~Chapter 45~
“Then… I’ll just go check the hidden letters, so stay here quietly and dream big, alright?”
After bringing Rubian and Khalid into the workshop, Maddix turned around.
It was called a workshop, but really it was just a storage place filled with dyes and protective gear—nothing too dangerous.
“Yes! Hurry and go look at the blueprint!”
The moment Rubian said “hur—”, Maddix disappeared like the wind.
“Phew. He said he was bored lately, but now he looks full of energy.”
“Northerners must all be crazy.”
At Khalid’s mutter, Rubian giggled, agreeing. Khalid looked at that face for a moment, then couldn’t hold back and asked:
“So?”
“Hm?”
“Why are you in a bad mood today?”
Rubian blinked, like hearing strange words.
“Me?”
“You look down.”
“I feel fine.”
No, you don’t. Khalid narrowed his eyes, staring. Rubian just looked back at him, clueless.
But the drooping eyes and tired shoulders were obvious. When Khalid stared too much, Rubian turned his gaze away, scratching his cheek.
“Ah… maybe because of Uncle Leviathan.”
“What about him?”
“He asked me if I really wanted to become the youngest child.”
Khalid stopped speaking for a moment. He remembered Rubian surrounded by the Jebert family in the training ground.
“So, did you say yes?”
“I did, but…”
That was the original plan anyway.
“…I feel guilty. I’m hiding too much from him.”
Khalid tilted his head like it was nothing serious.
“If you don’t, you’ll be dragged back to the Kingdom. What else can you do? And also…”
His eyes moved to the pale purple magic stone tightly held in Rubian’s hand.
“The reason you want to stay here… is it really only for yourself?”
Rubian didn’t answer. But Khalid could faintly guess—she desperately wanted to protect the Duke and this place.
He sighed.
“Adults lie all the time. Much worse lies, too. They live shamelessly after.”
“Really?”
“Really. And if you’re officially adopted, honestly that’s a gain. You’ll become a noble. Even if your identity gets revealed later, that status will help you.”
“You’re too cold sometimes… it makes me want to avoid you.”
“…Avoid me? Why say such a scary thing?”
Rubian laughed, saying it was a joke. She nodded like she understood, but her drooping eyes showed no sign of brightening.
Too kind, really.
Khalid folded his arms, thinking, then suddenly an unpleasant thought hit him.
‘So Rubian will become a Jebert young master? That’s… not right.’
He stared at the heart-shaped pin in her silver hair, feeling confused.
“Ruby, you know…”
“Ah! No time for this!”
Rubian suddenly snapped up.
“No gloomy thoughts! We have to finish before Uncle Maddix comes back! Hurry, Kal!”
Her eyes blazed. Khalid closed his mouth, unable to argue.
“Upsy!”
She rummaged around and dragged out a shiny bell. It was the same size and shape as the ones on the watchtowers.
Rubian’s plan was to plant a barrier stone inside and turn it into a magic tool, then switch it with the real bell.
Once all bells were replaced, the tools would activate, creating a strong barrier around the area.
“Give it. I’ll do it.”
Khalid stepped forward quickly. He had already memorized the bell’s position from his trips to the forge.
Outside, the clanging of swords rang. With such noise, their work wouldn’t stand out.
“Kal, the bracelet!”
Rubian crouched in the center of the room, cheeks glowing with excitement.
Khalid removed the bracelet and held out his hand.
“Wow… this feels like drinking iced Americano in summer…”
What?
Khalid forgot to ask, just watching her laugh with round eyes.
‘If I wasn’t here, how would she even handle this much power…’
He was glad he had chased her this far. He carefully refined his magic and let it flow.
“Then let’s start.”
Rubian gripped his hand tightly and drew a magic circle.
“Yap!”
Her white hair floated upward like snow in the wind. Blue light flashed around, a storm of power rising.
From beneath the golden bell and violet stone, mysterious symbols appeared—layers upon layers of magic circles, too many to count.
‘…This is on a level I can’t even copy.’
Khalid only knew beast summoning magic and oath magic. Rubian had taught him some basics, but he had no talent.
Even so, he could see clearly—
Ruby was performing a tremendous magic.
And she did it like it was nothing.
“All done!”
The golden bell now glowed faintly violet. Inside, magic formulas were engraved, visible only to those with power.
“How many do you need to make?”
“North, south, east, west… plus in between, so eight.”
“Why so many?”
Khalid thought of all the stones decorating Rubian’s window.
“They’re for decoration… I want to give them as gifts to Uncle Leviathan and the knights…”
She turned the bell in her hands, mumbling.
So that’s it.
Khalid stared at her small head, unable to describe the feeling inside.
“What’s wrong?”
Her blue eyes blinked. Khalid brought his cloak closer so the emblem was right in front of her.
“I’m a Jebert knight too.”
“…? I know.”
“Don’t forget to count me.”
Rubian tilted her head with pursed lips. Then she sat on the floor, tired, tapping her legs.
“We’ve only finished two… but how do I get more blueprints? That weapon-maniac Uncle Maddix won’t leave me alone otherwise.”
The only way to distract him was new designs. But even that wouldn’t last long—she needed more.
“I’ll get them.”
Khalid said casually, putting the bell back.
“Really? Where?”
“…I can ask a friend.”
“Your animal friends?”
He turned his head. Rubian blinked innocently at him.
‘Does she really think I know nobody else but her?’
All the better.
“Yeah.”
“Ohh.”
She jumped up, using her magic to tidy the messy room.
From far away, Maddix’s footsteps approached—he was done looking at the blueprint.
“Hey, cool Khalid’s friend~”
Rubian spun at the door, smiling. Then suddenly, two pale hands shot up in front of Khalid’s face.
“Give me more.”
“…What?”
“Magic.”
Khalid almost handed her everything he had.
