I’m The Brave Puppy That Will Save The Villainess - Chapter 23

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 23

 

“…The ninety-ninth thing is, buy me a really big and cute doll, and the hundredth thing is…”

 

“All of that…?”

 

“Yes! Since I accomplished something great, I’m going to try to get everything!”

 

“So what you’re saying is, since you accomplished something once, you’re going to squeeze everything out of me…? You’re telling me this straight to my face right now?”

 

“Yes!”

 

“…Cheeky little thing. You’re showing off your overflowing ambition so openly, but it’s still better than having none!”

 

As expected, Duke agrees with me!

 

Even when eating one sweet potato, I have to play with Sister. So I had no choice but to become an ambitious puppy!

 

“…Then, let me go handle the most important procedure first.”

 

“Huh, what’s the most important procedure?”

 

“Didn’t you ask me to become your family? Ahem.”

 

“Yes!”

 

His eyes narrowed as if testing me.

 

“Then what should I do before the priest brings the sacred relic?”

 

I rolled my eyes and answered with utmost sincerity.

 

“…Roast sweet potatoes?”

 

* * *

 

“Here are the investigation materials I’ve gathered, Your Grace.”

 

The capable aide said while presenting the report and video orb.

 

Duke Ardos had decided to investigate Coco’s family.

 

‘The Council of Elders must have already investigated everything, but it’s necessary work.’

 

Originally, he had no interest whatsoever in the so-called 【Blessed Child】.

 

Even if she had a special ability, he would have maintained the position that the Council of Elders should handle it themselves.

 

‘But for some reason, I’m concerned.’

 

Just to be prepared for any possibility, it would be good to check her background.

 

“Father’s name is Hans, mother’s name is Jane. She’s the youngest of 10 sons and 10 daughters.”

 

“Yes, perhaps that’s why the family seems to have no interest in Lady Coco at all…”

 

He watched the video orb of the interview between the Council of Elders and Coco’s family.

 

It was a scene of five family members in shabby clothes, as if they had come hurriedly during farming season, conversing with one Elder.

 

[You know that the Ardos Family is adopting your youngest daughter, right?]

 

Hans, Coco’s biological father, wiped the sweat from his forehead and muttered.

 

[Yes? Oh, yes. I understand there are still procedures remaining…]

 

[Perhaps the adoption will be completed fully.]

 

[Oh, yes! Really?]

 

[Yes, so we want to give compensation to your family. Do you wish to be employed?]

 

[We actually don’t have big ambitions.]

 

[Oh my, that’s right. Just a small building and a house, and monthly passive income…]

 

Duke Ardos’s expression twisted as he watched Hans, his wife, and their children speak.

 

Coco was just a small fry.

 

But she was an enthusiastic small fry.

 

He had expectations since they were Coco’s original family.

 

‘They want passive income! They’re lazy fools without any effort or passion. Moreover…’

 

Naturally, when he said ‘I’ll grant what you desire,’ he expected them to think of their daughter’s wellbeing first.

 

They truly seemed to have no interest in how Coco was doing.

 

[Now let me ask about Lady Coco. What kind of person is the Blessed Child?]

 

Hans scratched the back of his head with a dim-witted expression.

 

[I’m not really sure. We don’t have many memories. Actually, I don’t really think of her as my daughter. She’s just, how should I put it…]

 

[Like an extra mouth to feed, I suppose.]

 

[Right, my wife is so clever. That’s correct, Your Grace. She really felt like just an extra mouth to feed.]

 

Even for commoners who couldn’t distinguish between what should and shouldn’t be said.

 

Coco was only 5 years old.

 

To think she had lived alone among family members who didn’t love her at such a young age.

 

‘So that was it.’

 

Was that why she tried so hard to achieve something?

 

“Let’s eat breakfast together!”

 

“Mm-hmm, it would be even better if Ruth joined us too!”

 

“Second, please adopt me and make me Chloe’s little sister too.”

 

“Third, please play Ball Playing with me, fourth, please do Swimming Play with me too, fifth, please give me lots of Sweet Potatoes, sixth, please make Sweet Potato Cake with me in the Kitchen, and seventh, I want to try Chocolate that I was never allowed to eat…”

 

…Come to think of it, Coco had suggested so many things.

 

It felt like she was yearning for family.

 

‘Just like Chloe’s childhood.’

 

Because his father died early, Duke Ardos had lived as a young Family Head since his teenage years.

 

It was a title he maintained by killing or subjugating countless siblings.

