~Chapter 13~
I laughed out loud and patted Carmine’s shoulder.
“But don’t worry. You’re my type.”
At my words, his face twisted strangely again.
‘What’s wrong with him?’
Normally, this was the kind of joke we could toss back and forth. But today, for some reason, he was acting too serious.
‘Why is he so stiff today?’
Did I do something wrong? Or maybe he was sulking because I hadn’t asked why he hadn’t come to visit these past few days?
“Sigh, one needy thing in my life is enough with Louis.”
“Huh? What do you mean by that?”
“Well…”
I wanted to answer, It means you’re a bother too, but my tongue froze against my will.
Instead, I stared blankly at Carmine’s face.
‘Ah, he’s so handsome.’
Truly breathtaking. Even when I wanted to complain, his looks made me swallow the words.
‘So this is what they call “a beauty that topples kingdoms.”’
And then, my lips betrayed me, blurting out my honest thoughts.
“If it’s such a handsome little kitten, I don’t mind if it bothers me for the rest of my life…”
Right then—
—Master!! Wake up!!
“Oh my gosh!”
Louis suddenly appeared in front of me, glowing like a long fluorescent light. I had been muttering my real feelings to Carmine without realizing it. Both Carmine and I jumped in shock.
Especially me—I shivered and asked in a trembling voice,
“Louis! Were you following me this whole time?”
—Of course. I always have, and I always will!
“Oh, heavens…”
Hearing his answer, my eyes teared up. I set the basket of watermelon punch on the floor and hugged him tightly.
“You even play along with my silly lines. Louis, you really are my soul’s true partner.”
Louis giggled proudly.
—Hehehe, right? Unlike that tall, handsome guy with no sense and a bad temper!
Why was he suddenly acting like Carmine was his rival?
“You don’t need to say that. You’re already my one and only. You’re my only real friend.”
—Master!
Yes, my only friend… though I still wished he would turn into a hoe when I needed one. A sickle would work too.
While I hugged Louis, Carmine stared at us with a puzzled look. That was when the voice of the old Lady of the Castle rang down the hall.
“I wondered why you weren’t coming up, and here you are at the entrance… and the lo—”
She stopped mid-sentence when she saw Carmine. Her body stiffened, and she looked lost for words. Carmine bowed politely.
“I came to greet her, Grandmother.”
“What?”
The old lady blinked in surprise. Then she quickly laughed and waved her hand.
“Ahaha, I see. Riena, have you introduced yourself to my grandson yet?”
Why was she acting so awkward? I shrugged and answered shamelessly,
“Introduced? We’ve already eaten together, slept under the same roof, and even applied medicine.”
“So close already?”
Her eyes curved warmly, wrinkles deepening with her smile. Carmine’s face flushed red as he glared at me.
“What nonsense are you spouting?”
“Huh? I’m just saying the truth. When I told you to open wide, you did it so obediently.”
“Th-that was…!!”
I was talking about when I fed him grapes. His face turned redder than a roasted sweet potato. I cackled like a devil, and the old lady’s smile grew even more pleased.
“Oh my, Riena. Do you and my grandson speak so formally to each other?”
I seized the chance and looked at Carmine.
“We’re already close enough. We don’t need to be formal, right, Carmine?”
Our back-and-forth left him completely flustered. He blushed, mumbled, and finally stammered to his grandmother,
“B-but, Madam—ah, I mean, Grandmother! People should still have proper manners…”
“Call her Riena. You’re about the same age, and I’m glad you’ve found such a good friend in this boring countryside.”
“Wow, the same age? Then maybe we’re destined for each other. Nice to meet you, Carmine!”
I grabbed his hand and shook it without asking. The old lady looked happy, Carmine still hadn’t recovered from the chaos, and Louis buzzed furiously in protest.
—Destined? Hah! Even cursed enemies are called “special” in this world!
Yes, yes, just like you and me, Louis.
I pressed against his sword body to shut him up. If he had a mouth, I’d have stuffed it already.
Carmine couldn’t hear Louis’s words, but he noticed the glowing sword buzzing angrily. With a sullen expression, he held out his hand.
“…Do whatever you want.”
Oh, he probably thought Louis was mad because he was ignoring me.
‘But it’s the opposite. If I shake that hand, Louis will scream that I’m cheating on him.’
Still, when would I ever get the chance to shake hands with such a handsome man again?
‘Seriously, Postin doesn’t have men this good-looking!’
Sure, plenty of men approached me, but back in Postin, they were all dark, rough, and barely literate. No wonder I kept getting dazzled by this face.
But Louis wouldn’t let me get away with it.
—If you dare take his hand, I’ll show you why I’m a sword with a will of my own!
Why was he suddenly so jealous? It was exhausting.
—Master, are you really going to drop formalities with him? Are you going to be friends?!
“I need friends too.”
—But you just said I’m your only friend!
“People who try to control me aren’t attractive.”
—Master, traitor!!
Louis trembled all over in frustration. He looked ready to cut Carmine’s arm off, so I hugged him tightly and whispered to calm him.
“Listen, Louis. I’m not trying to be friends with him because I’m dazzled by his face.”
—Then why?
Oh, this silly sword. One word from me and he pricked up his ears like a child. I held back the urge to kiss him and answered seriously,
“It’s to keep an eye on him. If he tries to take you away, I’ll notice right away.”
Louis shook violently as if struck, then shouted,
—I can protect myself!!
I nodded. He was proud, and if I didn’t acknowledge him, he’d shut me out completely. But deep down, Louis was sensitive and lonely.
So I smiled softly.
“Of course, you’re strong. But I want to protect you too, no matter what.”
—Master…
As expected, he melted instantly. He was so cute that I couldn’t resist rubbing my cheek against him.
Watching our touching moment, Carmine muttered in a dry tone,
“You’re tricking that sword again.”
This guy knew me way too well already!
‘How did he figure out I was bluffing?’
But a true master doesn’t panic when caught. I just smiled and grabbed his hand firmly.
“Let’s get along, Carmine! And to celebrate, let’s share watermelon punch with Grandmother.”
“Watermelon… punch?”
Carmine tilted his head like he didn’t get it. I lifted the basket and beamed.
“Made from fresh watermelon. Let’s enjoy it together, Grandmother!”
The reason I got close to the old Lady of the Castle wasn’t for benefits. It was because she was kind and always enjoyed good food sincerely.
‘I wonder how much she’ll like it this time.’
Thinking that, I opened the cloth cover.
The glass bowl of watermelon punch shimmered, fruit pieces floating inside in all kinds of shapes.
The old lady covered her cheeks with her hands and gasped.
“So cute and pretty! It’s too nice to eat. How did you cut them like this?”
“Hehe.”
I glanced at Louis. He flared up like a neon light and shouted,
—Don’t tell her I did it! I’d die of shame!!
‘You’re an object. How can you die?’
The star- and heart-shaped fruit pieces were thanks to Louis transforming into molds.
‘Truly an all-purpose sword.’
I wished he would take pride in it, but he was too hung up on the idea that swords should only kill.
‘Whoever treated him like that before… they were awful people. A sword with a will deserves to be asked what he wants to do, not forced into killing.’
I pouted, then smiled again at the old lady.
“Louis definitely didn’t do it. I can’t say how, but it wasn’t him.”
“…It was him,” Carmine muttered under his breath.
‘Why does he know me so well?’
He hadn’t even been in Postin that long.
