69novels Chapter 36 Good Dog
Chapter 36 Good Dog
Just as Ventara had said before, the work at Mello Peterburg wasn't too demanding. After all, even their manager, Leosley, often slacked off, spending an afternoon in his comfortable office drinking tea.
At this time, as an assistant, she would often sit idly to the side, reading the old criminal files as if they were storybooks, and occasionally taking a moment to retort to someone's flirting.
Even when I have free time, there are still times when I need to get things done.
For example, today, the Duke, unusually, didn't use sweet talk. Instead, he assigned her the tasks to follow. As Ventara stood in front of him listening, she felt a little uncomfortable and awkward.
*
"...Ventara, are you listening?"
The person in front of her was lost in thought, and Leosley realized it almost the instant she drifted off.
After leisurely enjoying the girl's dazed expression as she drifted off into thought, he finally spoke up to remind her.
Ventara snapped out of her daze and began to wonder how she could have had such a misconception.
Receiving no reply, Leosley didn't seem to care much and repeated the previous arrangement: "As is customary, a group of Melusin will be visiting Mello Petersburg soon, and I hope you can be their guide."
Ventara was puzzled as to why he would choose to do these things himself.
Although this was the first time she had encountered something like this since arriving in Mero Petersburg, such activities had begun after Leosley became warden.
This isn't the first time the Meiluxins have visited, so wouldn't it be better to have someone familiar with the area lead the group?
The expensive pen twirled nimbly between its owner's fingers. Leiosli, a smile in his eyes, said, "Consider it a chance to relax. Come to think of it, it seems like it's been a long time since you left Mero Petersburg for a visit. Don't you want to take this opportunity to go to Fontainebleau for some fresh air and relaxation?"
Of course, the staff in Melo Petersburg do not restrict their personal freedom. However, due to its special geographical location, most people usually choose to live in the staff dormitory that Leosley specifically designated.
However, being a prison, Mero Petersburg naturally carried a depressing atmosphere. Apart from Leosley, a former prisoner who had become accustomed to life on the water but was not used to it, almost everyone would choose to go back on their days off.
However, now there is one more exception.
During the time since arriving in Melo Petersburg, Ventara has never left.
Leiosley asked curiously, "Could it be that you're reluctant to part with me?"
He was met with Ventara's deadpan gaze.
"Tsk."
"That's really disrespectful," Leosley shrugged helplessly.
Ventara probably guessed that he was worried that she would run into trouble if she stayed in Mero Petersburg for too long, but there was certainly a reason why she was reluctant to return to the surface.
"I have nowhere to stay in Fontainebleau," she admitted. "You know, I've been away from here for a long time."
Although she could rent an apartment, she preferred the free staff dormitory.
"Consider this a business trip; how about I book you the most expensive hotel in all of Fontainebleau?"
Leosley is not short of money, and he wouldn't mind spending lavishly if Ventara wanted to.
Ventara was somewhat tempted.
However, if it's just about picking up Melusin, there shouldn't be any need to book a hotel outside, right?
She felt that something was not quite right.
Leosley made no attempt to hide his ill intentions: "Mello Petersburg isn't a good place for a date; you might prefer to walk with me in a sunny spot."
Ventara definitely loves the sunshine.
To be more precise, she likes anything that makes people feel comfortable, but that's all she likes.
Her past experiences have made her accustomed to suppressing her material desires, and when necessary, she can even maintain her bodily functions on just the most basic water and food.
Therefore, while Leosley's words had some appeal to her, that was all.
"There's no need," she replied decisively.
"I see—" Leosley didn't seem surprised by her decision.
However, since the Duke had spoken, he had naturally made thorough preparations.
He said casually, "In that case, I guess I'll have to enjoy the discounts at the newly opened dog cafe in Fontainebleau all by myself."
"A dog?" Ventara's eyes lit up.
Although some things have changed a lot, this hobby is still exactly the same as when I was a child.
Leosley's expression was gentle, but his tone was full of seduction: "Yes, it seems to be a new marketing tactic, using pets to attract customers. I heard there are all kinds of dogs there that you can pet freely—"
Ventara was completely smitten.
"I'm leaving tomorrow."
She vividly demonstrated what it means to have superb action; as soon as she finished speaking, she turned around decisively, seemingly intending to go back and pack her luggage.
