CH 27

Benjamin greeted politely, and Leone looked down at him and answered briefly. It was a sight that made her feel sorry as a guardian.

“I’m sorry, sir. He hasn’t learned to say hello yet. He will have to learn step by step.”

“Did you say your name was Trixie?”

“Yes.”

“Was Leone not able to speak at all at first?”

“He used to swear. But it seemed like he knew that it was something negative.”

“Then, did Trixie teach things like ‘Yes’, ‘Teacher’, and names?”

“Uh…”

Benjamin’s eyes shone strangely. She smiled awkwardly and nodded her head.

“Rather than teaching… I tried to talk to Sir Leone, and this happened.”

“I’m interested in that method of education.”

That person was also unusual.

“There is no such thing as an education method. Because it’s not that great.”

“No. This is very surprising.”

Benjamin’s voice, which had been haughty and calm until now, rose slightly.

“Trixie. There is no other field called child education in the world, right? I was dissatisfied with that. Those guys need another way-”

For some reason, it seemed that each of the people gathered there had something plugged in. Adler and Gourden were crazy about Leone, and that guy was crazy about education. Leone seems to be looking only at her for the moment. And she… She… She was obsessed with running away and living well.

But could she say it’s plugged in? It’s not like… She was struggling to live.

Then, Leone grabbed the end of her skirt with his teeth.

“Ah.”

She came to her senses.

Leone pulled her and tried to hold her back in his arms. His face shone as he looked up at her in the sunlight.

“God, look at this. Mr. Benjamin, this may be an unofficial decision but…”

She braced her legs and held on, lest she fall into his arms after being shaken by Leone’s pull. And she turned his head right to Benjamin.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t ask for your understanding in advance, but for the time being, I think I’ll be by your side when educating.”

“It’s okay. Now, more than teaching aristocratic etiquette…”

Benjamin stared at Leone and grinned. She thought he had a hard look, but his smile was quite soft.

“It seems that getting to know each other comes first.”

The look of Benjamin approaching Leone warmly was a natural teacher. Leone, who had been greeted calmly until just now, was frowning.

“Eh.”

“Oh. Le-Leone. Why are you doing this all of a sudden?”

He had no reason to feel bad. She tried to figure it out in her head, wondering if something had happened and she had missed it.

“Trixie.”

“Leone. You can’t do that to the teacher.”

“It’s okay. Haha. I can understand why he is angry.”

Benjamin kept laughing at how funny it was, but Leone was on guard. That… would they be okay?

“Does Leone always lie down like this?”

“Yes.”

“Then my goal is to teach him how to sit like a human. He also needs to learn basic conversation. Wouldn’t it be possible to proceed with education only when sitting down?”

Leaving her puzzled behind, Benjamin approached Leone. As Leone was about to reveal his teeth, Benjamin moved closer to Leone. She thought he was fearless and tried to stop him, but he whispered something.

“… She will hate you.”

Even though she was close, it was whispered in Leone’s ear, so she could only hear the back part a little. But surprisingly, Leone shut his mouth and dropped his head.

“Ugh. Leone did…”

Gourden’s trembling voice came from behind. Leone’s face seemed to be thinking about something.

“Nice.”

“Eh…”

“Leone. It would be nice to go inside the house and sit in a chair. Even if it’s difficult right now, let’s do it slowly with me.”

At Benjamin’s words, Leone turned his head and stood up as if he was displeased. Was he trying to attack Benjamin? She ran to Leone in a rush.

“Leone! If you don’t… Eh?”

She was trying to stop him but Leone moved towards the mansion.

“What…”

“It’s very simple, Trixie.”

“Mr. Benjamin?”

Benjamin giggled and laughed.

“Sir Leone doesn’t know how to take his eyes off you.”

“Ah, that’s because I’m like Leone’s protector.”

“Is that what you think?”

“Yes?”

“No.”

Benjamin shrugged his shoulders and followed Leone.

* * *

“Leone. You must sit down.”

“Err…”

“There is no use doing that. Both hurting me and not sitting in the chair are all at your loss.”

It’s only been a week but Benjamin was a very upright man. Leone had been pretty quiet lately, but when he’s in class with Benjamin, he snarled endlessly to show his displeasure.

Leone’s wild nature was enough to scare him, but he didn’t even raise an eyebrow. What was surprising was that even though Leone was being so annoyed, he didn’t attack Benjamin.

