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Viola had become overly adept at playing the role of an adopted daughter, and she stealthily glanced at Zeno.

All this conversation would eventually be reported to the Duke.

Since Hixson had created a good opportunity, she decided to make the most of it.

“Bichen has been trained as a secret assassin. Therefore, he isn’t suited for a duel in such an open place.”

Bichen’s specialty was stealthy ambushes.

Engaging in a duel while shouting, “Let’s fight!” in broad daylight didn’t align with his dagger techniques.

“In contrast, Uncle’s sword is aggressive. Tundra learned from Uncle, so he will have the advantage in this public duel.”

“So?”

“In this situation, the odds favor Tundra.”

“Then why do you still think Bichen will win?”

“Because he still hasn’t reached Bichen’s level of skill.”

No matter how talented Tundra was, there was too much of a gap in their training periods.

“So unless there’s a critical mistake, Bichen will win.”

“A critical mistake?”

“Like suddenly getting too excited and making a huge movement.”

“Making a huge movement?”

“Or letting his guard down and deliberately showing a weakness. That kind of thing might happen. Bichen is still young, and judging by the current situation, I think he sees this as a game.

So Tundra has a chance too.”

Hixson stared at Viola for a moment, incredulous.

“Is something on my face?”

“Hey, Viola.”

Hixson chuckled lightly.

“Viola.”

“Yes?”

“Be honest.”

“What about?”

“How old are you?”

“Seven years old.”

“Clearly not seven, right? You look young for your age.”

Calling a seven-year-old ‘young’ was…

I didn’t know if that was a compliment or an insult.

Regardless, Viola felt a slight embarrassment.

That said, she couldn’t exactly shout, “I’m twenty-one inside!” either.

Just then—

“Uwaaaah!”

A battle cry echoed.

*

“Uwaaaah!”

Tundra swung his wooden sword with great force.

Whoosh!

The wooden sword cut through the air.

Bichen easily dodged Tundra’s swing and laughed, “Hehe. You’re still clumsy!”

His movements were too exaggerated.

It was fast, but making such big motions would drain his energy quickly.

An open heart was exposed.

A stab would end it.

“Don’t stab him.”

For Bichen, Tundra was an easy opponent.

A beginner with many openings.

Tundra was aware of this too.

However, he was still angry.

“Damn it!”

His competitive spirit as the protagonist surged.

He became a bit more excited.

His movements grew larger, and he put more strength into his body.

The more that happened, the more it favored Bichen.

But at that moment, Viola and Hixson were seen talking.

…My Lord?’

‘It’s Viola!’

Tundra and Bichen both noticed Viola almost simultaneously.

And they each had different thoughts.

‘I can’t show my Lord a disappointing side.’

‘Great! I have to show just how strong I am.’

Rather, Tundra regained his composure.

His head cooled down.

He relaxed his body.

‘I’m at a disadvantage.’

So he needed to seize his opportunities.

Bichen was taking it easy right now.

‘The chance is a single one.’

That small opening. If he aimed accurately at that opening, he thought he could create an opportunity.

His rationality cooled down.

In contrast, Bichen was a bit thrilled.

Unlike Tundra, he was excited.

‘I’m the older brother!’

Being the older brother, he decided to show a strong side.

‘I’ll finish it off with style in one go.’

For Bichen, Tundra was a weaker opponent.

He could end it anytime.

Complacency and carelessness.

And the desire to impress Viola all mingled together.

His body was filled with power.

Tundra bit his lip.

‘Here it comes.’

His movements had become larger than before.

So he could read it.

‘He’s going to aim for my left and close the distance.’

He seized the chance.

Quickly swinging the wooden sword.

Thud!

Something caught on the wooden sword.

“Stop.”

Hixson jumped between Tundra and Bichen.

With one hand, he held Tundra’s wooden sword, and with the other, Bichen’s dagger.

“This time it’s a draw.”

Bichen couldn’t accept the outcome.

“That’s nonsense!”

“What part of that is nonsense?”

“I could have stabbed his heart!”

“Yeah, but instead your neck would’ve been severed. Did you forget?

His sword is a longsword.”

If it had been a real duel, Tundra would’ve been pierced through the heart and Bichen would’ve lost his head.

“I knew that! I was planning to dodge!”

“Planning? Sure.”

Hixson punched Bichen’s head.

Whack!

A sound echoed.

It seemed like a light hit, but it sounded like a traffic accident occurred.

Bichen felt wronged.

“Why did you hit me?!”

“Because your stubbornness is just embarrassing.”

“Ugh.”

There was a glimmer of killing intent in Bichen’s eyes.

“Oh really?”

Hixson hit Bichen’s head once more.

In the noble household of Bellatu, there was almost no one who could land a hit on a pure-blooded Bellatu other than Hixson.

“I’m going to kill you.”

“If you can.”

“Just wait a little. I’m seriously going to kill you.”

“That sounds interesting.”

Viola let out a sigh without even realizing it.

The joking words exchanged between them were, in fact, entirely serious.

Both were enjoying the situation.

“Bichen.”

“Viola. This doesn’t mean I’ve lost, so how did it end up like this?”

“Here.”

Viola pulled a piece of paper from her sleeve.

“Huh? A contract?”

It was the contract that promised to grant wishes. Bichen had signed it in blood.

“No matter how strong you become, you can’t kill this Uncle.”

“Why?”

“Because that’s my wish.”

“Huh?”

Bichen looked back and forth between the contract and Hixson’s face.

It seemed he couldn’t grasp the logic of it.

“Are you planning not to fulfill the contract, brother?”

“Uh, I mean I will….”

Bichen couldn’t hide his expression.

He looked a bit wronged.

