The Northern Mad Dog Wags It’s Tail

“I’m not feeling well,” Sig said, startling Every as he returned from the Lockheart Mansion.

“It seems like I have a fever,” he added, placing his hand on his forehead and wearing a serious expression. Evry was taken aback by this, almost about to dismiss it, but then he noticed how grave his expression was.

“Did you meet someone with an infectious disease?” Evry asked firmly. If not, there was no way that robust man, who could roll around naked in the snow and not catch a cold, would be feeling sick.

“Evry-ssi”.

At that moment, the coachman called Evry softly. Then, leaning closer to his ear, he began to reveal what he had seen.

“What! You’re saying Duke-nim and that young lady were embracing each other in a frenzy?”

“Why would I lie about something like this?”

The coachman nodded resolutely as he saw Evry’s disbelief.

“Is that true?”

When he had invited Britia here before, Sig couldn’t even properly guide her and left her alone with a cold attitude. It was unimaginable that he would have done something so bold.

“She allowed it,” Sig mumbled, avoiding Evry’s gaze.

“What did I tell you?”

The coachman proudly puffed out his chest, affirming that it was no lie.

“But it was a complete defeat on my part. Britia is amazing.”

After he embraced him, he couldn’t properly compose himself for quite some time.

“I had to lie in the carriage for a long time until my strength returned.”

Sighing deeply, Sig swept back his dishevelled hair.

“As a younger, cute man, it seems challenging to appeal to her. I chose the wrong approach.”

“Why are you speaking such weak words?” Evry turned to the coachman sharply.

The atmosphere had been pleasant, so he couldn’t understand why he was saying such things.

“Because the odds are against me.”

“No, where did your persistence go? The Duke who would relentlessly deal with demons?”

“Aren’t you the one who said I was cute by ordinary standards?”

“Yes, and Duke-nim is younger than her, isn’t he?”

Honestly, trying to appear cute just because he was younger would be challenging, but Evry encouraged him to have confidence in himself.

“However hard I try, I don’t think I can win her over with cuteness alone.”

Evry almost clenched his fists and wanted to shout out loud but managed to hold back.

He couldn’t believe the man before him, who used to be so rough and tough, was really the same Sig Turas.

“Now that you’re mingling with the Lockhart Marquis, you’re saying such things?”

“Huh?”

Sig didn’t think he had said anything significant, wondering why Evry had such a peculiar expression.

“Anyway, since your health is so poor right now, call for a doctor.”

Sig asked Evry, warning him that if he ventured beyond Altheim’s safe zone in this state, he might lose his life.

“Could it be that the thought of her makes your heart race and raises your temperature?”

“I see you know. Do you possess such an ability too?”

Evry tightly shut his eyes.

“Why didn’t you bring her along with you?”

The words slipped out uncontrollably. They needed to prepare for the wedding immediately, so why didn’t he bring her? Why did he come alone?

Evry wanted her words to reach the Supreme Commander too.

“What?”

“No, it’s nothing.”

But he held back. The nobles’ weddings weren’t something they could rush into the next day just because they felt a connection. Moreover, as the Emperor’s nephew, Sig needed the Emperor and Empress’s approval to proceed with the wedding. Additionally, there might be other rules specific to the Southern nobles.

To navigate through such intricate procedures successfully, they needed to be cautious. Knowing that Sig wasn’t the type to think and act carefully, Evry realized that he had to keep his composure.

“Oh, do we have any lavender tea?”

“Yes, we do, but why are you suddenly looking for it?”

“Britia said it has a calming effect. I could use it right now.”

Because his mind was still far from calm.

“There should be some left from the last time I bought it.”

“Buy it in bulk. We’ll need it even when we return to Altheim.”

“You’ll drink it even after we return? Did you really like the lavender tea that much?”

When Evry asked as if he was completely taken aback, Sig turned sharply to face him.

“That’s right.”

For a moment, it seemed like Sig was smiling softly, but it was so unbelievable that Evry blinked his eyes to make sure.

“I’m not sure if it has a calming effect or not.”

As Sig sipped the lavender tea that Evry had handed him, he mumbled. It reminded him of Britia’s smile when she congratulated him for finding the tea he liked.

When she asked if she could wrap her tail around him, he hesitated honestly. And, as he had feared, he was defeated. Angry at his defeat, he had even asked if he could wrap her in his arms to resist her.

“That was a cowardly move.”

Evry was concerned and quickly pushed him away. He had only briefly embraced her beloved tail.

But what about him? Somehow, he didn’t want to let go, and he had held onto her for a much longer time than she had done.

“After resorting to such a cowardly move, look at this state.”

His forehead, which had rested on her shoulder, felt hot.

“It’s my complete defeat again.”

Even though he always ended up losing to her, he no longer felt any resentment. But to think that he could still feel fine after that, was really troublesome.

“If I get used to this defeat, it could be troublesome. I might end up never being able to win against her forever.”

Sig let out a sigh and quickly finished the still-hot tea in one gulp.

* * *

“Frustrating.”

