I glanced at the man in front of me. He was not showing it but the air around him is telling me that he was being wary in front of me. He did not take his eyes off me and never touched the tea Sebastiene served him.
"Could you describe the dog that you are claiming?" I asked him as I put down my cup. "It's standard procedure to check the claimant's knowledge of the item they are claiming."
The man stared at me, his face devoid of any expression.
"My baby is a little beagle with white and brown spots aver his body. Inside is left ear, there's a scar that looks like a star. He answers to the name Storm." He answered seriously, so serious that I wanted to laugh.
"There indeed is one beagle here." I smiled at him and nodded at Sebastiene. "But he is currently with my mother. You can follow my butler Sebastiene and he will take you to mother. I have already informed her that you are the owner."
I stood up and smiled. I honestly wanted to keep him longer, but the aura he was giving off was worrying me. Any stronger and Athy would have perceived him as an enemy and attacked.
"This way please." Sebastiene held out his towards the door.
"Thanks." Vince mumbled before standing up and following Sebastiene out the door.
I sat back down and continued drinking my tea.
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Athy's POV
I was in the training ground with Frost, training him while mother sat on the side with Beige the beagle and Loki. These two dogs would rarely leave mother's side as if our mother was their mother. They were quite attached with her.
"Frost, sit!" I ordered the little white fox who immediately sat on its hind legs.
I have been training with Frost for a few days now and one thing about him is that he is very intelligent. He could remember the basic commands that I have taught him so far, with a little help from Kaido.
Loki told me that snow foxes can use some snow and ice attribute but it would take some time before Frost is able to use it because he was still too young. Loki discerned Frost to be around two to three months old. It would probably take two more months before his abilities show.
"Good." I nodded. "Now, evade."
I started throwing balls towards it and let it evade the balls, it was to train its movements and agility. I wanted it to be able to evade attacks, in case it gets attacked by some stupid hunters.
"Good." I nodded when all the balls have been thrown. "Now-"
I was not able to continue with the next order because I saw Sebastiene came in with an unknown man. He was heading towards mother and Loki who were giving Beige a belly rub.
Frost, noticing an unidentified presence, hurriedly went back to mother's side and close watched the man approaching her. I also went to stand by mother's side.
"Your grace, my lady." Sebastiene greeted us with a smile. Mother smiled back sweetly while I just stared at him.
Sebastiene stepped to the side to reveal the unknown man behind him.
"This is Sir Vince Wicke, your grace, the owner of Beige the beagle." He introduced.
Mother's hand that was stroking Beige froze.
"Beige's owner huh?" Mother whispered with a sad smile. "What took you so long to claim him?"
"I was not aware of his whereabouts, your grace." The man replied. "But all this time, I was searching for him."
"I see." Mother smiled and stood up with Beige in her arms. "We took good care of him for you. He is such a good dog and was a good friend to my little Frost her."
Mother gave Beige to him.
"Thank you." The man replied, his tone and face were expressionless but his eyes became obviously tender.
"No problem." Mother bent down and took Frost into her arms. "I hope you will not let him get dognapped again. I do not know what horrors those men put these animals to, I just don't want them to experience it again."
"I understand, your grace." The man nodded.
Though mother's tone was soft, you could tell that she was actually reproaching the man for not taking better care of Beige.
"What is his name by the way?" Mother asked. "We renamed him into Beige since he did not have any collar when we got him."
"Oh yeah." The man said as if he realized something and rummaged through his pockets. He pulled out a black collar with a nametag on it. "Storm. His name is Storm."
"Storm." Mother whispered. "A pretty name."
"Thank you." The man replied.
"It is indeed a befitting name, considering the storm he kicked up when we first let him out the wretched cage he was in." I said. "I wonder if he got that side of him from his owner? The renowned strongest mercenary."
"I do not think so, my lady." The man replied nonchalantly. "He has never acted that way before. He was always calm and behaved."
I smiled wickedly at him.
"Is it true that you are the strongest mercenary?" I asked, hiding my excitement.
"I never tried fighting my fellow mercenaries, so I am not sure." He answered coolly. "That was a title given to me by others."
"Is that so?" I replied through gritted teeth. I did not like his answer. "Do you mind sparing some time to spar with me?"
"Athy!" My mother exclaimed but I stopped her.
"If the lady wish so, I will not decline." The man replied. "As thanks for taking care of my baby."
"Great." I smiled at him and led him to the middle of the training ground.