I Unintentionally Cured The Grand Duke’s Insomnia - Chapter 36

“I heard you have a survival kit.”

“…Yes?”

“I believe in the Young Lady’s words that maybe, it’ll even save my life.”

“Oh, no! Don’t believe me! Don’t ever believe me…! That survival kit has lost its credibility since I became a puppy!”

A laugh burst out of his mouth at the words I expressed with disdain.

…A laugh? Is now the time to laugh?

An embarrassment flooded me at Cain’s behavior, who was still smiling like nothing else mattered. Nevertheless, I opened my mouth to him once more, holding back the urge to scream that he should not make fun of my life as an extra.

“Anyway, what I mean is that the Grand Duke alone will have a hard time. Lord Winder doesn’t seem to know yet that Jo Malone is a bad guy, but what if he’s taken hostage?”

“There’s one thing I want to ask my Young Lady.”

“…What?”

“Then, Young Lady, whom do you think we should turn to for help in this situation?”

At his question, I sat quietly on the table and looked at him. I blinked his eyes as if to give an answer and said cautiously.

“The imperial knights…?”

Cain smirked as he heard my careful words.

“How can we move the Imperial Knights in this situation where there’s no physical evidence?”

“Uh… Can’t you just call them first, then they could search through the mansion?”

“…”

“Dust will be found in everyone’s pocket if brushed off*, so let’s shake it first! Let’s shake it off and think about it!”

[ T/N: It’s an idiom which means, ‘even a man of integrity has hidden flaws.’ ]

With a twinkle in my eyes, he did not even respond. Eventually, I just frowned my nose and looked at him. Cain only touched my ear with an indifferent look.

“Oh no! At times like this…”

Apparently, there must be some soothing spot in the dog’s ears. Otherwise, every time he touched my ear, my body could not be so relaxed. My face, which had been hardened by his familiar hand gently stroking my ear, melted like cotton candy.

At that moment, his low voice was heard.

“I don’t know what makes you so anxious that you’ve been so impatient since earlier, though I promise that nothing that the Young Lady is worried about will happen.”

“….”

“In the name of Grand Duke Destro.”

At the promise he gave me while looking into my eyes, I felt my heart drop to the floor in an instant.

…I really wondered if I could just trust his words without any worries.

As Cain’s serious eyes gazed at me, my heart started beating with a thumping noise. In addition, it felt like my body was heating up to the sound of my heart.

What the hell is this… 

Frowning my face in embarrassment, a knock on the dining room door was heard. I quickly jumped into Cain’s arms, forgetting even the strange sensation of burning my body. Jo Malone was entering the restaurant with a man who appeared to be a servant of the mansion.

“I’m sorry I’m late, Your Highness.”

With a warm greeting, he naturally took a seat opposite Cain. The next moment, he then introduced the servant who had come with him.

“He’s in charge of the meals in this mansion. There are probably many shortcomings compared to what you ate at the Grand Duke’s castle, although I did my best to prepare it, so I hope it will suit Your Highness’ taste.”

At the introduction, the man pushed a cart as he bowed his head to Cain.

Cain’s gaze slowly scanned the man.

Jo Malone, noticing his gaze on the man, quickly added his words as if trying to take his gaze away.

“Ah, the shapeshifter in Your Highness’s arms seems to still be young, so I prepared a meal with milk first.”

“That’s kind of you. Thank you for your consideration.”

Subsequently, the servant placed the bowl of milk in front of me. I stared at the milk blankly and then turned towards Cain with doubtful eyes… Does he want me to eat without a spoon?

…No, really—?

Cain raised the corners of his lips as if to answer my question with his eyes. The sight of it made my head dizzy again.

He… He wants me to stick my nose in the food and eat like this when I am not even drunk? No matter how much I looked like a puppy now, it was not that much…!

“But, you seem to have a good relationship with the shapeshifter.”

The words that I had been shouting to myself because I could not spit them out were startled by Jo Malone’s voice, and I froze. He smiled casually at Cain, who looked at him, and added.

“It doesn’t even seem like you just met them for the first time.”