Being carried by a crying heroine while plotting a murder prevention strategy was significantly harder when you didn't have thumbs.
Seraphina clutched me to her chest like a life raft, her heartbeat thumping rapidly against my ribcage. Every time she hiccuped a sob, I bounced slightly, my fluffy tail acting as a cushion between us.
"Okay, Elena," I told myself internally, trying to ignore the overwhelming scent of lavender perfume and despair. "Think. In the novel, the tea party is in the Rose Garden. The Countess Viviane poisons the Earl Grey with *Nightshade Extract*. Seraphina drinks it because Viviane tells her it's a 'special blend from the Southern Isles' that will help her magic."
I needed to stop her from drinking it. But if I just knocked the cup over, Viviane would claim I was a vicious beast and have me put down. If I barked too much, they'd think I was rabid.
I needed precision. I needed stealth. I needed... well, I needed to hope my three pounds of fluff could take down a grown woman.
We exited the bedroom corridor and stepped into a hallway that made my jaw drop—metaphorically, since my actual jaw was currently tucked in.
The walls were lined with towering tapestries depicting battles between mages and dragons. Suits of armor stood guard every ten feet, their visors gleaming in the light of floating magical orbs. The floor was polished marble so smooth I could see my own distorted reflection: a tiny cream puff with wide, panicked violet eyes.
"This place is huge," I marveled. "In the book, they just said 'the Duke's estate was grand.' They didn't mention it's basically a fortress!"
Seraphina wiped her eyes with a lace handkerchief as we descended a sweeping staircase. "Don't worry, Mochi," she whispered to me, her voice trembling. "Once we apologize to the Countess, everything will be fine. She's just... strict. She wants what's best for the Duke."
*Strict?* I wanted to bark. *She's a sociopath who tries to kill you in Chapter 3 and frame you for treason in Chapter 10!*
But I couldn't say that. So instead, I let out a low, warning growl deep in my throat.
*"Grrr..."*
Seraphina paused on the stairs, looking down at me. "Oh, are you cold? Is the draft bothering you?" She tightened her shawl around me, effectively trapping my front paws. "There. Better?"
*No! I'm trying to warn you!* I struggled slightly, but she misinterpreted my squirming as affection and kissed the top of my head.
We reached the ground floor. The air grew warmer, scented with blooming roses and fresh tea. Through a set of massive glass doors, I could see the garden. It was sprawling, filled with manicured hedges and fountains that sparkled with enchanted water.
And there, sitting around a white wrought-iron table under a pergola of vines, were the players.
My heart skipped a beat.
Sitting at the head of the table was a man who could only be Duke Valerius Thorne. Even from this distance, his presence was suffocating. He had silver hair that caught the sunlight like spun metal, and he wore a black military uniform that looked sharp enough to cut glass. He was staring into his teacup, his expression so blank it looked like he was carved from ice.
To his right sat Countess Viviane. She was beautiful in a terrifying way, with dark red hair styled in an intricate updo and a dress the color of blood. She was smiling, but her eyes were cold, scanning the garden like a hawk looking for a mouse.
And to her left was an empty chair. Seraphina's chair.
"There they are," Seraphina sighed, her grip on me tightening. "Mochi, please behave. Don't jump on the table."
*Jump on the table?* I thought frantically. *That's exactly what I'm planning to do!*
As we approached the glass doors, a servant opened them for us. The sound of our footsteps on the stone patio seemed deafening in the quiet garden.
Duke Valerius looked up. His ice-blue eyes locked onto Seraphina, then slid down to me. For a second, I felt a strange pressure in my head, like someone was poking my brain. Then, his gaze softened imperceptibly before returning to its frozen state.
"Lady Seraphina," the Duke said, his voice deep and resonant. "You are late."
"I-I apologize, Your Grace," Seraphina stammered, curtsying clumsily while holding me. "I was... detained."
Countess Viviane's smile widened, showing perfect white teeth. "Detained? Or perhaps you were hiding, knowing you embarrassed us all last night?" Her tone was sweet, but the venom underneath was palpable. "Come, sit. We were just about to enjoy some tea. I brought a special blend from my family's estates. It's quite... potent."
She gestured to a porcelain teapot sitting in the center of the table. Steam rose from the spout, carrying a faint, bitter almond scent that my enhanced dog nose picked up immediately.
*Nightshade,* I realized with a jolt. *It's already brewed.*
**[System Alert!]**
**[Danger Detected: Poisoned Tea (Lethal Dose)]**
**[Distance to Target: 3 meters]**
**[Time until consumption: Approx. 2 minutes]**
**[Current Plan Efficiency: 0%]**
Two minutes. I had two minutes to save a girl who was currently walking straight into a trap, while being held in her arms.
Seraphina moved toward the empty chair. "Thank you, Countess. I would love some tea."
