She and her friends headed in that direction, loudly chattering. I was glad to have given the amulets some advertisement.
She seemed like a fashionista. I hope she’ll start a new fad once she gets back home!
Everyone around us was smiling, and their happiness was infectious. Lord Reineke was basking in the faith, his silver fur glimmering and flowing in the breeze.
“Lady Luuune!”
Upon hearing a strange voice, I turned around and came face-to-face with Dr. Guillotin, who was carrying a large leather bag.
“Dr. Guillotin?!”
“Hello! I’m hooome!”
He launched himself at me in an attempt to hug me, but I quickly hid behind Liam. Lord Reineke stepped in front of us, blocking the doctor’s way. However, that only pleased him.
“Ahh! That’s why Renard is the best! I really feel like I’m home now!” he exclaimed.
“Why did you come back?” I asked.
“Ah, you see, I caught a lot of heat for speaking up against Paris green. I was even placed under house arrest. But when House Cordier fell, I was freed! I made a fuss and complained incessantly about my unfair treatment until they eventually caved and told me I could open a research institute in Renard!” Dr. Guillotin said, then grinned mischievously. “And it’ll have the same budget as our kingdom’s academy! My very own Guillotin Research Institute!”
“That’s incredible! That means Renard will be home to the kingdom’s brightest minds!” I said, shocked.
Dr. Guillotin nodded proudly.
Suddenly, everyone around us started shouting. The tourists were pointing at a dark silhouette in the sky. It was Mr. Dragon, soaring beneath the sun.
“It’s the white dragon!”
“It’s real!”
“It doesn’t usually show up so early in the day!”
Dr. Guillotin watched the dragon, dazzled.
“Ahh... I heard rumors that he flew all the way to the capital. So he’s made a full recovery,” the doctor murmured, his eyes misting with deep emotion.
He came across as a frivolous man who was always messing around, but when it came to his patients, he was a true doctor through and through.
“Do you want to visit Mr. Dragon later?” I asked.
Dr. Guillotin’s face lit up.
“Yes! I know he’s recovered, but he won’t mind if I come, will he?”
“Since when are you the type to get hung up on that?” Lord Reineke smirked.
Dr. Guillotin scratched his nose.
“It’s just that I’m not used to speaking to anyone but my patients. And once they recover, it’s time for goodbye, right?”
Bal laughed. “We’re all friends, so there’s no need for goodbyes! I’m sure the dragon will be happy to see you!” he said as if it were the simplest thing in the world.
“We’re...friends?” the doctor mumbled.
“Aren’t we? Uh, did I get the wrong impression?” Bal asked.
“No! We’re friends!” Dr. Guillotin exclaimed, hugging the boy. “I’m so honored to be included!”
“I mean, we all worked together, so isn’t it obvious?”
At Bal’s words, Liam and I exchanged a look and smiled at each other.
“This really is where Bal shines,” Liam said.
“Yeah! He’s like a light!”
We laughed.
Marcel then placed his hands on our heads.
“It’s not just him. Both of you are like a light of hope to us too,” he said.
“Indeed,” Lord Reineke said, smirking.
A shadow fell over us alongside a strong gust of wind that blew my silver hair every which way. I gasped as Mr. Dragon grabbed Dr. Guillotin with his front paw.
“Waaah! I got caught by my darling dragon!” the doctor screamed in delight.
Lord Reineke watched with deep exasperation as the dragon flew off with Dr. Guillotin into the sky.
“Um... Is he gonna be okay?” I asked.
“Well, it’s not as though his life is at risk. And besides, that man is into it,” the spirit scoffed.
I could tell that Lord Reineke had become fond of that man too.
“Aww, there he goes. I wanted him to check on master’s wounds,” Bal said with a pout.
“Don’t worry, Bal. There’ll be plenty of time for that,” Liam said.
Marcel looked bewildered.
“You guys are acting like this is totally normal around here. I can’t believe it,” he muttered.
Lord Reineke cackled.
“Ours is a great domain, isn’t it?”
“Like no other,” Marcel responded seriously.
A snow bug appeared, landing on Lord Reineke’s ear. Then, more and more of the woolly aphids began gathering on him.
“Looks like another cold winter is coming,” Liam said, watching the bugs.
“Then we can warm ourselves in the onsen,” Bal responded.
The thought excited me.
We’ll be able to stay warm this year!
Now that Mr. Dragon was perfectly healthy, we shouldn’t have much trouble with monsters during winter. We had finished building the embankment on the Renard River, and the water transport was doing well too. We had plenty of salt, sugar, and oil, so we didn’t need to worry about going hungry.
“We’ll be able to snack on all the hot manju we want!” I said.
“And hot wine,” Lord Reineke added.
“Oh, great idea!” Marcel agreed.
“Once we’re home, let’s begin the winter preparations,” Liam decided.
The rest of us nodded.
“Do you think father will let me learn knitting?” I asked. I wanted to make a scarf for Liam to keep him warm. It would be my thank-you gift for the amulet he gave me, which had saved me.
“Yes. And I’m sure mother will be pleased,” he said.
“I want to go with her to buy the yarn!”
My tail wagged as I pictured us all spending the winter together.
“I think we will have a good winter this year,” Lord Reineke said. He shook off the snow bugs, who flew into the sky.
His prophetic words filled me with warmth.
This is the first time I’m looking forward to winter!
The calm, clear autumn sky was tinged with cold. A happy winter was coming to Renard.