"Cashew. I'm really going now. I'll only go to the stable, so it won't take that long." Kyle placed me in the palm of his hand and said in a voice dripping with regret.
—Take: (Hurry up.)
"I'm sorry that I'm often absent. I need to take more care of you before I start infusing magic in earnest."
—Stop it. (Turn it off.)
It had been ten minutes since he first said he was leaving.
I pushed Kyle's face with my small paw and turned my head. But he didn't feel like I was rebelling, and after kissing me five more times, he let me go.
It's finally over. He's like a damn hamster otaku.
Kyle gently put me down in the hiding place, then turned and walked out of the study.
As I was cleaning up the mess, I pulled my head out and looked at the door that was closing, and then I used the call device.
'System! To that room, you know?'
[o(*￣▽￣*)ブ]
My vision went white and changed in an instant. It was my new room that I got from Kyle the other day.
I put on my new clothes and looked around the room. Large windows, a cozy fireplace, a plush bed, a wood-woven wardrobe, and a desk. There was even a warm rug on the floor.
It was so spotless that I couldn't even think of it as a room that no one had used.
"He cared a lot." I let out a soft smile and closed the closet.
All the clothes I bought that day were hanging in the closet. Small lights, paper, and pens were on my desk even though I didn't buy them, and so were the blankets and pillows. Oh, and there were slippers.
I pulled back the thick curtains and looked out, and soon I lay down on the bed. As I was staring at the ceiling, I remembered the first rented house I had signed a contract for.
It was a house I got by myself by working part-time from early morning until late at night. It was as narrow as a gosiwon, but getting it wasn't the only hardship. It was really hard because my uncle didn't give me any money.
So, in my past life, no one had ever supported me in this way. I'd been alone since I was a child. It was natural for me to endure and try on my own.
"...Is that so? I feel strange."
Kyle's kindness, saying he would protect me with money, a house, and even more, was strange. At the time, I asked for it as if it was natural, but when I held it in my hand, it felt new.
"I feel strange about what I received, but I have to save you." I muttered to myself and turned around. Then I saw a table right next to my bed... Wait. Just a second.
"Hey..." I jumped up and lifted the bracelet from the table. The shape was exactly like the 'Shocking! Magical power flows out that is good for the body!' bracelet I had dismissed earlier.
You're so short, you look weak!
I pounded my chest and shoved the bracelet into my pocket.
I should go and get a refund right away. No matter how rich he is, he can't stand being scammed. It wasn't even cheap.
"Your Highness!" I opened the door and left the room. Did he mention going to the stable? Just wait. They will refund you right away.
* * *
Though it was warm, the Blake estate felt chilly after the festival. But now, the anger inside me was colder than the fierce winds of the north.
I strode to the stable. As expected, Kyle was there. He was holding a handful of sugar cubes in his hand and feeding them to the horses in the barn.
First, I took a deep breath and arranged my collar. I pretended to meet him by chance; I didn't even tell him where I was going, but if he acted like he came to visit me, it would be awkward.
"...Your Highness. You were here." I coughed and moved closer to Kyle. Sensing my presence, he turned his head.
"It's hard to see your face."
"Yes, what... I'm so busy with work."
"You didn't stay in the new room. Don't you like the room?"
"No, no. It can't be... No, but!"
I tried to say a few more words, but I couldn't stand it when he talked about my room. I suddenly took the bracelet out of my pocket and shook it.
"What is this? Did you really buy what they sell at the market? That's a scam!"
"Scam?"
"It's supposed to be good for the body, making magical power flow, right? No, even if such a thing existed, it couldn't be sold openly in the market!"
"It's not something I bought in the market."
"What?" Kyle grinned low and squeezed my wrist. Then he took the bracelet from my hand and untied the small ring.
"This bracelet was made at the request of a wizard who was staying in the West Tower until yesterday. It doesn't have the ability to make magical power flow, but it does bring good luck to the wearer."
"..."
Kyle said so and put a bracelet on my wrist.
