Chapter 3
Britia scolded her younger sister with her eyes. Meanwhile, Leoni, lost in her own thoughts, failed to notice the desperation behind her sister’s glare.
Instead, she tightened her grip on the spear she was holding. She had rushed out with it after hearing Britia’s scream, grabbing it from the hallway wall.
“So, where was the Northern Mad Dog heading in his carriage that he ended up at our house?”
“Leoni!”
Britia jabbed her side, telling her to stop speaking so rudely, but Leoni’s well-trained body was so firm that her fingers barely made an impact.
“On a night like this, in the pouring rain…”
Leoni was prepared to react instantly if Sig Turas made even the slightest suspicious move.
“Please tell us honestly what reason you have for coming to our house at such a late hour.”
She stared at him warily, tense from head to toe.
He might be a guest for the party—but she dismissed that possibility from the start.
He hadn’t even replied to the invitation she sent.
In fact, she had sent it to the academy since she didn’t know where else to reach him, so she wasn’t even sure he received it.
Besides, Sig had a sword at his waist.
Unless he planned to perform a sword dance, who would bring a real weapon like that to a party?
“It seems there’s a misunderstanding.”
As Every stepped forward to explain, Sig stopped him, then silently locked eyes with Leoni.
A sharp tension filled the space between them.
Seeing Leoni’s unexpectedly fierce expression—so unlike her usual playful self—Britia held her breath. She wished someone would say something, but the two remained locked in silence.
Britia’s face gradually turned red. She was reaching her limit.
“Pwah!”
Unable to hold it any longer, she gasped. For a brief moment, Sig’s gaze shifted to her before quickly turning away again.
He definitely thinks I’m weird now!
Already flushed, Britia’s face burned all the way down to her neck in embarrassment.
“I would have sent a reply if I intended to attend.”
Leoni flinched.
“I never received anything.”
But he said he had sent one?
“Don’t tell me… my brother?”
If it was him—pretending otherwise to her face while doing whatever he pleased behind her back—it wouldn’t be surprising.
He had complained about not receiving an invitation, yet could’ve sent one himself!
“I came because Countess Lockhart invited me. I sent my reply to her as well.”
Unable to bear it any longer, Every spoke up.
Britia’s eyes widened. Suddenly, she remembered the Countess mentioning a secret guest.
Could that have been Duke Sig Turas?
“So you’re saying you didn’t come to attack the Lockharts—you’re actually here for the party?”
Leoni eyed Sig and Every suspiciously.
Even considering the rain, their attire didn’t look suitable for a party.
Maybe for hunting, at best.
“Leni!”
Count and Countess Lockhart came running after her.
“What on earth do you eat to move so fast?!”
The Count bent over, hands on his knees, catching his breath. Then he sensed a large presence and looked up.
“Eek!”
The Countess let out a short scream upon seeing Sig.
At that reaction, Leoni slowly raised her chin.
“You said you were invited by our Countess Lockhart?”
She looks completely shocked—like she’s never heard of this.
“Leni, what’s going on? Who are these men?”
The Count asked, holding his startled wife.
“They’re the Northern Mad Dog.”
The Count’s eyes widened.
“Mad Dog? Duke Turas?”
“For someone of your status, why would you lie about being invited—”
“D-Duke Turas!”
The Countess quickly stopped Leoni.
“I received your reply, but I never thought you would truly come!”
She hurriedly called for the servants.
Watching her, Leoni blinked blankly.
“Do you understand now?”
Every smiled awkwardly.
“Leni! How could you behave so rudely to a guest?!”
The Countess scolded her, telling her to put the spear away. Leoni awkwardly hid it behind her back.
“I sincerely apologize, Your Grace. It seems there was a misunderstanding.”
The Countess repeatedly apologized to Sig.
Britia turned pale and stuck close to Leoni.
Her sister had pointed a spear at an invited guest, questioning his presence—and even called him “mad dog” multiple times.
It was beyond rude.
And she herself had screamed upon seeing him—thinking he looked like a drowned corpse crawling out of the sea.
She hadn’t said it aloud, but still.
What should they do now?