Leosley pulled her back in time.
When Ventara turned around, she was still frowning, as if asking him if he had anything else to say and why he was dawdling.
Leosley had to remind them, "It's still Monday. Sunday is the day the Melusens will come to visit."
In other words, the date is on Saturday, and the dog cafe is also on Saturday.
Ventara's previously high spirits instantly deflated. She dawdled back, not forgetting to complain, "Then why did you tell me so soon? You kept me in suspense."
Leosley couldn't bear to see her so dejected, so he simply picked her up and put her on his chair.
If it were any other time, Ventara would have already taken action if he dared to do this, but unfortunately, she had just suffered a great blow and was listless about everything. Even though she was being treated like this, she was too lazy to move.
Leosley showed no ducal airs when he was with her, and he was still like that now, squatting down beside her and pulling her hand up to his head.
There is a reason for this, of course.
Although both were adopted by the Delascos, Ventara was always the most favored among the children, perhaps because of her turquoise eyes, which were just like the Delascos's.
Leosley is different.
Children fresh out of orphanages are often incredibly fierce to avoid being bullied, and with those two tufts of hair on their heads that just won't go down, they're practically a miniature wolf.
Everyone else disliked him, but only Ventara was willing to approach him.
Ventara back then was quite different from how she is now. She wore a dress that the Delascos had specially bought for her, and she looked as beautiful as a porcelain doll. Every day, she would smile and bring him her little cakes to eat.
At that time, Leosley was still wary and always suspected that she had ulterior motives, so he refused to accept her kindness. However, Ventara was more stubborn than a donkey, and in the end, she forced the cake into his mouth.
It's not poisonous, and you'll remain healthy after eating it.
After this incident, Leosley no longer objected to her feeding her. After all, as the most favored child, Ventara always had many good things that other children didn't have.
Over time, they became acquainted, and Ventara quickly became the closest person to Leosley in the family.
On one occasion, in a moment of inspiration, he lay down next to Ventara and asked her why she was so good to him.
This is how the girl answered at the time—
"I had a dog a long time ago, black and white. Yes, just like you. Although you were much fiercer than it, perhaps 'wolf' would be a more apt description, but it doesn't matter, since you've become as well-behaved as it is now."
As she said this, she even reached out and touched the two tufts of hair on Leosley's head that looked like animal ears.
*
Leosley remembers being very angry at the time, but later, for some reason, he ended up sticking with Ventara again.
Although he still strongly resisted being called "good puppy" by someone.
Now, having experienced so much, the Duke's mental fortitude is far beyond what it was when he was a child. He can even think of using this advantage to make Ventara happy.
Just like now, the girl was led by him to place her hand on his head.
He firmly believed that even Ventara, who for some reason had grown up and felt somewhat repulsed by him, would not be able to resist such temptation.
The key point is that the timing was absolutely perfect.
Ventara's desire had just been aroused, and she was most eager to cuddle with the dog, but unfortunately, the environment in Mello Petersburg was not suitable for small animals; there was nothing there except prisoners.
Even if she wanted to just find any furry person as a meal replacement, she couldn't; she could only suppress the overwhelming craving in her heart.
Leosley chose this moment to come knocking on their door.
His fluffy hair, exactly the same as when he was a child, still felt great to the touch. When he pulled her up to touch it, Wintara couldn't help but rub against him.
"Ha, touch me if you want, don't be shy." The man chuckled softly.
Ventara raised an eyebrow.
In that case, she really wouldn't hold back.
*
Fifteen minutes later, Ventara stretched and looked at someone's hair, which was now completely unrecognizable, with a strange sense of pride.
Leosley casually tossed it aside, then looked at her: "Your smugness is written all over your face. So, are you happy now?"
He received no answer, because everything was already self-evident.
"Leo," Ventara suddenly spoke, using that long-unused form of address.
"Um?"
The girl's green eyes crinkled into crescent moons with a smile, and her voice was soft and gentle, conveying a rare sense of intimacy.
"Good puppy~"
she says.
(End of this chapter)
The author says: Hehe, the duke, who was supposed to be a wolf, became a well-behaved dog exclusively for her because of a mark someone placed on him when he was a child~