“Pardon?”
“Oh, it’s nothing important. I just heard that since the divine mark didn’t appear, she’ll eventually be expelled from the family, right?”
“Yes, that’s what I’ve been told…”
“Hm. Well, if she does get kicked out, maybe I’ll just keep her around as Thunder’s personal maid. Wouldn’t be so bad, huh?”
At that moment, Dot, who had been quietly listening to Luce’s words, calmly objected.
“… The baby miss may not have any supernatural abilities, but she managed to win over a renowned steed like Thunder in an instant.”
Doth still had no idea why Coco suddenly wanted to meet Chloe.
To be honest, he too thought Chloe would soon drive her away.
But even so.
He couldn’t forget Coco’s warm, violet eyes.
He was forty now. After working as a veterinarian for over twenty years and mentoring countless apprentices, he knew Coco was different.
‘Especially those eyes… the way she looked at animals so gently, those were truly special.’
And somehow, he felt that warmth might just be enough to melt Chloe’s coldness.
“So, I think the two of them might actually become close.”
Luce’s eyes sparkled mischievously.
“Then, how about we make a bet? And don’t say something boring like ‘I’m not participating.’
“Alright then—I’ll place my bet on the two of them growing closer.”
“Well, Doth… looks like you enjoy a little gambling after all, huh?”
Surprisingly, Doth answered in a firm tone.
“We’ll see soon enough. The results will speak for themselves.”
Chapter 3. Reunion
“Y-you really get to visit Lady Chloe’s annex now?”
“Yup! I’ve earned the right to go!”
I waved the visitor’s permit Luce had given me, beaming with excitement.
[Chloe Ardoth’s 〈Aster Mansion〉 Visitor’s Permit]
I held tightly to the hand of the maid, who still looked a bit confused.
“But… why would you want to visit Lady Chloe’s annex of all places…?”
“Because I like it! Come on, let’s go! I brought her a gift, I picked lots of wildflowers!”
Sister used to love it when I brought her those bright, sparkling purple flowers.
With a bag full of flower stems slung securely over my shoulder, I marched ahead.
When I finally reached Sister’s annex—
I froze, wide-eyed, staring at something I had never seen before.
“Gasp! What’s this? There’s a huge grave here!”
“Oh… you didn’t know, baby miss. This grave…”
The maid glanced around cautiously, then leaned in and whispered in a low voice:
“It’s Lady Chloe’s dog’s grave.”
Her expression was one of deep skepticism and discomfort.
“Rumor has it the maids at Lady Chloe’s mansion tend to the dog’s grave day and night.
Honestly… it looks even bigger than my father’s grave.”
The maid let out a deep sigh.
But I didn’t care at all, my head was filled with the fanfare of pure joy!
‘Sister still remembers me! She hasn’t forgotten!’
Overcome with excitement, I started swaying my hips a little, like a puppy wagging its tail.
“Wow, this grave is amazing!”
“Why would anyone build such a huge grave for an old dog…?”
“….”
I suddenly froze on the spot, shocked by her words.
“Baby miss?”
“…Coco isn’t an old dog. She said she’s a sweet baby puppy!”
“Oh… you might not know this, baby miss, but that dog was over fifteen years old when it passed.”
“…Th-that’s.”
“Oh! Baby miss, when a dog is over ten, that’s like being a grandpa or grandma in human years.”
The more I listened, the more the shock piled up inside me.
I shook my head with all my might.
‘No! Coco is definitely not a grandma!’
Sister always called me her baby puppy.
So I’m a baby puppy. That’s what I am!
“Coco is a baby puppy! And a really good one, too!”
The maid looked visibly flustered as she met my burning, determined gaze.
“Ah? Ahaha, r-right. Of course… a sweet baby puppy. Absolutely…”
Feeling much better now, I nodded eagerly.
Maybe it was thanks to all the walking practice I did last night just to see Sister.
Because today, I could walk with confidence, just like the proud baby puppy I was.
But just as I reached the entrance to the annex.
“Um, baby miss. I’m sorry, but from here on, I can’t go in with you.”
“Huh…? Why?”
“Lady Chloe’s residence is in a semi-isolated state. Only a very limited number of people, those with special permission, are allowed to enter…”
“I see…”
“I truly hope you return safely, baby miss.”
“Okay! I’ll be back soon!”
I waved cheerfully at the maid.
Then, I stepped boldly into the Aster Mansion, shrouded in deep shadows.
To some, it might have seemed like a frightening place.
But I wasn’t scared at all.
“Finally, I’m here to see Sister!”
I wasn’t afraid of the dark, not even a little.
Because Sister could handle all the darkness in the world.
‘From here on out, this is Coco’s territory!’
I tightened the strap of the flower-filled bag.
‘Just being at Sister’s house makes me feel smarter already!’
And with that, Coco—Sister’s little puppy—charged straight toward Sister’s room!
… Or so I thought.
But the moment I took a step forward, several dark shadows moved to block my path.
“Who are you, and why have you come to the mansion?”
“Huh? I’m Coco! Who are you guys?”
“…We are Lady Chloe’s maids.”
I proudly held up my visitor’s permit.
The moment they saw it, they quickly bowed their heads with proper respect.
“So, you must be the baby miss of the annex. I’m sorry, but Lady Chloe is currently meeting an important guest.”
“……”
“We can pass along your message, but you may not be able to meet her.”
“That’s fine. I can wait!”
“…You may have to wait a very long time.”
“Yup! I don’t mind at all!”
I’m the best in the world at waiting.
Every time Sister went out, I always waited patiently by the door.
And when she came back, she’d smile and say, “Oh, Coco, were you waiting for your sister?”
When I barked, she’d praise me for being so patient, give me a treat, and even kiss me.
So, I quietly followed them.
I drank the tea they gave me in a small room.
I sat still, my body pressed tightly against the chair, and just waited.
But you know what?
One hour passed.
Then two.
Then three…
The tea had long gone cold.
As time dragged on, the maids’ watchful eyes slowly began to relax.
Just as I overheard their whispers outside the door, saying I’d probably give up and leave on my own.
I stretched my neck and looked around the room one more time, just in case.
‘… Sister really isn’t coming.’
Back then, if I waited, she would always come.
‘But now… things are different.’
Because I’m not dog Coco anymore, I’m human Coco now.
At that moment, I made up my mind.
“This time, instead of waiting, I’ll go find Sister myself.”
I’d meet her directly and see how she was living now.
And then…
“Let’s be close again.”
I slung the flower-filled bag tightly over my shoulder.
‘Use your head, Coco!’
This was the mansion I used to roam every single day!
I narrowed my eyes sharply, just like I used to when hunting for sweet potatoes.
With my sparkly brain, blessed by the Puppy God, I started spinning up all kinds of ideas on how to meet Sister.
