The Northern Mad Dog Wags It’s Tail

 As Sig immersed himself in a book, diligently studying and oblivious to the world, Britia stood before her wardrobe, lost in contemplation.

 [It is a small play that takes place at home. It may not meet your expectations.]

 When she asked if it was going to be held at a grand theatre, his reply came in the form of a letter. She was uncertain about what to wear for such a formal occasion.

 “But if it’s taking place at Duke-nim’s residence, I probably don’t need to dress up like that.”

 Britia brushed aside the extravagant dresses.

 “Maybe I should go for something more comfortable. But I don’t like it when the colours are too dark. This one is just…”

 “Why are you so concerned about what to wear?”

 Suddenly, a voice from behind startled Britia, causing her to turn around.

 “Crave! You scared me!”

 “Where are you secretly sneaking off this time?”

 As Crave squinted his eyes and inquired, Britia glanced briefly at him and silently closed her wardrobe.

 “It’s nothing.”

 “It’s definitely nothing!”

 Demanding to know where she was going, he playfully poked her side with his finger. But when she slapped his hand away, he finally ceased his persistent attack.

 “Just tell me. I’m curious!”

 “I don’t want to.”

“The more you refuse, the more curious I become, you know? Do you want to see me collapse from curiosity?”

 As Crave clasped his hands around his throat, making choking sounds, Britia couldn’t help but snicker. She had no intention of revealing anything. She knew that if she mentioned going to see the play with Sig, he would tease her relentlessly. So she had asked the Countess to keep it a secret as well.

 “More importantly, why are you in my room? Without knocking?”

 “I have something important to say to you, so I came in without knocking.”

 He called Britia, as if sharing a secret, asking her to lend him her ear. Feeling slightly tense due to his cautious attitude, she leaned closer, offering him her ear.

 “Something big has happened, Tia. Mr. Devon is coming soon, and someone is causing a fuss, demanding that you be let go and barging into the drawing room without an appointment.”

 “Who is it?”

 “Some troublesome person who couldn’t be kicked out immediately because they asked what business they had with our Tia.”

 If it were Sig, he probably would have listened if she explained the situation. Crave, who showed no sign of being particular about anything, likely would have silently sent him to Britia’s room without any objections.

 But who could be so stubborn that they wouldn’t listen to reason or agree to change the location?

 As Britia headed towards the drawing room, she became slightly annoyed when she saw the man waiting for her, her anger directed at her twin.

“…Lord Slanford.”

 If it was Harty Slanford who had come to visit, she could simply say so. Why did he have to act so cryptic?

 “Where did the tea I sent for Kyra go?”

 Without even greeting Britia, he glared at the prepared tea in front of him, his tone sharp and accusing.

 “I’ll have it prepared again. Not today, but another day.”

 “Are you telling me to leave now?”

 ‘How dare you?’

Harty didn’t speak those words aloud, but Britia could read them in his eyes.

 “I’m sorry, but I was just about to go out. However, since you’ve come without an appointment, Lord Slanford, please don’t be angry and let me know in advance next time you visit.”

 So please, get up.

 Britia conveys her message to Harty with her eyes.

 “What if I don’t?”

Harty smirked, crossing his arms.

 “I’m going out, and if you insist on staying here, feel free to do so.”

Britia deliberately spoke with a loud voice, turning around and slowly heading towards the door. She thought Harty, who would get angry even if she arrived a little late, would take the bait and fall for it.

 “Well then, I’ll just stay here.”

 However, he leaned back against the backrest of the sofa, smirking confidently. When Britia reached the door, she bit her lip and turned back.

 “What brings you here today? If it’s Duke Turas, he doesn’t have any plans to come today.”

 “Why are you still here? You said you were going out?”

 Harty gestured as if shooing her away, urging her to leave. Britia took a long, exasperated breath.

 “Is it necessary to put on such a show? Are you trying to clear the drawing room because someone special is coming? I don’t care who it is.”

 Britia disliked the observant nature of that man. She disliked even more how he sat heavily on the sofa, hoping she would feel uncomfortable.

 “Lord Slanford, what do you want today? If it’s Duke Turas, he truly won’t come.”

How can I get rid of him? No, why did that man come in the first place?

 “It’s not the day to go see a play, and it’s certainly not at the Lockhart estate.”

 At that, Harty glared at her with piercing eyes and twisted his lips to the side.

 “I know.”

 ‘If you know, then why did you come here?’ He clearly showed that he didn’t come because he wanted to.

 Britia sighed as she looked at the man, who seemed impossible to understand. No, there must be something he wants.

 Britia not going to the play with Sig.

 However, no matter what, she had no intention of cancelling her plans, now that she had already made a promise with Sig. The thought of how disappointed and crestfallen he would be, his tail drooping with dejection, pained her heart.

 “Kyra doesn’t know anything. She really doesn’t know anything!”

 But then Harty started saying something different.

 “I can’t comprehend just how remarkable Duke Turas is. I’m tired of hearing about his achievements, so stop talking about it!”