*No!* I screamed internally. *Don't sit down!*
I wriggled violently in her grasp. "Mochi, stop!" Seraphina whispered urgently, trying to restrain me. "You're acting strange!"
Viviane watched us, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Is that mutt agitated? Perhaps he senses something wrong." She laughed lightly. "Or perhaps he just knows he's not welcome at a noble gathering."
The Duke said nothing, but his eyes tracked my movements with intense curiosity.
Seraphina finally sat down, placing me on her lap. Viviane immediately reached for the teapot. "Let me pour for you, dear. It's an honor."
She lifted the pot. The dark liquid glugged into a delicate cup. The smell of almonds grew stronger.
*Think, Elena, think!* I can't knock it over yet; she hasn't handed it to her. If I attack now, I look aggressive. I need to create a distraction. A big one.
I looked around desperately. A butterfly fluttered past my nose. My canine instincts screamed *CHASE IT*, but I suppressed the urge. No, wait. That's it.
Distraction.
I waited until Viviane had filled the cup and was lifting it toward Seraphina. Their hands were inches apart.
"Now or never," I thought.
I took a deep breath, channeling every ounce of energy into my legs. I didn't bite. I didn't bark. Instead, I launched myself off Seraphina's lap with the force of a tiny cannonball.
But I didn't aim for Viviane. I aimed for the centerpiece—a massive vase of lilies sitting right next to the teapot.
*"YIP!"*
I landed squarely on the edge of the table, my claws scrabbling against the white iron. The table wobbled. The vase tipped.
"No!" Viviane shrieked.
Crash!
The vase shattered, sending water, glass shards, and wet lilies exploding across the table. Water splashed directly into the teacup Viviane was holding, diluting the poison instantly and soaking her expensive red dress.
Silence fell over the garden.
Seraphina gasped, standing up so fast I nearly fell off the table. "Mochi! What have you done?"
Viviane stared at her soaked dress, then at the ruined tea, her face turning a shade of purple that rivaled her hair. "You clumsy beast!" she screamed, pointing a shaking finger at me. "Look what you've done! You've ruined everything!"
The Duke, however, didn't yell.
He slowly set his own cup down. He leaned forward, resting his chin on his interlaced fingers, and stared at me. Really stared at me.
"A interesting intervention," he murmured, his voice low enough that only those closest could hear. His eyes met mine, and for the first time, I saw a flicker of amusement in those icy depths. "It seems your dog has excellent timing, Lady Seraphina."
Viviane sputtered, wiping tea from her sleeve. "Timing? He destroyed a priceless vase! He attacked the tea service! He should be punished!"
**[Mission Update!]**
**[Objective Complete: Prevent Heroine from consuming poisoned tea.]**
**[Method: Chaotic Neutral]**
**[Reward Granted: 50 Treat Points]**
**[New Skill Unlocked: 'Puppy Dog Eyes' (Passive)]**
**[Warning: Villainess Hostility Increased by 20%]**
I sat amidst the wet lilies and broken glass, shook my fur dry with a dramatic *flump-flump-flump*, and then looked up at Viviane. I activated my new skill instinctively.
My eyes widened. My pupils dilated until they were huge, shimmering pools of innocence. My ears drooped perfectly. My lower lip trembled (a trick I didn't know I could do).
*Awwww.*
Even I could feel the wave of cuteness radiating off me.
Seraphina immediately scooped me up again, hugging me tight. "Oh, you poor thing! You were just trying to play, weren't you? You didn't mean to break anything!" She glared at Viviane. "He's just a puppy, Countess. There's no need to be so harsh."
Viviane opened her mouth to argue, but one look at my super-charged puppy eyes seemed to stall the words in her throat. She looked constipated with rage.
The Duke chuckled. It was a low, rumbling sound that surprised everyone, including himself. "Indeed. Accidents happen. Perhaps, Countess, the tea was simply not meant to be today."
He stood up, towering over the table. "The meeting is adjourned. Lady Seraphina, take your... protector inside. I believe he needs a treat."
He looked at me again, and this time, he gave a barely perceptible nod.
As Seraphina carried me away from the scene of the crime, whispering apologies to the furious Countess, I let out a long breath.
*I did it,* I thought, my heart still racing. *I changed the first major plot point.*
But as we walked back toward the castle, I felt the Duke's gaze burning into my back. He wasn't looking at Seraphina anymore. He was watching me.
And I had a sinking feeling that keeping my secret was going to be much harder than saving the heroine.
**[System Notification:]**
**[Duke Valerius Interest Level: Curious (5/100)]**
**[Next Mission: Survive the Night. The Countess is plotting revenge.]**
I buried my face in Seraphina's shoulder. *Great. Just great. Now I'm on the villain's hit list, and the hero suspects I'm not a normal dog.*
Being a good boy was exhausting work.