TCBUP 51

Chapter 51

 What Friends Are For

“Huff, huff.”

I gasped for breath, clinging to Leonardo who had collapsed onto the lawn.

Who knows how long we’d been running across this huge field—the sun was already starting to set.

“You did great, Leonardo. Tired, huh?”

I wrapped my arms around his neck and took a moment to catch my breath.

Now what?

I’d caught him without any kind of taming process, so I couldn’t risk letting go in case he ran off.

And Leonardo was such a large dog that when he stood on his hind legs, he was nearly my height—there was no way I could carry him.

“Oh, the harness!”

Suddenly, I remembered the harness I had received as a reward.

I petted Leonardo’s head as gently as I could, trying to keep him calm.

Of course, I didn’t let go of my arms wrapped tightly around his neck.

“Ugh, it’s so hot. You must be hot too, huh, Leonardo?”

“Whine, kiiii.”

“Sorry. I promise I’ll treat you better from now on. But first, let’s try this on.”

Maybe he’d run out of energy, because Leonardo remained calm.

I carefully strapped the harness onto him and held onto the leash that was connected to it. A sigh of relief escaped my lips.

I had finally caught—or rather, rescued—Leonardo.

Exhausted, I collapsed onto his body.

“Does it hurt anywhere?”

Just as described, the leather was soft and supple, and didn’t seem to chafe or rub.

I pulled gently on the leather straps around his neck and chest to make sure it wasn’t too tight.

“Perfect fit.”

Was it originally meant for animals?

That would be a problem.

Fleeting images from the past—those indecent fantasies—flashed before my eyes, and my face turned hot even though no one was around.

Ding-dong—a status window alert suddenly popped up, startling me further.

Yay~! You caught Leonardo!

As a reward for clearing Stage 2, you receive the Unquenchable Lantern.

You have successfully completed Stage 2 and will now advance to Stage 3.

Stage 3: Find the Emperor’s Most Treasured Possession.

Reward: Emperor’s Signet Ring
Failure Penalty: Death by cardiac arrest

Death? Failure means death?

That’s something you should’ve told me from the beginning!

Ugh. In this damned game, you can’t get anything unless you put your life on the line.

When I lowered my head in frustration, Leonardo looked up to meet my eyes.

He tilted his head and gently pawed at me.

“Are you… worried about me?”

When I scratched under his chin, he rubbed his head affectionately against my arm as if pleased.

So cute.

I scratched behind his ears and under his chin to keep him happy.

“Let’s go, Leonardo. First, we need some water.”

My heart pounded. I was worried whether he’d listen to me.

I tugged on the leash—and to my surprise, Leonardo obediently stood up and followed my lead.

“Aww, good boy. My Leonardo, you’re such a good listener.”

Showering him with praise, Leonardo lifted his curly, furry chin and trotted ahead proudly.

I’d worried whether I could even handle a dog this big, but maybe thanks to the special item—the harness—he was surprisingly well-behaved.

I led him to a white wooden table the chamberlain had set up, and let him drink first.

Chop chop chop—he lapped up the water so quickly it made me feel guilty. I patted his head gently.

“Sorry, Leonardo. I was too rough earlier.”

“Kiiing.”

“I won’t ever do that again. Let’s get along from now on, okay?”

After quenching his thirst, Leonardo stretched out contentedly.

I drank some water myself and stretched out my sore limbs.

“Oh my, Miss Sienna.”

“Hm?”

“Fancy seeing you here.”

“…Miss Lily.”

Lily walked over, graceful as ever.

She wore a pristine white dress with intricate lace, her light blonde hair loosely tied back, white lace gloves on her hands, and a matching parasol.

That’s when I realized just how much of a mess I must’ve looked.

My face flushed from the sun, hair soaked with sweat and clinging to my skin, my once-white blouse and skirt now smudged with grass stains from rolling around on the lawn.

The stark contrast between us made me deeply regret running into her now of all times.

“What brings you here?”

“Oh, I entered the palace with Demian.”

“…I see.”

“We came to visit Her Majesty, the Empress.”

So now they were even making formal appearances together.

Well, I was engaged too, so I had no right to say anything.

“Oh, by the way—congratulations on your engagement.”

“Thank you.”

“Now that you’re tied to the Prince, I guess we’ll be seeing each other more often in the palace.”

“Seems like it.”

“We’ll probably run into each other often in the social circles, too.”

Ah… I had been so caught up worrying about navigating the social scene myself that I’d completely forgotten Lily would be attending as the future Duchess of Ortiz.

“Um, Miss Sienna.”

“Yes?”

“I’m still not really used to the social world. I don’t know many people. I know this sounds strange, but… I hope we can help each other and get along.”

Though she spoke up, she fidgeted awkwardly with the handle of her parasol, aware of how odd her words sounded.

Hmm. I wouldn’t mind, personally—but if people saw us together, they’d never shut up.

In the past, I was the bully, and Lily was the victim. Naturally, all the criticism would come straight to me.

“I’d like to, but Lily… that might be a bit difficult.”

“What?”

“Even if we got along, it wouldn’t be good for either of us. I’m sure Duke Ortiz wouldn’t like it either.”

“Well, that’s true, but…”

She accepted it, though her expression fell with lingering regret.

Sigh. Having a kind nature is certainly a virtue, but being too kind is just frustrating.

“By the way, are you raising a dog?”

“Kind of ended up that way.”

“He’s adorable.”

Lily reached out, but Leonardo turned his head away just before she could touch him.

Growl.

Then he immediately bared his teeth at her.

Startled, Lily yanked her hand back.

I was shocked too—I had never seen him act so aggressive.

“No, Leonardo! You have to behave!”

If he bit her, it’d be a disaster, so I pulled the leash back firmly.

I didn’t want any more misunderstandings about me bullying Lily.

Whether he understood or not, Leonardo gave me a disgruntled little ruff.

“Sorry. He’s really shy around strangers.”

“It’s okay. I shouldn’t have tried to touch him without asking.”

Suddenly flustered, Leonardo started backing up on his own.

When he abruptly turned around, the force of it yanked me along with him.

“Wait, Leonardo! We’re not going that way!”

I tried pulling back on the leash, but it was useless.

Leonardo was strong—and I was the one being dragged.

“Leonardo! Aaaah!”

I didn’t even get to say goodbye to Lily. Leonardo bolted, and I was pulled along like a ragdoll.

“Leonardo! Stop! Stop!”

But the massive dog dashed ahead, ignoring my pleas like a runaway pony.

Clutching the leash, I ran for dear life, heart about to leap out of my chest.

I twisted my ankle at one point, almost fell several times.

Just when I was about to let go of the leash, Leonardo finally stopped.

“Huff… Huff… Leonardo…”

Wiping the sweat from my temples down to my jaw with the back of my hand, I looked at him.

Oblivious to my misery, he just panted happily and wagged his tail.

“…Where are we?”

That’s when I finally looked up and noticed the building in front of me.

A huge mansion, even larger than the Empress’s private palace—but it looked like a burnt-out ruin.

Woof. Leonardo barked once, then pushed open the chipped paint-covered door with his front paw.

Creeeak. The rusted hinges groaned ominously as the heavy door opened.

Then he casually stepped inside, like he knew the place.

“Leonardo… You shouldn’t just barge—”

The moment I stepped in behind him, my jaw dropped.

It was a ruin.

But not like any ruin I’d seen before.

A high ceiling adorned with a grand, ornate chandelier. White and black marble floors laid in elegant patterns. Walls covered in golden geometric designs and large paintings everywhere.

If it weren’t for the layers of dust and burn marks throughout, this building could rival the emperor’s palace.

“…What is this place?”