 Harty suddenly vented his anger about Kyra, who wasn’t present in the room, as if he would have to hear about her absence until he could recite his accomplishments and greatness by heart. Then he turned abruptly to Britia, who was looking at him in surprise.

 “You must have seen him in a duel.”

 Harty tried to erase from his mind the fact that Sig duelled for her sake.

 “If that’s the case, you must know what an immense honour it is to witness such a sight up close. But how can Kyra end the formidable and graceful movements with just one word, ‘scary’?”

 “Well, yes.”

 Britia unconsciously nodded her head at his intense gaze, seeking agreement.

 “It was really… impressive. Facing an opponent with a sword while unarmed… It’s hard to describe it simply as ‘scary’…”

 “That’s right!”

 As Britia agreed with her opinion, Harty’s face suddenly brightened.

 Britia realized that she had underestimated Harty, thinking she could easily manipulate and send him away by playing along with him.

 “He didn’t have any special exercises to build his strength. But as I mentioned earlier, he never hesitates to go out and train, regardless of whether it’s snowing or raining…”

 Harty continued to spill information about Sig without pausing. Britia wondered how he knew in such detail about Sig’s daily training routines and how much training he did at Altheim. But she kept her lips tightly sealed.

 She couldn’t say anything precisely. He didn’t give Britia a chance to intervene.

 “He’s truly amazing. There won’t be another person like him in this world.”

 Harty’s face, filled with ecstasy, was brighter than ever, and his golden tail shimmered.

 “Typically, knights like him lack finesse, but it’s a completely different story when it comes to Sig Turas.”

 Harty chuckled, his tongue clicking in apparent regret. He quickly gulped down his tea, then looked at Britia with a serious expression.

 “This is a top secret about him.”

 In truth, embroidery was his hobby and skill. And he was exceptionally talented at creating beautiful embroidery.

 Harty leaned in closer to Britia, lowering his voice as if he were sharing a secret. Britia, who had been listening silently, blinked her eyes and made up her mind whether to speak or not.

 “Are you surprised?”

 “I am.”

 “Yeah, I thought so! You couldn’t have imagined it! He’s not just a strong person! He possesses both delicacy and strength!”

 Britia thought that finally she had been given a chance to speak, but it seemed like Harty was just trying to belittle her. And he didn’t even bother listening until the end.

 “I already knew that.”

 When Britia opened her eyes wide and spoke, Harty’s gaze sharpened.

 “You knew that he learned embroidery from Her Majesty, the Empress?”

 “Well, that was something I didn’t know.”

 “Why are you pretending to know something you don’t?”

 Harty snickered, and Britia felt her heart tremble.

 “I knew that he had a keen interest in embroidery. And I also knew that his skill was excellent.”

 “And how did you know that? Did you stalk him or something?”

 Britia was taken aback by Harty’s suspicion.

 “Stalking? Isn’t that your own story?”

 “Please wait a moment. I have something to show you,” Britia replied with a meaningful expression.

 She left Harty in the reception room and headed to her own room.

 If he had been talking about her beauty as he did before, she would have told him to stop, just as Kyra would have done. However, she found herself somewhat interested in Sig’s story, so she continued to listen. It was starting to frustrate her that while she knew so much about him, Harty seemed to know nothing about her.

 Feeling constantly dismissed, she wanted to show him something.

 “Why did you take so long? What did you bring?”

 Harty’s impatience showed as he looked at Britia. Even though he said that he still had a lot to say about Sig. It was because there was no one to talk to about the perfect Sig Turas that resided within him. Kyra was there, but she never really listened and just brushed him off.

 Of course, he realized he had spoken too much in his excited state, feeling a slight dizziness and nausea. Normally, he would take a break from talking and take a nap, but right now, he wanted to continue talking about Sig.

 “It’s a handkerchief.”

 Britia opened the lid of a box and took out a carefully preserved handkerchief.

 “So?”

 “Marquis-nim, why do you think I brought this ‘handkerchief’ at this moment?”

 “…No. No. No. Absolutely not.”

 Quick to catch on, Harty denied it but hesitated as he reached out his hand towards the handkerchief. If he accidentally tore it… If by some chance it really was a handkerchief he had made, damaging it would be unthinkable.

 “There’s no way. No way. And even if it were true, why would you have it? It doesn’t make any sense!”

 Harty’s voice grew louder as he stared at the embroidery on the handkerchief.

 “It does make sense. Because Duke Turas-nim gave it to me as a gift.”

 Britia deliberately spoke in a measured tone. Harty couldn’t contain his jealousy and envy, trembling with anger.

 “…Wow.”

 “Yes?”

 “It’s truly beautiful! It’s not just an ordinary handkerchief. It’s a work of art that should be passed down through generations!”

 Harty, as if deeply moved, covered his mouth with both hands and looked at Britia with moist eyes.

 “I knew he had a hobby, but it’s the first time I’ve seen something like this, a piece made by him.”

 Britia didn’t intend to please him, but she couldn’t help but think that this wasn’t it.