Chapter 40: Fake Alice [1]
Things had started to shift—whether for better or worse, I couldn’t say—ever since the snow lion cub entered the Draken Duchy.
"You want milk, huh?" I murmured, crouching beside the cub. "I can get that for you. Meat’s a no-go, though. You’re too small for that just yet."
The little creature whimpered softly, nuzzling the folds of the blanket wrapped around it.
Still, not everything about this arrangement was terrible. One unexpected upside was the subtle but noticeable change in Lady Alice.
Her face had softened, if only a little. She didn’t smile often, but there was a quiet calm to her lately. It made serving her... easier. Almost enjoyable.
"Julies," she called, glancing over her shoulder. "Are you going to keep standing there? He’s hungry. Go fetch the milk."
"Yes, my lady!" I jumped up, nearly slipping in my haste.
Feeding, grooming, cleaning, even dealing with the pup’s accidents—it all fell to me, naturally. Her loyal, ever-suffering servant.
But I didn’t really mind. Watching the cub curl into her lap, purring with contentment, or seeing her expression relax as she stroked its silvery fur—it made the workload bearable.
Well... most of it.
"What’s the status on the name?" I asked while returning with a warmed bottle. "You said you didn’t like the one I gave him."