“Eh, Le…”

“Trixie. Please help me.”

“Yes?”

Benjamin called her.

‘It’s because of Trixie that Leone-sama is sitting.’

‘Yes?’

The first day he met Benjamin, Leone really sat in his chair.

Adler’s surprise at the use of furniture, even though he only climbed and crouched down, swept through the mansion. That thrill came back to her and Benjamin as a reward.

Adler was a real man.

‘Right now, Trixie is right in front of him, but Leone has to learn how to be nice even when you’re not around.’

Listening to Benjamin’s words, he seemed to think that she could be the real dog-Leone’s owner. So she stayed with them, but sat in the corner and watched. It was because of Benjamin’s request to stay away.

Just as expected.

Indeed, Leone didn’t really listen. He sometimes got into a war of nerves with Benjamin and went up, but it was still more like ‘going up’ rather than ‘sit down’. Still, he succeeded a few more times without her.

It’s been a week since the last time Benjamin called her for help.

“Sit down here. Good posture is important. Because you will be an example for Sir Leone.”

“Yes, yes.”

She sat with her back and neck stretched as far as she could on one of the two single-person sofas placed side by side in the center of the lobby.

“I will correct my posture.”

Benjamin put his hand on her shoulder. Leone had never lived in an aristocratic house, so he didn’t know much about etiquette.

“Grrr!”

It’s been a while since he had sounded so hostile. Surprised, she looked in the direction where Leone was staying, but Leone was not there.

“So, didn’t I tell you to sit still?”

She heard Benjamin’s cold voice. She turned to see Leone grabbing Benjamin’s hand and glaring at him. He seemed to be trying to protect her, the owner.

“Leone, he is not a bad person. The teacher is here to help us. I’m fine.”

“Beast.”

She hurriedly stopped him, but Leone didn’t even pretend to listen and spit it out at Benjamin.

“You know how to choose the right words, Sir Leone.”

She would be a little scared when Leone glared at her like that, but Benjamin was not even scared, he even had a smile on his face.

“If you don’t like me doing this, you’d better follow suit.”

“… Crr.”

“Leone, Mr. Benjamin is a fine person. A good man, yes?”

She took Leone’s hand. Only then did Leone turn his head to her.

The eyes that met her were shaking a lot.

“Sir Leone is a smart person. Once you start to learn a little, you’ll be like us in no time. It’s just that right now, the rebellion is strong.”

“Rebellion mentality…”

It’s a counter mentality. Something passed through her mind. Dogs have to look to imitate…!

“That’s right. Rebellion psychology.”

She got up from her seat like someone possessed and pulled out another one-person sofa. Leone and Benjamin’s gaze followed her intently. Setting the sofas side by side, she sat in the center and led Benjamin.

“Teacher. Please sit here.”

“Yes?”

Glancing at Leone, she looked at Benjamin sitting next to her and gave a bright voice. A somewhat theatrical, awkward voice came out.

“Oh, this is fun. So good. It’s really nice to sit. The world is comfortable when you sit down.”

“Comfortable… Indeed.”

Without paying any attention to Leone, with her back turned, she continued to laugh out loud. Benjamin, puzzled, sat down next to her and nodded his head.

“… Trixie.”

Leone approached the remaining sofa. Laughter flowed out. After all, Leone was like a puppy.

How much time has passed?

Leone sat on the sofa. Really, he sat down. Instead of crouching in a propped up position, he sat properly with his feet on the ground. Of course, it was a pretty bad stretched posture.

“Oh my Gosh. Are you Leon?”

“…”

“You did so well! Oh my Gosh! What should I do? Our Leone is so smart!”

She cheered with joy and praised him profusely. Benjamin also laughed lowly beside her.

Leone, who always opened his eyes wide when praised, was strangely silent.

“What’s the matter, Leone?”

He was rather… He seemed annoyed. It was the first time she saw a frown on his face.

“Leone?”

She called him out once more, but Leone turned his head away. He seemed to think for a moment, catching his breath, then jumped up from his seat. Then he walked back on all fours, opened the front door of the mansion, and left.

“Oh my. He must be upset. Did we just have a lot of fun together?”

“Well. It seems to hurt his pride.”

Benjamin laughed.

What pride? Was he ashamed of himself for not hugging her? Leone was a really special kid.