There was no other choice.

Bichen was the sort who would go through with it if he said he would, and he was still young, sure to experience rapid growth.

If by any chance he really did kill Hixson, it would create a huge problem.

The protagonist that should serve as the core of this story would vanish along with him.

‘That can’t happen. The protagonist must grow excellently.’

So together with the well-developed protagonist, they would ascend to the 1st Princess line.

That way, they could stabilize this Duke House and transform it into one that reeked of humanity.

She couldn’t allow the perfect (?) plan to fall apart.

Viola said, “Promises must be kept.”

“Th-that…!”

“You are my brother, aren’t you?”

“Of course.”

“Then you will keep your promise, right?”

“Y-yeah.”

Bichen felt a twinge of being tricked, but he acknowledged that Viola wasn’t wrong.

As an older brother, it was only natural to keep promises.

If he failed to uphold a promise backed by a contract, his dignity as a Bellatu would be shattered.

Tundra quietly bowed his head.

“I’m sorry for showing such a disgraceful sight. I wanted to win….”

He examined Tundra thoroughly.

There were small scratches, but no serious injuries.

“No, you did well. As long as you’re not hurt, that’s what matters.”

Tundra bowed his head once more.

‘Well done.’

That statement brought him a small joy.

‘As long as you’re not hurt, that’s what matters.’

That was a wonderful source of joy.

He couldn’t tell why.

He didn’t know why it felt so good to hear that he wasn’t hurt.

‘I need to do better.’

He decided to improve.

He would eventually surpass Bichen.

He saw the potential today.

It would take time, but he wanted to become stronger than Bichen and receive a bit more praise.

Tundra and Bichen’s eyes met in the air.

‘Then… Bichen, I might have to kill you.’

Bichen didn’t shy away from Tundra’s gaze.

‘I will kill you, bastard.’

He had just felt anger.

Viola praised that dog just now.

He didn’t know why, but that displeased him.

‘Why only praise the dog?’

“I want praise too, you know?”

“Why don’t you ask me why I wasn’t hurt?”

“I also fought with a sword!”

Bichen couldn’t hear the cries of his heart.

‘So annoying.’

He simply thought he was annoyed for no reason.

Tundra approached Viola.

“But, My Lord.”

Tundra knelt on one knee.

That pose resembled the highest example of a young knight.

In his eyes, there was a strong yearning, the exact nature of which was unknown.

He looked like a puppy eagerly asking for treats.

*

A few days ago, Tundra witnessed a shocking scene.

A large dog with golden fur barking at the noblewoman, who seemed to be its owner, and tugging at her hem.

What was even more astonishing was that the noblewoman found the disobedient behavior cute and enjoyed it.

The dog even licked the noblewoman’s face, which was an incredibly shocking scene for Tundra.

‘I don’t understand.’

He simply couldn’t comprehend with common sense, so he ultimately bought and began to read a book titled “The Ultimate Guide To Pet Psychology (Paw-Paw Guide),” which was supposed to be essential knowledge for pet owners.

It was filled with shocking information.

‘A dog begs its owner to play?’

The image of it tugging the noblewoman’s hem was actually that of a dog asking for attention.

‘It boldly demands snacks?’

It explained how the behavior varied depending on the dog’s traits and training.

Some dogs lay down obediently, gazing with pretty eyes, while others bark at their owners demanding snacks, and some even lie flat in protest.

They sulk and laugh, revealing their emotions without filtering.

But just leave it be?

Tundra realized a new fact.

‘So this is what pets are like…!’

They beg to play, protest, act cute by wagging their tails, get annoying for snacks, and emotionally interact with their owners.

‘It’s so different from what I thought.’

He discovered a new world.

From that day on, his dream was to become a pet.

*

“But, My Lord.”

Tundra knelt on one knee.

‘What’s up?’

Viola felt a slight tingle.

With a seriousness that approached reverence, Tundra opened his mouth.

“I’ll be a good pet.”

He leaned forward.

Kneeling so politely seemed like he was asking for a pat on the head.

Viola was internally flabbergasted.

‘A pet?’

The term ‘pet’ was extremely familiar to Viola, who had lived in 21st century South Korea.

However, hearing that word applied to a person was completely foreign.

‘What on earth are you saying?’

She thought she understood why he was calling himself a pet.

And it drove her crazy.

“So you’re saying you want to be a pet?”

“Yes. You said you’d stay by my side.”

That was true.

But how did that relate to being a pet?

“They say that being by your side means being a pet.”

“….”

Ah, I see.

Being by my side means a pet.

You are a dog.

So your dream is to be a pet?

“So being a pet is my dream.”

“Are you saying you’re not being permitted yet?”

No, hold on.

Is that even a matter of permission?

It’s true I used the term ‘dog’ to play the role of Viola.

It’s also true that there was a sort of contract exchanged between us,

‘But a pet?’

Viola was flabbergasted internally, but she promptly raised her arm.

Having praised him as a master, it seemed like it wouldn’t be a problem to indulge him a little.

Swipe—

She stroked his head.

Tundra’s eyes curved like crescent moons.

“Today’s praise.”

There was a kind of madness felt through those crescent-shaped eyes.

Ah, something feels slightly off about this.

There’s a sense that something is a bit askew.

“I’m glad.”

Viola stared at Tundra expressionlessly.

She had no idea how to react.

So she simply kept watching.

One second, two seconds…

Once it passed five seconds, it would be dangerous.

Should I slowly avert my gaze?

Instead of avoiding, I needed to make it look like I was ignoring him.

Just as she was about to naturally shift her gaze.

Hixson clapped lightly.

“I finally understand now, Viola. Your secret.”

Hixson’s eyes were directed toward Viola.