A few days after Sig and Kyra’s visit to the Lockhart Mansion, the Lockhart Marquis opened his triangular eyes and glared at his wife and the twins.

“How could you both decide to go out without me?”

When he grumbled that she should have taken him along too, Countess Lockhart looked at him with an awkward expression.

“We’ll go together next time.”

“What about today?”

“I’ll be at home today.”

Hailey tried to placate him, saying they had some women’s talk to do today, but it had the opposite effect.

“Tia and Lenny used to playfully tease me like this from time to time, but how could my wife do the same!”

“Why is a grown man throwing a tantrum?”

After finishing the preparations for their outing and even holding an umbrella, Britia spoke up, and Crave’s eyes widened.

“You be quiet.”

“Honey, Crave.”

With a gentle voice, Hailey covered her husband’s cheek with her hand.

“I’ll buy you a lemon pie with plenty of ginger added for you.”

Then, she lightly kissed his lips.

“I love you.”

In response, Crave’s eyes widened, and he pursed his lips before extending them. Hailey kissed him again, amused by how adorable he looked.

“…”

Seeing Crave and his wife showering each other with affectionate pecks, Britia blinked her eyes with a misty expression and bit her lips.

“What’s with that face? Do you want a kiss too?”

Crave noticed the twins giving them disapproving looks and playfully threatened her with his hand shaped like a hook.

“Gross.”

“Gross? Honey, did you hear that? Our little one here is acting all high and mighty lately, associating with powerful figures like Duke Turas and Marquis Slanford. That’s why she’s becoming impudent and arrogant!”

As Crave grumbled, Britia playfully snickered and hooked her arm with Hailey, showing him.

“You’ll be guarding the house while I go on a date with Hailey.”

Seeing the two walking away, Crave furrowed his brows, opened his mouth, and made a noise like a whining animal.

“It’s been a while since me and Hailey went out together.”

While riding the carriage towards the shopping district, Britia spoke, and Hailey observed her for a moment before bursting into a soft laugh.

“But are you okay? Crave might bother you, saying he keeps chasing you around.”

“Sometimes, I want to have a calm conversation with Britia. He always brushes off the talk with jokes as if it’s water flowing.”

Hailey looked at Britia and slowly spoke.

“I truly thought that Britia had feelings for him, Duke-nim.”

“Is that so?”

“Was I mistaken?”

“If I were to say no, it would be a lie.”

“Then what’s the problem?”

Britia awkwardly smiled at Hailey, looking at her with warm eyes. When comparing herself to him, he seemed like such a towering figure that she felt intimidated. Even to be honest with herself about such feelings, she had her pride.

“I wish Britia had more confidence.”

“I’m not saying I’m digging a hole and going into it. I must have my charms, right?”

“You’re a bundle of charms.”

“That’s Crave.”

Hailey often affectionately referred to her husband that way.

“So are you.”

“I don’t know. I don’t have anything remarkable like Hailey thinks.”

“While the Lockhart Marquis might have had difficult times in the past, things have significantly improved now.”

“That’s true.”

“But why would Britia lack confidence?”

Britia sensed Hailey’s concern. Her words were understandable. Compared to the peak of her fame, the current situation was far from heavenly.

“Thank you for worrying, but I’m okay. Even if I have to enter the monastery as Lenny says, I believe I can still live happily.”

Hailey intended to speak more seriously about why she kept saying things that weren’t true to her heart, but the carriage came to a stop.

“This shop seems to be quite famous these days.”

As people were talking about this place, Hailey went into the three-story café. The most popular third floor was already full, but luckily, they managed to grab a table for three on the second-floor terrace, nestled between reserved tables.

“The ladies from the social gathering recommended this…”

The conversation continued as they sat at their table

While the Countess of Lockhart was checking the menu, she heard a loud voice that made both Britia and the Countess turn their heads in surprise.

“Oh, Britia!”

It was Lady Robley, the Duchess of Robely, who approached them with a warm greeting. “Oh, the Countess Lockhart! Thank you for the kind letter you sent me before.”

Britia, still taken aback, replied, “It’s so nice to meet you here. Lady Robley!”

“Britia, is your health alright? I haven’t seen you around lately, and I’ve been so worried.”

Lady Robley fretted as she examined Britia’s face.

“I’m doing fine, thank you! Right, Marcus?”

Finally, Britia noticed the man standing slightly behind Lady Robley, his lips pouting.

“Marcus, what are you doing?”

“What do you mean?” Marcus responded sullenly to Lady Robley’s sharp question.

“You haven’t even greeted the ladies you’ve met!”

Upon his aunt’s reprimand, Marcus huffed and reluctantly nodded his head.

Why did they have to meet them here of all places? Britia inwardly sighed as she politely exchanged greetings with the rude man. It seemed like it would become a tiresome encounter.

But Britia’s misfortune didn’t end there. A couple, a man and a woman, were approaching from inside the café, and their faces were very familiar.

“The third floor is too crowded and complicated. Trust me, Kyra. The second floor is much quieter than the third floor… Wait, who is that? Britia!”

It was Lord Harty Slanford and Kyra.