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Chapter 7
After that, Kyle prepared a room for Shio inside the castle.
He assigned a few helpers and blacksmiths to assist him and brought the magical rocks he had requested.
With those, Shio began crafting weapons — pieces that soon became symbols of honor among those who served Kyle.
The days blurred together.
"Not like that… here, try this."
His voice carried across the forge, roughened by heat and exhaustion. He was training a few students — apprentices Kyle had told him to teach — and barely found time to rest.
One day, after long hours of work, he walked down the castle hall, covered in soot and dust. His hair clung to his skin, his hands burned and sore.
Then, he saw her again.
Athena — the pink-haired girl — walking silently toward him.
She didn't look at him, only passed by… then stopped, placed a small loaf of bread in his hand, and continued her way without a word.
It wasn't the first time.
A few days ago, it had been a cookie. Another time, a slice of cake. She always left something behind — quiet offerings with no explanation.
"...Shio, huh? Oh— wait… thank you," he murmured, uncertain if it was the right thing to say.
She simply nodded, then walked away quickly.
In his mind, her image lingered.
I wrote just one line about her in my story… It was in Lady Elizabeth's past — when she took a girl in, because that girl reminded her of someone she'd lost.
Even I don't know anything about Athena, he thought. Not even her name back then. I only learned it here.
Footsteps echoed.
Kyle approached, Max following behind.
Kyle smirked. "Looks like you're getting along with my sister, huh?"
Max sniffed the air dramatically. "Wait… I smell it. That's my dearest bread."
He leaned closer, sniffing again. "She gave him the bread. My bread."
Shio blinked. "Your dear? Oh— you mean the lady you keep talking about every time you breathe?"
Max placed a hand over his heart. "Exactly. She's my life."
Kyle rolled his eyes. "Dramatic as always, you idiot. She's not even a lady — just a country girl."
Max gasped in fake offense. "You're mad, dear. I may be loyal to you, but I'm more loyal to her!"
He pointed upward, eyes glittering with mock tears.
Kyle sighed. "Yeah, yeah. Then go to her, you have my permission."
Max's eyes widened as if he'd just received a royal blessing. "Your Majesty… I love you!"
"Get out," Kyle groaned.
"As you wish!" Max shouted, running off dramatically.
Shio couldn't help but laugh. "Hah… didn't know Sir Max could be that funny. He usually just glares at me like I killed his family."
Kyle chuckled. "Don't mind him. So, how's the work going? My people treating you well?"
"Yeah. They're strong, sometimes a little too much, but good. We're working on something bigger now. And… that small gun—it really helped, right? Even if it only fires three shots."
"Oh, it did," Kyle said, forming a pretend gun with his hand. "Who would've thought something that small could kill?"
Shio smiled faintly. "You think so? Oh, right— I wanted to ask you something."
Kyle tilted his head. "Out of work?"
"Well, yeah…" Shio hesitated, unsure.
"Go ahead," Kyle encouraged with a grin.
"It's about Lady Athena," Shio said at last. "I don't know if I did something wrong, but… she keeps ignoring me. I mean, she gives me things, but never says a word. It feels like she's running away."
Kyle blinked, then chuckled softly. "Ah… I thought you'd figured that out. She's mute, Shio. She can't talk."
Shio froze. "Oh…"
"She just avoids people she doesn't know well. But if she's giving you food — her dear food — then trust me, she doesn't see you as a bother."
shio: "her dear food?"
kyle: "her dear food"
They both burst into laughter.
"Sorry," Kyle said between chuckles, "but even I don't get her food easily — and I'm her big brother."
Shio smiled. "That's… cute. No wonder she looks like cotton candy."
Their laughter echoed softly through the halls, blending with the gentle wind passing through the open windows.
In the garden nearby, Lady Elizabeth set her teacup down, a tender smile on her lips.
"My dear son," she whispered, "finally found a friend… not just a follower."
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