 

He was empty inside, having received no affection himself.

 

So naturally, he couldn’t give affection to his children either.

 

“Um, Father! Today my Master said I did well.”

 

“…Ahem.”

 

“So, would you please have a meal with me today?”

 

…At that time, something very important had come up for him.

 

‘So the meal fell through…’

 

Later, Chloe would boast about the quite remarkable things she had done.

 

‘I don’t know why I keep seeing overlapping images of Chloe from back then, wanting to be praised.’

 

To dismiss these useless thoughts, he muttered as he turned off the video orb.

 

“So, those people have no affection for the child whatsoever, and it’s purely about making money?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“How despicable.”

 

Even if there’s no family affection, isn’t using her for money going too far?

 

He spoke to his aide.

 

“When did you say the sacred relic would arrive?”

 

“I heard it would be taken out with the High Priest’s permission in about a week.”

 

In that case…

 

‘There’s no time to make sweet potato cake or whatever it was.’

 

Anyway, Coco was a capable talent who proved her abilities by saving the tiger.

 

So he planned to go along with these bothersome antics for just one week.

 

* * *

 

The next morning.

 

For the first time in my life, an awkward and creaky mealtime began with the three family members and me.

 

‘What’s this?’

 

A very uncomfortable atmosphere was hanging over the formal dining table.

 

Then, Duke Ardos made a “hmm” sound and muttered.

 

“You…”

 

“Yes?”

 

“Is having meals like this really your request?”

 

“Yes! That’s right!”

 

“…I understand.”

 

I know that look! It’s a pitying expression.

 

‘Why?’

 

As I tilted my head in confusion, a round pudding suddenly came into my view.

 

‘Oh no, my brain is getting stupid again!’

 

I could only see the sweet pudding in front of me.

 

I poked the pudding.

 

Perhaps because my fork handling was clumsy, the pudding kept moving around in the bowl.

 

“Your hand movements are clumsy.”

 

“I’ll get better with practice!”

 

“A hard worker, I see…”

 

Watching me finally bring the pudding to my mouth, Duke Ardos nodded.

 

“Child, you arranged this meal because you want to become close with me, right?”

 

“Mm…”

 

That’s correct, but.

 

Actually, it’s more because I want to help Sister and the Duke become closer.

 

I tilted my head while munching on my pudding.

 

“Then, don’t hesitate and come over here.”

 

I waddled over and sat right next to the Duke.

 

I happened to have something I wanted to ask about.

 

“The tiger, is it really healthy now?”

 

“Not yet. They said it should be fully recovered in two days.”

 

“Then, I want to go see it then!”

 

After that, I’ll start the tiger friend-finding game in earnest!

 

My bottom kept twitching because I wanted to wag a tail I didn’t have.

 

“Do as you like.”

 

Ruth looked back and forth between me and Duke Ardos as if amazed.

 

“Wow, this is the first time I’ve seen Father be so nice to a child.”

 

“You should go to Felix Imperial Academy next time.”

 

“I’m sorry.”

 

“No one can look me in the eyes properly, but that child does. So I’m just curious, that’s all.”

 

“She’s kind of… how should I put it, pitiful… She does catch your eye. Makes you feel sorry for her too.”

 

“Tch…”

 

I don’t know what that means, but it doesn’t seem like something good.

 

My lips jutted out in a pout.

 

‘It would be nice if I were a fluffy white puppy.’

 

Then everyone might find me cute.

 

‘It’s because I’m human.’

 

But there’s nothing I can do about it.

 

My puppy body is gone now.

 

“Anyway, let’s have breakfast together until the Sacred Relic I requested from the Temple arrives.”

 

“Yes!”

 

I clenched my fist tightly with sparkling eyes.

 

I have to make things better between Sister and the Duke until then.

 

Still, I’m glad Sister’s expression looked a bit softer today.

 

It was at that moment I made that resolution.

 

Duke Ardos, who seemed awkward about the breakfast and folded his napkin a couple times, spoke.

 

“Oh, and I’ll give you one warning. You two, don’t go into the Annex in the northern part of the Duke’s Mansion.”

 

“Huh? Why, Father? Isn’t that just an empty lot?”

 

“We brought a Distinguished Guest from Rivera Grand Territory.”

 

“A Distinguished Guest?”

 

Up until then, I was only thinking excitedly about cutting my steak.

 

“Yes. Grand Prince Rivera, the youngest brother of Grand Duke Rivera, has come for recuperation.”

 

…Yes, until I heard those words!

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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