The bracelet, which was made of silver chain and accented with blue gemstones, was light and beautiful. It was too much to have on my wrist.
I thought it was a germanium bracelet, so I didn't think to open it in detail...
"But why are you giving me such a precious thing?"
"You were injured by a chandelier that fell at the banquet, but I couldn't do anything. Although it is late, it is an expression of apology and gratitude. Take it."
He looked at my wrist and said, So, a lucky charm? To keep me from getting involved in such things in the future?
"You have already given me a room."
"That's because I decided to take care of Cashew."
"...Anyway, you don't hesitate to give it to me. I think it's expensive, but don't ask me to return it later." I deliberately spoke lightly and turned my head. It felt so strange.
"But why did you come to the stable? You don't have to manage it yourself."
"I was watching because I thought you might need one." Kyle put the sugar cube and stroked the brown mare. The horse rubbed his face in his hand and cried happily.
"I can't ride horses."
"You can learn."
"Who will teach you?" Kyle looked at him as if that was a matter of course.
"I."
"...Aren't you busy?"
"I can spare about an hour."
Soon, he opened the stable door with the brown mare.
I took a step back. I only saw it at the zoo when I was young, but it was the first time I'd seen it so close.
He saddled the horse himself and took the reins.
"Get on."
"I still have some back pain..."
"Don't worry, I'll move slowly."
I stared at him and scratched the back of my head. Eventually, I stepped on the stirrup of the saddle with my left foot and got on the horse. Still, I didn't feel that scared because it was a small horse.
I gripped the handle of the saddle tightly, and Kyle began to move slowly. The gentle horse followed his lead and headed out of the stable.
...This is strange.
It's definitely solid, but the ground seems to be moving precariously.
"But why are you so good to me? Just because I 'look like someone' is too much support." Looking at the blue and clear sky, I muttered without thinking. Kyle didn't respond, so my words went on a little longer.
"That's right. Even if His Highness the Grand Duke has a lot of money, as the owner of this castle and the 'Lord of the North'—these things cannot be taken for granted. I know there is nothing free in the world. I don't think the favor I received has no purpose."
I'm old enough, and I know better than anyone that kindness doesn't come without a price.
You do well because you have something to get from the other person. The strange and new feeling I felt in my room earlier must have come from this. What do you want to get from me?
Kyle seemed to ponder for a moment and then spoke. "I wouldn't believe it if I didn't have a reason."
"..."
"It's just, because you look lonely."
He opened his mouth to say something, but then just shut up.
...He looked lonely.
I frowned unknowingly and tightened my grip on the handle.
"I was not even fifteen. I also wandered around the north alone, and no one trusted me. Trust became a weakness, and favors soon turned into traps. So I tried to do everything by myself. But the winters in the north were harsh, and it wasn't easy to survive. In the end, I needed help."
Kyle's voice was soft. He seemed to reminisce for a moment, then pulled the reins and stopped talking, looking up at me.
"No human being can live alone. No matter how great or how strong. In fact, all tribes are like that. Even the great dragon is protected by the pack when it is young. Even after becoming adults, they can't overcome their loneliness and blend into human society. So I also embrace those who need help, and when I don't have enough hands, I get help. I am just doing that for you."
It was a very ideal sentiment. Even though the world couldn't operate in such a kind way, his voice was full of conviction.
But what if the person who helped you betrays you? What if you die as a result? Can you still say that then?
My mouth felt bitter. I felt even worse because I knew who Kyle died at the hands of in the original story.
I didn't know why, but I managed to squeeze out my voice after a while. "Then don't die."
I said it a little bluntly, and Kyle laughed as he lowered my body from the horse. "Yes. I promise."
[A new presence has been imprinted in Kyle Jane Meinhardt's life.]
[Hidden Quest, 'Community of Destiny' achieved!]
[Miracle values have risen.]
[Current miracle value: 26.0%]
I looked up at Kyle from the blue system window.
Okay. I want you to live, too. Regardless of the fact that our fates are tied together, you deserve it.