“Of course I like it here—why wouldn’t I?”

It was surprising he’d even hesitated to ask.

I already said I wanted to be the youngest first!

Did he forget? Or did he really think I’d live here in the North and then run away because I didn’t like it?

Well... I know a little about what Rosetta and Liam are like in the original story.

I wasn’t sure they’d welcome me.

But it’s fine. I can make a good impression.

I had no reason to hesitate.

The Duke let out a long breath, like releasing a blocked sigh. His stiff shoulders eased.

“You were so tense... just to ask something like that?”

It didn’t suit him at all.

“Something like that? This is the most important thing.”

He tapped my nose, his face pale.

Clatter, clatter. Suddenly, loud dish noises rang out beside us. Hazel was moving a tray while sobbing.

“H-Hazel?”

“Sniff... I’m so glad... really glad...”

She couldn’t even finish her words.

The other maids nearby gave awkward laughs, patting Hazel lightly on the back of her neck.

Isn’t that a vital spot?!

But the strong maid didn’t care, wiping her tears and replacing the ruined cake. Butler Adolf smiled warmly at the scene.

“Hehe.”

I couldn’t help but laugh too.

Is everyone really this happy because I said I’ll stay? Their faces are glowing.

Would others be happy too?

Void, Grandpa, the chef, Butler Morris, the knight seniors...

I was happily counting them on my fingers when suddenly my hand dropped.

“...”

“Ruby? What’s wrong?”

The Duke reached across the table, squeezing my cheek.

“You look gloomy again.”

I realized it.

The number of people I’d lied to had grown too large.

And worse—they were all people I really liked.

“You’re clamming up again.”

“N-no, I’m not.”

“Duck mouth.”

My heart stung sharply.

The Duke chuckled and pulled me into a warm hug. In that safety, I thought:

It’s okay.

I can hide this feeling too. I’m good at hiding.

The barrier... I need to hurry!

The only way to ease this guilt was to protect everyone myself.

I’ll protect this man too.

I buried my face in the secure embrace, hiding my expression.

“You’d better not cause trouble.”

“As if.”

Those violet eyes looked at me, as always—gentle and warm.

Khalid walked slowly along the fortress wall.

“You came again today?”

“Yes.”

“Kid, why are you so serious about this?”

The big knights ruffled his hair roughly. Khalid’s face stiffened, then he fixed it again.

Are all Northerners like this?

They crossed boundaries without hesitation and dragged others into their circle as if it were natural.

Honestly, he didn’t like it.

If not for Ruby...

He would have left long ago.

“Look at his eyes. Wanna throw me like Delmon did? Hah?”

“Scary, scary. Almost mistook him for a beast and attacked.”

“...Aren’t you leaving?”

Ignoring their teasing laughs, Khalid walked toward the wall.

There was always tension on the fortress wall. Even the joking knights unconsciously stood straighter here.

So that’s the ‘bell’.

He looked at the tall watchtower.

“What’s this magic stone?”

“Barrier stone! We’ll turn it into a magic tool and plant it in the wall.”

“You’re going to make a barrier around Jelrox?”

“Yeah! To block anyone who comes with bad intentions!”

...So she would run the moment a tracking mage was detected?

That’s too much.

And it risked exposing that a magician was here.

Though it’ll probably stay inactive normally. Ruby must know that.

Khalid stopped walking.

Ah. This barrier must have another purpose. 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

“Khal, go check the bells on the wall. See if any need repairs!”

“You’re making the bells into magic tools too? Where?”

“I’ve got a plan~”

Figures.

He stopped guessing. He couldn’t predict all of Ruby’s thoughts. If something happened, he’d just protect her.

For now, the best thing was letting her do what she wanted.

With a sigh, he climbed the watchtower and inspected the bell. It gleamed brightly, not needing any repair.

Guess I’ll have to make animals move around at night to crack it a little.

He touched the bracelet on his wrist, thinking idly.

Bang!

Rubian kicked open the blacksmith’s door.

“Mister! I came to pick pretty pieces of metal!”

Khalid followed quietly, closing the door she’d slammed.

“Oh, finally here.”

Blacksmith Maddix rose from his stool, where he’d been tapping the floor lazily. His bored face brightened a little.

“You know this has to stay secret, right? Uncle and Grandpa don’t like it. If they find out, I won’t be able to come...”

Rubian shifted shyly, whispering. Maddix bent down awkwardly to listen.

“The truth is, I really love weapons.”

She covered her lips with her hand and whispered. Maddix’s arm muscles twitched.

“Like swords.”

Tense.

“Shields.”

Flex.

“Stuff like that.”

A flicker of madness crossed his eyes.

“Hah! Should I file a complaint with the capital? A growing child should play in a blacksmith full of dreams and hope, not study in some gloomy castle!”

Crazy about weapons, Khalid thought, scanning the large forge.

Ruby’s magic stone shop was right next door. She must have used it as an excuse to sneak out again.

“Quenching! Pouring molten steel!”

“Hehe, I don’t want to do those.”

Ruby waved awkwardly.

“Anyway, I’ll play here today!”

She pointed to a small workshop corner where weapons were finished.

“Then I’ll have to stay too...”

“Huh? Aren’t you busy?”

“Can’t you tell? I’ve been swatting flies. Hup—”

At that moment, Ruby reached out to him with a rolled-up scroll.

Khalid’s eyebrow rose.

“T-this is...!”

“Yes, a new blueprint. A gift and a bribe!”

“...Why would you give me that?”

“Because you’ll keep my secret, right?”

“I’ll serve you with loyalty till the end.”

The blacksmith snatched it greedily, scanning it. Gasps poured from his mouth.

“H-huh... balancing like this? Using this material that way? Wow... But wait...”

His face twisted.

“The important parts aren’t visible. Ruby, don’t tell me...”

“Yep. I must’ve used glow paint so no one can see the real details in daylight.”

“...So I have to look at this blueprint alone in the dark underground?”

“Your face is already boiling red.”

“Feels like a furnace.”

His eyes glittered with obsession.

“But Ruby, where do you even get things like this?”

“From him!”

She pointed straight at Khalid.

Their eyes met. Khalid quickly looked away.

“That arrowhead-like boy who’s been standing like a wall and sneaking glances at you?”

“......”

This lunatic.

“Correction. His stare is like a bastard sword. Be careful.”

Maddix hugged the blueprint like treasure.

“Hehe. He had a few designs from his work before, right, Khal?”

Ruby stomped on his foot. He muttered vaguely.

“...Yeah. Picked them up traveling through {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} different countries.”

“Ahh. So the brat is the supplier.”

Narrowing his eyes, Maddix rummaged around noisily, then spilled red dye across the floor in a trail.

“I’ll treat you like royalty. Here. A path to the workshop.”

A red carpet, really?

Ruby muttered under her breath, her face a little pale.