TCBUP 50

Chapter 50

 The Little Prince and the Fox.

As I trudged along deep in thought, I noticed a dog lying in the overgrown grass behind the Imperial Palace.

It was a large dog, with faded white and gray curly fur, resembling an Old English Sheepdog.

The dog was basking lazily under the warm sunlight. But for a pet supposedly living in the Imperial Palace, it was in terrible shape—completely unkempt.

This was the imperial palace, after all. Even if it was a neglected part of the grounds, would they really just let a stray wander around freely?

Actually, it made no sense to begin with that a stray dog could even enter the palace.

“Hey, puppy.”

The dog slowly opened its eyes and lifted its head.

But that was all. It didn’t move otherwise.

Its big, drowsy black eyes blinked softly.

“Here, boy. Come here.”

I sat down and wiggled my fingers to beckon. The dog tilted its head at me.

Still, it neither approached nor ran away.

I couldn’t tell if it was curious, wary, or just indifferent.

“It’s okay. Come here.”

Its tail lifted and wagged slowly side to side, as if uncertain.

But again, that was all.

“Should I bring food?”

“What are you doing?”

“Gah!”

Startled, I fell back onto the grass.

Looking up, I saw the steward’s wrinkled face looming above me.

“You’ll dirty your clothes here, miss.”

“Oh, uh, it’s not like they’re that fancy… Ahem. Do you know that dog?”

The steward glanced at the dog.

It was still watching us from a distance, wagging its tail slowly.

“Ah, that must be Leonardo.”

Leonardo. That Leonardo.

The very one I was supposed to catch.

But… could that really be the same Leonardo?

The name ‘Leonardo’ wasn’t common, but it wasn’t exactly rare either.

Sigh. It should’ve been a person, not a dog.

If Leonardo had stolen the imperial seal, he might’ve chewed it or tossed it away somewhere without realizing its value.

Then we’d never find it.

<MISSION>
Oh no! A wild Leonardo has appeared!
You’ve entered Stage 2: “Catch Leonardo.”

…Yup. That Leonardo.

But did Leonardo leave the seal intact?

“His Majesty named him? Then… is he the Emperor’s dog?”

“Technically, he belonged to the late Empress. But after her passing and with His Majesty falling ill, he’s been wandering around here. We’ve tried to take care of him, but he doesn’t let anyone get close.”

“Then who feeds him?”

“We leave food nearby, and he eats when he wants. He seems to have a specific place where he sleeps, too.”

So he doesn’t trust anyone except his master.

Maybe he thinks he’s been abandoned—he doesn’t know the Empress has died or that the Emperor is bedridden.

That thought made his big, innocent black eyes seem so pitiful.

He’s old now. What if something happens because no one’s really looking after him?

“Can I try catching Leonardo? I don’t mean anything bad—I just want to take care of him.”

“Of course, if you can manage it.”

Some time later…

“Leonardo, come here. Want some of this?”

I waved a piece of meat at Leonardo, who was sunbathing on the lawn.

He looked interested and lifted his head, but didn’t move closer.

“Even food doesn’t work?”

I sighed and crouched on the grass, resting my chin on my knee.

It had been over thirty minutes under the blazing summer sun, and I was still stuck in a standoff with Leonardo.

He showed interest but wouldn’t come near.

Maybe he really thought he’d been abandoned and was hurt by it.

He seemed like the kind of dog who loved people but didn’t dare to trust anymore.

Poor thing.

Waiting endlessly for an owner who would never return… or another one too sick to come see him.

He didn’t even know that and just waited.

“What am I supposed to do with you?”

He kept wagging his tail while watching me, completely oblivious to how worried I was.

Now he tilted his head again?

Despite being huge, he looked so adorably clueless that I couldn’t help but smile.

<SYSTEM>
You have a new message.
Would you like to check it?

I didn’t even know this game had a messaging function.

Official notices came through system prompts, and no one else seemed to know this was a game. Who could be messaging me?

I quickly clicked the letter icon.

<MESSAGE>
Want to play with me? Then you have to tame me.

You’ll need patience. I’m wary and proud.

First, sit quietly at a distance.

Then each day, come a little closer.

Let me get used to you, slowly.

Oh, and it’d be nice if you came at the same time every day.

That way, I’ll start waiting for you when that time comes.

A message… from Leonardo.

So he’s open to bonding, at least. Thank goodness.

But if I have to approach slowly day by day, it’ll take forever.

“Well, taming a wounded soul doesn’t happen overnight.”

Leonardo rested his head gently on his front paws and blinked slowly.

Blue skies with not a cloud in sight, an open field of green, and a dog napping peacefully.

The scene was calm and serene, yet somehow it felt heartbreakingly lonely.

I couldn’t bear to leave him out here like this.

“Alright, Leonardo. Let’s take it one step at a time.”

A few days later…

“How long am I supposed to keep doing this?!”

I shouted at the sky from my crouched spot on the lawn.

Just as Leonardo asked, I’d been approaching him slowly each day.

And sure, it was working.

Our distance had noticeably closed.

But…

“You’re not the only one I need a deep, meaningful connection with, Leonardo.”

Time was precious—no, more than precious. It was my only chance to build favorability.

Especially with Nox, whose favorability had just passed 50%.

Now was the time to act, to push forward.

But the entry procedures to the palace were complicated, and travel took ages. I was wasting way too much time on the road.

“This won’t do. I’ll just catch him first and figure it out later.”

He’s old, right? He shouldn’t be that fast.

Leonardo would be startled, sure. But I could make it up to him afterward.

That’s how animal rescue shows work too—rescue first, then build trust.

I rolled up my sleeves and lunged toward Leonardo.

<SYSTEM>
Oops! He slipped right through your hands!

<SYSTEM>
Oops! He slipped right through your hands!

<SYSTEM>
Oops! He slipped right through your hands!

“…”

Ugh. So annoying.

Didn’t they say he was old and weak?

Why is he so fast and agile?

He wagged his tail at me just out of arm’s reach.

He’d overexerted himself to avoid me and was now panting in the heat, but he hadn’t run too far.

“You cheeky mutt.”

I lay flat on the grass again, hiding my frustrated face just in case it scared him.

Just then, the steward returned with a silver tray holding cold juice and snacks.

“It’s quite hot today. I’ll leave these here for you.”

“…Thank you.”

“I was worried Leonardo might be lonely, but it’s lovely to see you keeping him company. His Majesty will be pleased.”

“…”

So… it looked like I was playing with him? Happily, at that?

Is that why Leonardo looked so cheerful?

I picked myself off the grass, dragging my feet toward the steward.

I grabbed the cold juice and drank more than half in one go.

It wasn’t very ladylike, but after all that rolling around in the sun, I was parched.

“What kind of food does Leonardo like best?”

“A++ tenderloin, from Gratin. Specially supplied for the royal family.”

He’s got expensive taste.

Even I haven’t eaten that stuff. No wonder he ignored the meat I brought.

“If you need anything, just let me know.”

“I will.”

“But don’t stay out too long. The sun is strong today.”

After the steward left, I devoured the snacks too.

Now that I was recharged, I would catch Leonardo—today, no matter what.

I rolled up my sleeves again, secured the hem of my skirt for easier movement, and tied up my long hair.

“Alright, Leonardo. Time for the final showdown. Let’s see who tires out first—you or me.”