“Ah, that dog.”

“Do you know that dog, Madam?”

“I heard it was the dog you raised, is that right?”

Yuan approached the dog slowly, shaking the jerky that Ralph used to give when it was bored. Yuan mentioned that she intentionally reduced the salt content in the jerky when making it, just to feed it to Yuan.

The dog curled its tail between its legs and hesitated.

Thinking the dog might be timid despite its impressive appearance, Yuan cautiously placed the jerky in front of it, took a few steps back, and crouched down.

“Henna, do you know this dog’s name?”

With no response from Henna, Yuan turned her head slightly to look at Henna, who had come closer. Henna, hesitant while looking at the dog, answered in a whisper.

“It’s Oliver, Madam.”

“Oliver.”

As soon as the dog heard its name, it perked up its pointed ears and slowly wagged its dried tail. Yuan, breathing a sigh of relief, spoke gently.

“Oliver, from now on, you’ll clean your house. I’m asking for your permission.”

Oliver lowered its head, sniffed the scent, and with its ears folded, lowered its body.

“If you eat this, I’ll take it as your permission.”

Finally, Oliver sniffed the jerky in front of her, lightly touched it with its tongue, and started chewing.

Taking advantage of the moment, Yuan reached out carefully. Although Oliver instantly lowered its posture, it didn’t completely avoid the touch.

Respecting Oliver, Yuan didn’t pat its head but quietly watched over it. The dog hesitated as if it was about to run away with the jerky but eventually put it down near Yuan and enjoyed it.

“…Seems like Oliver doesn’t dislike you.”

“Henna?”

Yuan abruptly stood up at the sobbing voice.

Henna, embracing the cleaning potion, was bowing deeply. Thick tears fell beneath her bowed head.

“It seems like Oliver likes you, Madam. Huuuu!”

At the same time.

Hille finished the treatment in the morning, pretending not to notice Claud’s overwhelming energy emitting a chilling aura throughout the session.

“I’ll apply the newly made painkiller before dinner. You seem to have slept well, and there’s nothing particularly lacking in your complexion.”

“Same old words.”

“…Yes?”

“Instead of usual, sit in that corner and record what has changed a lot.”

“…Yes?”

“Don’t talk. Shut your ears. Just stay still. Don’t wander around unnecessarily.”

While Hille was perplexed by the absurd command.

The butler entered with lunch.

Since the meal had arrived, Claud turned sharply when the door opened, holding a tray, and gave the standing butler a displeased look.

Then, with an unpleasant gaze, he glanced at the butler before turning his chin towards the window.

“We need to decorate the garden.”

Looking through the garden with a dry gaze, Claud suddenly mumbled to himself like a sigh.
When Gustaf spread out the dishes and wore a puzzled expression, Claud answered the unspoken question.

“It’s almost spring.”

Since when did you have an interest in the garden? The butler, curious about Claud’s sudden interest in something other than food, examined Claud’s face, which didn’t seem to show any interest, for a moment and decided to ask.

“…Shall I show you the relevant budget proposal?”

“Sure.”

The butler quickly pulled out a thick file that had been tucked under his armpit.

It was challenging to keep the corners of his mouth from rising, even though he tried to hide it.

For the first time in ten years, Claud had asked him to bring his work.

For ten years, the tasks had been divided between the Lev brothers and the butler.

Looking back, after the new lady entered the mansion, Claud’s sensitive demeanor, which had always been on edge, gradually weakened. The waking hours during the day increased. The amount of painkiller Hille discreetly provided also decreased slightly.

“There are budget proposals and execution records related to the garden and the exterior of the mansion in the second marked place.”

“Oh, don’t close the curtains.”

Gustaf, who was about to draw the curtains for Claud, whose forehead wrinkled due to the pouring sunlight, stopped in his tracks.

“If you’re going to close them, only half. Let the light come in on my face.”

“?”

“…Because I need to read.”

Even an unasked excuse.

Claud, as if avoiding the peculiar gaze of the butler, who had been cornered in the corner, needlessly snapped at Hille.

“Glasses-wearing doctor. If I feel even a little uncomfortable, rush to the console and get me painkillers.”

After the meal.

Claud, who had been clearing the table diligently, hesitated for a moment and gradually narrowed his eyebrows towards the butler.

“What are you doing?”

“Who are you referring to?”

“…The former princess.”

As the butler’s smile became even thicker than before, Claud quickly lowered his gaze to the budget proposal.

“No, forget it. Don’t say anything. You’re probably busy wandering around, stirring up trouble or pretending to help.”