Canis growled and Clette carefully patted its back. The distinct smell that Canis was emitting infiltrated her nose. Shepaced back and forth in front of Titas room. She didnt immediately enter because she was afraid that he was asleep and that she would wake him up if she suddenly barged in.

After she paced in front of the room for a while, she finally came to a decision. She took a deep breath and calmed herself down before knocking on the door.

Who is there?

The door creaked open. Clette didnt know why, but she immediately hid herself when the door opened. Tita looked around his surroundings and only found Canis standing in front of his door. Canis was frightened and its body immediately grew taunt. It bared its small but sharp teeth, trying to defend itself from the stranger in front of him. Tita took a tentative step back and crouched down.

Its okay, come here.

Although Canis was still tense, Tita waited patiently for it. Even though Titas current position was uncomfortable, he remained still. Soon, Canis finally realized and approached Tita. It licked Titas fingers and Tita touched Caniss head carefully. Tita picked up Canis and held it dearly in his arms when he noticed that Canis was finally comfortable in his presence.

Where are you from? Are you alone like me too? Did you come here because you are afraid that I will get lonely?

The young boy and the puppy rubbed their cheeks against each other, sharing the warmth between them. It seemed like two were able to make an instant connection because they recognized that they were both facing the same situation. Although Tita rarely expressed his loneliness, it was obvious that he mustve felt quite alone from the way he looked at Canis.

I should give you a name. What name do you like? Let me think about it.

Canis growled softly in response; it seemed as if Canis understood Titas words. After Tita realized that he had been standing outside his room for too long, he walked back into his room with Canis in his arms. Clette could hear the clear sound of laughter inside Titas rooms. The corners of her mouth subconsciously twitched into a faith smile, but her expression instantly hardened when she realized that she was smiling. What am I doing? She mustve looked like an idiot, smiling to herself. She hurriedly left before anyone could see her.

***

The long awaited sunlight melted away the snow of Velos. It was a rare sunny day in the city, so Clette and Edmund went for a walk. It had been a long time since Clette was out of the castle.

The weather is quite nice today.

I know. If only the weather is always like this, perhaps the population of Velos would increase.

Its sad that the weak are left behind. To survive, one would need strong bones and a strong body to overcome the cold here.

Its strange to see the Lord that creates and distributes potions to the people of the land feel sympathy and sorrow for those who had died.

When I was younger, I was quite handsome and cute. We had a lot of things to talk about, so why do you ask the same questions each year?

Do I?

Clette looked at Edmund once again. It seems like it was only yesterday when they had first met. When did he become so old? Edmunds chocolate brown hair had turned completely white.

Only

Oh, I remembered Tita said something strange today?

What is it?

He told me that a puppy was left outside his door last night.

There was a big smile plastered on his face when Edmund said that. His gaze revealed that he knew that she was the one who left the puppy at Titas door; she couldnt fool him.

Really? Where did he see it? I didnt notice.

Of course, you didnt. So Im here to inform you about it. I didnt see who it was that sent the puppy to Tita, but she mustve been an angel that had fallen from the sky.

Clette thought, When can he stop teasing me?

Oho, look! Tita is walking with his puppy right now.