The Duke’s Companion

Jonah began to examine every inch of my body, leaving me in Mamela’s hand. She checked my hips, so I swung my tail in surprise.

“It looks like there’s no problem. I’m really glad.” (Jonah)

“By the way, what’s that thing in your hand?” (Mamela)

“Oh, Ansel told me to give it to you.”

They moved to the sofa, Mamela put me down on her lap and received the small box from Jonah.

I wasn’t interested in their topic, so I played with the laces on Mamela’s clothes.

Then, I heard the sound of breathing in, so I raised my head. Mamela was looking at the box with her eyes wide open.

“Wow, this is Ludavito’s garnet diamond…”

“The headmaster said that he prepared it for you.”

As Mamela reached out, a splendid jewel appeared from the box. When I first saw such a thing, my mouth gaped in amazement.

The red jewels were shaped like delicate flowers. It’s as if the jewel was emitting colors as it reflected under the light.

I stole a glance at the beautiful jewel. Mamela also looked at it as if she had lost words to say for a while.

“It’s really beautiful. You said you wanted to see the garnet diamond. He must be in a good mood.”

“Yes, but how did my brother get this? No one can find it here in the Empire…”

Mumbling to herself, Mamela stared at the jewel and then held it up against the light of the chandelier.

Colorful beams of light from the jewels spread all over the room.

Unbearable, I eagerly pursued the traces of light scattered on the floor by the jewel.

When my front foot touched the shiny traces of light, the color of my fur was also beautifully colored. 

Fascinated by the mysterious sight, I jumped around the room, then I heard Mamela burst into laughter.

“Jonah, look at Aryl. She’s so cute!”

“I guess she finds the light amazing because Aryl is still young. I think anyone with eyes will know how beautiful it is.”

“If it weren’t for this situation, I would have hired a dedicated artist and painted every single part of it… It’s effortless.”

While I was distracted by the brilliance of the jewels, the two continued their conversation.

“I’ll have to thank my brother when he comes back. I ran into him earlier, and if I had known about this, I would have been able to thank him…”

Suddenly the light of the jewel disappeared. When I looked up, I saw Mamela putting the jewel back in the box.

‘Oh, I thought I could catch it this time…’

As I was hunting with the light as a target, regret came over. Mamela, who didn’t know how I felt, seemed busy talking to Jonah.

I went back to Mamela’s side and pouted. Mamela patted me familiarly as I clung to her, satisfied by her touch my heart lightened.

“How do I look, Aryl? Is it okay? It’s not weird, right?”

“Meow?”

Mamela, who was dressed more neatly than usual, stood in front of me.

She was saying something, but I didn’t know what she was talking about, so I just nodded.

Holding a wooden comb in her hand, Jonah spoke, “Don’t worry, my lady, you look prettier than usual.”

“Then I’m glad. It’s been a while since I’ve eaten with my brother, so I’m nervous about everything. I think it’s better to eat alone as usual…”

“But you’re the happiest eating with him. It’s only a few days a month. You’ve always been looking forward to it.”

“That’s right.”

Mamela squatted in front of me and stroked my back. She smiled as I stretched out to enjoy the slow caressing on my back.

However, I felt something strange while acting cute today, I wondered about the reason why Jonah isn’t smiling as usual.

Jonah, who always laughed with Mamela when I acted cutely, seemed to be lost in thought now.

After a moment Jonah spoke again, “Lady, why don’t you ask the headmaster to spare a little more time? If you ask him to do so, I’m sure he will.”

Mamela’s hand that was stroking me stopped. I looked up at her with doubts. There was also a smile on the corner of Mamela’s lips.

“No, it’s all right. My brother is busy. I don’t want to disturb him for nothing.”

“Miss…”

“Sometimes we can’t be together. I’m alone all the time. But now that Aryl is here, I’m not as lonely as I used to be.”

Mamela’s expression hardened visibly, but she started stroking me again as if it were nothing.

‘What is it… Mamela doesn’t look happy, and the atmosphere is a bit stuffy.’

Uncomfortable with her strange stillness, I grabbed Mamela’s hem and pulled her.

“Meow…“

“Huh? Do you want me to keep stroking your back?”

Mamela moved her palm to my forehead and raised the corners of her lips again in an instant. As she was stroking my head, she spoke in a bright voice again.

“By the way, shall I talk a little about Aryl to my brother during this meal time?”

Then I could see Jonah’s expression changing in an instant. In just a few seconds, her worried gaze was covered with astonishment.

… What? What the hell did Mamela say?