Chapter 32: Having A Prince As Your Friend Sure Is Handy

Selina stepped out of the tent; the small, patched-up puppy cradled in her arms. The morning air was crisp, and the faint sounds of movement in the camp signaled that people were starting to wake. She could already hear the low murmurs of knights preparing for the day, the clinking of armor, and the occasional cough from a half-asleep soldier.

As they approached the center of the camp, Selina spotted Noah, who was already awake, lazily stretching. Reinhart veered off to join the other knights while Selina headed straight for her friend.

"Morning," he yawned, rubbing his eyes. Then he blinked, gaze dropping to the small bundle in Selina's arms. "…Why do you have a dog?"

"Found it injured near a river. Reinhart helped patch it up," she explained.

Noah crouched slightly, gently stroking the pup's head. "Poor little guy."

"Yeah," Selina sighed. "I want to keep him, but you-know-who is going to have an aneurysm just looking at it."

Noah tilted his head, studying the dog. "…This guy looks kind of familiar," he muttered under his breath.

"What?"

"Nothing." He shook his head, then straightened up with a grin. "Either way, I got your back, Amelia. I'll come with you to convince him."

Selina shot him a grateful look. "Thanks, dude. Where is Troye, anyway?"

Noah stretched his arms over his head. "Still in our tent. Sleeping beauty needed his beauty rest, I guess."

"Sleeping in this late? That sure sets a good message." Although it was actually pretty early, that didn't matter to Selina. If it weren't for the fact that she needed a favor from him, Selina would've already been flaunting. 

"Anywho, let's go Noah~" Selina marches towards the tent.

"Right on it captain" Noah follows along. 

Selina hesitantly opens the tent, damn, this tent had way more space than hers! Whatever, that wasn't the problem as of now.

Troye was still in bed, but he sat upright and was awake. Under his cold eyes were heavy eyebags and he had his hand massaging his forehead. Troye turned his head towards the two uninvited guests. 

"What do the two of you want?" He glared harshly at them.

"Your grace…I have a favor to ask of you." Selina's removed her hands that were hiding behind her back and brought them to the front to show the dog.

"No, absolutely not." Without even waiting for Selina to speak, he immediately rejected.

"Please, I'll do anything, just let me keep the puppy." Selina begs.

Troye sighs in disappointment. 

"Amelia, there isn't any way you can convince me, just leave before I truly get angry."

"I interject Troye! As the heir to the throne, my word is absolute. Amelia can keep the dog." Noah finally makes his presence known.

"Your highness, this matter only revolves Amelia and I."

"Yeah, but you fail to realize, I don't give a fuck." Noah's unwavering smile sent a tinge of unease through Troye

"Your highness, we only have so much food for all of us, an extra mouth will mean less supplies for everyone else."

"It's a small dog. A single piece of meat will be enough, and there's plenty of water. Also, I'll gladly give up some of my rations to feed it." Selina cuts in

"Oh, and Amelia and I can take the carriage, and you take the horse, after all, the duke should lead us into battle, no? Bring honor to your name instead of hiding; I know for sure that you're all about that. It's an imperial order." Noah adds on.

Troye's jaw clenched. "For fuck's sake," he growled. His temples twitched as he resisted the urge to throttle them both. "Fine. Do whatever you want."

"That was…pretty easy. Your royal highness, I will forever be loyal to you~"

"That's implying you weren't loyal to me before."

"That doesn't matter, what matters now is that we now have a pet! Woohoo"

Noah rolls his eyes and lets out a laugh before they both head out the tent. As soon as they step out, Reinhart comes up to them.

"How did it go?" She asks.

"I get to keep the dog!" Selina eagerly announces.

"Thanks to me~" Noah proudly takes all the credit.

"I'll treat you to dinner once we get home."

"You better!"

Eventually, they settle down to eat. Of course, the knights are confused to why they suddenly have a dog to care for, which Selina explains. No one really cares and were really happy about the new addition, everybody but Troye. Through the chitter chatter and rowdiness, Selina heard a weak bark. The puppy was placed on a spot next to Selina. Selina turned to look at it, it's two beads for eyes were a grayish-blue color. How odd, but Selina didn't think much about it despite a strange deja-vu feeling. 

"Ruff Ruff!" The puppy spoke up.

"Uh, hungry?" Selina picked up a piece of a chicken in her soup and the dog quickly ravaged it. Selina gave is some water and some more chicken before it quieted down and closed it eyes for a nap. The dream life. 

Noah observed from the corner of his eyes and tried his best to hold back a chuckle. The beast had one job and barely made it alive, what a loser.