The Duke’s Companion

Jonah, pale and blue, shook her head quickly, “I don’t think that’s a good idea.” 

“Is it…?” (Mamela)

“Yes. Did you forget the banquet of Marquis Rolben that the Lord attended 4 years ago?”

“Huh? Oh, the rumors abound… But I don’t know what exactly happened.”

Mamela’s expression was a little sullen. I was puzzled to see the changing faces of the two.

Jonah nodded and said, “I’ll tell you what happened at that time. The second son of the Marquis Rolben brought two Dobermans to the banquet the Lord was attending.”

“What? He brought a dog?”

“Yes,  At that time, it was not known that the headmaster was practicing animals, so everyone was paying attention to the sly Doberman. But the dogs seemed to like people, so they stuck to the headmaster.”

Mamela took a deep breath, “Did my brother endure that?”

“No. The headmaster stared at the dog and left immediately. Then, within a few steps, he broke the glass he was holding, cursed, and left the banquet hall.”

Mamela’s expression gradually became strange when she heard Jonah’s long words, and when she finished speaking, she frowned.

“What? It’s absurd. My brother isn’t the type of person to commit such rudeness.”

“Actually, I don’t know if he broke the cup on purpose or if he accidentally dropped it, but I’m sure he left the banquet hall immediately, displeased.”

The mood between the two became serious again. I alternately looked at them uncomfortably.

Mamela, who was watching me, sighed, “But I’ll have to tell him someday, so what’s the difference if I say it a little earlier?”

“I think Aryl is too much trouble for that.”

Jonah and Mamela glanced at me at the same time. I scratched the sofa distracting myself from their sudden attention.

Mamela, watching me silently, sighed, “That’s true.”

Mamela threw the ball far away. I stopped scratching the sofa and instinctively chased the ball away. 

As soon as I got the ball, Mamela patted me on the head and threw it back. This time the ball went under the bed. As I pushed the ball under the bed, I heard the two of them talking.

“But don’t you think Aryl is getting calmer? When I think about the first time I took off the bandage.”

“Yes…”

Biting the ball while getting out of the bed, however, the toys were being put back in the basket.

‘Hey, why are you interrupting my playtime?’

I growled and stared at the basket. But suddenly, the stand next to it lost its balance and was reeling.

The moment I stepped back nervously, the stand collapsed with a crash.

“…!”

My mouth gaped in surprise and the ball I was biting fell.

In the heavy silence, the ball rolled to that corner unnoticed, making a popping noise. I couldn’t look back, but I heard Mamela’s desperate voice.

“…I’ll take back everything I just said.”

ꕥ

Mamela hurried down the stairs. She briefly explained that Aryl had an accident a while ago and that she was fixing it and was late for the appointment.

When she arrived at her appointment, she first saw someone guarding her seat.

“Mamela, you’re late.”

It was a familiar calm voice, so it was comfortable to listen to, but strangely, it was a low voice that made people nervous.

‘Why am I late for dinner with my brother of all things?’

Being there a few times a month is an important appointment. Mamela quickly took a seat across from him and apologized. She couldn’t even talk because she was out of breath.

Idylos, who had been watching the scene silently, asked, “Did you run?”

“Yes… sorry for being late. I forgot I fell asleep…”

Mamela glances at him thinking that time is gold. Fortunately, he didn’t seem angry.

Idylos still poured water into Mamela’s glass calmly.

“Why didn’t you come slowly? Drink some water.”

“You don’t like being late. I’m sorry.”

As Mamela lowered her head, Idylos added, “I’m not happy when someone’s not punctual. But you’re an exception. It doesn’t matter how late you are.”

“…What if I’m an hour late?”

“I can wait until the full moon.”

“What?”

Mamela’s eyes widened. Seeing her sullen expression, Idylos let out a light laugh and stroked her sister’s head.

“How have you been?”

The tension in her body was relieved at her brother’s friendly voice. Mamela recalled the week he went on his business trip. The time when she should have always been alone was filled with the sudden appearance of a kitten.

Mamela answered with a smile, “Yes. I’m fine.”

Idylos seemed a little surprised at the sight and soon nodded.

“Well, that’s a relief.”

The food was laid out on the table. Idylos was accustomed to pouring food into Mamela’s bowl and slicing the steak.

It was one of the habits of feeding and putting his younger sister to sleep since she was young.

Mamela waited calmly, then said, putting her hands together to place the bowl.

“Thank you for the food.”

“Eat a lot. That way you’ll grow taller,” said Idylos.

Mamela put a mouthful of meat that her brother had cut into bite-size pieces. Even though it was something she ate all the time, it was more delicious than usual because she ate it with someone else.

In happiness, Mamela naturally remembered someone.

‘Is Aryl eating well? When she ate, I was always by her side…’

She was the one who knew best that eating alone would be lonely.

‘I’ll go back as soon as I finish eating. Aryl will be waiting.’