Visiting My Husband

　In the carriage on the way back, the puppy was sitting quietly in my arms.

　I was actually going to put it in the cage that it was in, but I guess it didn’t want it.

　Hmm, I guess it doesn’t like it because it’s been trapped in a small space for a long time.

　I was worried that it couldn’t handle being out here in the middle of the crowd, but no problem has arisen.

　It growled lowly as if wary, but that was all.

　Actually, Michel asked me if he could carry it for a while, but the puppy refused.

　Un, it’s nice to know that the puppy is only fond of me.

　When I stroked the puppy’s head and comforted it, it wagged its tail for a bit, feeling relaxed.

　Michel seemed unconvinced, but the puppy didn’t want a man who was cheating on it with a cat.

“Do you think I should wash it a bit when we get back?”

“It’s a little dirty… Maybe some of the kids have animals at home, let’s ask them.”

“Lil, do you have any animals at home?”

“In my family, not particularly. But Lina comes from a dairy farm, so she might have at least had a sheepdog.”

　Big dogs and small dogs, regardless of the size, were all dogs.

　There shouldn’t be a big difference in keeping them.

　I thought about the various things I need to prepare, and reflected on when was the last time I had so much fun planning things.

“You look like you’re having fun, -Risha-sama.”

　Michel was looking at me, cross-legged and leaning on his elbows.

　It wasn’t me that he was looking at, though.

“Is that really a dog?”

“What do you mean?”

“It seems too smart for a dog, and…it has exceptional canine teeth. I talked to the guy at the store, and he said that all the dogs there were specially bred to be kept indoors.”

“You mean?”

“Dogs may have instincts, but they’re different from the ones that actually live in the wild. You might say, some of their instincts have regressed…I’ll have to have a closer look, but I can feel the blood of a wolf…Besides, wolves and dogs are kind of the same species.”

　Michel stretches his hand again, skeptically.

　Grrrr! The pup growled, and threatened by baring its canines in the air. However, it didn’t reject Michel’s hand and soon quieted down. 

　Michel stroked its head a few times and looked at his hand in amazement.

　His surprise was well founded.

　Hahaha! Is this pup dangerous?!

　When I looked at Michel, the corners of his mouth curled up in triumph. He looked stunned, as if in disbelief.

　It’s not the reaction I was expecting.

“Hey, Risha-sama…That――…”

“What?”

“Uh, no…how can I say it? I don’t know for sure…Dangerous? Sort of?” 

“Huh? It’s definitely dangerous to the touch, but…”

　I want to be able to touch it forever. I want to bury my face in it and fondle it. If I could, forever!

　I know how great the puppy’s fur is, to the extent where my desire intensifies.

“Un…I’ll have to ask Claude-sama about it.”

　Eh? What’s the point?

　After that, Michel fell silent.

　I talked to Lil, who was sitting next to me, but he didn’t join in.

　Normally, he would be the first to join the conversation. In fact, he would be the first to raise a subject.

　When we arrived at the mansion, Ragnard was there waiting.

　I hadn’t informed him when we’d be returning home, but it turned out that Michel was the culprit.

　Nevertheless, it was unusual for him to go out of his way to welcome me.

“Your husband is waiting for you in his office.”

“Eh? My husband?”

　Why? Maybe he wants to ask me how my day out was?

“Together with that pup.”

“And the pup?”

　I didn’t realize that the puppy in my arms was looking at the mansion with interest…

　I got increasingly skeptical. Will he perhaps object?

　I guess I should’ve talked to him first…

“Michel, you’ve been bothered about this pup for a while now. What’s so special about it?”

　I asked Michel, who was standing next to me. Michel seemed to be confused himself and said he wasn’t sure.

“It could be a very precious animal…I’ve never seen one like it before, and I’ve only touched its fur once, so I’m not really sure.”

　He couldn’t say for sure, but there’s something about this pup’s fur that seems to absorb your hands.

　And it’s a rarity that Michel can’t determine.

　What? Can this possibly really be a problem?

　Anyway, I’m not letting this pup go!

　Ragnard leads me to my husband’s office.

　A curt reply inside asked us to enter.

　Once inside, the door was closed tightly and it was just me, my husband, Michel, Ragnato, and Diego.

　I sat down on the sofa in the office and put the pup in my arms down on my lap. After squirming a bit, the pup slowly curled up.

　The action was so cute that my mouth dropped open.

　My husband and Michel, sitting opposite each other, were doing something, and Ragnard was preparing tea.

　Diego obviously likes the pup, too because I saw him looking at the pup on my lap with a twinkle in his eye.

　Once the tea was served to each of us, my husband slowly turned his attention to the pup curled up on my lap.

“Either that or…”

“Yeah, I couldn’t decide. After all, I’ve never seen one in person. What do you think, Claude-sama?”

“I’ve only seen the real thing once. And coincidentally… I do, however, have a fur coat.”

“Wow! As expected of Your Grace! You’ve got out-of-ordinary stuff!”

　I’ve always wondered why the two of them are so on the same page.

　I don’t know what they’re talking about and neither does Diego.

　I wanted a clear explanation, so I said, glaring at the two of them.

“What exactly is the issue about this pup? Can you please explain it to me so I can understand?”

“Michel?”

“I’m not sure, so I can’t answer you. Just in case, I just wanted you to check with Claude-sama.” 

　Not sure, the real thing…

　I have no idea what’s going on.

　My husband let out a sigh at Michel’s response as he got up from the couch and sat down beside me.

　This distance.

　I got a little nervous because we haven’t been this close lately.

“I’m going to touch it.”

“G-Go ahead.”

　His outstretched hand was about to touch the pup on my lap.

　But at that moment, the pup’s ears twitched and raised its head.

　It didn’t growl, but it did show signs of dislike, so I stroked its back to quiet it down. Then he accepted my husband’s hand as if it had no choice.

“What do you think Claude-sama?”

　My husband stroked the pup’s fur a few times more to make sure, and then withdrew his hand when he was satisfied.

　My husband nodded, with a tangled look on his face.

“Probably the real thing――…”

　My husband stared at the puppy on my lap and let out a sigh, looking troubled.