"Yes, you are right. Mrs. Raban will not want the princess to get involved in one thing or another since you have to return soon."

Killian's answer brightened Julietta's face. From Simone's point of view, it could not have been better for her to be deeply a.s.sociated with Prince Francis, Christine, and other n.o.bles.

She had finished her debut party safely, and at the next tea party, she impressed on them the image of Princess Kiellini deeply. It made her feel light to think that Simone would rather want her to act like this, and return to Tilia rather than attract more attention.

Killian added another word to make Julietta feel better. "And this is a secret, but he's not a regular puppy."

Julietta's eyes widened, and Killian burst out laughing as he looked her surprise.

Killian, unaware of the surprise of Julietta and everyone in the annex, chuckled, "It's not a surprising thing. I was just trying to tell you that it was a mixed-blood from a divine animal, but it's rather embarra.s.sing since you are so surprised."

"A divine animal?" Julietta tilted her head, as this was the first she had heard of this in her life.

"It's a divine animal that disappeared so long ago, so it has faded from people's memories, and now most people don't know about it."

In fact, there were cla.s.ses for the Princes and high-ranking aristocrats about the history of Austern, foreign ethnic groups related to the Empire and the divine animals who had defended the Emperors of the past. However, Julietta had to make her debut as a princess in a short period of time, and did not know about history or anything else because she only had cla.s.ses of manners and dance education.

Recognizing that, Killian added, "General people don't know what it is," trying to protect Julietta's dignity.

"What is a divine animal?"

"In the beginning, when the Lenaid continent was created and the heads of each tribe built their own country, there was a divine animal beside them that G.o.d had given them. A divine animal is a very precious creature that has not appeared on the continent many times. So, there is a legend that whoever a divine animal serves as its master will be a very great Emperor."

Surprised at Killian's words, Julietta asked, "Is it okay to give me such a valuable divine animal? You could be a great Emperor."

"Do you think I should rely on such a divine animal? And it's not even a divine animal. It's a mixed-blood from a divine animal."

"How did you know? It's an ordinary puppy, no matter how hard I look."

"It has no s.e.xual organs. It is as.e.xual. Among the creatures who have existed within the continent those that are as.e.xual are divine animals."

"How does it preserve its species if it's as.e.xual?"

"Only a divine animal who has lived more than a hundred years has a month to mate in its lifetime. It's said that the divine animal will turn into a female or a male, and give birth to only one offspring. I've heard that during the mating period, there were also divine animals who mated with other animals."

"I see."

Everyone was embarra.s.sed to see Killian talking directly in front of the n.o.ble lady about mating. But Julietta didn't look at all perturbed and just asked questions. "Then, will Manny live more than a hundred years, too? I'll have to hand over my property to Manny so that it can live comfortably, even if I die first."

Killian put the brake on words that went too far. "It's a mixed-blood from a divine animal, but I don't know how much. However, since there is no sign of a new appearance that boasts the colorful fur of a divine animal, I can only a.s.sume that the blood was mixed weakly."

Julietta nodded at Kilian's explanation. "Well, what if there's blood mixed with it and not with it? It doesn't matter at all. Do you agree, Manny?"

Manny had been roaming about on the green carpet, and came waddling up at the sound of her call. Julietta held Manny in her arms and laughed. "Manny, whether you are a divine animal or not, I don't need all that, so just grow up healthy."

--------

"Oh, it's a puppy."

After Killian spent a long time in the annex and went back, Julietta hugged Manny and went over to the studio.

"His Highness picked it up on his way to the dressing shop. I finally got his permission after I pestered him to let me raise it."

Amelie shook her head as she remembered the image of the Prince, who would have put on airs as it was clear that he had brought it on purpose.

"But I got permission from the Prince, but I don't think I can take it the mansion of the Duke. I'll be in a separate house after I've finished acting as Princess Kiellini, so can you take care of it until then?"