But contrary to Britia’s worries, Sig simply wiped his face with the towel handed to him and said nothing.
Was he actually a patient and merciful man, unlike the brutal image painted by rumors?
All sorts of thoughts ran through her head.
“Thank you… for coming tonight.”
The Countess tried her best to host him properly, though she stumbled over her words, clearly not used to dealing with such an intimidating man.
“Sig Turas?”
As he entered alone, Leoni’s friends began whispering.
“It’s really him!”
“What?”
“The Northern Dog!”
The murmurs turned into shouts.
Britia pressed a finger to her lips, begging them to be quiet.
But already drunk, they clapped, whistled, and caused a ruckus.
“Whoa, Mad Dog!”
Leoni had somehow joined them, as if she hadn’t been wary moments ago.
Britia felt like dying from embarrassment.
“They’re knights of the Valenderg Holy Order.”
As Sig frowned, Every explained.
“Shut your mouths right now!”
The Count shouted.
“They’re my sister’s friends. I apologize for the disturbance.”
He smiled kindly at Sig.
“My sister is…”
“That loud, lively one over there is my youngest sister, Leoni Lockhart. And…”
The Count cleared his throat.
“You may call me Crave.”
Watching her twin pretend to be shy made Britia uncomfortable.
“And this is my twin sister, Britia Lockhart.”
Startled by the sudden introduction, Britia turned her head.
Seeing the Duke’s gaze studying her, she awkwardly smiled.
“I’m Britia.”
She lifted her skirt slightly in greeting. Sig gave a small nod.
Compared to Leoni’s lively friends, his dark aura was hard to get used to.
Still, there was one comforting thing.
He had a tail.
A large black tail hung behind him, barely moving, dripping water onto the floor.
For some reason, it looked pitiful.
She had imagined him as a monster who could tear apart magical beasts with his bare hands.
But he had a tail, just like everyone else.
That somehow reassured her.
“Do you have something to say to me?”
Caught staring at his tail, Britia slowly looked up. Sig was watching her over his shoulder.
“N-No!”
Startled, she waved her hands.
His right eye narrowed suspiciously. Britia blushed and lowered her head.
Whenever she stared into empty space, people thought she was strange.
She knew she shouldn’t—but without realizing it, she kept getting distracted by tails.
Only after confirming he had turned away did she relax.
I really shouldn’t look anymore.
But the water dripping from his tail kept bothering her.
“What’s wrong?”
The Count called out, noticing her staring at the floor.
No one else could see the tail or the dripping water.
“Nothing.”
But to Britia, it was painfully clear.
She felt an urge to wipe it dry.
“It seems the party is already over.”
Unaware of her thoughts, Sig spoke.
One side of the hall was already dark.
“It’s unfortunate, but since I arrived late, I’ll take my leave.”
As he turned to go, the Count quickly blocked his path.
“Over?!”
He snapped his fingers at the musicians.
“Music! Quickly!”
They hurriedly stuffed food into their mouths and began playing, though the melody faltered awkwardly.
“Oh dear, we haven’t even taken your coat.”
The Countess signaled the butler.
“We’ll have it dried.”
Every immediately handed over his coat, but Sig hesitated before reluctantly removing his.
“Are you hungry?”
The Count eagerly asked.
“Our chef’s chicken dish is excellent.”
He called for the servants.
“It’s cold! Reheat it immediately—and bring more potatoes!”
“Count, I appreciate the gesture, but—”
“Please, call me Crave!”
As they argued lightly, Britia quietly crept behind Sig with a towel.
She had to dry that tail somehow.
If I’m quick, he won’t even notice.
After all, he can’t feel it anyway…
“I’m not particularly—”
“We’re starving. We missed dinner.”
Every admitted.
While they talked, Britia carefully approached the tail.
Just enough so it doesn’t drip anymore…
“Miss?”
Philip, one of Leoni’s friends, noticed her strange behavior.
Shh.
She signaled him silently, and he kept quiet.
Then Britia wrapped the towel around Sig’s tail.
For a brief moment, she felt victorious.
But suddenly—
Sig spun around and grabbed her arm.
“What exactly did you just do?”
