Chapter 37
At first, when I heard the man speak with such confidence, I wasn’t completely sure.
But once I translated and we learned that dogs disliked the Fantana fruit—the main ingredient we had been using in the feed—things moved quickly.
The moment Jorge removed the Fantana fruit he had stubbornly insisted on, Wangyi started licking his lips at the sight of the feed.
After that, he pushed the project forward with incredible determination and persistence.
While signing the shop contract and working on the interior, he also studied animal nutrition—something not yet widely known in this world.
It wasn’t a lie that he had once been a chef. He was skilled at cooking and had solid knowledge about basic nutrition.
On top of that, he aggressively promoted the business.
Since so much was at stake, Jorge slept little and worked like an ox.
Because of that, after finishing knight training, I had to leave the training grounds faster than anyone else.
Even though I wasn’t an employee, I felt pressured to hurry and help at the shop.
Of course, Jorge didn’t leave me alone either.
“What should we name the store?”
“What about using the word ‘companion,’ since they’re not just animals but lifelong partners?”
It was still an unfamiliar concept in this world. But I thought, if you throw enough ideas out there, maybe one will stick.
Jorge immediately grabbed onto it.
“Then they’ll be companion dogs? What a genius idea! Good. Our shop will be called ‘House of Companions.’”
“Excuse me?”
“Until we officially open, we’ll run an Animal Interpretation Center for promotion.”
“What is that supposed to—”
Ignoring my stunned expression, Jorge set up a purple tent in front of the shop under construction and hung up a sign.
[We Translate Dog Talk]
It looked suspicious from every angle.
I grumbled about who would ever come to a place like this, but I obediently put on a robe and rubbed a smooth glass orb.
I just wanted to go home and see Valentin…
“Um, excuse me.”
But the world is wide, and there are many people who love dogs.
I became so busy that I barely had time to properly see Valentin’s face.
“Who is Herli?”
“My husband.”
“It seems Mr. Herli goes out for walks alone at night. Whenever Klang asks to go with him, he tells him to be quiet and throws him a snack before leaving.”
The more cheerfully Klang panted—his beautiful curly coffee-colored fur bouncing—the more serious his owner’s expression became.
“He goes out every night?”
The suspicious look she had been giving me slowly changed into one of trust, as if something about it bothered her.
“Please ask why he goes out.”
“What does Herli do when he goes out?”
Klang tilted his head, then suddenly barked brightly.
“…He says it’s a female. He even brought her home once when no one was around…”
“That crazy bastard.”
So that’s why he smelled like perfume. The noblewoman shot to her feet.
As I wondered whether I had just destroyed a family, I still did my job and quickly recited my sales line.
“House of Companions dog feed, carefully made with your companion’s nutrition and taste in mind! Buy one, get one free!”
Startled by the sudden sales pitch, the noblewoman hesitated, then took out gold from her purse and slammed it on the table.
She picked up Klang and ran out immediately.
I hung a “Break Time” sign outside and drew the curtains.
“Is it really okay for things to go this well?”
I wasn’t sure if it was Jorge’s flyers and word of mouth or the credibility of interpretation, but the response was incredible.
Once the House of Companions was completed and the interpretation center moved inside, we even had to operate by reservation.
Since the center was only open for a few hours a day, competition became even fiercer.
“At least there’s no night reservation today, so I can go home early.”
Maybe Jorge had listened when I warned him not to take night reservations—Valentin might notice if I came home too late.
There were only six consultations today!
Looking at the relaxed schedule, I let out a sigh of relief.
I had worked so hard not to get caught by Valentin, who was a light sleeper.
I insisted on not sharing a room and even locked the door.
And yet—
Contrary to my worries that he might remove the door entirely, Valentin said nothing.
Has he finally learned to respect privacy?
Of course, I know I can’t hide this forever.
Some customers even directly asked if I was really Nathan.
I didn’t bother denying it either.
Still, at least until I prepare his gift, I’ve been trying not to let him hear about what I’m doing.
After all, birthday presents are best when they’re a surprise.
Enjoying a short break, I picked up a letter from the desk.
Just as Jorge had said, it clearly came from somewhere important. The envelope looked luxurious, and there was no sender’s name.
I stared at the complicated yet beautiful flower-shaped seal stamped in green wax.
When I peeled it open with my nail, a round object fell onto the table.
“What’s this?”
It glowed orange.
Curious, I opened the smooth letter.
To the interpreter of House of Companions.
I wish to know what my lovely wolf, Whip, is saying.
I expect him to speak elegantly and nobly.
If you shake the recording crystal three times, you will hear Whip’s splendid howl. Would you interpret it for me?
The letter was brief and to the point.
So this is the recording crystal?
Even in this world, they can record things.
Fascinated, I shook the orb three times as instructed.
Just as the sender said, a powerful wolf’s howl poured out.
“Hm?”
Holding my pen with both hands to write down the wolf’s words, I froze at the unexpected content.
Clear moonlight poured over the mansion.
I quietly walked down the hallway, glancing around.
If Jorge hadn’t held me back, I could have come home earlier!
Then I could have seen Valentin.
It felt like ages since I had looked at him properly, and longing swelled inside me.
I missed his spring-like smiling eyes, the fresh green light that bloomed within them.
His warm gaze, his flower-like smile, his scent that wrapped around my nose, his voice that lingered in my ears—they all flickered before me like illusions.
I stopped my hand just before reaching for the door.
“…Should I just look at his face and leave?”
The quiet dawn air gave me baseless courage.
Maybe Valentin is sleeping deeply right now.
“Just his face. I’ll only look at his face.”
Temporarily losing my reason, I crept forward like a thief.
One step. Pause.
Another step. Pause.
Like a turtle, I finally reached his door.
Lowering the handle, opening it, closing it, lifting the handle again—
It felt like an hour had passed, everything slow and secretive.
I quietly shut the door and turned around.
Soft moonlight mixed with the warm glow of a magic lamp illuminated the white bed.
The blanket rose and fell gently, showing someone was there.
The goal is right in front of me.
I moved as nimbly as a cat.
Actually, rolling across the floor might have been faster.
At last, I reached my destination.
Valentin lay there beautifully, like a sleeping prince.
Hair fell across his forehead. His long eyelashes rested softly. Breath escaped between his red lips, peaceful and harmless.
He looked so pure he could have been mistaken for an angel.
“So pretty.”
The bed was wide, and I couldn’t see his face up close.
I wanted to look more closely.
Unable to approach, I knelt on the floor and rested my elbows on the bed.
I admired his sculpted profile.
First, his tightly closed lips.
Those mischievous lips that could say sharp, cruel things yet casually whisper affection.
Valentin was a man who expressed much through his lips—mocking smiles, contemptuous smiles, polite smiles.
I sometimes worried they might twitch even in his sleep.
Thankfully, he looked peaceful.
But then, his beautifully shaped lips moved.
“Did you sneak in at this hour because men and women must stay separate?
