?”

Alright. I need to persuade him well from now on. I opened my mouth, recalling the rough plan I had organized in my head.

“It’s because of the moonlight wolf pups. You said you would take them on the Beltraum expedition, but for that, they need regular interaction with people other than me.”

“Why is that?”

“I’ve been able to grasp some characteristics of the moonlight wolf pups over the past two weeks, and they show no interest in anyone outside their pack. So to work together in harmony during the expedition, we first need to become part of their pack.”

“…”

“But it’s clear they won’t accept new members into their pack once they become adult dogs. So we need to build bonds steadily from now on. Especially you, my lord, as the owner of the moonlight wolf pups.”

“…Hmm.”

Aspeiran showed no particular reaction. Then Canis chimed in from the side.

“Wouldn’t it be good to spend time walking the puppies once a day? You need rest, my lord. You’re overworking yourself too much.”

I nodded enthusiastically. Aspeiran tapped his chin.

Finally, he spoke.

“Once a day is too much. Once a week.”

Once a week? Who are you trying to fool? I protested.

“With that frequency, we won’t even be able to remember their names, let alone build bonds, my lord. How about five times?”

“No. I’m busy. Twice.”

“I know you’re always busy with public and private matters, my lord. But twice is still too little. So, to compromise as much as possible, how about four times?”

“What do you mean compromise? You’re just having it your way. Let’s make it three times. No more.”

“I can’t back down any further either, my lord! Please make it four times.”

“Three times.”

“Four times!”

I fearlessly, like a rabbit with its liver outside its body, stubbornly insisted on four times.

Aspeiran muttered while rubbing his forehead as if he had a headache.

“…This is the first time someone has pushed their opinion so hard in front of me.”

Finally, with a deep sigh, words of acceptance fell from his lips.

“Fine. Let’s make it four times.”

“As expected! Your generosity is deeper than the sea and wider than the sky, my lord!”

I bowed deeply, smiling from ear to ear.

And so, from the very next day, my special operation to get closer to Aspeiran began.

Hair that falls neatly without a single strand sticking out, okay.

Eyes without a hint of impurity and lips with a trustworthy smile, okay.

A wrinkle-free, clean blouse with a navy skirt and top that give a neat image, okay.

Boots without even a speck of mud or other stains, okay.

Finally, after putting on a black fur coat that’s easy to move in, sturdy, and very warm, over a small bag containing essential work items, combat preparations are complete.

I spun around in front of the full-length mirror with a satisfied smile. Good, no matter how many times I check, there’s not a single flaw.

The name of the battlefield I’m heading to today is ‘First Puppy Walk with the Lord’.

Today’s goal is to show off my competence to the fullest and hear Aspeiran say something along the lines of ‘I made the right choice in keeping you by my side!’

I headed towards the breeding facility with my chest puffed out, as majestic as a general who has won a hundred battles.

In the playground of the breeding facility, our three moonlight wolf pups were spinning around in a tangle over a toy.

As I approached the fence, the pups came to greet me at the gate, wagging their tails. Our precious little ones, how admirable.

The condition of the three pups was also at its best today. Cutie looked very healthy, jumping up and down, Tiny’s gentle face was lovely, and Awesome’s bright black eyes were overflowing with intelligence.

I scratched under each pup’s chin once, then took out a brush from my bag and lightly groomed any noticeably sticking-out fur.

Then I put on the specially made dog harnesses I had commissioned from the craftsmen of Velloi Castle and attached the leashes.

While doing this, I explained to the pups about today’s afternoon walk.

“Today, we’re going for a walk with someone else. But don’t be nervous. Cutie, Tiny, Awesome, you can run around, sniff, and play as much as you want, just like usual. Understood?”

“Woof!”

The three pups barked loudly at the same time. These pups are so smart, it really seemed like they understood what I was saying.

I firmly grasped the leashes and stood up.

“Well then, shall we go now?”

“Woof!”

The place I had arranged to meet Aspeiran was the walking trail in the fir forest near the research institute, which I always used as a walking spot for the three pups.

As I waited at the entrance of the trail with the pups, Aspeiran appeared right at the promised time of 2 PM.

I quickly greeted him.

“Greetings, my lord!”

“Yes.”

Aspeiran nodded lightly to acknowledge my greeting and came to stand in front of me.

As our eyes met, I couldn’t suppress my swelling heart and happily wiggled my toes. Really, my favorite looks incredibly handsome today as well.

His eyes, deeper than usual as if tired, the stark contrast between his black hair and pale skin, everything is perfect. It was like looking at an elegant male actor from a black and white film considered a masterpiece.

While I was admiring his appearance, Aspeiran was also staring down at me intently.

He said, as if throwing the words:

“You’re dressed quite lightly today. Usually, you’re so bundled up it looks like you could roll on the ground.”

“What? It wasn’t that bad!”

I jumped up and shouted, bristling without realizing it.

Of course, before Canis gifted me the necklace engraved with temperature control magic, I did wear about three layers of coats because it was too cold.

On top of that, I did fully arm myself with a scarf, hat, and gloves… but anyway, it wasn’t to the point where I couldn’t keep my balance and would roll around.

‘But wait, the fact that he knows about my appearance like that?’

Could it be he came to see me? I tried to probe subtly.

“By the way, my lord, how did you know that I used to wear a lot of clothes?”

“…Just. I saw it in passing.”

Aspeiran answered gruffly, as if it was nothing.

But I knew. The research institute is in a remote location, so there’s no reason to pass by here unless one deliberately comes.

As far as I know, Aspeiran hadn’t come to meet the researchers recently.

Which means, in other words, he had personally come all this way to see none other than me.

The corners of my mouth kept creeping upwards. I felt unnecessarily happy at the fact that he hadn’t forgotten about me.

I’ve been feeling it little by little for a while now, but indeed, Aspeiran…