Months passed in Oakhaven without anyone really noticing. The city remained busy, the same as always, with nothing new or different.
But for Evelyn von Valerius, the months since Sunny arrived had brought a warmer wind—one filled with happiness and life.
In December, thin snow began to fall. It covered the black smoke and dust on the rooftops with a pure white layer. Inside the warm and cozy private library of the Valerius family, Evelyn sat in an armchair near the coal fireplace.
Thump.
"Woof!..."
" Woof!..."
A cold, wet nose touched Evelyn's wrist, pushing the heavy book until it almost fell from her lap. Evelyn looked down and saw Sunny staring at her with droopy ears and sad brown eyes—his best weapon to steal attention.
"Sunny, I've only read five pages," Evelyn whispered softly, trying to sound firm even though her hand was already moving to pet his golden fur.
Sunny didn't give up. He let out a small, spoiled whine, then purposely dropped his big body onto Evelyn's feet, using them as a soft pillow. His clingy nature was no secret in this house. He was supposed to be a brave hunting dog, but he preferred to curl up behind his mistress's silk dress.
Evelyn sighed, closed her book, and gave in to Sunny's wish. "Alright, you win. You really are the most stubborn dog in this house."
Sunny stood up immediately, his tail wagging so hard it hit a stack of magazines on the side table. His charming personality had melted many hearts. Even Martha, the strictest servant, was often seen secretly putting leftover roasted meat into Sunny's bowl.
During these months, Evelyn realized that Sunny was more than just a pet. He had a strong sense of curiosity—maybe as strong as Evelyn's own. Every time Evelyn learned something new, Sunny would sit beside her, tilting his head as if he were thinking over the economic theories she was reading.
One quiet afternoon after lunch, Evelyn decided to take Sunny for a walk along the second-floor hallway. This area was rarely used. It held her father's collection of antique items.
"Don't touch anything with your tail, Sunny," Evelyn warned as they passed rows of old ceramic vases and detailed miniature models of steam engines.
Sunny walked very gently, his nose busy sniffing the air. His curiosity often made him stop in front of old, boring objects that no one else cared about.
"You're interested in this too, aren't you?" Evelyn asked, her green eyes looking at the golden dog.
Sunny's presence changed how Evelyn saw her own home. Before, these hallways just felt like hallways—or noisy when the servants were busy. Now, with Sunny always exploring every corner, Evelyn started noticing small details: how the gaslight reflected on the marble floor, or how the wind whistled through the cracks in old, loose windows.
In the afternoon, they went to the backyard, now covered in thin snow. Sunny loved snow. He would jump into a pile of snow and come back up with his nose covered in white flakes.
"Woof!... Woof!..."
"Hehehe..." A clear laugh echoed. Evelyn laughed free.
"Aha.... you naughty boy."
For Evelyn, the time she spent with Sunny during these months was happy and full of laughter. She began to understand how humans could feel so many different emotions. Not just from words in books, but because she learned to understand feelings without words from her golden-furred friend. She knew when Sunny was bored, when he wanted to be pampered, and when he was bothered by the loud steam engines outside the house.
"Come here, Sunny!"
Evelyn knelt on the snow and opened her arms. Sunny ran fast, then threw himself into Evelyn's arms, making them both roll onto the frozen grass. Evelyn laughed. "Hahahaha!" A pure, clear sound—different from the sharp whistle of factory horns in the distance.
To the outside world, Evelyn was still the perfect Duke's daughter—graceful and obedient to etiquette. But in her private space with Sunny, she was a curious girl who started to question why this advanced world felt so empty without the warmth Sunny gave her.
Day by day turned into months. The thick white snow began to melt. Evelyn grew used to her new routine, which always included Sunny. She no longer felt lonely at the large dining table or in the quiet library.
One evening, after a long, tiring history lesson, Evelyn sat in front of her bedroom fireplace. Sunny curled up near her feet. His steady breathing gave her a peace she couldn't put into words.
Evelyn stared at the dancing flames. She thought about how her life had slowly changed. Oakhaven was still the same smoky, mechanical city. Her father was still the same cold, busy man. But inside her father, something was starting to grow—a seed watered by Evelyn's happiness and smiles, and by Sunny's cheerful, curious nature.
This world is very ordinary, Evelyn thought. But Sunny is not. His love cannot be measured by physics formulas, and his joy cannot be made by any machine.
Evelyn closed her eyes, her hand still stroking Sunny's warm golden fur. She did not yet know that this peace was only the calm before the storm. She did not know that her strong curiosity would one day lead her into a world that ordinary ladies were not supposed to enter.
For now, Evelyn just wanted to enjoy this moment. A moment where she was not just a nobleman's daughter, but a friend to the golden dog now sleeping deeply at her feet.
In the distance, the cathedral bells of Oakhaven rang, marking the turn of another day. One more month had passed. And behind the thick fog covering the city, a greater destiny was slowly, surely, beginning to weave its threads.