Tap tap tap!
As Kinemia scurried, Vanessa, the nanny who was walking down the hallway with a newly arrived maid, scolded her sharply.
"Kinemia!"
"Okay!"
"You'll fall!"
"Yeah, yeah!"
Kinemia, avoiding Vanessa's roar, hurried to the drawing room, her eyes sparkling. Mithril! Finally!
When she opened the lid of the box brought by the messenger, a corner of the bluish mithril began to appear.
"Wow!"
As the mithril was fully revealed, Kinemia narrowed her eyes.
Ah, it's dazzl— ... —ing? Nope.
She covered her eyes with the back of her hand.
...What is this?
Except for being bluish, it looks like ordinary iron ore.
Did I get ripped off?
That's impossible. There were no monsters in the dungeon, so she sent servants to bring it. There's no way she was scammed...
Kinemia glared intently at the mithril with half-closed eyes.
Okay, if I really squint, maybe I'll see some magic power or something...!
Kinemia supported the mithril from below and lifted it toward the ceiling.
—Not.
She gently placed the mithril back in the box.
What would I know? I'm no expert.
This should be left to an expert...
I've got the Behemoths, the best blacksmiths ever! Nothing to worry about.
Kinemia, who had quickly sorted things out in her mind, was about to close the box.
Bang!
Vanessa burst into the room.
"Kinemia! How many times do I have to tell you? No running in the house!"
Gasp!
"What if you get hurt?"
"Yeah... sorry."
Gotta play it cool. Kinemia looked up at Vanessa with tearful eyes.
"Don't give me that look. And what do we do when we've done something wrong?"
Kinemia's face crumpled.
"Aww, again? Nanny, I won't run anymore. I was just walking fast."
"What did I say you have to do?"
However, Vanessa put her hands on her hips and sternly asked again. Kinemia said in a voice as small as an ant's.
"No snacks..."
"No snacks for today."
Thud! Kinemia, looking devastated, clutched at Vanessa's skirt. But Vanessa simply told her to reflect and then swept out of the drawing room.
...And you only give me snacks once a day!
Kinemia shouted inwardly with a desperate heart at Vanessa's retreating figure.
Nanny doesn't even believe in second chances!
While she was in despair, the maid who had come in with Vanessa came over to Kinemia, who looked miserable. Comforting her not to be too upset, the maid handed Kinemia something.
"Kinemia, please take this."
"Huh?"
It was a small bracelet, woven from amber beads and thread.
"It's so pretty!"
"Today is what we call 'Affinity Day.' Give this to a friend and have a great day!"
"Affinity Day?"
"Don't you know? It's a day to give affinity bracelets to close friends. Maybe it's not something nobles do..."
She gave an awkward smile.
Wow! There was such a day?
"Weren't you going to give this to someone?"
"I've already made a lot. Please give the bracelet to your friend and have fun today."
"Yeah, thanks!"
As the maid greeted her and left the room, Kinemia waved her hand. Then, she put the bracelet in her dress pocket.
At that moment, she spotted a flash of black hair bobbing along outside the window, going somewhere.
Kinemia raised her head sharply, like a meerkat.
Only one person in this whole place has hair that black.
Ahyan?
Kinemia crept over to the window.
Ahyan was heading somewhere, a basket swinging from his hand.
Come to think of it, he's been up to something lately.
He was always smiling and secretive, so she usually ignored it, but this time, her curiosity was piqued.
Hmm.
Kinemia, who had been lost in thought for a moment, stealthily followed Ahyan.
Ahyan, passing through the hallways and pillars of the Grand Duke's residence, opened a door somewhere and entered.
The embroidery room?
The embroidery room – that's where all the sewing and fancy needlework happened.
Watching Ahyan disappear inside, Kinemia rolled her eyes behind a pillar.
The embroidery room? The embroidery room? Ahyan and the embroidery room? That's like a galaxy far, far away!
What is it? Is he asking them to embroider something on his clothes?
Okay, Ahyan asking for embroidery is weird, but why is he sneaking around?
"Hmm, what on earth is he doing inside?"
"Who?"
"Ahyan, I mean."
"What are you curious about?"
"......?"
And you are...?
Kinemia turned her head creakily, and Ahyan smiled brightly.
"Whoa! Weren't you just inside?!"
"Someone was following me."
"Seriously, use the door, you sneaky wizard!" Kinemia calmed her pounding heart.
"So, what's up?"
"Huh? What?"
As Kinemia casually changed the subject, Ahyan brought his face closer. As his increasingly beautiful face approached, she leaned her back tightly against the pillar.
"Mia."
Ahyan called her name softly, in a sweet voice.
"Are you curious? About what I'm doing?"
"N-no! Not at all!"
"I'd tell you if you asked."
"Nope, not curious. Just saw you go in there and, you know, wondered what you were up to. That's all."
"Really?"
"Yeah."
At her firm answer, Ahyan's smiling expression seemed to stiffen slightly. With black eyes that were impossible to read, he looked down at Kinemia and tucked her stray hair behind her ear.
"I'm curious about so many things about you. Aren't you curious about me at all?"
"Nope."
Ahyan, with his eyes lowered, let out a sigh.
"That's harsh... You're all I think about."
He pouted, all sad puppy-dog eyes, and Kinemia scrambled back.
This guy...! He's getting way too good at this!
He's a sly one. I don't know what his scheme is, but if I get completely charmed, it'll be a big problem.
Keep your wits about you, Kinemia Leon!
At that moment, Ahyan picked up the bracelet that had fallen from Kinemia's pocket.
"What's this?"
"Ah, that's...."
"......?"
"It's, uh, for Affinity Day."
"Affinity Day?"
"It's a day to give bracelets to friends."
She had never heard of such a day. Come to think of it, why haven't I heard of it? Because I'm a noble? Kinemia tilted her head.
Meanwhile, Ahyan gripped the bracelet, his face like stone.
"So, who did you get it from? That jerk?"
Huh?
"What? You mean Nyanpapa?"
"Yeah. Did you get it from that guy?"
What's with that look? Is he jealous he didn't get one?! Flustered, Kinemia waved her hands.
"No, no! I got it to give to a friend."
"Really? Who are you going to give it to?"
Ahyan asked, his bright smile returning.
But his eyes weren't smiling. Does he want the bracelet that much? Kinemia wiped her palms, which seemed to be constantly sweating, on her skirt.
"Y-you. I'm going to give it to you."
Kinemia snatched the bracelet from Ahyan's hand. Then, she grabbed his left hand, wrapped the bracelet around his wrist, and tied the knot.
Ahyan watched the whole process intently, with a somewhat stiff expression, without blinking once.
Kinemia, who was finishing the knot with a ribbon, glanced at Ahyan.
Why? His expression isn't good...
Didn't he want it?
Oh! Maybe he thinks it's too cheap?
He's so picky!
"If you don't like it, give it back."
As Kinemia hurriedly tried to untie the knot, Ahyan pulled his left hand away.
"No way."
"......?!"
Kinemia had never seen Ahyan be so definite about anything. She blinked, her mouth falling open slightly.
Ahyan covered the bracelet with his other hand. "It's mine now. You're not getting it back.”
